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VOL 18, No. 958

January 25, 2013

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OBAMA SIGNALS END TO AFGHAN WAR

WASHINGTON: Signaling a virtual end to a 12 year old Afghan war, US President Barack Obama has promised to speed up handover of combat operations to Afghan forces, gave a go ahead for talks with Taliban and laid the groundwork with the Afghan president for a small troop presence in the country post 2014.

"By the end of next year, America's war in Afghanistan will be over," Obama announced in a radio address to the nation, after meeting with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai.

The American president said NATO forces would have a "very limited" role in Afghanistan after 2014, raising prospects of an accelerated US withdrawal from the war-torn nation.

"Afghan forces will take the lead for security across the entire country, and our troops will shift to a support role," Obama said, outlining that in the coming months, he would announce the next phase of drawdown.

Details on page 5

Vivekananda anniversary in Bay Area Details on page 16

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29 Classifieds ------------------------- 43 Community Post -------------- 16-22 Date Book -------------------------- 27 Edit Page --------------------------- 55 HealthScience Post --------- 32-37 Horoscope ------------------------- 50 Immigration Post ------------- 44-47

This week’s question

Life Style ----------------------- 24-26

Is Jindal plan to end income tax a wise move?

Philosophy ------------------------- 54 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4

Last week’s result

Real Estate -------------------- 30-31

Can PM be trusted to bring in necessary reforms?

YES 37%

TechBiz Post ------------------- 12-15 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 39-42

NO 63%

BHARATIYA SAMMAN: President Pranab Mukherjee with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awardees at the valedictory function of the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, in Kochi, Kerala on January 9. Among the awardees were two prominent Indian Americans, AAPI President Dr. Narendra Kumar and distinguished engineer Subash Razdan, second from right. (Details on page 8)

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

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January 25, 2013

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Publisher’s Diary

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lot of times, I do not understand the concept of diplomacy. Especially when it concerns diplomacy between India and Pakistan. What the two countries have in the name of diplomacy between them defies convention because over the years there have been more disputes between the two than diplomatic relations.

I need not go into the history of these relations - they are now known, not only by every kid born before and since Indian Independence, but by many across the world. Still, neither the Indian administrative and political establishments nor the Indian media seem to have the whole gamut of these relations in a clear perspective. Every time Pakistan breaches the fragile peace across the border with India, the entire system runs around like headless chicken trying to find strands of workable sanity.

Since the latest bout of firing across the border that broke out, it is interesting how a leading Indian publication has called for reader views on who they think is smarter - India or Pakistan - based on survey questions like: 1. Pakistan's response is always clearer, faster and more definitive; 2. Pakistan's response is led by higher ranking officials and ministers than India; 3. By offering international mediation, Pakistan gives the impression of being more neutral; 4. India's response is slow, but more representative; 5. Indian diplomacy works through politicians and not army, which slows and confuses our response.

What the publication hopes to achieve through such an inane survey is not clear. But, meanwhile the Indian government's continued openness to "peace talks" with Pakistan baffles me. Now even more, because what Pakistan's army did to one of Indian soldiers is way too below any line of decency. Decency may be a far removed trait for the Pakistani army but to have beheaded an enemy soldier killed in firing is beyond pardon.

Still, such behavior on part of that country is not below expectations. But what really is unpardonable is the Indian government's response by continuing with the "peace talks". What response does it have to the soldier's family's pleas to bring his honor back? Can it bring his head back?

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Loving pair One of his recent tweets reveals that even after years of marriage, Shahrukh Khan loves his wife so deeply.

Cover Story: End of war Signaling an end to the Afghan war, Obama has promised to speed up handover of combat operations to Afghan forces.

Community: Vivekananda anniversary The 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda were initiated at the place where he spoke in Oakland.

Health: AAPI summit Over 1,250 delegates from around the world descended upon the city of Kochi, India to participate in the AAPI summit.

Life Style: Business tips Ash Kumra has come out with a smartly packaged book which gives tips on how to be a successful entrepreneur.

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Obama signals end to Afghan war WASHINGTON: Signaling a virtual end to a 12 year old Afghan war, US President Barack Obama has promised to speed up handover of combat operations to Afghan forces, gave a go ahead for talks with Taliban and laid the groundwork with the Afghan president for a small troop presence in the country post 2014.

"By the end of next year, America's war in Afghanistan will be over," Obama announced in a radio address to the nation, after meeting with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai.

The American president said NATO forces would have a "very limited" role in Afghanistan after 2014, raising prospects of an accelerated US withdrawal from the war-torn nation.

"Afghan forces will take the lead for security across the entire country, and our troops will shift to a support role," Obama said, outlining that in the coming months, he would announce the next phase of drawdown.

The meeting between Obama and Karzai, who have often been at odds in recent years, brought into sharp focus the American end

game for its longest war.

Both the leaders also threw their support behind the Afghan reconciliation efforts with Taliban

Qatar, to keep the door open for inter-Afghan talks.

Referring to withdrawal of the most of the 60,000 US troops in

President Barack Obama talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai during their bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White in Washington, January 11

and endorsed the establishment of a Taliban political mission in

Afghanistan, Obama said that after 2014, American forces would

Indian's subway death: NY woman indicted NEW YORK: A 31-year old woman, accused of shoving an Indian immigrant to his death in front of a subway train last month as she hated "Hindus and Muslims", has been found mentally fit to stand trial and was indicted on charges of murder as a hate crime by a US grand jury.

Erika Menendez of Queens pushed Sunando Sen, 46, in front of an oncoming subway train on December 27, telling authorities later that her hatred for "Hindus and Muslims" prompted her to do so.

Menendez had shown no remorse for her actions during an initial court hearing after her arrest last month, often laughing uncontrollably and telling authorities that she "pushed a Muslim... in front of the train because I thought it would be cool."

At the hearing, she was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said that at a hearing before Acting Queens Supreme Court Justice Dorothy Chin-

have a "very limited" mission in training Afghan forces and preventing a return of Al-Qaeda.

In an apparent reference to

Brandt in a criminal court, Menendez was deemed fit to stand trial.

Indicted on charges of one count of second-degree murder as a hate crime and two counts of second-degree murder, Menendez

Erika Menendez

faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

She has been ordered to return to court on January 29, when she would be arraigned on the indictment.

She remains held without bail.

"The defendant is charged with having been motivated by hate

when she allegedly shoved an innocent man into the path of an oncoming train. The violence ... has no place in a civilized society...

"When hate crimes do, regrettably, occur, they will be condemned in the strongest possible terms and those responsible will be brought to justice to answer for their actions," Brown said in a statement.

Witnesses said Menendez was seen muttering to herself while sitting on a bench at a Queens subway station on the night of December 27.

As a train approached the station, Menendez stepped behind an unsuspecting Sen, followed him briefly and then pushed him off the platform and into the path of the train.

Sen, who lived with roommates in a small apartment in Queens and was unmarried, died of multiple blunt force trauma.

At the time of her arrest, Menendez admitted pushing Sen and said "I pushed a Muslim off the train tracks because I hate Hindus and Muslims, ever since 2001 when they put down the twin towers I've been beating them up."-PTI

leaving a limited force post 2014, Obama said the Afghans would

have to accept a security agreement, still under discussion, granting legal immunity to US troops who stay behind.

"It will not be possible for us to have any kind of US troop presence post 2014 without assurances that our men and women, who are operating there are (not) in some way subject to the jurisdiction of another country," the president said.

Karzai said that after 2014, American troops would remain in Afghanistan in limited numbers only at certain facilities, to continue its fight against Al-Qaeda and its affiliate terrorist organizations in the country.

The Afghan president announced progress on another testy issue between the two sides, saying the leaders had agreed to return of detention centers and terror suspects to Afghan control.

But, both Obama and Karzai were tight lipped on the size of foreign troop garrison in Afghanistan.

The US administration has asked Pentagon to come up with plans for a smaller and limited force levels in Afghanistan and US media reports have put the figure between 3,000-9,000. -PTI

US to support Afghan village operations: envoy WASHINGTON: The US military will keep providing logistical support in villages as it hands over the security lead to Afghan forces this spring, Afghanistan's envoy to Washington has said.

US President Barack Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai had announced that the United States would speed up the transfer of security responsibility, preparing for the withdrawal of US combat forces by the end of 2014.

In a joint news conference at the White House, Karzai said Afghan forces would be fully responsible for protection by spring and that "the American forces will no longer be present in Afghan villages."

Ambassador Eklil Hakimi, addressing reporters in Washington in the wake of Karzai's visit, clarified that US forces would still be present but in a supporting role.

"We still need the logistical support and other support from coalition forces. So now would be a joint operation with Afghans to be in the lead, with the support that we receive from your side," he said.

Hakimi said the two governments and military leaders would work out the exact number of troops to stay after 2014 when the United States withdraws its 66,000 combat troops from Afghanistan, ending its longest war.

The Obama administration has proposed troops levels as low as

Eklil Hakimi

several thousand and said it was open to leaving no troops at all in Afghanistan, although experts see such statements as partially a negotiating strategy.

The United States is pressing for Afghanistan to grant all its remaining troops immunity from local courts, an issue that scuttled proposals to keep a residual US force in Iraq. -AFP

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US prosecutors seek 30-yr sentencing for Rana WASHINGTON: US prosecutors have sought 30 years' imprisonment for Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Rana, an accomplice of convicted terrorist David Headley, for providing material support to Laskar-e-Taiba and conspiring for a terror attack on a Danish newspaper.

A federal grand jury in June 2011 had found 52-year-old Rana

people and is seeking to question him for the second time.

Headley, who conducted reconnaissance of the targets of the Mumbai terror attacks for LeT, had entered a plea bargain with the FBI, saving him from a possible death penalty.

"The government respectfully submits that the Court order the sentences on Counts Eleven and

Tahawwur Rana

guilty of providing material support to LeT and planning an aborted plot to bomb the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten.

Rana, who was originally arrested in 2009 for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, was acquitted of the charge. However, Indian investigators have charged him of being involved in the Mumbai attack that killed 166

Twelve to run consecutively and impose a total sentence of 30 years' imprisonment," Acting US Attorney Gary S Shapiro requested the Chicago court in a position paper.

Rana's sentencing is scheduled for January 17. Citing poor health condition, Rana's attorney Patrick W Blegan urged the court for lighter sentencing.

Referring to the heart attack Rana suffered in June 2012, and the hospitalizations thereafter, Blegan said that Rana is in very poor health and requested the judge to take it into account while sentencing.

"It is likely that his health will continue to deteriorate. He will likely at some point require dialysis due to his kidney disease, and is, of course, at risk for a second heart attack or vasovagal event," Blegan told the court.

Federal prosecutors, however, opposed any move to reduce Rana's sentencing on health ground.

"His attorney have sought lighter sentence citing the heart attack he suffered in June 2012. This is not a compelling factor," the government's position paper said.

In the position paper ahead of Rana's scheduled sentencing which has been postponed for two times so far federal prosecutors alleged that he was involved in the terrorist attack on the Danish newspaper, which would have resulted in a mass-level casualty.

"Indeed, the government introduced a recording in which defendant discussed Denmark as a target. And, when Rana heard the gruesome details of the murderous plan, his stark response was telling 'good' and he said, 'this would be a huge event in the media'. This was not the first time that Rana applauded mass murder," the Acting US Attorney said.

After 166 men, women and chil-

dren were mercilessly slaughtered by the Pakistan-based Lashkar-eTaiba, Rana simply stated that the victims "deserved it."

Rana praised the attacks, stating in a recorded conversation that they struck "fear in the hearts of Indians."

"Instead of showing any compassion for the innocent victims, the defendant believed that the Lashkar leader who planned the attack and the nine Lashkar operatives who carried out the at-

defendant provided material support to Lashkar," he wrote.

Far from a lapse in judgment in choosing his friends, the evidence supported that Rana was well aware of the despicable, violent aims of those he supported, and played an essential role in providing material support to the conspiracy to commit murder in Denmark, the US attorney said.

Further, the evidence also established that Rana knew he was providing material support to a

In the position paper ahead of Rana's scheduled sentencing which has been postponed for two times so far federal prosecutors alleged that he was involved in the terrorist attack on the Danish newspaper, which would have resulted in a mass-level casualty tacks, deserved medals," the attorney said.

"Lashkar, of course, was the very terrorist organization to which Rana provided material support for years. The defendant admitted that he knew Headley worked for Lashkar for five to six years before 2009, and worked to make Headley available as personnel for Lashkar, and to conceal Headley's activity, for years. For this reason, the jury properly found the defendant guilty of Count Twelve, which charged that

banned terrorist group.

"Because of the nature of defendant's offenses and the need for the sentence to reflect the seriousness of defendant's criminal conduct, promote respect for the law, provide just punishment, and to deter others from such criminal conduct, among other factors, the government respectfully submits that the Court order the sentences on Counts Eleven and Twelve to run consecutively, and impose a total sentence of 30 years' imprisonment," the attorney said. -PTI

Pak plans smaller, lighter nuclear warheads WASHINGTON: Expanding its nuclear arsenal at a rapid pace, Pakistan is now aiming to develop smaller and lighter atomic warheads more suitable for use on missiles, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist has said.

Pakistan is expected to surpass Britain's nuclear stockpiles in a decade, the journal said, referring to the rapid development of nuclear warheads by Islamabad.

"Pakistan has shown clear signs of its intention to grow its nuclear arsenal. Most recently, the country has begun to increase its plutonium production capabilities, with two new plutonium production reactors under construction, as well as a new chemical reprocessing facility," the journal said.

"The country's increased interest in plutonium demonstrates its likely goal to develop smaller, lighter warheads more suitable for use on missiles. In

2011, Nuclear Notebook reported that, in the next decade, Pakistan's arsenal could grow larger than that of Britain's," it said.

According to the journal, the

“Pakistan has shown clear signs of its intention to grow its nuclear arsenal. Most recently, the country has begun to increase its plutonium production capabilities, with two new plutonium global nuclear stockpile stands at roughly 19,000 nuclear weapons.

The nuclear-armed states account for an estimated 420 of those weapons, while the nuclear weapon states have the rest.

"With stocks of fissile material

sufficient for an arsenal of up to 200 nuclear warheads, Israel may have the largest stockpile among the nuclear-armed states, while both India and Pakistan each have around 100 warheads," it said.

"Today, these three countries have the largest arsenals they have ever had. This growth trend among key nuclear-armed states stands in stark contrast to Britain, which, with an estimated 225 warheads, has the smallest arsenal of the nuclear weapon states; its arsenal peaked between 1975 and 1980 with 520 warheads," it said.

Besides China, all of the nuclear weapon states typically mate their nuclear warheads and their delivery systems, with aircraft-delivered nuclear weapons being an important exception. The opposite is the norm, however, for the nuclear-armed states, the journal said.

"India and Pakistan keep warheads and delivery vehicles de-

mated. South Africa, when it had a weapons program, was thought to have kept its nuclear cores separate from the bomb casings.

Israel is believed to keep nuclear

“With stocks of fissile material sufficient for an arsenal of up to 200 nuclear warheads, Israel may have the largest stockpile among the nucleararmed states. India and Pakistan may have 100 each. warheads de-mated from its landbased systems, though the same may not be true of nuclear weapons placed aboard Israeli submarines.

"Similarly, it is anticipated that India, when the INS Arihant's sea

trials are complete, will send the submarine to sea with nuclear warheads mated to its K-15 ballistic missiles," the journal said.

Whereas every nuclear weapon state has developed thermonuclear weapons, India and (likely) Israel are the only two nuclear-armed states that have chosen to pursue this capability.

Neither is known to have been successful yet, it said.

Though none of the nucleararmed states has deployed fullrange land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), India, Israel, and North Korea are working in this direction with varying degrees of success; Britain and France are the only nuclear weapon states without ICBMs, though they both deploy intercontinental-range submarinelaunched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), the journal added. PTI

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Modi extends invite for 2015 Vibrant Gujarat Summit GANDHINAGAR: Triggering a fresh bout of speculations about his probable role in BJP post 2014 elections, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has extended invitation to industrialists to attend the seventh edition of Vibrant Gujarat Summit (VGS) in 2015.

"Let me first finish the important work to invite you all. You all should note down January 11, 2015. I am inviting you all for 7th Vibrant Gujarat Summit," Modi said signing off the showpiece biennial Vibrant Gujarat summit edition which was held against the backdrop of his thumping victory in 2012 Assembly elections being at the helm of Gujarat.

"When I invited you (industry) in 2011 media took me to the task as there was an impending assembly election in 2012......I was then inviting you for 2013. But this time, we don't have that danger," he remarked.

Modi's invitation comes at a time when he is being tipped to be a front-runner Prime Ministerial candidate in BJP for 2014 general elections. However, by extending the invite for 2015 VGS, Modi has added new gist to speculations on when was he going to take up the central role.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi raises hands with industrialist Mukesh Ambani, Vajubhai Vala, Japanese TC director Takeshi Yagi, Canadian High Commissoner Stewart Beck and Ratan Tata at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit - 2013 in Gandhinagar on January 11

Doing away with the convention, Gujarat government this time refrained from declaring overall figure of the proposed investments pledged by industries.

However, the state government said "there were investment inten-

tions for 17,719 projects against 8,380 investment intentions in 2011 VGS summit".

"Those people who evaluate the success of this summit only on the basis of money won't understand what this is all about. But

they will be able to do that after 10 years," Modi said.

Whipping up the Gujarati pride, Modi said "Every one (foreign delegates) here is trying their best to say how are you? in Gujarati....This is the proof of their

enthusiasm to have bonding with the earth of Gujarat".

Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry who was present at the valedictory session said, "There is a culture of implementation at various levels in Gujarat and our commitment in Gujarat goes beyond industrialization and investment."

"This summit is that amazing event which caters to the bonding of scores of people from the world with Gujarat....And this bonding is stronger than branding. Power of this bonding is much stronger then power of branding of Gujarat", Modi said.

"People of 121 countries who cannot live for an hour without non-vegetarian are enjoying our vegetarian hospitality for past many days. Isn't it amazing?" he asked.

Highlighting the development in the western state under his rule, Modi said "Earlier people used to say Gujarat is one hour's flight from Mumbai...Today they say that Mumbai is a city close to Gujarat."

"This event has created an urge in people of this state....An urge to change...A change which they saw through exhibitions and trade show here," he added. -PTI

Obama: 2nd administration would be as diverse as 1st

NY becomes 1st US state to enact gun control laws

WASHINGTON: Dismissing policymaking and better deci- charge of US homeland security the notion that his second term sion-making because it brings dif- was a woman. administration is increasingly look- ferent perspectives to the table.

"My two appointments to the ing as all male club with little diHe emphasized the person who Supreme Court were women, and versity, US President Barack probably had the most influence 50 per cent of my White House Obama, urged his critics to wait on foreign policy during his first staff were women. So I think till his entire team in people should expect place before arriving that that record will be any conclusion. built upon during the "I'm very proud next four years," he that in the first four said. years we had as diHe said," Now, verse, if not more diwhat, I've made four verse, a White House appointments so far? and a Cabinet than And one women -- adany in history," mittedly, a high-profile Obama told reporters one -- is leaving at a White House news -- has already left conference, in rethe administration, sponse to a question and I have made a reon the criticism that placement". his second term has He added that evfewer women in the erybody should wait White House and until they've seen all Cabinet. my appointments, He said," I intend who's in the White US President Barack Obama addressing the last press to continue that, beHouse staff and who's conference of his first term at the White House, in cause it turns out that in my Cabinet before Washington on January 14 when you look for the they rush to judgvery best people, given the in- term was a woman. ment. He was referring to the decredible diversity of this country, The people who were in charge parture of Secretary of State, you're going to end up with a di- of moving forward most important Hillary Clinton, from his Cabinet. verse staff and a diverse team". domestic initiative, health care, "We're not going backwards, Obama added diversity helps were women. we're going forward," Obama said. to create more effective He asserted that person in -PTI

NEW YORK: New York has "The Senators that voted for became the first state in the US to the NY SAFE Act of 2013 made a take steps to enact tough new bold statement, coming together laws to confront growing gun vio- in a bipartisan, collaborative manlence in schools in the country, ner to meet the challenges that by imposing new restrictions on face our state and our nation, as assault weapons. we have seen far too many The state senate voted over- senseless acts of gun violence," whelmingly in favor of a legisla- New York Governor Andrew tion that seeks to expand a ban Cuomo said. on assault weapons and prevent the mentally ill from possessing guns The state senate passed the making it the first state to put in place "tough- NY Secure Ammunition and est, most comprehen- Firearms Enforcement Act sive" gun laws in the aftermath of the mass (NY SAFE) with a 43 to 18 shooting in a Connecti- vote. The bill now goes to cut elementary school.

The state senate the lower house of the passed the NY Secure state for ratification Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act (NY SAFE) with a 43 to 18 vote.

The legislation aims to proThe bill now goes to the lower tect New Yorkers by reducing house of the state for ratification. the availability of assault weapThe moves by one of ons and deterring the criminal America's most populous states use of firearms "while promotcame as media reports said that ing a fair, consistent and effiPresident Barack Obama was con- cient method of ensuring that templating new steps to curb gun sportsmen and other legal gun violence nationwide without hav- owners have full enjoyment of ing to seek approval of the Con- the guns to which they are engress. titled." -PTI

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Narendra Kumar & Subash Razdan honored with PBD awards India Post News Service

KOCHI: President Pranab Mukherjee, during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2013 just concluded here, conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards to 13 eminent overseas Indians from different walks of life and two overseas Indian societies.

The award is the Government of India's highest civilian honor for non-resident Indians. Among the awardees were two prominent Indian Americans, Dr. Narendra Kumar, President of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) and Mr. Subash Razdan, a distinguished engineer and a well known community leader from Atlanta.

Dr. Narendra Kumar received the award for his achievements in the field of medicine, community service, global leadership and contributions to building bridges between India and the United States. Mr. Subash Razdan got the recognition in the area of outstanding public service.

The other award winners include Rajkeswur Purryag from Mauritius, Australia India Society of Victoria from Australia, Prof. Dr. Gursharan Singh Chhatwal from Germany, Ashok Shambhomal Vaswani from Guinea, Indian Doctors Forum from Kuwait, Tan Sri Ravindran Menon from Malaysia, Dr. Rasik Vihari Joshi from Mexico, Dr. Satendra Kumar Singh from New Zealand, Gilbert Canabady Moutien from Reunion Island, Mohammed Rabeeh Karuvanthodi from Saudi Arabia, Ismail Ebrahim from South Africa, Bava Pandalingal from UAE and

called it as "the recognition of the achievements and contributions of 100,000 physicians of Indian origin in the United States, whom I

President Pranab Mukerjee presenting AAPI President Narandra Kumar PBD 2013 Award for his dedicated services at the valedictory function in Cochin Kerala PBD on January 9.

Pics Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia

represent as its sitting president."

It's been a steady growth to prominence for Dr. Narendra Kumar, who took charge of AAPI in June 2012, during its 30th annual Convention in Long Beach, CA. Soon after assuming office, Dr. Narendra Kumar told his fellow physicians: "We will put all our energy in a positive direction in order to restore AAPI's image, improve financial health, and bring unity, integrity and stability

Dr. Kumar, who had completed his medical degree from Trivandrum Medical College, Kerala and post-graduate residency from Banaras Hindu University and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, is committed to giving back to the community Patricia Maria Rozario from UK.

Recognition for 100,000 physicians "I am humbled and honored by this great honor bestowed on me today," Dr. Narendra Kumar said, soon after receiving the award. He

its 100,000 members, seeking ways to contribute to their motherland.

His leadership qualities and organizational skills came to the

to our organization."

Within six months, Dr. Kumar and his extraordinarily committed team have worked hard to fulfill those prophetic words. AAPI today is more united than ever, financially stable, expanding steadily and is on the right path strengthening the organization and

forefront and have been hailed by one and all during the Nine-City Musical Tour in the United States as well as during the most recent Global Healthcare Summit 2013 in Kochi, India.

With over 1,200 delegates from around the world, the Summit was historic for the number of delegates and the quality of discussions led by world renowned physicians, CEO's, and scholars from around the globe, in addition to the many initiatives planned to benefit millions of people in our motherland.

For many, leading such an organization is an honor. However, Dr. Kumar sees this as a responsibility, and says, "I have tried my best to carry on this responsibility with ever greater commitment and dedication."

Serving in various capacities in his local Michigan chapter and subsequently the parent AAPI, Dr. Kumar has an intimate knowledge of the "nuts and bolts" of this giant organization.

A man of integrity and giving his best to every effort that he has undertaken both in his professional, family and social life, Dr. Kumar has won the admiration of

everyone. In the words of Dr. Jayesh Shah, President-Elect, AAPI, "Dr. Kumar is kind of person that you immediately feel like he is your friend. To describe Dr. Kumar in 3 words: He is personable, go getter and passionate. He can translate any dream into reality by hard work, perseverance, and commitment."

An accomplished physician and surgeon in the United States, specializing in OtolaryngologyHead & Neck Surgery, Dr. Kumar is a Board Certified Sleep Medicine specialist and founder/Medical Director of Sound a Sleep, Sleep Diagnostic Labs which includes 4 Sleep Labs in the state of Michigan.

Dr. Kumar, who had completed his medical degree from Trivandrum Medical College, Kerala and post-graduate residency from Banaras Hindu University (Varanasi, India) and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, is committed to giving back to the community and to the enhancing of opportunities for the professional growth of physicians of Indian origin.

On his commitment to social causes in addition to his professional leadership, Dr. Kumar, who is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, candidly admits, "Over the past 10 years, I have become increasingly involved in social, professional and political arenas and have taken active leadership roles in various Medical Organizations."

Dr. Kumar is married to Meenakshi for 32 years and the couple are blessed with two children, Sarada and Ramesh.

based in Atlanta.

Subash graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), New Delhi with a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Civil Engineering. He received his MBA degree at the Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia in 1976.

He has also served as a Lecturer at the School of Business at the Georgia State University.

Subash has a long list of accomplishments in his social, civic and professional fields and we are only highlighting some of his most noteworthy contributions.

At IIT Delhi as early as 1972 as a student leader, he served as the General Secretary In 1987, Subash was elected as the President of the India American Cultural Association, (IACA), Atlanta where he served as Chairman of the Board in 1990. During this period his contributions led to the recognition of the Association as a premier social entity with a National recognition. As the President, he was responsible for the redesigning and refurbishing of the Gandhi Room at the Freedom Hall of the King Center.

In 1990, he served as the chairperson of Economic and Employment Commission of the Cobb County Community Relations Council in Georgia.

In 1992, Subash as the Vice President of the National Federation of Indian American Association (NFIA) served as the Convener for 7th Biennial Convention of NFIA in Atlanta, Georgia. This was a major undertaking.

From 1991 to 1998, Subash's efforts and leadership resulted in the installation and dedication of

In 1987, Subash was elected as the President of the India American Cultural Association, (IACA), Atlanta where he served as Chairman of the Board in 1990. During this period his contributions led to the recognition of the Association as a premier social entity Distinguished engineer and community leader Subash Razdan was born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat in a family, which hails from Kashmir, India.

He is a distinguished engineer and a well known community leader

the Statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the National Historic Site, Atlanta, Georgia. It is the first of its kind on U.S. Federal property. At the time of dedication, Subash was the President of NFIA and was the Cofounder of the Gandhi Foundation of USA. Cont’d on page 9

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Narendra Kumar & Subash Razdan honored with PBD awards Cont’d from page 8

He has also served later as the Chairman of Trustees of NFIA. In 1997, Subash Razdan was one of the key coordinators of the 50th Independence Day Anniversary celebrations in Washington DC

by India and Indian Americans in the USA which had First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton as its Chief Guest.

In 1996, Subash was appointed an Attaché' for the Government of India for the Olympics held in Atlanta that year. He also served as

In 2000, Subash accompanied President William Jefferson Clinton on President's historic visit during March 19-25 to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. He has been a frequent invitee to the White House festivities.

Razdan, who made the list of 500 most influential Asian Americans of the prestigious New York Magazine Avenue, is serving as an advisor to the Coca Cola Company's Procurement Advisory Council for Minority and Women-Owned Supplier Development Programs.

In 1996, Subash was appointed an Attaché' for the Government of India for the Olympics held in Atlanta that year. He also served as the acting Chef de Mission for Indian contingent of 100 athletes and officials. In 2000, Subash was appointed by the Governor of Georgia as a member of the Census Committee the acting Chef de Mission for Indian contingent of 100 athletes and officials.

In 2000, Subash was appointed by the Governor, Roy Barnes of Georgia as a member of the Census 2000 Count Committee.

Currently he is serving as the acting Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gandhi Foundation of USA. Subash has been a guest speaker at various meetings, forums and conventions held in

U.S., India and other locations.

Most notable of this are: Keynote speaker at Kodikanal International School's Convocation and the Centennial celebrations in August 2001; Keynote speaker at Women's Federation for World Peace in Atlanta, Georgia; Plenary speaker at Global Conventions of Non-Resident Indians in Paris, France (1992); and in New Delhi, India (1993); AT&T Diversity Day; Atlanta Urban League; etc.

He has contributed articles for various newspapers including the prestigious Atlanta Constitution.

He is a recipient of many prestigious awards. To highlight a few, Citation from the Secretary of State of Georgia, the Hind Rattan award in India in 1991, the Gandhi Foundation of USA award in 1998, Allround Outstanding contribution at IIT Delhi 1973 and also Key to the Aravali Hostel at IIT Delhi 1974.

Subash also owns Asia Pacific Broadcasting Network (APBN).

He is the producer of highly popular weekly television show, Namaste Bombay.

Mr. Subash Razdan, a Kashmiri Pandit, graduated from Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi and moved to USA. He is a distin-

guished engineer and a well known community leader. He was the past president of Indian American cultural Association (IACA), founder and president of

tional Federation of Indian Associations, Kashmiri Association and a producer of popular "Namaste Bombay" TV show in Atlanta for several decades. His special con-

President Pranab Mukerjee presenting Subash Razdan US Community Leader PBD 2013 Award for his dedicated services at the valedictory function in Cochin Kerala PBD on January 9

Gandhi Foundation USA, Atlanta Asian American Association, Na-

tribution to Asian and Indian senior citizens are noteworthy.

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FAA calls plane safe, but will Yogeshwar flies to US for training despite injury review Boeing 787 WASHINGTON: The US government has stepped in to assure the public that Boeing's new 787 "Dreamliner" is safe to fly, even as it launched a comprehensive review to find out what caused a fire, a fuel leak and other worrisome incidents.

Despite the incidents, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood declared: "I believe this plane is safe, and I would have absolutely no reservations about boarding one of these planes and taking a flight."

Administrator Michael Huerta of the Federal Aviation Administration said his agency has seen no data suggesting the plane isn't safe but wanted the review to find out why safety-related incidents were occurring.

The 787 is the aircraft maker's newest and most technologically advanced airliner, and the company is counting heavily on its success. It relies more than any other modern airliner on electrical signals to help power nearly everything the plane does.

It's also the first Boeing plane to use rechargeable lithium ion batteries, which charge faster and can be molded to space-saving shapes compared to other airplane batteries.

The plane is made with lightweight composite materials instead of aluminum.

A fire ignited in the battery pack of an auxiliary power unit of a Japan Airlines 787 empty of passengers as the plane sat on the tarmac at Boston's Logan Inter-

national Airport. It took firefighters 40 minutes to put out the blaze.

Also this week, a fuel leak delayed a flight from Boston to Tokyo of another Japan Airlines 787.

Earlier, Japan's All Nippon Airways reported two new cases of problems with the aircraft.

of Shikoku, glass in a cockpit window cracked, and the aircraft was grounded for repairs.

ANA said it has no specific plan for inspections and will continue regular operations, though it said it would comply with instructions from the FAA and other authorities.

Transportation Secretary Raymond LaHood speaks during a news conference at the Transportation Department in Washington, January 11

ANA spokeswoman Ayumi Kunimatsu said a very small amount of oil was discovered leaking from an engine of a 787 flight from southern Japan's Miyazaki airport to Tokyo.

The jet returned to Miyazaki, and after checks found no safety risk it flew to Tokyo.

ANA said that on another flight, to Matsuyama on the island

The FAA review, which will be conducted jointly with Boeing, will include the design, manufacture and assembly of the 787 with an emphasis on the plane's electrical power and distribution systems.

The review will also examine how the plane's electrical and mechanical systems interact with each other. -AP

KUMBH BEGINS: Devotees gather to take bath at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati river, on Makar Sankranti at the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on January 14

NEW DELHI: Olympic bronzemedalist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, who is nursing a ligament tear in his knee has flown with the Indian team for a training program in the USA but is unlikely to compete in the Dave Schultz Memorial tournament starting from January 31 in Colorado Springs.

Earlier in the month, Yogeshwar suffered a ligament tear on his right knee, which was operated a few years ago, but the 30-year old grappler was keen to be a part of the three-week training program in the US. "He (Yogeshwar) suffered an injury in his right knee. But it is not serious. He will practice there. He was keen to go for the program. How could we stop him?" Wrestling Federation of India General Secretary Raj Singh said.

Yogeshwar had consulted doctors in Mumbai and his knee has been plastered to give rest to the muscle.

Following is the list of players who would be participating in the Dave Schultz memorial tourna-

ment, which will be played January 31 to February 3: Men: Sandeep Tomar (55Kg), Amit Kumar (55Kg), Rajneesh (60Kg), Yogeshwar Dutt (60Kg), Sushil Kumar (66Kg), Manoj Kumar (66Kg), Deepak (74Kg), Somveer (84Kg), Parvesh Kumar

Yogeshwar Dutt

Chhikara (96Kg), Hitesh (120Kg), Manoj Kumar (55 Kg), Anil Kumar Bhariya (60Kg), Deepak (66Kg), Rajbir Chhikara (74 Kg), Harpreet Singh (84 Kg), Bhim Singh (96 Kg), Dharmender Dalal (120 Kg).

Women: Shumel (48Kg), Vinesh (51Kg), Babita Kumari (55Kg), Geeta (55Kg), Shilpi Sheoran (59Kg), Geetika Jakhar (63Kg), Anita (67Kg), Jyoti (72Kg). -PTI

Iran set for 2014 nuclear capability: US think tank WASHINGTON: Iran is on track to be able to produce material for at least one nuclear bomb by mid2014 as sanctions hit its economy but fail to stop the atomic program, said a US think tank.

The Institute for Science and International Security, a private group opposed to nuclear proliferation, called for tougher US economic sanctions against Iran and pressure on major trading partners to isolate Tehran.

The group looked at Iran's "critical capability," defined as the point at which the clerical regime will be able to produce enough weapons-grade uranium or separated plutonium to build one or more bombs before foreign detection.

"Based on the current trajectory of Iran's nuclear program, we estimate that Iran could reach this critical capability in mid-2014," the think tank said in a report.

The think tank based its assessment on the growth in Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium and number of centrifuges and what it described as an uncooperative

stance by Tehran toward the UN atomic agency.

The institute said it was "deeply skeptical" of the potential for preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and painted a dire picture of the consequences if the regime developed the bomb.

The think tank said that a nuclear weapon would "embolden Iranian aggression and subversion" and questioned whether Iran's leadership, with its "apocalyptic messianism and exaltation of martyrdom," could be deterred from using a bomb.

The report also said that an Iranian nuclear arsenal could motivate Saudi Arabia to develop a nuclear program, fueling proliferation in a region where Israel is the sole, albeit undeclared, state with nuclear weapons.

The United States has championed sanctions aimed at crippling the Iranian economy by cutting off its oil exports, while Israel has not ruled out the possibility of a military strike on Iran.-AFP

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Hindus now have a fellow believer in Congress NEW YORK: When Dr Uma Mysorekar looks at the members of the new Congress, the Indian immigrant and practicing Hindu

Ami Bera

can see that, for the first time, there's someone who shares her ethnicity and someone who shares her faith.

To her surprise, they are two

different people.

Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii is the first Hindu elected to Congress. Rep. Ami Bera of California, also a Democrat, is the third Indian-American to serve in the House of Representatives.

Gabbard, however, isn't from India, where Hinduism originated and to which the vast majority of its adherents have ethnic ties.

Bera is a Unitarian. His two Indian-American predecessors in Congress, Dalip Singh Saund and Bobby Jindal, also were not practicing Hindus. The late Saund, a California Democrat elected in 1956, was Sikh. Jindal, a Republican elected to the House in 2004 and now Louisiana's governor, is Catholic.

Gabbard's presence in Congress creates an interesting moment for Hindus in the United States, a chance to celebrate a barrier broken but also a topic of discussion as they ponder how closely religion and nationality are entwined, or even should be.

Pak SC orders arrest of PM Ashraf in corruption case ISLAMABAD: Pakistan plunged into a fresh political crisis with the Supreme Court ordering the arrest of Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf for allegedly receiving bribes in power projects.

Already rocked by fiery cleric Tahirul Qadri's ongoing protest seeking dissolution of provincial and national assemblies, Pakistan appeared headed for uncertainty with the court setting a 24-hour deadline for authorities to implement its arrest orders that may cost a second Prime Minister to lose office in less than a year.

62-year-old Ashraf, who became Prime Minister after the exit of Yousuf Raza Gilani in June last year, has been accused of receiving kickbacks and commission in the Rental Power Projects (RPPs) case as federal minister for water and power.

Gilani had to quit in the midst of a raging battle with the Supreme court over his refusal to write to Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari there. After Ashraf assumed power, the government wrote to Swiss authorities.

It is not clear as to what will be the political fallout of the Supreme

Court's order against Ashraf as this is probably the first case of an incumbent Prime Minister being ordered to be arrested in a corruption case. It remains to be seen whether the ruling PPP will elect a new leader to replace Ashraf.

In March last year, the Supreme

Raja Pervez Ashraf

Court had declared all contracts signed by the government for "rental power plants" as illegal and directed authorities to take legal action against those responsible for clearing the projects, including Ashraf.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the country's main anti-corruption agency, had so far refused to act on the court's directive.-PTI

Mysorekar is glad to see a practicing Hindu in the country's halls of political power, no matter her nationality.

Gabbard "is a Hindu representative, it doesn't matter where she came from," said Mysorekar, president of the Hindu Temple Society of North America, a temple

Gabbard's presence in Congress creates an interesting moment for Hindus in the United States, a chance to celebrate a barrier broken but also a topic of discussion as they ponder how closely religion and nationality are entwined, or even should be

in the New York borough of Queens that is one of the country's oldest.

As a non-Indian Hindu, Gabbard is most definitely an outlier.

According to an analysis issued last month from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, there are about 1 billion Hindus in the world. Of those, 94 per cent are in India, and 99 per cent in the larger South Asia region. The analysis, based on data from 2010, the latest available, estimated the population of Hindus in the United States at 1.79 million.

Most are of Indian descent.

Hinduism encompasses a range of beliefs and practices, and there is no formal conversion practice. That acceptance of plurality in the faith, that Hindus come in many forms, would make it "hypocritical" for Indian Hindus to look askance at Gabbard for not sharing their ethnicity, said Smita Kothuri, 38, of McLean, Virginia.

"How can I hold it against her?

I'd be untrue to my religion if I held

it against her," she said.

Other Indian Hindus agreed with the sentiment.

"I don't think it makes a differ-

Tulsi Gabbard

ence that she's not Indian," said Kinjal Dave, 17, a high school senior in Hillsborough, New Jersey.

"I think it's the faith that matters."

-AP

US favors steps to defuse India, Pak tension

Govt mulls emergency affordable alert device

BHUBANESWAR: Voicing concern over the tension between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC), the United States has favored steps to defuse it and resolve the immediate problem through measures like enhancing people to people contacts.

"I think we have already been doing that. Me and my counterpart in Pakistan have reached out to the respective host governments to express our concern," US Ambassador to India Nancy J Powell told a local television channel here.

Officials in Washington are also monitoring the situation and working out on how to defuse the tension and ensure that progress is made without any deterioration in the situation, she said.

South Asia remains an area of concern; Powell said and emphasized the need for increased people-to-people contact, trade and economic relations between India and Pakistan.

On the menace of international terrorism, the US diplomat said both India and the US are victims and both countries are 'very very active and exchanging information and ideas to prevent any terror attacks'.

Apart from sharing ideas and information, the two countries have also been training each other's personnel on how to face the situation.-PTI

NEW DELHI: Against the back- many processes immediately like drop of spurt in violent crimes, es- tracking location of person in pecially against women, the gov- problem and send alerts to phone ernment has started work on a numbers fed in the system. plan to develop a wrist watch like "It is hopefully a kind of wrist safety device that can sense watch which will react to voice. voice command of users and So if somebody says 'help me' it send alerts to the police and rela- will trigger off many things. It will tives in case of an emergency. start GPS system working, Efforts will also be made to add people whose number are in the at least 30-minute video record- system will be informed of what's ing facility in the device, which may cost He said the device will around Rs 500-700.

"This is at concep- react to voice command tual stage at the mo- and trigger off many ment. We are going to freeze the concept in processes immediately next four weeks and like tracking location of then with C-DAC (Cen- person in problem tre for Development of Advanced Computing) and some others, we want to de- happening, where you velop a device which can be worn are...trigger off phone calls. It on the wrist. In six months time could also start videography so we should be able to develop that it records of what is happensomething," Telecom and IT ing," he said.

Minister Kapil Sibal told PTI. When asked about the exHe said the device is not nec- pected cost of such a device, essarily for women but anyone Sibal said it has to be affordable in distress can use it. otherwise there is no purpose of "There are a lot of incidents such effort. of aged people being attacked.

"If it will cost USD 100 or USD Old people who live alone, there 150 then it's of no use because have been instance of attack. any device which cost Rs 5-7 or Any body in distress can use 10 thousand, people cannot afsuch a device," Sibal said. ford it. Those who can afford, may He said the device will react not need it. Cost should be to voice command and trigger off around Rs 500 or Rs 700.� .-PTI

Tech News BSNL, MTNL ready to surrender part of 2G spectrum NEW DELHI: Cash-strapped telecom firms BSNL and MTNL have proposed to surrender part of their 2G spectrum to cut the load of one-time spectrum fee levied on them.

"BSNL has proposed to surrender part of GSM spectrum in certain cities of few circles and 1.25 Mhz of CDMA spectrum in Kerala circle," a government source told PTI. Both the loss-making public sector units will have to jointly pay Rs 10,117.57 crore if they were to retain the telecom airwaves beyond a threshold.

In this, BSNL will have to pay Rs 6,911.86 crore which includes Rs 5,886.81 crore for spectrum from January 1, 2013 and Rs 1,025.05 crore in dues for holding spectrum between July 1, 2008 to December 31, 2012.-PTI

Batelco plans to re-enter India through acquisition DUBAI: Bahrain Telecommunication Company (Batelco) is looking to re-enter India through acquisition of a telecom company, according to a media report here.

According to daily 'The National', Batelco CEO Sheikh Mohamed bin Isa Al Khalifa stated that the company is not interested in participating in the upcoming 2G spectrum auctions in India to secure licenses and set up a new joint venture in India.

However, it is planning to enter India again by investing in existing telcos, according to the daily.

Batelco had formed a special purpose vehicle with Dubai- based Millennium Private Equity to acquire 49 per cent stake in Indian mobile services provider S Tel for USD 225 million in 2009.-PTI

Maruti to increase car prices by up to Rs 20,000 NEW DELHI: India's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India has said it will increase prices of its vehicles across models by up to Rs 20,000 to offset pressure of adverse currency fluctuation.

"The price hike across all models will be up to Rs 20,000," Maruti Suzuki India Chief Operating Officer (Marketing & Sales) Mayank Pareek told PTI. Last month, the company had announced a price increase of 1-3 per cent.-PTI

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Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi visits Hitachis new plant after its innaguration at Karan Nagar near Ahmedabad on January 13

'US could default by Feb if borrowing authority not extended' WASHINGTON: Warning US lawmakers that time is fast running out on the debt ceiling issue, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has told the Congressional leadership that America could default by mid-February.

"If Congress does not act to extend borrowing authority, all

The US had hit the USD 16.4billion debt ceiling on December 31. Since then it has employed "extraordinary measures" to avoid any default, but it might end up mid- February if the debt limit is not increased, he said.

"Treasury currently expects to exhaust these extraordinary mea-

"For this reason, Congress should act as early as possible to extend normal borrowing authority in order to avoid the risk of default and any interruption in payments," he said of these payments would be at risk. This would impose severe economic hardship on millions of individuals and businesses across the country," Geithner said in a letter to the Congressional leadership.

sures between mid-February and early March of this year. We will provide a more narrow range with a more targeted estimate at a later date," Geithner said.

Any estimate, however, will be subject to a significant amount of

uncertainty because the US is entering the tax filing season when amounts and timing of tax payments and refunds are unpredictable, he said.

"For this reason, Congress should act as early as possible to extend normal borrowing authority in order to avoid the risk of default and any interruption in payments," he said.

"If the extraordinary measures were allowed to expire without an increase in borrowing authority, Treasury would be left to fund the government solely with the cash we have on hand on any given day.

Jindal aims at ending income tax in Louisiana WASHINGTON: Indian-American Governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal has proposed to end individual and corporate income tax, which he argued would be able to attract more investment and people to his State.

"My goal is to eliminate all personal income tax and all corporate income tax in a revenue neutral way, and keep the sales tax as low and flat as possible," Jindal announced, which drew sharp reaction from some of the State lawmakers.

"This will keep more money in the pockets of Louisianans and send a message to businesses across the globe that Louisiana is open for business," he said in an email to his people in the State.

Study after study shows that states with no income tax or low

income tax rates have more population and more job growth than

Bobby Jindal

states with higher tax rates, he said.

"We've already proven that we can compete with other states around the country to win economic development projects, but eliminating personal and corporate income taxes will put Louisiana in

an even stronger position to attract companies that want to invest and create jobs," Jindal argued.

But some lawmakers responded his proposal with caution.

"I think that there are some promising concepts here, but we're still talking about concepts. I'm not going to be anywhere until I see the specific language," said State legislator Chris Broadwater, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, the tax-writing panel.

Elimination of income tax is not a new phenomenon in the US. Several States like Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming have no income tax.

Some of these States make up for income tax by imposing a higher property tax or increase in sales tax. -PTI

"As you know, cash would not be adequate to meet existing obligations for any meaningful length

Timothy Geithner

of time because the government is currently operating at a deficit," he said in the letter. -PTI

Arrest warrant for Porsche global CEO

M

atthias Mueller, the global CEO and Chairman of Iconic sports car maker Porsche AG is facing serious legal problem from its former vehicle import partner Precision Cars India which slapped a case of cheating against the German firm. As a fallout of the case, an Indian court issued a warrant of arrest against Matthias Mueller and 8 other board members of the company.

On the order of the court the local police and the CBI contacted Interpol to seek help as the persons accused in the case were from Germany and the UAE. The company executives too were likely to be served notices at the earliest. As many as six cases of cheating, extortion, criminal breach of trust, dishonestly inducing delivery of property and criminal conspiracy had been filed against Porsche AG by the Precision Cars India.

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Remarkable economic transformation FDI in retail would promote instability: Nobel laureate in India, China: Bernanke WASHINGTON: Emerging markets like India and China are witnessing a remarkable transformation, despite a slowdown in economic growth, lifting millions of people out of poverty, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has said.

"In the emerging markets, you have a variety of different stories, but I think the fundamentals there, in the emerging markets, are pretty good, and even if there's some moderation of growth in some countries, we are seeing overall a rather remarkable transformation of places like China and India, which has been the biggest anti-poverty program in history," he said.

"The growth in those countries has lifted many millions of people out of poverty. So, I think growth will proceed in those areas as well, with each country, each region Latin America, Asia - dealing with different sets of issues," he said in his remarks on 'Monetary Policy, Recovery from the Global Financial Crisis and Long-Term Challenges

Facing the US Economy' at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Globally, he said, the different parts of the world that are facing

portant steps to try to stabilize the financial markets there have been helpful," he said.

"They're working on improving

Ben Bernanke

slowdowns, each has to address its own set of issues.

"In Europe, some progress has been made in addressing their sovereign debt and banking issues that they have. The European Central Bank has taken some im-

India 9th biggest risk for global economy NEW YORK: India's difficult alles' (the biggest growth engine) policy-making environment will be could not be so fast. the ninth biggest risk for global "In 2013, the ability of the goveconomy in 2013, while increased ernment to implement robust ecovolatility across emerging markets nomic policies will decline even will be the top-most risk for the further, perpetuating India's 'stallyear, a new study has said. ing or falling' outlook.

As per the study conducted by "As general elections draw Eurasia Group, the world's leading closer, political opportunism and global political risk research and obstructionism will increase. Any consulting firm, the second big- support for reform from the fickle gest risk in 2013 for the global economy could be China's fight against About India, the report said flow of information, inthat the country "in 2013 will cluding those from the cyberspace. be one of the prime exThe others on a list amples of the intrusion of of ten biggest risks, as compiled by Eurasia re- political factors into what port, include 'Arab Summer' at third place, fol- had been until recently seen lowed by issues related as a long-term economic to Washington Politics (4th), JIBs - Japan, Israel success story� and Britain (5th), Europe (6th), East Asian geopolitics regional parties that hold the bal(7th), Iran (8th), India (9th) and ance of power in Parliament will South Africa (10th). likely wane," it added.

About India, the report said Fearing that "poor policy-makthat the country "in 2013 will be ing will extend to fiscal policy", one of the prime examples of the Eurasia group said that any meanintrusion of political factors into ingful fiscal consolidation would what had been until recently seen be unlikely this year in that case. as a long-term economic success "The best of circumstances, the story. political context for economic reIt said that India's emergence form might improve following the as the world's next 'growth uber elections (scheduled for 2014).-PTI

their fiscal arrangements, both to create longer-term sustainability in individual countries, but also to put up a set of agreements under which countries will be willing to work with each other on fiscal matters," Bernanke said. -PTI

I-T department summons Nitin Gadkari NAGPUR: The Income Tax department has issued summons for appearance to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President (BJP) Nitin Gadkari in connection with its investigation against him and some associated companies for alleged tax evasion.

Top sources in the department said Gadkari has been asked for his personal appearance so that he can be confronted with the documents and probe conducted by the I-T in this regard in the last few months. "He had sought an adjournment for two weeks citing that he is not present in Nagpur.

He has been given the extension and the new date for appearance is January 21," they said.

We need to confront him with the probe that we have conducted and verify the facts, they added.

The department has been probing various firms that invested in Gadkari's company Purti Power and Sugar Limited (PPSL) and the probe unit here has sent a report in this regard to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) in Delhi.

The department, according to sources, has allegedly found the details of almost 30 companies that have been "in transactions" with PPSL. Meanwhile, sources close to Gadkari said he has not received any notice from the I-T department and he has not been asked to appear before any official. -PTI

PATNA: Nobel laureate American economist Joseph Stiglitz has said that FDI in multi-brand retail in India would promote instability due to exploitative and corrupt practices adopted by MNCs to monopolies the retail markets in any country.

"The FDI in retail can promote instability by way of the exploitative and corrupt ways of the MNCs to hold sway over retail markets," Stiglitz said.

"India must take into account a prospect of instability before allowing FDI in multi-brand retail," he said while delivering a lecture on "Redefining Capitalism" here.

MNCs will bring in corruption and exploitation of labor force after setting up shops in India, he said.

Pointing that the retail giant Wal-Mart bribed officials at various levels in Mexico to monopo-

lies the retail market there, he said, "May be, you want to learn bribery. But I don't understand what India is trying to get out by allowing FDI in multi-band retail."

Stiglitz said it would bring exploitation of the labor force and

MNCs will bring in corruption and exploitation of labor force promote corruption.

"FDI can bring with it capital, technology, know-how, training and access to market and can promote growth and job creation. But the foreign firms can be even more efficient at exploitation, in one way or the other," he said. -PTI

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Dreamliner safety: Air India awaits US FAA's probe MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: With its latest acquisition - the Dreamliner - - facing technical trouble, Air India and the Civil Aviation Ministry would await the findings of the US Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) probe into the problems faced by Boeing 787s before taking any decision.

Following the recent trouble

erupting in an aircraft owned by Japan Airlines, American manufacturer Boeing jointly announced investigations into the matter with the FAA. The plane has had three technical mishaps this month, including an electrical fire in a Japan Air-

lines plane, a fuel leakage and a broken cockpit window.

"There is nothing to be done by us at present. We have already carried out inspections and checks on our aircraft on our own, including on the lithium ion batteries," senior Air India officials said, adding "we are awaiting any advice from the FAA or Boeing."

Experts say these batteries are used on the F-22 and F-35 fighters, the International Space Station, battery-powered cars like the Tesla and the Chevy Volt, apart from the high-tech new Dreamliner.

Regarding fuel leaks, the airline officials said this was not some-

thing "unusual as it occurs in all aircraft types." Such problems have to be rectified but these are not anything significant, they said.

Boeing has designated a team in Delhi for any trouble-shooting, the officials said, adding that the team was "available to us at any time in the eventuality of the plane facing any technical problem."

Stating that the "fuel efficient" plane has started turning the fortunes of the carrier on many loss-making sectors which were so far being serviced by B777s, they said "we are banking on these aircraft going forward because of the fuel efficiency."

Sectors like Delhi-Frankfurt, which were bleeding the airline, have now turned cash-positive with the deployment of these planes, the officials said. The aircraft is also being operated to

Dubai and Paris.

With the introduction of these planes, Air India has put five of the Boeing 777-200 LRs up for sale and gradually replacing their routes with the Dreamliners.

The national carrier, which has already acquired six of these planes and would be inducting two more by March, had come across a glitch in the plane's liquid cooling system and electrical power system on the first day of its operations, leading to the grounding of all three Dreamliner planes in Air India's fleet at that time.

After the faults were rectified, these planes have been flying regularly on certain domestic and international routes.

Air India had placed orders for 27 of these aircraft even when it was on the drawing board, as part of the 68 aircraft purchase order with Boeing in 2006.

The B-787s, the latest and most technologically advanced offering from Boeing, is made of lightweight composite materials instead of aluminum.

The upcoming investigations by the FAA and Boeing is likely to delve into the problems in its electrical system, including whether it

Govt may refer surrogate ownership to TRAI NEW DELHI: Concerned over cases of "surrogate ownership" of broadcasting and distribution platforms by some political parties, government is planning to refer the matter to TRAI for its suggestions to carry out changes in the laws.

"I don't think it requires any rocket science to figure out that there is surrogate ownership of both broadcasting mediums, as well as distribution mediums across the length and breadth of this country," Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari told PTI. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has in its latest recommendations suggested that political entities should not be allowed to run television channels.

The present rules, however, do allow players like Gujarat BJP's cable channel NaMo TV and other politically affiliated individuals to be active in this sector.

"Some of that surrogate ownership is ostensibly attributed to political parties or political entities.

Some other is attributed to individuals. So there is definitely a play in the joints in so far as the legislative architecture or the law is concerned, and people have taken advantage of it," he said, while stressing for a need to update the

laws governing this sector.

"As we speak, we are in the process of formulating a reference to the TRAI to see how comprehensively, the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1994

parties in the broadcasting sector.

Tewari also stressed on the need to relook the kind of relationship that should exist between the government and the public broadcaster in a "changed scenario", saying an

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Information & Broadcasting, Manish Tewari addressing at the 45th Annual Convocation of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), in New Delhi on January 15

needs to be updated so that all this can be brought on board," he said.

The minister was responding to a query on government's stand regarding presence of political

"arm's length distance" between the two was not possible if the national broadcaster's funding was routed through the ministry.

"Prasar Bharati takes away two

thirds of my budget. I am supposed to recruit for them. I am supposed to discipline them, but yet I am supposed to have nothing to do with them. Now it is an oxymoron, which in real life does not work," Tewari said.

"If there is a need for an arm's length relationship, how is that arm's length relationship to be ensured. These are questions which seriously need to be gone into. Because there cannot be, I am sorry to put it so bluntly, an arm's length relationship, if the appropriation of the Prasar Bharati goes through the I&B Ministry," he said.

He said that in 1990, when the Prasar Bharati was created, there was only one channel while there are 852 channels at present.

"So if Parliament, and I think this is something to which all of us should seriously apply ourselves to, if there is a feeling that this country requires a Public Broadcaster, then what should be the role of the public broadcaster in a changed scenario?" he asked.

Another issue that needed to be settled was whether government could use television as an educational medium. He said that the HRD Ministry had worked on an ambitious proposal of starting scores of such channels.-PTI

has sufficient safety monitoring equipment for its innovative lithium ion batteries.

The battery fire broke out on an empty Dreamliner operated by Japan Airlines while it was parked at Boston's Logan International Airport.

In a statement from its Everett plant in the US welcoming the joint

Boeing has designated a team in Delhi for any trouble-shooting, the officials said, adding that the team was "available to us at any time in the eventuality of the plane facing any technical problem” probe with FAA, Boeing said it was confident in the design and performance of the B-787s. "The airplane has logged 50,000 hours of flight and there are more than 150 flights occurring daily," the company said in its statement. -PTI

Govt plans to ask big industries for ‘water returns’ NEW DELHI: Seeking to curb the unbridled use of water and check pollution, the government is considering to introduce a system under which the big industries will have to file 'water returns' on the lines of income tax returns.

Besides, the government is also mulling introduction of differential rate of pricing of water by different types of industrial users.

The annual water returns on similar lines of tax returns would include key parameters like utilization per unit produce, effluent discharge details, rain water harvested, water reuse details and fresh water consumption, said the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17).

The document, which has been approved by the country's apex decision making body the National Development Council (NDC) and is broad policy for the five-year period, has emphasized that the filing of water returns be made mandatory for big industries and businesses. The policy document has also underlined the need for promoting reuse and recycle of waste water in industry through regulations and incentives through national frameworks and a system of water returns. -PTI

TechBiz Post

January 25, 2013

India Post

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Govt postpones GAAR implementation by 2 years NEW DELHI: Giving a big relief to overseas investors, the government has postponed implementation of controversial GAAR provisions by two years to April 1, 2016.

"Having considered all the circumstances and relevant factors, the government has ...decided that provisions of Chapter 10A of the Income Tax Act (dealing with GAAR) will come into force from April 1, 2016 as against April 1,

vestors expressing apprehensions that it would result in unnecessary harassment by tax authorities.

The decision to postpone the implementation, Chidambaram said, follows the recommendations of the Shome Committee which was set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in July last year to look into investor concerns.

The government, Chidambaram further said, has accepted major

The Minister said only those arrangements which are aimed at only obtaining tax benefit would be considered as 'impermissible arrangement' and would attract GAAR. As per the original GAAR provisions under Chapter 10 (A) of Finance Bill, 2012, the anti-tax avoidance provisions could be invoked "if one of the purposes" was to obtain tax benefit 2014," Finance Minister P Chidambaram said here.

The General Anti Avoidance Rules (GAAR) provisions, introduced by the then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in the Budget 2012-13, were aimed at checking tax avoidance by overseas investors. The proposal, however, generated controversy, with in-

recommendations of the panel with some modifications.

"The modifications that we have done are fair, non-discriminatory, just and strike a balance between interest of revenue and interest of investors. So, all apprehensions should now be set addressed," he said.

The GAAR provisions, the

Stock guru scam: I-T official took bribe in crores NEW DELHI: CBI has carried out searches at office and residence of a Deputy Commissioner, Income Tax after registering a case against him for allegedly taking bribe running into crores of rupees during the department's probe into the Rs 500-crore Stock Guru scam.

CBI sources said Yogendra Mittal, an IRS officer of 2006 batch, had conducted search operations at various locations in connection with Stock Guru scam during January 2011 but they were allegedly not genuine.

They alleged that illegal gratification taken by the officer could be anywhere between Rs one crore to Rs 15 crore.

The alleged perpetrators of Stock Guru scam - Ulhas Prabhakar Khaire and his wife Raksha - were arrested by Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing in Novem-

ber last year, nearly 22 months after dubious searches carried out by the Income Tax officer, the sources said.

A team of CBI officials searched the residential premises of Mittal at Kaushambi, Ghaziabad as well as his office, CBI sources said here.

The officer was booked for criminal conspiracy and under Prevention of Corruption Act. It was alleged that officer led searches against the company Stock Guru with the intention of extracting illegal gratification, they said.

Khaire and Raksha were arrested for allegedly duping around two lakh investors from seven states of nearly Rs 493 crore by promising them high returns on their investment through their firm Stock Guru dealing in shares.-PTI

Minister also clarified, would override the double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA) benefits if the arrangements were intended solely to evade taxes.

No investor, Chidambaram said, "should now have any apprehension about his investments in India. Only those arrangements, which have been made for the purpose of tax avoidance, will be brought under GAAR, he added.

He also clarified that investments made by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) will not be covered by the provisions of GAAR. Following the announcement, the BSE benchmark Sensex rose by about 200 points to 19,864.

About the applicability of the GAAR provisions, he said FII investments seeking benefits under Sec 90 and Sec 90 (A) of the I-T Act (dealing with DTAA) would be covered.

The Minister said only those arrangements which are aimed at only obtaining tax benefit would be considered as 'impermissible arrangement' and would attract GAAR. As per the original GAAR provisions under Chapter 10 (A) of Finance Bill, 2012, the anti-tax avoidance provisions could be invoked "if one of the purposes"

‘US Treasury Bills found with TN trader fake’ NEW DELHI: The US treasury bonds with face value of USD 5 billion found in possession of a Tamil Nadu-based trader were fake but the government would inquire about his frequent visits to Myanmar, a Finance Ministry official said here.

"The US treasury bonds (of face value of USD 5 billion) recovered from the trader have been found to be fake. However, we are trying to find why was he frequently visiting Myanmar," the official said.

Barclays Bank, according to reports, had earlier informed the IT officials that the Treasury Bills seized from the Tamil Nadu trader T M Ramalingam were fake.

On December 31, 2012, I-T department raided his residence at Dharapuram in Tirupur district and seized the Treasury Bills. -PTI

was to obtain tax benefit.

The Minister clarified that there would be a threshold limit of Rs 3 crore of tax benefit for invocation of GAAR, as suggested by the

go back is technically correct. But in order to go, you have to comply with a number of provisions in the I-T Act. If the assessment is completed, you can reopen the

P Chidambaram

Shome panel.

Moreover, Chidambaram said, that investments made before August 30, 2010, would not attract the provisions of GAAR. On whether tax officials can look into cases between August 30, 2010, and the date for implementation of GAAR, he said: "They can

assessment only after very strict circumstances."

"This decisions (of GAAR rules modifications) have by and large addressed the concerns that were expressed by investors ... Most of the apprehensions I think have been removed now," Chidambaram said. -PTI

Charges in spectrum case in NDA regime on Jan 30 NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has fixed January 30 to consider taking cognizance of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) charge sheet filed against Airtel, Vodafone

and others for alleged irregularities in allocation of additional spectrum to them during National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regime.

Special CBI judge O P Saini, who earlier had fixed January 14 to consider taking cognizance of the charge sheet filed on December 21 last year, deferred its order on the issue after the CBI submitted that they need over two weeks more to file some more documents before the court.

"Put up for consideration on cognizance on January 30," the judge said.

During the brief hearing, CBI prosecutor A K Singh told the court that they have filed in the court all the documents relied upon by the agency but they need two weeks more to file some "unrelied documents" which are in agency's possession. -PTI

Desi News Air India striding to reach the top SURESH SHAH

CHICAGO: Air India, the national Indian airline, seems to have changed for better as far as its in house, in-flight and airport services are concerned. The laudatory messages received from passengers are encouraging, says Rishiknat Singh, Air India chief in Chicago.

He said that the Air India management has been exercising extra vigil and care to make journey by Air India comfortable and soothing to all its passengers, including those traveling in economy class. The upgraded aircraft, choice of food to meet passengers' religious and other requirements, efforts to stick to arrival and departure schedules and friendly staff going extra mile.

Details on page 18

Gold has to glitter in the long run: Anil Shah RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: All that glitters is not gold but all that gold does glitter all the time, says Anil Shah, CEO of World Money Exchange, a front ranking business firm dealing in precious metals and foreign exchange.

"To many an investor, that glitter seems to be fading a bit in the wake of a minor setback in values in recent days, but I am reasonably sure that the golden days are ahead for long term investors, judging from its decade long track," he said Details on page 19

Nutrition, exercise key to good health HARISH RAO

CHICAGO: Man Mohan Sharma, Director Training at Metropolitan Family Asian Services, conducted a seminar on "healthy@ 100," on December 30 at Hari Om Mandir.

Details on page 21

US laws more effective in rape cases: AWSN Details on page 22

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

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Focus on youth at Rajasthani Diwali

January 25, 2013

Details on page 20

Bay Area celebrates 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda RITU MAHESHWARI India Post News Service

FREMONT: In 1900, Swami Vivekananda was invited by Rev. Benjamin Fay Mills to First Unitarian Church of Oakland. Swami Ji delivered a series of lectures on 'The Claims of Vedanta on the Modern World' and 'Vedanta and Christianity'.

For four months Swami Vivekananda lectured and taught classes in San Francisco, Oakland and Alameda, traveling back and forth across the Bay, sowing the seeds of the exalted, universal ideas of Vedanta. His lectures were an instant hit and many people had to be refused access to the church at that time as there was no room to accommodate everyone.

On Saturday January 12th, 150th birth anniversary celebrations were initiated at the same place, in front of the same pulpit

Dignitaries at the celebration

Kickoff event was attended by almost four hundred people ranging in faith from Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Unity and Muslims. Sitting in rapt attention in historic Hamilton Hall, the assembly listened attentively to swamis, ministers and dignitaries who spoke from the very same pulpit in Hamilton Hall. The event was a symbol of spiritualism and was attended by many community and religious leaders.

Kickoff event was attended by almost four hundred people ranging in faith from Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Unity and Muslims. They came to the First Unitarian Church of Oakland to commemorate the life and works of Swami Vivekananda.

Sitting in rapt attention in historic Hamilton Hall, the assembly listened attentively to swamis, ministers and dignitaries who spoke from the very same pulpit where Swami Vivekananda had lectured over one hundred years ago.

Consul General of India N. Parthasarthy stressed that Swamiji's greatness was in the fact that he was able to make Hindu-

ism accessible to the West.

Swamiji emphasized that "You should live life like a droplet on the lotus leave. While being aware of the environment, you need to be detached from it. This does not mean that you live in a vacuum, but you need to be detached while living in the materialistic world. It does not matter how long you live, what matters is the quality of life

you live".

Swami Prapannananda of the Vedanta Society of Sacramento, speaking about Swami Vivekananda's visit to America, urged all in attendance to follow the words of Swamiji, "Let us live and stand in God. Let us lift ourselves above the vanities of the world. Let us feel the oneness of life."

Cont’d on page 17

Mr. N. Parthasarthy, Consul General of India, San Francisco addressing from the same pulpit Swami Vivekanand used in 1900

Community Across America

January 25, 2013

India Post 17

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Feel lighter and confident after TLS top size from large. I feel active and light, so enthusiastic to take up new challenges with confidence because I got rid of my knee pain and I can do better exercises, walk faster.

IP: How much goal achievement was there?

CT: Oh! It was more than the set goal. The best side-product was that I became pain free.

IP: Did your eating & lifestyle

Before India Post News Service

FREMONT: The practice of Transition Life Style (TLS) has made a difference in the lives of many individuals who are now following it as a life-long lifestyle.

Amongst them, Mrs Chitra Thakur was interviewed this week and asked to describe how she felt before and after taking up TLS program. Here are her answers:

After

India Post: How was the TLS class beneficial to you?

CT: This class was a major breakthrough in my career and passion.

I completed the 12 weeks class with an open mind and focused on my goal to lose weight and get my lab results normal. This class not only made me light but also brought my body in shape. I lost 5 inches of waist and reached small

Bay Area celebrates 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda Cont’d from page 16

Vivekananda's spiritual message and the 150th anniversary celebration: "There is unity in diversity and together we make it real."

Events are planned throughout the year to celebrate Swamiji's 150th birth year. Next event planned is a musical event at Flint Center, Cupertino on April 20th 2013.

Swami Prasannatmananda of the Vedanta Society of Berkeley, speaking on Vivekananda's life and teachings, stated "You cannot have a spring without a stream.

Just as Jesus was to St. Paul or Krishna to Arjuna, so was Ramakrishna to Vivekananda.

Ramakrishna was the fountain, Opening floodgates Swami Vivekananda the pure of spirituality stream, taking peace and wisdom Among the voices of the to all mankind. Swami Vivekananda prophets that continue to reverwas born to fulfill a divine purpose berate through the corridors of for the good of the world."

S w a m i Tattwamayananda of the Vedanta Society of North- Talk is academic, the ern California, in speaking importance of Swami of the philosophy of Swami Vivekananda Vivekananda was that he stressed that "Talk is aca- had experienced what demic, the importance of Swami Vivekananda was he preached that he had experienced what he preached. He taught that religion is not opposed time, few are more meaningful to to reason, science and technology, modern man or carry more power rather it can accommodate it. to the modern mind, than the voice Swami Vivekananda's uniqueness of Swami Vivekananda, the 19th was in the fact that "he reconciled century monk and spiritual teacher philosophy, mysticism and theol- who burst upon the western world like a thunderclap at the Chicago ogy."

At the close of the day, Unitar- World's Parliament of Religions in ian Reverend Kathy Huff offered 1893.

Cont’d on page 19 a beautiful summation of Swami

style change after the TLS education?

CT: Yes, now I eat what my body wants and not what my tongue wants. My test buds have changed so that the cravings have almost gone. Eating time is regularized. I am still exploring new foods.

IP: What are the changes that you noticed in your body or mind before and after attending the

program? (Including lack of need for medications) CT: My body is in shape and pain free. My metabolic age is reduced a lot. My mind has been affected so much that I opted to become a coach in TLS class in Fremont temple. I conducted my first teaching class recently and spreading the wellness message to the community especially to get pain free (510-474-1368, Fremont CA)

Community Across America

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January 25, 2013

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Air India striding to reach the top SURESH SHAH

CHICAGO: Air India, the national Indian airline, seems to have changed for better as far as its in house, in-flight and airport services are concerned. The laudatory messages received from passengers are encouraging, says Rishiknat Singh, Air India chief in Chicago.

He said that the Air India management has been exercising extra vigil and care to make journey by Air India comfortable and soothing to all its passengers, including those traveling in economy class. The upgraded aircraft, choice of food to meet passengers' religious and other requirements, efforts to stick to arrival and departure schedules

and friendly staff going extra mile, have been paying dividends," he said.

Prof. S. Sitaraman Director, Amity Centre for Yoga and Meditation said in a letter "Thanks to Air India crew, my wife and me, both seniors (aged 75 and 70 respectively) had a delightful flight experience on 24th Dec 2012, when we took your lovely Boeing 777 for our flight from Delhi to Chicago. The flight took off after 2 am in spite of uncertain weather conditions especially fog threat."

"We had comfortable seats (although we would have felt more comfortable if leg space was broader and wider)

The Air India team (L to R) Katherine Thorat, Sanjay Sharma and Rishikant Singh

and the food was delicious. The two hostesses took extraordinary care of our needs, with polite behavior and courteous attention. In conclusion the travel was a wonderful experience, thanks to Team Air India."

Rishikant said, "Air India can get back to its original glory and earn huge income. It need not be incurring losses.

There are many methods to increase the market share for AI, both in domestic routes and aboard."

Dr. Nitin Khanna of the Clinical Faculty Dept of Orthopedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, in a letter to Air India said "I would like to commend the entire Air India team for making our trip Chicago-Delhi with two small children truly exceptional.

We just reached back today and flew Business Class both ways. Our departure date was Dec 19. Every single person we dealt with at the airport from check in to the 14 hour journey was fantastic.

I had looked online and found nothing but horrible reviews about Air India. I think there is always room for imAir India climbing up provement as an organization but your training and staff are truly world class" Citing some of the other plus points traveling Air India, Rishikant Singh said "economy coach seats of Air India are more luxurious than Business class of many airlines.

These have been designed to avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) that afflicts fliers on cramped seats. While some airlines seat 10 abreast we seat nine on comparable aircraft.

We should be 11% costlier as a result. Every inch of space costs, yet counts for comfort and safety. Our Business class compares with the First of other airlines, and is really a sign of luxury."

"Air India is the fastest to India with non-stops from Chicago, New York and Newark. It has excellent connections to Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Amritsar and many more cities and state capitals.

"Further, for F & J, Tele-check in facility exists. For all passengers advance check-in and seat selection can be done online on permitted flights, especially domestic flights within India. Besides, our Frequent Flyers loyalty program - "Flying Returns" - is one of the more generous ones in the industry. One can log on at www.airindia.in and enroll," he concluded.

Community Across America

January 25, 2013

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Gold has to glitter in the long run: Anil Shah RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: All that glitters is not gold but all that gold does glitter all the time, says Anil Shah, CEO of World Money Exchange, a front ranking business firm dealing in precious metals and foreign exchange.

"To many an investor, that glitter seems to be fading a bit in the wake of a minor setback in values in recent days, but I am reasonably sure that the golden days are ahead for long term investors, judging from its decade long track," he said Analyzing the gold situation in US and in the global market, Shah observed that 'the headlong rush for gold bullion amid the ongoing global market turmoil had pushed the price to an all-time high of $1,878 an ounce in 2012 getting the metal increase in value by 70 per cent. ' "Demand was driven by the impact of the Euro crisis, the downgrading of US debt, inflationary pressures and the fragile out-

talks.'

"But the situation has changed with the US economy showing a sign of small resurgence and the fiscal cliff getting averted for the time being and this has led to some strengthening of the dollar and push up in stock prices. The Chinese economy also seems to be looking up a bit. Savvy investors have begun questioning if investing in

Shah observed that 'the headlong rush for gold bullion amid the ongoing global market turmoil had pushed the price to an all-time high of $1,878 an ounce in 2012 getting the metal increase in value by 70 per cent’

Anil Shah, CEO World Money Exchange

by themselves. In the last one decade, gold has surged 600 per cent in value (see the charts) and is still considered safe haven for investment by many. The moral is that the market ups and down notwithstanding, gold has not Gold price charts

look for Western economies.

There was a pause but market got a boost a couple of months ago in the wake of continued Euro crisis, Middle East political imbroglio ( Syrian revolt, disturbances in Iraq, Iran nuclear ambitions, Yemen troubles), slowing down of emerging market economies (India -China -Brazil) and US fiscal cliff

gold is still a good proposition. And this cautionary approach has applied a break to bullish trend in gold prices for the time being."

"The moot question is whether investment in gold is worth its value? I am not a soothsayer but I would ask the investors to have a historical look at gold value and judge

Bay Area celebrates Swami Vivekananda's 150th birth anniversary Cont’d from page 17

"Sisters and Brothers of America," he began, and thousands rose to their feet in applause.

Born in Calcutta, India on January 12, 1863, Swami Vivekananda was one of the first emissaries from the east to bring the science of Yoga and spirituality to the western world. In 1900, during his second visit to America, Swami Vivekananda was introduced to the East Bay through the First Unitarian Church of Oakland.

The swami was invited to participate in a local Congress of Religions by First Unitarian Church of Oakland minister, Reverend Benjamin Fay Mills. Reverend Mills had attended the 1893 Parliament of Religions and been moved by Swami Vivekananda's stirring words. Having learned that the swami was lecturing in southern California, Reverend Mills issued an invitation to him, knowing that the swami would be extremely popular.

Swami Vivekananda delivered the first of eight talks at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland on the evening of February 25, 1900 from the pulpit of Hamilton Hall. Two thousand people listened in rapt attention as the swami spoke on, "The Claims of Vedanta on the Modern World." Some days later he gave another public lecture on "Vedanta and Christianity," and in March two series of three lectures each in the adjoining Wendte Hall.

Reverend Mills' expectations regarding the swami's effect on the congregation were completely fulfilled. As many as 500 people had to be turned away for lack of space. All of his talks drew large crowds, who sat or stood on the edges of the foyer, enthralled, listening to his words of ancient wisdom.

Through these lectures, which were covered colorfully by the local newspapers, Swami Vivekananda opened the floodgates of spirituality into the Bay Area, and earned the designation "A modern saint of India."

let down its investors in long run."

Anil Shah also cited an interesting analysis by a prominent banker in Switzerland on money supply in world economies, and its impact on the value of currencies the world over, including USA and dollar that exemplified relation between the supply of money and its value.

Cont’d on page 20

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Focus on youth at Rajasthani Diwali India Post News Service

CHICAGO: The Association of Rajasthanis in America (ARA), Chicago chapter, recently celebrated its annual Diwali function at Holiday Inn, Rolling Meadows with a strong focus on youth participation. The show was attended by over 300 guests with many new faces.

The show was organized in a unique way this year as most of the presentations were from children. The show opened with a Prathana for Ganesh Ji by three girls followed by a magic show. Next was Ramlila as told by six children ranging in ages four to nine. There was a ARA Team (From left) Nikhil Fafat, Rahul Choudhri, President Ram Bollywood dance perSaini, VP Sunita Sarup, Avani Puri, Seema Gupta cultural formed by Meenal Sharma coordinator, Kalpana Malani Secretary, Mahesh Puri and Anup Ruia and a Rajasthani dance performed by the ARA President Ram Saini and his wife, Suman Saini. There was also a game for the guests.

President Ram Saini, Vice-president Ram Saini reflected on his past five years Sunita Sarup and Mahesh Puri after as President before handing over the torch presentation of awards to the youth to Sunita Sarup as the new president.

Gold has to glitter in the long run: Anil Shah Cont’d from page 19

The study said that the New Year should see some major changes in value of gold and silver and how they are regarded in the West, once the general public begins feeling that their confidence in government-issued money as a medium of exchange is misplaced.

An item or an asset costs so-many-dollars and if there is change in its price, it is normally assumed it is the value of the item or asset that has altered, not the purchasing power of the money.

The moment ordinary people become alive to the fact that prices are rising because the value of money is falling, the currency is doomed.

This awakening to currency debasement is a gradual process. If government or central bank sidetracks facing this reality head on, then the monetary inflation must continue to accelerate. Dollar-money has gone hyperbolic. And interestingly, the dollar is

not alone in this trend. The question is how long can this continue before the man in the street realizes that price rises are due to the flood of available money relative to the quantity of goods?

It should become increasingly obvious to more and more people in 2013 that money is being debased, unless of course there is a return to sound money. But sound money and government economics are like oil and water.

It will be the public at large who will seek sound money when it starts ditching the government money and turning the paper money into essential goods. A move to get cash reserves and liquid capital into precious metals could be a likely scenario in the wake of growing realization that it is the only way to preserve our purchasing power.

The sum total of the study is that debasing the value of paper money should induce many to turn their liquid assets into essential goods and precious metals. The obvious inference is that the investment in metals like gold is a good bargain in long run.

January 25, 2013

Community Across America

India Post 21

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Nutrition, exercise key to good health HARISH RAO

CHICAGO: Man Mohan Sharma, Director Training at Metropolitan Family Asian Services, conducted a seminar on "healthy@ 100," on December 30 at Hari Om Mandir.

Over fifty seniors attended this program. Sharma interacted with seniors and spoke on the importance of nutrition and physical exercise which are key components to

MAFS Director Man Mohan Sharma with seniors at Hari Om Mandir

maintain a healthy life. He also briefed attendees about social service benefits available for the community. Sharma also spoke on Community Care Program and Adult Day Care Program.

Man Mohan Sharma has authored a book on cancer and maintains that the deadly disease is preventable and also reversible. His book is available on Amazon.com and has received good hits.

He observed that "cancer kills and it spares no one. The message from Apple's Steve Jobs death is very clear - money and modern medicine has no answers. Twice in my life I had close encounters with world's most deadly disease. I lost my father and grandfather because of cancer. From the diagnosis to death, it is a misery for the patient and the family.

Pitching for equal treatment to all religions India Post News Service

P

iqued at the exclusion of any representative of Hindu religion at the Interfaith meeting held by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in Chicago down town, Nand Kapoor, former president of Association of Indian Americans, has pitched for ending this discrimination in a letter to the Mayor.

He maintains that Hinduism is one of the oldest religions with huge followings not only in India but even in this country, and it would be in the fitness of things that the Mayoral Office in Chicago should take notice of this and invite representative or priest at any future religious congregation organized by the City authorities.

In his letter, Nand Kapoor goes on to say, "As your honor is going to celebrate interfaith breakfast on Jan18, 2013 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther king, I want to bring to your kind attention that it is observed that none from Hindu religion was ever included, though Hindu religion is the oldest religion and about 5000 years old.

"I want to bring to your kind attention that Swami Vivekananda represented Hinduism and addressed the World Parliament of Religions which was held in Chicago in 1893, and his 150th Birth Anniversary is being celebrated on January 12-13, 2013.

"Our community would highly appreciate if honorable Mayor took necessary steps to include Hindu priests like those from other religious organizations," he concluded.

"Modern understanding and methods of cancer control are woefully inadequate. Large drug companies and the

‘There is hope, a "big hope". We can practically stop over 80% of all cancers. The scientific evidence linking diet and lifestyle to cancer is so compelling that even American Cancer Institute estimates that more than 33% of cancer related deaths are due to these two factors’

medical fraternity have very little faith and interest in the healing power of nutritious foods, spices and body. Obviously, you cannot make much money by selling apples and oranges. There is hope, a "big hope". We can practically stop over 80% of all cancers. The scientific evidence linking diet and lifestyle to cancer is so compelling that even American Cancer Institute estimates that more than 33% of cancer related deaths are due to these two factors."

Sharma said, "Right nutrition can have significant impact on preventing, controlling and turning off various cancers. I have been doing research on Nutritional Healing of Cancers for the last two decades. My book is accumulation of world's latest and most creditable research in the field of nutrition by the best doctors, research scientists and health consultants. I salute them for their exceptional hard work and that too without much funding and media support."

22 India Post

Community Across America

January 25, 2013

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US laws more effective in rape cases: AWSN India Post News Service

PRINCETON, NJ: The Asian Women Safety Net (AWSN), a nonprofit organization committed to assisting Asian Women who are victims of domestic violence, has sent its condolences and shared grief to the family and friends of the deceased young woman whose life ended as a re-

bally to be free of sexual assault and other gender-related crimes."

The statement said that ASWN is concerned that the recent gang rapes in India and the terrible responses thereto by the police and judiciary, will somehow dissuade women in America from pursuing the rights and privileges afforded them by the American legal system. In order to clarify

ASWN is concerned that the recent gang rapes in India and the terrible responses thereto by the police and judiciary, will somehow dissuade women in America from pursuing the rights and privileges afforded them by the American legal system sult of a despicable and barbaric attack in a Delhi bus.

It also mourned the life of the young woman who committed suicide rather than marry her rapist as the police suggested. In a statement it condemned in "strongest words" and voiced the failure "to protect the human rights of women in India and glo-

the facts "in no uncertain terms", it pointed out the following: First, unlike in India, marital rape is illegal and prosecutable in the United States.

Second, unlike in India, rape survivors are never encouraged to marry their rapists in the United States, like the gang-rape victim who committed suicide in re-

sponse to this suggestion by the police.

Third, unlike in India, in legal codes in every jurisdiction of the United States, sexual assault and rape are defined much more broadly than penetration of a vagina with a penis without consent.

Fourth, if you report sexual assault in the United States, unlike in India where further victimization occurs during medical examinations (including the noxious "two finger test" where a doctor may test a victim's "vaginal laxity") hospitals, police and prosecutors have extensive training to provide sensitive health care while obtaining forensic evidence.

ASWN applauded the Indian Government for taking steps to enact anti-dowry laws and stringent laws for the protection of victims of domestic violence. Nevertheless, it said, it was cognizant that these practices are still undertaken informally and illegally in India and within the Indian community in United States, victimizing and physically and emotionally abusing young women whose families do not provide an

"adequate" dowry.

It advised that if you are a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or other abuse related to dowry by your partner, your husband or other family members, you can file a Criminal Complaint and/or a Domestic Violence Complaint and obtain a Temporary Restraining Order against your abuser. 911 Operators are always

needed.

The statement explained that the mission of AWSN is to train and identify culturally specific and knowledgeable volunteers to assist domestic violence victims and to guide them through the legal system. The Asian Women's Safety Net provides counseling, education, awareness and support to women vic-

It advised that if you are a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or other abuse related to dowry by your partner, your husband or other family members, you can file a Criminal Complaint and/or a Domestic Violence Complaint and obtain an order on call. There are lawyers who can and will assist you. You can contact the AWSN office for assistance. AWSN volunteers are available to provide you the necessary counseling, education and a brief session regarding your rights.

AWSN can also refer you to a lawyer for legal assistance if

tims of domestic violence while empowering them for a brighter tomorrow.

Asian Women's Safety Net, the first organization of its kind in New Jersey, was formed to support all Asian American women (Indian, Vietnamese, Pakistani, Japanese, Korean Chinese, etc.) who are victims of domestic violence.

India Post 23

January 25, 2013

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24

VINOD DHAWAN India Post News Service

I

rvine based Ash Kumra is an award-winning entrepreneur and public speaker who was recently recognized by the White House as one of the top 100 young entrepreneurs making an impact on America.

The current state of entrepreneurship excites Ash and he loves to give tips and guidance on how to be a better entrepreneur. He feels that today there are more available re-

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India Post

you have to go work out of the garage before you start pulling in money, do it.

You don't need an office secretary or a nice building at the beginning. No one cares about that until you're making actual income. You should be working for free until you make money."

Brad Feld, Early Stage Investor, Serial Entrepreneur, Author & Speaker, talks of the power of passion when starting a company. You may have a number of business ideas but how do you choose which one to go for? He talks of two amazing guys who are sitting glum because the business ideas which can succeed are not exciting them. But the moment they talk of the "robotic ball you control with your

January 25, 2013

or opportunity and really allow yourself to think uninterrupted. He gives his own example of how retreated to a rock in Ensenada in Mexico where he spent hours together to think over his problem of taking the path to entrepreneurship or stay

Book Review on with a secure job. Once the decision was made it was only a question of working on the logistics.

Scott Painter, CEO of TrueCar asks if you are willing to risk everything! He tells entrepreneurs not to try and make a good

Ash Kumra

sources, mentors, smart investors and likeminded dreamers and believers with energy to guide one.

And to further help out entrepreneurs Ash has come out with a smartly packaged book "Confessions from an Entrepreneur" volume 1 which gives an inside look on how to be a successful entrepreneur featuring advice from 35 successful individuals. The project features individual and company life lessons from entrepreneurs across all industries, passions, interests, and individual project/pursuit stages.

Among the featured contributors are Dave Berkus, Brad Feld, Wing Lam, Scott Painter, Arel Moodie, Thomas Tadlock and many more.

Wing Lam, co-founder and CEO of Wahoo's Fish Tacos, a leading restaurant chain with over 50 locations, says the biggest mistake people can make is to spend money that they don't have. "If

smartphone" their eyes light up. Brad decided to invest in these two crazy kids.

"Their passion and obsession around the idea of a robotic ball you control with a smartphone was awesome," he said.

idea better. "Know your business and take it seriously because fundraising is an absolute test of whether or not your business has a good reason to exist. And, if you take someone's money without re-

Ash Kumra is an award-winning entrepreneur and public speaker who was recently recognized by the White House as one of the top 100 young entrepreneurs making an impact on America. The current state of entrepreneurship excites Ash and he loves to give tips and guidance on how to be a better entrepreneur. He feels that today there are more available resources, mentors, smart investors There were many discouraging and skeptical questions about market size and customers.

They kept working on the prototype, and once they could drive something in a sort of straight line, more eyes started lighting up.

Dave Berkus, Super Angel, Speaker, Author & Entrepreneur advises that If you have a life-changing decision to make - including whether to start your entrepreneurial journey - you need to shift to a quiet place where cell phone, text, and other distractions can't reach you while you dig deeply into a problem

turning it, you don't have the right to be an entrepreneur". He says there are key elements to fundraising that every entre-

A view of Kumra’s Desi You website

preneur must know; and the first and foremost is how to "speak investor" because knowing "how to cogently present yourself, your company, and your story can make all the difference."

Arel Moodie, International Speaker & Author gives out confidence tips to starting out entrepreneurs. He says getting your first few clients is hands-down one of the hardest and most important phases of any business. "If you can get some people to pay you, then you can get more people to pay you. But if you can't get the first customer, it's probably a sign that your business (in its current form) has severe flaws."

He recommends a dodgy kind of "fake it until you make it" solution. "It means that you should be the person you want to be, not the person you currently are. It means you should take what you have currently accomplished and blow it up (however, this secret does not include lying)."

Ash Kumra has done a great service to budding entrepreneurs by stringing together excellent advice and putting it at one place. He claims the book is for "dreamers, believers, and people like me who want to learn, so they can achieve more. It's time for those who have done their time to rise up and guide the next generation of entrepreneurs."

Ash is also a cofounder of digital content distribution agency DesiYou, the 2010 recipient for Best Digital Media Company by the Irvine Entrepreneur Forum. Ash is an active adviser to various consumer internet ventures.

January 25, 2013

India Post

25

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Paan Singh Tomar, Barfi!, Kahaani dominate Colors Screen Awards

Ranbir Kapoor for Barfi! and Irrfan Khan for Paan Singh Tomar look suitably impressed as they show-off their Best Actor Colors Screen Award trophies and pose for photographs with Rekha

P

riyanka Chopra rose up dramatically in the air seated in an imaginatively constructed Ganpati and showered the delighted audience with shiny bits of confetti. John Abraham wheeled by and caused a furore. The stunning Rekha voiced a Gulzar nazm as a tribute to the late Yash Chopra.

Karan Johar sportingly danced along with his young proteges.

Amitabh Bachchan cast a spell when he went up to accept a tribute to him. And master of ceremonies Shah Rukh Khan revved up the energy like only he can.

As curtains went up on the 19th Colors Screen Awards at Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex on January 12, the evening glittered with stars in the sky and stars on the ground. Nothing shone brighter than Bollywood though - honored at the awards for an year in which, in the words of Shah Rukh Khan, it became bigger.

2012 indeed saw the small film become big, and the big film become bigger. It was the year a preg-

nant woman was the hero of a mainstream Hindi film and a middle-aged mother was brought centre stage. It was the year 100 crores became the benchmark for

Ayushmann Khurrana bagged the Most Promising Newcomer (Male) award for Vicky Donor

box office success while the most unusual relationship between a deaf mute young man and an au-

tistic young woman touched our hearts. And above all, it was the year when story became the undisputed king.

The list of Colors Screen Award winners reflects all of this - a film industry in the throes of change, busy shedding its creaky old formulae and moving into new, uncharted, exciting areas.

The story of an athlete turned dacoit who stayed a great patriot till the end got Paan Singh Tomar the Best Film and Best Actor honors.

A sprawling exuberant gangster saga from Bihar which was also a trenchant statement on the skewed power structures in old and new India, Gangs of Wasseypur was a close contender, as were Barfi!, Kahaani and Vicky Donor - each of them films that broke barriers.

Barfi! had equal first votes and more second votes but jury re-voted on it to end up with one more vote for Paan Singh Tomar as Best Film.

However, each of the films

A proud Vidya Balan holds her trophy after winning the Best Actor (Female) Colors Screen Award for the film Kahaani

walked away with awards. Barfi! got co-Best Actor Award for Ranbir Kapoor, Kahaani Best Actor (Female) for Vidya Balan.

Ayushmann Khurana was voted Most Promising Newcomer (Male) for Vicky Donor.

Ranbir Kapoor also had a terrific act on stage paying tribute to the great stars of the past and present.

The Best Director category reflected the coming on top of both sorts of films - the conceptdriven, story-driven film top lining the best actors in the country, and the big-budget extravaganzas starring the biggest stars.

Anurag Basu for Barfi! finally won

in a category that had as fellow nominees Anurag Kashyap (Gangs of Wasseypur), Shoojit Sircar (Vicky Donor), Tigmanshu Dhulia (Paan Singh Tomar) and Sujoy Ghosh (Kahaani).

Dhulia did win a Screen award, but for Best Actor in a Negative Role (Male or Female) for Gangs of Wasseypur.

Sridevi deservedly was in the running for the Best Actor (Female) award for her comeback film, nominated along with the young Parineeti Chopra, who has just begun her Bollywood innings, for Ishaqzaade.

Cont’d on page 26

26

India Post

January 25, 2013 www.indiapost.com

Tabu, Suraj Sharma walk Golden Globe red carpet movie, which is based on Canadian author Yann Martel's awardwinning eponymous novel. It is about the journey of an Indian boy who survives a storm and is left on a life-boat with a tiger.

Life of Pi won the best original score motion picture award for Mychael Danna, who pipped Alexandre Desplat (Argo), Dario

Life Of Pi actors Tabu and Suraj Sharma walked the Golden Globe red carpet with Oscar-winning director Ang Lee

LOS ANGELES: Indian actors Tabu and Suraj Sharma walked the red carpet of the 70th annual Golden Globe awards with Oscarwinning director Ang Lee here.

Their film Life of Pi was nominated in three categories, but won just one award.

Tabu, known for her offbeat and

Cont’d from page 25

Priyanka Chopra made a strong bid with her autistic turn in Barfi! along with Kareena in Heroine and Deepika Padukone in Cocktail.

However, there was no stopping Vidya Balan, who won for an amazing fourth straight time, for Kahaani (after Pa, Ishqiya and The Dirty Picture).

Shah Rukh Khan's jousting with the taller Deepika was the highlight of the evening. He also did a little number with Ayushmann Khurana, while his jugalbandi with singer Mika led to one of the evening's loudest guffaws. "Sab actors ke awards kha hi gaye ho, hum singers ko bhi nahin chodoge!" Mika joked.

Sonakshi Sinha danced with great verve, with proud parents Shatrughan and Poonam Sinha applauding. Bachchan Senior looked as pleased when son Abhishek went up to get his best Actor in a Comic Role Award for Bol Bachchan (he split it with Annu Kapoor, who won it for Vicky Donor).

It was the coveted Ramnath Goenka Award that settled the tone of the evening though. The fact that Gangs of Wasseypur, a dark, gritty, violent multi-generational saga of small-town gangsters, won this award tells us that an audience has come of age and can appreci-

intense performances, opted to stay desi at the international gala, wearing a bright red designer sari teamed with a heavily embroidered golden blouse. Debutant Suraj, 19, exuded confidence in a white shirt and formal black suit with a matching bow-tie.

Suraj plays the lead in the

Suraj plays the lead in the movie, which is based on Canadian author Yann Martel's award-winning eponymous novel. It is about the journey of an Indian boy Marianelli (Anna Karenina), Tom Tykwer, Johnny Klimek, Reinhold Heil (Cloud Atlas) and John Williams (Lincoln) to walk away with the prestigious trophy.

It was also nominated for the best motion picture (drama) as well as for best director (motion picture).

Sunny Leone visits Siddhivinayak Temple MUMBAI: Sunny Leone has lately been busy with the rehearsals of her second Bollywood film Ragini MMS 2. Now, she begins shooting the horror flick, but not without a visit to a temple first.

The screen sizzler revealed her plans to visit the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai before commencing the shoot. It's the idea of producer Ekta Kapoor, and Sunny Leone seems more than happy to comply.

"Miss Ekta Kapoor & I will perform the auspicious kakad aarti@ siddhi vinayak temple tom @5am.tomorrow marks the 1st day of shootRAGINI MMS 2," Sunny tweeted.

This WAS Sunny's first visit to a Hindu temple.

"Never been to a Hindu temple before for blessings. I usually pray to myself & throw flowers in the ocean for my parents to ask them to bless me. My parents are no more so to me they are my God :) wish they were here to see me

Paan Singh Tomar, Barfi!, Kahaani dominate Colors Screen Awards ate a film on its own merits.

Editor-in-Chief of the Express group Shekhar Gupta talked of how cinema has become the most powerful communication tool, and how Gangs of Wasseypur is "a film that journalists love, because

the biggest in the world, there can't be better news. For, as the awards list showed, finally there are enough films coasting on script and story and performances - leading us to hope this would now be the norm than the exception.

Katrina Kaif receives the Best Actor Female (Popular category) trophy from Arjun Kapoor and Ameesha Patel

it came out just at the time when the coal scam broke".

This drew a smile from the chief guest, Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari, whose brief speech also touched upon the "very important" contribution cinema has made to society.

For an industry that is arguably

The awards: Best film: Paan Singh Tomar Best director: Anurag Basu for Barfi!

Best actor (male): Irrfan (Paan Singh Tomar), Ranbir Kapoor (Barfi!)

Best actor (female): Vidya Balan (Kahaani)

Ramnath goenka award: Gangs of Wasseypur Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male): Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Talaash), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female): Dolly Ahluwalia (Vicky Donor) Best Actor in a Negative Role: Tigmanshu Dhulia (Gangs of Wasseypur) Best Actor in a Comic Role: Annu Kapoor (Vicky Donor) and Abhishek Bachchan (Bol Bachchan) Best Child Artiste: Mohammad Samad (Gattu) Best Ensemble Cast: Gangs of Wasseypur Most Promising Debut Director: Gauri Shinde (English Vinglish) Most Promising Newcomer (Male): Ayushmann Khurrana (Vicky Donor) Best Playback Singer (Male): Javed Ali (Ishaqzaade) Best Playback Singer (Female): Shalmali Kholgade (Ishaqzaade) Most Promising Newcomer (Female): Ileana D'cruz (Barfi) Best Background Score: Pritam (Barfi! )

start this new life in Bollywood," she added.

Sunny Leone has so far been busy attending the workshops for Ragini MMS 2.

"'Ragini MMS 2' workshops were 360 degrees different model of working. I was nervous because I was going through several emotions when going through the scenes," Sunny said after the workshops.

When asked about the movie, she said Ragini MMS 2 is going to take the horror genre to a new level.

Best Music Pritam: (Barfi!)

Best Lyrics: Javed Akhtar (Talaash, Muskanein Jhoothi Hain) Best Story: Sujoy GhoshAdvaita Kala (Kahaani) Best Costume: Anaita Shroff Adajania (Cocktail) Best Dialogue: Bhavesh Mandlia-Umesh Shukla (OMG:Oh My God) Best Cinematography: Ravi Varman (Barfi!)

Best Animation: Delhi Safari Best Editing: Namrata Rao (Kahaani) Best Sound Design: Sanjay Maurya-Allwyn Rego (Kahaani) Best Screenplay: Sanjay Chouhan-Tigmanshu Dhulia (Paan Singh Tomar) Best Production Design: Kaushik Das-Subrata Barik (Kahaani) Best Choreography: Prabhu Deva, Vishnu Deva (Go Govinda, OMG: Oh My God) Best Action: Sham Kaushal (Gangs of Wasseypur) Marketing Award: Barfi!

Lifetime Achievement: Award Yash Chopra Legend of Indian Cinema Award: Amitabh Bachchan Best Actor Male (Popular category): Salman Khan Best Actor Female (Popular category):Katrina Kaif

Datebook

January 25, 2013

India Post

27

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

NEW YORK

NEW JERSEY

ILLINOIS

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Sun Jan 27

Sat Jan 26

Tue Jan 29

• India Republic Day Kids Painting Competition and Public Speaking Competition

• Telangana Southern California Sankranti Celebrations

• Screening of Documentary Film, ‘Not a Feather, but a Dot’

Venue: La Mirada Community Regional Park,, 13701 Adelfa Dr, La Mirada, CA 90638 Time: 11:30 am Contact: 818-245-5335

Venue: AMC Loews Village 7, 66 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10003 Time: 7:30 pm

Venue: IND TV - 372 Turquoise Street, Milpitas, CA 95035 Time: 9.00 am - 12.00 pm & Cultural Programs 12:00 pm -1:00 pm Contact: Ajay Bhutoria - 510-378-0698 Highlights: Winners to get Awards, Certificates and Recognition from Elected officials/ Dignitaries. Choose your own topic. Paper provided. Bring color and supplies.

Tue Feb 26 Sun Jan 27 • South Asian Wedding Expo Venue: Pacific Palms, 1 Industry Hills Pkwy, La Puente, CA 91744 Time: 11:00 am Contact: 714-493-7900

Sat Jan 26

• West Sonoma Coast Vintners presents NYC West of West Wine Festival Venue: City Winery, 155 Varick St, New York, NY 10013 Time: 6:00 pm

• Namaste India Market

Sat Feb 09

Sun May 05

Venue: Namaste India Market, 160 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103 Time: 10:00 am Contact: 415-690-9228

• I Just Wanna Dance 2013

• Masters of Indian Music

Fri Feb 1 • Laila O Laila - Bollywood Arabian Nights - Biggest Aquarian Bash Venue: Club Illusions Night Club, 260 S California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306 Time: 8:30 pm Contact: 408-368-6865

Sat Feb 2 • Dil se Venue: Jain Temple Auditorium, 722 S. Main Street, Milpitas, CA 95035 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 408-646-0330

Venue: Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 Time: 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Sat Feb 9 • Red Hot & Happening Valentine - HTHF Annual Gala Dinner & Dance Venue: Arcadia Community Center Hall, 365 Campus Drive, Arcadia (Los Angeles), CA 91007 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 626-991-4789

Fri May 10 • Soorya Festival New York Venue: Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 832 643 9131

WASHINGTON DC Upcoming

ATLANTA Upcoming Sat Jan 26

Wed Feb 13

Venue: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York, NY 10025 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 212-545-7536

• Valentine's Day Henna Evening

• Live Concerts Munni Begum in Duluth GA-30096

Venue: BeautShilp My Fair Lady Salon, 1072 Shell Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404 Time: 4:00 pm Time: 650-212-4274

Venue: Atlanta Event Hall, 3750 Venture Dr, Duluth, GA 30096 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 404-934-9991

www.Indiapost.com

Sat Feb 16 • Lover's Nest - A Valentine Party Venue: Bombay Tandoor Restaurant, 8603 Westwood Center Dr, Vienna, VA 22182 Time: 8:30 pm Contact: 571-340-7289

Fri Mar 8 • Hillarious Gujarati comedy play Venue: Laurel High School, 8000 Cherry Ln, Laurel, MD 20707 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 703-449-0772

Wed Jan 23

Sat Jan 26

• First 2013 AICC Network Nite sponsored by Wolff & Samson PC

• Pongal Vizha 2013

Venue: Hotel 999, Route 1 South, and North Brunswick, NJ-08902 Time: 6:30 pm Contact: 732-777-4666 Highlights: John F Casey and Kiran Somashekara will provide valuable information on the basis for imposition of property taxes

Sun Jan 27 • NJ Tamil Sangam Pongal Celebrations Venue: North Brunswick High School, 98 Raider Road, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 Time: 3:00 pm Contact: (732) 800-2336 Hosted: New Jersey Tamil Sangam

Venue: Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple, 1145 Sullivan Rd, Aurora, IL 60506 Time: 5:00 pm Contact: ctspongal13@yahoogroups.com

Sun Jan 27 • Hindi Lovers Club of Illinois is celebrating 64th R-Day of India Venue: India House Banquet Hall 1521 W. Schaumburg Rd.,Schaumburg ,IL 60194.

Time : 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm Contact: 8479628595

Fri Feb 22 • Siddharth Randeira is coming to Chicago in GUJJUBHAI NI GOLMALL, Dinner & Drama Night Venue: Jain Center, Bartlett, IL Time: Dinner 6:30 pm and Play 8 pm Contact: 630-913-6660, 630-347-9046

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

28 India Post

As per Gauri, interior designing has always been her passion. In fact, during an interview, Gauri revealed that she looks up to hubby SRK as inspiration

S

uperstar Shahrukh Khan is considered as the most loyal husband of Bollywood and the King Khan has yet again proved that no other lady can ever take his wife Gauri Khan's place. SRK has always been a very loving husband and is always praise for Gauri.

One of his recent tweets reveals that even after years of marriage, the actor loves his wife so deeply.

"Saw stuff by Charcoal Project. What fantastic creativity in furniture by @sussannekroshan & my multifaceted wife Gauri. You girls make wood speak," Shahrukh Khan wrote on Twitter. In 2012, Gauri Khan launched her own line of furniture in partnership with Hrithik Roshan's wife Suzanne Roshan's home store in Mumbai - The Charcoal Project. As per Gauri, interior designing has always been her passion. In fact, during an interview, Gauri revealed that she looks up to hubby SRK as inspiration. Well, no wonder, ever after years of marriage, love and togetherness doesn't lack even a bit between Shahrukh and Gauri.

A

ctress and filmmaker Pooja Bhatt was harrowed after she received abusive, threat calls from an anonymous caller.

Pooja tweeted, "Have been getting threatening/obscene calls from +918308984111. The male voice, obviously inebriated abused me and threatened to come over. I called 100 to complain. A rude female voice on the other end asked me to go to the nearest police station as she could not do anything. When I explained that it is close to 1 am & I could not possibly be expected to go to the police station alone she got extremely brusque. I reminded the 'voice' that responded to 100 that she represented a 'help-line' & should use the right tone.

www.indiapost.com

January 25, 2013

1 Jiya Lage Na: Talaash 2 Ishq Shava: Jab Tak Hai Jaan 3 Dagabaaz Re: Dabangg 2 4 Fevicol Se: Dabangg 2 5 Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola: Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola 6 Oye Boy Charlie: JMatru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola 7 Darmiyan: Inkaar 8 Jee Le Zaraa: Talaash 9 Khamakha: Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola 10 Heer: Jab Tak Hai Jaan

'KISHORE' WON'T SING

R

anbir Kapoor, who would be seen as actor-singer Kishore Kumar in Anurag Basu's biopic, says he carries a huge responsibility essaying the role but he won't sing in the film.

"Everyone knows Kishore Kumar was a great singer and an actor. It's a great opportunity to do a biopic on him. But at the same time it is my duty as an actor to do full justice to my role and the film. It is a huge responsibility," Ranbir told reporters. Kishore Kumar was one of the finest playback singers of his time and gave several golden melodies to Indian cinema lending his voice to many popular actors including Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor among others.

But Ranbir has no intention to don the singer's cap.

Bollywood

January 25, 2013

India Post 29

www.indiapost.com

New

STAR

N

o one could see this coming but it has happened. Even before her first film with Yash Raj is yet to release, newbie Rhea Chakraborty has been lapped up by Rohan Sippy for his next film which is interestingly titled Sonali Cable.

"Rhea would be making her Bollywood debut with Mere Dad Ki Maruti. Even though she has a three film contract with Yash Raj, she is free to work in outside productions. The one which she has consented to is Sonali Cable", informs a source.

The film is about a cable centre run by a girl named Sonali. Though the title indicates a comic film in the offering, something which is also the genre of Rhea's Mere Dad Ki Maruti, there would be fair deal of intense scenes as well in Sonali Cable.

"Incidentally this is also a woman centric film which is in sharp contrast to Rohan's Nautanki Saala, Dum Maaro Dum, Bluffmaster, each of which has been a male dominated affair.

When Charudutt Acharya came with an idea for Sonali Cable, Rohan was simply bowled over and immediately consented to backing it. He had heard good things about Rhea who has also been a popular model. Since her contract with Yash Raj was non-exclusive, there was no difficulty in roping her in either", the source adds.

Gunning for title H

e may be one of the most successful action stars in Bollywood, but Akshay Kumar has always kept it real for his fans. Now we hear that Akshay, who is busy with his next film which is a remake of the Tamil film Thuppakki, has called on his fans to help with the title of the film.

Posting on Facebook about the film, Akshay said, "Started shooting my first film in the New Year, the Hindi remake of Thuppakki!

Would love to get your good wishes today."

While thanking his fans for the immense support and commenting on the title of the film, Akshay said, "Thanks guys for all your good wishes & enthusiasm for the film. Needed a suggestion from you all.

What should we call the Hindi remake of Thuppakki? For those who don't know, Thuppakki means a gun in Tamil and is an action thriller."

MUM MOM

A

ishwarya Rai Bachchan, who has been away from the silver screen for about two years, is keeping mum on her comeback project amid reports that she has been approached by Mani Ratnam and Karan Johar.

When asked about her comeback on the silver screen, Aishwarya said, "I cannot give you a date. Whenever I am on board for a film I will let you all know.

"There is no guarantee in creative field. Without hurting anyone's sentiments, there is no guarantee of the release of a film," she said.

The actress was unveiling the 58th Filmfare Award black trophy. The organizers plan to do something special this year as this is the 100th year of Indian cinema.

"I am privileged and honored to be here. It is for the first time that I am not nominated...but that was due to my baby Aaradhya. But still I will take this black lady trophy home (the one she unveiled)," she said.

Realty Tidbits

SARE Homes inks pact with ICICI Bank

CHENNAI: SARE Homes has inked a Memorandum of Understanding with ICICI Bank to offer special finance schemes for the real estate developer's two upcoming projects.

For launching the two projects, SARE Homes has offered customers an option to pay 20 per cent of the booking amount for an apartment, an offer which would be available for a limited period in association with ICICI Bank, a company statement said.

"The present scheme is in association with one of the country's banking institutions, ICICI Bank, which will further facilitate home buying for a large number of customers", SARE Homes, Executive Director, David Walker said.

SARE Crescent ParC is part of a 112-acre residential township coming up at Old Mahabalipuram Road, with prices beginning from Rs 38.5 lakh onwards.

SARE MeadowVille is another project offering expandable villas coming up at GST Road, with prices beginning from Rs 32.5 lakh onwards. The project, in the second phase of development, offers different type of expandable villas, the statement added. -PTI

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www.indiapost.com

January 25, 2013

NEW DELHI: The government is likely to come up with a Bill in the forthcoming Budget session of the Parliament to regulate the real estate sector, Housing Minister Ajay Maken said here.

The Minister said the Real Estate Regulation Bill aims to establish a regulatory authority for enforcing fair practice and accountability norms and fast track dispute resolution mechanism in real estate transactions. -PTI

Six must-have features for your next home DANA DRATCH

Bankrate.com

W

hat's missing from your current home? Storage space? Decent parking? Privacy? Chances are, you might not have noticed these miss-

tains or a fence.

And sometimes you just have to learn to live with it. Or vow that next time around, you won't make the same mistake.

More property registered ahead of revision of rates HYDERABAD: As land rates (government value) are set to be revised from April 1, 2013 and metro rail work is progressing at a brisk pace, there is a spurt in property registrations in the city, especially in areas where the metro corridors are passing through like L B Nagar, Uppal and Miyapur.

Registrations and Stamps (R&S) department officials expect property registrations to pick up further after January 15. The chief minister has directed the R&S department to revise land rates from April 1 by inviting objections and suggestions from citizens. The land values for property registrations were revised in August 2010 last.

Real Estate Regulation Bill likely in Budget session

ing features when you and your home were in the honeymoon phase. But, sometime in the first few months, that deficiency became glaringly obvious.

When you tour a home, it's normal to get so caught up in the granite kitchen countertops that you might not notice there's insufficient square footage to butter your morning toast. And while that master bedroom looks stylish and neat, you don't realize that it's the size of a postage stamp.

Sometimes, there's a fix. You can downsize the bedroom furniture.

You can install shelving or buy bookcases to add storage. And for privacy, you can put up cur-

Read on for six make-or-break features for your next home.

There's no such thing as too much storage No one ever walked out of an open house thinking, "Nice place, but too many closets." On the other hand, a good staging job can disguise that a home has precious little storage.

This is where it pays to use your X-ray eyes. Visually strip away the furniture in a for-sale home and place your furniture and belongings. Or simply measure -- both the rooms and the closets -- and compare it to what you have now, says Eric Tyson, author of "Home Buying for Dummies."

Ditto for kitchen cupboards, pantries and counter space, says Michael Corbett, author of "Before You Buy." Those countertops may look spacious until you get out all of your kitchen toys and discover there's not enough room, he says. Really look at a kitchen in terms of what you need when you cook to make sure the home offers the counter space you need.

Test the commute before you commit

One of the best ways to find out what's going on in the neighborhood is to chat up the neighbors, Corbett says.

"You must find out if there are any existing neighborhood problems" You're only 15 miles from work.

How long is that in traffic time?

That daily commute factor is "a really big one that a surprising number of people don't properly research before they commit to a house," Tyson says. He advises trying the commute a few times, driving both ways, before you buy.

"If you wait until you move, it's kind of too late," Tyson says.

"You're stuck with the house at that point." Instead, "do the actual commute during the actual time of day - to and from - that

you'd be doing," he says. And talk to people with similar commutes.

You may discover that it ebbs and flows at various times of the year.

Some buyers shop for homes where "commute" doesn't automatically mean "car," says Ron Phipps, immediate past president of the National Association of Realtors and principal broker with Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I. "We're seeing a lot more urbanization and a lot more people moving toward public transportation links," he says. One college professor wanted a home that was a comfortable walking distance from campus, he adds. "Five years ago, that wouldn't have been a priority."

How well will you fit in with the neighborhood?

It could be the Saturday night party house, the guy who believes Sundays were made for leaf blowing or the kid who practices the tuba 24/7. Every neighborhood has its eccentrics, and you need to know if you can live with them.

One of the best ways to find out what's going on in the neighborhood is to chat up the neighbors, Corbett says. "You must find out if there are any existing neighborhood problems."

From the minor issues (such as one neighbor's casual mechanic "shop") to the major (a string of crimes in the area), you want to know the concerns of the people who live there. "It's really about asking questions upfront," Corbett says. Ask the seller, and do your own research, too.

Cont’d on page 31

Real Estate

January 25, 2013

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CCI decision to modify DLF-buyers pact sparks debate

NEW DELHI: CCI's decision to modify realty major DLF's apartment buyers agreement in relation to a case involving Rs 630 crore penalty on the firm has sparked a debate about the fair-trade regulator's jurisdiction and other matters concerning the real estate sector.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) passed a supplementary order recently to modify the agreement between DLF and its apartment buyers, pursuant to a direction from Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) that is hearing the company's appeal against monetary penalty and other sanctions imposed on it by CCI for abuse of market dominance.

Legal experts and former CCI functionaries, however, are of the view that COMPAT needs to first decide on issues such as jurisdiction, relevant market, dominance and abuse of dominance before deciding on modifications in model agreement.

According to former CCI Chair-

man Vinod Dhall, competition authorities are usually not required to indicate how an agreement, held to be anti-competitive, should be modified as that exercise is to be undertaken by the parties concerned.

He further said that CCI was asked by COMPAT to merely determine the "manner and extent of the modifications" and it was not required to re-write the entire agreement "This case therefore seems to be taking a strange course, and it is clear that the case still has a long journey ahead till it reaches a final conclusion," Dhall told PTI. Senior lawyer and an eminent competition law expert Anand

Pathak said that the CCI's supplementary order of January 3 in DLF case "interprets and applies the Competition Act incorrectly for at least three reasons among many others".

Pathak said the Competition Act does not give the CCI the liberty to redraft an entire agreement for the parties and its decision to modify the DLF buyers agreement is "internally inconsistent" with its own decisions.

He further said that CCI was asked by COMPAT to merely determine the "manner and extent of the modifications" and it was not required to re-write the entire agreement.

"In conclusion, antitrust intervention must be tempered and tailored to achieve competition goals. One such goal is freedom of negotiation and contract - only then can parties achieve the efficiencies envisioned by the Act," Pathak said, while adding that DLF case was always in essence a consumer protection case and not a competition law case at all.

According to Dhall, CCI's supplementary order has been passed consequent to a COMPAT direction to specify the extent and manner in which the terms of the agreement between DLF and the buyers should be modified keeping in mind modifications suggested by the parties to COMPAT. "Thus this supplementary order continues to be part of the appeal before the COMPAT, which will pronounce its verdict in the matter," he added.

IndiaHomes to invest $20mn in loan servicing biz MUMBAI: Real estate brokerage firm IndiaHomes will be investing USD 20 million through private equity infusion over next two years to fund its foray in home loan servicing as well as to expand geographical reach, a top company executive has said.

"We are planning to invest around USD 20 million over the next two years which would be largely used for home loan servicing for our customers as well as to increase our presence in the existing areas as for entering new markets like Ahmedabad, Chennai, Pune and Hyderabad," IndiaHomes Managing Director Samarjit Singh told PTI. The company, formerly known as Agni Property, offers a complete turnkey of services for its customers, which include short-listing of

properties, comparisons of multiple properties, site visits, market analysis and customer transactions.

IndiaHomes has so far invested around USD 14 million for expanding its operations in the country.

These funds were raised through a mix of private equity infusion from Helion Venture Capital India and US-based Foundation Capital and through its promoters.

"USD 20 million will be raised through private equity infusion.

We are likely to close a deal in this regard soon.

This will also be with an international firm," Singh said, without disclosing the name of the firm.

The company will be establishing a separate entity 'India Loans' to take care of the loan servicing business, he said.

"Today it became very difficult for buyers to get home loans as they have to undergo a number of procedures. In our endeavor to provide end-to-end solutions, we now want to be a one stop shop where customers can not only get their dream home but also guaranteed loan and all the necessary advices," the MD said.

The company is in talks with a number of home loan lenders, Singh said, adding "we are in the final stages of negotiations with three banks including HDFC, ICICI and State Bank of India".

The revenue model for the new business will be through fee, which the company will be charging to the banks and offering freeof-cost services to the customers, he said. -PTI

Six must-have features for your next home Cont’d from page 30

One smart move is to visit during morning rush hour, afternoon and evening rush hour, adds Corbett.

One prospective buyer who planned to work from home even toured a home with a phone app that measures ambient noise, Phipps says. The place was quiet, "so it wasn't a problem," he says.

Make sure you have enough power and water Most people flip lights and faucets on and off when they tour a home just to make sure they get the expected result.

Tyson remembers one home he owned came with street parking. It was great, but simple errands such as a trip to the market required a little more planning and a few extra steps But that's hardly the test of whether the water pipes or electric wiring will meet your needs, Corbett says. You'll need to determine if the plumbing and wiring can accommodate your lifestyle.

Flipping a bedroom light on and off doesn't compare to a busy morning with two blow-dryers and an electric shaver running while the microwave heats breakfast, the air conditioning clicks on and the TV blasts the traffic report.

And if you are showering while someone does laundry and a third person flushes the toilet, will you feel a drop in pressure or a blast of cold water? With water, you can run a few things at one time and see how the home handles the pressure, Corbett says.

As for the electrical systems,

you might want to talk to your home inspector, he says. Just explain that there are X number of people in the family who may use electricity simultaneously and ask if it will hold up, Corbett says.

Don't forget a home for your car It's a great home for you, but does it fit your car? Tyson remembers one home he owned came with street parking. It was great, but simple errands such as a trip to the market required a little more planning and a few extra steps.

"In retrospect, we wouldn't have done it differently," he says. "But you have to make sure you understand the ramifications of not having a garage in the city." Likewise, Corbett has seen buyers in condos or town houses realize they don't have a space usable for their car. Especially if the designated spot is against a wall or post, he says.

Some neighborhoods have rules about parking in the driveway or on the street. So if you have a preference or other plans for your new garage, it's smart to check any covenants before buying.

How much do you love your neighbor?

Privacy is a factor that some buyers overlook until it's too late.

"If you're in the bathroom, are you staring into your neighbor's shower?" says Corbett. "You really have to be smart. Try to spend some time in the house."

The goal is to get the feeling of what it's like to really live in the house before you actually buy it, he says.

Do a quick test run and think about the home and what you plan to do there. Then take an hour and "walk through your experience of how you live in the house in a day," he says. You should ask yourself if the home suits both you and the way you plan to live.

"I think the biggest mistake that people make is they have to see not only do they fit," says Corbett, "but does their lifestyle fit?"

Health

Line

Rallies before Virginia house focus on abortion RICHMOND, Va.: The Virginia General Assembly opened with bills on transportation funding, guns, teacher pay and uranium mining on the horizon, but rallies outside focused solely on the contentious issue that dominated last year's session - abortion.

Before the 46-day session's noon opening, hundreds of antiabortion activists gathered on Capitol Square to celebrate last year's passage of hotly contested legislation requiring women to have an ultrasound before an abortion. Among the bills anti-abortion activists are backing this session is one to grant the full legal rights of personhood to a fetus. -AP

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January 1st to 3rd in Kochi becomes very critical. Over 1,250 delegates from around the world who had descended upon the city of Kochi, India to participate in the sixth annual summit returned home enriched by a variety of seminars, workshops, gala, and entertainment.

Described as a forum to discuss and offer ways to provide the most innovative, efficient, cost

New Mexico to expand Medicaid program

Promote good eating habits thru SMS WASHINGTON: On an average each teen in US receives about 3,417 text messages per month, amounting to 114 daily texts and experts say SMS's should be used to promote healthy eating habits among them.

The study by Nielsen consumer research group is further supported by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that high school student's consumption of fruits and vegetables is, on an average, 1.2 times per day (against the recommended five) and it makes sense to start using text messages to promote health among teens.

A University of Arizona study found that, in order to inform and motivate teens, text messages should address the reality of today's adolescent lifestyles, the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior reports. -PTI

WASHINGTON: Scientists are using brain scans of kids and adults watching a children's television series, to learn how kids' neural change as they develop intellectual abilities like reading and maths.

January 25, 2013

Details on page 35

Docs from around the globe explore better healthcare for Indians

SANTA FE, N.M.: Republican Gov. Susana Martinez says New Mexico will follow provisions of a federal health care law to expand the state's Medicaid program to potentially provide medical services to 170,000 low-income adults.

New Mexico will join at least 15 other states and the District of Columbia in broadening eligibility for the health care program under terms of a health care overhaul championed by President Barack Obama. Martinez made the announcement during a speech in Albuquerque. -AP

www.indiapost.com

Kids' TV show helps reveal patterns of brain development

Dr Narendra Kumar, President of AAPI delivering the inaugural address during GHS 2013 India Post News Service

KOCHI, Kerala: Healthcare industry forms the backbone of any nation's well-being. India with its 1.2 billion population is expected to have a robust medical sector with a $100 billion industry by 2015 from the current $65 billion, growing 20 percent annually due to increasing demand for specialized and quality healthcare facilities in addition to the growth in the insurance plans seeking to provide reliable health insurance to hundreds of millions of people.

The government of India is committed to making significant improvements in the healthcare infrastructure and is contributing to building modern medical facilities throughout India with private partnerships. However, the challenge facing the industry is to make healthcare affordable, accessible to all and efficient.

Physicians of Indian origin are much sought after by patients and medical facilities around the world for their expertise, compassion and the quality of care they are known to provide to their patients.

They have earned a name for themselves as industry leaders and innovators, who discover and utilize cutting edge technology in their practice, raising the quality of care they offer to their clients.

It's in this context, the Global Healthcare Summit (GHS) 2013, organized by the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in collaboration with the Government of India from

tive look as the delegates from around the globe filled the Oman Hall for the inaugural ceremony on New Year's Day. In his welcome address, Dr. Narendra Kumar, President of AAPI and Chair of GHS 2013, said, "Your presence here today in large numbers from around the world is a testimony to your continued commitment and dedication to de-

Physicians of Indian origin are much sought after by patients and medical facilities around the world for their expertise, compassion and the quality of care they are known to provide to their patients. They have earned a name for themselves effective healthcare solutions to India, the various topics discussed at the GHS 2013 explored the possibilities for greater collaboration and cooperation between the

vote your time, skills, and resources to serve the needy and the sick, who have fewer opportunities to care for their health needs in India." The Summit, which is a pub-

the summit, Dr. Kumar said, "This international health summit is a forum for innovative opportunities for learning, networking and giving back to our motherland by prominent and talented physicians and surgeons as well as the medical industry leaders and scientists who are very passionate about serving our homeland, and the 1.2 billion people of this great nation.

Aimed at advancing the accessibility, affordability and the quality of world-class healthcare, the Summit will focus on prevention, diagnosis, treatment options and share ways to truly improve healthcare transcending global boundaries" AAPI USA has been actively engaged in harnessing the power of Indian Diaspora. "In our efforts to realize these goals, we have successfully gained the support of several leading healthcare experts and professional physician associations, including GAPIO and AKMG to collaborate on this

Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister of Kerala, delivering the keynote address at the inaugural ceremony of GHS 2013 in Kochi, India

physicians and health care providers in India with those of Indian origin and major health-care providers abroad. The international convention center at the prestigious Le Méridien in the commercial capital of Kerala wore a fes-

lic-private initiative between the Government of India and AAPI, according to Dr. Kumar, "is all about dedication and commitment of Indian-American physicians to improving healthcare in India."

While describing the goals of

ground breaking international healthcare summit, designed to bring the best, most efficient and cost effective healthcare solutions to the people of India," Dr. Kumar explained.

Cont’d on page 36

January 25, 2013

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BRICS meet focus on affordable healthcare adopting a people-centered approach to global health.

Several of the other BRICS Ministers highlighted their national commitments to HIV and the need to create a BRICS platform to enhance cooperation on global health, including HIV. The five BRICS countries represent 43% of the global population, giving them a

From L-R: Deputy Health Minister of Russia, Sergey Velmyaykin, UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, South African Health Minister Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi, Indian Health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Chinese Health Minister Chen Zhu and Brazil Health Secretary Jarbas Barbosa join hands during the 2nd BRICS Health Ministers meeting in New Delhi on January 11 India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: The Health Ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) at their meeting in New Delhi on January 11 decided to pool their resources to manufacture affordable health products and concentrate on research in some cutting edge areas to achieve universal access to medicines. The five-nation group represents 43 per cent of the world population.

The Delhi communiqué of the BRICS conference commits the five nations to pursue such health-based issues as reducing, if not ending, the use of tobacco products in the member countries and, thereby, strengthening public health.

All the five countries are emerging nations and account for sizeable economies, which are poised to grow larger than that of many developed countries. Yet, it is also

Standing up for work can help you lose weight, improve health LONDON: Office workers who stay on feet for an extra three hours daily while working burn off 3.6 kg of fat each year, making them healthier than sedentary peers, a new study has claimed.

A researcher has claimed to found intriguing evidence that those workers who prefer standing while working may actually help to lose weight, the Daily Mail reported.

According to John Buckley, an exercise scientist from Chester University, there is no need to sit down so much and those feeling sluggish would do well to push their chairs away during the day.

Many scientists previously have also asserted that one major reason so many people are overweight these days as they spend too much time working on their seat.

Buckley, who works at the department of clinical sciences and nutrition at Chester University, said that switching from chairs to working standing up will reduce obesity and improve circulation. -PTI

true that they are home to some communicable and non-communicable diseases, which have, more or less, been eradicated in the first world. Among the five, India has a very thriving drug industry with footprints in several countries in Asia and Africa.

In terms of cost, the prices of Indian drugs are a fraction of similar drugs manufactured and marketed by multinational drug firms. India's plans to force a reduction in the price of some popular anti-cancer drugs have already rattled such firms, which rake in huge profits.

Cooperation among the BRICS nations will go a long way in meeting the challenges of providing high-quality medicines at affordable cost to the teeming millions. One ground on which Western pharmaceutical firms demand and extract high prices for their products is the enormous cost they have to bear on research and development (R&D).

This can be countered only if the drug firms in these countries are able to step up their R&D activities to produce drugs targeted at diseases commonly found in these countries. Needless to say, they need to encourage production and use of generic drugs, which are much cheaper than branded products.

During his opening remarks, India's Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad highlighted the progress of the BRICS countries in the global AIDS response. "In India, we have reduced new HIV infections by 57% in the last decade, which puts us on track to halt and reverse the spread of HIV." He was making reference to reaching one key HIV-related development goal by 2015.

Addressing the participants, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé emphasized the unique role of the BRICS countries to draw on their positive experience with HIV to serve as an engine for innovation, research and development of health solutions for other developing countries.

"Today, the BRICS are demonstrating how health is increasingly a tool of foreign policy and a vehicle for promoting global health and development for the entire world," said Mr Sidibe. He also described global health as going through an important transition beyond disease specific approaches and

posed by HIV. The Delhi Communique reiterated the commitment of the BRICS countries to "ensure that bilateral and regional trade agreements do not undermine TRIPS flexibilities so as to assure the availability of affordable generic antiretroviral drugs to developing countries."

Intellectual property and trade flexibilities within the intellectual property rights sys-

India has a very thriving drug industry with footprints in several countries in Asia and Africa. In terms of cost, the prices of Indian drugs are a fraction of similar drugs manufactured and marketed by multinational drug firms.

India's plans to force a reduction in the price of some popular anti-cancer drugs have already rattled such firms, which rake in huge profits unique and growing role in contributing to global health. According to Minister Azad, "the BRICS are very mature in our outlook, and have almost achieved adulthood. Let us now work together to consolidate our gains and collaborate at the bilateral and multilateral levels to provide global leadership in many areas."

The meeting adopted the Delhi Communique, which calls for the BRICS to renew efforts to face the continued challenge

tem were set out in the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). Evidence from countries across the world shows that the use of TRIPS flexibilities has helped substantially lower the costs of HIV treatment.

At the closing of the meeting, it was announced that the next BRICS Ministerial meeting will be hosted by South Africa in January 2014.

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Fla. agency drops cost of health care overhaul TALLAHASSEE, Fla.: Florida Gov. Rick Scott was in Washington declaring that the potential cost of the federal health care overhaul to state taxpayers would be as much as $26 billion.

But two days later, Scott's own health care agency released new cost estimates of as little as $3 billion over the next decade.

The startling turnabout is likely to fuel continued criticism that Scott - a longtime critic of President Barack Obama's health care reform - is overstating the numbers to justify his opposition.

The Agency for Health Care Administration drew up the new estimates at the urging of the Florida House. The Scott administration still contends the higher cost is realistic.

The higher figure used by the Scott administration assumed that the federal government would change the law and cut money now pledged to the states, legislative budget analysts said.

Shortly before the agency released the new estimates, the bud-

get chief for the Florida House remarked that it was important to base estimates on existing law, not speculation about what would happen to the law in the future. ``This is critical to the integrity of our budgeting process,'' Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland, said in a statement.

State economists meet throughout the year to draw up forecasts on everything from sales tax collections to school attendance. The process usually attracts little attention, but the health care overhaul estimates have become politically sensitive because they could impact whether Florida moves ahead with optional parts of the overhaul.

Obama's health care law calls for states in 2014 to expand eligibility of Medicaid to those making up to 133 percent of the poverty level - $29,326 for a family of four in Florida. The changes would also require adding those who are below the poverty level but not eligible for Medicaid, such as childless adults.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this summer, however, that expansion of Medicaid is not mandatory and that states can opt out if they choose.

Scott initially declared he would not move ahead with the expansion, but then softened his stance after Obama was re-elected. In a meeting with Health and Human Services

over his math.

Medicaid is a $21 billion safety net program for the poor in Florida.

Currently, the federal government picks up about 58 percent of the annual cost. Most of the Medicaid expansion and other costs of the overhaul are being paid by the federal government.

Scott's health care agency and

The new estimates include a bare-bones estimate of $3 billion, but the agency also included additional figures that suggests the cost could also climb to $9 billion if the state decides to pay doctors and other health care providers more Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, he cited the $26 billion cost estimate as a potential obstacle.

Internal emails obtained by news organizations, however, reflect that the governor's own budget staff had been cautioned about the assumptions underlying their estimates. Democrats have already sharply criticized Scott

the governor's office still contend the $26 billion figure is realistic because the federal debt will prompt Congress to change the law and force more of the cost onto states.

McKeel said he agreed that expanding Medicaid could have significant long-term costs and he had no problems with state economists discussing the potential im-

pact of the federal government pulling back its support.

But one health care advocate said the new estimates show the governor is making up numbers to justify his opposition to the overhaul and the expansion of Medicaid. ``When it becomes clear that the numbers and facts don't support the rhetoric, it's apparently OK to go ahead and make up facts and numbers,'' said Greg Mellowe, policy director for the health care advocacy group Florida CHAIN. ``That's an indefensible business practice, especially because it could very well result in irreparable harm to the customers Florida families and employers.''

The new estimates include a bare-bones estimate of $3 billion, but the agency also included additional figures that suggests the cost could also climb to $9 billion if the state decides to pay doctors and other health care providers more. Current federal rules only require the higher reimbursement rate for two years. -AP

Minn. lawmakers plan federal Mich. court OKs partner benefits for state workers health care changes ST. PAUL, Minn.: A bipartisan group of Minnesota lawmakers unveiled preliminary plans for the state health insurance exchange that will be a key piece of carrying out the federal health care overhaul.

Lawmakers said during a news conference at the Capitol that they expect about 1.2 million Minnesotans or one out of five to obtain health care through the ex-

business employees are expected to access insurance coverage through the exchange. ``Adding 300,000 people to the insurance rolls is a huge change,'' said Rep. Tom Huntley, DFL-Duluth. ``This is, I believe, the most important moment in health care history since 1965 when they came up with Medicaid and Medicare.''

The effort to assemble

"Adding 300,000 people to the insurance rolls is a huge change,'' said Rep. Tom Huntley, DFL-Duluth. "This is, I believe, the most important moment in health care history since 1965 when they came up with Medicaid and Medicare" change, an online marketplace that will offer the uninsured an opportunity to compare and shop for private coverage. Federal subsidies also will be available for those purchases, depending on the income of the person getting coverage.

State Sen. Tony Lourey, DFLKerrick, said about 300,000 of the total number of people who will use the exchange are currently uninsured. Lawmakers say they also hope it will significantly reduce health insurance expenses for small businesses; more than 200,000 small

Minnesota's exchange will be one of the first major issues for lawmakers to tackle as the 2013 legislative session gets up and running. The exchange legislation is the first state Senate bill of the session to be filed, and lawmakers said they would start hearings on it next week. In order to meet federal deadlines, lawmakers must pass the bill before they break for a week at the end of March. Enrollment is targeted to start on Oct. 1 of this year.

While the exchange will primarily be accessed online, lawmakers said they would come up with

ways for people without Internet access to use the system.

Minnesota must pay to start and run its exchange, but the federal government is supposed to bear the cost of helping cover the uninsured. Bill sponsors said the state's operating costs, projected to be $92 million for the first two years and then drop to $56 million a year, would likely be covered by a 2.5 percent withholding on coverage premiums.

The rollout of the exchanges has been accompanied by the same controversy that has dogged the federal health care overhaul successfully pushed

by President Barack Obama in his first term. A number of states with Republican governors and legislative majorities have declined to form their own exchanges, leaving the job to the federal government.

Several Minnesota Republican lawmakers said while they opposed Obama's legislation, they believe that policymakers in the state can do a better job of formulating and operating the system than their counterparts in Washington. ``When someone out there needs help with this, I'd rather they be calling a 651 number as opposed to a 202 number,'' said Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston, a cosponsor of the bill. -AP

LANSING, Mich.: A divided Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld a state commission's decision to provide health insurance to same-sex domestic partners of state employees.

In a 2-1 ruling, the court said it's not the place of courts to secondguess the wisdom of state action.

Over objections from Republican Gov. Rick Snyder's administration, the Michigan Civil Service Commission in January 2011 voted to have the state health insurance plan cover non-family members who've lived continuously with state workers for at least a year.

GOP Attorney General Bill Schuette sued, saying the move was unconstitutional.

But the appeals court ruled the policy doesn't conflict with a 2004 gay marriage ban that also prohibits the recognition of ``similar'' unions. Majority judges said its clear state employees can share benefits with a wide variety of other people besides only a gay partner. ``The policy appears to serve the negotiated, bargained-for needs of the individuals affected, and so we conclude that the policy passes muster under rational basis scrutiny,'' Judges Amy Ronayne Krause and Stephen Borrello wrote in the majority decision, which affirms a ruling by an Ingham County judge.

Schuette vowed an appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court.

Dissenting Judge Michael Riordan said there was no evidence that the domestic-partner policy aims to attract and retain a qualified workforce.

If there were, he said, ``there is no rational basis to arbitrarily draw the line between unmarried and married employees or related and unrelated individuals.''

In December 2011, Snyder

Dissenting Judge Michael Riordan said there was no evidence that the domestic-partner policy aims to attract and retain a qualified workforce signed a law blocking taxpayerpaid health insurance from being offered to domestic partners living with public employees. The measure which is being challenged in federal court doesn't apply to public universities or many state employees.

The Civil Service Commission has constitutional responsibility for setting rates of compensation and benefits for nearly 50,000 state workers. -AP

January 25, 2013

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Flu season has Boston declaring health emergency BOSTON: Boston has declared a public health emergency as flu season struck in earnest and the state reported 18 flu-related deaths so far.

The city is working with health care centers to offer free flu vaccines and hopes to set up places where people can get vaccinated. The city said there have been four flu-related deaths, all elderly residents, since the unofficial start of the flu season Oct. 1. ``The best thing you can do to protect yourself and your family is to get the flu shot,'' said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.

The city was experiencing its worst flu season since at least 2009, Menino said, with about 700 confirmed cases of the flu, compared with 70 all of last season.

Massachusetts was one of 29 states reporting high levels of ``influenza-like illness,'' according to the most recent weekly flu advisory issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC said the proportion of people visiting health care providers with flu-like symptoms climbed from 2.8 percent to 5.6 percent in four weeks. By contrast, the rate peaked at only 2.2 percent during the relatively mild 2011-12 flu season.

The estimated rate of flu-related hospitalizations in the U.S. was 8.1 per 100,000 people, which is high for this time of year, according to Dr. Joe Bresee, chief of the epidemiology and prevention branch of the

CDC's influenza division.

Barbara Ferrer, director of the Boston public health commission, said the emergency was declared in part to get residents' attention.

She said that the 700 confirmed cases represent only those reported to the city and that thousands of other people may be ill.

Boston hospitals had counted about 1,500 emergency room visits since Decem-

"No vaccine is 100 percent effective,'' cautioned Kevin Cranston, head of the state bureau of infectious diseases.

Some people, for example, might be vaccinated but get the flu in the 10 days to two weeks it takes for the immunity to take hold."There are any number of reasons why people could have done all the right things and still get the flu," ber by people with flu-like symptoms.

Menino said people with symptoms shouldn't go to work or school.

LaKeisha Davis, 23, was at the Whittier Street Health Center for treatment of unrelated pain when she heard about the flu emergency being declared in Boston.

She took a flu vaccine on the spot, fearing that if she got the flu her 4-year-old daughter might catch it as well. ``I love her more than anything in the world and I don't want anything to happen to her,'' Davis said.

Kids' TV show helps reveal patterns of brain development WASHINGTON: Scientists are using brain scans of kids and adults watching a children's television series, to learn how kids' neural change as they develop intellectual abilities like reading and maths.

The novel use of brain imaging during everyday activities like watching TV, said scientists, opens the door to studying other thought processes in naturalistic settings and may one day help to diagnose and treat learning disabilities.

Scientists are just beginning to use brain imaging to understand how humans process thought during real-life experiences.

"But this is the first study to use the method as a tool for understanding development," said lead researcher Jessica Cantlon, an assistant professor in brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Rochester.

Eventually, that understanding may help pinpoint the cause when a child experiences difficulties mastering school work.

"Psychologists have behavioral tests for trying to get the bottom of learning impairments, but these new imaging studies provide a totally independent source of information about children's learning based on what's happening in the brain," Cantlon said in a statement.

For the investigation, 27 children between the ages of 4 and 11, and 20 adults watched the same 20-minute Sesame Street video.

Like the regular program, the recording

Frederica Williams, president of the community health center in the inner-city Roxbury neighborhood, said her facility had opened a special flu clinic and was using social media and sending letters to residents urging them to come in and get flu shots. Williams estimated that the number of patients coming to the clinic with flu-like symptoms was triple that of a year ago.

featured a variety of short clips focused on numbers, words, shapes, and other subjects. The children then took standardized IQ tests for math and verbal ability.

To capture the neural response to the show, the researchers turned to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans.

The study produced 609 scans of each participant, one every two seconds, as they watched Big Bird, the Count, Elmo and other stars of the educational series.

Using statistical algorithms, the researchers then created "neural maps" of the thought processes for the children and the adults and compared the groups.

The study found that children whose neural maps more closely resembled the neural maps of adults scored higher on standardized math and verbal tests. I In other words, the brain's neural structure, like other parts of the body, develops along predictable pathways as we mature.

The study also confirmed where in the brain these developing abilities are located.

For verbal tasks, adult-like neural patterns in the Broca area, which is involved in speech and language, predicted higher verbal test scores in children.

For maths, better scores were linked to more mature patterns in the intraparietal sulcus (IPS), a region of the brain known to be involved in the processing of numbers.

The study findings are published in the journal PLoS Biology. -PTI

Hospitals around the state were also taking precautions to protect patients and staff members from exposure to the flu.

Baystate Health, which operates Baystate Medical Center in Springfield and two other hospitals in western Massachusetts, announced it was changing its visitor policy.

The hospitals will no longer allow visitors younger than 14 and are recommending no more than two people visit a patient at once. ``This is the worst in several years,'' said Dr. Sarah Haessler, an infectious disease specialist at Baystate. She said the flu out-

break has strained the hospital's resources and helped to fill its beds to capacity.

City, state and federal officials have all identified a Type A influenza known as H3N2 as the predominant strain reported so far this season. The strain, historically associated with more serious illnesses, is among those covered by the current vaccine. ``No vaccine is 100 percent effective,'' cautioned Kevin Cranston, head of the state bureau of infectious diseases. Some people, for example, might be vaccinated but get the flu in the 10 days to two weeks it takes for the immunity to take hold. ``There are any number of reasons why people could have done all the right things and still get the flu,'' he said.

High flu rates were being reported all over Massachusetts, Cranston said, and while he didn't have specifics on the 18 statewide deaths, he noted that the flu is most dangerous for the young, the elderly and people with other chronic health conditions. ``I hate needles, and I got (a shot),'' Gov. Deval Patrick said, adding that he wasn't aware of any shortages of vaccine in the state. He also reminded residents to use common sense, such as washing their hands and sneezing into their sleeves.

The CDC said 18 children have died from the flu so far this season. While the CDC doesn't keep a tab of deaths overall from the flu, it estimates that 24,000 Americans die each year. -AP

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www.indiapost.com

Docs from around the globe explore better healthcare for Indians Cont’d from page 32

In his inaugural address, Vayalar Ravi, India's Minister for Overseas Affairs, said, "Healthcare in India is one of the largest sectors, in terms of revenue and employment." He complimented the Indian doctors who have made tremendous progress in the medical world and are known for their excellent and compassionate services to their patients around the world.

Ravi acknowledged the urgent need to create additional health infrastructure, which entails a higher level of investment in the Indian healthcare market in the coming years. Minister Ravi underlined that the government of India is committed to the ever increasing need to invest in the health care system in India.

The Federal Minister urged the pharmaceutical companies to keep the prizes of life saving medicines at an affordable level, in order to make it available and accessible to all. "No one should be denied medical treatment for want of money," he said.

Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister of Kerala, who delivered the keynote address, after inaugurating the summit with the lighting of the traditional lamp, highlighted the Kerala model of healthcare which has resulted in Kerala being the leader in providing healthcare among all the states in India. He pointed to the highest life expectancy of 75, and the least infant mortality rate among all the states of India as proof of the effectiveness of Kerala's healthcare policy over the past decades.

Advisor to the Prime Minister of India, T.K.A Nair, while felicitating AAPI for this innovative summit, lauded the physicians of Indian Origin for their achievements and leadership around the world. While focusing on the government's many programs to reach healthcare to all, he urged the private sector to work and collaborate with the government to make healthcare affordable to all of India's people.

Others who had addressed the august gathering included, Dr. Jeremy Lazarus, President, American Medical Association; Dr. Emmanuel Cassimatis, President & CEO, ECFMG, USA; Dr. Vinay Kumar, President, Indian Medical Association; Dr. Chittaranjan Ranawat, clinical professor of orthopedic surgery, Cornell University, New York, Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Group of Hospitals; Dr. K.K. Talwar, Chairman, Medical Council of India; and

Dr. M.S. Valiathan, Honorary Advisor, Manipal University.

The summit was packed with several plenary sessions, interactive roundtables, clinical practice workshops, and meet-the-expert/ CEO's sessions, providing an ambience of learning and inspiration.

With participation from some of the world's most well-known physicians and industry leaders, the

how well the Indian doctors have proved to be an effective force in the medical world in USA," said Dr. Ravi Jahagirdar, Vice President of AAPI. "Providing a forum for innovative opportunities for learning, networking and giving back to our motherland that have now enabled us to plan ahead and prepare for an outstanding event that has a record number of nearly

Sherya Ghoshal mesmerizing the audience with her heavenly voice

summit proved to be very critical and significant, especially when India is increasingly becoming a destination for medical tourism.

More than 100 opinion leaders and expert speakers from across the globe presented cutting-edge scientific findings related to clinical practice, representing major centers of excellence, institutions and professional associations. For the first time at GHS, a CEO Forum representing CEOs from around the world and from hospi-

'It was wonderful learning from the seminars on diverse topics led by eminent physicians and researchers from around the world. I have been enriched' tals, teaching institutions and major healthcare sectors, including pharmaceutical, medical devices and technology, came together to explore potential opportunities for collaboration.

Omar Ishrak, Worldwide CEO of Medtronic, Inc. was the keynote speaker, while the session was moderated by T K A Nair. Dr. G.N. Singh, Drug Controller General of India with his team was joined by leading healthcare policy makers and Hospital CEOs. "This Convention has shown

400 very prominent and talented physicians and surgeons from abroad who are very passionate about serving their homeland," Dr. Seema Jain, Secretary of AAPI explained.

"Among other areas, the summit focused on included, prevention, diagnosis, treatment options and share ways to truly improve healthcare transcending global boundaries," Dr. Ajay Lodha, Treasurer of AAPI said.

"There was so much to digest within two days," Dr. Natarajan NJ, a Kerala-based physician, who attended the event, said. "I am glad I came. It was wonderful learning from the seminars on diverse topics led by eminent physicians and researchers from around the world. I have been enriched by the different perspectives on medicine and healthcare."

Lauding the AAPI leadership and the organizers of the summit, Dr. Durgesh Mankikar, Chair, AAPI Board of Trustees, said, "This has been the best summit ever held in terms of the number of participations, the depth of knowledge shared and the collaboration and goodwill created between AAPI and the local government." Dr. Mankikar was hopeful that if the current collaboration continues, AAPI will be happy to work with the Government of India in establishing a Medical College in India.

During the valedictory ceremony held on January 3rd at the IMA House, Kochi Dr. Narendra Kumar received a symbolic "Key" marking the launch of the Amrita Peripheral

Clinic, supported by AAPI and run

by AKMG. "AAPI supports 15 clinics around the country. However, this is the first one in the state of Kerala," Dr. Kumar said.

While summarizing the outcome of the summit, Anwar Feroz, who has been instrumental in organizing the summit said, "Through the successful summits, we have been able to influence the government of India, state and local governments and the private sector in enacting policies and programs based on the inputs and recommendations from the summit."

"What we do here is going to help make policies and programs that benefit the people of this great country," Dr. Jayesh Shah, President-Elect of AAPI, said.

While lauding his vision, hard work, planning and networking Dr. Shah said, "Narendra has shown us how to do a global summit. I have walked with him through the entire planning and organizing of this summit and have seen how passionate and committed he has been to make this summit a grand success."

Through the summit, which

has become an annual feature, AAPI has been instrumental in developing strategic alliances with various organizations. "It is this experience and the resulting relationships that have enabled us to organize this outstanding event, which has a record participation from around the world and from India," Dr. Jayesh Shah, said. "We plan to build on the success of the summit with the 7th GHS 2014 to be held in Ahmadabad, Gujarat from Jan 3-5, 2014, in order to realize the objectives of the summit," he added.

The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) is the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States and represents the interests of more than 65,000 physicians and about 35,000 medical students/ residents of Indian heritage.

AAPI is an umbrella organization with nearly 130 specialty societies and alumni organizations.

AAPI is a forum to facilitate and enable Indian American Physicians to excel in patient care, teaching and research and to pursue their aspirations in professional and community affairs.

UK Health Minister for furthering ties in healthcare NEW DELHI: UK Health Minister Anna Soubry met her Indian counterpart Ghulam Nabi Azad here and discussed ways to explore opportunities for increasing

our countries and to strengthen our co-operation in response to growing needs of innovation in the healthcare sector," she said.

"I am also looking forward to

UK Health Minister Anna Soubry and Ghulam Nabi Azad

collaboration in healthcare sector.

Soubry is leading a British health sector delegation, including a group of medical device companies, on a five-day tour to discuss the future of India-UK collaboration in the field, a British High Commission release said.

"I am delighted to be in India. It is a valuable opportunity to deepen the enduring relationship between

collaboration between the two countries in areas of private and public health care and education providers," the visiting minister said.

Besides New Delhi, the delegation will also visit Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Trivandrum to hold interactions for carrying forward its cooperation agenda. -PTI

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January 25, 2013

India Post

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Norway, India join hands to improve infant, maternal mortality NEW DELHI: The second phase of the Norway-India Partnership Initiative (NIPI) on reducing infant and maternal mortality was launched here and would involve funding to the tune of USD 50 million (Rs 273 crore approx).

The program is designed to improve delivery of infant and maternal health services in select Indian states under the umbrella of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and now enters its second phase starting 2013 to 2017 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Funding under the second phase of the initiative will be to the extent of USD 50 million, with its focus on improving and scaling up quality continuum of care interventions at community and facility level in NIPI and some other selected districts.

It also aims at setting up a mechanism for sustainable institutional collaboration between Norwegian and Indian public and private institutions in areas related to women and child health, besides facilitating dialogue on

global health between Norway and India.

The first phase of the partnership was initiated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Norwegian counterpart Jens Stoltenberg in 2006 towards achieving Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 by 2015.

NIPI completed its first phase of operation in 2012 in the focus states of Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar and Rajasthan Addressing a Joint Steering Committee meeting after the signing of MoU, Norway's Ambassador to India Eivind S Homme said, "The success of the first phase towards contributions to the NRHM for scaling up home-based new-born care, sick and new born care units and techno-managerial

support has been very encouraging for all of us. With the Phase II in place now, we hope to contribute to the overall NRHM goals in the country."

NIPI completed its first phase of operation in 2012 in the focus states of Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar and Rajasthan.

Based on the experiences gained and results achieved since the beginning of NIPI in 2006, the duration of the program is now extended to coincide with the new NRHM plan 2013-2017.

NIPI Phase II will continue in the same states of the first phase.

NIPI interventions will also be there in some districts of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Assam.

Since its inception, NIPI has demonstrated some clear successes enhancing the visibility of the child health issues with special focus on survival of the new born.

NIPI will continue with a focus on maternal and new-born health, especially the continuum of care from home to facility, and capacity building of health personnel. -PTI

Wary of cost, Brown commits state to health reform SACRAMENTO, Calif.: Gov. Jerry Brown says he's firmly committed to making national health care reform work in California, but he also is wary of potential costs that could affect state spending for years to come.

In releasing his budget for the coming fiscal year, Brown pledged to be a reliable partner in implementing the federal Affordable Care Act by expanding Medicaid coverage for low-income Californians. Brown said he wants to move cautiously so the state can run a sustainable program that will not burden taxpayers with new expenses.

He set aside $350 million for the Medicaid expansion, but even his top health care aide said the true cost is not yet known. ``We're committed to bringing more people to the health care system, but we recognize there are big costs out there, there are big unknowns,'' Brown said. ``We're going to move carefully, but we're going to move with commitment because I do believe people do need decent health care.''

Starting in 2014, California will help the uninsured gain access to health care in two key ways: through a new insurance marketplace - or exchange - that will of-

fer subsidies and tax credits to individuals and small business; and by expanding Medicaid, the federal-state health program for low-income people. The program is called Medi-Cal in California.

While the health insurance exchange is designed to be self-sustaining, Brown said he is con-

Gov. Jerry Brown

cerned about expanding Medi-Cal because the program already consumes 20 percent of the state's $97.6 billion general fund, even as the state splits roughly half the cost with the federal government.

It serves about 8 million adults and children, nearly one out of every five residents.

Under the expansion, the state would cover an estimated 1.4 million more Californians who make up to 138 percent of the federal poverty line, or about $15,400 a year for an individual, according to a joint report released by the University of California Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

The study said another 240,000 to 510,000 people who already are eligible but not yet enrolled are expected to join because of the federal law's individual mandate and a simplified enrollment process.

The Obama administration is encouraging states to expand their Medicaid programs by offering more money. The federal government will pay all medical costs for newly eligible enrollees for the first three years, with funding decreasing to 90 percent by 2020.

The state would continue to be reimbursed at 50 percent for everyone else.

State Health and Human Services Secretary Diana Dooley says the governor's budget proposes to include some funding for Medi-Cal expansion in the first half of 2014, but said true costs are not known. -AP

Partisan battle could be ahead for health reforms FRANKFORT, Ky.: Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature are primed for a lively debate on federal health care changes that could provide Medicaid benefits to some 400,000 additional Kentuckians and create an insurance exchange that would make it easier for people to find affordable private coverage.

House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, said that he will oppose legislation that could impede implementation of two key parts of the Affordable Care Act, the federal initiative that he touts as a way to improve the health of Kentucky residents. ``Not only is it a good benefit to the state, it's also something that morally we should do,'' he said. ``I think once the facts are on the table that members will have a very difficult time voting against it.''

Stumbo told reporters he believes the state ``would be illserved'' not to take full advantage of the health care changes that would expand Medicaid coverage to additional uninsured residents.

State Sen. Julie Denton, R-Louisville, introduced legislation that would require Gov. Steve Beshear to get legislative approval before implementing the health insurance exchange or opening the state's Medicaid program to additional recipients.

Denton said her legislation

simply involves the lawmakers in decisions about implementing costly changes. The operation of the health insurance exchanges alone, she said, could be some $40 million a year and that expanding the Medicaid rolls could add another $170 million a year.

By making that investment, Stumbo countered that Kentucky stands to receive some $2 billion a year from the federal government.

"Not only is it a good benefit to the state, it's also something that morally we should do," he said Beshear has already directed his administration to set up the health care exchange, which he said will be ready to operate by next January. He said he hasn't yet made a decision on whether to expand Medicaid rolls. ``What I'm doing right now is to try to gather all the information I can to determine whether, in the long run, we can afford to expand Medicaid,'' he said. ``Obviously, if I determine we can afford to do it, I want to do it, because Kentucky is one of the most unhealthy states.'' -AP

Speaking two languages can keep brain healthy in old age LONDON: Learning a second tongue can keep your brain sharp in old age, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine found senior citizens who have spoken two languages since childhood are faster at switching from one task to another than those who only know one.

MRI scans revealed that lifelong bilinguals appeared to be using their brains more efficiently, which increased their speed, the 'Daily Mail' reported.

The findings confirm the value of regular stimulating mental activity throughout life.

As people age, cognitive flexibility - the ability to adapt to unfamiliar or unexpected circumstances - and related 'executive' brain functions decline.

Recent studies suggest this decline could be stemmed by speaking more than one language - a boost that may stem from the experience of constantly switching between languages.

The latest study revealed how the number of tongues you speak affects brain activity.

A team led by Dr Brian Gold from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine used MRI scans to compare brain activity of healthy 60 to 68-year-olds while they completed mentally challenging tasks.

The first task asked participants to identify if a shape was a circle or a square. The second to identify if an object was red or blue and the third task combined the first two.

They found that both monolingual and bilingual seniors performed the task accurately. However, those who spoke two languages or more were faster at completing the third task despite expending less energy in the frontal cortex - an area known to be involved in task switching.

"This suggests that bilingual seniors use their brains more efficiently than monolingual seniors," Gold added. -PTI

38

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January 25, 2013

S

ituated in the Nilgiri mountain range, Nagarhole National Park is spread across Kodagu and Mysore districts of Karnataka. Situated 96 km from Mysore on the Karnataka-Kerala border, Nagarhole National Park is considered to be one of the best wildlife parks in the country.

The park once served as hunting grounds for the Mysore kings. It is named after the river Nagar Hole, meaning the 'snake river' which winds through the park.

It is officially known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park and is home to the Royal Bengal tiger.

Along with Mudumalai, Wayanad, Bandipur and other small parks and reserved forests, Nagarhole National Park forms the largest protected area in South India covering an area of 3300 sq km. Kabini reservoir separates it from Bandipur National Park.

Nagarhole National Park along with Mudumalai, Wayanad and Bandipur forests has one of the densest tiger populations. The Nilgiri Reserve is home to around 48 tigers.

Set up as a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and a national park in 1988, it was declared a tiger reserve in 1999.

Apart from tigers, leopards and wild dogs are the two other predators found in the wildlife sanctuary. Elephants and bison are other prime attractions. One can also spot animal species like jackals, striped hyena, sloth bears, mouse deer, black naped hare, etc.

Russell's viper, vine snake, Indian rock python, common krait, etc. are some of the common reptile species found in the park.

Nagarhole is also home to several varieties of birds. Over 270 varieties of avian

eagle, Indian peafowl, yellow legged green pigeon, painted bush quail, etc. are some of the other bird species that can be seen in the park.

The park has a rich green cover. Precious

Jenu Kurubas are the main inhabitants of the forest. They speak Jenu nadi, a dialect of Kannada.

Best time to visit Nagarhole National Park can be visited

Nagarhole National Park along with Mudumalai, Wayanad and Bandipur forests has one of the densest tiger populations. The Nilgiri Reserve is home to around 48 tigers species can be spotted in the park. The critically endangered oriental white-backed vulture is a key attraction. Lesser adjutant, Nilgiri wood-pigeon, greater spotted

timber such as rosewood, sandalwood, teak, etc are found in abundance in the national park.

The park also has human settlements.

all through the year. During summers, it tends to get extremely hot. During winters, temperatures drop to 14 degree Celsius.

Cont’d on page 42

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India Post

Travel & Hospitality Post

January 25, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Kerala Travel Mart ties up Goa pins hope on Carnival for better tourist season with Biennale KOCHI: Two frontline biennial events in Kerala are joining hands, giving a fresh boost to the states tourism sector.

The Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) is set to work in close coordination with the KochiMuziris Biennale, as the organizers of both the events have reached an understanding aimed at promoting a symbiotic relationship that could lend synergy to the states cultural tourism.

To begin with, the KTM, which showcases Kerala as Asia's new-age destination and India's tourism super-brand, will chip in sponsorship to the ongoing biennale, the country's first such contemporary-art extravaganza.

KTM members, who chiefly include hotels, tour operators, resorts, Ayurvedic spas, homestays and houseboats, will extend support to the biennale by enrolling under its Sponsor A Day scheme, according to hospitality industrialist Jose Dominic, who is also a trustee with the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) which is organizing the threemonth festival.

The pact in this regard was signed by KTM representatives who saw the exhibits at the jamboree that began on Dec 12.

"KTM is a get-together of people work-

ing for the promotion of tourism in Kerala.

Their working in tandem with our event will naturally act as an advertisement for the biennale for people far and wide, said KBF president Bose Krishnamachari, a wellknown Mumbai-based Malayali artist and co-curator of the event.

KTM members, who chiefly include hotels, tour operators, resorts, Ayurvedic spas, homestays and houseboats, will extend support to the biennale by enrolling under its Sponsor A Day scheme

PANAJI: After a lull in the arrival of tourists around the New Year, the tourism industry in Goa is expecting a brighter season for the next month's 'Carnival'.

There was a drop in tourist arrivals by 15-17 per cent during the New Year season against the last year, industry sources said.

The drop was attributed to the high flight rates which discouraged the travelers to come to Goa who usually prefer to usher in the New Year on the sandy state beaches.

the exact figures can be available only after occupancy data is collected from various hotels.

Some of the hotels were holding on to their peak season rates till the end, which made the things expensive, forcing the people to opt for other destinations, he said.

"Things did not move as per expectation. The hoteliers were looking at sellers market but it was otherwise," he said.

However, they are now expecting a better influx of tourists around the Carnival

"There was a drop in the tourist arrivals in October, November and December," Ralf D'Souza, the spokesman of Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) told PTI. The season was bad in October because Diwali was in November last year.

Arrivals dropped in November because of the delayed start of chartered flights landing in Goa. December saw less tourists due to high flight rates, he said.

"The FIT (Free Independent Travelers) arriving in Goa and staying in two, three or four star hotels preferred to go to other destinations. The business was good for fivestar hotels," he said.

State tourism director Nikhil Desai said

time. "We have got a feedback that all the airlines are booked during Carnival time. So we expect that the arrivals will shoot up," Desai said.

The carnival would be celebrated in Goa from February 9 onwards during which float parades are organized across main five cities. Mythological figure King Momo spearheads all the float parades.

Desai also said the tourist arrivals shot up during the first two weeks of January, which is unusual. "This clearly indicates that the people were waiting for the hotel tariffs to subside," he added.

Industry sources said the facility of visaon-arrival in Goa for countries like Finland and Sweden will also help. -PTI

The KTM, which began in 2000, held its latest edition in September last year and is slated to hold the next in the same month in 2014.

The KTM noted that there has of late been a surge in art-curious tourists. That way, an event like the biennale can help the economy of not just Kerala, but the entire country, Dominic said. -PTI

Thailand a major destination for Indian tourists COIMBATORE: Thailand, a major destination for Indian tourists, has recently turned into a preferred nation for Indians to get married, in true Indian tradition and style, a top official has claimed.

To prove his point, Sethaphan Buddhani, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) claimed that over 100 Indian couples chose to get married in Thailand during the last 12 months alone.

Buddhani, here to participate in a road show organized by TAT, said the 100 couples got married in typical Indian Hindu tradition, performed at various places such as

Bangkok, Khao Yai, Ko Chang and Phuket.

To help in such religious ceremonies, TAT has engaged 30 wedding planners in India, who serve as event managers and help the couples and families make all arrangements, end to end, including priests and halls, he said.

The Authority is expecting at least 1.3 million Indian tourists this year as against 9.24 lakh, an increase of 10.37 per cent over 2011, and to attract more, the country is promoting eco-tourism and biking tourism (adventure sports), Bhddhani said. -PTI

January 25, 2013

Travel & Hospitality Post

India Post

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Even a kite can draw the world to Gujarat: Modi AHMEDABAD: Even a kite can draw the world to Gujarat, Chief Minister Narendra Modi exulted while highlighting fresh steps taken by his government to promote tourism in the state.

Opening the 25th International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati River front here, Modi said, "'Patang Utsav' (kite festival) is a routine effort. It has existed for a long time.

But what was not there was the skill to show it to the world. We showed how a kite can draw the world to Gujarat."

The kite festival comes close of the heels of Vibrant Gujarat Summit that attracted business leaders from India and different parts of the world to Gandhinagar.

Stating that this time the state government is taking the International Kite Festival to smaller towns, he said, "We are trying to take this festival to smaller towns like Modhera. We are trying to brand Modhera and market it."

Modi also highlighted the efforts made by the Gujarat government to give a strong impetus to tourism. He said that festivals such as this will give a boost to tourism and also benefit the poorest of poor.

Despite starting late on promoting tourism, he said that very few places would have emerged as such an attraction for tourists the way Gujarat has. Gujarat's tourism sector was growing at a double rate than India's, Modi said.

"Tourism sector in India is growing at 7 per cent while tourism in Gujarat is growing at 16 per cent," he said, adding that "we are reaping fruits for the initiatives we took." It is the strength of the six crore Gujaratis that draws people from all over the world, he stressed.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi pose with a kite during the inauguration ceremony of the International Kite festival in Ahmedabad on January 13

Stephan Bekker from Cape Town in South Africa said, "The atmosphere here is fantastic". Del-

egates from 50 countries and ten states of India participated in the festival.

"Gujarat has a lot to show and give to the world. But in the past, least emphasis was given to promote tourism in the way in which it should have been.

However, in the last few years, we have given an impetus to tourism. We want people to come to Gujarat, to see Gujarat," the Chief Minister said.

"Tourism sector in India is growing at 7 per cent while tourism in Gujarat is growing at 16 per cent," he said, adding that "we are reaping fruits for the initiatives we took."

It is the strength of the six crore Gujaratis that draws people from all over the world, he stressed. -PTI

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Travel & Hospitality Post

January 25, 2013

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Omar launches Jammu, Kargil air service

Nagarhole National Park Tigers, leopards, birds in rich green cover From Bangalore Airport the time by road to Nagarhole National Park is five hours.

By Train: The nearest railway station for Nagarhole National

JAMMU: In an effort to promote tourism and facilitate the movement of people of Kargil which remains cut-off with other parts of the state during winter, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has launched a commercial air service to the mountainous area.

The air service was all more required as the area remains disconnected with other parts of Jammu and Kashmir during winter and the national highways are blocked for most part of the season Omar and several state ministers took the first flight of scheduled regional airline Air Mantra from Jammu to Kargil and took stock of the arrangements made to air connect the mountainous belt.

The air service was all more required as the area remains disconnected with other parts of Jammu and Kashmir during winter and the national highways are blocked for most part of the season, he said in a function at Kargil.

The air service will keep Kargil residents connected with the state and also promote tourism, he said.

Omar stressed upon the need to put in place all statutory requirements and safety measures for the air service and said he would take up the issue of subsidizing the air fare for people to help them utilize the service especially during the winter months.

After the commencement of the construction of Z-Morh tunnel, the air service to Kargil is another positive news for Kargil residents, he said.

Kargil has a great potential of

tourism and to explore the opportunity there is an urgent need to improve, upgrade and construct befitting tourist infrastructure which cannot be done by the government alone but people and private parties have to contribute in this task equally, he said.

"Yours is one of the most beautiful areas in the world and to rope in tourists from all over the world requires us to built required tourist infrastructure here", he said.

"I am the most fortunate Chief Minister of the state as the historic event of air service to Kargil is taking place in my tenure for which so many Chief Ministers cherished and worked," he said.

On the occasion, he appreciated the decision of Air Mantra to start the air service from Jammu to Kargil.

He underlined the need for similar air connectivity from Srinagar and said that it would open the area for global tourism.

He said Kargil has a great potential for power generation and

‘I am the most fortunate Chief Minister of the state as the historic event of air service to Kargil is taking place in my tenure for which so many Chief Ministers cherished and worked this potential is being harnessed by launching many small and medium power projects in the area.

Omar said the completion of Srinagar-Leh Transmission Line would encourage the launch of projects in Leh and Kargil districts.

"Through this transmission line we would be able to extract surplus power from this region," he added. -PTI

Cont’d from page 39

During monsoon, the park receives moderate rainfall. Monsoon months are best avoided since the chances of seeing animals are remote. October to February is the best time to visit the national park.

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport for Nagarhole National Park is Mysore. Mysore Airport is 95 km from the park. Mysore in turn is connected by Bangalore by means of regular flights. Bangalore is an International Airport and hence easily accessible by all national and international flights. Bangalore is around 140 km from Mysore.

Park is again Mysore. Mysore is connected to Bangalore which in turn is connected to all the major cities in India.

By Road: Nagarhole National Park is connected to all the cities via Mysore and Coorg.

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In Brief India puts on hold visa on arrival for Pak senior citizens NEW DELHI: India has put on hold the operationalisation of visa on arrival for senior citizens of Pakistan amid mounting tension on the Line of Control (LoC).

Government sources said the decision was taken after several agencies sought clarifications on facilities to be offered to the Pakistani citizens though the continued tension along the LoC following killing of two soldiers by Pakistani troops could be the apparent reason.

The visa on arrival facility for Pakistani nationals above 65 years was supposed to start from January 15 at the Attari Integrated Check Post (ICP) under the new visa agreement between India and Pakistan signed in September 2012 to ease crossborder travel as part of Confidence Building Measures (CBM).

Some clauses of the relaxed visa regime like multiple-entry and reporting-free visas for businessmen and allowing them to visit five cities instead of the earlier three was operationalised when Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik visited New Delhi on December 14-16, 2012.

No new date has been fixed for operationalisation of the visa on arrival facility to the Pakistani senior citizens.

"We will take a decision at an appropriate time," government sources said.

The objections raised by some agencies include whether visiting senior citizens were required to have a sponsor in India before granting them visa on arrival.

Union Home Secretary R K Singh said some issues relating to visa on arrival needed to be ironed out and that the process will be launched at an appropriate time.

The visa, which was expected to be granted to people in the prescribed age group crossing the Attari-Wagah border on foot, would be given for maximum of 45 days of stay in one visit and the visa fee would be Rs 100 or two US dollars.

However, according to the pact, visa-on-arrival would not be given for stay in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, besides restrictive and prohibitive regions. Amritsar will only be used as transit point. -PTI

Immigrant licenses advance despite fraud concerns SPRINGFIELD, Ill.: A proposal to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants received House committee approval here, despite concerns by both Democrats and Republicans whether it goes far enough to prevent fraud.

Details on page 46

Immigration 44

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January 25, 2013

Govt spent $18 billion on immigration enforcement WASHINGTON: The Obama administration spent more money on immigration enforcement in the last fiscal year than all other federal law enforcement agencies combined, according to a report on the government's enforcement efforts from a Washington think tank.

Details on page 47

Immigration reforms high on Obama's agenda in second term WASHINGTON: A comprehensive immigration reform is high on priority of US President Barack Obama during his second term in office, the White House has said.

"I would say, broadly speaking, that State of the Union addresses tend to include at least a sample of President's agenda, and comprehensive immigration reform, is a very high priority of the President," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said.

He said Obama has given commitment to take action on immigration reform early in his second term.

"I can assure you that it is a top priority of this President, and it is something he will act on, as he has promised," he said.

"I can assure you that it is a top priority of this President, and it is something he will act on, as he has promised," he said

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney

Soon after his electoral victory in November, Obama, at a White House news conference, had said he was "very confident" that he could get immigration reform done. -PTI

USCIS to implement new immigrant visa fee Feb 1 CYRUS D. MEHTA

O

n February 1, 2013, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin collecting a new fee of $165 from foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in the United States. This new fee was established in USCIS's final rule adjusting fees for immigration applications and petitions announced on September 24, 2010.

The agency said it has worked closely with the Department of State (DOS) to implement the new fee, which will allow USCIS to recover the costs of processing immigrant visas in the United States after immigrant visa-holders receive their visa packages from DOS. This includes staff handling and the cost of producing and delivering the permanent resident card.

Applicants will pay online through the USCIS website after they receive their visa packages from DOS and before they leave for the United States. DOS will provide applicants with information on how to submit the payment when they attend their consular interviews. The new fee is in addition to fees charged by DOS associated with an individual's immigrant visa application.

USCIS processes approximately 36,000 immigrant visa pack-

ages each month. Prospective adoptive parents whose child will enter the United States under the Orphan or Hague processes are exempt from the new fee.

Operational Guidance for EB-5 cases involving tenant occupancy U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released long-awaited operational guidance for EB-5 cases involving ten-

outstanding Regional Center applicants who relied on the tenantoccupancy methodology."

USCIS will apply the guidance to pending cases and cases filed on or after December 20, 2012, that rely on the tenant-occupancy methodology. The guidance does not rescind or supersede other EB5 guidance.

USCIS noted that among the issues raised in the February 2012

Applicants will pay online through the USCIS website after they receive their visa packages from DOS and before they leave for the United States. DOS will provide applicants with information on how to submit the payment ant occupancy on December 20, 2012. USCIS said the memorandum is intended to facilitate adjudication of cases involving issues related to the "tenant-occupancy" methodology for establishing job creation in EB-5 cases.

The agency noted that the guidance "has been formulated following careful internal deliberation [and] consultation with sister government agencies," along with a "review of responses to requests for evidence (RFEs) issued in February 2012 to a number of

RFEs, USCIS sought evidence that the projected jobs attributable to prospective tenants (which would occupy the commercial space created by the EB-5 capital) would represent newly created jobs, not jobs that the tenant had merely relocated.

The agency said that such determinations are necessary to assess whether there is a "reasonable causal link" between the EB-5 enterprise and the job creation that would allow for the attribution of the tenant jobs to the EB-5 enterprise. The RFEs "suggested the

types of evidence applicants could submit to make this showing."

In regional center cases that rely on tenant occupancy models, USCIS requires evidence that the claimed jobs result, directly or indirectly, from the economic activity of the EB-5 commercial enterprise.

With respect to indirect job creation, applicants and petitioners must project the number of newly created jobs that would not have been created but for the economic activity of the EB-5 commercial enterprise. "In making that projection, they are to use economically and statistically valid forecasting tools," USCIS noted.

The agency said that whether an applicant or petitioner has demonstrated that an EB-5 enterprise caused the creation of indirect tenant jobs requires case-by-case determinations and generally also requires an evaluation of the verifiable detail provided and the overall reasonableness of the methodology as presented.

The guidance memo gives additional details about the types of evidence and approaches applicants and petitioners may use, and discusses the appropriate language in approval notices regarding the assumptions underlying the approval.

Cont’d on page 47

Immigration Post

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Iowa DOT head defends immigrant license policy DES MOINES, Iowa: The head of Iowa's Transportation Department defended himself against criticism over a new policy barring driver's licenses for certain young immigrants allowed by a new federal rule to live in the United States.

Iowa Department of Transportation Director Paul Trombino appeared before the Legislature's Administrative Rules Review Committee, which oversees rules created by state agencies.

Vanessa Marcano, an immigrant from Venezuela who lives in Des Moines, cried as she pleaded for his agency to reconsider its decision. ``Shame on the Iowa Department of Transportation for this anti-immigration affront to crush the dreams of young hard-working people who love this country and who have given their heart and soul to be here,'' she said.

The DOT announced in December that it would not issue driver's licenses or identification cards to

immigrants brought into the U.S. as children by parents who were not legal residents and who qualify for the new deferred action program announced by President Barack Obama in June.

The federal program does not provide legal status for the immigrants but does protect them from deportation for two years. The time period can be extended. The program applies to illegal immigrants who came to the United States before they turned 16 years old and who were 30 or younger as of June 15. To qualify, they also must have lived continuously in the United States for at least five years, be enrolled in school and have a clean criminal record.

Trombino said his agency worked with lawyers in the Iowa Attorney General's Office and Gov. Terry Branstad's staff to interpret the impact of the rule on Iowa residents.

He said they believe that while the federal government allows

those who meet the criteria to stay in the country and work, it does not give them legal authorization to be in the country, which is required to obtain a driver's license.

The federal program does not provide legal status for the immigrants but does protect them from deportation for two years. The time period can be extended ``We do not have legal authority under Iowa law to issue a driver's license or identification because they're not authorized to be present in the United States,'' he said.

Joe Henry, Iowa state director

British varsities fear big drop in overseas students LONDON: British universities fear a significant drop in the number of foreign students, especially from India, this year due to the Cameron government's toughening stance on immigration.

According to the head of Universities UK, a representative body of the country's major universities, overseas students were being made to feel unwelcome and turning to the US, Canada and Australia.

"What universities are reporting to us (is that) they are seeing significant drops, particularly from India, from Pakistan and now from China and Saudi Arabia. These are countries that send large numbers and also they are important countries in terms of international engagement and industry engagement, so we want to be promoting and fostering relations with them, not erecting barriers," Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, told the Guardian.

Overseas students are estimated to bring 8 billion pounds a year into the economy, a figure projected to rise to 16.8 billion pounds by 2025, according to a study by the UK's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Indian students form a major chunk of this slice after China, which represents the largest group of foreign students in the UK. During his visit to India in November last year, London Mayor Boris Johnson had expressed con-

cerns, revealing a 9 per cent fall in the Indian students applying to study in the UK last year.

A further drop of 25 per cent is forecast for this year.

"The government is right not to open the door to those who will simply be a drain on the state, but it's crazy that we should be losing India's top talent and global lead-

Indians students have also been put off by changes to the post-study work visa rules that came into force last April, which withdrew the right from most overseas students to work in the UK ers of the future to Australia and the United States," he said.

Indians students have also been put off by changes to the poststudy work visa rules that came into force last April, which withdrew the right from most overseas students to work in the UK for two years after completing their studies.

Last month, British Home Secretary Theresa May had announced a further crackdown on student visas with plans for consular staff to interview more than

100,000 prospective students in an attempt to prevent bogus applicants entering the country.

"We are concerned about the language and the atmosphere that is being created, not least because it plays very, very badly internationally. Whatever the intentions of the politicians are every time these sorts of comments are made by the home secretary or others it does have a potentially very damaging impact internationally," Dandridge added.

Her fears are backed by the Office of National Statistics figures released in November 2012, showing a 26 per cent fall in the number of visas issued for the purposes of study in the year to September 2012.

The UK Border Agency has been applying tighter student visa restrictions over the last few years in line with Prime Minister David Cameron's pledge to cut the net level of immigration to the UK to fewer than 100,000 before the 2015 general election.

Universities have been campaigning to exclude international students from these net migration figures.

Immigration Minister Mark Harper said, "The UK's education system is one of the best in the world but to maintain this reputation it is vital that we tackle the abuse of the student route, while making sure Britain remains open for business." -PTI

of the League of United Latin American Citizens, said the decision could affect between 4,000 and 10,000 young immigrants in Iowa who are eligible to participate in the program.

Criticism came from both Democrats and Republicans on the committee. ``What would you have them do? They're brought in here by their parents. They've been raised here. They really probably don't even speak whatever language of the country they came from,'' said Rep. Guy Vander Linden, an Oskaloosa Republican. ``Why would you want them to have authorization to work and not be able to drive to work with a license and have insurance?''

Republican Dawn Pettengill defended the department's action. ``We're not trying to throw barriers in front of anybody, we're just trying to follow the laws and the rules,'' she said.

Rep. Pam Jochum, a Dubuque

Democrat, told Trombino the policy should be proposed in a bill to the Legislature.

Rita Bettis, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, said she will ask Trombino to reconsider next week in a meeting. The group could file a lawsuit to challenge the policy.

ACLU chapters in Michigan and Arizona have sued to challenge similar policies.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said each state can decide whether to issue licenses. At least 18 states have said deferred action recipients will be eligible for licenses. Three other states New Mexico, Washington and Utah already grant driver's licenses or privilege cards regardless of immigration status, according to the National Immigration Law Center.

Several Republican governors have said they will not issue driver's licenses to immigrants who qualify. -AP

Immigration seen as Britain's biggest problem: Poll LONDON: British public views immigration as the biggest problem facing their society with one in three people believing that tension between immigrants and people born in the UK is a major cause of division, a new survey has found.

A report by the think-tank 'British Future', titled "State of the Nation: Where is Bittersweet Britain Heading?", found that one in three people believes tension between immigrants and people born in the UK is the major cause of division, while well over half regard it as one of the top three causes.

It, however, also suggests people are, at heart, tolerant of those who come into the country.

Sunder Katwala, director of 'British Future', said the survey highlighted a national anxiety about immigration to which national politicians needed to respond.

An expected influx from new EU member states of Bulgaria and Romania has thrown the issue into the limelight, with communities and local government secretary Eric Pickles stressing on "problems" this is expected to cause.

Prime Minister David Cameron also backed these fears, saying any influx is "a very difficult calculation to make" and "the detail is not there yet".

The 'British Future' poll, conducted by Ipsos MORI, coincides with warnings that the expanding

migrant population will put increased pressure on both the private and social housing sectors.

MPs fear that as many as 300,000 migrants could enter the UK from Bulgaria and Romania when current restrictions on their movement are lifted next year.

Pickles, however, has refused to put a figure to how many new EU migrants the government expects to enter into the country af-

An expected influx from new EU member states of Bulgaria and Romania has thrown the issue into the limelight, with communities and local government secretary Eric Pickles stressing on "problems" ter getting the right to live and work in the UK. "The truth is I don't think anybody entirely knows the number that will come from Bulgaria and Romania," said Pickles, who is preparing to give a major speech in which he will announce further efforts to aid integration.

Mastery of English will be singled out as the key to social mobility in Britain, uniting people and increasing their understanding of one another. -PTI

46

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US Chamber makes immigration overhaul top priority WASHINGTON: The president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has said that the ``door to the American dream must always remain open'' as he announced a broad coalition of business, labor, faith organizations, law enforcement and ethnic groups intent on overhauling the nation's immigration system.

Tom Donohue outlined his priorities for immigration legislation and expressed optimism that after years of ill-fated efforts, there is momentum in the White House and Congress to tackle the politically charged issue. The backing of the Chamber, which represents the interests of more than 3 million businesses, is certain to provide a critical boost to the push for reform against stiff opposition.

Donohue said any legislation should include increased border security, provisional visas for lesser-skilled workers and expansion of green cards for foreign nationals who receive advanced

degrees from U.S. colleges and universities. He also favors a national employee verification system, which has been a contentious issue in the debate.

Donohue stressed that there should be a way to citizenship for illegal immigrants.

and then sending them back to their native country. He noted that there are a number of seasonal jobs in entertainment and agriculture.

The Chamber president is working with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, whom he praised as the ``best guy in town'' at building

Most Democrats have favored legislation to give millions of illegal immigrants a chance at citizenship, but some Republicans have rejected that step. The issue has exposed divisions within the Republican ranks ``We need to provide a path out of the shadows for the 11 million undocumented immigrants who live in the United States today provided that they meet strict conditions,'' he said in a speech on the state of American business.

Donohue questioned the wisdom of training individuals ``to have PhDs in organic chemistry''

coalitions. Donohue also said he has met with Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who had been involved in previous efforts on immigration legislation. ``It's a work in progress as no legislation had yet been introduced, but we have been informally cooperating because all of

Immigrant licenses advance despite fraud concerns SPRINGFIELD, Ill.: A proposal to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants received House committee approval here, despite concerns by both Democrats and Republicans whether it goes far enough to prevent fraud.

The plan, endorsed 6-3 by a transportation committee, requires those immigrants who wish to obtain a license have their photo taken and filed digitally in a state database. But state Rep. Dennis Reboletti, R-Elmhurst, said illegal immigrants should be fingerprinted as a better way to create an identifying record. Photos alone could lead to identity fraud, he said.

Supporters of the legislation question whether fingerprinting would deter potential licensees from applying for fear of being identified and deported.

The bill's sponsor, Chicago Democratic Rep. Edward Acevedo, said he's close to having enough votes to get House approval, but would delay a vote.

The measure got a Senate OK in December and is backed by Gov. Pat Quinn. If passed in the House and signed, Illinois would be the third - and most populous - state to issue such licenses. Washington and New Mexico currently issue them.

The legislation would make immigrants who drive to work and school eligible for temporary licenses that are already issued to

foreign-born visitors to the U.S. The licenses couldn't be used to buy a firearm, register to vote or board a plane, and law enforcement officials wouldn't be allowed to use them to target illegal immigrants for deportation.

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights says there are 250,000 unlicensed illegal immigrants who drive in Illi-

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel issued a congratulatory statement, saying the measure would make the city and state “more welcoming to immigrants� nois. Uninsured immigrant drivers cause $64 million in damage claims each year, according to the coalition's calculation that's based on federal and state figures. That's an expense covered by ratepayers' increased premiums. Bettertrained and licensed drivers mean safer roads, advocates say.

Opposition to the measure in Illinois has been scarce. Early on, some Republicans said it's an immigration reform measure that

should be left up to the federal government. Others said they feared the licenses opened the door to more fraud.

After the vote, supporters chanted ``Si se puede!'' or ``Yes, we can!'' Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel issued a congratulatory statement, saying the measure would make the city and state ``more welcoming to immigrants.'' ``The more we can do to help recent immigrants step out of the shadows, the more they can do to make active contributions to our communities and economy,'' he said.

Anyone with a driver's license in Illinois has a photograph in a statewide database that includes facial recognition software. But even the transportation committee's chairman, Rep. John D'Amico, a Chicago Democrat who voted for the measure, said potential licensees should be fingerprinted.

Reboletti said facial recognition software is not as reliable as fingerprinting because faces change, but fingerprints do not.

Supporters say that would be too expensive and raise too many questions about whether they could be used by federal immigration officials. ``It would add additional costs, additional delays, and on top of that, if people are fingerprinted, would people actually apply for the document?'' asked Fred Tsao, policy director for ICIRR. -AP

us have a shared interest in America actually having a working immigration system that includes a roadmap to citizenship for the undocumented, together with other reforms to make our immigration laws meet the needs of the country,'' said Ana Avendano, assistant to the president for Immigration and Community Action at the AFL-CIO. Most Democrats have favored legislation to give millions of illegal immigrants a chance at citizenship, but some Republicans have rejected that step. The issue has exposed divisions within the Republican ranks, and the split was particularly pronounced during the GOP presidential primaries.

Republican nominee Mitt Romney adopted a hard line on the issue, suggesting that illegal immigrants ``self-deport.'' The results of the general election forced many in the GOP to reconsider their position, especially af-

ter Obama captured an estimated 71 percent of the Hispanic vote in winning re-election.

Looking ahead to the next election, Republicans recognize the political drawbacks of a tough line on immigration, especially with growing Hispanic populations in Florida, California and Texas. Sen. Marco Rubio, RFla., the son of Cuban immigrants, worked on a bill last year that would have permitted young illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. with their parents to apply for non-immigrant visas.

It was a policy that Obama adopted.

Donohue acknowledged the difficulty in getting all parties to agree to legislation. ``You can demagogue this issue very easily,'' he said at a news conference following his speech.

Donohue's comments came as he detailed the chamber's priorities this year on federal spending, regulation and energy. -AP

Illinois OKs illegal immigrant driver's licenses bill SPRINGFIELD, Ill.: Illinois moved a step closer to becoming the next state to allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses after House lawmakers approved a bill requiring proof of state residency and a photograph.

The House voted 65-46 in favor of the plan, which now goes to Gov. Pat Quinn. Quinn has said he will sign the measure.

Supporters, including a bipartisan coalition with former Republican Gov. Jim Edgar and Democratic Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, said allowing Illinois' estimated 250,000 illegal immigrants of driving age to get licenses is an important for safety. ``This bill means safer roads for Illinois, this is going to save lives,'' state Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez, a Cicero Democrat who sponsored the bill, said after the vote. ``It's the bottom line, this is a safety issue.''

Washington and New Mexico currently allow illegal immigrants to obtain licenses; Utah allows permits and Connecticut officials said this week that some young illegal immigrants could apply if they qualify for a federal program.

A number of other states are considering proposals. ``It's historical for the immigrant community. It's a long time waiting. I've been trying to pass this legislation for 14 years and today we made history,'' Rep. Edward Acevedo, a Chicago Democrat who also sponsored bill, said on

the House floor.

The Illinois legislation would make immigrants who drive to work and school eligible for temporary licenses already issued to foreignborn visitors to the U.S. The licenses couldn't be used to buy a firearm, register to vote or board a plane, and law enforcement officials wouldn't be allowed to use them to target illegal immigrants for deportation.

“This bill means safer roads for Illinois, this is going to save lives,'' state Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez, a Cicero Democrat who sponsored the bill, said after the vote The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, the state's largest immigrant advocacy group, said uninsured illegal immigrant drivers cause $64 million in damage claims each year, according to the coalition's calculation based on federal and state figures. That's an expense covered by ratepayers' increased premiums. Advocates say better-trained and licensed drivers mean safer roads. -AP

Immigration Post

January 25, 2013

India Post

47

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Govt spent $18 billion on immigration enforcement WASHINGTON: The Obama administration spent more money on immigration enforcement in the last fiscal year than all other federal law enforcement agencies combined, according to a report on the government's enforcement efforts from a Washington think tank.

The report from the Migration Policy Institute, a non-partisan group focused on global immigration issues, said in the 2012 budget year that ended in September the government spent about $18 billion on immigration enforcement programs run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the USVisit program, and Customs and Border Protection, which includes the Border Patrol.

Immigration enforcement topped the combined budgets of the FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Secret Service by about $3.6 billion dollars, the report's authors said.

Since then-President Ronald Reagan signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act in 1986 which legalized more than 3 million illegal immigrants and overhauled immigration laws - the government has spent more than $187 billion on immigration enforcement. According to the report, ``Immigration Enforcement in the

United States: The Rise of a Formidable Machinery,'' federal immigration-related criminal prosecutions also outnumber cases generated by the Justice Department.

The 182-page report concludes that the Obama administration has made immigration its highest law enforcement priority. ``Today, immigration enforcement can be seen as the federal government's highest criminal law enforcement priority, judged on the basis of budget allocations, enforcement actions and case volumes,'' MPI Senior Fellow Doris Meissner, a co-author of the report, said in a statement released with the report.

Critics are likely to bristle over its findings, especially those who have accused the administration of being soft on immigration violators. ``There has been some progress,'' said House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul of Texas. ``But the bottom line is that we are far from having operational control of our borders, particularly the Southwest border, and there are no metrics to quantify progress.''

Meissner said since the 1986 law was passed, immigration enforcement ``is a story of growth.

The sum of its parts is growth.''

Demetrios Papademetriou, MPI's

president, said that the authors reviewed immigration enforcement policies and spending from 1986 on amid ongoing disagreements in Congress on whether border security and enforcement efforts needed to be solidified before reform could be tackled.

The report by MPI's Meissner, Muzaffar Chishti, Donald Kerwin and Claire Bergeron, comes amid renewed interest in immigration reform from Congress and the White House ``No nation anywhere in the world has been as determined, has made as deep and expensive a commitment to or has had as deep a reach in its enforcement efforts as the U.S. has had,'' Papademetriou said. ``The reach spans from local court rooms and jails all the way to the ability of goods and travelers to the United States to actually be able to travel to the United States.''

According to federal budgets reviewed by MPI, CBP spent about

USCIS to implement new immigrant visa fee Feb 1 Cont’d from page 44

USCIS said it will issue separate guidance on crediting jobs when more than one EB-5 entity may be seeking credit for an identical position.

EB-5 adjudications expected to move to DC On December 3, 2012, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas noted on a stakeholder conference call that within four to six months, EB-5 responsibilities will be moved to Washington, DC, under a new EB-5 Program Office.

The chief of the new office will report to the USCIS Deputy Direc-

tor. According to reports, Director Mayorkas said a goal is to move toward a more dynamic, direct email relationship between adjudicators and the public, and to move away from the current "request for evidence" model.

The new EB-5 Program Office will handle adjudications, legislative affairs, and policy, in addition to having full-time staff devoted to identifying fraud.

Director Mayorkas also noted that USCIS is working on profound policy issues, and on training officers in the realities of the business world.

In response to questions,

USCIS noted that entrepreneurs need to be able to tell their story when pitching to investors, so the agency would also like to see something similar. The more the entrepreneur can clearly articulate his or her situation, the easier it is for USCIS officers to see that the entrepreneur is an expert. Important pieces of information should be well-defined, USCIS said, also noting that fraud indicators are being revised.

* Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com

$11.7 billion on its enforcement operations while ICE had a budget of about $5.9 billion in 2012. US-Visit accounted for about $307 million.

As spending has risen in recent years, the number of arrests at the border has steadily dropped. In 2011, agents made about 327,000 arrests at the southern border, the fewest in nearly 40 years. The Homeland Security Department also removed a record 396,906 immigrants that year. In 2012, nearly 410,000 people were removed from the United States.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has repeatedly touted those statistics as evidence that the border is now more secure than ever.

Experts have attributed the drop in arrests to a combination of factors, including record numbers of Border Patrol agents stationed along the Mexican border.

Meissner said that the growth of illegal immigration in the U.S. is now at a standstill.

The report also highlighted workplace enforcement changes from raids targeting illegal immigrants to paperwork audits designed to root out employers who routinely hire illegal immigrant workers and the volume of people removed annually.

The report by MPI's Meissner, Muzaffar Chishti, Donald Kerwin and Claire Bergeron, comes amid renewed interest in immigration reform from Congress and the White House. In the immediate aftermath of the November election, congressional Republicans suggested the time was right to begin reform talks anew. President Barack Obama, who won a record share of Hispanic voters, renewed a previous pledge to make immigration reform a priority. -AP

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Horoscope

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January 25, 2013

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Your Weekly Future

by Pandit Parashar JANUARY 25TH - JANUARY 31ST 2013 (March 21 to April 20)

M

oney wise it looks like a very promising week. People in business will be successful in recovering some past dues. Stocks and other speculation will be profitable. Decision on legal issues could also come this week and in your favor only. You may also travel to a nice area with family to meet an old friend.

(July 23 to August 22)

D

o not be disheartened by minor setback and look at the achievements. Strong Mars in angle will be helpful in locating a nice property. Weather may have some negative affect on spouse and over the counter medication will be enough to resolve the issue. You may change some electric gadgets in the house.

(April 21 to May 20)

Y

ou will be tempted to take some hasty decisions about career.

Hold on as another better offer is few weeks away. You will have an opportunity to make some quick money this week. It will be a favorable week for people working as brokers. A close friend will call to seek your advice. Bachelors will be introduced to a nice person by another friend.

(August 23 to September 22)

P

resence of strong Mars in sixth will help you gain an edge over your opponents. Legal matters should also take a favorable turn with a quick decision in sight. Money wise you will continue to make progress, as liability and expenses will come down a lot. You may call few old friends and invite them for a small get together at your place.

(May 21 to June 20)

D

o not let fresh obstacles change your mind. Continue and stick to your plans, success is just around the corner. Your expenses towards to child will increase and you may even make a short trip to meet your child who moved away for educational purpose. You will help spouse clean up and get rid of things piling up dirt in the house this week.

(September 23 to October 22)

Y

ou have all the chances of hitting it in a big way. Week very promising for all financial matters. Money can roll in from all directions. Most of your plans will work out fine. Boss will call you and discuss an important issue and ask for your opinion. You may arrange a small get together at your place next week and start calling close friends.

(October 23 to November 22)

(June 21 to July 22)

S

pouse may make some fresh and big financial commitments.

You may call a real estate agent and start exploring the possibility of buying another property for investment purpose. You may completely drop or change your travel plans. You will get to meet few well known people at the party this week.

Y

ou will have almost no difficulty in getting the job done from a government agency or people in power this week. Some of you may be traveling to a nice and warm area for business purpose this week.

Final commitment is also just around the corner. You must continue working on your plans as they are perfect and so are your calculations.

(November 23 to December 22)

P

lanets are still in right place to help you achieve your goals easily. You may be called for second interview this week. You may also receive some kind of clearance from a government agency. There is no harm in being aggressive but it should not reflect anger when on phone. One of vehicle may need minor repairs this week.

(December 22 to January 19)

I

f you are not careful, you may end up making big commitment and increase your liabilities. Try to take all decisions with a calm and rational mind. Children will be the source of happiness this week.

There will be progress in your efforts to locate a better job. Do not let a strong competitor change your mind and all earlier plans.

(January 20 to February 18)

Y

ou may take money out of savings and reinvest in your business.

People prone to litigation should be careful and complete all paper work. You will be looking to expand or looking for another franchise location. Some of you may start going to club to come back in shape. There is absolutely no harm in listening to spouse completely.

(February 19 to March 20)

D

o not stretch your limits when making any financial commitment this week. Money will come and disappear fast. Some of you will be making a smooth switch in career in near future. You may go out to a mall and buy some new cloths for your self. You will get to learn a lot from one of your strong competitor.

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

510-886-4370 website: www.parashar.com

January 25, 2013

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Astro Buzz

52 India Post

January 25, 2013

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Here is an astrology column with a difference, giving you advice for the coming week by

DR ASHIT JALUI JANUARY 25TH - JANUARY 31ST 2013

T

ou might take some time off. Or perhaps, you're ready for a break in your routine. If you're planning to stay in, go out, and if you're going out you might decide to stay in. And, if a new romance has been mooted, you'll be clicking into gear during this period.

Y

ou may have been putting your head before your heart, but right now the trend seems to be to put heart first, head second.

If you're making plans at work, aim for options which make a clean break with the past, for you don't want lingering problems to drag on.

Y

here seems to be little point in relying on routine today as events may be affected by circumstances outside your control. You'll discover a new purpose in work that is essential to your long-term ambitions. But first and foremost are your financial needs.

he financial situation should be quite buoyant but, as so often happens, once you begin to feel more prosperous, you spend more and so end up out of pocket.

Try to be a little more imaginative about future plans, and don't let others take you for a ride.

T

ll your marvelous intuitions should be telling you that now is the moment to make a bid for ultimate success. The Moon is on your side, and the worst risk you run is a spot of embarrassment. Still, it could be worse. And you'll get over it before long.

A

S

P

P

Y

I

Y

owerful social stars mean that team work is vital if you want to complete important tasks on schedule. This is no time to be a loner, even if you have had enough of other people and complaints. If partners are despondent, you may have to play the cheerleader.

T

his is the last day in a sequence of planetary aspects which have raised the romance. This doesn't mean that you'll have no relationships left, just that your needs are moving on. Even if there is still emotional spark left, you may do your best to fan it into a flame.

lease consider taking on more responsibilities at work, and realize that your interests will only be served if you, in turn, look after others. Don't rise to provocation, but do tackle other people at the right moment, when they are receptive to your opinions and arguments.

f you've been doing anything you ought not to have done, get your story ready.

Your best tack is to try and show people just how funny the situation is, taking their attention away from anything that may have gone wrong in recent weeks.

tart to wind down. Your chart is begin ning to look decidedly more serious, not to mention more organized, efficient, jolly and worthwhile. You should evade the occasional rumor or suspicion and avoid giving the impression that you've got something to hide.

ou are often accused of having too manyirons in the fire. However, from this week on you should consider slimming down your financial commitments.

Think about how you can make the space for fresh good fortune to come in.

ou should think fast, but don't be seduced into imagining that the facts are necessarily all there relating to a situation. In love and at work your goal should be to put over your ideas. You don't just have to tell other people what you want - you also have to get them to agree with you.

Dr. Ashit Jalui, Masters in Astronomy also an expert in Numerology, Vastu and Vedic Astrology Now get one free astro consultation from Dr. Ashit Jalui by e-mailing your question to ASHITJALUI@GMAIL.COM

January 25, 2013

Perspective

India Post

53

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Narendra Modi: Can he rise from CM to PM? nus is the Ascendant Lord and is conjunct with Yogakaraka Saturn. Rahu is placed in the House MUMBAI: Narendra Modi's spectacular victory - of competition and enemies. Sun is conjunct with third in a row - in Gujarat has sparked a nationwide inter- Ketu and Mercury is in the 12th House. Moon est and debate on whether he would be able to ascend and Mars are in powerful conjunction in the 2nd the Delhi Gaddi in the near future, to be precise after the House.

Rahu is transiting over his Moon and Mars 2014 elections.

It is not only an average Indian citizen or political pun- through the 2nd House. This generally signifies dits who are venturing their opinions and observations several negative effects in routine life. The combination denotes incorrect decisions related to financial management. Besides, unnecessary expenditure is also expected. Mr. Modi is advised to be extra careful.

Health problems till the end of July 2012, as Ketu transits through the 8th House are a matter of past now. There was a powerful yoga of hospitalization between 15th August, 2012, and 15th October, 2012 Transiting Jupiter in the 8th House from June 2012 necessitated a lot of efforts for successful completion task on hand. The fortune aspect may become weaker during this time. He had to face the wrath of the opposition party during the third quarter of 2012, observed Dr Ashit Jalui.

His Sun Mahadasha finished on 14th August, 2012. This indicates a better phase in view of upcoming Moon Mahadasha. Moon is the Lord of the 10th House of power and dignity. Plus, it is placed in Saturn's star (Yogakaraka Planet) and Venus's sub-star. Hence, the period from DecemNarendra Modi's Horoscope Born on 17th September, 1950 at 10:10:00 in Vadnagar, Gujarat. ber 2012 will lay the foundation for new political progress. Positive vibrations of this Mahadasha will help him develop better ideas and policies but as it happens, astrologers have also zipped in reading (Kut-Niti). As Dasha Lord Moon is the cuspal sub-Lord of the 10th House, it will not be surprising if Narendra Modi the stars and now offer their predictions A very prominent astrologer in Mumbai - Dr Ashit Jalui gets to leads the Union Government in the next five years, - whose grandfather was a well known astrologer during feels Dr Ashit Jalui. the British era and who has among his clients many political heads, Bollywood celebrities and top ranking businessmen, said in a talk to this paper that reading Modi's natal Dr Ashit Jalui - whose grandfather was chart and his current Dasas and Antar Dasha are very in- a well known astrologer during the teresting in that there is a strong possibility of his becomBritish era and who has among his ing Prime Minister.

Julia had read Modi's chart in 2012, much ahead of Gujarat clients many political heads, Bollywood elections, and he had his reading recorded and given to the Gujarat Chief Minister. His analysis and observations given celebrities and top ranking businessbelow are quite revealing and more so his prediction about men, said that there is a strong possihis journey to becoming PM from CM. Dr Ashit Jalui has studied Gujarat Chief Minister bility of Modi becoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Libra-rising horoscope and notes that VeIndia Post News Service

Dr Ashit Jalui with Gujarat CM Narendra Modi

Special Observations: The period between 23rd June, 2012 and 14th August, 2012 turned out to be extremely crucial for his political career. He was expected to face various challenges during this period with a lasting effect on his political career. Summarily, 2012 proved eventful for both Mr. Modi as a person and as a political leader of BJP. Finally, Dr Ashit Jalui is of the opinion that the presence of his natal Rahu in the 6th House ensured victory over enemies and proves very much helpful for his political career.

Can Narendra Modi become Prime Minister of India?

The forthcoming Lok Sabha elections are scheduled for 2014 and during that time Antardasha of Rahu will be operational in Moon Mahadasa. The Moon/Rahu Bhukti underlines great struggle for the native. Rahu should help him getting better over enemies.

If two grahas show opposing indications, it may indicate that each will occur, but at different times. Part of one's life may show success and rise in career, while other parts may show obstructions and struggle. The dashas allow a determination of when these periods will express themselves, and to what degree. Both influences may also occur simultaneously - success, but with much effort.

Therefore, the chances of Narendra Modi becoming Prime Minister of India are quite strong

Gujarat success is a matter of pride for country: Modi AHMEDABAD: The sixth edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors meet concluded here with Chief Minister Narendra Modi saying the participation of delegates from 121 countries at the summit was not just about the branding of Gujarat as an ideal investment destination but also a message to the world about India's worth.

"It is a moment to be proud of, for the entire country that as many as 121 countries have become the ambassadors of Gujarat and of the country," Mr. Modi said at the valedictory event.

Mr. Modi claimed the summit had proven that any country, even with limited resources, had the potential to grow.

Unlike the previous Vibrant Gujarat summits, the State government made no claims regarding the worth of investments committed but said investment intentions for 17,719 projects were signed. Of these, 12,886 projects are

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi greets Tata group chairman Cyrus Mistry at the concluding session of Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit - 2013 in Gandhinagar

in the small and medium enterprises, which would generate over three lakh jobs in the State.

The Chief Minister reiterated that in 2011, the SME sector in the State grew by a whopping 85 per cent as against 19 per cent across India. He said Gujarat generated 72 per cent of all employment in the country.

The government claimed that as many as 16 lakh people visited the various seminars, theme events and the global trade show at the summit. A whopping 58,000 delegates, besides over 2,100 foreign dignitaries, participated in the event.

Mr. Modi said the biennial summit would be held next on January 11, 2015, and that the State government would organize a similar event for the agricultural sector - 'Gujarat International Agri-tech Summit' - next year, which would be held every two years.

54

Philosophy

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January 25, 2013

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L

ong before I undertook the education of the youngsters of the Tolstoy Farm, I had realized that the training of the spirit was a thing by itself. To develop the spirit is to build character and to enable one to work towards knowledge of God and self-realization.

And I held that this was an essential part of the training of the young, and that all training without culture of the spirit was of no use, and might be even harmful.

How then was this spiritual training to be given? I made the children memorize and recite hymns, and read to them books on moral training. But that was far from satisfying me. As I came into closer contact with them I saw that it was not through books that one could impart training of the spirit.

Just as physical training was to be imparted through physical exercise, and intellectual through intellectual exercise, even so the training of the spirit was possible only through the exercise of the spirit.

And the exercise of the spirit entirely depended on the life and character of the teacher. The teacher had always to be mindful of his p's and q's, whether he was in the midst of his boys or not.

It is possible for a teacher situSEYYED HOSSEIN NASR

F

ew subjects arouse more passion and debate among Muslims today than the encounter between Islam and modern thought.

When we use the term "modern", we mean neither contemporary nor up-to-date nor successful in the conquest and domination of the natural world. Rather, for us "modern" means that which is cut off from the transcendent, from the immutable principles which in reality govern all things and which are made known to man through revelation in its most universal sense.

Modernism is thus contrasted with tradition (al-din); the latter implies all that which is of Divine Origin along with its manifestations and deployments on the human plane while the former by contrast implies all that is merely human and now ever more increasingly subhuman, and all that is divorced and cut off from the Divine Source.

Obviously, tradition has always accompanied and in fact characterized human existence whereas modernism is a very recent phenomenon.

As long as man has lived on earth, he has buried his dead and believed in the after life and the world of the Spirit. During the "hundreds of thousands" of years of human life on

ated miles away to affect the spirit of the pupils by his way of living.

It would be idle for me, if I were a liar, to teach boys to tell the truth.

A cowardly teacher would never succeed in making his boys valiant, and a stranger to self-restraint could never teach his pupils the value of self-restraint. I saw, therefore, that I must be an eternal object-lesson to the boys and girls living with me.

They thus became my teachers,

was very angry. I tried to reason with him. But he was adamant and even tried to overreach me.

At last I picked up a ruler lying at hand and delivered a blow on his arm. I trembled as I struck him.

I dare say he noticed it. This was an entirely novel experience for them all.

The boy cried out and begged to be forgiven. He cried not because the beating was painful to him; he could, if he had been so

corporal punishment. I remember only one occasion on which I physically punished one of my sons.

This incident set me thinking, and taught me a better method of correcting students. The youngster soon forgot the incident, and I do not think he ever showed great improvement. But the incident made me understand better the duty of a teacher towards his pupils.

Cases of misconduct on the part of the boys often occurred

To allow yourself to be as you are is end of spiritual search -Gangaji

Training of spirit depends on character of teacher At last I picked up a ruler lying at hand and delivered a blow on his arm. I trembled as I struck him. I dare say he noticed it. This was an entirely novel experience for them all

Life should be lived as a play.

-Plato Mahatma Gandhi

and I learnt I must be good and live straight, if only for their sakes.

I may say that the increasing discipline and restraint I imposed on myself at Tolstoy Farm was mostly due to those wards of mine.

One of them was wild, unruly, given to lying, and quarrelsome. On one occasion he broke out most violently. I was exasperated. I never punished my boys, but this time I

minded, have paid me back in the same coin, being a stoutly built youth of seventeen; but he realized my pain in being driven to this violent resource.

Never again after this incident did he disobey me. But I still repent that violence. I am afraid I exhibited before him that day not the spirit, but the brute, in me.

I have always been opposed to

after this, but I never resorted to corporal punishment. Thus in my endeavor to impart spiritual training to the boys and girls under me, I came to understand better and better the power of the spirit.

Excerpted from Chapter 34 of 'The Story Of My Experiments With Truth.' The 65th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi will be observed on January 30

earth, he has been traditional in outlook and has not "evolved" as far as his relation with God and nature seen as the creation and theophany of God are concerned.

Compared to this long history during which man has continuously celebrated the Divine and performed his function as God's vicegerent (khalifah) on earth, the period of the domination of modernism stretching from the Renaissance in Western

thought can be provided. Perhaps the first basic trait of modern thought to be noted is its anthropomorphic nature.

How can a form of thought which negates any principle higher than man be but anthropomorphic? It might of course be objected that modern science is certainly not anthropomorphic but that rather it is the pre-modern sciences which must be con-

of even the farthest galaxies are held in the human mind. This scientific world from which man has been abstracted is, therefore, nevertheless based on an anthropomorphic foundation as far as the subjective pole of knowledge, the subject who knows and determines what science is, is concerned.

In contrast, the traditional sciences were profoundly non

Modernism is divorced & cut off from Divine Source

Seyyed Hossein Nasr

Europe in the 15th century to the present day appears as no more than the blinking of an eye.

All forms of mental activity which together comprise modern thought and which range from science to philosophy, psychology and even certain aspects of religion itself, possess certain common characteristics and traits which must be recognized and studied before the Islamic response to modern

The traditional sciences were profoundly non anthropomorphic in the sense that for them the locus and container of knowledge was not the human mind but ultimately the Divine Intellect sidered as man-centered.

It must not be forgotten that although modern man has created a science which excludes the reality of man from the general picture of the Universe, the criteria and instruments of knowledge which determine this science are merely and purely human.

It is the human reason and the human senses which determine modern science. The knowledge

anthropomorphic in the sense that for them the locus and container of knowledge was not the human mind but ultimately the Divine Intellect.

Professor of Islamic studies at George Washington University, Seyyed Hossein Nasr is a pioneer who has bridged Islamic studies with the world of Western philosophy, science and religion.

Human life is an endless illusion.

-Pascal Every man is divinity in disguise. It is God playing the fool.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson It does not matter much what happens.

-Nisargadatta It is always now.

-Eckhart Tolle Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.

-Carl Jung And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.

-Nietzsche I love talking about nothing. It's the only thing that I know anything about.

-Oscar Wilde

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The Hurriyat factor in India, Pak peace process ZAINAB AKHTER

A

fter a prolonged ceasefire between India and Pakistan since 2004, the Line of Control (LoC) has recently witnessed a violent outburst. Despite the continued bus and truck services, hostility has returned to the LoC. In this regard, what further measures can be pursued?

Recently, the moderate Hurriyat visited Pakistan; without the tacit understanding of both countries, this visit could not have happened. Do they provide a space for both countries to reach a plausible solution?

Before embarking on the visit on 17 December 2012, the head of the moderate Hurriyat, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, stated the purpose of the initiative was to stress on Islamabad, the need to bring Kashmir and the Hurriyat to the forefront of its political engagement with India.

Differing strategies Both India and Pakistan were flexible in terms of allowing the visit of the moderate Hurriyat to Pakistan. At the time, one of the reasons given for such a strategy was that both countries will face general elections soon and thus have a motive to sell something to their people, for which the moderates serve the purpose.

Over many decades, successive governments in Islamabad have treated Kashmir as a bilateral issue and as such explored the possibility of settling the issue through the process of dialogue with New Delhi.

Post the visit, the statement by the Hurriyat (M) that Pakistan is in favor of making Kashmir a trilateral matter by involving a representative of the people from Kashmir, has set all eyes on New Delhi to see whether the Congress-led UPA Government would support the trilateral process of dialogue or not.

If Delhi supports triangular talks, it means that the Hurriyat Conference leaders, as well as others who are on the other side of the fence, should expect an invitation from the Government of India for talks.

Within J&K, a section believes that India has succeeded to a degree, in taking the moderate Hurriyat on board in its "plan to weaken" the Kashmiri resistance movement. They are of the opinion that because of its weak position at the centre, the Congress wants to play the Kashmir card.

This time, having the Hurriyat on board, would be with the objective to win Indian voters; who want peace to prevail so that the pace

of economic prosperity continues.

Hence, in a way, this is one more exercise to keep the "pot boiling"

Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq

Post the visit, the statement by the Hurriyat (M) that Pakistan is in favor of making Kashmir a trilateral matter by involving a representative of the people from Kashmir, has set all eyes on Delhi and the Kashmir issue "alive".

For Pakistan, the issue of Kashmir may indeed be popular; but according to a report in Dawn, listing Kashmir as the core issue in any negotiation with India after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks

Hurriyat could be understood in two different ways. Firstly, Pakistan might be trying to give an impression that they have not ignored the Kashmir issue; and secondly, that they are trying to take the local leadership in Kashmir into consideration. But, does the present standoff at the LoC imply a complete deviation from the above strategy?

The Hurriyat used the visit to convey their dissatisfaction with both India and Pakistan. Taking part in a discussion at the Institute of Strategic Studies of Islamabad (ISSI), the moderates stressed that though intra-Kashmir Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) need to be strengthened, the people of Kashmir should also have a say in this regard.

They urged Pakistan to give unconditional support to the people of Kashmir in determining their futures and were of the view that an alternative settlement negotiated amongst India, Pakistan and Kashmiris would be the more doable approach towards reaching a solution. The need for channelizing Pakistan's support into policy was also brought forward by the Hurriyat.

What next?

Can India and Pakistan channel the Hurriyat visit to instigate CBMs? Mirwaiz termed the visit as successful and is in favor of CBMs between India and Pakistan, to address the Kashmir issue. All separatist factions need to be accommodated and must be involved in the political process.

New Delhi should invite them for

Patrolling at LOC

does not suit Pakistan. It further says that Kashmir is no more a priority for Pakistan and that the Pakistan government has remained over-cautious after Ajmal Kasab, the lone survivor of the 26/ 11 Mumbai attacks, was secretly hanged in Pune.

The invitation by Pakistan to the

talks since, given the current crisis across the LoC on the disruption of the ceasefire agreement, New Delhi will have to restart the peace process, both at the bilateral level, as also within India visĂ -vis the Hurriyat.

The writer is Research Officer, IReS, IPCS

A women's party

T

he anti-corruption movement of Anna Hazare seems like a memory today. It reached its peak last year driven by media frenzy. But the poor response from the political class and the flagging interest of media has led to its demise.

But in its dying stages it has spawned a political party, born of the frustration at the refusal of the present day political parties to take up the causes it had been espousing. The spontaneous anti-rape rallies all over India and a consequent women's liberation movement hold the centrestage today and continue to claim media attention. Although surprised by the vehemence of the women's agitation, the response of the ruling class has been the same as with the anti-corruption movement - indifference first, lathi charge next and then token sympathies. A number of committees have been set up which will look into the matter. The court case is also being held in camera so that it does not get daily exposure. They are just waiting for the next crisis to take over and hope that the attention of the people will be so diverted that this movement also goes the way of the anti-corruption movement.

The movement for respect and safety of women has been joined by young men too. This is the best thing that can be said about it. But whether it will lead to major changes is very doubtful. The Supreme Court has said that there is no need to change the law as it already provides for speedy trial. What is lacking is implementation. And that is where the Indian police comes in which is hopelessly corrupt and at the mercy of ruling politicians. Senior cops can be transferred or promoted at the whims of ruling politicians; no wonder they kowtow to the latter and have little time for ordinary people's grievances.

Their first priority is safety and security of ruling politicians and they set up barriers and barricades lest the ordinary people come in the way of the VIPs. There are MPs and MLAs with charges of rape against them but the court says it can do nothing about it, as the law provides for barring only convicted criminals.

It is interesting to ponder over why there are few dacoits left in the country. The nature of crime has changed. The dacoits of yore now find it more benefit in becoming politicians. This way they can continue to loot the public with no danger of the law catching up with them. And rape is such a common thing that the cops themselves indulge in it without anyone coming to know. It is only now that rape cases have started making news, otherwise this was something taken for granted, both in rural and urban India. According to one report on women on the streets, rape occurs for them every other night, month after month, year after year, and they are helpless to prevent it. The present movement has hardly touched their lives.

According to one analysis this movement will go the way of others if it doesn't include the plight of the poor and deprived.

For instance no one goes to protest at India Gate for the need of drinking water in slums or for shelter for the laborers. The largest number of Indians comprises farmers, slum dwellers, domestic helpers and the millions without proper healthcare, education and infrastructure. And this significant section is easily bribed by the politicians at the time of elections. And they come back in the seats of power knowing full well that these little uprisings in cities have little value in the larger electoral picture of India.

Frustrated at lack of action on their demands, the women's representatives can do what Arvind Kejriwal did - form a political party. A women's political party may not be able to win many seats but it might frighten the politicians to put up more women candidates in elections and even think of passing the women's reservation bill!

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56 India Post

www.indiapost.com

January 25, 2013