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VOL 21, No. 1114
January 29, 2016
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INDIA, FRANCE INK DEAL FOR 36 RAFALES
Details on page 10
Protesting Sikh removed from Trump rally Details on page 10
Obama tells Pak to dismantle all terror networks Details on page 9
4 PIOs nominated to Democratic Convention
Sharif given fresh Indian evidence on Pathankot
Details on page 10
Details on page 11
India, Arab world unite on terrorism
Dr Vyas leads trauma care training in India
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'Files prove Netaji did not live in USSR'
CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29 Classifieds ------------------------- 48
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HONORED GUEST: French President Francois Hollande (C) joins hands with President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister
INDIA POST SURVEY survey@indiapost.com This week’s question
Padma awards are politically motivated? Last week’s result
Can Pak govt act against military-mullah combine? YES 19%
NO 81%
Narendra Modi (R) during his ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on January 25
NEW DELHI: India and France on Monday Jan 25 inked an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) on the sale of 36 French fighter jets, Rafale, but were unable to sign the final deal due to some "financial" aspects, which are expected to be sorted out in "couple of days". This agreement was among the 14 pacts signed between the two countries after extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting French President Francois Hollande which focused ways to enhance
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cooperation in counter- terrorism, security and civil nuclear energy. "...Leaving out financial aspect, India and France have signed Inter-Governmental Agreement on purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets. We expect that even the financial aspects pertaining to purchase of Rafale jets will be resolved as soon as possible," Modi said at a joint press event with Hollande.
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e are in 2016. The world, by conventional wisdom, should be moving "forward" wherever that may be, and riding towards a modernism and a semblance of natural equality based on scientific knowledge. Tall order that is, because, as in many parts of the world, India too has its pet evils which refuse to let some social taboos to diminish or die. This rant is leading to the recent cacophony in India surrounding a Dalit student's suicide, committed apparently due to caste discrimination on campus. You see what I am talking about? Caste. Caste, in India will never simply remain a dotted column on government and other institutional forms to be filled in, but unerringly raises itself as the monocle through which an individual is viewed in that society, often to the individual's detriment rather than for betterment. Since the said student's suicide the noise currently being raised through loud speakers on a lot of Indian campuses by student bodies as well as outside the campuses by political parties is about systemic caste bias. While not judging it from either side, since I haven't really been close to these issues in India for a long time, I would still try to view it from a perspective where the system ironically perpetuates the caste distinction on campuses by the vast divide it creates in its narrow ways to "liberate" the castes that are deemed "lower". For instance, the fee structure on campuses itself is so ridiculously wide between what the Indian system sees as the upper and lower castes. On a recent visit to Mumbai, I was talking to a friend's son who was working on his Masters in Journalism and remember being shocked to learn that the fee he paid for the two year course was almost 200 times more than what his "SC/ ST" friends were paying. For many of these lower caste students the fee charged was less than the pocket change they spent on a daily basis. How will such a system ever bridge any gap between students? And of what value will such education be for any caste?
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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Now the split Katrina Kaif has split with boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor but the actress has remained mum about the break-up.
Cover Story: Rafale deal India and France have inked an InterGovernmental Agreement (IGA) on the sale of 36 French fighter Rafale jets
Community: Success stories University of Chicago hosts 'India Awakes' documentary which highlights success stories of India’s liberalization
Final chance Supreme Court could give Obama his final chance to make good on an unfulfilled promise to millions of immigrants
Life style: Asin ties the knot Asin got married to Micromax founder Rahul Sharma in a Christian wedding ceremony followed by Hindu rituals in Delhi
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Call for UN reform Modi has called for reform of the UN system to make it more effective in its objective of eradicating poverty globally.
Nasik Situated on the banks of the sacred Godavari River, the city of Nasik is a perfect amalgam of the old and new
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India, France ink deal for 36 Rafales NEW DELHI: India and France on Monday Jan 25 inked an InterGovernmental Agreement (IGA) on the sale of 36 French fighter jets, Rafale, but were unable to sign the final deal due to some "financial" aspects, which are expected to be sorted out in "couple of days". This agreement was among the 14 pacts signed between the two countries after extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting French President Francois Hollande which focused ways to enhance cooperation in counter- terrorism, security and civil nuclear energy. "...Leaving out financial aspect, India and France have signed Inter-Governmental Agreement on purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets. We expect that even the financial aspects pertaining to purchase of Rafale jets will be resolved as soon as possible," Modi said at a joint press event with Hollande. Terming the signing of the IGA as a "decisive" step, the French President said there are some financial issues that will be sorted out in "couple of days". The two countries are in negotiations for 36 Rafale fighter jets in fly away conditions since the announcement for the deal was made by Modi in April during his visit to France. However, the final deal is yet to be sealed as both sides are still
negotiating the price which is estimated to be about Rs 60,000 crore. A high-level team from France is here and carrying out last minute negotiations. Apart from defense coopera-
tracks and nuclear power. These are all foundations for building a new commercial partnership." On his part, Hollande asserted that "There is no better trust than sharing civil nuclear technology"
Jaitapur the statement said. The negotiations will consider cost viability of the project, economical financing from the French side, collaboration on transfer of technology and cost-effective lo-
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande clap as Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian exchange documents of memorandum of understanding on the purchase of Rafale combat jets, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on January 25
tion, the talks between the two leaders primarily focused on ways to boost counter-terrorism cooperation in the aftermath of attack in Paris in November last and Pathankot terror strikes earlier this month. On other issues which were discussed, Modi said, "From smart cities, locomotives, railway
and hoped that the issues pertaining to the six reactors at Jaitapur nuclear plant will be settled in one year. . In pursuance of the 2008 civil nuclear pact, the two leaders encouraged their industrial companies to conclude techno-commercial negotiations by the end of 2016 for the construction of six nuclear power reactor units at
calization of manufacturing in India for large and critical components in accord with Government of India s "Make in India" initiative. "France acknowledged the need for India to have lifetime guarantee of fuel supply and renewed its commitment to reliable, uninterrupted and continued access to nuclear fuel supply throughout the
India, France ask Pak to bring terrorists to justice NEW DELHI: India and France, having suffered repeated terror strikes, have decided to step up their anti- terror cooperation including intelligence sharing and called on Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of Pathankot to justice. During their extensive talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting French President Francois Hollande asked for decisive actions to be taken against Lashkar-e-Tayibba (LeT), Jaish-eMohammad (JeM), Hizb-ulMujahideen (HuM), Haqqani Network and other terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda. "From Paris to Pathankot, we saw the gruesome face of the common challenge of terrorism...I also commend the strength of your resolve and action these terrorist attacks. President Hollande and I have agreed to scale up the range of our counter-terrorism cooperation in a manner that helps us to tangibly mitigate and reduce the threat of extremism and terrorism to our societies. "We are also of the view that
entire lifetime of the plants, as stated in the 2008 bilateral IGA on nuclear cooperation. "The two leaders agreed on a roadmap of cooperation to speed up discussions on the Jaitapur
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande greet each other after an MoU signing ceremony at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on January 25
the global community needs to act decisively against those who provide safe havens to terrorists,
who nurture them through finances, training and infrastructure support," Modi said at a joint
press event with Hollande. Agreeing on the imperative of having a comprehensive approach to address terrorism, the two sides resolved to step up their bilateral cooperation, under the supervision of annual strategic dialogues and joint working group on counterterrorism meetings, to counter violent extremism and radicalization, a joint statement said. It further said that India and France will cooperate to disrupt recruitment, terrorist movements and flow of Foreign Terrorist Fighters, stop sources of terrorist financing, dismantle terrorist infrastructure and prevent supply of arms to terrorists, "To this end, they committed to further develop exchanges in the fields of intelligence, finance, justice and police. They welcomed the strengthening of the cooperation between Indian and French counter terrorism authorities and units, in particular between their cybersecurity experts," it said. Cont’d on page 6
Nuclear Power Project in 2016. Their shared aim is to start the implementation of the project in early 2017. "Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to responsible and sustainable development of civil nuclear energy with highest consideration to safety, security, non-proliferation and environmental protection," it said. France and India underscored the contribution of nuclear energy to their energy security and to the fight against climate change. France reaffirmed its strong and long standing support for India s candidacy to the international export control regimes, particularly to the NSG and welcomed India's decision to ratify the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage, the statement said. Describing his visit as "outstanding and exceptional", Hollande said it was an honor for France and him to be chief guest at the Republic Day. "I commend the action of Modi at the climate change conference. I am aware Modi had potential reluctance at the COP 21. He wanted the innovation technology for developing countries to be spread. We owe it to, including Modi for what was achieved at the climate conference, the French President added. Apart from inking IGA for purchase of Rafale jets, the two countries signed 13 agreements cutting across a wide variety of sectors including railways, culture, space, science and technology.-PTI
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Retro tax is thing of past, assures Modi CHANDIGARH: Seeking to address concerns of investors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced here that the controversial Retrospective taxation is "a thing of the past" and this chapter will never be opened again as his government was putting in place a predictable tax regime.
that neither this government nor the future governments can open this chapter," Modi told the India-France Business Summit. "Whosoever makes investment in the country should know about the taxation system in the country over the next five years, 10 years, 15 years," he said.
roads, space industry, health, agro, and nuclear energy. He said the agreements signed should be implemented and turned into reality. While promising stable regime and predictable tax system, Modi said over 400 French companies are already in India and more than
... I assure French companies present here, especially in the field of defense manufacturing that we can do a lot in the area of defense manufacturing." The CEOs forum discussed issues like defense, green economy, Smart Cities, infrastructure, transportation, water and financial sector. Modi said France has decided to contribute to smart cities project in Nagpur, Puducherry and Chandigarh. "We are working towards im-
proving quality of life. We are working on good governance. These are the two initiatives that world is attracted towards," he said. India has witnessed 40 per cent increase in foreign direct investments and established itself as an important destination for foreign capital, he said. The Prime Minister said India's ranking in the 'Ease of Doing Business' has improved by 12 points in a short span of time after his government took over. -PTI
India, France ask Pak to bring terrorists to justice Cont’d from page 5
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of France, Francois Hollande, at the India-France Business Summit, in Chandigarh on January 24
He also announced that France would immediately start investing USD 1 billion in India annually which will be scaled up later. Addressing business leaders of the two countries here in presence of French President Francois Hollande, Modi said his government wants to ensure that foreign investors are clear about tax systems that will prevail in India over the next 15 years. "I am for stable governance and predictable taxation system. The government is taking various steps to ensure this stability. This government is known for stable and predictable tax regime," he said. In this context he referred to the Retrospective tax imposed in 2012 through amendments in the Income Tax Act, a step which had led to an outcry and anxiety among the investors, particularly the foreign ones. "Retrospective tax is a matter of past. That chapter will not be opened again. We are ensuring
The amendments in the I-T Act were brought to undo the Supreme Court judgment on British telecom major Vodafone's tax liability case which was to the tune of Rs 11,000 crore. Modi, who also attended the
1,000 firms linked to them are also operational. "A big investment of France is in India. There are many big activities that India and France are jointly doing. Their experience has been very positive," the Prime
"Retrospective tax is a matter of past. That chapter will not be opened again. We are ensuring that neither this government nor the future governments can open this chapter," Modi told the India-France Business Summit bilateral CEOs forum along with Hollande, said the French President informed him that his country will immediately invest over USD 1 billion annually in India and scale up the amount later. Hollande said France has full trust on growth of Indian economy and the two countries can work in areas like solar energy, technology transfer, transport,
Minister said. Describing India as a source of hope and confidence for the entire world as it is the "fastest growing economy", Modi invited French firms, especially in the defense sector to manufacture in India and take advantage of low costs involved. "India wants to enter the field of defense manufacturing.
Narendra Modi and Francois Hollande, at the Indo-French CEO's Forum, in Chandigarh on January 24
durable peace and political reconciliation in Afghanistan require maintaining continued international support to the efforts led and owned by Government of Afghanistan. President Hollande commended India for its stabilizing role in South Asia, in particular in Afghanistan, and its recent initiative to launch a comprehensive dialogue with Pakistan. They reaffirmed their commitment to the key principles of a peaceful inter-Afghan dialogue: acceptance of the Afghan Constitution, renunciation of violence and severing links with terrorism. Reaffirming that terrorism can-
They also stressed that terrorism cannot be justified under any circumstance, regardless of its motivation, wherever and by whomsoever it is committed. "Condemning the recent terror attacks in Pathankot and Gurdaspur in India, the two countries reiterated their call for Pakistan to bring to justice their perpetrators and the perpetrators of the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, which also caused the demise of two French citizens, and to ensure that such attacks do not recur in the future," the statement said. The two sides noted that terrorist activities and proxies supported The two sides noted that from safe havens terrorist activities and across Afghanistan s borders pose a grave proxies supported from safe threat to peace, secu- havens across Afghanistan s rity and stability of Afborders pose a grave ghanistan. In this regard, they threat to peace emphasized the need to address this challenge by dismantling terrorist sanctuar- not and should not be associated ies and safe havens and disrupt- with any religion, nationality, civiing all financial and other support lization or ethnic group, the two for terrorist groups and individu- sides agreed to coordinate efforts als. Recognizing the urgent need to better understand to disrupt terrorist networks and radicalization processes, and their financing channels, eliminate counter the misuse of religion by terrorist safe havens, training in- groups and countries for inciting frastructure and cross-border hatred, perpetrating and justifymovement of terrorists, Modi and ing terrorism or pursuing political Hollande urged all countries to aims. effectively deal with terrorism They agreed to facilitate reguemanating from their territory or lar exchanges of civil society to territories under their control. promote the values of peace, tol"They called for actions to be erance, inclusiveness and welfare. They reaffirmed their shared taken, consistent with international law, against all entities, in- conviction and confidence that cluding States, that sponsor, pro- the values of humanism will previde support, active or passive, vail in countering the malicious to terrorist groups or harbor propaganda of hatred and intolthem," a separate joint statement erance espoused by the divisive on counter terrorism said. forces of extremism and terrorThe two sides emphasized that ism.-PTI
January 29, 2016
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India and France sign 16 MoUs CHANDIGARH: An agreement between Airbus Group and Mahindra for manufacture of helicopters and three MoUs under the 'Smart City' theme were among the 16 pacts signed between India and France here. The Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), which cover a wide range of sectors like urban development, urban transport, water and waste treatment and
From the French side, the agreement for "cooperation" to manufacture the helicopters was signed by Pieree De Bausset, President and Managing Director Airbus Group India, while from the Indian side, it was inked by Prakash Shukla, the Group President of Mahindra Aerospace. Besides, three MoUs were signed under the 'Smart city' theme for city-specific urban de-
French President Francois Hollande speaks as Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks on during India-France agreement signing ceremony at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on January 25
solar energy, were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande. As part of 'Make in India' initiative, an agreement was signed between Airbus Group and Mahindra to manufacture helicopters here.
velopment between French Development Agency (AFD) with the state governments for the cities of Chandigarh, Nagpur and Puducherry. The aim of the MoUs is to provide specific technical assistance on urban development experts from the French government's
program. Urban Development Experts from the French public sector will be based in each city, CII President Sumit Mazumder said on the occasion. Under the MoU, expert in the fields of urban transport, water and waste treatment, solar energy, urban planning and architecture and heritage they will assist the three cities with their smart city development plans. A joint Venture between Indian SITAC group and EDF Energie Nouvelles was signed to acquire 50 per cent stake in its renewable energy business in Gujarat. This JV investment is worth 155 Million Euros in 2016 and would generate 142 MW power. Its objective is to produce one gigawatts wind energy in five years period. A letter of intent between CEA (the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission) and CG (Crompton Greaves) was also signed during the business summit. Both the companies wished to explore opportunities of collaborations in Solar PV with storage function for Indian airports. The final goal of the collaboration for CG is to set up manufacturing facilities using its infrastructure and expertise in India and technology knowhow of CEA, which is a center for technological research in new energy and storage technologies.-PTI
Mahindra, Airbus JV for military helicopters CHANDIGARH: Taking forward the memorandum of understanding signed in July, Mahindra Defense and Airbus Helicopters have inked a pact to form a joint venture to produce military helicopters in India. The statement of intent was signed by representatives of both companies in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande. "We have made significant progress in setting up the joint venture and together the companies are creating a world-class advanced helicopter production facility in India," Mahindra and Mahindra Group President for Aerospace and Defense S P Shukla said in statement. Mahindra Defense and Airbus Helicopters have already stared working on steps to produce helicopter parts locally and are defining additional work packages to be industrialized in India. Simultaneously, both sides are evaluating potential industrial sites and are screening the existing local supply chain while moving ahead with the setting up of the JV. "Through this partnership, we target building several of our globally leading helicopter models in India. This will lead to the trans-
fer of state-of-the-art technologies, development of manufacturing activities and creation of highskilled jobs in India," said Airbus Helicopters President and CEO Guillaume Faury. The companies are proposing to set up a final assembly line in India, develop tier-1 and tier-2 suppliers and make extensive transfer of technology, with the intent to ultimately achieve 50 per
cent indigenous content. "Mahindra Defense and Airbus Helicopters have agreed on a blueprint that can put India on the world map for military helicopter manufacturing," President of Airbus Group India Pierre de Bausset said. The JV formation will be subject to customary regulatory approvals. "The helicopters we are proposing are of proven designs. We are laying the groundwork with the objective to ramp up quickly," Mahindra Defense Naval Systems CEO Devendra Bhatnagar said. -PTI
Hollande, Modi visit Chandigarh's Rock Garden CHANDIGARH: The iconic Rock Garden here hosted two high-profile visitors as Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined French President Francois Hollande for a tour of the place housing sculptures made from industrial and household waste. Hollande arrived in the after-
noon as he began his three-day visit to India during which, among other things, he will be attending the Republic Day function as Chief Guest. Modi reached Chandigarh - the city designed by French architect Le Corbusier - around 80 minutes after Hollande's arrival here at 1 PM.
Upon meeting, the two leaders shook hands and hugged each other even as traditional Punjabi folk dance, 'Giddha', was performed to welcome them. Thereafter, they went straight to Rock Garden, the celebrated creation of Nek Chand, a road inspector with the Chandigarh Ad-
ministration, which was fashioned using waste items. The French President took keen interest in viewing the artifacts made from household and industrial waste and other material and also sought details about the artworks, which feature animal and human sculptures made
out of bangles, ceramic tiles, bathroom fittings, etc. On a bright and cheerful morning, those visiting Rock Garden along with the two leaders took photos and selfies on their mobile phones even as Modi and Hollande went around the place.-PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of France, Francois Hollande, at Nek Chand Rock Garden, in Chandigarh on January 24
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Obama tells Pak to dismantle all terror networks WASHINGTON: Terming the Pathankot terror strike as "another example of the inexcusable terrorism that India has endured for too long", US President Barack Obama has demanded of Pakistan
mantling terror networks", Obama told PTI in an interview here during which he answered a wide range of questions covering IndoUS ties, terrorism and outcome of the Paris climate change summit.
US President Barack Obama
that it "delegitimize, disrupt and dismantle" terrorist networks that operate from its territory. In a tough message, Obama said that Pakistan "can and must" take more effective action against terrorist groups based there, emphasizing that "there must be zero tolerance for safe havens and terrorists must be brought to justice." "Pakistan has an opportunity to show that it is serious about delegitimizing, disrupting and dis-
Obama gave credit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reaching out to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif after the Pathankot attack and said, "Both leaders are advancing a dialogue on how to confront violent extremism and terrorism across the region." Voicing his belief that the IndoUS relationship can be one of the defining partnerships of the century, Obama said that Modi shared his enthusiasm for a strong
partnership and "we have developed a friendship and close working relationship, including our conversations on the new secure lines between our offices". Asked if the relationship has achieved its full potential, the President replied, "Absolutely not." On the Pathankot attack, Obama said, "We join India in condemning the attack, saluting the Indians who fought to prevent more loss of life and extending our condolences to the victims and their families. "Tragedies like this also underscore why the US and India continue to be such close partners in fighting terrorism." Obama was of the view that Sharif recognized that insecurity in Pakistan is a threat to its own stability and that of the region. After the December, 2014 school massacre in Peshawar he had vowed to target all militants, regardless of their agenda or affiliation. "That is the right policy. Since then, we have seen Pakistan take action against several specific groups. We have also seen continued terrorism inside Pakistan such as the recent attack on the university in north west Pakistan." The President said that he still believed that "Pakistan can and must" take more effective action against terrorist groups that operate from its territory. "In the region and around the world, there must be zero tolerance for safe havens and terror-
Obama tells China to play by rules in S. China Sea WASHINGTON: In a clear signal to China, US President Barack Obama has said all countries should play by the same rules in international law including freedom of navigation in the South China Sea while India can be an anchor of stability in the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean region. He also said India and US will continue to expand their military exercises and maritime cooperation so that the two forces become "interoperable". Obama said during his visit to India last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he agreed to a new joint vision for the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean region. "It's rooted in our shared interests in a region that's peaceful and prosperous and where all countries play by the same
rules, in accordance with international law and norms, including freedom of navigation," Obama said in an interview to PTI. The Asia Pacific region has
They accuse China of illegally reclaiming land in contested areas to create artificial islands with facilities witnessed tension after China flexed its military muscle in the resource-rich South China Sea. The South China Sea is also a major shipping lane. Over half of the world's commercial shipping
passes through the Indo-Pacific waterways. China claims almost the whole of the South China Sea, resulting in overlapping claims with several other Asian nations like Vietnam and the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. They accuse China of illegally reclaiming land in contested areas to create artificial islands with facilities that could potentially be for military use. The US has criticized Beijing for building artificial islands in the disputed sea, and has flown a B-52 bomber and sailed a guided-missile destroyer near some of the constructions China has made in recent months. Obama also said the US recognizes that the Indian Ocean is vital to the security of the region and the global economy. -PTI
ists must be brought to justice," he asserted in this third interview to PTI. Referring to bilateral ties with India, Obama said his visit last year reflected how the ties between the two countries have been transformed. "Since I took office, I have worked to deepen our cooperation with India across the board and I continue to believe that the
relationship between India and the United States can be one of the defining partnerships of this century. "However, common values two democracies, two innovative economies, two diverse societies - make us natural partners. We are linked by the ties of family--millions of Indian Americans," the US President said. Cont’d on page 11
Two PMs take to the Metro for Gurgaon NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his guest, French President Francois Hollande, boarded a Delhi Metro train to reach Gurgaon in neighboring Haryana to inaugurate an Interim Secretariat of the International Solar Alliance or ISA. At the Paris climate change summit held last year, more than 90 nations made a strong commit-
and promotion of solar energy. India had unveiled the solar alliance at the climate change summit. France had hailed it, calling the idea a "game changer". "Countries that receive more than 300 days of sunlight must come together to form a solar alliance and group," the Prime Minister said at the inauguration. "ISA will work towards reduc-
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande travel by Metro train to Gurgaon for inauguration of the headquarters of the 102nation International Solar Alliance on January 25
ment to cut down on emissions and switch to clean energy - the emphasis on generation of solar power is a step in that direction. The two leaders' ride in the metro was seen as a vote for clean energy "An eco-friendly ride," tweeted PM Modi's office. The leaders took the metro even as the Gurgaon-Faridabad Road and MG Road were expected to be shut down in preparation for the visit. In anticipation of the VIP cavalcade, heavy vehicles were also barred from a part of the National Highway 8. The ISA is specialized platform for cooperation among 121 sun drenched countries located predominantly in the tropical belt, who aim to increase the utilization
ing global warming. This is a global and independent institution like the World Health Organization and the United Nations." Under the ISA, India plans to install 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022 and non-fossil fuel electricity generating systems, which will account for 40% of the energy capacity by 2030. "Solar Alliance is India's gift to the world for combating climate change and France is proud to lead with you," President Hollande said. The French Development Agency, he said, will allocate 300 million euros towards developing solar energy over the next five years. These funds will be utilized to finance initial projects.-Agencies
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Padma awards for Rajinikanth, Sri Sri, Priyanka NEW DELHI: Superstar Rajinikanth, founder of the Reliance empire late Dhirubhai Ambani, Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and media baron Ramoji Rao have been chosen for Padma Vibhushan, country's second highest civilian award, this year. Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Jagmohan, former Ramoji Rao
Dhirubhai Ambani
DRDO chief V K Aatre, cancer specialist and chairperson of Adyar Cancer Institute Dr V Shanta and eminent
Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi dancer Yamini Krishnamurthi and classical vocalist Girija Devi and Indian-American economist Avinash Dixit have also been named for Padma Vibhushan on the occasion of this year's Republic Day celebrations. Noted actor Anupam Kher, singer Udit Narayan, former CAG Vinod Rai, chairperson of media group Bennett, Coleman & Co. Indu Jain, sports star Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal, spiritual leaders late Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Swami Tejomayananda and former US
Priyanka Chopra
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Ambassador to India Robert Blackwill are among the 19 emi-
Protesting Sikh removed from Trump rally WASHINGTON: A turbaned Sikh man was forced out of Donald Trump's rally in the US state of Iowa after he interrupted the Republican presidential frontrunner's speech by displaying a banner that read 'Stop Hate'. The man, wearing in bright red turban, started his peaceful protest impromptu, when Trump was
Hate", the Sikh protester tried to interrupt the speech of the Republican presidential front runner. Soon he was escorted out of the rally. The protest started when Trump was speaking about the twin-tower terrorist attack in New York. "We have radical Islamic terror
World Trade Centre, and into the Pentagon, and wherever the third plane was going. When people are shooting their friends in California, when they're shooting their friends," Trump said. As the Sikh raised his banner, he waved his hand and said 'Bye. Bye. Goodbye'. "He wasn't wearing one of those hats was he? And he never will, and that's OK because we got to do something folks because it's not working," Trump said as the sole Sikh protester was taken out of the rally amidst chanting of 'USA, USA, USA' by his supporters. Trump is campaigning in Iowa ahead of the next week's crucial caucus. Latest polls showed that he has taken a lead over his nearest Republican riA Sikh protester, right, is removed after interrupting Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump as he speaks at a rally at Muscatine High School in Muscatine, Iowa val Ted Cruz. Iowa Caucus on February 1 addressing an impressive cam- going on all over the place, all over is considered crucial as it would paign rally with his signature anti- the world, and we have a presi- set the trend for the rest of the Muslim speech. dent that won't say it," he said. presidential primaries over the Displaying a banner "Stop "When planes fly into the next few months. -PTI
Robert Blackwill
Sania Mirza
nent people chosen for Padma Bhushan. Industrialist Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, Maruti Suzuki chairman R C Bhargava and eminent architect Hafeez Contractor also figure in the list of Padma Bhushan awardees. Senior lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, who was the prosecution counsel in the Mumbai terror attack case, actors Ajay Devgn and Priyanka Chopra get Padma Shri. Renowned sculptor Ram V Sutar, Manipuri theatre personality Heisnam Kanhailal, Hindi and Telugu writer Yarlagadda
Lakshmi Prasad, Sanskrit scholar N S Ramanuja Tatacharya, Punjabi journalist Barjinder Singh Hamdard, gastroenterologist D Nageshwar Reddy and scientist A V Rama Rao have been chosen for Padma Bhushan. The late actor Saeed Jaffrey, CEO of MasterCard Ajaypal Singh Banga, archer Deepika Kumari, Bharatanatyam dancer Prathibha Prahlad, Gujarati folk musician Bhikhudan Gadhvi, Goa's musician Tulsidas Borkar and scientist Onkar Nath Srivastava were among those who were named for Padma Shri awards.-PTI
Four PIOs nominated to Democratic Convention panel WASHINGTON: Four eminent These Party Leader and MemIndian-Americans, including two bers serve in addition to and towomen, have been nominated to gether with the over 160 members the Democratic Party's 2016 Con- that are elected in every state to vention Standing Committees those same committees. which would formally announce "This slate represents the great its candidate for the presidential variety of perspectives, backpolls. grounds, and experiences that Topping the list of Indian- make up our party. We wanted to Americans is Smita Shah, presi- make sure that the diversity of our dent and CEO of Chicago-based party was reflected at the highest Spaan Tech, who has been nomi- levels in terms of race, gender, age nated as vice chair of the Rules Committee. One of the top fund- Topping the list of Indianraisers for President Americans is Smita Shah, Barack Obama and now president and CEO of ChiHillary Clinton, California-based Shefali cago-based Spaan Tech, Razdan Duggal has who has been nominated as been nominated as a vice chair of the Rules member of the Rules Committee Committee. Renowned ophthalmologist and entrepreneur, and geography," Schultz said. Sreedhar Potarazu has been nomiSaif Khan, an Iraq war veteran nated to the Credentials Commit- who had served as a Combat Entee, according to the list released gineer in the Iraqi city of Mosul by the Democratic National Com- as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, mittee (DNC) Chairwoman Debbie was nominated to the Rules ComWasserman Schultz. mittee. He hails from Mysore and DNC rules provide for the Chair currently lives in Washington, to appoint 75 Party Leader and DC. Elected Official Members to the A Clinton White House staffer, three Convention Standing Com- Shah was a delegate at the 1996 mittees to be held in Philadelphia and 2004 Democratic National in July, which would formally an- Conventions and was on the nounce party's presidential can- DNC's Rules Committee in 2000 didate. and 2004.-PTI
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'US not asking India to take sides on Asia Pacific' DAVOS: The US is not asking countries like India and Vietnam to take sides in the Asia Pacific region, but steps Beijing is taking in the disputed South China Sea are "self-isolating" and driving countries towards America, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has said. "I've been to India, Vietnam recently. We want to have good re-
We don't want to have to pick sides. America doesn't want to have sides either," said the Defense Secretary. Carter, however, acknowledged that countries in the region are increasingly coming to the US. "We do know that people are coming to us increasingly. Why is that? It is because China is taking some steps that I
US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter
lations with them and we are not asking people to take sides," Carter said in a panel discussion in Davos on World Economic Forum meeting. "I think their position is basically right, which is we want everybody to keep being able to do what they are doing.
think are self-isolating, driving people towards a result that none of us wants," he said, in reference to Chinese measures in the South China Sea. "I'm not one of those people who believe conflict between the United States and China is inevitable, it's certainly not desirable, I
don't think it's likely," he said. He attributed the rise of China to the peace and stability in the region, which was ensured by the US. "China's rise is, by the way, not the only rise going on in Asia. India is a rising military power. Japan, if you have noticed, is a rising military power, and there are others who are doing things. Vietnam, Philippines, and so forth," Carter said in response to a question. "The US point of view is the same one we've had long-standing, which is we welcome that. We've tried to create an environment there, and we were the pivotal factor in making this so, in which over seven decades essentially everybody could follow their own destiny towards prosperity," he said. And that includes China, he added. "We never tried to obstruct China's economic rise and the lifting of hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. We've welcomed that. Nor any of these other states we talked about," the Defense Secretary said. At the same time, he argued, the US does not want to ruin a good thing, which is a system of peace and stability there. "We are not dividing the region, we don't seek to ask people to take sides," he said. -PTI
Sharif given fresh Indian evidence on Pathankot LONDON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said India has given fresh leads relating to the Pathankot terror attack and Pakistan is verifying the facts to bring the perpetrators to justice. "I have received fresh leads from India on the Pathankot attack and we will look and examine those evidences given by India. We could have hidden it or forgotten it but we asserted that we have received the evidences," Sharif said on a day when US President Barack Obama termed the Pathankot terror strike as "another example of the inexcusable terrorism that India has endured for too long". "Pakistan has an opportunity to show that it is serious about delegitimizing, disrupting and dismantling terror networks," Obama told PTI in an interview.
"We are probing and verifying that. Once we are done with that we would definitely bring the facts forward. Along with that, we have also formed a special investigating team, they would go to India and collect more evidence,"
We could have hidden it or forgotten it but we asserted that we have received the evidences Sharif said here on his arrival from Davos after attending the World Economic Forum. "I had a word with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he had offered every help possible from their side in bringing the perpe-
trators to justice. We are going on the right lines and I hope the perpetrators will be brought to justice soon," said Sharif who promised further Pakistani action to combat militants but conceded that progress had often been slow. India gave "specific and actionable information" to Pakistan soon after the Pathankot attack reportedly carried out by Jaish-eMohammed terrorists on the intervening night of January 1 and 2 that killed seven Indian soldiers. Sharif said a Pakistani investigation team will also visit India to collect further information on the attack. He also said Pakistan and India should not interfere in each other's affairs. He said Pakistan believes in non-interference in internal affairs of other countries and wants others to follow suit.-PTI
Obama promises to help Indian firms WASHINGTON: President The US, he said, continued to Barack Obama has promised to welcome trade arrangements that "look at" export controls to make meet high standards as well as sure Indian firms have the same reforms to protect intellectual access to American technologies property and promote a predictas "closest allies" and expressed able and a consistent business the hope that the New Year will environment that truly welcomes see deals for the US companies to investments. build new reactors in India. Asked how he would like InWelcoming Prime Minister dia-US relationship to be rememNarendra Modi's efforts to cut red bered as and the things he would tape and make it easier for doing like to achieve in the last year of business in India, he said both his Presidency, Obama said there countries can do even more to in- is much more that the two councrease the trade and investment tries can do as global partners. that creates jobs for people in both "As leaders in science and nations. He said the bilateral trade "is still just a fraction of what it could be" ‘Under our civil nuclear and both countries can agreement, we're hopeful do more. Bilateral trade between India and the US that this year will see deals is now around USD 100 for US companies’ billion - rising five-fold in the last decade. Obama and Modi have set a goal of taking it to USD technology, we can expand our 500 billion in the next few years. efforts to combat disease and pro"Under our civil nuclear agree- mote public health in Africa and ment, we're hopeful that this year beyond. will see deals for US companies "With collaborations like Misto build new reactors, which will sion Innovation, we can be leadmean more reliable electricity for ers in clean energy and spare our Indians... people the worst effects of climate "For our part, the United States change. As members of the G20, continues to look at our export we can work together to boost controls to make sure Indian com- global growth. By moving ahead panies have the same access to with our joint vision, we can enAmerican technology as our clos- sure the security, prosperity and est allies," Obama told PTI in dignity of people across the Asia wide-ranging interview. Pacific," he said.-PTI
Obama tells Pak to dismantle all terror networks Cont’d from page 9
He said his hope was that his visit could help spark a new era of cooperation between the two countries and "I believe it did". "The past 12 months have been a year of progress across the three priorities that I identified in my speech to the Indian people at Siri Fort. "We're deepening our partnerships to promote the development that lifts up our people, including rural Indians- helping farmers, boost their yields and working expanding access to electricity and clean water," Obama said. He said both the countries continue to expand the economic partnerships that help reduce poverty and create opportunity, pushing bilateral trade to a record levels, expanding hi-tech collabo-
rations and increasing students exchanges, including for girls and women who deserve the same education and opportunities and boys and men. Obama said the two countries were doing even more as global partners including more military exercises, greater cooperation in the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean region and working together to confront climate change. "I continue to believe that America can be India's best partner. So I hope future generations can look back at this moment and see that this was the time when the world's largest democracy became true global partners. "In my final year as President, continuing to deepen our ties will continue to be one of my foreign policy priorities," Obama said. PTI
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Dr Vyas leads trauma care training in India MUMBAI: Dr Dinesh Vyas, Associate Professor of Surgery and Associate Dean of Surgery Research atTexas Tech University supported by ArogyaaVyas Healthcare Trust and MV Surgical, USA, led a global health education training program (trainer and trainee education) in trauma care for India. The program that was launched this January included 200 trainers and 900 trainees. The long-term goal is to train 15 million first responders in five states in the next five years. Established in seven centers in India, trauma care training has been a huge ongoing success. According to the collaborating partners, it is estimated that trainees have executed the improvised life saving skills more than twice every month. In addition, trainees from this program have been instrumental in saving more than 20 lives during a 2015 stampede in Jodhpur, India. The application of skills by trainees during a recruitment event proved the utility and urgency of scaling the program globally. Two main collaborators, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jodhpur and the Rajasthan Police Academy have enabled Dr Vyas to train, on an average, at least one police official for every police station in the state. AIIMS under the leadership of Dean Dr Misra has been instrumental in shaping Jodhpur, an upcoming exemplary town in holistic, trauma care. In Jodhpur, more than three police professionals in each po-
The trainings and further collaboration with administration officials have stimulated the organization of multiple similar training programs led by local anesthesia and surgery departments. As a result, there has been a reduction in accidents and potentially fatal deaths according to the local driver's association and community leaders. Dr Vyas believes in two stage solution to the new age epidemic: immediate and permanent. His team comprising academicians from surgery, public administration, highway engineering, social engineering, health economics and mass communication from various countries, mostly USA, design the blue print for both programs. For example, a dreaded segment of Barmer-Jodhpur highway has rarely witnessed a major polytrauma, in the last two years, after implementation of immediate action plan. This segment was once notorious for one accident with more than five fatalities, almost every week, before the training program commenced. Other significant contributors in this Jodhpur success story include Prof. Kant, dean of Medical College, and Drs Pal and Rastogi, faculty members of AIIMS. During a recently concluded visit in late December through early January, a team of eight multidisciplinary professionals from the US conducted an education and skill development program that collaborated with AIIMSDelhi; SVP National Police Academy in Hyderabad; PIMS in Telangana; SMS Medical College in Rajasthan; and established training centers in AIIMS-Jodh-
lice station in addition to a large number of ambulance drivers, fire brigade personnel, taxi drivers and emergency room staff have been trained in the last two years.
pur and Rajasthan Police Academy. Prof. Amol Pawangadkar, College of Mass Communication, Michigan State University was
FRANK FERNANDES India Post News Service
Dr Dinesh Vyas explaining his techniques
invited to contribute. Prof. Siddharth Chandra, Director, Asian Studies, MSU also worked with him closely on research health economic impact and business opportunities generated from
ers by any medical professional. Dr. Vyas firmly believes in bringing the best quality education with contextual issues and improvisation as key to the program success. The voluntary program
Trainees from this program have been instrumental in saving more than 20 lives during a 2015 stampede in Jodhpur, India. The application of skills by trainees during a recruitment event proved the utility and urgency of scaling the program globally the program. Prof. Mukherjee, Biomedical Engineering is collaborating on cost efficient and more logistics mode of simulation de-
sign. The mock drill at Telangana was a new concept in trauma education and was introduced for the first time in layman-first respond-
saw 95 percent compliance among participants for two days. The organizer Dr. Ailinani believes the huge attendance at the program indicates high interest among first responders to learn skills and save trauma victims. The program at AIIMS-Delhi was exclusively designed for newly inducted trainee surgeons. Dr. Vyas stimulated the trainees to lead the world in surgical issues challenging the nation and the world. The joint session was moderated by Prof. Srivastava, the head of surgery at AIIMS-Delhi and Dr. Anil Tiberiwal, a general surgeon from Dallas, Texas, USA. Similarly, Ms. Bahuguna, Director at SVP National Police Academy invited Dr. Vyas and his team to sensitize the newly induced 187 Indian Police Services (IPS) officers and an additional 20 senior probationary officers from Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives. The IPS officers were introduced to online and high-fidelity education methods in trauma to systemically and strategically serve trauma victims and the general public.
The probationary officers were given a bigger vision of trauma care as Dr. Vyas stressed the topdown approach will bring inclusivity and better implementation with comprehensive approach in trauma care. His program is already designed for the bottom of the pyramid. Dr. Vyas also had a series of meetings with Rajender Rathore, health minister of Rajasthan. A plan was devised to execute the program for 3 LAC first responders in the next five years with the help of various medical schools in Rajasthan. Similarly, Dr. Ravi Vemuru, advisor to Chandra Babu Naidu, CM Andhra Pradesh, assured Dr. Vyas to adopt Amravati, the state capital, as a model district in AP. The program at Karimnagar was one of newer and most robust training programs during this visit. Dr. Vyas and his team of 12 US and India education experts and physicians, along with 40 trainers, trained more than 500 trainees including 200 nursing students and police officials. A team of Manipal Hospital led by the chairman of the system, Dr. Sudarshan Ballal, felt the need for a similar program and will potentially introduce the program in Karnataka in 2016. Finally, SMS Jaipur also introduced the program for trainers for faculty and residents with the help of Dr. Jenaw, the head of surgery. The program trained more than 50 trainers who assisted in further training 500 police personnel at the Rajasthan Police Academy. This program was organized by DG police, B. L.Soni with the assistance of Prakash and Prof. Manglani.
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India, Arab world call for new strategy on terror MANAMA: India and the Arab League have vowed to combat terrorism and called for developing a strategy to "eliminate" its sources and extremism including its funding as External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj made a strong pitch for delinking religion from terrorism. While addressing the 1st Ministerial Meeting of Arab-India Cooperation Forum here in the Bahraini capital, she also warned that those who "silently sponsor" terror groups could end up being used by them, in an apparent jibe at Pakistan. "Those who believe that silent sponsorship of such terrorist groups can bring rewards must realize that they have their own agenda; they are adept at using the benefactor more effectively than the sponsor has used them," Swaraj told some 14 Foreign Ministers of the 22-member Arab League grouping, with its Secretary General Nabil El Araby in attendance. She said that this meeting marks a "turning point" for IndiaArab relations while pointing out that "we are also at a major turning point in history when the forces of terrorism and violent extremism are seeking to destabilize societies and inflict incalculable damage to our cities, our people and our very social fabric". "Equally, we must delink religion from terror. The only distinction is between those who believe
in humanity and those who do not. Terrorists use religion, but inflict harm on people of all faiths," said Swaraj, who arrived here on a two-day visit. The two sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and rejected associating terrorism with any religion,
In the 'Manama Declaration', the countries affirmed the need to achieve a "comprehensive and permanent solution" to the Palestine issue and called for implementation of the two-state principle on the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestine State with East Jerusalem as its
equality: the equality of all faiths not just before the law but also in daily behavior. Asserting that at a time of global economic slowdown, India has emerged as a bright spot for the world economy, she said India is the fastest growing major economy in the world.
Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and other ministers at the first session of the Ministerial Meeting of ArabIndian Cooperation Forum in Manama on January 24
culture or ethnic group. They emphasized the need for concerted regional and international efforts to combat terrorism and to address its causes and to develop a strategy to eliminate the sources of terrorism and extremism including its funding, as well as combating organized crossborder crime.
capital, living peace side by side with Israel. She cited "India's model of unity in diversity" as an example for the world to counter indoctrination and radicalization. "We in India have citizens who belong to every existing faith. Our Constitution is committed to the fundamental principle of faith-
The next India Arab Partnership Conference in Oman this year can be a real game changer in terms of deepening the economic partnership between the two sides, she said. Swaraj also highlighted the strong bonds shared between the peoples of India and the Arab world.
'Files prove Netaji did not live in USSR' LONDON: The 100 Indian government files declassified by India confirm that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose did not live in the former Soviet Union in or after 1945, said a UK website set up to chart the last days of the nationalist leader. The Russian government informed the Indian Embassy in Moscow in 1992 and 1995 there is no record of Bose being in the Soviet Union in or after 1945, the website bosefiles.info said as it reiterated its claim on December 7 denying that Bose escaped to the Soviet Union in 1945. The website was set up in London to chronicle the truth about how Bose met his end. As a maiden disclosure it rendered the speculation among a section of people that he escaped to the Soviet Union instead of perishing after a plane crash in Taipei on August 18, 1945 redundant. Notes exchanged between the Prime Minister's Office and other union ministries in the mid-1990s
uphold the revelation made by bosefiles.info that there were two replies from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to queries from
ary 8, 1992, the Russians said "no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of the Indian National
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying floral tribute at Netaji's bust before the launch of the digitised files, in New Delhi on January 23. Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge), Tourism (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Mahesh Sharma is also seen
the Indian Embassy categorically stating its point. In the first response on Janu-
Congress, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter".
In the second response dated October 27, 1995, the Russians reiterated "no information has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years". Ashis Ray, Bose's grandnephew and creator of website bosefiles.info, reacted, "The confirmation from the declassified Indian government files is gratifying. It proves the website has been on the right track from day one". Ray added, "Nothing in the 100 files released by Modi contradicts the facts collated and posted on bosefiles.info and no file anywhere in the world ever will. We are dealing with truth and nothing but the truth". Bose died in an air crash in Taipei on August 18, 1945, according to documents that form part of 100 secret files, comprising 16,600 pages which were made public by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Netaji's 119th birth anniversary. -PTI
"Over 7 million Indians reside in this region and there are 700 flights a week between India and UAE alone! A vast number of people in the Arab world enjoy our films, listen to our music and relish our cuisine," she said. In her address, Swaraj also evoked the civilisational links between India and the Arab world. She concluded with the words of famous Egyptian poet Ahmed Shawky, a friend of Rabindranth Tagore, who once remarked that "the revolution of souls severs our chains, and that the revolution of minds removes mountains. Through the friendship of our civilizations, through the partnership of our nations, I am confident that we can move mountains in our common quest for a safer and more prosperous world." The Arab League comprises Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Yemen, Jordan, Syria, Libya, Sudan, Morocco, Tunisia, Kuwait, Algeria, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Mauritania, Somalia, Palestine, Djibouti, and Comoros. "In every corner of my country, the music of the azaan welcomes the dawn, followed by the chime of a Hanuman temple's bells, followed by the melody of the Guru Granth Sahib being recited by priests in a gurdwara, followed by the peal of church bells every Sunday," she said. "This philosophy is not just a construct of our Constitution, adopted in 1950; it is the essence of our ancient belief that the world is family," she asserted. Swaraj, in her speech, also quoted from the Quran, saying that faith harmony is the message of the Holy Quran as well. "I will quote only two verses: La ikra fi al deen (Let there be no compulsion in religion) and La qum deen o qum wa il ya deen (Your faith for you, and my faith for me)," she said in her address to the key Arab nations. She stressed that dangers of radicalization and indoctrination cannot be ignored. "We have seen repeatedly that terrorism does not respect national borders. It seeks to subvert societies through its pernicious doctrine of a clash of civilizations," Swaraj said. "The only antidote to this violent philosophy is the path of peace, tolerance and harmony, a path that was illustrated centuries ago by Buddha and Mahavira and which was taken into the modern age by the Father of our nation Mahatma Gandhi. As he famously said, 'an eye for an eye ends up making the whole world blind'," she said.-PTI
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Longest Constitution that came into effect on Jan 26 SUMANT BATRA
T
he Indian Constitution, the long est of any sovereign nation in the world, provides a comprehensive framework to guide and govern the country, keeping in view her social, cultural and religious diversity. A distinctive document with many extraordinary features, the Constitution of India is the longest written constitution of any sovereign nation in the world. The original text of the Constitution contained 395 articles in 22 parts and eight schedules. It came into
effect on January 26, 1950, the day that India celebrates each year as the Republic Day. The number of articles has since increased to 448 due to 100 amendments. The Constitution was framed by the Constituent Assembly of India, established by the members of the provincial assemblies elected by the people of India. Dr Sachidanand Sinha was the first president of the Constituent Assembly. Later, Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected its president. Dr BR Ambedkar, the Chairman of its Drafting Committee, is considered the chief architect of the Indian Constitution which provides a comprehensive and dynamic framework to guide and govern the country, keeping in view her unique social, cultural and religious diversity. It establishes the main organs - executive, legislature and judiciary, defining their powers, demarcating their responsibilities and regulating the inter-se relationship. It inter alia lays down the basic structure of governance and the relationship between the government and the people. The rights and duties of citizens are also spelt out. The Constitution applies to the state of Jammu and Kashmir with certain exceptions and modifications as provided in Article 370 and the Constitution (application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954. It is the mother of all other laws of the country. Every law enacted by the Government has to be in conformity with the Constitution. The preamble to the Constitution de-
clares India to be a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic and a welfare state committed to secure justice, liberty and equality for the people and for promoting fraternity, dignity of the individual and unity and integrity of the nation. The objectives specified in the preamble constitute the basic structure of the Indian Constitution which cannot be amended. The opening and last sentences of the preamble: "We, the people... adopt, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution" signifies the power is ultimately vested in the hands of the people. Although Article 1 of the Constitution says India shall be a Union of States, the Constitution provides for a federal structure with clear division of powers between the Centre and the states, each empowered by the Constitution to enact and legislate within their sphere of activity. The seventh schedule contains three legislative lists which enumerate subjects of administration viz union, state and concurrent legislative lists. The Central Government enjoys exclusive power to legislate on the subjects mentioned in the Union list. The state governments have full authority to legislate on the subjects of the state list. And both the Centre and the state can legislate on the subjects mentioned in the concurrent list with the residuary powers vested in the Central Government. It can be said that India has cooperative federalism. The Constitution provides for the Parliamentary form of Government with a bicameral legislature at the Centre consisting of Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) and Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament).While the Lok Sabha consists of the elected representatives of people, the
state and the Parliament. In actual practice, the Prime Minister, aided by the Council of Ministers, heads the executive and is responsible for governance. An impartial judiciary, independent of the legislature and the executive, is one of the main features of the Constitution. The Supreme Court of India is the highest court of the country and acts as guardian of the Constitution and serves as the final court of appeal. Each state has a High Court as its highest court. Under powers of judicial review, the Supreme Court and High Court can declare a law as unconstitutional or ultra vires if it contravenes any provisions of the Constitution. This power of judicial review constitutes a middle path between the American judicial supremacy on one hand and British Parliamentary supremacy on the other. In order to ensure the impartiality of the judiciary, the judges are appointed by a process free
High Courts if there is an encroachment on any of these rights. However, Fundamental Rights in India are not absolute. Reasonable restrictions can be imposed. By 42nd Amendment in 1976, fundaments duties were added in the Constitution to remind people that while enjoying their right as citi-
Another novel feature of the Constitution is that it contains a chapter on the directive principles of state policy, that are in the nature of directives to the Government to implement them for establishing social and economic democracy in the country of influence of the executive. The judges can only be removed by a rigorous process of impeachment to be approved by both the houses of the Parliament. The Constitution vests many fundamental rights in citizens. These are (i) Right to Equality, (ii) Right to Freedom, (iii) Right against Exploitation, (iv) Right to Freedom of Religion, v) Cultural and Educational Rights and vi) Right to Constitutional Rem-
Picture shows members of the Assembly signing the Constitution in 1950
Rajya Sabha consists of representatives elected by the state legislative assemblies. The President is the nominal head of the
Dr Bheem Rao Ambedkar
edies. These rights are justiciable and an individual can move the Supreme Court or the
zens, they should perform their duties for rights and duties are correlative. Another novel feature of the Constitution is that it contains a chapter on the directive principles of state policy, that are in the nature of directives to the Government to implement them for establishing social and economic democracy in the country. Though not justiciable, these principles are considered fundamental in the governance of the country. There are many autonomous institutions set up under the Constitution which perform a key role, such as, Election Commission (responsible for holding free and fair elections), Public Service Commission (responsible for selection to main government services) and an Auditor General (for independent audit of accounts of the government and its agencies). One of the strengths of the Constitution is that it is a dynamic instrument that can evolve with time either by its interpretation or amendment. On paper, an amendment to the Constitution is a difficult affair, and normally needs, at least, two-thirds of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to pass it. However, the Constitution of India is one of the most frequently amended constitutions in the world so as not to stand in the way of the growth and development of the nation and her people. The success of the Indian Constitution, for a country as diverse and complex as India, continues to intrigue, impress and inspire experts around the world. The author is a corporate and policy lawyer
January 29, 2016
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Desi News Sresta efforts boosting organic farming in India RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service
CHICAGO: Sresta Natural bioproducts, the first of its type company in India promoting Organic food under '24 Mantra brand' got a fresh shot in arm when the Sikkim government declared that this state in Indian union has become fully organic, totally restricting the use of chemical fertilizers for boosting agricultural production. Rajashekar Reddy Seelam, founder of Sresta, said that this was announced in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a national conference on Sustainable Agriculture. Agriculture ministers and senior Government officers from various states and Central Government deliberated for two days to find solutions to problems facing Indian agriculture farmers. Details on page 18
Trailer released of Hyderabadi film 'Dawat-e-Shaadi Asian Media USA
CHICAGO: Iftekhar Shareef, a front ranking Indian community leader, released the trailer of the upcoming Hyderabadi film, 'Dawat-e-Shaadi', in the presence of a number of elite members of the community on January 8, at Monty's Elegant Banquets, in Bensenville, a north side suburb of Chicago. The film, shot in the beautiful and aristocratic locations of Paigah Palace Begumpet, is a hilarious situation-based comedy and gripping love story in the backdrop of the traditional weddings of Hyderabad. Details on page 19
COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA
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Special concert to remember legend KL Saigal
January 29, 2016
'India Awakes' documentary highlights success stories of India SUNTHAR VISUVALINGAM
CHICAGO: The University of Chicago International House (IH) hosted a free public event on January 21 within its Diplomatic Encounters Series around the documentary "India Awakes." The screening was preceded by Consul General of India Dr Ausaf Sayeed briefing on promising growth indicators following the recent economic reforms and followed by Q&A session with CEO & President of Free To Choose Media Bob Chitester, Vice-President of Atlas Network Tom Palmer and co-director/writer Jim Tusty. Many prominent representatives and activists of the local Indian communities attended the pre-event private reception and participated enthusiastically in the Q&A. IH director Denise M. Jorgens welcomed the gathering and introduced the Series. Dr Sayeed highlighted the conceptualization and execution of innovative flagship measures by Prime Minister Narendra Modi such as Digital India, Clean India, Make in India, Green India, and his commitment to bring about 100 Smart Cities and to lay down world-class infrastructure. India has emerged as one of the hottest destinations for global investors. "While the population worldwide is aging, India is getting
Jim Tusty, co-director/writer of the documentary, Dr Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General of India, Tom Palmer, VP, Atlas Network, Bob Chitester, CEO and President of Free to Choose Media and Denise M Jorgens, Director, International House, University of Chicago at screening of "India Awakes. Pics Asian Media USA
Produced by Atlas Network partner Free to Choose Network and narrated by Swedish historian and Cato Institute Senior Fellow Johan Norberg, the documentary focuses on bold initiatives taken by India in 1991, aimed at liberal-
Meant to illustrate Mahatma Gandhi's exhortation to "be the change you want to see in the world," the documentary follows the stories of three individuals who are working hard to improve not only their own lives, but also
KKREDDY
Details on page 20
Rao) or 'criminality' (Rama Bhai) to economic self-sufficiency, respectable status and social responsibility. Sharma, president of a growing street vendor association, is helping fellow vendors in his area feel
The documentary follows the stories of three individuals who are working hard to improve not only their own lives
Chicago meet plans big ATA convention CHICAGO: American Telugu Association organized a Meet & Greet with ATA leadership at Garden Terrace Banquets in Chicago on January 16. The meet was in the context of a huge Silver Jubilee Convention scheduled from July 1-3 at Rosemont Convention Center, Chicago. More than 12000 Telugu people from across United States, India and other parts of the world are expected to attend.
Details on page 22
India Awakes speakers Dr Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General of India, Jim Tusty, Co-Director/Writer of the documentary and Bob Chitester, CEO and President of Free to Choose Media "India Awakes"
younger and by 2020 it would be the youngest country in the world in terms of average age of population", Sayeed said. He added that these young Indians with their fresh vision and ambitious enthusiasm, are making a breathtaking contribution to the development of India as well as global development.
ization, privatization, and globalization, which resulted in creating fluidity between classes, triggering a boom that sent Indian incomes up at a compound rate of 7.5% annually in the last 25 years, lifting a staggering 250 million people out of poverty, and empowering India to come alive and flourish economically.
of those around them, thereby illustrating how the human potential being unleashed promises to make India a preeminent world leader. Each life story is a case-study of current upward mobility against all odds respectively from poverty (Banwari Lal Sharma), untouchability (Mammem Madhusudana
more empowered to demand their legal rights, after years of intimidation and bribes to corrupt local officials. Rao, born to the lowest rung of India's caste system, the "Dalit," broke free from the chains of his societal stigma and abject poverty through entrepreneurial perseverance. Cont’d on page 20
January 29, 2016
Community Across America
India Post 17
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Raja bid for Congress gets momentum SURENDRA ULLAL
CHICAGO: A fundraising event was held for Raja Krishnamoorthi on Friday, January 22 at Masti Grill restaurant on Devon Avenue. A diverse group in attendance included James Shapiro, retired Cook County Circuit Court Judge; H e m a Rajagopalan, Founder of Natya Dance Theatre; and Susana Ortiz, candidate for Judge in Cook County. Krishnamoorthi fielded questions in a town hall style format for almost an hour so residents could gain a better understanding of Krishnamoorthi's position on critical issues facing our communities. During the Q & A sesRaja Krishnamoorthi sion, Raja addressing supporters at Devon meet pitched for c o m m o n sense gun reform in America. "I meet many children from the south side of Chicago who live in fear that they could get shot when they walk outside. They deserve a safer community in which they can grow, learn and have a fair shot at success. That's why I support common sense gun control measures like universal criminal background
Raja with Sohan Joshi, Ritu Chander and James Shapiro
checks, closing the gun show loophole, and preventing suspected terrorists from buying firearms." Other questions posed related to legal use of marijuana and pointed fear in the local South Asian community regarding the anti-Muslim rhetoric in the media. Chicago resident Imraan Durani shared his son's fear of Muslims being rounded up into concentration camps, as Jews were in the Holocaust, if Presidential Candidate Donald Trump were to win the election. Raja emphasized the importance of engaging with political leaders to ensure our voices are heard.
"I was extremely impressed with Raja's passionate delivery of his message and what he stands for in this campaign. His academic credentials are also impressive and also his commitment to thoughtful leadership when our country is at this critical juncture", Shapiro states. Mrs Rajagopalan shared with us how much she enjoyed the intimate environment
to converse with Raja and his supporters. "The event was structured nicely to flow from hearing the live singing performance, to mingling to the Town Hall meeting when we heard Raja's positions, like how he will do his best to take bipartisan approach to his work in Washington". The event was hosted by Ritu Chander of Helix Patent Services and Masti Grill.
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January 29, 2016
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Sresta efforts boosting organic farming in India presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a national conference on Sustainable Agriculture. Agriculture ministers CHICAGO: Sresta Natural bio-products, and senior Government officers from varithe first of its type company in India pro- ous states and Central Government delibermoting Organic food under '24 Mantra ated for two days to find solutions to probbrand' got a fresh shot in arm when the lems facing Indian agriculture farmers. A Sikkim government declared that this state further boost to organic farming was proin Indian union has become fully organic, vided when PM Modi pitched for each and totally restricting the use of chemical fertil- every State to go organic, starting with declaring at least one district totally organic. Rajashekar Seelam was on a short trip to US last week and in a talk with this paper he said that idea of Organic food thru organic farming has been catching up fast globally and India is not lagging behind. This is reflected in a huge upsurge in demand for Sresta Rajashekar Seelam with CM Chandrababu Naidu during signing of MoU products in this with the Andhra Pradesh Govt country with a large number of grocery and fresh farm stores marketing izers for boosting agricultural production. Rajashekar Reddy Seelam, founder of Sresta products all over the country. "It is not only people of Indian origin Sresta, said that this was announced in the RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service
Rajashekar Seelam addressing a national conference on Sustainable Agriculture in Sikkim
but even mainstream Americans too are organic certification against only 42,000 in buying our products and that has 2003-04. Rajashekar said that many more emboldened us to keep on adding new items farmers could be induced to go organic if every year, besides the usual run of the mill the government encourages it with the sale products like Atta, rice, lentils and edible. level of subsidy that if offers for the use of The sale has been going up since our major chemical fertilizers. The subsidy for chemithrust three years ago and we have notched cal fertilizers is around Rs75,000 crores. an average annual upswing of 15 percent." He also pitched for crop rotation and he said. setting up of a central reSresta has three masearch institute for orjor wholesale outlets in ganic farming and centers the country - Washingof excellence for organic ton DC, Chicago and farming at various state San Francisco in CA. It agriculture universities. has huge presence in Creating huge awareness Houston too and plans is also an important step to slowly expand to in promoting a larger conother cities. Rajashekar sumption of organic food said that it plans introitems. The increasing use ducing ready to cook of organic farm methods food and snacks as there will improve the soil conis a good demand and dition, increase the yield the market is largely unand bring down overall Amarender Reddy Pesary of 24 tapped. cost to farmers as well, he Mantra in USA "Though the organic asserted products are relatively higher priced, the The Andhra Pradesh government has health conscious and enlightened people signed an MoU with Sresta for giving a do not mind paying for that even in India. boost to the organic farming in the State. The average food and grocery bill for an AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, average Indian family would not go up more praising Sresta's efforts in this direction, said than Rs.1500 a month with a switch over to that Sresta's help in inducing farmers to go organic items," he said. organic was very welcome. Rajashekar ex24 Mantra has recently commissioned a new processing plant in Hyderabad, India which is Gluten & Allergen free. The Gluten free products from the new unit will conform to USFDA requirements. There are many people suffering from Celiac disease and there are not many Indian Sresta store in India products which are available. 24 Mantra will be offering Gluten free prod- pressed hope that many more States would ucts conforming to USFDA standards in a follow AP and Sresta was all set to help few months time. countrywide efforts in promoting organic In India, the acreage under organic culti- farming on health and economic considervation has been on a steady increase and ations. Cont’d on page 19 currently about 1 million hectares are under
January 22, 2016
Community Across America
India Post 19
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Trailer of Hyderabadi film 'Dawat-e-Shaadi released Asian Media USA
CHICAGO: Iftekhar Shareef, a front ranking Indian community leader, released the trailer of the upcoming Hyderabadi film, 'Dawat-e-Shaadi', in the presence
of a number of elite members of the community on January 8, at Monty's Elegant Banquets, in Bensenville, a north side suburb of Chicago. The film, shot in the beautiful and aristocratic locations of
Paigah Palace Begumpet, is a hilarious situation-based comedy and gripping love story in the backdrop of the traditional weddings of Hyderabad. Iftekhar Shareef said that while "Dawat-e-Shaadi" is devoid of
vulgarity, it guarantees a high-voltage entertainment and hard-hitting punches, which will be enjoyed by the entire family. "The non-stop laughter ride and the subtle message to the audience would result in a positive word-of-mouth publicity to the film", he added. "It is a moment of pride that 'Dawat-e-Shaadi', is being distributed and released by Rajshree Productions under its banner in February 2016, with a big bang", said Syed Hussain, Director of the film. "The release of our film by Rajshree Productions, which has produced a number of blockbusters in India, will take the
dustry has been confining itself, since its inception in 2005, to making small budget films for niche market, 'Dawat-e-Shaadi' is pioneering in nature and first of its kind, considering the fact that it is a Bollywood-type big-budget film which is rich in terms of exquisite quality, pan-India appeal, breathtaking locations, and high-end technology" said Saleem Pheku, the king of comedy, who acted in over 20 films and brought laurels to Hyderabad. "For action and adventure, the movie lovers watch Hollywood films, for songs and dances, they prefer Bollywood films, and for
Community leader Iftekhar Shareef with stars of Hyderabad Mast Ali, Aziz Naser and Feroz Khan at the trailer release of the upcoming Hyderabadi film, 'Dawat-e-Shaadi
Sresta efforts boosting organic farming in India Cont’d from page 18
Rajashekar was working in an agricultural products company when he observed the alarming use and spread of chemical usage on farms, and the deep impact it had on rural indebtedness. Investment in pesticides and synthetic fertilizers meant farmers had to borrow money, which in turn was affecting the very sustainability of the farmer's life and standard of living. This was the starting point for Sresta. With a group of inspired colleagues, he set out on a lifelong journey of passion and commitment and named his products 24 Mantra. Delving into the ancient Upanishads of India and sourcing from the Rig Veda, he drew upon the primary elements of nature. Tvam Bhumir Apo Analo Anilo Nabha - You alone are Earth, Water, Fire, Air & Ether. And it is a blend of all basic elements that compose wholesome food. Sresta took small steps starting 2004. With the focus on creating means of sustainability for the farmers, it set about addressing two key areas farmers and the products. For the farmers, the efforts were directed to issues of creating communities, a band of farmers com-
mitted to the cause of organic farming, ensuring continuing means of livelihood and building mutually beneficial relationships with the farmers. It has been a challenging journey from 2004 It crisscrossed India and took the spirit of organic
Amrender Reddy, a 24 Mantra spokesman here, said "the argument supporting organic food is simple. Organic agriculture uses techniques that focus on land and soil health and thus towards a balanced eco-system. There are no pesticides and insecticides used
Sresta Organic products
farming and sustainability to thousands of farmers covering over an area of one million acres. Sresta, under the 24 Mantra Organic food brand, has presence across India and abroad in 1500+ outlets and our own stores.
here. Hence the produce obtained is chemical free. "Not only are chemicals harmful to the body, eliminating them also makes the food healthier and tastier. Organic food has proven to be a great antioxidant."
A group of enthusiastic fans
Hyderabadi cinema up a notch like never before and catapult it into the higher echelons of film appreciation," added Hussain. "While the Hyderabadi film in-
pure and unadulterated comedy, they throng to the Dollywood films, that is, Hyderabadi Films", said Feku. Cont’d on page 22
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January 29, 2016
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Ohio firm puts Ganesha on mugs, tee-shirts India Post News Service
COLUMBUS: Indians across the USA have urged for the immediate withdrawal of tee shirt, tank tops, mug and blanket with Lord Ganesha's image, calling these highly inappropriate.The products are sold by a Columbus OH company Print Syndicate They have strongly objected to slogans/statements printed on these five products (marketed under its brand "Look Human") around Lord Ganesha's image, such as Namaste Bitches and Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe.
Lord Ganesha on coffee mugs and tee-shirt
Taking lead, Rajan Zed, president of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that Lord Ganesha was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be trivialized on consumer products with such slogans. Inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees. With a chorus of protests joining him, he urged the Print Syndicate to withdraw these products from other vendors also besides its own website, and called upon its CEO Tanisha Robinson to offer a formal apology. Print Syndicate claims to offer consumers access to timely, curated, well-designed and highquality products that allow them to express who they are. Its "values" include integrity, compassion and fairness and its products (apparel, phone cases, house wares, etc.) are sold through the company's six e-commerce brands. Tagline of Look Human is "Dress Yourself To Express Yourself".
Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, Rajan argued.
The trivialization of Lord Ganesha was disturbing to the Hindus world over The trivialization of Lord Ganesha was disturbing to the Hindus world over. In Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as god of wisdom and remover of obstacles and is invoked before the beginning of any major undertaking. There are about three million Hindus in USA.
King Interfaith Service opens with Gayatri Mantra India Post News Service
NEVADA: Interfaith Community Memorial Service for civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in Reno, Nevada, had a good opening with Gayatri Mantra on January 17. Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, delivered the invocation at the Service from ancient Hindu scriptures - RigVeda, Upanishads, Bhagavad-Gita, reading in Sanskrit and then translating into English. Participants repeated Gayatri Mantra in Sanskrit after Zed while standing at the Service held at Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada (UUFNN).
message of Dr. King on the occasion, including UUFNN Senior Minister Neal Anderson, Ryan J. Earl of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Reverend Gary Buchanan of the International Community of Christ (ICC), civil rights activist Eddie Scott, Mary Cooper of Northern Nevada Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Committee, performance artist Jim Eaglesmith and community leader Bert Ramos. Reverend Mother Rebecca Willis of ICC read the benediction. Musical selections were delivered by The Power of Love (TPOL) directed by Leon Williams Smith and Second Baptist Church Reno Choir; while Prelude "MLK" was
At the Service, from left to right, are: Jim R. Eaglesmith, Leon Williams Smith, Rajan Zed, Patricia Y. Gallimore, Ryan J. Earl, Rebecca Willis and Mary Cooper
Speaking on the occasion, Zed said that Dr King and Mahatma Gandhi shared a common vision on fighting injustice using nonviolent resistance. Patricia Y. Gallimore, leader of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, was the keynote speaker. Various speakers talked about life-legacy-
performed by UUFNN Choir and Postlude by TPOL. Congregational hymn "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and a video-tribute presented to Dr King also formed part of the Service. Reverend Onie Cooper Humanitarian Awards were presented on the occasion to Eddie Scott and We Care About Kids Nevada.
'India Awakes' documentary highlights success stories of India
A section of the audience
Cont’d from page 16
His thriving construction firm has secured a higher quality of life for himself and his extended fam-
ily, along with a new "millionaire" status. Bhai, a Sagai village leader and farmer, comes from a community called "forest people," who
were viewed as trespassers on the land where they have nevertheless lived and farmed for generations. Using GPS technology and
Google Earth they have now finally obtained legal deeds to their land. Empowered by the easing of government controls, they took charge
of their own destinies, demonstrated their entrepreneurial perseverance, and are succeeding in breaking down centuries-old caste system. Among the public intellectuals interviewed are author Gurcharan Das and Professor of Economics & Law at Columbia University Jagdish Bhagwati, and their observations helped animate the subsequent Q&A. Daniel J. Schmidt, President and CEO, WTTW said that when governments introduce economic liberalization and people come forward to demonstrate their entrepreneurial skills, there will be beneficial outcomes for all the stakeholders. "India Awakes" was released nationwide on public television stations August 15, 2015 and will be airing again over the coming weeks on nationwide on TV. DVD copies were distributed to the audience to publicize it further.
January 29, 2016
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Chicago meet plans big ATA convention KKREDDY
CHICAGO: American Telugu Association organized a Meet & Greet with ATA leadership at Garden Terrace Banquets in Chicago on January 16. The meet was in the context of a huge Silver Jubilee Convention scheduled from July 1-3 at Rosemont Convention Center, Chicago. More than 12000 Telugu people from across United States, India and other parts of the world are expected to attend. ATA is inviting several prominent dignitaries, community and political leaders, celebrities, religious and spiritual gurus from USA and India to grace the occasion. Several local Telugu associations have pledged their support to make the Silver Jubilee Convention a grand success. Jagan Bukkaraju Conference Co-Convener, expressed gratitude to all the Telugu organizations around Chicago land area for lending their support to the conference. Among others it was attended by ATA President Sudhakar Perkari, founder Srinivas Pinnapureddy, past convener Paramesh Bheemreddy, past conference coordinator Bhuvanesh Bhujala, Trustee Hariprasad Lingala, Regional Director SE Anil Boddireddy. All attendees have committed to make this event a memorable event in the entire history of ATA. ATA leadership has interacted with about 400 conference committee Chairs, CoChairs, members, volunteers and answered a number of questions from audience related to past conferences and discussed strategies to be adopted for 2016 Silver Jubilee Conference. As part of this event, many committee chairs have provided an update about several planned activities and the status thereof. Speaking on this occasion, Conference Coordinator Kamala Chimata motivated volunteers to make the Silver Jubilee Convention a success. The designated ATA Silver Jubilee Conference Convener Chandrasekhar Reddy expressed tremendous confidence in the ATA Convention Team. ATA Conference Co-convener Krishna Mushyam thanked everyone for their participation and contribution. KK Reedy Conference Chair for fundraising activities, updated the attendees on the current status and future plans. He informed that there is tremendous enthusiasm from Telugu Community across United States to participate in the conference due to various community service activities that ATA is involved in both USA and India. Fundraising events are being planned in Washington DC, New Jersey/New York, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago and neighboring cities. ATA Founder Sri Hanumantha Reddy urged all Telugu speaking community members to come together to celebrate this event. He said this Convention is of the people, by the people and for the people of Telugu Community across the globe.
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ATA Meet and Greet attendees
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Special concert to remember legend KL Saigal India Post News Service
CUPERTINO, CA: India Community Center (ICC), Cupertino held a Special Concert to pay tributes to the legend Kundan Lal Saigal, a towering figure, for his extra-ordinary achievements in the field of Indian movie industry and music. The goal behind organiz-
KL Saigal
ing this concert was to highlight Saigal's accomplishments to the new generation of youth and adults, who will carry forward the torch of his glorious achievements in USA, in the coming years. Dr Krishna M. Gutala, who is an ardent lover of Saigal's singing career, gave a brief life-sketch of Saigal, enumerating his achieve-
ments. Saigal's esoteric and unique style of singing, combined with his acting in leading roles made him a great singer and a shining star. Even though 70 years have elapsed after his demise (April 11, 1904 to January 18, 1947), music lovers in India pay him rich tributes on one of these dates, every year. At these events, new singers join to keep up the tempo of his style. ICC feels that this practice could be followed in USA as an annual feature. Kundan Lal Saigal through his melodious voice, sang devotional, and Sufi songs as well as Ghazals. He was no doubt, a great singer of the last century, an extremely popular and a shining star who shone with dazzling brightness over a decade and half, in the thirties and forties of the twentieth century. As there was no playback singing system in those days, Saigal was required to act and sing as well, in the movies where he got leading roles. There were singeractors in his time, but none had the charisma and appeal that Saigal commanded. His characteristic rich and reverberating voice, his unique diction and style of rendition, coupled with his inborn talent of natural singing the songs with emotiveness and intense feel-
ing were his great assets. He had no formal training whatsoever in classical music from any preceptor; yet he was at the top in his field of art. Due to his extra-
"The fans of Hyderabad film industry will definitely bless 'Dawat-e-Shaadi' with resounding success, considering its high entertainment quotient", he added. All the films of Hyderabad, without exception, registered huge success, both at the box office and in the video market. Considering the Hyderabadi films to be a safe bet, many people came forward to invest in their production. "Dawat-e-Shaadi", with a blitzkrieg of aggressive promotion and marketing campaign, unleashed by the Rajshree Productions, is poised to break many records of success", Feku observed Aziz Naser, the popular and powerful actor with over 15 films under his belt, said that "Dawate-Shaadi" will entertain the audiences thoroughly, irrespective of their linguistic background. "The movie lovers of the entire Indian subcontinent, including those from Pakistan, can easily understand the Hyderabadi Urdu, the lingua franca of the streets of
Hyderabad, which is a unique mix of Urdu, Hindi, Telugu, and some Marathi", he added. Feroz Khan, who has essayed a
ordinary merits, he became the Super Star of Indian Cinema and was the most popular singer-actor of his time, not only in India but he showcased his talent abroad, in Afghanistan, Iran, Kuwait, Nairobi, Tangiers, Jakarta and Fiji as also many other countries. He was blessed by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore for his style of acting-cum-singing even in Bengali movies. With him, a new era of Bollywood movie acting
based duo, Samiullah Fayyaz and Syed Waseem Yaba, features three heavy weights of the Hyderabad film industry - Mast Ali, Aziz Naser,
A section of the audience during the release of trailer
negative role in "Dawat-e-Shaadi" said that Hyderabadi cinema has come to attain the status of a genre unto itself, not just considering the typical lingo of the City of Pearls, but even given the culture and traditions of the Deccan. Dawat-e-Shaadi, which has been produced by Australia-
Lady singers followed the pattern of Lata Mangeshkar songs which she had sung in a special album to pay tributes to Saigal. Following were the songs actually presented
L-R: Ustad Surinder Mann, Smita Chandan and Swasti Pandey
Trailer of Hyderabadi film 'Dawat-e-Shaadi released Cont’d from page 19
and singing developed creating a new crop of music composers, directors as well as actors. Despite these accomplishments, Saigal was said to be the most modest,
Feroz Khan, and above all, Adanan Sajid Khan a. k. a. Gullu Dada. Three beautiful leading ladies, Kavya, Madhavi and Manisha too are playing interesting roles in the film. Artists thanked Iftekhar Shareef for his help, in a variety of ways, in getting the trailer of "Dawat-eShaadi" released in Chicago.
kind and simple person, as described by celebrities like Jamini Roy, Raghava Menon, Balwant Gargi etc. Saigal was also admired by legendary singers and musicians of today like Lata Mangeshkar, Md. Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Talat Mahmood, Jagjit Singh and even music directors like Pankaj Mullick and other celebrities such as late V.Shanta Ram, Kedar Sharma, and Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan. The celebrated musicdirector Naushad expressed his admiration for Saigal after his demise, in his own poetic format: "Mere dil ko yakeen haiYeh mukammal nagmoam ki kasam... Aaj bhi zinda hai woh Saigal" ( Naushad swears by his lyrics that it is certain even to-day, that Saigal lives). Saigal rendered in all, 185 songs of which 142 were film songs (110 Hindi, 30 Bengali and two in Tamil and 43 non-filmi songs which were in either Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi and Persian. He popularized "Ghazals" in India and was called "King of Ghazals" by the connoisseurs of music. Not belonging to any "Gharana" (school) and without any formal training, Saigal stunned the music maestros of his time, with his instinctive knowledge of the ragas with his rich resonant voice. In short, one can say that he became "immortal" through his accomplishments in his life span of 43 years. At the ICC Concert held on January 18, to pay tributes to the legend Saigal, some of the best local award winning singers (both ladies and gents) were selected, as they were specialized in singing Saigal's songs in his style.
by these singers: Fatu Thadani: Din Neeke Beete Jate Hai (Pooran Bhagat 1933); Dilke Fafole (Dhoop Chav-1935); Babul Mora Nehar Choote Jaye (Street Singer 1946) and Kahe Guman Kare Gori (Tansen 1943) Harindra Vasavda: Yeh Kaatibe Takdeer (Meri Behan 1944); Jab Dil hi Toota Gaya (Shahajehan1946); Dukh ke Din Ab Beetat Nahi
Upendra Kaul
(Devdas 1935); Soja Raj Kumari Soja (Zindagi1940) Upendra Kaul who hails from Jammu where Saigal was born is a well known Singer in the style of Saigal and presented four songs: Karu kya aas niras bhari (Dushman1939); Jo beet chuki, so beet chuki (Pujarin1936); Jo baat tere muh ki hai - non-filmi song; Ab Kya Bataun Tere Milane Se Non-filmi song Smitha Chandan (lady singer) Nainheen ko raah dikha Prabhu (Surdas1942) Seema Verma: Gam Diye Mustakil (Shahjehan 1946) Smitha and Anushree: Do Naina Mataware Tihare (Meri Behen1944) Cont’d on page 23
January 29, 2016
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Janyaa plans evening with Science & Magic
H
ow would you like your child to be taught? Do you want your child to learn from experience? Or memorize from books? Being in a country like USA, your children are exposed to practical learning at a very young age. Janyaa is a STEM based 501c (3) non-profit organization that is striving to provide similar experience to children in India using very simple experiments for Science and Math. Einstein once said, "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well". Janyaa believes in this principle strongly and hence they design all their experiments to be explained easily. What is center of gravity? What is Archimedes principle? How is sound transmitted? What is LCM and HCF? What is cumulative fre-
LAKSHMI YARRAMANENI
quency? All these concepts are explained with simple material so that children can replicate them at home. Center of gravity is explained with a fork or a ruler balancing on your finger, few nails balancing on another nail. Sound transmission is taught with two small bottles tied together with a thread. Children can replicate this at home with two match boxes. LCM is explained with number board and buttons. Janyaa's experiments are provided to schools in three boxes where all the experiments use very simple material that is easily available anywhere. This enables the child to practice with them without any fear of breaking them. And all this for less than $1 per child per year. Students say they are able to write in the exams in their own words. This in itself is a huge achievement for the organization. Parents say watching their children's increased interest in studies, they are happy to send
students in 14 states of India Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha, Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.
Janyaa is organizing 'An evening with Science and Magic' - a fundraising Gala on Saturday March 5th at ICC Milpitas. To support the organization you can visit www.janyaa.org their children to school. Janyaa - meaning 'life' in Sanskrit - is dedicated to enrich lives of students to build a better life for themselves and for their communities. Over a span of seven years they have reached 655 schools benefiting over 280,000
Janyaa is organizing 'An evening with Science and Magic' - a fundraising Gala on Saturday March 5th at ICC Milpitas. To support the organization in achieving their goal you can visit www.janyaa.org or emailinfo@janyaa.org.
Special concert to remember legend KL Saigal Cont’d from page 22
Ram Aswani: Mai Kya Janoo Kya Jadu Hai (Zindagi 1940) Prasun Kumar Jha: Jhanak Jhanak Mori Baaje Payaliya (Mere Huzoor) sung by Manna Dey who was one of famous singers inspired by Saigal. Shakuntala Bahadur: Suno Suno He Krishna Kaala - Saigal's song from film Chandidas-1934 Smitha and Anushree sang the duet of a popular song of Lata Ji: Ayega Ayega Anewala( Mahal 1944) as a grand finale of the event which resonated in the auditorium. Accompanying music on harmonium on most of the songs was provided by Smt. Swasti Pandey, Classical Singer, and on
Tabla, it was Ustad Surinder Ji Mann, a well-known Bay Area Tabla and Sitar Maestro. Performance of all singers and the accompanying musicians was adjudged as awesome by the audience numbering 180 people who exhibited their appreciation though their thunderous applause. The Event was emceed by Smt. Shakuntala Bahadur, a Sanskrit scholar who has flair for speaking both in Sanskrit as well as Hindi. She also introduced the event with Goddess Saraswati Vandana. The sound system was well managed by Shri Lal Khatri. Vote of thanks was proposed by Pradeep Joshi, retired Program Director, ICC.
Tech News Haryana signs eight MoUs in China BEIJING: Haryana is expecting a spike in foreign investments from China after eight MoUs were signed here with top companies to set up a USD 10 billion industrial park and smart cities in the state during Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's trip to woo investors here. These MoUs were signed with top Chinese companies like Wanda Group, China Land Development Company Private Limited, and ZTE Corporation. The MoUs were signed during the Investment Roadshow organized here, attended by representatives of more than 100 top notch Chinese companies. Khattar made a strong pitch for Haryana as an ideal investment destination based on its strategic location, excellent infrastructure and supportive administrative system. The chief minister also highlighted the changes introduced by his government through various policy reforms in the governance mechanism through Ease of Doing Business, On Line approval system under single roof and Incentives to the industry. He also invited the attendees to participate in the Haryana Global Investors Summit schedule for March 7 and 8, in Gurgaon.-PTI
'NITI Aayog ensuring ease of doing business' NEW DELHI: NITI Aayog is playing an active role in ensuring ease of doing business in the country, its vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya has said here. Addressing the two-day conference on 'Cooperative Federalism: National Perspectives and International Experience', Panagariya defended the decision to replace the Planning Commission by NITI Aayog saying it was a "landmark" decision. NITI Aayog is playing various roles particularly in the area of ease of doing business. Survey of entrepreneurs is being done to ascertain the areas where entrepreneurs see the improvement has been made or not, he said. Panagariya said the central government is welcoming the states which want to make changes in their land laws and a model law on land-leasing is being framed with discussions with states. "We now need tenancy laws from owner as well as tenant's point of view," he said.-PTI
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Aviation policy: Minor issues being ironed out NEW DELHI: The much-awaited draft national civil aviation policy will be placed before the Cabinet for its approval as soon as a couple of "minor issues" are ironed out, Union Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju has said. Civil Aviation Minister Raju, however, did not assign any particular time line for the policy roll-out. "We have had extensive discussions. There are two-three minor issues which are being ironed out right now, as soon as they are ironed out, (the policy) will be circulated," Raju said on the sidelines of an aviation conference here.-PTI
Modi calls for reform of UN system for poverty eradication UNITED NATIONS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for reform of the UN system to make it more effective saying the world body has not yet fulfilled its objective of eradicating poverty globally. "Eradication of poverty remains the greatest unfinished business of the 20th century. It is also the most important unfulfilled objective of the United Nations," Modi said in a keynote address via video to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the UN. Modi said that developing countries face the challenge of ending poverty in a manner that is friendly to the environment and the planet. Referring to the recently-concluded Paris agreement on climate change, the Prime Minister said the '2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development' presents a valuable opportunity for the UN system to rethink its role and purpose and make itself more effective. ECOSOC, a key pillar of the UN architecture, is commemorating its 70th anniversary. "Its creation as a distinct part
of United Nations is a testimony to the centrality of development in the vision of the founders of the UN," Modi said. "To achieve a peaceful and
As such it is now the responsibility of ECOSOC to rise up to this challenge and contribute to making this agenda a success, he said adding that the 2030 agenda is a
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
prosperous world, we need to put in place first and foremost the conditions for rapid socio-economic development; improvement in the human condition and an end to hunger and deprivation," Modi asserted.
reflection of the challenges faced by the poor countries. "We in the developing world not only have to end poverty and hunger and satisfy the legitimate aspirations of our people for a better life, we have to do so in a man-
ner that is friendly to the planet and the environment," Modi said. The developed countries on the other hand face enormous responsibilities to rapidly move their economies onto a sustainable path follow sustainable lifestyles and assist developing countries with finance and technologies, he added. "At the same time, we have enormous resources at our command and technology today presents us with solutions that were unthinkable earlier. The challenge is to channel the available resources and use technology to tackle the most urgent problems facing us," Modi said. In his address, Modi urged members of the ECOSOC to rejuvenate the council, to make it more action oriented, policy relevant and more responsive to the needs and aspirations of people. India has been pushing for reform of the UN Security Council saying it is the "most urgent and pressing need" and called for inclusion of more developing nations in the decision-making structures of the powerful world body. -PTI
India reforms can defy global slowdown: Jaitley DAVOS: India can defy global economic slowdown by continuing its reforms and "responsible" economic planning, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said here. Giving his assessment on how India can tackle an uncertain global economy with headwinds from China and the US, Jaitley expressed confidence that the country will prove its resilience. Stating that there is a mood of concern among the global leaders and other participants at the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting here, Jaitley said India must carry on the structural reforms to once again defy the global slowdown. "And if India continues its
reforms and responsible economic planning, we can stand out. "Indian economy in 2001, 2008 and 2015 has shown resilience to defy global slowdown and crisis. Today, we are better equipped to
ers in here that "the mood is one of concern because global economy is facing a lot of uncertainty", he said. "A lot of challenges have surfaced simultaneously. There is
"Indian economy in 2001, 2008 and 2015 has shown resilience to defy global slowdown and crisis. Today, we are better equipped to face that situation and show the resilience" face that situation and show the resilience," Jaitley told PTI in an interview. It is absolutely clear in meetings of the global economic lead-
worry over China, though Chinese themselves have said that it is no longer possible for China to have a double digit growth and that they consider 7 per cent growth as their
new normal. But there is still a lot of global worry about China," he noted. The Finance Minister said the oil, metals and commodity producing nations are all facing serious challenges and there is a concern that the fourth quarter in the US may not be producing best results. These issues have led to global uncertainty and that is also leading to re-adjustment of investments, he said. "Money is being withdrawn from several markets and getting invested elsewhere. Investors are being cautious and averse to risk in an environment of uncertainty.-PTI
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India addressing infrastructure woes: Jaitley DAVOS: Emphasizing that India is taking steps to address problems in the infrastructure sector, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said multiple institutions are required to meet the funding requirements in this space. The finance minister also said the country has crossed that stage when change of government in power used to result in problems for an infrastructure project, adding that now the dispute resolution mechanism has been made very robust. "To add to the comfort of the investors, we have been upgrading our laws. I am working on a new mechanism that would do away with the requirement for going to judicial panels for resolution of dispute... It is at an early stage and it is not proper to divulge more details," he said at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting here. While acknowledging that there are many problems too on the infrastructure front, Jaitley said the government is taking steps like setting up of infrastructure funds where it has also invited international institutions among others. Jaitley also dismissed suggestions that the political opposition was any more hurting infra projects in India, as no party can afford to oppose a project being built for the benefit of the people. Today's aspirational society is rather asking why projects can-
(L to R) Vikram Chandra, Presenter and Editor, (NDTV), India, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Nouriel Roubini, Professor of Economics and International Business, Leonard N. Stern School of Business, New York University, USA, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman, Bharti Enterprises, India and John T. Chambers, Executive Chairman, Cisco, USA are seen during the session India and the World at the Annual Meeting 2016 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland
not be done faster, he added. "You require multiple institutions for financing infrastructure. Asian infra was suffering for a long time due to lack of availability of right funds. Infra funding has to be long term in nature. "Now, we have multiple institutions such as ADB, BRICS Bank, AIIB and even World Bank is there. There are areas that can be given funding from within the country," he noted. The finance minister said projects are under way in India to
link a large number of villages with roads, highways and other infrastructure and a reasonable amount of finance has been generated for such projects. Speaking at a session on 'Asia's era of infrastructure', Jaitley also dismissed suggestions that the failure to pass new land law was hitting the infrastructure projects. "Even the existing law provides that infrastructure projects are not impacted by issues related to land acquisition," he added. -PTI
China's economy on track, assures Vice-President DAVOS: China's economy is on track and the country has entered a phase of steady rather than speedy growth, China Vice-President Li Yuanchao has said. Li reassured participants at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting here that the world's second-largest economy will remain an important driving force for global economic growth. "Despite the volatility in the world economy, China still achieved a GDP increase of over USD 500 billion (in 2015), which is estimated to be the largest in the world," he said. China's GDP grew only 6.9 per cent, but Li said the "medium-high growth rate" is likely given the country's drive to diversify its economic growth drivers. He said that China's shift in focus from speed to quality in economic growth is progressing well, with consumption accounting for 66 per cent of last year's 6.9 per
cent GDP growth. Li said China would continue economic reforms and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship to preserve the momentum. There
China's GDP grew only 6.9 per cent, but Li said the "medium-high growth rate" is likely given the country's drive to diversify is encouraging news in the 2.2 per cent growth of the high-tech sector, 30 per cent increase in online retail sales. "For every single day last year, over 12,000 newly registered companies emerged across China,"
said Li adding this was an indication of invigorated entrepreneurship along with the surge in the number of technology and business incubators aimed at young entrepreneurs. China is the chair of the G20 meet of developed and emerging countries this year, a grouping that accounts for 80 per cent of the world economy. The G20 summit will be held in Hangzhou under the theme "Towards an Innovative, Invigorated, Interconnected and Inclusive World Economy." "The Hangzhou summit will focus its discussions on innovating growth models, improving global economic and financial governance, boosting international trade and investment, and promoting inclusive and interconnected development in an effort to provide new drivers for the development of the world economy," Li said. -PTI
Jaitley meets US Treasury Secretary at WEF DAVOS: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley met US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew here at the World Economic Forum and discussed the upcoming Economic and Financial Partnership summit between the two countries. Jaitley also met the Finance Ministers of Switzerland and Australia among a host of bilateral meetings with the government and business leaders here on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting. Jaitley and Lew, who earlier in the day described India as the
bright spot of the world economy and pressed for continuation of reform agenda in India, discussed recent macroeconomic developments as well as India's reform agenda. They also discussed ways to attract greater infrastructure investment to boost potential growth and support the global economy. The two leaders also discussed priorities for the sixth annual USIndia Economic and Financial Partnership, which is expected to take place in April in Washington. -PTI
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Good cooperation on tax issues: Switzerland DAVOS: Confident of stronger bilateral and trade ties with India, Switzerland has said its cooperation on tax matters in terms of sharing information on suspected black money cases would continue at "a good level". It has also invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a state visit to bolster relationship between the two countries, Swiss Finance
more cooperation and this is working well and should continue. "We will continue the cooperation at a good level," the head of Swiss Federal Department of Finance said. Over the past few months, both countries have been working closely on mutual administrative assistance. In recent months, Switzerland
Stating that the Indian economy is growing well, Maurer said: "We also expect good relations between the industries of the two countries. India is a country with the largest growth rate and we expect that to continue." Minister Ueli Maurer told PTI in an interview here. Maurer, who met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, said Switzerland is also keen to expand the relationship between industries of the two countries. Asked whether there could be greater cooperation on information exchange in tax matters, he said: "We have already agreed on
has disclosed names of more than a dozen Indians about whom information has been sought by the Indian government amid suspicion that their accounts in Swiss banks were being used for stashing illicit money. Swiss banks, known for their banking secrecy practices, have come under global pressure as countries, including India, are ramping up efforts to crack down on the black money menace.
PM says target is to transform lives LUCKNOW: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said his government is aiming not only to make India the fastest growing economy but to transform the lives of the poor people wherein the youth will have employment and would be able to stand on their own feet. Modi, while distributing electric rickshaws to a number of
He said the global bodies like the World Bank, IMF and rating agencies unanimously accept that India is going to progress rapidly. "When we hear this, it gives satisfaction to us. But our target is not only to make India the fastest growing economy but to transform the lives of the poor people. We want that the youth should have employment and stand up on their own Government's effort has feet," said the Prime Minister who is on his been to ensure that the visit to Lucknow afyouth do not have to wan- first ter assuming the top der in search of job post in May 2014. He said his people here, talked about a num- government's effort has been to enber of schemes of his government sure that the youth do not have to like Jandhan Yojana, Mudra Yojana wander in search of job but have some and Atal Pension Yojana and said own venture and hire some others too. these all were aimed at transform"Our all initiatives have been ing the lives of the poor people. for the common people so that "Today, the entire world is facing they can live on their strengths economic recession and even the and contribute to economic develmajor countries are affected. Amidst opment," said Modi who, along this, India is the only country whose with Home Minister Rajnath economy is strong and growing fast," Singh, had a ride in an e-rickshaw he said in his address at the event. before the event. -PTI
Don't forget society in pursuit of profits: Rajan DAVOS: In his usual plainspeak, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has said companies should not forget society while maximizing shareholder value, even as he warned his own tribe of central bankers against becoming quick-fix solutions for plunge in markets. Speaking here at a University of Chicago debate on corporate social responsibility (CSR), Rajan said, "I think what was supposed to be maximized in the history that has changed" and ideally, a trader
will have his reckoning with God. "There are circumstances in About the issues discussed which shareholder value maximiwith Jaitley, Maurer said, "We have zation doesn't work... Not everygood relations with India and we thing done in the name of sharediscussed our trade ties. holder value is good for the com"It is normal to speak to each pany," the central banker said. other to discuss what are the isStating that the meaning of the sues, what are we doing. During maximizing of shareholders' value the meeting, we also invited Indian has gone through a change, Rajan Prime Minister Narendra Modi to gave example of "a bunch of emvisit Switzerland on a state visit ployees contributing a huge value to further strengthen the relato a firm", but the benefits of the tionship," he said. value actually going to the share"I hope that there is a good holders. possibility for his visit," he "If you added. are just maxiStating that the Indian mizing the economy is growing well, Maurer shareholdsaid: "We also expect good relaers' value, I tions between the industries of think you are the two countries. India is a coundoing wrong try with the largest growth rate to society," and we expect that to continue." he said, When asked whether he exwhile adding pected the India Prime Minister's that there visit this year itself, he said, "We have been hope so. It will be a great honor cases when a for us." firm will give India and Switzerland have value to Raghuram G. Rajan, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India been cooperating on diverse arshareholders during the session The Growth Illusion at the Annual eas. Many bilateral agreements, and then say Meeting 2016 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, including in the areas of trade, Switzerland let the shareeducation, air traffic, finance, holders detaxation, and cooperation in scishould not charge anything be- cide what to give to society. ence and technology, are there be- yond the just price, otherwise he Speaking about the role of centween the two sides. -PTI tral bankers in the ongoing turmoil in global markets, Rajan maintained that the monetary policy may not do everything, but still there may be central bankers saying they have everything at their command and they will take all necessary steps. DAVOS: Economic reforms in turn?" Rajan said. However, such actions even India are going in the right diHe was responding to a quesfrom the word go to boost growth rection, but the level is "wrong", tion on economic reforms in the etc would lead to a time when RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan country. harmful impact of such monetary has said, referring to some of the Rajan rued that people tend to policy actions would outweigh the outdated regulations that are talk only about big ticket items, benefits in the longer term, he caucurrently in place. but not the other reforms that are tioned. "Well let me put it this way, currently being undertaken. "The bottomline is I will advise the direction is the right one. "Well I think one tends to fomy tribe, that is the central bankThe level is wrong. ers, that 'Enough, let the prices find We have too much of their level. Otherwise, markets will the wrong kind of There are a whole set of start relying on you'," he said. regulation and too new businesses coming in Rajan is on-leave Distinlittle of the right kind guished Service Professor of Fiof regulation," Rajan that we have to find ways nance at the University of Chicago told Bloomberg TV in to deal with. For example, Booth School of Business. an interview. He has also served as the Chief online lending. "So we do need to Economist of the International hack away at this, and Monetary Fund (IMF). it will take time, it doesn't happen cus on the big iconic items like He was participating in an exovernight. We are doing it. We in India there's now a goods and pert panel discussion organized by do recognize that we overregu- services tax which is likely to the University of Chicago here on late. That business needs a bet- unify the country. That's stuck the sidelines of the WEF summit, ter environment," he observed. so far in some Parliamentary disalong with a group of business "At the same time there are a cussion between the opposition leaders and the University of Chiwhole set of new businesses and the government. Hopefully cago Booth School of Business coming in that we have to find it will be done sooner rather than economists. The panelists inways to deal with. For example, later. But really there's a lot gocluded Deloitte CEO Catherine online lending. How do we do ing on the ground which is less Engelbert and BlackRock Inc chief with what happens in a down- obvious," he said.-PTI Larry Fink. -PTI
'Economic reforms in India are in right direction'
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'Odisha should compete to Normalization with India to boost trade: Sharif attract US investment' BHUBANESWAR: With a focus on boosting two-way trade ties with India, the United States has said Odisha needs to compete with other Indian states and countries like Singapore to attract more investment from the country. "While private investment from the US continues, Odisha has to compete with other Indian states and countries like Singapore
state. The Chief Minister, he said, explained about steps initiated for dealing with issues related to ease of doing business in the state. On further strengthening cooperation between the US and Odisha in different sectors and raising the level of investment flow, the US envoy said investment, mainly from the private
To a query on immigration ahead of the presidential elections in the US, Verma said no matter which party wins, Indo-US relations would remain of very high priority. On hike in H1B visa fee by the US, Verma said it was not directed at any country through ease of doing business to raise the volume," US Ambassador to India Richard Verma told reporters during a visit here. Verma, who met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and interacted with industry leaders, said he wanted to learn about investment opportunities, business climate and ease of doing business in the
sector, was being made in the state. Discussion with the Chief Minister covered a number of sectors including infrastructure and the need to further strengthen trade ties and enhancing investment, he said. Emphasizing the need to expand Indo-US two-way trade and
business activities, Verma said it can be sustainable. The US wants economic growth in both the countries, he said, adding economic opportunities for people of both countries should grow. Referring to the global economic downturn and scenario in China, Verma said India and the US have been able to withstand the slowdown because of their strong fundamentals, fiscal discipline and low inflation. To a query on immigration ahead of the presidential elections in the US, Verma said no matter which party wins, IndoUS relations would remain of very high priority. Noting that bilateral trade between the two countries had crossed USD 105 billion, Verma said the target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama was to raise it to USD 500 billion. On hike in H1B visa fee by the US, Verma said it was not directed at any country and India continues to get a lion's share of almost 70 per cent of H1B visas. -PTI
DAVOS: Pakistan Prime Minis- that will help the countries in the ter Nawaz Sharif has said normal- region including the domestic marization of ties with India and res- ket. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan toration of the bilateral composite are trying to establish peace in Afdialogue can give a big boost to ghanistan," he said. trade relations between the two Asked what is his outlook for countries. "With India once we are able to normalize the relations and restore the composite dialogue, there is huge potential for bilateral cooperation on trade and other areas," Sharif said here at the WEF Annual Meeting. The resumption Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of talks between the two countries took a hit after the recent terror attacks the next one year on economic in Pathankot. front, Sharif said, "We will come Speaking about various indus- to know when we cross the trial projects being set up in Paki- bridge". stan and in the region at a session Sharif said the government has on transforming South Asia, Sharif a lot of money due to oil price desaid, "TAPI is a gas pipeline which cline, although it had benefited is now being laid from hugely from the low prices in terms Turkmenistan to India, that will of decline in the electricity prices also meet a significant requirement and other factors. "We have of gas in Pakistan. passed on the benefits to the "There are various other projects people of the country." -PTI
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5 Tumhe Apna Banane Ka : Hate Story 3 6 Pinga : Bajirao Mastani 7 Prem Ratan Dhan Payo : PRDP 8 Heer Toh Badi Sad Hai : Tamasha 9 Malhari : Bajirao Mastani 10 Prem Leela : PRDP
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atrina Kaif has split w i t h boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor who has moved back to his parents' home. Kat still occupies their live-in pad in Bandra while rigorously promoting her Valentine's Day release with Aditya Roy Kapur. And all this while, the actress has remained mum about the headline-grabbing break-up. The two actors last filmed together for Anurag Basu's mystery-musical Jagga Jasoos on January 8.That was the day Katrina met Salman Khan at a suburban studio followed by talk of the big fight and walkout. Ranbir continued shooting alone but Katrina only returned to work on January 18 at Chandivali Studio in Powai. But it was all work and no talk. The two came separately, left separately and didn't even look each other in the eye. A source from the sets informed Mirror, "At 8 pm, Katrina went into a separate vanity van that she had demanded for the Mumbai schedule. Earlier, the two had always shared a van. Ranbir shot his sequences separately and the two filmed one scene together without a n y communic a tion."
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ollywood actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh who are said to be in a relationship have never really admitted it, though their gestures reveal that there is something cooking between them. However, Deepika has finally admitted that Ranveer is her 'boyfriend'. During an interview after the recently held Filmfare Awards, the 'Bajirao Mastani' actress spoke on a lot of things including her status with her ex-boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor. When posed with the often-asked question on how Ranveer feels about her working with her ex-flame, Deepika referred to Ranveer as her "boyfriend." She said that it would be unfair of her to say how secure or insecure her "boyfriend" is. "Is he secure? You have to ask him. How secure or insecure is my boyfriend? I can't answer that question on his behalf. It would be unfair.�
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eacting to the outrage fol-low ing Sunny Leone's interview with a CNN IBN journalist, where she was humiliated with a series of derogatory and offensive questions, actor Aamir Khan has now spoken in favor of the actress. Aamir wrote on his Facebook page, "I think Sunny conducted herself with a lot of grace and dignity in this interview.... I wish I could have said the same about the interviewer. And yes Sunny, I will be happy to work with you. I have absolutely no problems with your "past", as the interviewer puts it. Stay blessed. Cheers. Aamir."
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All set to follow her to Bollywood? " That's for her to figure," the actress reports, pointing out that Nupur is a trained classical singer and has been working with some friends on composing.
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riti Sanon's sister, Nupur, who has come up with cover versions of 'Dilwale' songs, is getting a lot of attention on the social media. All set to follow her to Bollywood? "That's for her to figure," the actress reports, pointing out that Nupur is a trained classical singer and has been working with some friends on composing. "The reactions to her songs have been great, maybe we will work together one day." 'Heropanti' was a surprise hit, 'Dilwale' a disappointment, as even its actor-producer Shah Rukh Khan has acknowledged, but Kriti isn't complaining. "There was a lot of pressure on me when I signed 'Dilwale' and though it did not do as well in India, overseas the business was crazy despite competition from another film ('Bajirao Mastani'). It opened in places where Hindi films are never screened. My first film was a hit but not many saw it. But getting noticed all over the world is a big deal for me!" she asserts. Kriti recently performed a tribute to the late actress Sadhana at the Filmfare Awards, after only two days of rehearsals.
D
eepika Padukone is the latest Bollywood star to go international and the actress says although she is proud to have bagged 'XXX: The Return of Xander Cage', she is nervous about venturing into a new territory. The 30-year-old 'Bajirao Mastani' actress will share screen with Hollywood Vin Diesel and Samuel L Jackson in the DJ Caruso-directed action thriller, which is the third installment of the 'XXX' film franchise. Deepika
A
t a time when actors are going out of their way to gain or lose weight for a particular film role, Akshay Kumar says he does not believe in drastic body makeover for a film. Akshay, 48, said he has never been in the race to have a certain body type. "I lead a very healthy lifestyle and I don't believe in drastic body makeovers for film roles. As I shoot back-to-back and if I start following a certain diet or exercise then it would take a toll on my health. I always leave the margin of either 6kg more or less," he told PTI. Akshay would be next seen in Raja Krishna Menon's 'Airlift', which is based on the civil evacuation of Indians from Kuwait during the Iraq-Kuwait war.
"I lead a very healthy lifestyle and I don't believe in drastic body makeovers for film roles
says her ethnicity helped her bag the role and in the film she will be given an opportunity to flaunt her Indianness. "I am very excited. But I want to confess that I am very nervous. Most importantly I feel proud to be a part of a film where I get to flaunt my ethnicity," Deepika told PTI. "The reason they are roping me is because of my background. I really hope that I do well in the movie and people go and watch it," said the actress.
"I am very excited. But I want to confess that I am very nervous. Most importantly I feel proud to be a part of a film where I get to flaunt my ethnicity,"
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Realty Tidbits
Indiabulls Real Estate net profit up 2 percent NEW DELHI: Indiabulls Real Estate Ltd (IBREL) has reported a 2 per cent increase in its consolidated net profit at Rs 80.44 crore for the December quarter. It had posted a net profit of Rs 78.75 crore in the year ago period, the Mumbai-based firm said in a BSE filing. Income from operations rose to Rs 664.36 crore during the quarter under review as against Rs 652.11 crore in the corresponding period. However, total income declined
to Rs 681.48 crore in the third quarter of the current fiscal from Rs 728.79 crore in the year-ago period. The other income fell to Rs 17.11 crore from Rs 76.67 crore during the period under review. -PTI
„ Virat Kohli to promote luxury housing BENGALURU: India's Test captain Virat Kohli has been named as the brand ambassador of luxury real estate brand Nitesh Estates. On his association with the Bengaluru-based company, Kohli said: "The company in many aspects reflects the values I hold in
Real Estate 30 India Post
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Sebi orders Bharatiya to refund investor money NEW DELHI: Capital markets regulator Sebi has ordered Bharatiya Real Estate Development and its directors to refund the money it had illegally raised by issuing redeemable preference shares (RPS). The company has been directed to refund the money raised through RPS along with an interest of 15 per cent per annum.
January 29, 2016
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Realty sales, PE investments to improve in 2016 MUMBAI: The real estate sector is likely to see improvement in sales and equity deals in 2016 as the economy shows signs of revival on the back of various policy decisions taken by the government, a report said. According to a survey jointly conducted by JLL and RICS, nearly 66.7 per cent of respondents foresee improvement in sales over the next 12 months. "The markets have witnessed significant stress with sales under pressure due to increasing prices, longer delivery timelines for projects and a range of such factors. "However, a majority of the respondents (in survey) now expect sales to improve over the next 12 months and this indeed augurs well for the real estate market," RICS South Asia Managing Director Devina Ghildial said. The firms interviewed a wide range of investors, including private equity players in the real estate sector, for the survey titled 'Peering into 2016: Taking Pulse Of Investor Preference'. According to the report, nearly
71.1 per cent investors believe pure equity investments in the sector will continue to increase over the next 12 months.
velopers," it added. A majority of respondents, however, feel that equity investments will be restricted to Grade
"Pure equity investments have seen a return and been on the increase and the momentum is expected to continue over the 12 months. This aligns with the recalibration of the investment community's role as a long term partner with key and select de-
A names and will not be available for developers with limited institutional financing track record over the next 12 months. As per the report, investors clearly voiced that even though the refinancing cycle is not expected to meet its logical conclu-
sion in 2016, the number of successful exits will increase this year. "Driven by the need to increase returns and a desire to diversify, investor interest in international property markets is once again on the rise and India definitely seems to be leading that interest," Ghildial said. Commercial office and mid-segment residential property will be the top two preferred choices of investors, with IT/ITeS office rounding up the third spot, it noted. From a city perspective, Mumbai and Bengaluru remain the top two preferred investment spots, with Pune coming in a distant third, beating the NCR. "While the respondents are overwhelmingly optimistic on the sales improving in 2016, they are however circumspect on the possibility of REIT listings hitting the Indian capital markets in 2016 and the emergence of affordable housing as a viable investment theme," JLL India Chief Operating Officer and International Director Ramesh Nair said. -PTI
California home sales surged in Dec high esteem. I respect the fact that as a first generation company it has made extraordinary progress in a very short span. "I am very impressed with their quality of developments across homes, hotels, office buildings and shopping malls." Speaking on behalf of Nitesh Estates, COO Ashwini Kumar: "We have set benchmarks and unbeatable records in real estate and are well known for our distinguished projects that involve the best of global architectural and design skills. "India s cricket sensation Virat Kohli as our brand ambassador reflects our enthusiasm, passion and energy to stride ahead towards the future." -PTI
SAN DIEGO: California home sales surged in December, capping a year of steady sales growth and modest price gains, a research firm said here. The median price of new and existing single-family homes and condominiums reached $415,000, up 0.6 percent from $412,500 in November and up 7.8 percent from $385,000 in December 2014, CoreLogic Inc. said. It was the 46th straight month of annual price gains in percentage terms, though increases have been single-digit for nearly two years. ``Overall the story, especially in California, is we continue to slow down, but it's actually not a bad thing,'' said Svenja Gudell, chief economist at Zillow. ``We're reaching more sustain-
able levels of home value appreciation.'' There were 40,230 homes sold in California during December, up
steep decline in November. Federal requirements introduced in October that gave borrowers more time to review loan estimates may
26.8 percent from November and up 12.6 percent from December 2014. The sales spike followed a
have delayed some sales from November to December, CoreLogic analyst Andrew LePage said.
December is typically a stronger month than November as buyers and sellers seek to wrap up purchases by the end of the year for tax and other reasons, LePage said. The results ended the year on a strong note, with the number of homes sold in California during 2015 rising 8.2 percent from 2014. Analysts credit a relatively strong economy and low interest rates, though tight supplies and lack of affordability kept a lid on sales. Less expensive, inland markets - notably Contra Costa and Solano counties in the San Francisco Bay Area - helped drive sales in 2015, LePage said. Cont’d on page 31
Real Estate Post
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SoftBank pumps in Rs 100 cr REITs can earn big in Housing.com in rental income NEW DELHI: Japan's SoftBank has made a fresh investment of Rs 100 crore in Housing.com to help the realty portal consolidate its position in the heavily contested online property segment.
SoftBank had said that it may scale up its planned investment of USD 10 billion in the coming years as the telecom and Internet giant sees the "beginning of Big Bang" for the world's second most popu-
Housing.com, which competes with the likes of Rupert Murdochbacked PropTiger, Magicbricks and Commonfloor, said it is building scalable revenue streams around its product. "Housing.com has secured a fresh round of funding from Softbank, its largest investor. The new Rs 100 crore infusion will wellcapitalize the company to drive its new strategy and growth plans," the Mumbai-based firm said in a statement. In December 2014, Softbank had led a USD 90 million funding round in Housing.com. It had over 30 per cent stake in the portal. However, neither parties disclosed the increase in stake after the fresh infusion. "We continue to remain excited by Housing's prospects and we know that this infusion will help Housing get to the next level and further consolidate its presence in the Indian real estate market," said Jonathan Bullock, SoftBank Representative on Housing Board.
lous market. SoftBank, had in 2014, announced plans to invest USD 10 billion in India over a decade. It has already put in USD 627 million into online marketplace Snapdeal
strategy and growth plans," Housing.com CEO Jason Kothari said. Housing.com has decided to focus on buying and selling homes, the largest and most lucrative segment of the real estate market, and the funds will be deployed towards the same. Earlier, its focus was on listings of properties. The infusion of fresh funds comes at a time when speculations were rife about eCommerce major Snapdeal buying the company. The funding has come after restructuring of Housing.com operations after the exit of its co-founder and former CEO Rahul Yadav from the firm in July last year. In November, it named Jason Kothari as its CEO. Later in the same month, it decided to restructure its business to focus only on buying and selling of apartments and also reduce its employee strength. Yesterday, it announced the
and other companies like Housing.com and Ola. Founded in 2012, Housing.com has raised over USD 100 million in capital from leading investors, including SoftBank, Nexus Ventures, Falcon Edge and Helion Ventures. "Softbank is one of the world's largest and most successful investors... (It) signifies their long-term commitment to the company. We are now well-capitalized to aggressively execute on our focused
appointment of its co-founder Snehil Buxy as its chief product officer. With 85 million visits in 2015 and 1.7 million verified listings to date, Housing.com has acquired an online community for real estate (India Real Estate Forum), a popular CRM for developers (HomeBuy360), and a data analytics and due diligence firm for real estate (Realty Business Intelligence). -PTI
Sebi orders Bharatiya to refund investor money NEW DELHI: Capital markets regulator Sebi has ordered Bharatiya Real Estate Development and its directors to refund the money it had illegally raised by issuing redeemable preference shares (RPS). The company has been directed to refund the money raised through RPS along with an interest of 15 per cent per annum. Besides, the firm and its directors have also been barred from the capital market for a period of four
years. A Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) probe found that the company had mobilized Rs 99.06 lakh by issuing RPS to 294 investors between 2011-2013. Since the shares were issued by the firm to more than 50 people, it qualified as a public issue that requires compulsory listing on recognized stock exchanges. The company and its directors were also required to file a prospectus, among other things, which they failed to do.
The firm and its directors are "restrained from accessing the securities market and are further prohibited from buying, selling or otherwise dealing in securities, directly or indirectly, with immediate effect ", the order said. In case the company fails to comply with these orders in three months, Sebi will make a reference to the state government or police to register a case against them for fraud, cheating and misappropriation of public funds. -PTI
NEW DELHI: REITs, once implemented in India, will offer a slew of benefits to various stakeholders such as developers, investors, and the industry, cited real estate consultant Cushman and Wakefield. Rental income potential of Grade A office space stock in eight major cities is estimated at nearly $8 billion (nearly Rs 54,304 crore) by 2019 which can be tapped by Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), a report said. Real estate consultant Cushman & Wakefield, in its joint report with industry chamber PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), also made a strong case for completely exempting such trusts from taxation on rent, stamp duty, transfer of assets and distribution of dividends. "The total estimated rental income potential of commercial Grade A stock in in top eight cities of India for REITs is $7.9 billion (nearly Rs 53,625.2 crore) by 2019," it said. Of the total estimated rental income between 2015-19, the existing inventory of Grade A office space could provide REITs an opportunity to generate an estimated rental income of $5.4 billion (nearly Rs 36,655.2 crore). The upcoming Grade A supply of approximately 160 million sq ft is expected to add $2.5 billion (nearly Rs 16,970 crore) in rental income between 2016 and 2019. "REITs, once implemented in India, will offer a slew of benefits to various stakeholders such as developers, investors, and the industry," the consultant said. The listing of REITs in India will encourage many mid-sized develop-
ment firms to consider this avenue, as REITs will provide them with exits and an incentive to develop high-grade buildings. Seeking tax exemption on REITs, PHDCCI said in a statement that the cost incurred on various taxes and stamp duty reduces the valuations of REITs and makesd them unviable and unattractive for investors and corporations. "Tax efficiency is critical to the success of REITs in India as REITs are not declared tax free, unlike the global practice, and are required to pay tax on rent, stamp duty during transfer of assets and distribution of dividends which costs their valuations," the report said. Since REITs are mandatorily re-
Seeking tax exemption on REITs, PHDCCI said in a statement that the cost incurred on various taxes and stamp duty reduces the valuations of REITs and makes them unviable and unattractive for investors and corporations. quired to distribute 90% of net distributable income after tax to investors, the association said that the applicability of dividend distribution tax (DDT) is a dampener. "To ensure real pass through, it would have been better if the government had dispensed with the DDT in the case of REITs," it added. -PTI
California home sales surged in Dec Cont’d from page 31
Supplies remained unusually thin. The California Association of Realtors says there was a 2.8month supply of single-family homes in California in December, well below what is considered normal supply of five to seven months. ``California is very hard-hit by tightness at the bottom end of the market,'' Zillow's Gudell said. ``That's where we've seen the tightest inventory.'' In the San Francisco Bay Area, the median sales price climbed to
$655,000 in December, up 0.8 percent from $650,000 in November and up 12.9 percent from $580,000 in December 2014, CoreLogic said. There were 7,876 sales in the ninecounty region, up 26.5 percent from November and up 17.4 percent from December 2014. In Southern California, the median sales price was $443,000, up 1 percent from $438,500 in November and up 6.7 percent from $415,000 in December 2014. There were 20,890 sales in the six-county region, up 33 percent from November and up 9.8 percent from December 2014. -AP
„ Health
Line
Births in hospitals not reducing maternal deaths LONDON: India's ambitious program to provide monetary incentives for women to give birth in health facilities instead of home has not reduced maternal deaths as much as expected, especially in poor areas, a new study has claimed. The so called Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) program, launched in 2005 to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths, successfully increased births at facilities, but due to its implementation in a fragile health system context, it was less effective at reducing fatalities, said Bharat Randive, Doctoral student at the Umea University in Sweden. "While the program can improve service utilization, it will not reduce maternal and neo-natal deaths unless the socioeconomic inequalities in access to facilitybased care are also addressed and the care is of good quality," said Pune-based Randive. "Emergency obstetric care, which is essential to save lives of pregnant women and babies, is grossly unavailable at public facilities in the poor states of India that form a global hotspot for avoidable maternal deaths," he added.
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Cont'd on Page 34
Eating greens helps prevent blindness
BOSTON: A diet high in green leafy vegetables may lower the risk of the most common type of glaucoma which can gradually lead to loss of vision, a new study has claimed. In the study, greater intake of dietary nitrate and green leafy vegetables was associated with a 20 to 30 per cent lower risk of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), researchers said. Elevated intraocular pressure and impaired auto regulation of optic nerve blood flow are implicated in POAG - optic nerve damage from multiple possible causes that is chronic and progresses over time. This manifests as a gradual loss of the visual field, starting with a loss of peripheral vision, but eventually the entire vision may be lost if not treated. Researchers from Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston evaluated the association between dietary nitrate intake, derived mainly from green leafy vegetables, and POAG. The researchers followed up participants biennially in the prospective cohorts of the Nurses' Health Study (63,893 women; 1984-2012) and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (41,094 men; 1986-2012). -PTI
Health Science
WHO declares West Africa Ebola-free
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Focus medical research on Indian issues, Nadda tells ICMR NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister J P Nadda has asked Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to do focus-based research on issues being faced by Indian community and incorporate traditional knowledge in biomedical research. "We have got many things to address but we should focus on few pressing issues which the Indian community is facing and start in a holistic manner to find answers to them. Let us list 10 most pressing health issues and undertake research in these areas to find local solutions," Nadda said at ICMR's award presentation ceremony. He said an integrated approach needs to be applied in biomedical research and traditional medicines should also be involved. "When we do research, it should be done in an integrated way and not in one-sided manner. Traditional medicines should be
included in biomedical research," he said. "We also want ICMR to go for cutting edge research, attract best
talent, upgrade skills of resources, make research applicable to bring change in day-to-day life and incorporate traditional knowledge.
Health Minister J P Nadda
Research should enhance accessibility to solutions, and make innovations affordable," he said. He said that ICMR will collaborate with AYUSH Ministry for harnessing the rich knowledge in traditional medicine systems. Soumya Swaminathan, Director General, ICMR, said the body has sought partnership with Armed Forces Medical Services in order to reach the remotest and tribal population of the country. "We have requested them to partner with us particularly in the areas of northeast. Sometimes there is limited access to civilian health services. So we are seeking cooperation with them as they are able to reach places where nobody else can reach," she said. A total of 43 scientists were awarded including 28 men and 15 women from across the country under various categories for their distinguished research in the field of biomedical sciences. -PTI
No health effects of mobile towers radiation OLKATA: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) experts have claimed that radiation from electro-magnetic fields (EMF) of mobile towers does not appear to have "adverse health effects" either on adults or on children in the country. "A number of judgments delivered by the High Courts in Gujarat, Kerala, Allahabad, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh have ruled that there is no conclusive evidence to prove that EMF radiation emitted from mobile towers has adverse effects on health. Thus, they cannot potentially harm humans," TRAI Advisor (B&CS) Agneshwar Sen said. The emission levels in the country are kept at 1/10th of the global standards recommended by International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection and recognized by the World Health Organization, the experts said during an interactive session on Effects of EMF Radiation on Human Health here.
"The EMF penalty norm that has been set by the Department of Telecom (DoT) as on November 2013 levies a penalty of Rs 10 lakh per tower site per telecom
human health from mobile tower emissions," he said. The Telecom Enforcement, Resource and Monitoring (TERM) cell is mandated to test the level
service provider if they fail to comply with the set standards," TRAI Principal Advisor Suresh Kumar Gupta said. "TRAI and DoT have implemented stringent emission norms that ensure no adverse effects on
of EMF radiations of 10% of the total number of base stations and roof top towers per year. In West Bengal Circle, such violation was observed only at Siliguri's Prakesh Nagar which was rectified by increasing the height
of tower, its officer Supriyo Dutta said. TRAI, Gupta said, has recommended merger of acquisitions and spectrum sharing to provide quality service to the continuously expanding figures of almost one billion mobile subscribers in the country. "This is because the need for more and more towers and quality infrastructure is increasing exponentially in the present age of high demand for data and mobile Internet service," he added. Sen said the dearth of adequate number of mobile towers was one of the reasons for deteriorating quality of mobile services in the country. A number of state government officials, city municipal bodies, resident welfare associations, NGOs, consumer fora, builders, academicians and telecom service providers participated in the interactive session held in the city. -PTI
January 29, 2016
Health Science Post
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Diabetes drug inhibits Pancreatic Cancer WASHINGTON: Researchers including those of Indian-origin may have uncovered a novel mechanism behind the ability of the diabetes drug metformin to inhibit the progression of pancreatic cancer. Researchers found that metformin decreases the inflammation and fibrosis characteristic of the most common form of pancreatic cancer. The findings indicate that this beneficial effect may be most prevalent in overweight and obese patients. The study by researchers at Massachu-
setts General Hospital (MGH) in US focused on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the most common form of pancreatic cancer. Half of those diagnosed with this form of pancreatic cancer are overweight or obese, and up to 80 per cent have type 2 diabetes or are insulin resistant. Diabetic patients taking metformin - a common medication for type 2 diabetes have a reduced risk of developing pancreatic cancer; and among patients who develop the tumor, those taking the drug may have a reduced risk of death. However, previously the mechanism of metformin's action against pancreatic cancer was unclear, and no potential biomarkers of response to metformin had been reported. The researchers first found that levels
of hyaluronan, a component of the extracellular matrix, were 30 per cent lower in tumor samples from overweight or obese patients who were taking metformin to treat diabetes than in those who did not take the drug. In an obese animal model of pancreatic cancer, those that received metformin had reduced expression of both hyaluronan and collagen-1 and fewer activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Studies in cultured cells identified the signaling pathway by which metformin reduces the production of hyaluronan and collagen-1 by PSCs and also prevents the recruitment of tumor-associated macrophages, which increase the inflammatory environment. In obese mouse models, researchers including Rakesh K Jain and Priya Suboj from MGH found that metformin treatment reduced levels of tumor-associated macrophages by 60 per cent and reduced expression of genes involved in remodeling the extracellular matrix of tumor tissue. The tumors of animals treated with metformin also had reductions in a metastasis-associated change in cellular characteristics called epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and in the overall level of metastasis. These tumor-related effects of metformin appear to be independent of the drug's effects on metabolic pathways involved in glucose metabolism and body weight. "We found that metformin alleviates desmoplasia - an accumulation of dense connective tissue and tumor-associated immune cells that is a hallmark of pancreatic cancer - by inhibiting the activation of the pancreatic stellate cells that produce the extracellular matrix and by reprogramming immune cells to reduce inflammation," said Dai Fukumura from MGH. The study was published in PLOS one. PTI
Railways urged to include 'diabetic diet' NEW DELHI: People suffering from diabetes may soon have the option of choosing their ideal diets on trains and railway stations. Union Health Minister JP Nadda has urged Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu for his personal intervention to make the option of 'Diabetic Diet' available for the passengers while booking tickets. Stating Diabetes as being one of the leading non-communicable disease in the country affecting over seven crore people, Mr Nadda wrote a letter to Mr Prabhu, dated January 15, saying "the outcome of diabetes treatment is dependent on lifestyle factors, that is, the diet these patients take in addition to other factors." "As the patient of diabetes has very
specific dietary regimen to be adhered at all times, it would be beneficial if all patients of diabetes travelling in railways have an option of getting 'Diabetic Diet' in trains having catering services as also on railway platforms," Mr Nadda said in the letter. He said that diabetes has emerged as one of the leading non-communicable disease in the country with as much as seven crore people suffering from the disease. It is estimated that this figure will cross 10 crore mark by 2030, the Health Minister said. "In view of the above, I request for your personal intervention in the matter so that the option of 'Diabetic Diet' is available while booking tickets for journey by trains," Mr Nadda said. -PTI
Beedi causes gastric cancer, says study THIRUVANANTHPURAM: Beedi, which has for long been known as a source of cancers of the lung and oral cavity, is also a causative risk factor for gastric malignancy, says a study by the Regional Cancer Centre in Thiruvananthpuram. Beedi smokers have an elevated gastric cancer (GC) risk as compared to 'never smokers', according to the first cohort study on the subject in the country, a top RCC official said. The study, 'Gastric cancer risk in relation to tobacco Use and alcohol drinking in Kerala, India', recently carried out at Karunagappally in the coastal district of Kollam covered 65,553 men between the ages of 30 and 84 years during the 1990-2009 period. RCC Director Dr Paul Sebastian, also the Principal Investigator and co-author of the study, said, "A detailed analysis conducted as part of the current study revealed beedi as a major causative factor for gastric cancers. "The study explored at length the association between GC and various types
of tobacco and alcohol use. Beedi smoking was found to increase the risk of GC among never cigarette smokers more evidently with a relative risk (RR) of 2.2," he said. "Earlier, studies in Karunagappally have proven that beedi is a causative factor for larynx, pharynx, and oesophagus," he added further. He batted for the creation of targeted awareness about the harms of beedi smoking and tobacco use among vulnerable groups coupled with WHO-recommended rate of taxes to curb consumption and stricter enforcement of tobacco control laws in light of these findings. World Health Organization has said that tobacco taxes should be to the tune of 65-70 per cent of retail prices. "The burden of cancers, especially preventable cancers such as those from tobacco use, are on the increase in Kerala and immediate measures are needed for the well-being of our people, especially the poorer sections," Mr Sebastian added. PTI
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Candy-flavored e-cigarettes App helps docs predict encourage kids preterm birth risk LONDON: Advertisements featuring electronic-cigarettes with flavors such as chocolate and bubble gum are more likely to attract school children to buy and try e-cigarettes, a new Cambridge study has warned. E-cigarettes are now the most commonly consumed nicotine product amongst children in countries with strong tobacco control policies, researchers said. In the US, the 2014 National
Youth Tobacco Survey found that e-cigarette use tripled from 2013 to 2014 amongst high schoolers, rising from 4.5 per cent to over 13 per cent, and amongst middle school students increasing from 1 per cent to 4 per cent.
These figures are mirrored in England, where e-cigarette use has risen from 5 per cent in 2013 to 8 per cent in 2014 amongst 1118 year olds, researchers said. As e-cigarette use rises amongst children and adolescents, there are concerns that their use could lead to tobacco smoking, said researchers from the University of Cambridge. E-cigarettes are currently marketed in around 8,000 different fla-
vors. Internal tobacco industry documents show that young people find tobacco products with candy-like flavors more appealing than those without, researchers said. They assigned 598 school chil-
dren to one of three groups: one group was shown adverts for candy-like flavored e-cigarettes; a second group adverts for nonflavored e-cigarettes; and a third, control group, in which the children saw no adverts. The school children were then asked questions to gauge issues such as the appeal of using e-cigarettes and tobacco smoking, the perceived harm of smoking, how much they liked the ads and how interested they might be in buying and trying e-cigarettes. The children shown the ads for candy-flavored e-cigarettes liked these ads more and expressed a greater interest in buying and trying e-cigarettes than their peers. However, showing the ads made no significant difference to the overall appeal of tobacco smoking or of using e-cigarettes in other words, how attractive, fun or cool they considered the activities. "We're cautiously optimistic from our results that e-cigarette ads don't make tobacco smoking more attractive, but we're concerned that ads for e-cigarettes with flavors that might appeal to school children could encourage them to try the products," said Dr Milica Vasiljevic from the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at Cambridge. The study was published in the journal BMJ Tobacco Control. -PTI
Births in hospitals not reducing maternal deaths Cont'd from Page 32
For the research, Randive looked at nine Indian states and compared access to care and health outcomes in rich and poor areas. The poor areas of these nine less developed states had 135 more maternal deaths for every 100,000 births and the decline in maternal deaths during the program in these areas was four times slower than in the rich areas. "As all facilities in the JSY program are not equipped to provide higher level care, obstetric referral services, which are expected to be saving lives of women and newborns, are important for JSY success. However the findings indicate poor quality of referral services," Randive said. "The referrals were associated with higher chances of adverse
outcomes at birth and there were a high number of deaths even when women were referred from facilities within the desired twohour transfer time," he said in his doctoral dissertation. "At its implementation, key government officials and non-
government stakeholders were critical of the appropriateness of the cash transfer program and highlighted the importance of strong health systems and good quality services for the program to succeed at reducing mortality," he added. -PTI
LONDON: A new app that uses an algorithm could help doctors to better identify women at risk of giving birth prematurely, scientists say. QUiPP, developed by researchers at King's College London, was tested in two studies of high-risk women being monitored at antenatal clinics. The app uses an algorithm which combines the gestation of previous pregnancies and the length of the cervix with levels of fetal fibronectin to classify a woman's risk. The first study focused on women deemed to be at high risk of preterm birth, usually because of a previous early pregnancy, despite not showing any symptoms. The second study predicted the likelihood of early delivery in a group of women showing symptoms of early labor which often does not progress to real labor. In the first study, researchers collected data from 1,249 women at high risk for pre-term birth attending pre-term surveillance clinics. The model was developed on the first 624 consecutive women and validated on the subsequent 625. The estimated probability of delivery before 30, 34 or 37 weeks' gestation and within two or four weeks of testing for fetal fibronectin was calculated for each patient and analyzed as a predictive test for the actual occurrence of each event. In the second study, data from 382 high-risk women was collected. The model was developed on the first 190 women and validated on the remaining 192. In both studies, the app was found to perform well as a predic-
tive tool, and far better than each component (previous pregnancy, cervical length or fetal fibronectin) taken alone. Worldwide 15 million babies are born preterm (before 37 weeks) each year and over a million of these die of prematurity-related complications, researchers said. A number of factors are used to determine if a woman is at risk of giving birth prematurely, including a history of preterm births or late miscarriages. Two further factors which doc-
tors can consider are the length of cervix and levels of a biomarker found in vaginal fluid known as fetal fibronectin, which are typically tested from 23 weeks. The researchers have further developed the fetal fibronectin test to be accurately used from the first half of pregnancy. "Despite advances in prenatal care the rate of preterm birth has never been higher in recent years, including in the US and UK, so doctors need reliable ways of predicting whether a woman is at risk of giving birth early," said Andrew Shennan from King's College. "It can be difficult to accurately assess a woman's risk, given that many women who show symptoms of preterm labor do not go on to deliver early," he added. The findings were published in the journal Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology. -PTI
MU to continue subsidizing health insurance COLUMBIA, Mo.: Graduate students at the University of Missouri will receive subsidized health insurance premiums for another year. The Columbia Daily Tribune (bit.ly/1ZL5GiE) reports that interim Chancellor Hank Foley made the announcement. Health insurance became an issue after the university gave graduate assistants 24-hour notice in August that they would no longer receive health insurance
subsidies because of an IRS interpretation of the Affordable Care Act. The university rescinded that decision for this academic year after student and faculty backlash and created a task force to work on the issue. The task force gave administrators recommendations last month. Graduate students have been waiting to hear how the university would handle health insurance premiums for fall 2016 since then. -AP
January 29, 2016
Health Science Post
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Poor sleep stresses teens more WASHINGTON: Adolescents who experience sleep problems and longer sleep duration are more reactive to stress, which could contribute to academic, behavioral and health issues, a new study has warned. Insufficient sleep and sleep problems contribute to cognitive problems and poor physical health over time, possibly because of disruptions in a key part of the neuroendocrine system that controls reactions to stress and regulates many body processes
- the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis). Researchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) explored the relationship between sleep and reactivity to stress, specifically as it relates to HPA-axis activity, in adolescents. The researchers examined two dimensions of sleep - sleep duration and sleep problems from the perspectives of adolescents and their parents, as well as cortisol levels before and after social stress. They also looked at how the results varied based on gender. "We chose to look at sleep patterns in urban African-American adolescents, due to information we understood from earlier research in the field," said Sylvie Mrug, a professor at UAB. "This particular population is more likely to experience insufficient sleep, and their
functioning is more negatively affected by lower sleep quality, so we knew that finding results for this demographic could be especially important," Ms Mrug added. The study was conducted on 84 adolescents with an average age of 13. They were given the children's version of a common stress test, called the Trier Social Stress Test, to measure their physiological responses to stress. This test involves speaking and computing mental math problems in front of an audience. Saliva samples were taken from each participant in order to test cortisol levels before and after the stress test. Participants then reported on their bed times and wake times and any sleep problems, such as insomnia, daytime sleepiness and general sleep quality, during a regular week. Parents of the adolescents were asked to report on their children's sleep as well. The adolescents most commonly reported the following sleep problems - the need for multiple reminders to get up in the morning, not having a good night's sleep, feeling tired or sleepy during the day, and not being satisfied with their sleep. The researchers looked at the cortisol levels of the adolescent participants. Cortisol release during and after the stressful lab test was higher for adolescents who reported more sleep problems and longer sleep duration, and whose parents reported longer sleep duration. The effects of sleep problems on greater cortisol release during stress were stronger in females than in males, suggesting that adolescent girls may be more sensitive to disrupted and poor quality sleep. The findings were published online in the journal Physiology and Behavior. PTI
Wireless, dissolvable sensors to monitor brain WASHINGTON: Scientists have developed wireless sensors that monitor pressure and temperature inside the brain and then are absorbed by the body, negating the need for surgery to remove the devices. The implants potentially could be used to monitor patients with traumatic brain injuries. The researchers believe they can build similar absorbable sensors to monitor activity in organ systems throughout the body. "The benefit of these new devices is that they dissolve over time, so you don't have something in the body for a long time period, increasing the risk of infection, chronic inflammation and even erosion through the skin or the organ in which it's placed," said Rory K J Murphy, a neurosurgery resident at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St Louis. "Plus, using resorbable devices ne-
gates the need for surgery to retrieve them, which further lessens the risk of infection and further complications," he said. About 50,000 people die of traumatic brain injury annually in the US, researchers said. When patients with such injuries arrive in the hospital, doctors must be able to accurately measure intracranial pressure in the brain and inside the skull because an increase in pressure can lead to further brain injury, and there is no way to reliably estimate pressure levels from brain scans or clinical features in patients. "However, the devices commonly used today are based on technology from the 1980s. They're large, they're unwieldy, and they have wires that connect to monitors in the intensive care unit. They give accurate readings, and they help, but there are ways to make them better," Murphy said. -PTI
FOGSI backs govt's women health programs AGRA, Uttar Pradesh: Doctors attending the five-day congress of the Federation of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians Associations of India (FOGSI) have resolved to give a fresh impetus to government public health programs relating to women. The meet also decided to promote medical tourism in the region of SAARC countries. FOGSI also resolved to provide scholarships and train doctors from Bangladesh and Nepal, Dr Jaideep Malhotra, Secretary Organizing Committee said here. "Parents desirous of test tube babies from Pakistan and other neighboring countries will be facilitated to avail of medical infrastructure in India," he observed. It gave a call for a major fillip to womenoriented health policies, to speed up development and securing a safe future for coming generations. During the event, agreements with Japan and South Korean organizations were signed for sharing techniques and diagnostic tools to prevent cervical cancer. Besides, an American institution, 'March of Freedom' committed 20 lakh dollars for a campaign to prevent pre-mature deaths in the wombs, and to support research by Indian doctors in this field, Malhotra said. According to an estimate the number of
pre-mature babies born world-wide is around 15 million. "Over 12,000 medical professionals and people from medical sector participated in the Congress, which held 30 panel discussions and 18 workshops during the fiveday meet. More than a thousand research papers
"Parents desirous of test tube babies from Pakistan and other neighboring countries will be facilitated to avail of medical infrastructure in India" were presented," he added. Problems relating to high risk pregnancy segment were also discussed by doctors. FOGSI also offered to help promote government health policies under the PPP model, with 32,000 members of its federation, across India. As part of it, young doctors would be encouraged to set up base in the vast rural hinterland to serve the people and prevent female infanticide. -PTI
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Horoscope
January 29, 2016
India Post
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aintaining a stand and doing what you think is justified is the right way to deal with situation this week. Opposition will back off quickly. Suddenly you may see too many bills popping up from every where. You may have to travel little unwillingly with family. You will start looking at life from practical point rather than dreams.
M
oney will come but will be hard to hold. Loan application will be approved with added conditions. A government agency giving run around in the past, will ease off their requirements and you will start to see the light at the end of tunnel. It is favorable week for those looking for a change in career.
E
January 29th - February 4t th 2016
M
J
upiter's aspect on Venus is very favorable for finances. Strong chance that you will lay your hands on some real easy money this week. People in business will have several good clients who will make big purchases. Any trip you take this week will prove beneficial instantly. Do not ignore rapidly changing weather this week.
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his is the right time to approach the government agency and seek the clearance. New official will be helpful. New project will rapidly move in the right direction and every body at home will be happy. You may also take family out to a nice place for dinner. If you let the past go, you will make room for exciting things instantly.
xpect some more dramatic and positive change in career this week. You may need more than budget but its worth it. Your actions will make spouse little nervous. Keep an eye on new and younger associate. You may register for an upcoming business convention also. You may cut down on hot and spicy food and start paying attention to health.
T
here is absolutely no harm in being ambitious as long it does not turn into greed. Avoid initiating a legal case just to harass some one who could not fulfill his commitment. You will continue to make slow and steady progress as far as money is concerned. You may be traveling to a comparatively warmer area.
W
A
P
ou will make final payment on couple of bills and feel little relived. Tough working conditions will make you increase your efforts for another opportunity. You may attend a big event with family and get to meet many old acquaintances. People in business will see many old customers returning. Avoid any financial speculations.
Y
xcellent week for people in marketing and sales. This is the right time to approach boss or a government agency to seek big favors. Its high time that you should throw all your fears out and implement your plans. You may receive some money though small amount through a legal process. Trip will be very fruitful.
E
elp will come from unexpected place. An incidence which will make you unhappy will prove to be a blessing in disguise the very next day. You should not not change your travel plans and proceed with positive attitude. Email or letter you mail out will bring positive response. An electric item will need to be replaced.
ll you need is change your eating habits in order to get better. People in business will continue to gain an edge over their opponents. There will be some favorable twist in ongoing legal matters and favorable outcome almost within reach. Finances you need for your project will become available with the help of a friend.
ositive changes in career are imminent but may take little more time. Do not hesitate to play lottery this week. You will attend a social function with family and meet number of old friends. If you wait for some more time, returns would be lager than expectations on money you invest this week. A big family reunion will take place soon.
ith new strategy, you will be able to turn things around in your favor all of a sudden. Some one creating problems will quit the scene. You may one more time put your needs aside and help a needy sibling or a friend. You will be studying some very useful material. You may start your search for another location to move.
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January 29, 2016
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the Kumbha Mela. The city with remarkable structures of historical importance is interspersed by temples, forts, and industrial units. Besides, it is India's top wine growing region, which gives birth to a very nice little wine-tourism industry. Make sure to have a cycle ride to explore vineyards while visiting Nasik.
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ituated on the banks of the sacred Godavari River, the city of Nasik is a perfect amalgam of the old and new, the sacred and the intoxicating experiences. Perched at an altitude of 565 meter above sea level, the city of Nasik revolves around religious celebrations and fine wine. Home to fabulous temples and the popular Kumbha Mela, Nasik is a pilgrimage center of the Hindus. Steeped in rich cultural heritage, this city got its name from the great epic - Ramayana. Nasik is believed to be the place where Shoorppanakha tried to seduce Lord Ram. Though Nasik doesn't have the characteristics of an established hill station, it is located comfortably in the basin formed by the high Sahyadri Hills. True to the city's holy image, it is home to one of India's 12 holy Jyotirlingas and boasts of the largest congregation of people at
Tourist Attractions Panchavati: All religious activities in Nasik are centered around the holy Godavari River, especially on its Northern banks. Considered as one of the most holy spots, Panchavati is believed to have been the shelter to Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita during their exile. This sacred spot gets its name from the five banyan trees that are along the riverside. Believed to be a part of the Dandakaranya Forest, Panchavati has acquired a prominent place in the epic. People frequent this place to take a holy dip which is believed to cleanse their sins. Pandav Leni Caves: A cluster of Hinayana Buddhist rock cut caves dating back to the1st century BC, the Pandavleni Leni caves are located on the Trivashmi hills. Remarkably carved doorways and brilliant sculptures are the main characteristics of Pandavleni caves, which might have been used as the dwelling places of the monks.
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MP to begin 'water tourism' in February NEW DELHI: The country's first 'water tourism' will begin in Madhya Pradesh next month with the aim of attracting more tourists to the state. Named as 'Jal Mahotsav', the 10-day extravaganza will be inaugurated on February 12 in Hanuwantiya at Indra Sagar Dam, one of Asia's largest man-made water reservoirs. "It is a first-of-its-kind event going to be organized in Madhya Pradesh. The aim is to encourage more tourists to this destination. The mega event will be inaugurated by Madhya Pradesh Chief
Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan," said Om Vijay Choudhary, Executive Director, Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC). He said various adventure sports will also be organized during the event that ends on February 21. Hanuwantiya, which is under Khandwa district of the state, is about 130 kms from Indore and 280 kms from state capital Bhopal. "This Jal Mahotsav is also the first ever water adventure sports carnival of central India," Choudhary told reporters here in
UP cabinet gives nod for tourism policy LUCKNOW: To showcase newer tourist destinations in the state and woo more tourists, Uttar Pradesh cabinet has given its assent to the Tourism Policy 2016 under which new tourist spots and concepts will be identified. The state cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav resolved to identify new tourist destinations and concepts for the tourists, a government spokesperson here said. Tourism will be accorded the status of industry and all facilities as such will be extended to this sector to make the visit to UP a pleasant experience for tourists, he said. On the proposal to increase the strength of tourist police, he said that the number of tourist police will be increased and they would be deployed at all important destinations. Besides, separate budgetary allocation will be made under the policy to train people for the purpose and take the help of private sector in providing facilities on roads bearing importance towards tourism, the spokesperson said.
As part of the policy, strengthening of infrastructural facilities around all religious centers of tourist interest will be undertaken, he said, adding that places having heritage buildings will be identified as heritage zones. Regarding development of heritage sites, the official said that a
An inter-ministerial group is also likely to be constituted to address the problems concerning different departments for tourism development. The spokesperson claimed the state was fast emerging as a major tourism destination in the country.
Israel expects 50% more Indian tourists MUMBAI: Israel, a top tourist destination in the world, is eyeing 50 per cent growth in holiday-makers from India, an emerging market for the West Asian country, mainly in the "MICE" and leisure segments. "Israel is an emerging tourist destination in India and witnessed a growth of 13 per cent in 2015. About 40,000 Indians travelled to Israel in 2015. Seeing this growth, we have tripled the marketing budget for India in 2016, to USD 3 million, to tap travel agents and direct consumers. "We are confident that in 2016 more Indians will choose Israel as
ing an increase in bookings, he said. IMOT is in discussion with the Civil Aviation Ministry and Indian carriers for launching direct flights to Israel from India, Halevi said. El Al currently operates four weekly flights between Mumbai to Tel Aviv. Israel, which mainly attracts pilgrims, wants to promote itself as MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) and leisure destinations, he said. "We will have more tourism promotions and activities than ever in India and target travel trade and end-customers through various
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav
separate heritage development fund will be set up for maintenance and development of important heritage monuments.
In 1998, the number of foreign tourists who visited the state was recorded at 7.27 lakh which rose to 29.09 lakh in 2014. -PTI
Janpath Hotel likely to be put on sale NEW DELHI: The Janpath Hotel, a facility run by public sector undertaking India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), is likely to be put on sale through auction. "It (Janpath Hotel) may be put on sale. It would be through the auction mode," a Tourism Ministry source said. The Hotel is centrally located and is about 20 kms from the International Airport, two kms from New
a press conference. Mamata Pandey, senior liaison and marketing officer MPSTDC, said the state government expects a good response to this initiative. "We are getting many enquiries. The rates being offered as a special package for this water tourism are highly subsidized. We hope to get many footfalls," Pandey said. She said events like tug of war, treasure hunt, night camping, para-sailing and visit on bullock cart to nearby villages are going to be major attractions of the festival. -PTI
Delhi Railway Station, and one km from Connaught Place. It is also among a few state-run hotels making a profit of 2-4 crore annually. Meanwhile, the Government has also proposed to privatize eight loss-making hotels run by the Corporation, a PSU under the Tourism Ministry. Currently, ITDC runs 16 hotels including three in Delhi and remaining in Jammu, Ranchi,
Bhubaneswar, Puri, Patna, Bhopal, Bharatpur, Jaipur, Guwahati, Pondicherry, Mysore and Itanagar. During NDA's first stint in power between 1999 and 2004, the then Vajpayee government had divested 18 ITDC hotels, bringing down the number of state-run hotels from 34 to 16. Besides, the network of hotels, ITDC also runs 11 transport units, nine duty-free shops at airports and seaports. -PTI
Group from India visiting Israel to increase tourism
their favorite holiday destination," Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) Director General Amir Halevi told reporters here. Israel is expecting a 50 per cent growth in Indian tourist arrivals this year, he said. "Initially, our focus is to tap big cities in India before penetrating deeper into the country to promote Israel as a tourist destination. India is the top source market for Israel in Asia and we want to tap the huge opportunities available here," he said. El Al, the flag carrier of Israel, provides direct connectivity to India, from where the airline is see-
marketing tools. "We will also target end-consumers through marketing on digital platforms. We are sure that through robust strategies we will see a favorable growth in tourist arrivals from India this year. We are also looking at associating with Bollywood to promote Indian films in Israel," IMOT India Director Hassan Madah said. Israel has set a target of attracting one lakh sightseers from India by the end of 2017, he added. Some of the tourist attractions in Israel are Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Eilat, Nazareth, Haifa, Akko, Massada and Negev Desert. -PTI
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Dudhsagar Falls: Located at a panoramic place, Dudhsagar Waterfalls in Someshwar is regarded
ghats reverberate with holy chants of people who gather here to offer prayers for the souls of their departed. The Ganga bathing ghat, whose waters are presumed to
Dudhsagar Falls
as one among the best in the world. This cascading falls is a favorite picnic spot in the city, which offers picture book scenery. The waterfalls reach its zenith during monsoon season when the cascade displays plenty of water in it. Ganga Ghat: The sanctity of Nasik is doubled with the presence of the Ganga Ghat, which is on the banks of the holy river lined with numerous temples. These bathing
cleanse all your sins, is the reason why every devout coming here takes a dip in its waters. Jain Mandir: A huge newly built temple complex dedicated to Jain saints, Jain Mandir is located at Vilhouli, Nasik. This pretty threestoried shrine presents a different architectural grandeur than that of the other temples. Shree Dharmachakra Prabhav Tirth, which is popularly known as Jain
Ganga Ghat
Mandir, is constructed with white marble and pink sand. Kalaram Temple: Built by Sardar Odhekar of Peshwa in 1782, the main deities here are Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshmana. The gold plated copper dome and other sculptures of this magnificent shrine display its structural brilliance. Built in black stone, the70 feet high temple happens to be the busiest in the locality. Kapileswara Temple: One of the oldest temples in Nasik, the Kapaleshwar Temple, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This fabulous shrine is located against the backdrop of the sacred river Godavari. Naroshankara Temple: An 18th century temple dedicated to Lord Sankara, Naroshankara temple is popularly called as the Ganga of Southern India. This temple was constructed by Naroshankar Rajebahaddur in 1747. Its main attraction is the unique Mayan style architecture, which is a classic example of the 18th century structural design. The stunning sculptural works on the exterior exhibit strings of intricate designs. Ramkund: The 'Ganges' of the south, Ramkund in the sacred river Godavari, draws countless pilgrims every year. The popular belief is that Lord Ram had his bath here, at some stage of his exile. To commemorate that the devotees frequent here to have a holy dip. Sundarnarayan Temple: A Vaishavite temple on the lofty west bank of the Godavari, Sundarnarayan temple was built by Gangadhar Yashwant Chandrachud in 1756. The main deity Lord Vishnu, flanked by Lakshmi and Saraswati is placed in the sanctum of the temple. There are small carvings of Hanuman, Narayana and Indira on the walls. The east-facing temple has three
Jain Mandir
porches with balcony seating, lobed arches and globular domes. Best Season to visit Nasik is between October and March. How to reach By Train: Nasik Road railway station is about 9 km away from Nasik city center. This station is directly connected with Mumbai and regular train services are available from Delhi, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
By Air: Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji International airport, which is 171 km away from Nasik, is the nearest airport. All the major airlines have service from Mumbai to all major cities in India and many cities abroad. By Bus: Nasik is well connected to all neighboring cities by Government owned buses. Private A/C and non A/C deluxe buses are also available from Nasik to many cities in the State including Mumbai and Pune.
Pandav Leni Caves
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Carnival experts from abroad for Goa show PANAJI: The Carnival committees from Liverpool in United Kingdom and Cape Town in South Africa will extend their expertise to the Goa Carnival to be held from February 6 to 10 across the state.
ancillaries during the float parade in Goa. The basic idea is to explore the best models in carnivals across the globe, the GTDC Chairman said. Goa has been celebrating car-
"Brouhaha International Organization, Liverpool and Cape Town Carnival committee will be sending their teams to train the Goan performers here during the Carnival," Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) chairman Nilesh Cabral said. GTDC organizes the float parades across the coastal state during the Carnival. Cabral said that a team of Goan youths will also be participating in the Liverpool Carnival scheduled in March and Cape Town Carnival in July. The Liverpool and Cape Town carnival revelers will help some performers in masking and other
nival from Portuguese era, while GTDC sponsored float parades are an added attractions. Cabral said over one lakh tourists will arrive in the state to witness the float parades which are
led by 'King Momo', a customary figure who rules the state for four days with his decree of 'eat, drink and merry'. The BJP-led Goa government has decided to invite renowned singer and Union Minister Babul Supriyo as the Chief Guest for the float parade in Panaji on February 6, that will herald the festivities in the state. The parade in Margao town will be held on February 7, in Vasco on February 8 and Mapusa on February 9 which will be organized along with local committees. "The commercial floats can be part of the parade but they won't be judged for the prize. The local committees will also screen the floats for obscenity and other hazards," Cabral added. According to the officer, the state tourism department had appealed local entrepreneurs to submit their concept of floats which would be financed by the government. "But somehow, we are not getting good response for that from the locals," he claimed. -PTI
Deekshabhoomi to be on global tourist map NEW DELHI: Dr Ambedkar Foundation, an autonomous body under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has sanctioned over Rs 9 crore to Maharashtra government for development of Deekshabhoomi at Nagpur, where Babasaheb B R Ambedkar embraced Buddhism. The Centre is currently commemorating Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary year. "Sanction of the competent authority is accorded for incurring an expenditure of Rs 9,41,39,276 for the repair work of Deekshabhoomi at Nagpur where B R Ambedkar converted to Buddhism along with his followers on
October 14, 1956. "Fifty per cent of the sanctioned amount Rs 4,70,69,638 is released to the Nagpur District Collector for the development activities at Deekshabhoomi in connection
with the 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar. The remaining amount will be considered for
release based on the progress of the work," read the sanction order. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who wants to put Deekshabhoomi on the global tourist map, has asked the Nagpur Improvement Trust to develop a master plan for Deekshabhoomi. Deekshabhoomi is a sacred monument and is regarded as a Buddhist place of pilgrimage. The biggest stupa in Asia has been erected in the memory of Ambedkar, regarded as the architect of the Indian Constitution, at this place. -PTI
Hollywood-themed indoor family entertainment ALBERTVILLE, Minn.: Sony Pictures and a Minnesota development group plan to build a Hollywood-themed indoor family entertainment center in Albertville. Developers call the $115 million project the ``mall of entertainment'' that will include a Marriott hotel and a large water park. The amusement park will include activities based on Sony's movie characters and themes, such as ``Men in Black'' and the ``Smurfs.'' Developers are expected to break ground this summer with an
hotel with a 50,000-square-foot water park. The development would neighbor an outlet mall just off Interstate 94 between the Twin Cities and St. Cloud. Sony Pictures formally agreed to branding rights in early 2015, and developers finalized an agreement with Marriott at the end of last year. The land is already owned by developers and has been rezoned with the city. ``They have the land set up to be developed, and now they are
opening planned for late next year. It could create 2,000 jobs and has the initial support of local elected officials including Albertville Mayor Jillian Hendrickson, the Star Tribune reported. The new attraction has an estimated entry fee of about $20. Developers believe it will draw costconscious families from Minnesota and nearby states. The amusement park would measure 50,000 square feet, and would be adjacent to a 275-room
honing in on the use,'' said Adam Nafstad, Albertville city administrator. ``We are excited to see more of the site plans and details and would very much like to see this come to fruition.'' Development partner iP2 Entertainment, a Los Angeles-based company that specializes in ``immersive'' entertainment centers, opened its first two concepts in Indonesia and the Philippines in the past two years. Three new locations are in the works, including the one in Albertville. -AP
Amitabh, Priyanka to endorse 'Incredible India' NEW DELHI: Bollywood superstars Amitabh Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra have replaced Aamir Khan as the ambassadors of 'Incredible India', according to a report by Times Now. Akshay Kumar's name had also been doing the rounds for the new brand ambassador of the government's 'Incredible India' campaign and the superstar said he would love to take the position. However, m e g a s t a r A m i t a b h Bachchan emerged as the top choice to front the campaign after su-
perstar Aamir Khan, whose contract ended recently. Besides Bachchan, and Chopra, Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone were also said to be in the race. "Of course, I would love to be the ambassador of Incredible India. It is a huge honor and I would take it if approached," Akshay had told reporters.
In Brief Tharoor calls for law on immigration policy NEW DELHI: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has batted for a legal framework to address the issues related to immigration and refugees. Expressing disappointment over the merger of Ministry of External Affairs with Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), the former Minister of State (MoS) for MEA emphasized on giving more attention to the issues related to NRIs and migrants by an MOS rank official. "Largest refugee migration was when 10 million Bangladeshis came to India in 1971. We also have a large numbers of migrants from Nepal and Bangladesh. "We have been very hospitable and very open, but it's rather very bizarre that a democracy, which even has a seat on UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) Executive Committee, has failed to write itself a refugee law and put a legal frame work to it. "I have proposed one in private members bill in the last session. I have also been in correspondence with the Minister of External Affairs (Sushma Swaraj) on Foreign Immigration as many of us feel this is massively over due. An immigration Policy must be codified into a law. At the moment our laws and policies are in grave danger of being out of date," Tharoor said. "I have also written very very concretely that the Standing Committee on Parliament on Foreign Affairs should be consulted before the government springs any Bill on the nation," Tharoor added. He was speaking at a panel discussion after a launch of book 'The Politics of Migration: Indian Emigration in a Globalised World'. -PTI
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Politically charged caseload for high court WASHINGTON: The Supreme Court's decision to add immigration to its already robust list of politically charged cases means a raft of rulings in the late spring or early summer that could inject the court into the presidential campaign. Cases involving abortion, affirmative action, labor unions and the Obama health care law have already given the high court's term a campaign-season flavor. A ruling on President Barack Obama's authority to shield up to 5 million immigrants who are living in the United States illegally from deportation is expected to be one of the last cases argued in April and decided before the justices leave town in early summer. Details on page 46
Immigration
US plan to get immigrants into court
44 India Post
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Details on page 46
Supreme Court could give Obama his final chance on immigration WASHINGTON: After seven years, 2 million-plus deportations, two executive actions and 720,000 ``Dreamers,'' the bottom line on President Barack Obama's immigration record still remains an open question for many immigrants and their advocates. In the end, the Supreme Court may fill in the blank. By agreeing to hear a challenge to Obama's immigration plan, the court has raised hopes that Obama may have one last chance to make good on an unfulfilled promise to millions of immigrants, many of whom feel abandoned by his administration's recent deportation raids. If the court sides with Obama, ruling that he has the authority to unilaterally shield up to 5 million immigrants from deportation, Obama would claim a sizable last win on an issue that has dogged him for years. His administration would, however, face another challenge - implementing a complex program in a matter of month as Republicans vow to reverse it just as quickly. If the court rules against Obama, he could spend his last months in office making headlines
for deporting people, rather than shielding them from deportation, as he'd planned. At issue are Obama's actions to allow parents of U.S. citizens to stay in the country, along with an
have put those programs on hold amid claims Obama exceeded his authority, but the Supreme Court agreed to have the final word. Advocates said they see the pivot point as a reflection of the
Members of CASA de Maryland participate in a immigration rally outside the Supreme Court in Washington. By agreeing to hear a challenge to Obama’s immigration plan, the Supreme Court raised hopes that Obama may have one last chance to make good on an unfulfilled promise to millions of immigrants, many of whom feel abandoned by his administration’s recent deportation raids.
expansion of Obama's earlier program protecting people brought to the U.S. illegally as children known as Dreamers. Lower courts
seesaw nature of Obama's record on the issue. Despite his efforts to pass immigration legislation and use his executive power to protect
some immigrants, his broader deportation policy led activists to label him the ``deporter-in-chief'' and left wounds some say won't be healed. Most recently, advocates were incensed by deportation raids targeting 121 Central American immigrants, arguing the raids sowed fear and skepticism in a community that could make it harder for advocates and the administration to persuade people to come forward later. Angela Maria Kelley, an immigration expert at the liberal Center for American Progress, likened Obama's policies to a ``high school romance: One minute you're in love, the next you're being dumped. ``It does feel like it can take on a bipolar presence in the community,'' Kelley said. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on Obama's executive action by late June. That would leave Obama with barely half a year to get the program up and running before his presidency ends. Most of the Republicans running to replace Obama have already vowed to tear up the program if elected. Cont'd on Page 45
14,000 Indians overstayed in US in 2015 WASHINGTON: Over 14,000 of the 8.8 lakh Indians who travelled to the US on visitor or business visa in 2015 overstayed in the country, according to official figures. The data provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that 14,348 Indians overstayed in the US in 2015. In 2014, of the 7.6 lakhs Indians who were supposed to leave the country before the expiry of their B1-B-2 visas, 11,653 of them overstayed in the US, it said. Overstaying means a non-immigrant who was lawfully admitted to the US for an authorized period but stayed or remains in the country beyond his or her lawful admission period. According to the "Entry/Exit Overstay Report" released by the
DHS, in fiscal 2015, of the nearly 45 million non-immigrant visitor admissions through air or sea ports of entry that were expected to depart last year, 527,127 individuals overstayed their admission, for a total overstay rate of 1.17 per cent. In other words, 98.83 per cent had left the US on time and abided by the terms of their admission, the report said. The report does not include student on F-1 visa or those who arrived on work visas like H-1B. In FY 2015, of the nearly 45 million non-immigrant visitor admissions through air or sea ports of entry that were expected to depart in FY 2015, DHS determined that 527,127 individuals overstayed their admission, for a total overstay rate of 1.17 per cent.
In other words, 98.83 per cent had left the US on time and abided by the terms of their admission.
At the end of FY 2015, the overall Suspected In-Country Overstay number was 482,781 individuals, or 1.07 per cent. The report breaks the overstay rates down further to provide a better picture of those overstays that remain in the US beyond their period of admission and for whom CBP has no evidence of a departure or transition to another immi-
gration status, DHS said in a statement. At the end of FY 2015, the overall Suspected In-Country Overstay number was 482,781 individuals, or 1.07 per cent. Due to further continuing departures by individuals in this population, by January 4, 2016, the number of Suspected In-Country overstays for FY 2015 had dropped to 416,500, rendering the Suspected In-Country Overstay rate as 0.9 per cent, it said. In its report, DHS said a number of countries with ties to terrorism had significant numbers of nationals still in the US accounted for by the federal government: 1,435 from Pakistan, 681 from Iraq, 564 from Iran, 440 from Syria, 219 from Yemen, 219 fromAfghanistan, and 56 from Libya. -PTI
Immigration Post
January 29, 2016
India Post 45
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Big turnout against bill on immigrant status MADISON, Wis.: Wisconsin residents and immigrants packed a hearing to speak against a bill aimed at preventing so-called sanctuary cities for immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. The bill would bar local governments from prohibiting police from inquiring about immigration status or working with federal immigration authorities. Communities that enact such policies could
lation following an incident in San Francisco in which a woman was fatally shot by a Mexican immigrant. The suspect had been released earlier that year by the San Francisco County sheriff's office, despite a request by federal immigration authorities to detain him. Spiros said there haven't been similar issues in Wisconsin and he hasn't spoken with federal immigration officials, but he wants to
``This legislation is oppressive, it's divisive, it creates fear,'' said Waukesha resident Bernie Gonzalez, who said he previously lived in the U.S. illegally. ``It's overkill. Cities are already doing this.'' be challenged in court and could lose shared revenue of $500 to $5,000 each day of noncompliance. Opponents overflowed a large hearing room, some carrying signs saying ``Wisconsin is not Arizona'' and some offering their testimony in Spanish alongside a translator. ``This legislation is oppressive, it's divisive, it creates fear,'' said Waukesha resident Bernie Gonzalez, who said he previously lived in the U.S. illegally. ``It's overkill. Cities are already doing this.'' Bill author Rep. John Spiros, RMarshfield, introduced the legis-
be proactive instead of reactive. ``This is not an anti-immigration bill,'' Spiros said. ``The bill's scope is to protect our citizens, and that's whether they're here legally or illegally.'' The bill would nullify any existing policies or previously adopted resolutions that don't comply with the new requirements, though it's not clear whether that would directly affect any Wisconsin communities. Spiros listed Racine, Madison and Milwaukee County as ``sanctuary cities'' in Wisconsin, but of-
ficials from Milwaukee and Madison disputed that. ``The city of Madison follows federal law,'' said Madison council member Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, who said she is an immigrant herself. ``What we have said as a city, and I'm proud to say that we have said that as a city, is that we are a city that is welcoming to immigrants, we are a city that supports comprehensive immigration reform.'' Madison passed a resolution in 2010 calling on the Dane County sheriff to stop reporting immigration status to federal authorities, though it had no legal effect. A 2012 Milwaukee County Board resolution similarly called on the sheriff not to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement immigration detention requests unless a person has been convicted of serious crimes, is a gang member or is a suspected terrorist. The lengthy hearing took place amid a heated national debate on immigration and one day after the U.S. Supreme Court decided to take up a key immigration case. Earlier, justices agreed to review whether President Barack Obama has the power to defer deportation for up to 5 million immigrants living in the U.S. illegally and make them eligible to work. The case will be argued in April and decided by late June, falling in the midst of a presidential campaign. -AP
Supreme Court could give Obama his final chance on immigration Cont'd from Page 44
Obama's expanded program for people brought here as children was hours away from being launched last year when a judge put it on hold, so ostensibly, the administration could flick the switch on almost overnight with little additional preparation. But the much larger program for parents of U.S. citizens wasn't nearly as far along when the court shut it down. Ahead of the injunction, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services had secured office space in Arlington, Virginia, for a new processing center, with plans to hire about 1,000 people to screen applications. But the administration would have to hire and train those workers, finalize the forms and application process, and disseminate that information to applicants.
Administration officials predicted that could take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. By comparison, it took 60 days to launch the initial program covering people brought here as children. ``We're certainly interested in moving forward with implementing these executive actions as expeditiously as possible,'' said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. Another hold-up could come from applicants, who would need to pull together application fees and documents proving they've been in the country for years. How quickly the government could process applications is another question. In the first six months of Obama's earlier program for people brought here as children, 200,000 were approved out of roughly 423,000 applications.
Working against the president is deep uncertainty about what happens to those who apply for protection if a Republican who opposes Obama's actions wins the White House. New applications would almost certainly be halted, but immigration advocates predicted the next president would find it harder to retract work permits from those approved before Obama leaves office. ``There's a real question right now of whether people are safe from deportation, not the least because in the last few weeks we've seen increased raids by the president,'' said Karen Tumlin, legal director at the National Immigration Law Center. ``But folks are so eager to have the protections from family separation, if the chance does present itself, I would anticipate a tremendous outpouring of interest.'' -AP
'Khobragade's daughters not Indian citizens' NEW DELHI: Two daughters of controversial IFS officer Devyani Khobragade are "no longer Indian citizens" as they hold American passports, government has told Delhi High Court. The brief submission was made by the Centre before Justice Manmohan, who was hearing a petition filed by Khobragade on behalf of her daughters challenging revocation of their Indian passports. The counsel for Khobragade, a former Deputy Consul-General of India in New York, contended that the government had impounded the Indian passports of the diplomat's daughters without fol-
out informing External Affairs Ministry (MEA), raising serious questions about her "trustworthiness and integrity". It had also said she had obtained Indian diplomatic passports for her daughters by "suppressing material facts" which established that she "willfully and blatantly violated the Indian Passport Act". Countering the allegations, Khobragade had contended that in her 16 years of service she was "routinely adjudicated" as 'outstanding' or a very good officer with the highest degree of credibility and integrity. She had also denied the allega-
Devyani Khobragade
lowing due process of law and not issuing them show cause notice or hearing them. After brief submissions, the court listed the matter for further hearing on March 30 after Khobragade's lawyer sought a passover since senior advocate Amit Sibal, who was to argue, was not present in court. The court had in May last year stayed the December 30, 2014 order by which the government had revoked the passports. Defending its decision, the government had said that Khobragade had obtained US and Indian passports for her daughters in violation of law and with-
tion that she had violated the passport and citizenship laws by obtaining American and Indian passports for her two daughters, who she claimed were entitled to have Indian diplomatic passports. Khobragade was arrested in US on December 12, 2013 on visa fraud charges for allegedly making false declarations in a visa application for her maid. She was later released on a USD 250,000 bond. It had triggered a diplomatic row between US and India which had retaliated by downgrading privileges of some categories of US diplomats, among other steps. -PTI
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Immigration Post
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January 29, 2016
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US plan to get immigrants into court LOS ANGELES: With tens of thousands of Central American immigrants arriving on the U.S.Mexico border in the last two years, federal authorities are launching a program to encourage more of them to show up for their hearings in immigration court. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hired a contractor to help some immigrant families find transportation, housing and lowcost lawyers, hoping that getting them on stable footing will make them more likely to attend court hearings that determine whether they should be allowed to stay in the country or deported. When immigrants show up for court, federal authorities can keep track of asylum cases to ensure those who lose return home. Advocates want immigrants to attend the hearings because they believe many of those arriving from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras have a strong shot of winning asylum but must be in court to do so. Judges routinely issue deportation orders for those who don't show. As many as 800 families who pass an initial asylum screening can join the program in Los Angeles, New York, Washington, Chicago and Miami. Caseworkers will help newly arriving immigrants
with tasks such as finding transportation to immigration court and enrolling their children in school. Later, they will help those who lose their bids to stay in the country head home. The program will cost $11 million a year and reach a tiny sliver of the 54,000 Central American im-
Nearly 790 deportation orders have been issued for immigrants with children who have arrived since July 2014 and were detained. More than two-thirds were for those who didn't show up for hearings, court statistics show. Advocates welcomed the new program, hoping immigrants can prove they are fleeing persecution and win the right to stay in the U.S. It faces opposition from those who want the government to quickly screen immigrants on the border and turn away those who don't qualify for asylum. "Instead, the administration continues to take actions that encourage more illegal immigration, such as providing taxpayer benefits to those who have come here illegally," said Rep. Bob Goodlatte, the Republican chairman of the House JudiImmigrants from El Salvador and Guatemala who entered the country illegally board ciary Committee. a bus after they were released from a family detention center in San Antonio. Immigrant advocates said migrants with children who have the biggest population to be newcomers are often overwhelmed arrived on the southwestern bor- served," said Andrew Lorenzen- when they start life here and may der since October 2014. It comes Strait, a deputy assistant director miss key hearings if they get as the Obama administration faces for enforcement and removal at ICE. bogged down with enrolling their court-imposed limits on the detenSince 2014, immigrant families children in school or forget to uption of immigrant families and as have been sent to family deten- date their address with the courts. authorities began arresting those tion centers or released and told They applauded the aid to imwho lost their asylum cases in to appear in immigration court. migrants but questioned ICE's seraids earlier this month. Those eligible for the program include pregnant women, nursing mothers and immigrants with mental illness, ICE said. "We are looking at Central American mothers, predominantly heads of households, because that is what we're seeing now as
lection of a contractor to run the program that is a unit of GEO Group, which also oversees immigration detention centers. The company declined to comment. The surge in border arrivals has stoked raucous debate on the presidential campaign trail and in Washington. The Obama administration arrested 121 people with deportation orders several weeks ago in raids targeting Central Americans who came here in recent years. Since last year, federal authorities have released immigrant families more quickly from detention centers after a federal judge ruled that mothers with children could not be held for lengthy periods of time. Some were outfitted with ankle bracelets after being freed. Before launching the new plan, ICE ran a pilot program with two nonprofits in which participants almost always attended their immigration hearings and appointments, agency officials said. "A lot of these people are not going to be deported," said Annie Wilson, chief strategy officer for Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. "The more important question is: How should we be treating people who are going to be here, and who are going to win asylum?" -AP
Politically charged caseload for high court WASHINGTON: The Supreme Court's decision to add immigration to its already robust list of politically charged cases means a raft of rulings in the late spring or early summer that could inject the court into the presidential campaign. Cases involving abortion, affirmative action, labor unions and the Obama health care law have already given the high court's term a campaign-season flavor. A ruling on President Barack Obama's authority to shield up to 5 million immigrants who are living in the United States illegally from deportation is expected to be one of the last cases argued in April and decided before the justices leave town in early summer. The most politically contentious rulings probably will come in quick succession in the last half of June, as Democrats and Republicans ready for their political conventions. The outcomes could feed campaign rhetoric that already has been heated on abortion and immigration, to name just two issues. Adding to the potential for the court to be an issue in the campaign are the ages of the four old-
est justices, three of whom will be past their 80th birthday when the next president takes office a year from now. A fourth, Justice Stephen Breyer, will be 78. ``The decisions the court makes in this potentially blockbuster term could affect who becomes president in the 2016 elections, and who becomes president in the 2016 elections could affect the Supreme Court for a generation,'' said Richard Hasen, a law professor at the University of California at Irvine. The replacement of even one justice could alter the direction of the court in a big way, given how closely divided it is now between four conservatives and four liberals - with Justice Anthony Kennedy often providing the crucial fifth vote. The accumulation of wrenching social issues and pointed policy disputes at the Supreme Court at this moment is mostly a matter of chance. A legal fight over the regulation of abortion clinics in Texas has been underway for two and a half years. Obama's immigration plan was rolled out 14 months ago and almost immediately challenged in court. Faith-based groups that say
they are forced to be complicit in providing objectionable birth control to women covered under their health plans have been challenging the Obama administration for more than three years. Republican candidates have criticized the court, and especially its decisions in support of samesex marriage and the Obama health care overhaul. Republican Sen. Ted
blamed Cruz for pushing to get Roberts on the court and called the chief justice ``an absolute disaster.'' In the most recent Republican debate, Cruz called Justice Sonia Sotomayor a radical opponent of gun rights and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida chastised New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for his past support of Sotomayor's nomina-
In the most recent Republican debate, Cruz called Justice Sonia Sotomayor a radical opponent of gun rights and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida chastised New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for his past support of Sotomayor's nomination in 2009. Cruz of Texas has said that putting Chief Justice John Roberts on the court was a mistake, even though Cruz endorsed his nomination in 2005. Both men served as law clerks to William Rehnquist. Cruz referred mainly to Roberts' two opinions in defense of Obama's health care overhaul. More recently, Republican rival Donald Trump has
tion in 2009. Christie denied ever supporting the first Latina justice. On the Democratic side, the talk has been tamer, with Hillary Clinton discussing the importance of high-court nominations on her social media accounts. The court's 2010 decision in Citizens United that led to a flood of what critics call ``dark money'' in political campaigns remains con-
troversial, and Democratic candidates have pledged to try to undo it. The attention on the court will only mount in the coming months, said UCLA law professor Adam Winkler. ``It's going to be hard for the court to stay out of the political thicket in this coming election,'' Winkler said. Yet evidence that the court itself has moved many votes in past elections is thin, said Sara Benesh, a political scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The court and the justices are little known to the public. ``It seems to me a long, drawn-out relationship between any decision the court might make and any decision an individual might make in the voting booth,'' Benesh said. The justices go to great lengths to insist that they are not, in Breyer's words, ``nine junior-varsity politicians.'' Winkler said there is little evidence that the court has ducked politically sensitive issues, although liberal critics have said the conservative justices reached out aggressively and unnecessarily in recent years in campaign finance, voting rights and union cases. -AP
Datebook
January 29, 2016
NEW JERSEY
NEW YORK
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Upcoming
Upcoming
Upcoming Sat, Jan 30 • Dance Pe. Chance
Sat, Jan 30
Venue: State Theatre, 15 Livingston
• Indias Republic Day 2016 in Albany
Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Venue: Hindu Cultural Center, Albany, 450
Time: 8:00 pm
Shaker Rd, Albany, NY 12211 Time : 1:00 pm
Sat, Jan 30 • TAGS 2016
Sankranti
Sambaralu Venue: Folsom High School, 1655 Iron Point Rd, Folsom, CA 95630 Time: 12:00 pm
Sun, Jan 31
Contact 518-729-8725
• 2016 Pongal Vizhaa and Chennai Fundraiser
Sat, Jan 30
• Natsamrat – Marathi Film
• Desi Saturdays New Yorks Weekly Saturday Night Desi Party Featuring Complimentary Admission & Open Bar at Lexicon NYC
Venue: Serra Theatres, 200 Serra Way #37, Milpitas, Ca 95035 Time: 02:00 pm
Venue: Melvin H. Kreps Middle School,, 5 Kent Lane, Hightstown, NJ 08520 Time: 2:30 pm
Sun, Feb 28 • NJTS 2016 Annual Membership
Venue: Lexicon, 226 E 54th St, New York,
Venue: New jersey Tamil Sangam, 30 Gin-
Time : 10:00 pm
ger Dr, NJ 08837
Contact: 917-975-9144
Time : 9:00 pm
NY 10022
Sat, Jan 30
India Post 47
CHICAGO
Upcoming
1st and 3rd Sunday of Month • Chicago Children's
Venue: Dosa bawarchi, 1380 South Main
Venue: Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60192 (Next to Nissan Dealership) Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807
Street, Milpitas, CA 95035 Time: 7:30 pm Contact: 650 669 0281
Sun, Feb 14 • Valentine’s Night
Sat, Jan 30 • Gaye Jaa, Muskuraye Jaa
2300 Sierra Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95825
Venue: Cubberley Theater, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303 Time: 4:00 pm
Contact: 4087186678
Venue: Sunnyvale Theater, 550 East Remington Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 Time: 4:00 am Contact: 510-742-9303
Fri, Feb 12 • “Valentine Bash 2016” with “Mastani” Venue: India Community Center, 525 Los Coches Street, Milpitas, CA 95035 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 510-673-0153
Sat, Feb 13 • “Surati Ponk – Undhiyu” Ujjani 2016 Venue: Shreemaya Krishnadham, 25, Corning Ave, Milpitas, CA 95035 Time: 05:30 pm Contact: 408-586-0006
Upcoming
Sat, Feb 13 • Valentine, Candle Light Dinner, DJ, Couple Photo Shoot and Games.
Venue: Center At Twenty Three Hundred,
Sat, Feb 6 • SAMARA - a womans fight
ILLINOIS
Time: 05:00 pm
ATLANTA Upcoming Sat, Jan 30 • Keeravani - Live in Concert in Houston Venue: Cullen Performance Hall, 4800 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77004 Time: 6:00 pm
Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes
Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105
Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Where: Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105
Sun, Jan 31 • Gujarati Comedy Natak GOLMAAL
Swami Ishatmananda
Venue: Atlanta Event Hall, 3750 Venture
Venue: Public Library-95th Street 3015 Cedar Glade Rd Naperville IL 60564 Time: 1st friday of every month 7-8 pm Contact: 630-637-0662
Drive, Duluth, GA 30096 Time: 06:00 pm
Sat, Feb 13 • Big Valentines Extravaganza Venue: Atlanta Event Hall, 3750 Venture Drive, Duluth, GA 30096 Time: 9:00 pm
• Bhagavad Gita: Philosophy of life
• India Eternal: From the Vedic Age to the Present Venue: Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago 10915 N. Main Street Glendale Heights, IL 60139 Time: 10:00 pm Contact: 630-655-8822
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January 29, 2016
Philosophy
January 29, 2016
India Post 49
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G
od Himself is both the Law and the Law-giver. The question of anyone creating Him, therefore, does not arise, least of all by an insignificant creature such as man. Man can build a dam, but it is beyond him to make the wood. He can, however, picture God in his mind in many ways. But how can man who is unable to create even a river or wood create God? That God has created man is, therefore, the pure truth. The contrary is an illusion. However, anyone may, if he likes, say that God is neither the doer nor the cause. Either is predicable of him. No Personal God I do not regard God as a person. Truth for me is God, and God's Law and God are not different things or facts, in the sense that an earthly king and his law are different. Because God is an Idea, Law Himself. Therefore, it is impossible to conceive God as breaking the Law. He, therefore, does not rule our actions and withdraw Himself. When we say He rules our actions, we are simply using human language and we try to limit Him. Otherwise He and His Law abide everywhere and govern everything. Therefore, I do not think that He answers in every detail every request of ours, but there is no doubt that He rules our action. SWAMI KRISHNANANDA
T
hese days, while yoga has not been properly understood from one side, it has been misinterpreted on the other side. The right meaning of yoga has not been brought home to the minds of people on account of an inadequacy in the number of yoga teachers in our country, and also, and side-by-side, it has been abused. Physical exercises are a necessary part of yoga, but yoga has wholly and entirely been associated with physical exercises. The practice of yoga is the art and technique of coming into friendly communion with the forces of nature. Nobody would gainsay that we are sustained by the powers of nature. The earth upon which we live and the other elements - water, fire, air, ether are the sources of our physical sustenance. We are, physically speaking at least, a part of nature and controlled by the vicissitudes of nature. Even the seasons affect us in some way. And nature is not merely the five gross physical elements. The solar energy which sustains us and controls the operation of many of the faculties of our personality is also a part of nature.
‌The free will we enjoy is less than that of a passenger on a crowded deck. ‌Although I know that my freedom is less than that of a passenger, I appreciate that freedom, as I have imbibed through and through the central teaching of the Gita that man is the maker of his own destiny in the sense that he has freedom of choice as to the manner in which he uses that freedom. But he is no controller of results. The
His Personality I have not seen God face to face. If I had, I would have no need to be speaking to you. My thought would be potent enough to render speech and action on my part unnecessary. But I have an undying faith in the existence of God. Millions all over the world share this faith with me. The most learned cannot shake the faith of the illiterate millions. God is wholly good. There is
God is life. Therefore, goodness and all it connotes is not an attribute. Goodness is God Goodness conceived as apart from Him is a lifeless thing and exists only whilst it is a paying policy. So are all morals. If they are to live in us, they must be considered and cultivated in their relation to God. We try to become good because we want to reach and realize God. All the dry ethics of the lifeless.
God's Law and God are not different I have an undying faith in the existence of God. Millions all over the world share this faith with me. The most learned cannot shake the Mahatma Gandhi
faith of the illiterate millions.
moment he thinks he is, he comes to grief. Let this however be quite clear. The Almighty is not a person like us. He or It is the greatest living Force or Law in the world. Accordingly, He does not act by caprice, nor does that Law admit of any amendment or improvement. His will is fixed and changeless, everything else changes every second.
no evil in Him. God made man in His own image. Unfortunately for us, man has fashioned Him in his own. This arrogation has landed mankind in a sea of troubles. God is the Supreme Alchemist. In His presence all iron and dross turn into pure gold. Similarly does all evil turn into good. Again, God lives, but not as we. His creatures live but to die. But
Coming from God, they come with life in them. They become part of us and ennoble us. Conversely, God conceived without goodness is without life. We give Him life in our vain imagining. Excerpted from 'The Harijan.' The 68th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi will be observed on January 30.
All the wonderful electromagnetic rays which come from faroff space and impinge on our personality without our knowing what is happening to us also come within the purview of nature. So nature is a very comprehensive term which includes everything and all things. The yoga system is a natural technique, not an unnatural ex-
afraid of nature. This is what yoga will do for us. The yoga exercises, when they are rightly, scientifically and regularly performed, keep us in health no doubt, but they do something more. They harmonize the constituents of our physical personality in such a way that the forces of nature from outside gradually begin to
We do not seem to belong to nature at all because we have asserted a sort of false independence in the regime of nature. It is false because we are a part of nature. The very body that we see with our physical eyes is made up of the five elements earth, water, fire, air and ether. As these five elements outside are the building bricks of this
The yoga exercises, harmonize the constituents of our physical personality in such a way that the forces of nature from outside gradu-
ercise, adopted in an intelligent manner by experts in this line so that we may become so friendly with the forces of nature that we can summon them for our benefit at any moment of time. The forces of nature can be at our beck and call. Nature becomes so friendly with us that it becomes inseparable from our personal life. We need not be
enter into our personality. At present what happens is the structure of our personality repels the forces of nature. We are ego-centered beings. We have a very powerful self-affirmative urge within us. That so-called "I am, I am such-and-such or soand-so" feels so strong in every one of us that nature has begun to regard us as foreigners.
He who has let go of hatred; who treats all beings with kindness and compassion, who is always serene; unmoved by pain or pleasure, free of the "I" and "mine," self-controlled, firm and patient, his whole mind focused on me - that is the man I love best. A gift is pure when it is given from the heart to the right person at the right time and at the right place, and when we expect nothing in return No one who does good work will ever come to a bad end, either here or in the world to come Curving back within myself I create again and again. Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realization and can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness is certainly a person eligible for liberation.
Yoga makes us friendly with forces of nature
ally begin to enter into our personality.
Bhagavad Gita
Swami Krishnananda
very physical body, in what way are we independent? And yet we say, "I am so-and-so, you are such-and-such, and I have nothing to do with you," so that everything is regarded as different from everything else. We have created a division where division is really not. Excerpted from a lecture given on September 19, 1974
Perform all thy actions with mind concentrated on the Divine, renouncing attachment and looking upon success and failure with an equal eye. Spirituality implies equanimity. Hell has three hates: lust, anger and greed.
Insure yourself FIRST. Call Sahanis, (Arish, Priya or Shiv) for your Insurance needs 718- 271- 0453. Serving for last 35 yrs
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January 29, 2016
NEW DELHI: Bollywood actress Asin Thottumkal got married to Micromax founder Rahul Sharma in a Christian wedding ceremony followed by Hindu rituals here. The 30-year-old "Ghajini" star tied the knot in a simple, private ceremony attended by family and close friends at a resort hotel. The Catholic style wedding, which took place in the morning around 11, had Asin dressed in a white gown and Rahul, 39, sporting a black suit and bow tie. "It was a beautiful wedding. Everyone looked amaz-
NEW DELHI: Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, who attended Asin Thottumkal and Rahul Sharma's wedding, says the marriage was a simple but lovely affair. Asin, 30, and Rahul, 39, married in a private ceremony here. Akshay is also glad that he was instrumental in the actress and Micromax founder's meeting and wished them a long and happy married life. "It was a nice affair. Everything went off very well. Asin and Rahul are very private people. Everybody has respected their privacy. It was a very simple affair and today they are very happy and I am very happy that I played the Cupid. I hope that they live like this forever," Akshay told PTI. The actor was one of the early birds to reach the venue and be a part of the wedding. The duo tied the knot first in a Christian wedding and then settled down for a North Indian ceremony in the evening. Asked whose side he represented at the wedding, the actor, one of the first invitees, said, "I was from both the sides."-PTI
ing. It was Asin's idea to have a Catholic wedding. We all are very happy," said a close relative of Rahul. Bollywood superstar and couple's close friend Akshay Kumar attended the function. Delhi-based music group Elohim Worship band performed at the wedding. "Everything went great at the wedding. We played 2-3 songs. Asin looked beautiful in her white gown," said a band member. The evening ceremony, which included jai mala and pheras, atypical of North Indian wedding, was also graced by Akshay. The groom arrived in an open car for the baarat. Both the functions were kept private with tight security arranged at the hotel entrance. It was revealed in August last year that the duo was seeing each other and was set to marry. Asin, known to be a private person, remained mostly silent on her love life. Asin, who made her Bollywood debut opposite superstar Aamir Khan in "Ghajini", was last seen in 2015 comedy "All Is Well". -PTI
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India Post 51 www.indiapost.com
Priyanka nominated at 8th Shorty Awards LOS ANGELES: Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra has bagged a nomination in the best actress category at the 8th Annual Shorty Awards. The nomination comes just a few weeks after she was honored with the best actress in a TV series award for her performance of a FBI recruit in American series "Quantico". The Short Awards highlight the best content across the social media landscape including Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube and Instagram. The 33-year-old actress, who has a huge fan following across all social media platforms, will compete with Amandla Stenberg, Cara Delevingne, Elizabeth Banks, Gabourey Sidibe, Kerry Washington, Maisie Williams, Olivia Wilde, Reese Witherspoon, Taraji P Henson, Uzo Aduba and Zendaya, said The Hollywood Reporter. The best actress category falls under Arts and Entertainment section of the awards. Also placed in the section are actor, celebrity, comedian, musician, dance, singer and show categories. The nominees for the best actor honor are Ansel Elgort Dwayne Johnson, Jared Leto, Jo-
seph Gordon-Levitt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Matt McGorry, Michael B Jordan, Nathan Fillion Ryan Reynolds, Taye Diggs, Tom Hanks and Zac Efron. The best musician category has contenders like Adele Alicia Keys, Best Coast, Diplo, Drake, Kanye West, Little Mix, Nicki Minaj, Pearl Jam, Pharrell Williams, Ryan Adams and St Vincent. Cher, Demi Lovato, Ellie Goulding, FKA twigs Josh Groban, Kacey Musgraves, Rihanna, Sara Bareilles Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Tori Kelly and Troye Sivan are nominated for the best singer award. "@midnight", "Broad City", "Empire", "Game of Thrones", "How To Get Away with Murder", "Lip Sync Battle", "Pretty Little Liars", "Property Brothers", "Saturday Night Live", "Teen Wolf", "The Bachelor &The Bachelorette" and "The Late Late Show with James Corden" are nominated for the best show trophy. The awards will be held in April in New York City and will be available via live stream. -PTI
Shilpa & Ramdev's fun-filled yoga session
B
ollywood's fittest actress Shilpa Shetty is blessed to perform yoga with yoga guru Baba Ramdev. Actress cum entrepreneur Shilpa Shetty Kundra, also presented yoga guru Ramdev her
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Actress Shilpa Shetty
book "The Great Indian Diet" and thanked him for being "so supportive". She is thrilled to seek Baba Ramdev's blessings. "Presented #BabaRamdev with my book@thegreatindiandiet, he's been so supportive. Thrilled with
his blessings #inspiration #happy #blessed," Shilpa tweeted. The duo started the day with a yoga session. "Morning Yoga session with #Baba Ramdev. #yoga#welness #energy," she tweeted. Shilpa and Baba Ramdev's funfilled yoga session went viral on social media platforms. The yoga guru was clad in his tiny saffron dhoti doing asanas with Shilpa Shetty following him dressed up in a grey track suit. Baba Ramdev tweeted#I hope more people will start practicing yog seeing @TheShilpaShetty doing aasnas
Sweden to get a taste of Indian culture KOLKATA: Going beyond ferent Indian languages will be business summits to attract in- screened. vestments, Sweden will get a taste The list includes Aparna Sen's of Indian culture and films this Bengali film 'Arshinagar', Konkani year. film 'Nachom-ia Kumpasar', Hindi Indian Embassy in Sweden will films 'Talvar', 'Island City', 'Maanjhi organize a film festival 'India Un- - The Mountain Man' among othlimited' along with exhibitions on ers. maestro Satyajit Ray and Production of a Bollywood opRabindranath Tagore, Bollywood era which will have Kathak dance opera, Bollywood-themed party and 'filmi' costumes will be proand fashion show. moted. "We have lined up a series of 'Namaste Stockholm' and events from April till August. We 'Namaste Gothenburg' festivals are combining art, business and would also be organized during culture together on the same plat- May-August which will showcase form so that Sweden can understand India in a better way," Sanjoo Three bright designers Malhotra, chief executive director of 'India would be taken to Sweden Unlimited', said. from India by NIFT to showBanashri Bose Harrison, Indian Am- case their talent before an bassador to Sweden, international audience. said Indian cinema is one of the most effective ways of promoting India's im- Indian music, art, culture, dance, age as a creative nation. fashion, cuisine and yoga. "Moreover, the films give the Three bright designers would viewers a glimpse of India's diver- be taken to Sweden from India by sity and attract them to visit the NIFT to showcase their talent becountry," she said in a statement. fore an international audience. "I am optimistic that through The Indian Embassy of Sweden 'Cinema Indien', the Indian Film is promoting this platform with the Festival, that we have started as objective of strengthening Indiathe India Unlimited platform with Sweden connections and partnersupport from National Film Devel- ships in areas which benefit both opment Corporation, we will be countries, specially economic reable to create an awareness of the lations and people-to-people ties. quality, dynamism and variety of On the business front, a CII Indian cinema," the envoy said. delegation will go from India to The film festival will be held in explore business opportunities Stockholm from April 21 to April during May 2-3, Malhotra said. 24 when around 10 films from dif- PTI
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January 29, 2016 www.indiapost.com
Goa to have more starred resorts PANAJI: The Goa Investment Promotion Board has cleared proposals for setting up of four new resorts in the state, including three five-star hotels, besides various other projects entailing investment of about Rs 1,882 crore. "We have cleared total nine different kind of proposals, including five-star hotels, malls, expansion of capacity of Vedanta, entertainment mall and others," Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar told PTI.
He said a total investment of Rs 1,882 crore is expected for these projects which will create about 2,620 jobs. The board had three-hourlong deliberation on various projects, few of which are approved in-principle, he said. Stress is on the hospitality sector as it is non-polluting and Goa is already famous as a tourism destination across the world, Parsekar said.
The minutes of the meeting, a copy of which is available with PTI, reveals that among the fivestar facilities, Soham Leisure Ventures has proposed setting up of a 104-room capacity hotel at Candolim, costing Rs 185.16 crore. Besides, Pehna De France Properties was granted approval for a five-star hotel at Mallim, near Panaji, with an investment of Rs 127 crore. Goa-based Models Leisure Ventures' project of a five star hotel with investment of Rs 105.23 crore was also approved by the board. The GIPB also approved another resort at Sernabhatim in South Goa by Hermitage Builders Private Limited, envisaging an investment of Rs 13.50 crore. The board also gave its consent for a shopping mall and entertainment centre at Succoro, near the state capital. The project is promoted by Models Real Estate Developers. -PTI
Khans pairing with fresh faces MUMBAI: The year 2016 will see Bollywood top stars, from the three Khans - Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman to Hrithik Roshan and Ajay Devgn, pair opposite relatively younger and fresh faces on screen. Shah Rukh, who in the past has given a dream start to the career of actresses like Anushka Sharma and Deepika Padukone, will be seen opposite three newcomers in his upcoming two films "Fan" and "Raees". Popular face of Pakistani entertainment industry, Mahira Khan will be making her Bollywood debut opposite the 50-year-old actor in "Raees". While in Maneesh Sharma's "Fan", Shah Rukh will share screen space with debutantes Waluscha De Sousa and Shriya Pilgaonkar, daughter of Marathi actor Sachin. Aamir will be seen opposite popular TV actress Sakshi Tanwar in his sports-drama "Dangal". Sakshi, best-known for playing the role of Parvati in the hit TV show, "Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii", is playing the "Dhoom 3" actor's wife in the film. Salman, too, will be seen for the first time opposite actress Anushka Sharma in Yash Raj Film's "Sultan". Anushka previously worked
with Shah Rukh and Aamir in "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" and "PK" respectively. Superstar Akshay Kumar, who has earlier enjoyed successful onscreen pairing with Sonakshi Sinha, Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra, is seen with actress Nimrat Kaur in "Airlift". In filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker's next "MohenjoDaro", Hrithik will share screen
nings of actress Ameesha Patel. Grand-niece of legendary actor Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu, Sayesha Saigal, will be paired opposite Ajay in his much-ambitious Diwali-release "Shivaay". Another Khan to be seen with a new female face will be actor Irrfan Khan. The "Talvar" actor will be playing husband to Iranian-French actress Golshifteh Farahani in
space with former beauty pageant contestant Pooja Hegde, who makes her Bollywood debut with the period drama. This will be the second time the "Bang Bang!" star will be paired with a new face after his own debut "Kaho Na Pyar Hai!" which also marked the Bollywood in-
Anup Singh's "The song of Scorpions". Saif Ali Khan and Shahid Kapoor too, will share an unusual pairing in filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj's next, Rangoon", where they are paired opposite Kangana Ranaut. The film will mark the trio's first on-screen outing. -PTI
Award-wapsi a fashion, says Chetan Bhagat PUNE: Popular Indian English writer Chetan Bhagat has termed the 'award-wapsi' campaign as a "fashion". Speaking at the 89th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan or the All India Marathi literary convention at PimpriChinchwad near here, Bhagat noted, "There are different kinds of writers. There are some who want to win the awards and some who want to return the awards." On being asked about the "purpose" of his writing, he said, "I write for myself. Award-wapsi has become a fashion and as far as I am concerned, as I have not received any award, there is no question of returning one." The writers have received love
and affection of the readers which can not be returned, he said. Bhagat, writer of popular English novels such as 'Five Point Someone' and `2 States', has been critical of the award-wapsi (returning of awards) campaign by the writers and artists which gained momentum after the Dadri lynching incident last year. Speaking about his journey from a banker to writer, Bhagat said because of his background, he struggled to get a toehold in the publishing world. "The publishing industry did not accept me easily and it was largely because of my qualification. However, gradually, I managed to get a toehold," he said. PTI
Kabir Bedi slams daughter Pooja MUMBAI: Bollywood Actor wedding. Kabir Bedi has lashed out at She later deleted the tweet and daughter Pooja Bedi for calling his wished her father the best for his newly married wife "wicked and fourth marriage. evil", saying he is "deeply disap"Deleted the last tweet on my pointed" with the comments. dad @iKabirBedi 4th marriage. Bedi, who tied the knot for the Lets keep things positive. I Wish fourth time with Parveen Dusanj him the best!," she posted reon his 70th birthday, took to Twit- cently but Bedi is in no mood to ter to share his displeasure over let bygones be bygones.-PTI the unwelcoming remarks made by Pooja. "DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED by venomous comments by my daughter Pooja against @parveendusanj just after we married. NO excuse for bad behavior (sic)," he wrote. Pooja, who is the daughter of Bedi and his first wife Protima, was not happy with the marriage. "Every fairy tale has a wicked witch or an evil step~mother! Mine just arrived! @iKabirBedi just married @parveendusanj," Kabir Bedi with daughter she had tweeted on JanuPooja Bedi ary 17 immediately after the
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India Post 53 www.indiapost.com
Explosions of color in fashion world H ere is what's in and what's out in the fashion world, according to some style
gurus. A brand new year is here and it's also a time when the fashionconscious are ardently following style blogs, attending fashion week around the globe, devouring fashion glossies, and poring over trend reports. And even if you don't fall into this category, you could do with some fundas the fashion fraternity has to offer for 2016. Stylist and fashion blogger, Manvi Gandotra rounds up two of the biggest trends for the year. She says: "'Maximalism' will be a thing! Last year, we saw a sharp and neat minimalist designs dominate the runways. But it's hard to stay away from explosions of color, bold designs, and embroidered pieces for long. While our favorite geometric and clean-lined pieces will not go completely out of the scene yet, we will certainly see the re-emergence of the maximalist trend."
"A kitsch mix is also in store for us this year. Expect classic patterns, polka dots, stripes, and plaids to be mixed with different colors, layering patterns, and multidirectional shapes. There is go-
ing to be this artsy mash-up which not only adds dimension but also a pop of excitement to the basics. "We will continue to see some interesting artwork inspired clothes with layering, checks and
Manvi Gandotra
polka dots, multi-directional plaids, off-kilter chevrons, and subtle optical illusions," she points out. According to Anaka Narayanan, owner-designer at Brass Tacks, "For women, the trend will lean towards clothes with angular hemlines and armholes, culottes, really long shirts, midi-length skirts and dresses, and boxy tops." "Multi-hued, easy-to-wear and comfortable attire is going to make a statement this season," observes Priya Vasudevan, owner of Collage. Coming to preferred cuts, styles, and silhouettes, she predicts: "This season is all about georgettes, cotton silks, crepes, cotton jacquards, mulmuls, hand woven fabrics, digital prints, embellished silhouettes in crinkled fabric and draped dresses. We will also get to see a lot of casual kurtas, dresses, flares, palazzos, and straight pants." As far as the color palette and prints for 2016 goes, "We will see
colors of the same family together (various shades of green, for example)," Anaka adds. Fashion trends, as we know, are of cyclic nature. What's in today is out tomorrow and vice versa. Freelance designer, Niyati Manoj, says, "Comebacks would be in terms of Victorian fashion. From ruffles and puffy sleeves to high necklines, flower detailing, and the incorporation of lace, influences from the Victorian-era will manifest this year. Off shoulder tops and dresses will also be back on the fashion circuit. Denims will also be worn as dresses, shirts, and skirts in light-weight material." "It's time to use less of capes and crop tops, as it has been repeated quite often throughout the year," Priya suggests, while Manvi thinks it's time to bid adieu to platform sneakers. Now that you've got your style files all sorted, here's to a fashionable year ahead!
Bold, black kitchens serve up style
T
he kitchen's often a room to experiment - with decor, as well as food and drink. Over the years we've seen yellow, turquoise, avocado green, greige and white take their turn as favored hues. But right now, black is back. ``It makes perfect sense, stylewise,'' says New York City designer Elaine Griffin. ``We began seeing the rise of black appliances as sleek and stylish non-white alternatives to pricier stainless options at the new millennium, and black as the `new neutral' wall color has been gaining popularity over the past decade.'' You can go ultramodern or traditional when bringing black into the kitchen. High-end, Euro-style lacquered cabinetry from companies like Boffi, Poliform and Bulthap is sleek and sexy. Marble countertops and geometric fixtures can create a glamorous, jewel-box kitchen, great for entertaining. Put the hue on Shaker-style cabinets, add rustic French tile, smooth quartz counters and handrubbed brass fittings, and you've got a sophisticated space. Or add a walnut or maple slab island and saddle leather stools for an industrial look. A few things to remember if you're going to get a black kitchen right: Contrast is key. Going over-
board with black will get you a kitchen that resembles a bad mall hair salon, says Griffin. Use black on the cabinets and a paler hue on counters and floors, or vice versa. Maria Killam, a color expert and designer in Vancouver, British Columbia, agrees. ``Make sure your floors and countertops are very light to balance and contrast the super-dark cabinets. Working with black is a balancing act and requires some skill,'' she advises. ``Simple white tile with black grout is a great way to get some light in the space and give a nod to classic kitchens.'' Killam suggests including wood elements like a butcherblock island countertop. ``Wood lower cabinets would work with black countertops and upper shelving, for example. I would keep the wood finishes as natural as possible ... and relatively pale so the overall effect isn't too heavy,'' she says. Ikea offers the Sektion kitchen cabinets in black, and there is a range of coordinating black kitchen fittings there too, including drawer pulls, storage items and trash cans. You can repaint existing cabinetry if you're budget-conscious. Consider Benjamin Moore's Midsummer Night, Sherwin-Williams' Black Fox, Valspar's Raven Black or Behr's
Black Suede. Many shades of black pick up other hues in an interesting way _ midnight blues, chocolates and sooty grays, for example. Choose the right finish: Save the glossy paint for trim or you'll be swabbing fingerprints forever. ``Like a little black dress, accessories make a statement in a
pin legs, as well as comfy-looking upholstered ones, and several stools in snazzy hues like red, orange and blue. Embossed or painted concrete, sculpted limestone, pressed tin, or wallpaper would be striking complements to black cabinetry and fittings. Add an Art Deco touch to a
black kitchen, so choose your hardware and fixtures with care,'' advises Griffin. ``Polished or antiqued brass and black is a white-hot finish option right now, for both contemporary and traditional looks.'' Add a cool stool; Houzz has a big selection. Recent offerings include stools with chic, slim hair-
black kitchen with Giorbello's Water Jet glass tiles. Daltile's Bamboo Forest faux wood tile would be a durable, style-savvy backsplash or floor. Italian ceramic tile maker Fap has a matte-black subway tile in its new Boston collection. The right lighting is important in a black kitchen. Killam likes skylights and large windows to take
advantage of natural light. To avoid what Griffin calls ``black hole syndrome'', install lights at multiple height levels: ceiling, pendant, under-cabinet and even countertop lamps. Lamps Plus has forged-iron and rubbed-bronze chandeliers and pendants. Hudson Valley Lighting's Lydney polished black nickel pendant would work well in any style of kitchen. Those who like the idea of black but are tentative might consider introducing one or two black elements. Chicago design studio KitchenLab has used black accents like islands, lighting, kitchen ladders and window treatments. Artwork and textiles incorporating black with brights, whites, or subtle neutrals like sage, putty and cream add drama. Instead of paint, consider black appliances. GE's got a slate, French-door refrigerator with a smudge-resistant finish. Ikea offers a black cooktop. Upscale brands like AGA and Le Cornue have black enameled stoves. Jenn-Air's Obsidian fridge has a black interior, ostensibly making even the humblest leftovers look magazine-worthy. Wayfair stocks a broad range of black faucets by Moen, Delta and Kohler, in matte or satin finishes. -AP
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Contours of Sino-Indian relations in 2016
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WASBIR HUSSAIN
R
iding on clear signs of an ascendant India and a massive electoral mandate behind him, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on course to try and break the status quo in New Delhi's ties with Beijing, setting the ball rolling by re-calibrating and infusing life into relations with Japan and the US. Modi knows he need not pursue anything blatantly anti-China, but only has to use India's huge market and economic growth potential to goad Beijing to be pragmatic on the way to evolve a solution to the border logjam and agree to initiate measures to reduce the trade imbalance-two issues New
economy and the job sector that can take care of the aspirations of the country's 365 million youth aged between 10-24. That is the reason New Delhi has launched its ambitious 'Make in India' campaign and is also the prime reason why it wants China to really invest big time here. True, Japan has beat China in bagging the $15 billion contract for building India's first bullet train project in the 505-km-long MumbaiAhmedabad sector. However, it is also true that an India-China consortium is conducting a feasibility study to build a high-speed rail track on the 2,200km Chennai-Delhi sector, in addi-
Chinese President Xi Jinping with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Delhi would like to achieve breakthroughs on. Much of India's efforts in 2016 on the China front will be to work for a level playing field in areas such as access to the Chinese market to boost exports and reduce the trade gap; increasing the quantum of Chinese investments; and, of course, bridging the differences on the border question so as to resolve the issue permanently. By now, the ability of Chinese companies to peddle their wares in India is legend, but they are reluctant to invest in the country. In fact, Chinese investment in India is lesser than those of Canada, Poland, or Malaysia. For instance, in the past 14 years, UK has invested $ 21.5 billion in India; but China's investment stands at $ 0.4 billion - less than Canada's $ 0.5 billion. It is true that India has dethroned China as the world's fastest growing large economy, with a growth rate of around 7.5 per cent. However, New Delhi still has a lot to do to improve the nation's
tion to the 1,200-km New DelhiMumbai corridor. If New Delhi, would strive for a deeper economic engagement with Beijing in the coming days, China will seek to bring India on board its ambitious and controversial 'Silk Road' projects that began with the launch of the 'One Belt One Road' initiative. China's New Silk Road aims to link Central and South Asia by roads, railway and energy pipelines. China has already flagged off the longest cargo rail link in the world, connecting its manufacturing hub Yiwu to Madrid, Spain. One of the sectors in this belt is a corridor that envisages linking China's Yunnan province with Myanmar, Bangladesh and India. New Delhi is wary about this project as it fears the deepening Chinese presence or influence in the region, but countries like Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Indonesia are already on board. What the Modi government will have to decide in 2016 is whether India can afford to stay away from
such a trans-national connectivity initiative in today's geopolitical scenario. Bilateral contacts are expected to continue in the coming days because both countries appear to have realized that the simultaneous re-emergence of India and China as two major powers offers a great opportunity for the realization of the Asian Century. Both have already agreed that the border is 'generally stable' and have endorsed 'concrete actions' to implement the consensuses reached. Already, indications are emerging that the two could actually be keen to work on the economic engagement aspect more while continuing efforts to keep the border cool before a possible solution is reached. New Delhi has taken symbolic first steps in easing relations with Beijing. During his May 2015 visit to China, Modi announced that EVisas would be extended to Chinese tourists visiting India. It has been said that he made the announcement against the advice of the security establishment. One would now expect Beijing to stop issuing stapled visas to Indian nationals from Arunachal Pradesh - a practice aimed at reinforcing its claim on the frontier state. These are irritants New Delhi would work on in the days ahead. Another critical issue New Delhi cannot ignore is that concerning China's massive dam projects on the shared rivers, particularly the Yarlung Tsangpo, known in India as the Brahmaputra. The Zangmu dam near the Ubend, as the river enters Arunachal Pradesh, has already been commissioned, and Beijing has approved the construction of three more dams on the river. This has led to real and serious concerns in the lower riparian areas like Northeast India and Bangladesh. In the absence of a water treaty between the two nations and China only committed to providing India with flood-data during monsoons. India has to work hard to secure Beijing's nod on a water agreement. In 2016, of course, one can safely say trade and commerce would dominate the dialogue between the two countries. The writer is Executive Director, Centre for Development & Peace Studies, Guwahati, and Visiting Fellow, IPCS, New Delhi
Belated concern
E
ven though a bit late, President Obama has spoken on the Pathankot attack by Pak-based terrorists asking Pakistan to dismantle "all" terror networks. Immediately after the attack, only some minor spokespersons had commented and made equivocal noises about India-Pakistan continuing to talk. After the Paris attacks Obama had spoken immediately condemning the carnage. That shows the difference between the West view of terror attacks on their soil and terror attacks on Indian soil. Even this comment of Obama was ferreted out of him by a PTI correspondent in a special interview. Otherwise it would perhaps have not come. And the Indian media has gone to town with Obama's comment although he had spoken on various issues concerning India-US relations. It is not as if the US did nothing after the Pathankot attack. Having a special relationship with Pakistan, they chose to bring pressure on it instead of making a statement condemning it for the world to see. US Secretary of State John Kerry telephoned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and told him in forthright terms that the India-Pakistan dialogue must not be derailed and Pakistan must work to investigate and bring to justice any Pakistan-based individuals involved in the Pathankot airbase attack. While the general media and TV in Pakistan went about disclaiming any Pak hand in Pathankot attack, the Dawn in an editorial advised PM Sharif to look within the country for the perpetrators of the Pathankot attack instead of sending a team to India to investigate. In a rare courageous move it asked the PM to investigate "Were Pakistanis involved in the Pathankot attack? Where was the plan conceived and how were preparations made? What assistance, if any, did the attackers receive from Pakistani soil, including in the breach of the international border? Surely, given the vast counterterrorism dragnet that has been thrown across the country in the fight against militancy, it should not be too difficult for the security and intelligence apparatus to establish the facts here." This is a clear admission that Pakistan can get at the perpetrators any time. Sending a team to India would be continuing the dilatory tactics and diversionary moves well known by now. If Pakistan wants to send a team to India; India also wanted to send investigators to interrogate Masood Azhar and his brother but Pakistan "politely refused", according to a senior Pakistani official. PM Sharif has also admitted that he has received fresh leads from India on the Pathankot attack and would look and examine those evidences. Revealing the earlier mindset, he added, "We could have hidden it or forgotten it but we asserted that we have received the evidences." Bravo PM. But it hardly gives hope that the evidence will be seriously pursued. The Dawn editorial concluded that, "If Pathankot was possible even before talks officially resumed, it is frightening to think of the possibilities in the midst of serious dialogue." This puts in perspective the dangers that are strewn around attempts to let India and Pakistan talk. While an unofficial statement from Pakistan says the Foreign Secretary level talks will be resumed next month, it has also to be taken into account the disruptive forces within India like the Shiv Sena who would oppose the talks. The ruling BJP itself is not united on this score. It is a different matter that PM Modi asks nobody's opinion before deciding on a course of action. A heartening development this week has been the Arab nations joining India in condemning terrorism. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was in Bahrain for the Ministerial Meeting of ArabIndia Cooperation Forum where India and the Arab League vowed to combat terrorism and called for developing a strategy to "eliminate" its sources and extremism including its funding. They also made a strong pitch for delinking religion from terrorism. If Arab nations can join in condemning Pak terrorism, a ray of hope emerges.
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