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Mahashivratri celebrated in Bay Area Details on page 16

Big corporates pledge to invest in Haryana Details on page 6

VOL 21, No. 1120

March 11, 2016

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MODI GOVT SLOW ON KEY REFORMS: U.S.

NEW YORK: The Narendra Modi government has not moved as fast as expected to implement long-awaited reforms like the GST and Land Acquisition Bill, a senior US trade official said and asked American businesses to be patient since reforms cannot be implemented overnight.

"US businesses still find it difficult to do business in India due to an inconsistent regulatory environment, systemic infrastructure bottlenecks, lack of transparency and uncertainty in corporate governance rules," Assistant Secretary for Global Markets in the US Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration Arun Kumar said here.

"We consistently dialogue with the Indian government on these subjects," he said, adding that US' trade and investment with India will also greatly depend on the Government of India's efforts to strengthen the local business climate.

Kumar, in his keynote address to a session on India-US relations and impact of the Indian Budget 2016 jointly organized by the Asia Society, KPMG and US-India Business Council, said Intellectual Property Rights protection is another key concern for US businesses that will need to be addressed to prompt greater foreign investment.

Details on page 5

Priyanka sizzles as baddie in 'Baywatch' Details on page 50

India moves WTO against US on visa issue Details on page 12

Marshall Islands moves UN against India Details on page 5

JNU professor questions Kanhaiya's facts

Pak told not to make Kashmir ‘pre-condition’

Details on page 6

Details on page 8

Indian Accent opens restaurant in New York

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29

WOMEN'S DAY BRAND OF AUTHORITY: Lawmaker Ranjeet Ranjan, Lok Sabha MP from Supaul (Bihar), arrives at Parliament House in New Delhi riding a Harley Davidson bike on International Women's Day on March 8

Details on page 6

INDIA POST SURVEY survey@indiapost.com This week’s question

Has it become easier to do business in India?

Last week’s result

Bollywood actors will face discrimination in US? YES 67%

NO 33%

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Classifieds ------------------------- 48 Community Post -------------- 16-23 Date Book -------------------------- 47 Edit Page --------------------------- 54 HealthScience Post --------- 32-35 Horoscope ------------------------- 31 Immigration Post ------------- 44-46 Life Style ----------------------- 50-52 Philosophy ------------------------- 53 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 36-38 TechBiz Post ------------------- 12-15 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 40-43

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wouldn't so much as go to the extent of dubbing this election cycle as the 'election of the bizarre and the absurd' because we do get moments of sanity from the Democratic campaigns of Clinton and Sanders. But of course we are referring to the Republican palette when we use such qualifying adjectives; and just as scarily entertaining (like watching a cringing-in-your-seat horror movie) as the Trump campaign has been, I found it highly amusing to see a bunch of Indian Americans, Sikh Americans (oh yeah, they identify themselves separately), and Muslim Americans come out in support of the maverick wiseacre (found this word in the Power Thesaurus!).

So earlier this week we had the 'Sikh Americans for Trump' and 'Muslim Americans for Trump' launching their support to The Donald claiming he (Trump) was not at all against the Sikhs or the Muslim community in America. They of course blame the mainstream media for giving Trump's words the unsavory spin.

To understand them, we will try not to remember that just over a month ago a Sikh was manhandled and thrown out from a Trump rally in Iowa for holding up a 'Stop Hate' banner. Trump referred to his turban as a 'hat' and somehow used it to context the Paris terrorist attacks, which incidentally were more fodder for this Presidential hopeful to renew his anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Apparently, these supporters have a different spin on Trump's vitriol. They say the mainstream media are scared of him challenging the status quo; and agree with Trump that all Muslims who want to enter the United States should be vetted. As for his anti-Muslim rants, they are not against American Muslims, they say.

While not all American Muslims may agree with such sentiments, it may surprise many to know that a recent poll revealed that of all the Republican candidates in the fray, American Muslims would rather vote for Trump than a Cruz or Rubio.

Meanwhile, the Indian American Trump backers believe that policy-wise Trump will benefit their community the most; and that he is the best hope for America. Well, I better not say anything!

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Super chat Supposedly not on good terms, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Shah Rukh Khan were recently found chatting for hours together

Cover Story: Slow reforms The Narendra Modi government has not moved as fast as expected to implement long-awaited reforms, says US

Community: Maha Shivratri Vedic Dharma Samaj temple in Fremont celebrated Maha Shivratri puja spread over two days on March 6 and 7.

Volte face Donald Trump reversed himself on a key immigration-policy issue in the middle of the Republican presidential debate.

Life style: Priyanka sizzles Actress Priyanka Chopra looks ravishing in a white calf-length on the sets of her debut Hollywood flick 'Baywatch.'

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India moves WTO India has filed a complaint in the WTO against the US decision to impose high fees on temporary working visas

Kodaikanal Tucked away among the Palani Hills in Tamilnadu, and guarded like a prized jewel by dark forests, is Kodaikanal.

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Modi govt slow on key reforms: US NEW YORK: The Narendra Modi government has not moved as fast as expected to implement long-awaited reforms like the GST and Land Acquisition Bill, a senior US trade official said and asked American businesses to be patient since reforms cannot be implemented overnight.

"US businesses still find it difficult to do business in India due to an inconsistent regulatory environment, systemic infrastructure bottlenecks, lack of transparency and uncertainty in corporate governance rules," Assistant Secretary for Global Markets in the US Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration Arun Kumar said here.

"We consistently dialogue with the Indian government on these subjects," he said, adding that US' trade and investment with India will also greatly depend on the Government of India's efforts to strengthen the local business climate.

Kumar, in his keynote address to a session on India-US relations and impact of the Indian Budget 2016 jointly organized by the Asia Society, KPMG and US-India Business Council, said Intellectual Property Rights protection is another key concern for US businesses that will need to be addressed to prompt greater foreign investment.

He said that US companies are looking to India to "approve and implement long-awaited reforms" including the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Land Acquisition Bill and the Bankruptcy Law that would considerably lower the burden of doing business.

"The Modi government is well aware of the hurdles and while it may not be moving as fast as some would like, it has taken a number

Arun Kumar

of initial positive steps," he said, citing the "real progress" made by India on complex tax issues, reducing the backlog of transfer pricing cases and easing foreign investment restrictions in the defense and railways sector.

He said India has also shown an "initial willingness" to address long standing agricultural concerns.

He pointed out that US businesses have to be patient since

reforms cannot be implemented overnight and given the vast growth opportunities in India, it is important that US businesses do not lose faith but hold on to the Indian economic growth story.

"For our part, we will need to show continuing patience, perseverance and understanding and also be creative in our problem solving as we know from our own national experience that implementing reforms in a vibrant democracy is complicated and does not happen overnight but make no mistake India's vast untapped opportunity makes staying the course a commercial imperative," Kumar added.

He, however, noted that high tariffs on inputs and procurement and other policies that favor domestic sourcing have historically complicated India's integration in the global supply chains and its ability to increase exports.

In this context, Kumar said a "welcome feature" of the new budget is the reduction of duties on imports of parts and components.

Kumar, addressing an audience of analysts, policy experts, entrepreneurs and company executives, said India released the new budget in the backdrop of a global slowdown and widespread turmoil in financial markets.

"The Government of India is trying hard to keep the positive pro-growth agenda moving forward while balancing the equally important fiscal consolidation constraints and the need to help a stressed agricultural sector.

"This is not an easy task for the world's largest democracy but India should be commended for its continuing efforts to maintain and improve its role as a critical engine of growth in the global economy," he said.

Terming the progress being made by India as "tangible", he said India and the US can achieve much more working together and the US Department of Commerce is intent on realizing the promise and potential of the commercial relationship between New Delhi

ness with each other is fundamental to the future growth trajectory of India-US commercial relationship.

"Many US companies are increasingly optimistic about India.

While we are enthusiastic about the overall positive direction in the US-India engagement, we realize that our commercial relationship has considerable room to grow," Kumar said.

He noted that in terms of merchandise trade, India was America's 18th largest export mar-

Terming the progress being made by India as "tangible", he said India and the US can achieve much more working together and the US Department of Commerce is intent on realizing the promise and potential of the commercial relationship between New Delhi and Washington and Washington.

He said India's decision to ratify the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for nuclear damage sends a "positive message" to the US business community and is "likely to enable greater US private sector participation in Indian nuclear power sector while improving the reliability and sustainability of India's electricity supply".

He said ease of doing business between India and US is among the most important areas of work at the Commerce Department, since make it easier to do busi-

ket at 21.5 billion dollars in 2015, while US exports to China were 116 billion dollars that year.

"We continue to work on addressing the market access challenges facing US companies. We believe PM Modi's ambitious goals of 'Make in India' will be helped by more US companies successfully trading with India," he said.

Kumar underscored that businesses want to sell first and validate a market before making a commitment to invest overseas as investment typically follows trade.-PTI

Marshall Islands moves UN against India THE HAGUE/NEW DELHI: Marshall Islands has moved the UN's International Court of Justice in The Hague against India accusing it of failing to halt the nuclear arms race, evoking a sharp reaction from India which has written to the ICJ saying NPT provisions cannot be extended to it as a legal obligation.

The tiny South Pacific state began legal proceedings against India at the United Nations' highest court, as part of cases against three of the world's nuclear powers - India, Pakistan and the UK - in a bid to infuse new life into disarmament negotiations.

"The Republic of the Marshall Islands has instituted proceedings at the International Court of Justice against all nuclear weapon states, including India, contending breach of customary law obligations on nuclear disarmament flowing from Article VI of the Non-Pro-

Members of the Indian delegation to the International Court of Justice, Neeru Chadha, left, and Harish Salve, center, greet a member of the Marshall Islands legal team ahead of a preliminary hearing on nuclear disarmament at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands on March 7

liferation Treaty (NPT).

"Government believes that given our consistent and principled position on the NPT, to which India is not a party, NPT provisions cannot be extended to India as a legal obligation. India has written to the ICJ denying this contention and reiterating India's position of principle on nuclear disarmament," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in New Delhi.

Hearings of the ICJ in this regard are to take place shortly, he added.

The Marshall Islands filed cases against all nine nations that have declared or are believed to possess nuclear weapons - the US, Russia, the UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea. But only the cases against the UK, India and Pakistan got to this preliminary stage as the other six declined to take part, according to the Marshall Islands' legal team.-PTI

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Big corporates pledge investment in Haryana GURGAON: Several big corporate houses, such as China-based Dalian Wanda, real estate major DLF, Indiabulls Group, ITC and Jindal Realty, have pledged huge investments in Haryana over the coming years.

On the first day of the two-day Happening Haryana investor summit here, Indiabull Group announced an investment of Rs 25,000 crore and DLF committed Rs 20,000 crore in next 5-10 years.

Jindal Realty plans to invest Rs 1,800 crore in four projects.

Speaking at the occasion, Wang Jianlin, Chairman of Dalian Wanda Group said his company attaches great importance to partnership with Haryana.

"We are working with the Haryana Government to set up a super large project, where 150,000200,000 jobs will be created," he said.

Vice-chairman of DLF Rajiv Singh said the company has been an active participant in Haryana's development over the past 70 years. "(We) are convinced that the state is entering an unprecedented

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and others at the ‘Happening Haryana Global Investors Summit-2016’ in Gurgaon on March 7

era of development. We will invest more than Rs 20,000 crore in the

next 5-10 years," he said.

YC Deveshwar, Chairman of

Indian Accent opens restaurant in New York NEW YORK: Indian Accent, voted India's best restaurant for two years in a row, has opened its

first international location here offering inventive Indian cuisine that combines global ingredients and techniques with authentic Indian flavors.

The restaurant, founded by renowned restaurateur Rohit Khattar and helmed by celebrated Chef Manish Mehrotra, has been receiving rave reviews ever since it opened late last month and has already hosted Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman among its early diners.

"We have been evaluating multiple opportunities to open another Indian Accent, but none have been as exciting and promising as New York City. We have just opened and hope that New

York too shall embrace our inven- among the early celebrated dintive Indian cuisine," said Khattar, ers at the new international locaChairman of Old World Hospital- tion, Khattar said.

A team of chefs from the origiity, which operates two convention nal Indian Accent are assisting and performing Mehrotra in the kitchen in New arts centers and York as the restaurant establishes two hotels in the a foothold in the city's competiNCR region and tive fine dining market.

"It's a great time for modern over 40 restaurants Indian food, both in India and across India.

Khattar told PTI overseas. We are delighted with that he along with the way our beautiful interiors Mehrotra worked have shaped up and excited that for several months our food is being appreciated so to design a menu much in New York," Mehrotra, that caters to the in- who is Corporate Chef Luxury ternational diner in New York City Dining at Old World Hospitality, but at the same time has the rich said. -PTI flavors of cuisine from all corners of India.

The 60seat modern Indian restaurant in midtown Manhattan is fast becoming a preferred destination for fine dining in New York City and Chef Manish Mehrotra Rahman was

ITC said his company will invest Rs 550 crore in food processing.

Dilip Shanghvi, Managing Director of Sun Pharmaceutical said: "Our research centre in Gurgaon has 1,100 scientists. We thank the state government for facilitating this sector through the EPP 2015.

We are planning to set up a training centre in Gurgaon".

Godrej Group, which has seven real estate projects in the state, plans to further increase investment.

"We are looking forward to setting up more in the near future.

We are very optimistic about our real estate investments," said Group Chairman Adi Godrej.

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, Chairman and Managing Director of Hero Motocorp Pawan Munjal, Chairman of Essel Group and ZEE Subhash Chandra and Chairman of Maruti Suzuki RC Bhargava were among the several big corporate leaders who spoke on the occasion.

Narayana Murthy, Chairman Emeritus, Infosys and Indra Nooyi, Chairperson and CEO, PepsiCo participated in the summit through video conferencing. PTI

JNU professor questions Kanhaiya's facts NEW DELHI: Makarand nine ninety nine thousand five Paranjape, poet and professor of hundred and fifty three. Almost a English at Jawaharlal Nehru Uni- million and how many people were versity, has taken on students' executed for criminal and civil union president Kanhaiya Kumar charges? Only 34000," he added. who is facing sedition charge, askParanjape was speaking at the ing him whether he checked his Speak-in at the administration facts before delivering the much block, the 15th of the edition. celebrated speech.

What, however, stands out "Kanhaiya said in his cel- was that his speech was interebrated speech Golwalkar met rupted first by sloganeering by Mussolini. Did you check your Kanhaiya Kumar and was also facts; it was Moonje who met booed by some students in the Mussolini.

"I am not saying they were not im- What, however, stands out pressed by the fascists, was that his speech was they were. They interrupted first by thought it is a very good idea to have an sloganeering by Kanhaiya authoritarian system.

Kumar and was also booed "Please let us agree by some students in the on what is factual and audience what is not.

"Fascism stands for anti-democratic position and so audience, unlike other speakers does Stalinism," Paranjape said who took a pro-Left position on while addressing the students at the issue of Nationalism debate.

JNU. Paranjape was also made to face "I am proud to belong to a questions from audience, again country where one so called judi- led by Kumar. cial murder created such a huge Speaking amidst a gathering ruckus. Do you know how many which was either neutral or projudicial murders were committed Left, Paranjape still took on Kumar from 1920 to 1950s in Stalin's s citing "misrepresentation" durUSSR? ing his speech after his release "Seven hundred and seventy from jail post the interim-bail.-PTI

March 11, 2016

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Indian-American leads research against Clinton WASHINGTON: As US presidential election gathers steam, a young Indian-American-led research team is set to bring two separate dossiers on Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, the two Democratic Party frontrunners, that would raise serious questions on their candidature.

The voluminous dossier against Clinton is based on publicly available resources and hundreds of petitions filed under the freedom of information act (FOIA) similar to India's Right to Information Act - which have been compiled by the Republican Party research team headed by 31-yearold Raj Shah.

"What we are seeing, a candidate (Clinton) after decades of living in a bubble, whether secret service protection, living in highend mansions and nice fundraiser with elite crowd seems to be out of touch and out of step with the struggles of middle-income voters," Shah told PTI in an interview.

A graduate of the prestigious Cornell University, Shah, was appointed as research director of Republican National Committee (RNC) by its chair Reince Priebus last February.

Shah exuded confidence that the Clinton dossier now almost ready would raise serious questions about her candidature.

Questions about her "charac-

ment in particular secret email server that has got her into hot water," Shah alleged.

Refusing to divulge details of the dossier, Shah indicated that Clinton's term in the State Department would be one of the main

Raj Shah

focus areas to attack the former First Lady.

Shah said a similar dossier is ready for Sanders, the Senator from Vermont, the other Democratic presidential candidate.

"Our primary mission in the campaign is to make the case that Clinton and Sanders can take the country further down the wrong direction," he said.

In fact, Shah is known for specializing in anti-Clinton research.

As co-founder of America Rising PAC, which he co-founded, he wrote a book "Failed Choices: A Critique of the Hillary Clinton State Department," with co-au-

‘Her record as Secretary of State, when you scratch the surface, there is a whole lot of vulnerability there, whether it is foreign policy, whether you look at actions of Russia, look at chaos in the Middle East, Libya and other places’ ter" and "honesty" would keep on lingering, he said, referring to the documents that are now in his possession and would be finally handed over to the Republican presidential nominee, whenever it is decided.

"Somebody who has lived the way she has for so many years, cannot possibly understand the struggles of middle class Americans," Shah said, adding, "her failures dramatically outweigh the accomplishments."

"Her record as Secretary of State, when you scratch the surface, there is a whole lot of vulnerability there, whether it is foreign policy, whether you look at actions of Russia, look at chaos in the Middle East, Libya and other places."

"Then, there is how she handled managing State Depart-

thors Stephen Thompson and Tim Miller.

"Raj is the expert on the subject of all things Clinton, and his expertise will be an asset to our party," Priebus said at the time of his appointment last February.

Shah had served as deputy research director at the RNC during the 2012 election cycle.

He also served in various research roles at the White House during President George W Bush's second term.

As of now, he observed, it would be difficult to say who among Clinton and Sanders would be easier to defeat in the November presidential elections.

"With Sanders there is inexperience factor, his positions are more outside the mainstream," Shah said in response to a question, adding character questions

would linger the most for Clinton.

"We are seeing a pattern in public life that stretches back decades now, shifting positions in ways that are politically convenient. Some of the stuff that she is being criticized on the campaign trail like speaking fee, she has a long history with that as well.

"It dates back to 1990s, selling overnight stays in Lincoln bedroom and coffees at the White House," he alleged.

Shah has been doing "opposition research" for over a decade now.

"We build out a fact-driven case for or against the candidates that we are looking at. What we do in the research team is to put together in the fact sheet," he said.

He said the document against Clinton would be nearly 1000 pages-long and the research is all based on information that is publicly available.

"We filed hundreds of FOIA to all state and federal offices. That is a process that uncovers new information that may not have been in the public domain. It is a lot about connecting the dots," he said. But he ruled out looking into personal and private lives of the opponents.

"We are not looking into personal lives," he said.-PTI

Pak told not to make Kashmir pre-condition for talks ISLAMABAD: Settling the its probe into the Pathankot atKashmir issue should not be a pre- tack. condition for holding talks be"The probe team will visit Intween India and Pakistan, British dia in the next few days," he said.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond Aziz also said that there is no said here as he asked the two na- pre-condition for the meeting of tions not to allow non-state ac- the foreign secretaries of the two tors and other pressure groups to nations. However, he said that derail the peace process. their meeting could take place afHe also asked Pakistan to ter the visit of Pakistani probe speed up the investigation into team to India. the January 2 Pathankot attack Aziz said that Pakistan also which India has blamed on Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed He also asked Pakistan to (JeM) militant group. speed up the investigation "Settling the Kashmir issue should not be into the January 2 Pathankot a precondition for start- attack which India has ing the dialogue process," Hammond, who blamed on Pakistan-based was here on a day-long Jaish-e-Mohammed visit, said during a joint press conference with Pakistan Premier's advisor on for- shared intelligence with India eign affairs Sartaj Aziz. about possible terror attacks.

"I urge both Pakistan and In"Sharing of intelligence among dia not to allow non-state actors various nations of the world is a and other pressure groups to de- routine practice and this happens rail the peace process," he said. around the world. However, this "I welcome Pakistan's commit- time it was somehow leaked to ment to vigorously pursue media. But this showed Pakistan's Pathankot attack investigations commitment to fight terrorism," he and we hope that the country will said. make progress in the investigaThe British Foreign Secretary tion," he said. also appreciated the role of PakiAziz said that a joint investiga- stan in the fight against terrorism.tion team is in process to complete PTI

I'm a tuberculosis survivor: Bachchan NEW DELHI: "I am a tuberculosis survivor" and that is why "I took up" the cause of spreading awareness about the disease, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has said ahead of World Tuberculosis Day. "Many people ask me why I contribute my services to medical causes. I have had a complicated medical history. One of the reasons I took up TB is because I am a TB survivor.

In 2000, I was detected with TB and went through a very rigorous treatment for almost a year. I contracted TB on the day I was going to start TV show KBC. It was a TB of spine.

"It's very uncomfortable.

You cannot sit or lie down.

Most of the time, I was on 8-10 pain killers a day just to survive the period when I was anchoring the game show," the megastar said as he joined US Ambassador to India Richard R Verma, civil society and health workers for a reception ahead of World Tuberculosis Day on March 24.

He said that with treatment for

a year, he became free of the disease.

"The reason I disclosed is that I felt that the word survivor is somehow a very powerful word.

When I say I am TB survivor, it seems like I survived a plane crash

Amitabh Bachchan

or boat sinking. If you survive that, it lends a lot of power and strength to what you are saying deeper. It's like saying that I have survived it because I went through a process," he said. "...I said let me go there and say I am a TB survivor and I play with my grandchildren and live a normal life. That it cannot get

transferred. There are precautions, of course," he said.

Aimed at keeping up the recent momentum behind collaborative TB efforts, the Roosevelt House reception at the American Embassy focuses attention on TB survivors.

Bachchan, who is the Centre's brand ambassador for 'Call to Action for a TBfree India', said TB is normally associated with people who live with lesser means but everybody is "vulnerable" to the disease.

"It seems a little arrogant and immodest to say but what I really want to say is that if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. It's not trying to place degree amongst people. It's just trying to say that anyone can contract TB. "If it is not detected in time, it can become grave. I had the medical help and guidance to get it detected and if I am sitting here as healthy, it was partly because we were able to detect the disease in time," he said.-PTI

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Modi has met his match in Kanhaiya: Sahgal NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met his match in Kanhaiya Kumar, noted writer Nayantara Sahgal has said as she praised the JNUSU president for his speech at JNU after his release from jail and his subsequent "rational" interviews to the media.

"Kanhaiya Kumar has electrified India with not only his speech in which much passion prevailed, but also in the interviews that he has given to the media where much rationality, much common sense, much quiet measured talk and a command of facts prevailed," she said here.

"We owe him a huge debt of gratitude for taking us out of that molasses of depression which many of us had fallen into for a while. Mr Modi has met his match in Kanhaiya Kumar," she said at the launch of Rajmohan Gandhi's latest book "Understanding the Founding Fathers".

According to Sahgal, Gandhi's book is essentially a response to the criticism meted out at the founding fathers of India by two men Swami Sachidanand of Gujarat

together during difficult times, she asserted it was instead a "permanent cultural cement" that bound the country, and that it was the latter that prevented the country

Nayantara Sahgal

from collapsing under the attack of Hindutva forces.

"What does not fall apart and has not fallen apart for centuries is a permanent cultural cement. It has been ineradicable through centuries. That is basically what

Sahgal, niece of Jawaharlal Nehru, said it was imperative for the countrymen to be offensive, particularly in the current scenario, when "facts of our recent history are being totally falsified and education and culture are really in a battleground by our ruling government" and Perry Anderson, an American Marxist scholar.

The author writes in a "defensive" mode explaining that India is not what Anderson says and that Indians do not value the things that the Swami does.

Sahgal, niece of Jawaharlal Nehru, said it was imperative for the countrymen to be offensive, particularly in the current scenario, when "facts of our recent history are being totally falsified and education and culture are really in a battleground by our ruling government".

"In this day and age where everything that we value, the whole meaning of India and what India stands for is under dangerous attack, we need to be on the offensive. Everyone of us needs to stand up and be counted and speak out... We never need to explain ourselves to any one," she said.

Contradicting Gandhi, who writes in the book about the existence of a "temporary cement" of a common enemy holding India

holds us together and which the advocates of Hindutva are now trying to destroy," she said, adding being a Hindu, born and brought up in Uttar Pradesh, she considered herself a "Muslim by culture".

I don't know if the government has read what Ambedkar writes in his book 'Annihilation of Caste' and I quote him, 'If you wish to bring about a breach in the system, you have to apply dynamites to the Vedas and the Shastras. You must destroy religion of the Shrutis and the Smritis'," she said.

Referring to the ongoing debate over nationalism, historian and politician Sugato Bose, who was also present at the book launch, cited Mahatma Gandhi's strong disapproval of the discrimination against any religion or community.

"When Mahatma Gandhi was in Nuakhali in search of peace, as a Sanatani Hindu, he said I am a Muslim and a Christian at the same time...He said in Bihar, 'Is it nationalism to crush the 14 per cent of the Muslims in Bihar?' And the same question can be asked in a Gandhian way about Muslims in India today," Bose said.

The TMC leader also pointed out that the book was a powerful rebuttal of Anderson's charge that Gandhi was "Hindu revivalist".

"It shows that if you go through the entire collective works of Mahatma Gandhi, there is not one word of deep seated prejudice against any other religious faith and community.

Gandhi's evocation of Ram Raj was completely different from the meanings that have been given to that phrase in today's politics," he said. -PTI

Cong targeted Modi through Ishrat case: RSS NEW DELHI: Revelations apparently strongest opponent made by three top Home Ministry Narendra Modi, who was then the officials have reinforced that Con- Chief Minister of Gujarat," it said. gress targeted Narendra Modi The article alleged the state through the Ishrat Jahan case, two machinery under UPA regime depro-RSS journals claimed wonder- moralized honest intelligence ing if P Chidambaram was alone agency officials, sent some behind in this "political conspiracy" or a bars on false charges, spread ca"puppet". nards in public, fed 'false stories "The ghost of Ishrat Jahan en- that looked genuine' to media and counter carried out in 2004 con- as per Mani's latest statement tinues to haunt the politics of even went on to torture him, an Bharat. This time it is troubling upright bureaucrat of MHA to former Home Minister P coerce him to change his original Chidambaram and his masters in stand and sing to the tunes of his Congress. At least three top offi- bosses. cials, who served in the Ministry "The North Block that houses during the UPA government, have indicted Chidambaram in "Is it Chidambaram alone or delinking Ishrat from someone above him? Did the terrorist outfit Chidambaram act as a Lashkar-e-Taiba.

"These revelations 'Puppet on a Chain'? have reinforced the theory of political con- The skeletons have spiracy by the Con- started tumbling out of gress and the cupboard’ Chidambaram to target the then Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi through Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) the Ishrat case," the cover article became the hub of conspiracy led in 'Organizer' said. by none other than the then Home "Is it Chidambaram alone or Minister P Chidambaram," it someone above him? Did claimed.

Chidambaram act as a 'Puppet on "Congress like Goebbel, a Chain'? The skeletons have propagated falsehood to tarnish started tumbling out of the cup- his (Modi's) image and gain poboard. Only time will tell who are litically. It dubbed Modi as the 'real players' behind the entire 'Gujarat's butcher', 'killer' and what conspiracy," it said. not only to turn falsehood look The article, "The Ishrat Cover like truth and gained. Even after Up-Damning Designs", quoted Modi got a clean chit from court, Hitler's Propaganda Minister he did not get relief from this hate Goebbels's phrase "Repeat a lie a campaign," the article in thousand times and it becomes 'Panchjanya' said. the truth" and said Congress has The 'Organizer' alleged that the done the same in Ishrat case to UPA government "used every target Modi. possible illegal, immoral, unethi"In a similar way the Congress cal means and State power for party in a free, democratic India political reasons to tarnish the dipped into the idea to target its reputation" of Modi.-PTI

250 visas for Pak fans for T20 matches NEW DELHI: India will issue 250 visas to Pakistani spectators for each match their team plays during the forthcoming World Twenty20 cricket tournament, including a high-voltage game against the hosts at Dharamsala.

"As of now, we have decided to issue 250 visas to Pakistani cricket fans for each match Pakistani team will play in the T20 tournament," a senior Home Ministry official said.

The five-day visa will be issued accordingly after furnishing of tickets of matches, return tickets for road or rail or air transport and accommodation bookings.

However, the official indicated that the number of visas to Pakistani spectators may be increased if the team reaches semi-final or final.

A strict vigil will be maintained by security agencies on Pakistani spectators as there have been several instances in the past when some of the visitors went missing, the official said.

Pakistan will play against India

on March 19 in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh. There has been some opposition in the state, including from ex-servicemen, on holding the match at the hill sta-

tion.

Pakistan will play two matches in Mohali, Punjab - against New Zealand on March 22 and against Australia on March 25.

The Pakistani team will also play a match in Kolkata on March 16.

A team of Pakistani officials has arrived in India to review security arrangements for their team during the tournament.

The semi-finals of the World Twenty20 cricket tournament will be held in New Delhi on March 30 and in Mumbai a day later.

The final will be played in Kolkata on April 3. -PTI

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RBI to share black money information NEW DELHI: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will share FDI-related information with country's intelligence agencies - IB and RAW - to check black money from entering the country.

The decision was taken during a recent meeting of a government group, headed by Revenue Secretary, to check economic crimes. The move comes after Cabinet Secretariat - under whose administrative control Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) functions - expressed concern over com-

panies in tax havens investing in the country, official sources said.

Emphasizing on the need to keep a track of such companies' source of funding, the Cabinet Secretariat suggested that Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB) under the Finance Ministry should maintain a database of such entities and investments, a move which was later rejected, they said.

During the meeting of "Working Group on Intelligence Apparatus", representatives of Intelligence Bureau felt that it is

important to have the information. It was decided that RBI should share with IB and Cabinet Secretariat, information on FDI which actually enters the country, the sources said.

The moves assumes significance as the government expects rise in FDI inflow to the country owing to its attempts to liberalize trade and promote ease of doing business.

The FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) comes either through automatic route

(which gets recorded by RBI) or through Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) - an inter-ministerial body under the Department of Economic Affairs, which is responsible for processing of FDI proposals and making recommendations for government approval. -PTI

Indian-origin doc convicted for kickbacks NEW YORK: A 69-year-old Indian-origin doctor in the US has been convicted of illegally receiving benefits for referring elderly patients to a financially struggling hospital in Chicago.

Venkateswara Kuchipudi of Illinois became the fifth physician and 10th defendant overall to be convicted for taking part in the massive Medicare and Medicaid fraud scheme at the now-shuttered Sacred Heart Hospital.

He was convicted after a five-week trial on one count of conspiracy to defraud the US and nine counts of illegally soliciting or receiving benefits in return for referrals of

Venkateswara Kuchipudi of Illinois became the fifth physician and 10th defendant overall to be convicted for taking part in the massive Medicare and Medicaid fraud scheme patients covered under a federal health care program.

Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a USD 250,000 fine. US District Judge Matthew Kennelly scheduled a sentencing hearing for June.

From 2001 through April 2013, hospital executives conspired to pay kickbacks and bribes to physicians to induce them to refer patients for services that would be reimbursed by federal insurance program Medicare and Medicaid.

The scheme earned the financially struggling hospital millions of dollars in reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid.

Evidence at Kuchipudi's trial revealed that he was one of the hospital's most prolific sources of patient referrals.

In exchange for his referrals, the hospital provided Kuchipudi with free labor in the form of physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

The hospital allowed Kuchipudi to bill Medicare and Medicaid for the services of the physician assistants and nurse practitioners as if he employed them himself. -PTI

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Padma Lakshmi on failed marriage to Rushdie LONDON: Indian-American model and television personality Padma Lakshmi has written a revealing autobiography which includes intimate details of her failed marriage to celebrated author Salman Rushdie.

The pair met in 1999 at a party in New York when Lakshmi was 28 and single and Rushdie was 51 and married to his third wife.

Lakshmi and Rushdie married in 2004, dividing their time between London where his two sons

Padma Lakshmi and Salman Rushdie

Laxmi, 45, one of the judges on the US television show 'Top Chef', chronicles details of her relationship with the Mumbai-born Booker Prize-winning author in 'Love, Loss and What We Ate'.

"I just wanted my own identity.

I was making the transition out of one stage of my life and into another. But in order to do that, it required that I wasn't everywhere that he [Rushdie] needed me to be," she told 'People' magazine.

lived and New York.

She writes about how at first their marriage was blissful and Rushdie used to make breakfast for her every morning.

But the book then goes on to paint a portrait of a demanding husband in need of constant attention.

Lakshmi claims Rushdie was insensitive to a medical condition and he labeled her a "bad investment".

"It's not that I didn't want to be there for him, but something was very deeply wrong. And I didn't understand it.

And that caused a whole lot of misunderstanding," Laxmi said.

She claims that each year when the Nobel Prize went to another writer Rushdie took it very hard and required consolation, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.

Lakshmi later divorced Rushdie in 2007 and went on to become involved with Ted Forstmann, the billionaire chief executive of sports and artist management company IMG, who died in 2011 aged 71.

She has a six-year-old daughter with venture capitalist Adam Dell.

New York- based Rushdie, 68, has not responded to his ex-wife's claims so far. Shortly after his marriage to Lakshmi ended Rushdie had said, "It's strange, given that I've been married four times, but I actually don't think marriage is necessary".

"Girls like it, especially if they've never been married before it's the dress. Girls want a wedding, they don't want a marriage.

If only you could have weddings without marriages, " Rushdie had said.

Rushdie, who served as President of PEN American Center from 2004 to 2006, became centre of a major controversy after he wrote his controversial fourth novel 'The Satanic Verses' in 1988, provoking protests from Muslims in several countries.

Death threats were made against him, including a fatwa calling for his assassination issued

by Ayatollah Khomeini, the Supreme Leader of Iran, on February 14 1989. -PTI

UK Parl warns activists over Modi protest LONDON: The British Parliament has warned activists who projected "unauthorized" images, including that of a swastika during a protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit here last year, on to the Palace of Westminster, saying the iconic building is "not a free billboard".

Among recent projections highlighted by a House of Commons spokesperson includes a swastika by the campaign network Awaaz to protest against the Prime Minister's visit last November with the message "Modi Not Welcome".

"Unauthorized projections

warned.

Awaaz had projected a swordwielding Modi on to the Gothic Parliament building as part of a wider "Modi Not Welcome" protest against his visit to London last year.

Bridges added: "The Houses of Parliament are recognized around the world as a symbol of the UK and a must-visit for tourists. As an iconic sight, it is perhaps unsurprising that Parliament and, in particular, Big Ben (the Elizabeth Tower) has become the backdrop for guerrilla marketing projections.

"However, as a much-loved,

break planning permission regulations. They also dilute the impact of a marketing technique that Parliament reserves for moments of national significance," Lee Bridges, Commons' director of external communications, told advertising magazine 'Campaign.'

"These buildings are not free billboards proposals to project commercial campaigns that are not in the national interest. These will not be granted permission. The council can pursue incidents where a projection has been made without its permission," he

Grade I-listed public building, it is important to protect Parliament's symbolic status.

Having commercial messaging beamed on to it compromises this status, which is why there are planning laws requiring permissions before any projection is allowed."

He stressed that to legally project on to the Houses of Parliament, people need permission from both the Speaker of the House of Commons and the planning department of Westminster City Council.-PTI

Big visa fee hike by UK to hit Indians LONDON: The British government is set to increase visa fees across most categories of applications from March 18, in a move that will affect thousands of Indians who were the largest group of skilled workers to be granted visas to live and work in Britain last year.

The changes, proposed in January this year, mean a 2 per cent rise for most fees including the short-term visitor visas and most work or study applications and a 25 per cent increase in fees for nationality and settlement visa applications.

The UK Home Office said the

increases will reduce UK taxpayer contributions towards the border, immigration and citizenship system and ensure that by 2019-2020 the system is self-funded by those who use it.

"These changes ensure that the Home Office can achieve a self-funding system, whilst continuing to provide a competitive level of service, and a fees structure that remains attractive to businesses, migrants and visitors," a Home Office statement said.

According to recently-released figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), Indians formed the largest group of skilled work-

ers to be granted visas to live and work in the UK last year.

Indians bagged the majority of the 92,062 visas issued to skilled migrants in 2015.

"Indian nationals accounted

Most of these migrants go on to apply for settlement in the UK and will now pay around 25 per cent more for such applications as the fee for a settlement application

for 57 per cent of total skilled work visas granted (52,360 of 92,062), with USA nationals the next largest nationality group (10,130 or 11 per cent)," the ONS report said.

Most of these migrants go on to apply for settlement in the UK and will now pay around 25 per cent more for such applications as the fee for a settlement application or so-called "Indefinite Leave to Remain" (ILR) application within the UK will increase from 1,500 pounds to 1,875 pounds.

The main changes effective from March 18 are: visas linked most closely to economic growth, such as those offered to workers

and students, will be increased by 2 per cent.

A 2 per cent increase will apply to all visit visas to help maintain the UK's position as one of the world's top tourist destinations.

An increase of up to 25 per cent will apply to settlement, residence and nationality fees, as these routes deliver the most benefits to successful applicants.

An increase of up to 33 per cent for optional premium services offered by the Home Office such as the super-premium service and priority visa services overseas. -PTI

Tech News GMR shows industry, agri can co-exist BHUBANESWAR: Adoption of farm-based livelihood activity is yielding encouraging results in the Dhenkanal district of Odisha, a proof that agriculture can co-exist harmoniously with industrialization, GMR Kamalanga Energy Limited (GKEL) says.

"Through its novel venture, GKEL has set an example of harmonious co-existence of both industry and agriculture.

People in and around our project areas realize that industry is not a threat to the farm sector... rather, it promotes farming and allied activity," a company official said.

Following the initiative, over 100 acres have been cultivated and cash crops like groundnut and mustard raised along the Brahmani in Mangalpur, providing more than 500 farmers with extra income by reusing their fallow land, said officials of GKEL, an SPV of GMR Energy.

Farmers are mainly into paddy cultivation using the SRI (System of Rice Intensification) methodology, which yields handsome returns.

They have also been supported to take up vegetable cultivation in the area, the official said.-PTI

100th AFS station of IOC inaugurated ROURKELA: The 100th Aviation Fuel Service Station (AFS) of the country, owned by Indian Oil Corporation has been inaugurated here by Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The new station would pave the way for multi-carrier air service for the city, Pradhan said.

He said in every sector there was an increase in central aid to Odisha, which would soon be among the leading and advanced states.

Citing examples, he said in the last three years there was a substantial increase in railway budget for Odisha and it was raised to Rs 5,000 crore this time.

About the fuel service station, Pradhan said "I asked the IOC to set up one AFS station here and they developed a new system in tune with the 'Make in India' policy as setting up a big station will not be cost effective."

Taking a dig at the ruling BJD in Odisha, Pradhan said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik seemed to be worried about the presence of firebrand BJP leaders like Dilip Ray and Union Minister Jual Oram in the region. -PTI

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Birla family move court over cement business KOLKATA: Members of the Birla family have moved the Calcutta High Court challenging the take-over of the cement business of Anil Ambani Group by Birla Corporation, which is run by Harsh Lodha, claiming that it was being done without the consent of the family or the court.

Stating that the deal was not in the interest of the M P Birla estate, the Birla family members claimed before the bench of Justice Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya that it was being done without the consent of the family and without the consent of the court despite the estate being under the control of special officers appointed by it.-PTI

India moves WTO against US on temporary working visa issue GENEVA: India has filed a complaint in the WTO against the US decision to impose high fees on temporary working visas, a move that makes Indian IT companies less competitive in that market.

India has notified the WTO that "it has initiated a WTO dispute proceeding against the US regarding measures imposing increased fees on certain applicants for L-1 and H-1B categories of non-immigrant temporary working visas into the US, and measures relating to numerical commitments for H-1B visas," the WTO said in a statement.

India has time and again raised serious concerns over the issue saying the move would impact In-

dian IT professionals.

The statement said that according to India, the US' measure "appears to be inconsistent" with the global norms.

According to India, it said, the

Services).

India has asked for consultations with the US under the aegis of the WTO to resolve the issue.

The request for consultations is the first step in a dispute at the

In 2010 also, India had serious objections over the US move to hike professional visa fees. current measures appear to be "inconsistent" with the terms, limitations and conditions agreed to and specified by the US in its commitments under the GATS (General Agreement on Trade in

Iran official to visit India over oil dues NEW DELHI: Iran is dispatch- But Essar Oil and other refiners ing its Central Bank Vice Gover- want to pay Iran at the exchange nor Gholamali Kamyab to India rate prevalent at the time of buythis month after the Persian Gulf ing crude oil in the last three years, nation's efforts to get nearly $6 sources said. billion of past oil dues from refinRupee to a US dollar was under ers like Essar Oil hit roadblock over differences over foreign ex- Iran wants its past oil dues to change rate.

With US lifting sanc- be cleared. But differences tions, Iran wants its past have now cropped up over oil dues to be cleared.

But differences have foreign exchange rate now cropped up over foreign exchange rate, sources privy to the development 55 in February 2013 when the 45:55 said. payment system became operaIran sold oil to refiners like tional. Rupee to a US dollar is at Essar Oil and Mangalore Refinery 67 now. and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) in Ideally, if refiners had kept dolUS dollar per barrel. 45% of the oil lar equivalent to their purchase in bill was paid in rupees in a UCO separate account over the years Bank account while the rest 55% they could have readily paid Iran was to be cleared whenever bank- now. But for a barrel of oil they ing channels open. bought in February 2013 at say $80, Now with lifting of sanctions, they would now have to pay Rs Iran has presented its unpaid bill. 5,360 instead of Rs 4,400 then.-PTI

dispute settlement system of the WTO. Consultations give the parties an opportunity to discuss the matter and to find a satisfactory solution without proceeding fur-

ther with litigation. If consultations fail to resolve the dispute, the complainant may request the Dispute Settlement Body to establish a panel of experts to study the dispute.

The US has 10 days to respond to the trade dispute filed by India.

In 2010 also, India had serious objections over the US move to hike professional visa fees.

Last year, US President Barack Obama had signed into law a USD 1.8 trillion spending package which among other things introduces a hefty USD 4,000 fee for certain categories of H-1B visa and USD 4,500 for L1 visa.

Companies having more than 50 employees and having more than 50 per cent of their US employees on H-1B and L1 visas would have to pay the new fee when the next visa application session kicks off on April 1. -PTI

Visa prog consistent with WTO: US WASHINGTON: The US has said its visa program is fully consistent with WTO obligations as the country received a request for consultations from India on its decision to impose high fees on temporary working visas.

"The United States has received this request for WTO consultations from India, and we look forward to discussing our H-1B visa program with our Indian counterparts," said Andrew Bates, spokesman for US Trade Representatives.

"We are confident that the United States' visa program, which was recently updated on a bipartisan basis by Congress, is fully consistent with our WTO obligations," Bates said.

India has notified the WTO that "it has initiated a WTO dispute proceeding against the US regarding measures imposing increased fees on certain appli-

cants for L-1 and H-1B categories of non-immigrant temporary working visas into the US, and measures relating to numerical commitments for H-1B visas," the WTO said in a statement.

India has time and again raised serious concerns over the issue saying the move would impact Indian IT professionals.

The statement said that according to India, the US' measure "appears to be inconsistent" with the global norms.

According to India, it said, the current measures appear to be "inconsistent" with the terms, limitations and conditions agreed to and specified by the US in its commitments under the GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services).

India has asked for consultations with the US under the aegis of the WTO to resolve the issue.-PTI

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Flipkart failed IITian flooded with job offers NEW DELHI: IITian Akash Mittal may not have measured up to the expectations of Flipkart, but the product listing-like presentation of his resume on the e-commerce platform has made many start-ups sit up, take notice and flood him with concrete job offers.

The unorthodox style pitchforked the 23-year-old into limelight after he uploaded a screenshot of his profile on the Flipkart website - just like the way

a product is listed - which went viral on the social media.

Pursuing the final semester of his five-year integrated Ocean Engineering program at IIT Kharagpur in eastern Indian state of West Bengal, Akash is now examining all the offers before him,

which include one of chief technology officer.

This innovative idea of resume presentation was born after Flipkart came calling to the cam-

pus for recruitment, but Akash did not make the cut out of 1,500 applicants.

"Being a six-pointer (CGPA), I knew I will never get through. So, I tried something innovative," he told PTI while explaining the chain of events that led to the listinglike uploading of the resume.

"I then made a screenshot of a Flipkart listing page with information about myself on photoshop and uploaded it on the website's career page," he said.

Akash, who was brought up in national capital Delhi, claimed that he has been receiving many job offers after the screenshot went viral.

"After this thing got viral, I have received a number of offers, including that of chief product manager and chief technology officer. I am studying the offers and will pick up the best one after my course ends at IIT," he said.

While Flipkart declined to comment on the matter, Akash said he expects the e-commerce major to at least "appreciate his efforts", but has not received any call so far.

Ironically, Akash's book 'It Wasn't Her Fault', written last year, is on sale on Flipkart as well as Amazon. -PTI

China's foreign reserves plunge $ 0.5 trn BEIJING: China has said its foreign reserves, the world's largest, declined by about half a trillion dollars last year which largely went to its citizens and companies.

"China's foreign reserves declined by about half a trillion US

dollars in 2015," central bank deputy governor Yi Gang said.

"Mainly, the reserves went to Chinese citizens and companies," he told the media here replying to the public concerns over the dip in the reserves.

Banks increased their stack of greenbacks by around USD 100 billion and corporate debts de-

zens and companies," Yi said.

China has the world's largest foreign exchanges amounting to about USD 3.23 trillion over half of which were invested in US bonds.

Yi was replying to a question about China's foreign reserves twice at a press The majority of conference on foreign reserve the sidelines of the fourth seslosses can be exsion of the 12th plained by the C h i n e s e People's Politigains made by cal Consultative citizens and comConference (CPPCC) Napanies," Yi said. tional Committee, of which he is a member.

Major outbound payments inChina's foreign reserves are diclude tourism, education and con- versified, he said, reflecting China's sumption expenditures. trade, investment and payment Plus, the US dollar appreciated structures. against other currencies last year, Moreover, China follows the Yi was quoted as saying by state- standards set by the International run Xinhua news agency.

Monetary Fund when calculating "By and large, the majority of foreign reserves, Yi said, stressforeign reserve losses can be ex- ing that assets that lack in liquidplained by the gains made by citi- ity were not included. -PTI nominated in US dollar dropped by around 100 billion, Yi said.

Corporate and individual outbound payments in foreign currencies surpassed inbound payments

by USD 240 billion last year, Yi said.

US companies added 214,000 jobs in Feb WASHINGTON: U.S. businesses added a healthy 214,000 jobs last month, another sign that the U.S. job market remains resilient despite economic weakness overseas and tumult in financial markets.

Payroll processor ADP said that the better-than-expected hiring by private companies was up from a revised 193,000 in January. ``It's a very strong report. The

But manufacturers shed 9,000 jobs in February, first time they've cut payrolls since October.

Manufacturers have been hurt by economic weakness overseas, a strong dollar that makes American products expensive overseas and cutbacks in the energy industry following a big drop in oil prices. Some of the pain in manufacturing has been offset by strong automotive sales and pro-

labor market is healthy,'' said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics. ``This is very good news particularly in the context of the turmoil in the financial markets in the past several months.''

Moody's helps compile the ADP numbers.

Professional and business services companies added 59,000 jobs and construction firms hired 27,000.

duction.

Economists surveyed by the data firm FactSet predict that American employers - including government - added 195,000 jobs last month, up from 151,000 in January. They expect that the unemployment rate remained at an eight-year low 4.9 percent.

The ADP numbers cover only private businesses and often diverge from the official figures. -AP

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Over 40 lakh new assessees Panel on PSU banks' consolidation soon brought under IT net NEW DELHI: Over 40 lakh new assessees have been brought within the tax net over the last year and their number is increasing every day, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) of India has said.

Complimenting the Income Tax department for expanding the tax base by getting in the net more and more 'capable-to-pay taxes' people, CBDT Chairman Atulesh

40 lakh new taxpayers over the last year and we have got substantial taxes from them," Jindal told PTI. The CBDT boss said the new taxpayers have been added as part of two major initiatives undertaken by the department over the last year - the Non-Filers Management System (NMS) and a special drive to add 1 crore new assessees in the current financial year.

Jindal said the government coffers have also got very "substantial" revenue from these entities.

"We are very, very conscious of the fact that we have to expand our tax base and, as we have always said, we are making good use of information technology tools in this exercise. We have added over

The NMS is run with the help of available information technology tools and e-database information with the IT department.

Once the taxman finds that an individual has the capability to pay taxes but is either not reporting or under-reporting his income, then a notice is sent to him for

compliance.

Jindal said both the campaigns of the department "have been very successful" in achieving their targets.

He said the IT department and the CBDT are working to further enhance the e-services platform for taxpayers like easing the online Income Tax Return filing system and procedure for issuing timely refunds and other services.

"We are undertaking these taxpayer-friendly initiatives under our e-sahyog program and also as part of the paperless tax assessment system for which we are running pilot projects in five metro cities which will further be initiated in two more large cities as announced by the Finance Minister in his speech," he said.

The pilot projects are being run in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

The CBDT chairman said the required amendments in the Income Tax Act have been made recently which give "legal sanctity" to the email-based paperless system of assessment of cases, beginning with instances of scrutiny audit.

"We are preparing to usher in these initiatives on a large scale," Jindal said. -PTI

Railways to set up special wing for research NEW DELHI: Technology seems to be the latest mantra in the Indian Railway, with the national transporter set to create a special unit for conducting inhouse research.

Named SRESHTA (Special Railway Establishment for Strategic Technology and Holistic Advancement), the new entity will comprise mostly scientists and railway experts.

Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO), railways' current research arm, will focus only on day-to-day issues, while SRESTHA will be responsible for long-term research for improving the functioning of the public sector behemoth.

The new research unit will be

headed by a reputed scientist, who will report directly to the Chairman, Railway Board, said a senior Railway Ministry official, adding "the need for such a wing was felt for long".

Though RDSO was meant to conduct research, it could hardly undertake any.

"Most of the time RDSO is involved in finalizing the standards and specifications for the new equipment to be acquired by the public transporter. As a result it is left with hardly any time for research work," said the official.

Currently new technology is imported by railways as the RDSO has not been able to do in-house research work on various technologies required for upgradation in signaling and telecommunication system, track designing, improvement in rolling stock and many such areas.

However, despite the constraints, RDSO is credited with developing of pre-stressed concrete sleepers used for laying tracks and the newly designed double decker coaches.

The official said, "There is a huge requirement for introducing latest technology in rail sector to bring it at par with other developed railways in the world."

Use of latest technology in improving passenger amenities is a key area where the new body will focus, he added.-PTI

GURGAON: An expert panel Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). will be set up shortly to devise a "Government is considering strategy for consolidation of pub- (ESOPs). It is in very advanced lic sector banks as India needs stage...It has been long standing stronger lenders rather than a "nu- demand, and is (under) an active merically large number" of them, consideration," Jaitley said.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said With regard to the rising Nonhere.

Performing Assets or bad loans, He also said the government is Jaitley said that besides strengthconsidering ESOPs for PSU bank ening the institutional mechanism, officials besides strengthening the the government has been taking SARFAESI Act and Debt Recovery Tribunals to deal with the problems of stressed assets that are estimated at around Rs 8 lakh crore in the banking system as whole.

Addressing a press conference at the conclusion of the second edition of Gyan Sangam, Jaitley Finance Minister Arun Jaitley stressed banks will have to clear their balance-sheets through ef- sector specific decisions to deal fective recovery. with the problems in segments like "As far as recovery is con- power, highways, sugar and steel. cerned, whatever steps have to be Giving more details on the detaken with regard to recovery liberations, he said there are sugbanks have various rights for re- gestions to amend SARFESI ACT covery through DRT, SDR... Nei- and also expedite the DRT process ther loan waiver has been given by some more amendments to law. to anyone, nor will be given," he "The Department of Financial said.

Services is working in that direcHe said consolidation of state- tion and work is in fairly advanced owned banks was discussed at the stage," he said, adding that DRT two-day meeting and bankers will become the country's first themselves have suggested that online court. an expert group should be set up "We are anxiously waiting for to look into the issue. report of the Joint Committee on "We will consider that sugges- Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law. tion," the minister said, adding that the country He said consolidation of needs stronger banks rather than a large num- state-owned banks was disber of lenders. cussed and bankers themJaitley said consolidation is Budget an- selves have suggested that nouncement and it will an expert group should be set get "top most priority" up to look into the issue. and the "Experts' Group would be constituted immediately".

That will create a structural and The panel, he said, will consider institutional mechanism which will issues like "what is the best course help the bank as lenders," the minof consolidation, where do you ister said. start from, which are the banks to On the NPA situation in the be consolidated, entire issue of banking sector, Jaitley said banks consolidation...so that we can are taking steps to recovery bad have strong banks. There is a weak loans. link in the chain, that is probably In the current global environwhat group would decide". ment, Jaitley said, banks have to The panel would also deliber- take all the measures in order to ate whether weak banks should be clean up their books by effecting merged with stronger ones or re- recoveries. gional banks.

He also said that there are some The other idea which was sug- sector specific decisions which are gested at the meeting was to give required to be taken by the govPSU employees with Employee ernment.-PTI

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March 11, 2016

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Ansari moots 'Grow in India' I am not an absconder, says Mallya in agriculture HYDERABAD: Vice-President Hamid Ansari has stressed the need to take "bold steps" for putting in place a 'Grow in India' program to transform the socio-economic fabric of country's agricultural sector.

"Time has perhaps come for us to consider putting in place a 'Grow in India' program to transform the socio-economic fabric of our agricultural sector as much as we need a 'Make in India' program," he said.

Mere infusion of funds might not be enough unless the underlying social gaps and divisions remain in place, Ansari noted, adding "we need a social corrective along with the economic correctives to redress these challenges in development of rural sector."

"We have the resources and the ability to bring happiness to the life of our farmers. It would take persistent, continuous action but it is not impossible. The government needs to take bold steps to translate the good intentions into

action to tackle the deficiencies," Ansari said adding this would, however, require a strong political will and the need to develop a wide political consensus.

He was addressing the national

Vice-President Hamid Ansari

seminar on 'Public Investment and Subsidies on Agriculture and Upliftment of Agrarian Economy' organized by All India Kisan Sabha here.

Barriers growing from caste and other identities, that have seemingly hampered progressive mea-

sures such as farmers cooperative movement in most parts of the country barring a few regions, need to be dismantled and ground created for collective action, the Vice President said.

Enhanced public expenditure in agriculture - in the form of increased investments, rather than un-targeted subsidies - is thus required to bring about technical change in agriculture, and higher agricultural growth. In addition, concerted reforms are needed to achieve equity in terms of higher growth in disadvantageous regions like rain-fed and tribal areas and benefit small and marginal farmers, he added.

Quoting a survey commissioned by Bharat Krishak Samaj on 'The State of the Indian Farmer' in 2014 , Ansari said the survey reported that some 62 per cent of agriculturists were willing to quit farming to move to cities and that only 20 per cent of the rural youth was keen on continuing farming.-PTI

NEW DELHI: Under fire over huge unpaid loans of long-defunct Kingfisher Airlines, a defiant Vijay Mallya has said he is making efforts to reach a 'one-time settlement' with banks through additional payments to the lenders, even as he denied "personally" being a "borrower or judgment defaulter" and alleged that "disinformation campaign" was being played to make him a "poster boy" of all bad loans.

Rejecting allegations that he is an "absconder" in the wake of his statement to spend more time in England after signing a "sweetheart" deal with Diageo, the liquor baron said he will continue to cooperate with investigative agencies related to the loans provided by banks to long-defunct Kingfisher Airlines.

Mallya, who has agreed to step down as Chairman of United Spirits Ltd in return for USD 75 million to be paid by Diageo, also insisted that he is not a "borrower or a judgment defaulter" and he has chal-

lenged the "willful defaulter" tag by some banks, which he alleged didn't go after borrowers who "owe much more than the amount allegedly owed by Kingfisher Airlines".

He also alleged that SBI, which has dragged him to Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) seeking his arrest and seizure of his passport to claim his Rs 515 crore sweetheart deal to exit United Spirits, was well aware of the financial stress of Kingfisher Airlines for a long time and the same was reported by the state-run lender to RBI way back in January 2012 - months before the once-luxurious air carrier was grounded in October that year.

Mallya, who was widely known as 'King of Good Times' and his lavish parties before his businesses started plunging into one after another crisis resulting in sale or closure of various companies, also said that while banks would eventually recover a "substantial part of their debt", the loss for his group is permanent.-PTI

Desi News ATA Day Gala held as precursor for Convention Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: American Telugu Association [ATA] recently hosted a grand ATA Day Gala at the grand ballroom in Sheraton Hotel in Lisle, a south west suburb of Chicago as a precursor to its silver jubilee Convention slated for July 1-3 at Rosemont Convention Center in Chicago, IL. The highlight of the ATA Day gala was the huge haul of donations totaling over $812,000 from donors. The evening was replete with music, dance, singing enhanced by the presence of prominent Tollywood/Bollywood actress Tapsee Pannu.

Details on page 18

Chicago varsity gearing up for Naidu visit SURESH BODIWALA

CHICAGO: Chicago State University student body of 5000 and its faculty are waiting eagerly for the visit of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to its campus to receive an honorary doctorate. CSU is conferring the honorary doctorate to a foreign head of government and it is in this context that they are gearing up for the occasion to ensure that no stone is unturned to make the event a great success.

As the university prepares to host a mega event, top officials of the university are pitching for creating a good degree of awareness among members of the Indian community about this visit and its impact on CSU and South Side of Chicago.

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

16 India Post

VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

XFINITY Voice Unlimited allows customers to place unlimited calls from home or on the go to mobile and landline phones in India, China, Singapore, South Korea and other regions outside the United States. Bay Area residents had an opportunity to surprise loved ones in India with a special phone call to those abroad through XFINITY Voice Unlimited service booth which was set up in Bharat Bazar, Fremont from February 29 to March 3 and Great Mall Milpitas from March 4 to March 6.

Details on page 20

March 11, 2016

Details on page 23

Mahashivratri celebrated with fanfare & enthusiasm in Bay Area VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

FREMONT: The name of the festival that roughly translates to the 'great night of Shiva' is celebrated with fanfare and enthusiasm by the Hindu community globally. As per the Hindu calendar, Shivratri is celebrated on the new moon day in the month of Maagha.

According to some, Shivratri is celebrated as the day when Shiva saved the world from the pot of poison that emerged from the

Shivratri celebration in Fremont Hindu temple

Details on page 19

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To find hope, look around you

ocean during Samudra Manthan.

The basic principle underlying the observance of the MahaShivaratri Vrata appears to be to shed hatred, ego, old habits, attachment with worldly life and become samdarsi by accepting and loving the downtrodden, needy, and the untouchables.

Vedic Dharma Samaj temple in Fremont celebrated Maha Shivratri puja spread over two days on March 6 and 7. The entire twelve hours were divided into four parts or Kalam and there was ablution or Abhishekam for Shiva Linga after every three hours. The priests performed the ablution with the prescribed eleven ingredients.

Devotees chanted Panchakshara 'Om Namah Shivaya,' 1008 Shiva Namahvali (1008 Holy Names of Lord Shiva) and offered holy Bilva Patras to the Lord. Chants, mantras, pujas,

offerings, meditations, every possible means to propitiate the Lord was on evidence on the auspicious day, ahead of the grand culmination of the aarti.

Fremont Hindu temple had organized for the special Sahasra Spatula Lingaarchana with 1008 Shiv Lingas and it was the first time all over Bay area, says, Deepak Chhabra. Over 5000 devotees offered their prayers on this holy day at the Fremont Hindu temple.

The temple management had made elaborate arrangements for Shiva Parvathi Kalyana Mahotsavam. On Monday, the

Kalyanam of Sri Parvathi and Sri Shiva Kalyanam was attended by over thousand devotees from 5

preservation and destruction on this auspicious night of Shivaratri.

The temple management

Fremont Hindu temple had organized for the special Sahasra Spatula Lingaarchana with 1008 Shiv Lingas and it was the first time all over Bay area, says, Deepak Chhabra. Over 5000 devotees offered their prayers on this holy day at the Fremont Hindu temple. p.m. to 9 p.m. It is believed that Lord Shiva performed Tandava, the dance of the primal creation,

Shivratri celebration at Shiv Durga temple, Santa Clara

thanked the priests, volunteers, committee members and others associated with the temple proceedings for their valuable time and for bringing the best religious events to the Bay area devotees.

Shiv Durga temple at Santa Clara also celebrated Maha Shivratri with yagna, havan, abhishekam, bhajan, aarti with preeti bhoj going all day long. The Sunday celebration was attended by over 1000 Bay Area devotees and special guests from all over Bay area.

Amarnath Linga, which was carved out of ice block, was a major attraction of the event.

March 11, 2016

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Travel & Adventure Show returns to Bay area VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

FREMONT, CA: Looking for a special resort in Fiji, or perhaps you're planning a safari in East or South Africa, to explore the rich heritage and culture of South Asia. The 2016 SF/Bay Area Travel and Adventure show is a one-stop shop for all travel enthusiasts. In just one day you can dream, plan and book your next vacation.

The 2016 SF/Bay Area Travel & Adventure Show, part of the No. 1 travel show series in the U.S., returned to the Santa Clara Convention Center on March 5-6, with an impressive line-up of keynote speakers, travel industry experts, global performers and renowned chefs.

The event witnessed over 15,000 plus travel aficionados who converged on the Santa Clara Convention Center, for a once a year opportunity to mingle with over 250 U.S. and Worldwide destination tourism offices, tour operators, cruise lines, hotels/resorts, and other travel-related products and services.

Tourism Fiji, Wonderful Indo-

nesia, Taiwan, Rick Steves' Europe and the Yosemite Experience pavilion were the major and supporting sponsors for 2016 event. Fiji holidays are the experience of a lifetime and your chance to escape to a world without stress. Fiji is renowned for its stunning beaches, beautiful warm climate, and its unique relaxed island atmosphere.

Presenting the adrenaline pumping adventure opportunities available across the Indonesian Archipelago, the Wonderful Indonesia Booth highlighted Indonesia's diverse wildlife adven-

tures, people and cultures, and culinary attractions by showcasing traditional dances, beverages, as well as food from across the archipelago.

The island of Taiwan is any tourist's dream. From the historical buildings and pagodas to busy markets, museums, parks and religious sites aren't an eyeful. You have the nature in all its bounty with mountains, lakes, beaches and theme parks. To top it all the annual Taiwan Lantern Festival attracts thousands of tourists all clicking away the illuminated streets.

Cont’d on page 19

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ATA Day Gala held as precursor for Convention

ATA leaders including Chandrasekhar Reddy Palvai, KK Reddy, Hanumanth Reddy,Krishna Mushyam, Jagan Bukkaraju, Dr. Meher Medhavarm, Karunakar Asireddy, Ramesh Gorapaty and other leaders with families at the ATA Day Celebrations Gala

by prominent ATA leaders, there was presentation of invocation dance by young children. The ATA Silver Jubilee Convention Convener Chandrasekhar Reddy Palvai welcomed the guests earlier.

Hanumanth Reddy, ATA Founder, thanked the guests for their proactive support.

Presiding over the fundraising event, KK Reddy, Convention Director, emphasized the significance of financial partnership from individuals, organizations and corporations in building a sound financial foundation to unveil a spectacular ATA convention and, in addition, also to build enduring fiscal reserves for ATA's humanitarian mission projects.

Kamala Chimata, Convention Coordina-

along with Anil Bodireddy, represented a strong contingent of Atlanta ATA team of eight.

Tollywood/Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu in her remarks made a stirring pitch for ATA convention and laid out the significance of paying back to the community, society and the country through financial resources. Taapsee performed an impromptu dance which received sustained applause and cheering.

Some of the convention committee chairs who attended include Srinivas Pedamallu, Mohan Manne, Dr Prakasam Tata, Mani Tellapragada, Usha Pariti, Prasuna Vootkur, Sundar Dittakavi, RaghavJatla, Sujatha Appalaneni, Satish

Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: American Telugu Association [ATA] recently hosted a grand ATA Day Gala at the grand ballroom in Sheraton Hotel in Lisle, a south west suburb of Chicago as a precursor to its silver jubilee Convention slated for July 1-3 at Rosemont Convention Center in Chicago, IL. The highlight of the ATA Day gala was the huge haul of donations totaling over $812,000 from donors. The evening was replete with music, dance, singing enhanced by the presence of prominent Tollywood/Bollywood actress Tapsee Pannu.

After the lighting of the auspicious lamp Tollywood/Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu, Chief Guest [in white attire] with the ATA Atlanta and Chicago team

tor, spelled out the goals of the Convention. Convention Co-Convener Krishna Mushyam conducted the program event with his interspersing introductions. Jagan Bukkaraju, Convention Co-Convener, Radhakrishna Reddy, Dr Meher Medavaram Venkat Tudi, Ramana Abbaraju, Uma Katki, Sujatha Appalaneni and Karumuri brothers rendered valuable assistance in conducting the program.

Ramesh Garapaty introduced the cultural programs.

Among the donors, Srinivas Reddy Sarikonda and Satish Velpuru emerged the highest donors. President-elect Karunakar Asireddy, who spoke on the occasion

Chilla, Govind Vundru, Dr. Vijaya Susarla, Srinivas Reddy, Karunakar Reddy Doddam, Jayadev Mattupalli, Sarada Mettupalli, Chalama Reddy Bandaru, Sai Yendamuri, Mohan Kakarlapudi, Srinivas Voruganti, Dr. Viswanatham Susarla, Mahidhar Musukula, Krishna Rangaraju, Ramesh Poola, Hari Raini, Maruti Ram Gudavalli, Dr . Uma Katiki , Bhanu Swargam, Saipriya Reddy, Tanvi Shri Jatla, Harsha Vardhan Reddy, Sarath Yettapu and Saimithra Reddy Vindya of MAA TV anchored the program; while Rahul Sipligunj crooned late into the night to the captive the audience. ATA hosted a grand evening dinner arranged by Tamarind Restaurant.

Democratic front-runner Raja Krishnamoorthi with ATA leaders [LtoR] Shri and Smt. Krishna Mushyam, Keerthi Ravoori, Krishna Rangaraju, Raja K, Hanumanth Reddy and Chandrasekhar Reddy Palvai

March 11, 2016

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Chicago varsity gearing up for Naidu visit SURESH BODIWALA

Group of students

Rao Achanta (Chairman University-Industry Partnerships), Dr. Thomas J. Calhoun, Jr (President), Professor Rohan Attele (Chairman, Department of Mathematics and computer science) and Sriteja Pallu, Graduate student

CHICAGO: Chicago State University student body of 5000 and its faculty are waiting eagerly for the visit of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to its campus to receive an honorary doctorate. CSU is conferring the honorary doctorate to a foreign head of government and it is in this context that they are gearing up for the occasion to ensure that no stone is unturned to make the event a great success.

As the university prepares to host a mega event, top officials of the university are pitching for creating a good degree of awareness among members of the Indian community about this visit and its impact on CSU and South Side of Chicago.

In a talk to this correspondent, college; from underserved areas, Dr. Thomas J. Calhoun, Jr, Presi- minorities; who are working student of Chicago State University said that one of the top ranking educational institutions in Illinois, it offers bachelor and doctoral degrees program.

"We welcome all students; particularly, those who seek upward mobility, first Dr. Bernard Rowan, Provost, Curriculum and Assessgeneration in ment, and Professor of Political Science family go to

dents, raising children, returning back to school. We are a university of people, we are proud of our accomplishments."

He further said that CSTU Board of Governors unanimously decided to award an honorary doctorate to Chief Minister Naidu.

"His work is world renowned. He utilized high technology to bring a higher standard of living for the people of low or meager re-

the Chief Minister is a person who believes in people. "When he sees the young people whose minds are benefiting from the excellent education they get at Chicago State University and to know that his vision that we share and that we want to expropriate so that we can expand and provide the same kind of opportunities that he gave to his people to our students. I think it will put a smile on his face,"

"His work is world renowned. He utilized high technology to bring a higher standard of living for the people of low or meager resources, and has been very competitive in nationally and internationally in IT areas.” sources, and has been very competitive in nationally and internationally in IT areas. He is a remarkable individual and we are very proud that he will become an alumnus of our university. It is far more of an honor for us than for him."

Dr. Thomas Calhoun added that

he observed.

Dr. Angela Henderson, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, said that entire CSU community is very excited and deeply honored that the Chief Minister would be visiting here.

Cont’d on page 22

Travel & Adventure Show returns to Bay area Cont’d from page 17

Incredible India, the tourism arm of Ministry of Tourism also participated in this event and showcased the rich travel opportunities, which India has to offer to the World. India travel tourism has grown rapidly with a great influx of tourists from all across the globe who have been irresistibly attracted to the rich culture, heritage, and incredible natural beauty of India.

India with its foggy hill stations, captivating beaches, historical monuments, golden deserts, serene backwaters, pilgrimage sites, rich wildlife, and colorful fairs captures the heart of every tourist. In addition, a variety of festivals, lively markets,

vibrant lifestyle, and traditional Indian hospitality, will make your experience as an India tourist truly unforgettable.

The 2016 SF/Bay Area Travel & Adventure Show also featured the following keynote speakers: Rick Steves, chief executive officer of "Rick Steves' Europe," guidebook author, PBS travel host and America's leading authority on European travel; Samantha Brown, Travel Channel host; Pauline Frommer, editorial director of the Frommer Guides and publisher of Frommers.com; Doug McConnell, host of "OpenRoad" on NBC Bay Area and former host of the legendary, "Bay Area Backroads," the longest-running television series in Bay Area broadcast history.

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FIA organizing 'biggest' Holi Mela MOON KHAN

CHICAGO: After last year's successful Holi Mela, the Federation of Indian Organizations is organizing yet another big Holi Festival of Illinois on Sunday, March 27. The event at Du Page County Fairgrounds in Wheaton (a northwest suburb of Chicago) is dubbed the biggest of its type here.

The doors for the dazzling program will open at 11 am and will close at 4pm. From 3 to 4 pm, fans will have the opportunity to play with colors and enjoy the traditional "Rangoli" fair. FIA President Dhitu Bhagwakar expects a crowd of more than 3,000 at the festival."Since we have more bells and whistles than last year, we can expect more crowd this year," Bhagwakar added.

A mesmerizing cultural program will be presented by the prominent local artists.To make the program affordable to everybody, FIA has decided to charge only $5 entrance fee if the attend-

File photo of Chicagoans celebrating Holi last year

ees buy the tickets at www.sulekha.com in advance.

However, at the gate, it will cost $7, said Sunil Shah, FIA Founder President.

"A quality event cannot be organized in less than $5, which doesn't cover even our expenses," Shah insisted. "This is our 3rd Holi Mela event and we will make sure that everyone will

have most colorful time of their life."

Considering the growing popularity of the Holi festival organized by Federation of Indian Associations, a large number of sponsors are supporting this event. Among the major advertisers, sponsors, and supporting associations are: Wintrust Bank, Gujarati Samaj of Chicago,

Bhartiya Senior Citizens Association, Vinakom, Orochem, Suga Builders, Medstar, PowerVolt, Air India, IIA Group, Brain Child, Ashton Place, World Money Exchange, Strike X, New York Life, All State, Big Suchir, Shree Restaurant, Saffron Restaurant, AA Salon & Spa, Bihar & Jharkhand Association of USA, Minority Leadership Alliance, Punjabi Cul-

tural Society of Chicago, Rajasthani Association of Chicago, Gandhi Samaj of Chicago, Brahma Samaj of Chicago, KPS of Chicago, Lohana Association of Chicago, Six Gam Patidar Samaj, The Khan Show, GOPIO, Hindi Lovers Club, Tamil Association, Malayali Association, Kannada Association of Chicago, Telangana Association, and many more.

Stay close to family & friends with Xfinity VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

XFINITY Voice Unlimited allows customers to place unlimited calls from home or on the go to mobile and landline phones in India, China, Singapore, South Korea and other regions outside the United States. Bay Area residents had an opportunity to surprise loved ones in India with a special phone call to those abroad through XFINITY Voice Unlimited service booth which was set up in Bharat Bazar, Fremont from Feb-

ruary 29 to March 3 and Great Mall Milpitas from March 4 to March 6.

The event was free to the public and all ages were welcome to attend and call their loved ones Worldwide.

Participants were encouraged to use #CountMemories when sharing their experience on social media and

they gave a free movie ticket for trying out the service.

Today, Americans spend billions of dollars on cell phone charges related to international calling and millions more on worldwide calling cards. Data from the Federal Communications Commission shows that many of these calls go to India, Mexico, and Canada. Comcast's Xfinity Voice unlimited expanded plan will help our community keep in touch and connected without spending on calling cards or incurring wireless charges.

The activation follows on the heels of XFINITY "Count Memories, Not Minutes" launch, a campaign that reminds customers to cherish and relive their special moments with family by using XFINITY Voice Unlimited international calling feature. With special

holidays like Holi approaching, customers should be focused on treasuring their connection with family, and not being sidetracked with how much each minute costs them, said Lata Johnson, Sales person, Comcast.

Comcast has more than 11 million phone customers, and nearly all of its residential phone customers subscribe to the Xfinity Voice Unlimited plan. Xfinity Voice Unlimited also includes features like caller ID across multiple devices, three-way calling, and call waiting.

With the Xfinity Connect app, people can use up to four virtual phone numbers to make and receive calls and texts for free from a smartphone, tablet, or device connected to Wi-Fi. This feature

helps save money on wireless bills and on international charges when traveling abroad. Customers can

also check email, read or listen to home voicemail, and access contacts through the app.

March 11, 2016

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Rep Danny honors ethnic women of excellence

A group of Indian Seniors at Itasca Mandir

Indian Seniors celebrate Valentine's Day CL SHASTRI

KISHOR MEHTA

CHICAGO: U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis's 7th Congressional district's Multi Ethnic Advisory Task Force (MEATF) celebrated the International Woman's Day by honoring Chicagoland's Top Ten Outstanding Women from different walks of life.

The 4th Annual MEATF Celebrations will be held on Thursday, March 10 at Captain Hard Times Dining Banquet Hall, on the 79th Street, Chicago.

Ms Tanya Prabhakar, Youth Chair, MEATF said that International Woman's Day , March 8 is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The 2016 theme for the day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Gender parity is linked to economic prosperity and is an economic imperative, she added. Women's advancement and leadership are central to business performance and economic prosperity. Women are the largest emerging market in the world.

Ms. Padma Mehta, Woman's Day Chair announced the top ten outstanding women of Chicagoland receiving the Congressional citations at the celebrations included three Indian Americans, two Pakistani Americans, and one Chinese American among others.

Awardees are Ms Karen Yarbrough, Cook County Recorder of Deeds, Ms. Deanna Memon, President, Atrium Home Health Services, Evergreen Park, Dr Suja Mathew, Program Director, Internal Medicine, Stroger

Ms. Padma Mehta, Woman's Day Chair announced the top ten outstanding women of Chicagoland receiving the Congressional citations at the celebrations included three Indian Americans Hospital, Ms. Ivy Lam, President, Chinese American Citizens Alliance, Chicago Lodge, Ms. Santosh Kumar, President Metropolitan Asian Family Services, Chicago, Ms. Bushra Jawed, President, Bushra Beauty Bar & Spa , Westmont, Ms. Kathakali Dasgupta, Professional Singer, Bur ridge , Miss Arhama Ashfaq, Student, Chicago, Ms. Chrisy Jankowski, Entrepreneur, Westchester and Miss Saja Abdallah, Student, Loyola University.

The MEATF named Ms. Teresa Wynn Roseborough, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, the Home Depot, Atlanta as the 2016 International Woman of the Year in recognition of her Corporate Leadership, Executive Branch experience, and Community Service.

Ms. Padma Mehta, the Event Chair said that the presence of Congressman Danny Davis joined by his wife Ms Vera Davis was a great booster. There were prominent elected women officials and women leaders to celebrate the success of ethnic women in social, business, healthcare, education, cultural, politics and community service at this event on March 10.

CHICAGO: Senior Members of Indian community celebrated with pomp and gaiety Valentine Day and the birthday bash at Itasca SwaminarayanTemple last week in the presences of 100 plus members and guests.

The celebration was primed by Indian Seniors of Chicago Hema Shastri and Rasik Shah were in charge of the event that lasted for three hours. The guests had a good time and were briefed by the organizers about the activity and short trips planned this year.

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Sahiyaru providing toilet facilities in Gujarat ARVIND THAKAR

(3) of the IRS act. The Abhiyan works strictly on donations from supporters and well-wishers.

Among its various humanitarian activities, Abhiyan organizes free monthly food distribution to needy families, provides scholarships and school supplies to students up to college level and makes the families self-supporting. Needy patients are provided with free medical facilities in dif-

Hindu invocation at St Louis Choir

Toilet facilities in Navgam, Gujarat

CHICAGO: With the help of the Government grant of Rs 12,000 per toilet and balance Rupees 4,000 from donors and well-wishers like Dr Bharatbhai Barai and Shri Chhotabhai Patel, Sahiyaru Abhiyan is marching ahead with the construction of toilets for rural tribal areas of Gujarat State.

Fifty-six toilets are completed and are in active use by the residents and the tribal school children. Fortunately, no training or

education is required for the use of these facilities since everyone finds the facilities useful and convenient. Sixteen more toilets are under construction and many more are planned. The target is to provide 1,000 units within the next one year, depending upon the financial help received from donors.

Volunteers of the Abhiyan from India and USA have adopted schools and homes in the

Megharaj Taluka of Aravalli District in the northern part of Gujarat near the border of Rajasthan.

A social and humanitarian organization based in Gujarat and in Chicago USA, the Sahiyaru Abhiyan was formed in February 2010 and is registered with the Charity Commissioner of Ahmedabad and is exempt from Income Tax in India. It is also incorporated in the State of Illinois and is Tax Exempt under 501 (C)

Chicago varsity gearing up for Naidu visit will leave an indelible mark on our minds. The Chief Minister's visit His visit will reverberate eduwill also promote commerce becationally, economically and havtween Illinois and Andhra ing him visit from India to speak Pradesh. The two states have a to us and work with us will offer lot to offer to each other. hope and inspiration to "We will benefit from all. our expertise in construcNoted political science tion sector, IT, pharmaProfessor Dr. Bernard ceuticals, energy, and Rowan in his comments education. The Chief described the Chief MinMinister will meet the poister as a great leader and litical leadership at local, a person open to other state, and federal level. cultures and societies and Our two states will be forin the mission of serving ever linked in an unshakthose who may not have able bond because of this been served as properly historic visit," he obas they should have been served in the past, and building Dr. Rao Achanta, a bridge to the future.

Chairman University-InDr. David Kanis, Produstry Partnerships, said fessor and Vice President that, "for past few years Dr David Kanis, Professor and Vice President in his remarks said that he we have made tremenhad met the Chief Minisdous progress in collaboter twice and it was sort of like State of Andhra Pradesh, both the ration with universities in the meeting Abraham Lincoln or divided and undivided. " Telugu speaking states." He said Professor Rohan Attele, Chair- that Chandrababu Naidu is only Ronald Reagan! "I have been so impressed with his vision, and I man of Department of Computer the second Head of a Government really like to see him do the same Science and Mathematics, said to receive an honorary doctorate in Chicago where thousands of that the Chief Minister's address from the University.

Cont’d from page 19

people can hear him. What he could do to the South Side of Chicago is to inspire both old and young to do special things with their lives. The Chief Minister has done phenomenal things to the

ferent locations around Ahmedabad. A group of volunteers devote their time and effort for these services and therefore there is no overhead or administrative expenses except for Government fees, postage and mailings.

With the help and good wishes of all US residents, it hopes to expand its activities and make lives a bit more comfortable for people back home.

ST LOUIS: The Saint Louis Chamber Chorus (SLCC) in Missouri will offer "invocations to

faiths over the centuries. Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged world's choirs of excellence to celebrate Hinduism also, the oldest and

Hindu gods" by John Schlenck in its current 60th jubilee season on April 10. This will be part of its "All Manner of Gods" concert in University City.

Claimed to be "Midwest's premier a cappella ensemble", SLCC states to be "committed to presenting the finest a cappella choral works‌in St. Louis's finest public buildings". Philip Barnes, Linda Ryder and Dick Brickson are Artistic Director, Executive Director and Board President respectively.

Choirs had celebrated various

third largest religion of the world offering a rich philosophical thought He pointed out that music had a long and great tradition in Hinduism and the elements of musical theory were first found in ancient Sama-Veda.

Madhu Patel, president of NRI Press Club in Chicago expressed happiness that SLCC should be coming up with the idea of Hindu invocations theme and hoped that it would delve deeper into Hinduism in the future and come up with more Hindu compositions.

India Post News Service

March 11, 2016

Community Across America

India Post 23

www.indiapost.com

To find hope, look around you

T

hese are very unhappy times in Washington.

Relations between the executive and legislative branches are not just sour, but corrosive. Partisan paralysis and game-playing on Capitol Hill have become a hallmark of these times, as has the evident distaste our nation's leaders feel for one another.

It would be understandable to give in to despair, and a lot of Americans have done so. I have not, and for a simple reason: in our system there is always hope.

Why? Because our representative democracy rests finally not on what politicians in Washington or in our state capitals do, but on what our citizens do.

The bedrock assumption of representative government is that Americans will make discriminating judgments about politicians and policies, and shoulder their responsibility as citizens to improve their corner of the world. The remarkable thing is, they often do.

More than anything else, what you see when ordinary Americans decide to get involved in a public issue is their common sense and good judgment, their fundamental decency, and their remarkable sense of fairness. They recognize there are differences of opinion and that they have to be

LEE H. HAMILTON

sorted through. They make decisions by and large based on hope, not fear or despair.

The sense that comes through when you watch Americans at

Lee H. Hamilton

work on public issues is their overwhelming desire to improve their community. Often this is reflected in concrete projects - a new bridge, a better school, a badly needed sewer system. But you can also see it in many people's cry for candidates who will set narrow interests and excessive partisanship aside, and work to improve the quality of life for all Americans.

We often think of representative government as a process in which the elected official educates constituents, but the reverse is usually even more the case. Americans understand the

Zed on Advisory Board of Interfaith Project neighborhoods are now populated with the peoples of the World.

NEVADA: Reverend Andrea This rich and emerging diversity Goodman, President of The Inter- of experiences, ideas, and people faith Peace Project, has announced creates a fertile opportunity for inducting Rajan Zed into the Ad- conversation, understanding, covisory Board of California head- operation, and peace-making.

Project's Advisory Board memquartered "The Interfaith Peace Project", which focuses on "cre- bers are located around the globe.

Father Thomas P. ating peace through Bonacci is the Execuinterfaith understandtive Director. ing".

Rajan Zed, who In a letter to Zed, has been bestowed who is President of with "World Interfaith Universal Society of Leader Award", has Hinduism, Goodman taken-up interfaith, observed, "we bereligion, Roma (Gyplieve your experience, sies) and other wisdom and work causes all over the would be a positive world. He has read influence on The InRajan Zed opening prayers in terfaith Peace Project as together we work for mutual about 110 legislative bodies, inlove and respect among the cluding United States Senate and peoples of all faiths and the US House of Representatives in Washington DC. Many cities in World."

According to The Interfaith USA have named October 25 as Peace Project: Our cities, villages, "Rajan Zed Day".

India Post News Service

need for deal-making, compromise, and negotiation - and that to achieve change, they have to work through the system we have, which means educating and pushing political leaders.

This is why I have an underlying confidence in representative government. Americans are pragmatic. They recognize the complexity of the challenges we face, understand there are no simple answers to complex problems, and do not expect to get everything they want. My confidence in the system is built on citizens exercising their right to make this a stronger, fairer country.

Lee Hamilton is a Distinguished Scholar, Indiana University School of Global and International Studies; and a Professor of Practice, IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.

AI passenger fined for urinating in aisle HARISH RAO

CHICAGO: A 39-year old Air remember what happened.

India flight passenger has been Abraham was on medication fined for pulling his trousers and after the death of one of his chilurinating in the aisle after drink- dren during birth. His wife was on ing alcohol on a flight while trav- a separate flight with their 15elling from India. month-old child. Due to some mix Jinu Abraham, was travelling up at the airport, his medication along with his 10-year old son in Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner Abraham was on medicaand was seen behaving aggressively with the tion after the death of one cabin crew. He was re- of his children during birth. strained until the flight landed. At the airport His wife was on a sepaJohn was fined with by rate flight the Birmingham Court $1300 that included legal cost for his ugly behavior. was placed in the hold and when Forty minutes before the flight he tried to self-medicate it went was going to land, he removed his wrong. trousers exposing buttocks. He After he became conscious, he started urinating in the aisle. He felt sorry for his behavior and achad two whiskeys and was also cepted he troubled the passengers on anti-depressants and he did not and crew.

24

India Post

Perspective

March 11, 2016

www.indiapost.com

Afghanistan faces challenging tests in key sectors

I

n 2015, Afghanistan swung back and forth between several transitions. In surgency reached levels insofar un seen since 2001. As late as December 2015, the Afghan Taliban, notwithstanding its internal problems, showed no signs of retreating for winters, as has usually been the case. Instead, their offensives intensified.

The Islamic State (IS) too managed to establish itself as a player in the country.

The incumbent National Unity Government (NUG) is struggling to convince the electorate of its efficiency, trustworthiness, and commitment to reforms, and rising insecurity, a bad job market, and declining confidence in the NUG prompted a massive outbound migration of 1,50,000 Afghans.

Nonetheless, in 2015, Afghanistan also witnessed some forward movement in important sectors such as women's rights and their involvement in decision-making processes - especially towards peace-building - and regional cooperation vis-Ă -vis trade, energy and connectivity.

In 2016, the country will face challenging tests in key sectors, and will have to carefully cross every bridge, on time.

Security In 2015, Afghanistan recorded almost 10,000 insurgent attacks. At present, two of the country's four key security establish-

RAJESHWARI KRISHNAMURTHY

ments - the ministry of defense and the national directorate of security - do not have full time chiefs.

Although the splintering in the Afghan Taliban ranks appears to be waning, contin-

ued internal discontent with potential to escalate could be expected throughout 2016.

The splintering slowed down primarily to deal with the challenges posed by the IS and others; achieving a stronger position

Afghanistan's CEO Abdullah Abdullah and President Ashraf Ghani

during negotiations with Kabul; and Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) gaining relatively more influence on the group.

If internal disgruntlement in the Taliban structure continues, one could expect intensification in localized warring. Increased collusion between local criminal gangs and insurgent groups - especially the Haqqani Network - for logistical and ancillary activities could be expected.

Peace negotiations with the Taliban, irrespective of the numbers of the meetings, can only succeed if vital divergences in endgames of the various involved parties non-state and state - are resolved. Problematically, the Taliban is no longer the single, united entity it used to be.

And Kabul cannot accommodate the demands of those Taliban open to talks either without squandering away the gains made since 2001 and any leftover credibility among the Afghans. Even if talks succeed, the chances and sustainability of the achieved success is unknown.

Grim times are ahead in the north and south unless fault-lines are addressed before the October 2016 election. The variety in the terrorist groups and their complex linkages and goals has further complicated matters.

Cont’ d on page 25

March 11, 2016

Perspective

India Post 25

www.indiapost.com

Afghanistan faces challenging tests in key sectors Cont’ d from page 24

For instance, the Taliban is estimated at 1,300 members, but the presence and numbers of foreign insurgent groups such as the Junbish-e-Nasr-e-Tajikistan, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), the IMUbreakaway Jundallah, and the Lashkar-eTaiba (LeT) and Haqqani Network are in-

However, irrespective of the potential setbacks that may arise, the Afghan army which is extremely stretched in finances, manpower, equipment and morale, and urgently requires aerial support - could be expected to prevent the insurgents from retaining if not capturing strategic connectivity links.

Afghan security forces gather at the site of attack in Mazar-e-Sharif, capital of northern Balkh province, Afghanistan, Jan 4, 2016

creasing, which presages a culmination in a grave situation by 2016 end. Developments in Kunduz's Dasht-e-Archi and Chahrdara districts warrant close monitoring.

In the south, a relative degeneration in the security set-up together with the Taliban's growing strength and network, particularly in Helmand and Kandahar, might test the government's control over territory.

Here, Spin Boldak district - strategically located and that houses a major crossing point for people and goods between Afghanistan and Pakistan - is squarely placed to be one of the prime Taliban targets for capture and control.

Last year, the IS expanded its presence in Afghanistan, and Nangarhar - which witnessed among the highest numbers of attacks in 2015 - became its stronghold. Security in the eastern and southeastern provinces, especially in Nangarhar, might witness deterioration.

The IS presence increased in Kunduz, Logar and Ghazni provinces, as also reportedly in the outskirts of Kabul. It was also reported in the eastern, southern and west-

Governance Both Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah approach almost every issue divergently from the outset, and personal considerations towards their individual political and other calculations often take precedence. This has caused several delays in decision-making and reforms on key issues.

Corruption is still high, and public confidence in the NUG is rapidly declining.

There has been some progress, as demonstrated via the passing of media laws, among others, but the pace is sluggish and the citizens' patience is running low. Even if Ghani and Abdullah intend to work towards the larger cause of Afghanistan, electoral and support-related compulsions of a coalition government of two competing parties prevent them from doing so substantially. Yunus Qanuni's candidature for the Afghan High Peace Council chief position is an example.

Chances are some reforms may be hurriedly carried out in an attempt to gain some credibility before the October elections and the convening of the Loya Jirga. Mean-

Although the current condition seems portentous, a return to the Taliban era is unlikely in 2016. Also, the electorate is maturing at a pace quicker than several post-conflict societies. A pan-country 'Afghan' identity has somewhat consolidated itself alongside other identities. The country now requires a comprehensive leadership ern provinces, and in relatively fewer numbers in northern provinces such as Sar-ePul and Samangan.

The splintering within the Pakistanbased Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan could become resourceful for the IS inside Afghanistan. The IMU's allegiance to the Afghanistan-based IS will make matters worse. Ominously, child soldiers are now part of the insurgency.

while, the political cleavage between Kabul and the north is growing and will become increasingly apparent. Warlordism is returning, and the inefficiencies in governance are working in the Taliban's favor towards consolidation of presence, especially in the border areas.

Elections Parliamentary and district council elec-

tions were announced for 15 October 2016 but whether or not polls take place will depend both on the NUG and the pace of reforms.

The Electoral Reform Commission's proposal to replace the current single nontransferrable vote (SNTV) system with a mixed-proportional representation system, in the upcoming elections, will be impractical to implement and violates Article 83 of the Afghan constitution. The SNTV is imperfect but is simple and practical at this point, given the country's low literacy, resource and stability levels.

The Loya Jirga has to be convened before the NUG completes two years this year.

Any result or delay in either or both will challenge the NUG's legitimacy. Increasingly, both Ghani and Abdullah seem anxious about their futures for when the Loya Jirga convenes (or does not).

escalation or spillover of insecurity into its strategic backyard, Central Asia, the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization's Collective Rapid Reaction Force is likelier to be the choice of force deployed.

And, however low key it may want to project it as, an increasing Chinese involvement in Afghanistan can be expected in 2016.

India-Afghanistan India's cautious approach towards involving itself in the Afghan peace process is reasonable given the Taliban-Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) relations as well as past experiences.

The new great game afoot in the region among various countries as well as among the insurgent groups may make a case for New Delhi's involvement too, but it would be wise for India to dodge the temptation and be measured, taking into account at every level that for any peace and reconciliation effort to be achieved and sustained, it will have to be Afghan-led and Afghanowned. This is likely to be the case.

New Delhi will remain steadfast in its

Regional Outlook Unless Pakistan gets sincere about resolving the regional insurgency, Afghanistan's troubles will be far from finding an end. Although Islamabad is currently not in a position to dictate terms to the A f g h a n Taliban like earlier, the former still wields substantial influence over the group, in part due to its relationship with the Haqqani Network.

The IS' entry has added a new dimension. The extent of File photo of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani with Indian Prime Minister Pakistan's Narendra Modi, November 2014 support to ins u r g e n t groups ends where the chances of the commitment to progress and stability in former gaining an upper hand end. Unlike Afghanistan and like Indian Prime Minister in the case of the Taliban, Haqqani Network, Narendra Modi said, "India is here to conal Qaeda, LeT or JeM, Rawalpindi will be tribute not to compete." India-Iran-Afghaniunable to influence or control the IS. And stan cooperation can be expected in 2016. It no terrorist group in the region is able to will be interesting to see how New Delhi's operate smoothly without Rawalpindi's sup- engagements with Central Asian countries port or assent. This equation will increas- proceeds. ingly have a bearing on the regional security scenario where the Taliban are gradu- Overview Although the current condition seems ally being perceived as the lesser of the evils portentous, a return to the Taliban era is and as a counter to the IS. The outcome of the 2016 US presidential unlikely in 2016. Also, the electorate is maelections will impact several key issues. turing at a pace quicker than several postThere is a good chance Washington is seek- conflict societies. A pan-country 'Afghan' ing a presence in Afghanistan a la South identity has somewhat consolidated itself Korea - but if this is formally actualized, it alongside other identities. The country now will not be met with enthusiasm from the requires a comprehensive leadership that is Afghans or regional countries. Here, im- sincere, meticulous, coordinated and effiprovement in US-Iran ties may have a role cient. Afghanistan is capable of resolving its issues by itself. What it needs from the to play in 2016.

Russia is seeking greater involvement, global community is steadfast support, and and reportedly views the Taliban as a while at it, an end to meddling.

The writer is Research Officer, IReS, counter to the IS. Moscow is already set to supply small arms to Kabul. In an event of IPCS

26 India Post

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March 11, 2016

March 11, 2016

www.indiapost.com

India Post 27

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Sanam Re: Sanam Re 2 Soch na Sake: Airlift 3 Gerua: Dilwale 4 Deewani Mastani: Bajirao Mastani 28 India Post

www.indiapost.com

Bhansali and Shah Rukh came across each other and got talking about movies for hours.

"SRK has been eager to work with Bhansali and even requested him to direct a film which could be co-produced by them�

March 11, 2016

5 Yeh Fitoor Mera : Fitoor 6 Agar Tum Saath Ho : Tamasha 7 Janam Janam : Dilwale 8 Hua Hai Aaj Pehli Baar : Sanam Re 9 Aayat : Bajirao Mastani 10 Rom Rom Romantic : Mastizaade

S

peculations were rife that filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and superstar Shah Rukh Khan were not on good terms, especially after the duo's recent faceoff at the box-office with their respective films 'Bajirao Mastani' and 'Dilwale' releasing on the same day, December 18, 2015. However, both of them appeared cordial in public.

A couple of days ago, Bhansali and Shah Rukh came across each other and got talking about movies for hours. "SRK has been eager to work with Bhansali and even requested him to direct a film which could be co-produced by them," a Mumbai Mirror report said.

According to the report, the acclaimed filmmaker and King Khan were spotted at the Mirchi Music Awards function. The 'Hum Dil De Chuke' director was seated with his mother Leela in the front row. When Shah Rukh arrived at the venue, he touched the feet of Bhansali's mother who blessed him. The actor and Bhansali matriarch then hugged each other. After the awards ceremony, both of them headed out for a late dinner at Bhansali's residence and chatted for hours, the report says.

W

A

nushka Sharma and Virat Kohli, who broke-up at the beginning of this year, are back to talking terms.

Anushka and Virat parted ways after a dispute over marriage. Virat had proposed marriage, but Anushka wanted to focus on her career. The ex-couple had even unfollowed each other on social media.

According to a report in Bollywood Life, Anushka called up her ex-beau to congratulate him on his brilliant performance during the recently held Asia Cup T20 match between India and Pakistan.

Before their break-up, Virat had wanted to ring in Valentine's Day with his ladylove.

He had even opted out of the India-Sri Lanka Twenty-20 series to spend time with her.

However, Virat was upset when Anushka didn't pay any heed and preferred to carry on with her career. This led the couple to end their two-year-old relationship.

hile Sonam Kapoor's detractors have consistently cast aspersions on her acting abilities, others note that the fashionista actress has, in her nine-yearold career, developed a knack for sniffing out the best roles Bollywood has to offer.

Mostly in the public eye for her trailblazing fashion sense, she recently left audiences tearyeyed as the braveheart Neerja in Ram Madhvani's eponymous biopic. "According to Ram, the fashion stuff and the way I dress up are my armor.

But all the roles that I have played in my films have been grounded in reality. I am fine with sporting different hats and I love wearing clothes. I enjoy looking great," Sonam smiles, quick to point out that it's important to keep evolving.

Her work ethic resonates with her life mantra `never s a y never.'

And so, the 31year-old actress has been contemplating taking up film writing. "Not only writing, I plan to direct as well. I like to keep my options open."

She loves to challenge herself and learn from every film.

Bollywood

March 11, 2016

www.indiapost.com

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et against the Second World War, Vishal Bhardwaj's upcoming Casablanca-like love triangle, 'Rangoon,' featuring Kangana Ranaut, Saif Ali Khan and Shahid Kapoor, is being filmed in Arunachal Pradesh. The makers had initially sought permission to film in the valleys of Myanmar, which was denied and they had to shift base. "A recce was conducted late last year and the perfect place for filming the period drama was finalized. Shahid and Kangana landed in the state and were immediately mobbed by fans," a source informed.

The unit is currently filming Farah Khan's choreographed number 'Ek dooni do' at the IndoChina border. The song, set in the '40s, will be shown in black-and-white and shot in a single take.

Kangana was spotted with a bob cut and dressed in a long red skirt for the shot, while Shahid sported a North-Eastern attire.

A

fter making her mark in Bollywood, Sunny Leone was all set on launching her own film production banner. Now we hear that Sunny will in fact be turning author with a book of short stories.

Apparently, Sunny Leone will be writing around 12 to 15 short stories of approximately 2000 words for an Indian publisher. Once completed, the said stories will be available online.

However, she said stories will not be based on her life; instead they will be based on topics given by the publisher.

Y H

eena Kapadia is the latest from the modeling world to foray into Hindi cinema.

The Mumbai girl, who holds a degree in psychology, had participated in fashion shows during her college days. In 2014, while she was travelling with her father, she got an opportunity to walk the ramp for the Cambodia Fashion Week. Since then, there has been no looking back for this pretty girl. She exclaims, "I have participated in international fashion weeks and have also been the face of a few fashion brands in Singapore."

For her, the next obvious step was Bollywood. Heena says, "Acting was not on my agenda, but as I started getting film offers, I decided to enroll myself in acting and dance classes. I have also done theatre." She has already signed a movie with a big banner, but refuses to divulge further details.

ami Gautam, who believes that fashion is all about being comfortable in what you wear and what goes with an individual's persona, is not interested in launching her own fashion line as of now.

"To me, fashion is what is comfortable and what goes with a person's persona...

But launching my own brand is not on the agenda for me," Yami, who unveiled a new range of shoes for men and women from the house of Skechers Burst, said over the phone from Mumbai.

Gautam, who is basking in the success of the film 'Sanam Re', will next be seen in Hrithik Roshan starrer 'Kaabil' and Pulkit Samrat starrer 'Junooniyat'. 'Kaabil' will be produced by Hrithik's father, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan and directed by Sanjay Gupta while "Junooniyat" will be directed

by Vivek Agnihotri and produced by Bhushan Kumar.

India Post 29

30 India Post

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March 11, 2016

Horoscope

March 11, 2016

India Post

www.indiapost.com

March 11th - March 17th 2016

ome one will send or bring some nice and valuable gifts for you this week. You may need to do some serious juggling in order to meet recent financial commitments. Party will be entertaining but stay away from a well known trouble maker. You may misplace some important item in the house but will ultimately find it also.

S

utual aspects of Venus and Jupiter in eighth will cause more improvements in life. Property deal can finalize. Some of you may replace one of your vehicle with a newer model.

You will make some very useful friends at the party this weekend. If appearing for any highly competitive exam, you will pass it with flying colors.

M

Y

ou will have a big opportunity to make money little unorthodox way, but conscious will stop you from going that way on the last minute. You will be quickly rewarded as money will pour in from totally unexpected places. You will be surrounded by admirers at the party. This is the right time to approach a government official and seek favor.

F

eeling kind of burnt out with busy schedule, you may take a short break and visit a nice place with family this week. There will be some more positive development in ongoing litigation and one of your appeal will be accepted by a government agency. You will continue to look for a new avenues to make more money to keep up with expenses.

C

hanges you had been waiting for will finally take place. Things will get more relaxing and you will enjoy the company of a new colleague. Just maintain a fair distance. Business will continue to grow at fast pace this week.

People working as brokers will do very well. You will benefit from a dark color and tall person.

S

ome one close will try to hurt your image but will not succeed. There is no harm in being ambitious but this may not be the best time to gamble with what you have, stay with the sure thing. Money wise you will stay comfortable. You may meet an interesting personality during the course of a trip or visiting some office for business.

P

P

P

S

resence of Sun, Mars and Mercury in angles is still helpful. Grab the business proposal offered by a close friend. Few reminders will get you at least most part of the payment. You may be slowly working towards a long distance journey. A child will need your help in filling up some applications in colleges out of state.

P

ig relief on its way. Expenses and liability will come down all of a sudden.

You may be spending more time away from home in connection with business this week. Planets are still strong to help you money through stocks or win some money through lottery even.

You may call an old friend and seek his idea to start a business together.

resence of Venus and Jupiter in angle is a sure sign of divine protection. You may escape some trouble seconds before it may happen. You may have to wait for little more time for that big contract, but its going to happen. Chances of a favorable outcome in litigation become clearly visible because of new development taking place this week.

lanets are still in good shape to help you achieve your goals easily.

Any property deal that takes place this week will be very lucky. Some of you may buy another vehicle for a family member. Value of stocks will continue to appreciate. You may invite or arrange a small get together with close friends or colleagues from work.

uddenly things will brighten up. Financial pressure will kind of disappear and you will come across a new opportunity to make big money for long time to come. You may change your mind on last minute and decide not to attend a party this week.

Some one will offer a too good to be true proposal, do not fall for it.

lanets will bring energy back. You will continue to move closer to your financial goals. Some of you may start paper work to buy another franchise. There is no harm in going with the partnership if you can not manage it alone. People connected with high tech industry will benefit most from favorable combination of planets.

B

31

„ Health

Line

Coffee may reduce risk of liver disease LONDON: Coffee lovers, rejoice! A new study has found that regular consumption of coffee may reduce the risk of liver cirrhosis by 44 per cent and may nearly halve the risk of dying from the disease.

In patients with cirrhosis, the liver becomes scarred often as a result of long-term and persistent injury from toxins like alcohol and viral infections like hepatitis C. It may be fatal due to an increased risk of liver failure and cancer, researchers said.

They conducted a meta-analysis of nine long-term studies involving half a million men and women, and found that an extra two cups of coffee per day may reduce the risk of cirrhosis by 44 per cent, and it may nearly halve the risk of dying from cirrhosis.

"Coffee appeared to protect against cirrhosis," said Oliver Kennedy from University of Southampton in UK. "This could be an important finding for patients at risk of cirrhosis to help to improve their health outcomes," said Mr Kennedy.

The findings were published in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. -PTI

„ Bill aimed at curbing teen tobacco use BOSTON: A move to raise the minimum age for purchasing cigarettes and other tobacco products across Massachusetts may be gathering steam on Beacon Hill.

The Legislature's Public Health Committee is expected to unveil a bill aimed at curbing tobacco use by young people.

The panel's co-chair, Democratic Sen. Jason Lewis, of Winchester, declined to say whether the bill would include a provision increasing the statewide minimum age to 21 for tobacco purchases.

But Lewis says it's significant that Boston recently joined dozens of local communities that bumped the minimum age up from 18 to 21.

He says studies have shown that increasing the minimum age reduces tobacco use among teenagers.

He says the legislation could also address possible new regulations on e-cigarettes. -AP

Health Science

Heart attack, stroke risk doubles with alcohol

32 India Post

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March 11, 2016

Details on Page 35

India's health protection gap is among biggest in Asia MUMBAI: The country has one of the biggest health protection gaps in Asia, which is expected to increase by 12.3 per cent annually to USD 214 billion by 2020, a report said.

"India has one of the biggest health protection gaps amongst the countries in Asia. The gap is projected to increase by 12.3 per cent annually to USD 214 billion by 2020," according to a report by Swiss Re, a leading wholesale provider of reinsurance and insurance products.

Health protection gap is defined as the difference between the level of healthcare costs which would be required to meet consumer needs, versus the amount that would be available to cover those costs, if society's total healthcare expenditure remained a constant percentage of GDP.

The country is likely to face a shortfall in healthcare financing of close to USD 43 billion in 2020, which will require additional fiscal spending or higher out-ofpocket funding by individuals, it said.

Only 288 million (22.2 per cent) of India's population are covered

plans, it added.

The government and society will have to spend more in the future to make up for the growing demand for healthcare services due to higher income growth and a large population, it opined.

In addition, out-of-pocket expenses account for nearly 60 per

One of the possible models to insure the entire population of the country could be that the government gives a base cover to the bottom of the social pyramid, while private insurance companies cover the levels above by health insurance, of which 214 million are insured by government schemes, 48 million are covered by group insurance, while 25 million use individual or family floater

cent of the total healthcare expenditure in India, with a very minor contribution from private insurance plans and a catastrophic event will wipe out one's entire

savings, it said.

With the emerging middle class estimated to grow almost 10-fold from 50 million people at present to 475 million by 2030, the demand for quality healthcare and speed to access services will be greater.

Expanding insurance market like India requires a sustainable and dependable healthcare and insurance infrastructure, it said.

Increased consumer awareness along with easier access to healthcare are essential to drive penetration and double health insurance coverage in India by 2020.

One of the possible models to insure the entire population of the country could be that the government gives a base cover to the bottom of the social pyramid, while private insurance companies cover the levels above, it added. -PTI

Zika virus may be carried by other mosquitoes RIO DE JANEIRO: Research by scientists in Brazil indicates that a mosquito more common than the one primarily known to transmit Zika infections may possibly be able to carry the virus, a development that could further complicate efforts to limit its spread.

The mosquito species Aedes aegypti has been identified as the primary transmitter of Zika infections, which have been linked to thousands of birth defects as the virus spreads rapidly in Brazil and other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

But the scientists in Brazil announced that they were able to infect another species, Culex quinquefasciatus, with the virus in a laboratory, raising concerns that Zika could be carried by a species more prevalent than Aedes aegypti. They said much more research is needed to learn whether the Culex mosquitoes can transmit Zika infections.

In Brazil, Culex quinquefasciatus is 20 times

more common than Aedes aegypti, the researchers said.

The research, conducted by scientists at the government-funded Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in the northeastern city of Recife, is part of an ongoing trial in which researchers injected 200 of the Culex

transmit a Zika infection by biting a person.

"We saw an ease of infection and an ease of dissemination of the virus to the salivary glands," Constancia Ayres, the lead scientist in the study, told Globo, Brazil's leading television net-

If a mosquito besides Aedes aegypti were found to transmit Zika infections, it could make it more difficult to contain the current Zika outbreak

quinquefasciatus mosquitoes with rabbit blood infected by Zika.

The virus, they said, circulated through the mosquitoes' bodies and into their salivary glands, meaning they might be able to

work.

The research has yet to be published in a scientific journal or reviewed by scientific peers elsewhere.

The foundation said more work

was needed to determine whether Culex mosquitoes in the wild already are carrying the virus as well as whether they can transmit Zika infections.

Foundation spokeswoman Fabiola Tavares said the researchers, who will begin capturing Culex mosquitoes in areas near Recife where the virus is known to be circulating, will now proceed toward answering those questions. The additional research could take up to eight months, Tavares added.

If a mosquito besides Aedes aegypti were found to transmit Zika infections, it could make it more difficult to contain the current Zika outbreak that the World Health Organization last month declared a global public health emergency.

Much remains unknown about Zika, including whether the virus actually causes microcephaly in babies, a condition defined by unusually small heads that can result in developmental problems.

Cont'd on Page 33

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'Low' risk of getting Ebola from survivor MIAMI, UNITED STATES: The risk of had given semen samples over the seven catching Ebola from a survivor is generally month period following the onset of infeclow since the virus disappears from the tion. blood within weeks, but it may persist in "Apart from saliva and blood, there are semen for many months, researchers have potentially important gaps in the information said. on all bodily fluids," noted the study.

Until now, scientists have been uncerThe US Centers for Disease Control and tain of how to characterize the risk of catch- Prevention cautions people to use a condom ing the Ebola virus - which killed more than or abstain from sex after an Ebola infection.

11,000 people in West Africa - via social "Because it is not known how long Ebola contact with survivors who have overcome might be found in the semen of male survitheir illness. vors, they should abstain or use a condom Ebola is known to spread by close con- for all sexual activity," according to the CDC tact with the bodily fluids of an infected website. person, and can cause fatal hemorrhage, The study in PLOS did not weigh in on vomiting and diarrhea.

For the latest study, published in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, scientists pored over nearly 6,000 articles on Ebola to find those that documented the virus in survivors' blood, sweat, urine, semen, stool, vomit, vaginal fluids and breast milk.

"We wanted to know how long the Ebola virus persists in different body fluids after people have recovered - in order to assess how A girl suspected of being infected with the Ebola much of a transmission risk those virus has her temperature checked at the governsurvivors pose to their family, comment hospital in Kenema, Sierra Leone munities and medical professionals," said lead researcher Paul Hunter from how to avoid the risks of sexual transmisthe University of East Anglia's Norwich sion, but said that "apart from blood and Medical School. semen, most other body fluids pose a low They found that virus typically clears infectious risk." the blood - considered the major risk for Not enough evidence could be found to transmission because blood carries a lot of make a conclusion on breast milk. the virus - within 16 days.

Hunter added that the team found no Just five percent of patients carried the evidence that the virus could re-activate in virus in their blood after 16 days, and the survivors and become infectious again - via longest period observed was 29 days. non-sexual contact - after the initial illness The virus lingered in the semen of male had passed. survivors much longer - some 70 percent "Consequently transmission from social of semen samples from male survivors contact with an Ebola survivor is not sometested positive for the virus in the first thing that is likely to be a problem, even if seven months after illness. that person is suffering from longer term In all, the study found just 17 survivors complications." -AFP

Zika virus may be carried by other mosquitoes Cont'd from Page 32

Brazil said it has confirmed more than 640 cases of microcephaly, and considers most of them to be related to Zika infections in the mothers. Brazil is investigating more than 4,200 additional suspected cases of microcephaly.

Traces of Zika virus have been found in the bodily fluids and tissue of mothers and babies affected by microcephaly.

Culex quinquefasciatus also exists in more temperate climes, such as the southern United States, where it is known to carry the West Nile virus, and can survive winters. Unlike Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus could keep a virus in circulation during cold months.

Though the Culex mosquitoes prefer to feed on the blood of birds, they also commonly bite humans, especially in rural areas. That means that targeted pesticide use and other mosquito control efforts for that species, which rests in trees and other high areas, would need to be different from those for Aedes aegypti, which rests in low spots, often indoors.

"You can't spray up high the way you can around buildings," said Grayson Brown, director of the University of Kentucky's public health entomology laboratory who was not involved in the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation research.

If Culex mosquitoes were indeed proven to transmit Zika, Brown said, "it would really complicate the public health issue." -AP

Lack of sleep may give you the 'Munchies' WASHINGTON: Sleep deprivation may boost levels of a chemical that makes eating more pleasurable, leading to overeating and poor food choices, according to a new study.

Sleep-deprived participants were unable to resist "highly palatable, rewarding snacks," such as cookies, candy and chips, even when they had consumed a meal that supplied 90 per cent of their daily caloric needs two hours before, researchers said.

The effects of sleep loss on appetite were most powerful in the late afternoon and early evening, times when snacking has been linked to weight gain, researchers said.

Researchers from the University of Chicago in the US recruited 14 healthy men and women in their 20s as volunteers. They monitored the subjects' hunger and eating habits in two situations - one four-day period during which they spent 8.5 hours in bed each night (averaging 7.5 hours of sleep), and another four-day period when they spent only 4.5 hours in bed (4.2 hours asleep).

The participants ate identical meals three times a day, at 9 AM, 2 PM and 7 PM.

Researchers measured levels of the hormone ghrelin, which boosts appetite, and leptin, which signals fullness, in their blood.

"We found that sleep restriction boosts a signal that may increase the hedonic aspect of food intake, the pleasure and satisfaction gained from eating," said Erin Hanlon from University of Chicago.

"Sleep restriction seems to augment the endocannabinoid system, the same system targeted by the active ingredient of marijuana, to enhance the desire for food intake," said Hanlon.

This chemical signal is the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). Blood levels of 2-AG are typically low overnight. They slowly rise during the day, peaking in the early afternoon, researchers said.

For the first time, researchers measured blood levels of endocannabinoids. After a normal night's sleep, 2-AG levels were low in the morning. They peaked in the early afternoon, soon after lunchtime, then decreased.

After restricted sleep, however, 2-AG levels rose to levels about 33 per cent higher than those seen after normal sleep. -PTI

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Aspirin seen to lower risk of cancer MIAMI: People who take aspirin regularly have a significantly lower risk of cancer, particularly involving the colon and gastrointestinal tract, according to US research.

The findings in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Oncology suggest that aspirin use should complement - not replace - already established preventive screening measures such as colonoscopies.

"We now can recommend that many individuals consider taking aspirin to reduce their risk of colorectal cancer - particularly those with other reasons for regular use, such as heart disease prevention," said senior author Andrew Chan of the Massachusetts General Hospital.

"Our findings imply that aspirin use would be expected to prevent a significant number of colorectal cancers above and beyond those that would be prevented by screening and may have even greater benefit in settings in which the resources to devote to cancer screening are lacking."

Previous research has shown that regular aspirin use can help prevent colorectal cancer.

However, the wider effect of aspirin on all cancers was less clear.

So the researchers looked at 32

years' worth of data from nearly 136,000 nurses and health professionals who answered health surveys.

People who took either a regular aspirin or a low-dose aspirin at least twice per week showed a three percent lower risk of any type of cancer than those who did not report regular aspirin use.

The protective benefit of aspirin "appeared after five years of continuous use at dosages rang-

ing from 0.5 to 1.5 standard tablets a week or one low-dose tablet a day," said the study.

Aspirin use reduced the risk of colorectal cancer by 19 percent and the risk of any gastrointestinal cancer by 15 per cent.

Regular aspirin use "could prevent close to 30,000 gastrointestinal tract tumors in the US each year," said the study.

The team also calculated that

aspirin use could "prevent an additional 7,500 colorectal tumors among US adults over 50 who have endoscopic screening and 9,800 among the almost 30 million who are not screened."

However, when researchers looked specifically at common cancers such as breast, lung and prostate cancer, they found no risk reduction from aspirin use.

The research was based on observational studies, so it is not as strong as a randomized controlled trial.

Aspirin also carries certain risks, such as bleeding and stroke, and cannot be tolerated by everyone.

The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends aspirin to prevent colorectal cancer and cardiovascular disease among many US adults.

According to Ernest Hawk of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the study "is important because it suggests that aspirin use may complement colorectal cancer screening," he wrote in an accompanying editorial.

Aspirin also "may have an absolute benefit regardless" of whether patients have been screened by traditional methods, "a critical insight that few other studies have provided thus far," added Hawk, who was not involved in the study. -AFP

NY expands heroin antidote program ALBANY, N.Y.: New York health officials say independent pharmacies across the state now can provide the heroin overdose antidote naloxone to customers without a prescription.

The Health Department provides funding to Harm Reduction Coalition, a registered prevention program which will issue standing medical orders to

the more than 750 independent pharmacies outside New York City, as well as chain pharmacies without a designated prescriber.

The department earlier this year approved more than 480 CVS pharmacies and 460 Walgreens and Duane Read pharmacies as registered opioid overdose prevention programs, enabling their pharmacists to

dispense naloxone without a prescription.

When administered by injection or nasal spray, naloxone temporarily blocks the effects of opioids.

According to health officials, independent pharmacies wanting to participate should email naloxone(at)harmreduction.org. AP

USD offering health camp for high schoolers VERMILLION, S.D.: High school students considering careers in the field of health care can now register for a summer camp at the University of South Dakota that will give them a taste of the professions they're interested in.

Registration for the school's

10th annual Healthcare Careers Camp is now open to students who will enter 10th through 12th grades in the fall.

Students selected to attend the camp will participate in an anatomy lab tour, CPR certification and field trips to area medical facilities, among other activities.

Campers will also interact with health care professionals and others in the industry. Staffers from the Sanford School of Medicine and the USD School of Health Sciences will also be available.

The camp will run June 19-24.

The application deadline is April 1. -AP

Sex workers demand better health amenities NEW DELHI: Over 100 sex workers from All India Network of Sex Workers (AINSW) and city's GB Road have demanded better health amenities, social security and legal rights on the occasion of International Sex Workers Rights' Day. "It's high time to understand and respect the sex worker. Every sex worker needs to lead a dignified and healthy life. We hope the government and civil society organizations consider our demands and think sensitively about us.

"In the recent past, the NCW Chairperson also expressed her intention to provide rights and dignity to sex workers and ensure their social inclusion. This would protect sex workers from widespread violence and social discrimination. The sex workers' community has succeeded in getting the support the Chief Justice of India in the past," said Kusum, AINSW President.

"Social activists and Sex Worker Collectives are deeply concerned about the social status of sex workers and their family members. We want the government to look into our concerns and address our demands," AINSW General Secretary Gita Datta said.

The members demanded development programs related to sex workers and their family members.

They also urged that the state should adopt a policy to incorporate sex workers' representation in all policy making bodies for program development and implementation.

States like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have issued unorganized Labor Welfare Card (LWC) for 17 categories of informal labors. The same approach could be adopted to help sex workers, they said.

They said sex-workers should

The NCW Chairperson also expressed her intention to provide rights and dignity to sex workers and ensure their social inclusion. also be included in pension schemes provided by state or central government.

They also demanded changes in some sections of Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act (ITPA) which are directly affecting the lives and dignity of sex workers. PTI

Business leaders back medical marijuana bill DES MOINES, Iowa: Influential Iowa business leaders are urging state legislators to pass a bill that would expand the state's medical marijuana laws.

The Des Moines Register reports that more than 90 business leaders sent lawmakers a letter, asking them to debate and pass comprehensive medical cannabis legislation. ``Now is the time to help suffering Iowans and their families get legal access to this medicine, and we hereby call on Iowa lawmakers to debate and pass Comprehensive Medical Cannabis legislation this session,'' the letter reads.

The signers span several industries, including banking, insurance, publishing and real estate.

It's been legal for Iowa residents with epilepsy to use cannabis oil since 2014, but proponents argue that the change was useless in practice because of a separate state law that makes it

illegal to manufacture or distribute it.

The proposed legislation would grant the state authority to establish two growing facilities and distribute medical cannabis oil to people who suffer from cancer, intractable epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.

State Rep. Peter Cownie, RWest Des Moines, who introduced the measure, said he brought the issue forward after hearing stories like those from West Des Moines Mayor Steve Gaer and his wife, Sally, who have a daughter with epilepsy. The Gaers have obtained cannabis oil for their daughter and say it's made a dramatic improvement. ``For me personally, I'll be very disappointed for this legislative session if we don't get this bill passed into law,'' Cownie said. ``From people coming up to me on the street with how supportive they are, around town, around my district, I think Iowans are ready for the change.'' -AP

March 11, 2016

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Heart attack, stroke risk Computer use may reduce doubles with alcohol memory decline BOSTON: Moderate consumption of alcohol may double the risk of heart attack and stroke in the hour after drinking, a new study has warned.

Researchers analyzed data from 23 studies involving 30,000 participants to better understand the risk of heart attacks and strokes in the hours and days after drinking alcohol.

"We found that even moderate alcohol consumption - one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men - may raise a person's risk of a heart attack or stroke approximately two-fold within the hour following consumption compared to other times," said Elizabeth Mostofsky from Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health

in the US. "After 24 hours, though, only heavy alcohol intake conferred a continued heightened risk. In other words, heavy drinking increases risk both in the short-term and the long-term, but drinking smaller amounts has different effects in the subsequent

hours than it does in the subsequent days and weeks," she said.

Immediately following alcohol intake, heart rate increases, blood pressure rises and blood platelets become stickier. This may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, researchers said.

But over time regularly drinking small amounts of alcohol appears to lower cardiovascular risk by increasing levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), the so-called "good" cholesterol, and by reducing the tendency to form blood clots, they said.

"It is possible that the briefly higher cardiovascular risk in the hours after drinking small amounts of alcohol may be outweighed by the longer term health benefits of regular moderate drinking," said Mostofsky.

"However, heavy alcohol use was associated with higher heart attack and stroke risks at all times studied. Six to nine drinks in a day nearly doubled the risk, and 19 to 30 drinks weekly elevated the risk by up to six times more," she said.

According to the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, heavy drinking is typically described for men as consuming 15 or more drinks per week and more than 8 drinks per week for women, researchers said.

The findings were published in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation. -PTI

Plant extracts can combat skin cancer BEIJING: Scientists have developed an ointment using plant extracts that may be effective in treating melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer.

The cream, developed by researchers at the University of Santiago in Chile, is currently in the early stages of the testing.

It was applied to animals, and so far it has proved to be an effective solution for melanoma, said Sofia Michelson who, along with Claudio Acuna, led the research team.

"We are fighting melanoma because it is the most aggressive skin cancer. Other creams currently exist for treating skin cancer but they do not specifically treat this type," said Michelson.

The ointment is applied externally every third day for a period of about a month, during which the application zone should be protected, said the researchers.

The medication contains an extract of a shrub that is endemic in Chile. The substance affects the viability of the tumor cells, they said.

After applying the ointment on animals, the researchers were able to more than double the animals' life expectancy compared to other conventional medicines, the state-run 'Xinhua' news agency reported.

"The problem is that the human body does not react to tumors because they make bodies believe they are normal," Acuna said.

"For that reason, the idea was to find an immunological response for when a bacterial as well as a viral or parasitic infection appears," said Acuna. -PTI

NEW YORK: Older adults who participate in social and mentally stimulating activities like reading and using computer may lower the risk of developing memory and thinking problems, finds a study.

Researchers found that people who use computer once per week or more were 42 per cent less likely to develop memory and thinking problems than those who did not.

"The results show the importance of keeping the mind active as we age," said study author Janina Krell-Roesch from the American Academy of Neurology in the US. "While this study only shows association, not cause and effect, as people age, they may want to consider participating in activities like these because they may keep a mind healthier, longer," KrellRoesch added.

The research would be presented in April at the American Academy of Neurology's 68th Annual Meeting in Vancouver, Canada.

The team followed 1,929 people aged 70 and older, who were part of the larger Mayo Clinic Study of Aging in Rochester, US. The participants had normal memory and thinking abilities at recruitment of the

study.

They were then followed for an average of four years until they developed mild cognitive impairment or remained impairment-free.

The participants were asked using a questionnaire about their engagement in mentally stimulating activities such as computer use, reading, crafting and social activities.

The results show that people who engage in social activities were 23 per cent less likely to develop memory problems than those who did not engage in social activities.

People who reported reading magazines were 30 per cent less likely to develop memory problems.

Those who engaged in craft activities such as knitting were 16 per cent less likely to develop memory problems.

Similarly, those who played games were 14 per cent less likely to develop memory problems.

Participants who engaged in mental activities at least once a week had lower risk for new onset of mild cognitive impairment as compared to those participants who did not engage in these activities, the researchers concluded.-PTI

Realty Tidbits

Rahul assures of a strong Real Estate bill NEW DELHI: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has assured home buyers that his party was committed to a strong Real Estate Bill to protect their interests and would ask the government to bring it in Parliament at the earliest.

In a series of tweets, Rahul said: "Met representatives of home

Real Estate 36 India Post

www.indiapost.com

March 11, 2016

DANA DRATCH

ou bought the house and circled "moving day" on the calendar. Before you get settled in, there are 5 things to do immediately to the home you just bought.

filters. Change them all when you move in. This includes: • Aeration filters in kitchen and bathroom spigots.

• The air filter in the heating and air conditioning unit.

The No. 1 task: Change the locks. Who knows how many people have keys to what's now your home? The fix is easy: "It's usually a minimum charge for a locksmith to come to the house," says Ron Phipps, principal with Warwick, Rhode Island-based Phipps Realty and past president of the National Association of Realtors.

Phipps' advice: Don't just rekey the locks - replace the hardware, too. You get a nice update, plus peace of mind, he says.

The average home has a lot of

• The vent filter above the stove.

This advice comes from Paul DiMeo, designer and builder for "Building Wild" on the National Geographic Channel and a contractor on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" on ABC. He says aerators cost about $7 each, and if there's been an accumulation of sediment over the years, replacing them will improve the water pressure. Range vent filters can run $10 to $30, while heating and air filters are available for $5 to $30.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi

Real estate professional detained CHENNAI: A real estate professional wanted in connection with a landgrab case has been arrested and detained under the stringent Goondas Act, police said.

They said one Madanagopal had filed a complaint that four persons had sold his Rs 1.25 crore property at Adyar using fake documents since he had been living in Dubai for long.

They had impersonated him and given the power of attorney to one Velu to sell the property, who in turn sold off the land to another buyer, police said.

Three accused, Chokkalingam, Murugan and Lakshmanraj, had been arrested as early as in 2013 in connection with the case issue even as Velu had absconded, police said.

A special team nabbed him from Tiruvannamalai recently and he was later remanded to judicial custody.

He was detained under the Goondas Act, police said. -PTI

CUMBERLAND, Md.: About a dozen Cumberland homeowners say they won't sell their homes for commercial redevelopment of their neighborhood.

The Cumberland Times-News reports that the Save Our Homes Alliance declared its intentions in writing to the City Council. The Cumberland Economic Development Corp. plans to demolish 62 homes near Interstate 68 in the Rolling Mill neighborhood on the east side of the western Maryland city. -AP

Change the locks & 4 other things to do when moving into a home

Y

buyers from across the country earlier today".

He said he assured them that @INCIndia is fully committed to a strong Real Estate Bill to protect them.

Noting that Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) Bill was introduced by Congress in 2013, he said he would urge Government to bring the Bill in the House at the earliest. -PTI

Homeowners resist redevelopment plan

While you're at it, DiMeo says, "Check the dryer vent to make sure it's not clogged."

Claim your new space by giving it a thorough cleaning, DiMeo says. When the house is empty, you can see every mark and flaw.

Also, it's harder to get to some places after the house is filled with your stuff.

Wash windows, vacuum floors and steam-clean carpets, he advises. "Anything that was left behind by the family before me, I want to get that gone. Really go in there and wash the entire place."

With no furniture in the house, it's a good time to buff and seal wood floors, DiMeo says.

The best time to install or up-

Phipps says.

Not only do you have easy access to every spot in your home (which makes planning and installation easier), but you get to enjoy the benefits from day 1.

"Ask the prior homeowner for a list of contacts and service people they've used," says Phipps. "A personal recommendation in your neighborhood is really, really valuable."

And if you've had a decent relationship with the sellers, inquire if you might have their new contact information - but make it clear you won't use it to bother them, he says.

Say something like, "I won't call you, but can I text if I need to know

date home technology is right before (or during) the move-in,

how to do something?" Phipps says. -Courtesy Bankrate.com

10 lakh houses built for urban poor NEW DELHI: 10,17,423 houses have so far been built for urban poor under different housing schemes like the 2005-06 Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) launched in 2013-14, as against total 13,92,589 houses sanctioned, Rajya Sabha was informed.

2,10,438 houses were constructed since 2014-15, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Babul Supriyo said in a written reply.

JNNURM was brought to a close by the previous government but the housing component under it was allowed to be imple-

mented by the present dispensation to enable completion of the houses under construction by March 2017. In effect, 8,04,075 houses were built between 200506 and 2014-15, the minister said.

launched in June last year.

The total project cost approved under JNNURM and RAY was Rs 40,608 crore while under PMAY it was Rs 28,770 crore in the very first year.

Sanction was given for construction of 5.09 lakh houses for Economically Weaker Sections under Prime Ministers Awas Yojana (PMAY-Urban) launched in June last year.

As against this, sanction was given for construction of 5.09 lakh houses for Economically Weaker Sections under Prime Ministers Awas Yojana (PMAY-Urban)

Against the approved central assistance of Rs 21,119 crore, an amount of Rs 20,972 crore has so far been released, including Rs 2,983 crore since 2014-15.

The housing components of JNNURM are Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) and Integrated Housing and Slum Development Program (IHSDP) implemented in 943 cities and towns, while RAY is being implemented in another 122 cities and towns.

7,94,091 houses were sanctioned under BSUP, 4,56,650 under IHSDP and 1,41,848 under RAY, Supriyo informed the House.

He added construction of 10,00,383 houses has been completed under the two components of JNNURM and 17,040 under RAY. -PTI

March 11, 2016

India Post 37 www.indiapost.com

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Real Estate Post

38 India Post

March 11, 2016

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London world's most expensive city LONDON: London has been ranked as the world's most expensive city to live and work in, ahead of New York and Hong Kong, according to a UK study that puts

and office accommodation per person in some of the world's leading cities.

London is 18 per cent more expensive than it was five years

Mumbai at 17th.

The only India city on the list of top 20, Mumbai is ranked 17th ahead only of Berlin, Johannesburg and Rio de Janeiro by the UK real estate firm Savills survey.

It compares the total annual cost of renting both residential

ago, and has been ranked at the top of the index since 2014.

The cost of living in the British capital comes to more than double the cost of other Englishspeaking cities such as Sydney, Los Angeles and Chicago.

"The highest ranking global cities, London and New York, are

also the most expensive for businesses and workers to occupy...

World cities can become a victim of their own success when rents rise to the point where affordability becomes an issue," said Yolande Barnes, head of Savills World Research.

"The productivity of cities and their value to global businesses clearly has a pronounced effect on demand and hence rental costs," she said.

Her research found that accommodation for the average Londoner calculated as a total of housing and office rental costs comes to 80,700 pounds a year, compared to 79,600 pounds in New York and 73,800 pounds in Hong Kong.

Savills puts together its study as an indicator for companies of the cost of doing business in different world cities. -PTI

Ready-to-move-in flats command premium NEW DELHI: Consumers are preferring to purchase ready-tomove-in homes, which command a price premium of up to 21 per cent, than properties under-construction because of huge delays in completion of projects, according to a report.

According to a report by realty portal Magicbricks.com, ready-to-move-in properties command an average 5 per cent premium over under construction properties.

Ready-to-move-in properties in Greater Noida recorded a maximum 21 per cent price premium during October-December quarter of last year.

The report covers the quarterly price movement in the secondary/ resale real estate market of the 14 major cities in the country.

"One of the biggest challenges in the current real estate market is lack of consumer confidence in

"One of the biggest challenges in the current real estate market is lack of consumer confidence in developers�

developers to deliver the projects on time. This is reflected in the price differential between under construction and ready-to-movein properties in the secondary/resale real estate market," the report said.

It said consumers are hesitant to buy properties under construction because of project delays

which lead to consumers having to bear additional financial burden of paying rent over and above the home loan installment.

"In the current market scenario, consumers are opting for ready-to-move-in properties and

are willing to pay a premium as the delivery risk is low when compared to under construction properties and buyers can start using the property in a minimum timeframe," the report said.

Magicbricks.com is owned by Magicbricks Realty Services, which is a subsidiary of Times Internet Ltd. -PTI

'Housing, construction got benefits in budget' NEW DELHI: The housing and construction sector got various tax reliefs in the 2016-17 budget despite not being accorded the infrastructure status, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu has said.

The sector got benefits of infrastructure status even without being formally declared so, the Urban Development and Housing and Poverty Alleviation Minister said here.

Highlighting the implications of the budget proposals for the urban sector, Naidu said various tax concessions and reliefs announced would go a long way in meeting the long standing demand of the construction sector for in-

urged all concerned to enable early passage of this Bill which aims at promoting confidence among consumers and credibility of real estate sector.

Naidu said the budget for the next financial year proposed several measures to enable flow of investments for affordable housing and construction in the country.

He said despite focus of the Budget on agriculture and rural development, urban sector got its due as against the increase of 15 per cent in the total central plan outlay for 2016-17 over revised estimates for the current fiscal, the plan outlay for the urban sector has been increased by 55 per cent.

Venkaiah Naidu

frastructure sector status.

Referring to social media campaign by consumers and potential home buyers seeking early passage of Real Estate Bill, Naidu

The share of urban sector in the total central plan outlay for the current fiscal and the next fiscal, however, remained at about 5 per cent. -PTI

Utility to pay housing costs after leak LOS ANGELES: A California appeals court rejected efforts by a utility to stop housing Los Angeles residents driven from their homes by a gas leak that lasted almost four months.

The 2nd District Court of Appeal denied a petition by Southern California Gas Co. to reconsider a judge's order requiring the company to extend paying shortterm housing costs and other expenses until March 18.

As residents in short-term housing were to return home, lawyers for Los Angeles County successfully won the extension so the public health department could test homes to make sure it was safe to return.

The company said it was spending about $2 million a day for housing, but Superior Court Judge Elihu Berle said health risks to residents outweighed the gas company's costs.

The gas company appealed, saying public health officials had already determined air quality had returned to safe levels near its Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility.

Thousands of residents moved out of the Porter Ranch area during the 16-week leak and many complained of nausea, headaches, nosebleeds and other symptoms.

Some who returned home after the leak was sealed said they continued to suffer from maladies.-AP

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ucked away among the Palani Hills in Tamilnadu, in South India, and jealously guarded like a prized jewel by the dark forests, is Kodaikanal. In fact, the name itself means 'gift of the forest' in Tamil. A more appropriate and evocative name could not have been imagined for this quaint, unspoilt little hill station, where the air is intoxicating, the scenery breathtakingly beautiful, and serenity seldom found in other hill stations.

Cradled in the southern crest of the upper Palani Hills, in the Western Ghats, 120 km from Madurai, Kodaikanal is located 2133 m above sea level. Founded by American mis-

March 11, 2016

sionaries in 1845, Kodaikanal is steeped in history. Relics and artifacts of the Paliyans who once lived in these hills can still be seen in the Shenbaganur Museum.

Even today, a few Paliyans can be seen near Kukal Cave.

In the early days, there were no roads-people had to travel by bullock-cart and palanquin, braving the dangers of the forests. Slowly Kodaikanal developed, missionaries established church properties, many of the then ruling princes built summer holiday-homes, clubs were opened,

school and hotels were built, and civic amenities were introduced.

Dramatic experience Driving into Kodaikanal from Palani is a dramatic experience, reminiscent in parts of the drive up the Ghat road from Kallar to Ooty.

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Ride the sky on a 70-story glass slide in LA LOS ANGELES: Thrill-seekers looking to take their fear of heights to a new level can come to down-

the 69th floor of the U.S. Bank Tower downtown.

Nothing but 11/4-inch glass

the Santa Monica Mountains to the city's sprawling San Fernando Valley.

The Skyslide

town Los Angeles this summer and careen down a clear glass slide atop the tallest building west of the Mississippi.

The ``Skyslide'' is scheduled to begin sending urban adventurers down the relatively brief ride 1,000 feet above the ground in June. It will span 45 feet from the 70th to

separates riders from the ground, promising to provide both a thrill and quite the view for anyone willing to open their eyes along the way.

On a clear day, the 72-story tower provides panoramic views that extend to Catalina Island 22 miles off the Pacific Coast and over

``There will be nothing like it in the U.S.,'' said Lucy Rumantir, head of U.S. operations for the building owner OUE Limited of

Singapore.

And that is just the reason for building a giant slide in the sky, Rumantir said. ``When you do something new in LA you've got to be creative,'' she said, adding there are already plenty of things to see here. But the building owners' thinking goes that a wild slide through the sky might drive more thrill-seekers downtown rather than to the beaches, Disneyland and other traditional attractions.

Downtown nightlife has exploded in recent years with the addition of upscale hotels, The Broad museum, the LA Live entertainment district and trendy bars and restaurants.

Skyslide also continues a trend of creating attractions designed for urban thrill-seekers who for some reason seem eager to laugh in the face of acrophobia.

Grand Canyon Skywalk, the horseshoe-shaped bridge that opened nine years ago, allows visitors to stroll right off the edge of the canyon's north rim and stare

through 2,000 feet of nothingness to the canyon floor. The Las Vegas Strip's X-Scream roller-coaster sends riders on a wild plunge off the top of the 1,100-foot Stratosphere Hotel and Casino.

Chicago's Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) renovated its 103rd floor observation deck in 2009 to add all-glass balconies, allowing people to actually step several feet off the ledge.

Skyslide is part of a $50 million renovation that will also put an open-air observation deck and bar on the tower's top floors.

Admission to the Skyspace observation deck will be $25, with tickets to Skyslide costing $8.

Tickets go on sale March 18, and Rumantir said the building is already receiving hundreds of calls from people who want to slide.

Asked if she'll actually slide down the thing when it opens, she laughed: ``Oh yeah, of course.

We're going to be the ones who actually test the whole thing before it goes public. The risk is on us.'' -AP

Grand Canyon Skywalk

Chicago's Skydeck

Australia sees 18.6 pc rise in Indian tourists MUMBAI: The total number of Indians visiting Australia increased by 18.6 per cent in 2015, making India the eighth largest inbound market for the continent nation.

The number rose to 2,33,100 last year as compared to 1,97,000 Indian tourists who visited Australia in 2014, according to data from Tourism Australia.

Australia is now eyeing over 2,50,000 visitors from India visiting the country's dramatic landscapes, culinary delights and culture.

Last year, about 68 per cent of

Indians travelled to Australia for leisure (1,58,500), while 26,400 went for business, 14,800 short-term education and 33,500 for other purposes.

Of the leisure travelers, 60,500 visitors were on holiday in December while 98,000 visited friends and relatives.

Indian visitors contributed over Australian Dollar (AD) 1.1 billion to the continent nation's economy in 2015, up 38 per cent over the previous year, the data showed.

In terms of expenditure, India is the 10th largest source market for Australia. The average spend for

Indian visitors in 2015 was AD 5,185, it added.

For the year 2015, Indian visitors spent a total of 14 million nights in Australia, an increase of 38 per cent over 2014.

It also revealed that the average length of stay for all visitors from India was 65 nights, with a 46 per cent doing a repeat visitation. Indian leisure visitors stayed an average of 56 nights, it added.

The top five Aussie attractions that appeal to Indian travelers are the beaches, iconic landmarks, wild life, food and

wine and the Great Barrier Reef.

Tourism Australia targets big cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad,

Kolkata, Ahmedabad and tourists mainly between the age group of 35-54 with an average household income over USD 45,000. -PTI

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It is a relief to leave the hot, dusty plains behind and drive up into the cool hills. The vegetation changes gradually from palmfringed paddy fields to wild brush with flaming blossoms to plantations interspersed with stately silver oaks.

The view of the Amaravathi Dam, a shimmering sapphire sheet of water is an unforgettable sight.

Driving higher, banana trees give way to tall eucalyptus trees, and the whole countryside is dotted with wildflowers in jeweled colors, magenta and purple predominating. There is a marked nip in the air, as one reaches for one's cardigan, or shawl. At a bend in the road, the shimmer and roar of the Silver Cascade waterfall welcomes the tourist.

Arriving in Kodai town, one is

greeted by orchards of pear trees with their graceful branches silhouetted in artistic curves against the evening sky like stark Zen etchings. Buildings with gabled roof dot the skyline. Broken fragments of light from the setting sun are caught and kindled in the windrippled water appearing like a myriad lamp floating on the lake.

Tourist attractions

The Kodai Club gives the impression of stepping back into colonial India. As one relaxes in the comfortable chamber of the Kodaikanal Club, a The names of the buildings in Kodaikanal are very evocative: 'Loch End' and 'Mansarovar' - these two houses by the lakeside bridge the time span from colonial times to the present. Hillbrook, Furzbank, Wood-cote, Whispering Pines and Rock Cottage all conjure up the beauty and spirit of their natural ambience.

Jacaranda trees burst out in purple profusion, as though singing hosannas to the skies. Magnolia trees guard their 'escaping' fragrance, while cherry trees sweep in graceful pink arcs.

On the east side of the lake is Bryant's Park, named after the forest officer who planned its layout around the turn of the century.

Beautiful pine and eucalyptus trees grow here.

About a kilometer from the lake is Coaker's Walk, named after St. Coaker of the Royal Engineers, offering a fantastic view of the plains and the distant hills. There is a rugged pristine beauty about these vistas, and the mist rising in veils from the valley below, gives the place an unreal quality.

Driving along the cool green

darkness with the trees making a canopy overhead, one reaches

Green Valley View. Gnarled cypress roots make a natural crazy path to the sheer drop of 1,000 feet that overlooks the Vaigai Dam. The exclusive Kodai Golf Club is very near Green Valley View.

Past the Golf Club is the 114-acre Golf Links, another colonial legacy - an undulating green velvet carpet. Thick woods line the road leading to the Pillar Rocks. These are three vertical pillars standing shoulder to shoulder measuring 112 m.

The ground drops sheer below them, creating a dramatic impact and affording a stupendous view of the valley below.

The abundance of pear orchards is a striking feature of the

Kodaikanal landscape.

A sheer lacy curtain of water, so aptly named 'Fairy Falls,' is nearby. About five and a half km from the lake is the Shenbaganur Museum, maintained by the Sacred Heart College, a Theological Seminary founded in 1895. The stuffed-birds and the butterfly collection are remarkable. The archeological collection is meticulously documented.

Places around There are several excursion spots in and around Kodaikanal.

Dolphin's Nose, located about

eight km from the lake, is a flat projecting rock from where one can have a breathtaking view of the yawning chasm below.

The Perumal Peak, about 11 km from Kodaikanal, is a trekker's delight. Climbers begin their ascent from the Neutral Saddle.

Berijam Lake supplies drinking water to Periyakulam town, and is 21 km from Kodaikanal (beyond the Pillar Rocks). It is a popular picnic spot with a beautiful view.

Kukal Cave, 40 km from Kodaikanal, is a favorite camping site for trekkers. Reportedly, descendants of the Paliyans still live here.

Best Time to Visit Visit Kodai from April to June or August to September. This is when the weather is at its best temperatures stay in the region of a comfortable 20°C to a bracing 10°C. How to reach: Air: The nearest airport is Madurai, 120 km away. It is well connected to other airports.

Rail: The nearest railhead is Kodai Road Railway Station, which is 80 km away.

Road: Kodaikanal is connected by road with important towns like Madurai, Palani, Kodaikanal Road, Theni, Dindigul, Tiruchirapalli, Kumuli (Thekkady) and Coimbatore.

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Theme parks rise in Dubai amid shifting sands DUBAI: Sweating and hopeful, the performers lined up once more and received instructions mirroring the aspirations of the soon-toopen massive amusement parks they hoped to join: dance threeeighths Bollywood with a stiff shot of hip hop and a touch of whimsy.

And one more thing: "Does anyone tumble?"

This cross-cultural collage will be Dubai Parks & Resorts, a USD 2.8-billion bet on tourism in this Mideast city-state featuring a Taj Mahal-inspired theater, the interlocking plastic bricks of Legoland and movie-themed attractions.

Despite all the glitz on display, the attraction is clouded by the earlier experience of an amusement park project that went bust and the fact that low oil prices that have cut into pockets across the Gulf.

But backers remain optimistic, suggesting that lower fuel prices will eventually make flights less expensive, helping them to attract visitors from Europe and Asia once

the park opens in October.

The park, planned to be over 25 square kilometers, sits southwest of downtown Dubai in the windswept deserts off the main highway

or world's fair, as well as Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, which officials hope someday will handle over 200 million passengers a year.

linking it to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

The area is close to where Dubai plans to host the 2020 World Expo,

Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, recently announced the creation of a planned USD 8.1 bil-

lion project nearby called Dubai Wholesale City.

"We're no longer the Lone Ranger out in the desert," said Vinit Shah, Dubai Parks & Resorts' chief destination management officer.

A red dragon built out of 230,000 Lego bricks has already arrived for a Legoland r o l l e r- c o a s t e r.

Motiongate, the project's moviethemed park, will feature a "Smurfs village" and a live-action, hiphop show based on the "Step Up" film franchise. Bollywood Parks, a Lego-inspired waterpark, as well as shops, restaurants and a luxury hotel round out the project.

Some 15,000 laborers are employed on the site, Shah said. Some 5,000 palm trees and 1.2 million

shrubs will be planted alongside air-conditioned queues to battle Dubai's summertime heat, when the temperature hovers above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) with high humidity. Many attractions also will be inside.

Investors hope to gain from the growing number of tourists visiting Dubai, home to the long-haul airline Emirates, the world's tallest building, luxury malls and other attractions.

The plunge in oil prices has affected high-end shopping in Dubai, said Philip Shepherd, an analyst for PricewaterhouseCoopers who has done feasibility studies on the park.

But Shepherd said airline ticket prices likely will drop, and that more family-focused tourists than ever want to come to Dubai from India, as well as the United Kingdom. They'll find the Dubai amusement park fits their budget and needs, he said. -AP

Yearlong spacemen back, embrace fresh air CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.: Ah, there's nothing like a blast of fresh, frigid air to welcome you back to the planet after nearly a year cooped up in space.

That's the word from astronaut Scott Kelly, NASA's space-endurance champ who returned to bitterly cold Kazakhstan along with his roommate for the past year, Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko.

In a NASA interview before heading home to Houston, Kelly said it was ``amazing'' to feel the cold air when the hatch of his Soyuz capsule popped open after touchdown. ``I don't mean to say it's not fresh on the space station,'' he said, ``but there's nothing like new cold air coming into the capsule.''

Both Kelly, 52, and Kornienko, 55, yearned for nature throughout their 340-day mission at the International Space Station, a dry run

by NASA for eventual trips to Mars. ``Just like Scott, I wanted to see Earth and I wanted to smell that fresh air. This is an unforgettable feeling,'' Kornienko said.

It was the longest an American ever lived in space, although nothing new for the Russians. The world record is 438 days, set back in the mid-1990s at the former Mir space station. Even before that, a pair of Soviet cosmonauts had racked up a full one-year spaceflight. ``Congratulations on your

record,'' former cosmonaut and Kazak space agency chief Talgat Musabayev said at a welcoming ceremony. He couldn't resist: ``Of course, it was already done 28 years ago.''

President Barack Obama joined the chorus of praise pouring in. ``Welcome back to Earth, (at) StationCDRKelly! Your year in space is vital to the future of American space travel. Hope gravity isn't a drag!'' Obama said via Twitter.

The White House said Obama spoke with Kelly, thanking him for his service and for sharing his journey through social media. Kelly posted hundreds of photos of Earth.

After landing, the latest oneyear space subjects quickly parted company, Kelly flying back to Houston and Kornienko to Star City, Russia, near Moscow. While en route, Kelly tweeted a picture of his first salad back on Earth, noting it will be important to grow fresh food during Mars expeditions, like his space station lettuce crop.

Kelly acknowledged it was bittersweet leaving the space station - his home since last March, currently staffed by three men until the arrival of three more in two weeks. ``I'd been there a long time, so I looked forward to leaving. But at the same time, it's a magnificent place and I'm going to miss it,'' he said.

Neither will be saying goodbye

- in Russian, do svidaniya - to medical tests anytime soon.

Minutes after emerging from their capsule, they were whisked in chairs to a medical tent where they did their best to stand, walk, jump, navigate obstacles - everything an astronaut might need to do immediately upon arriving at Mars.

from the Soyuz capsule on the remote steppes of central Asia, pumping his fist and giving a thumbs-up. He showed no signs of slowing down a few hours later as he waited to board the plane for the long flight back to Houston.

He needed little if any assistance in walking and said there seemed to be little difference from his five-

International Space Station (ISS) crew member Scott Kelly of the U.S. reacts after landing near the town of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on March 2, The Soyuz TMA-18M spacecraft landed with Expedition 46 Commander Scott Kelly of NASA and Russian cosmonauts Mikhail Kornienko and Sergey Volkov of Roscosmos.

NASA aims to put astronauts on the red planet in the 2030s, but first wants to know how the body - and mind - will fare during the 21/ 2-year expedition. Kelly ranked physical isolation aboard the 250mile-high platform, from those he loved, as his biggest challenge.

Kelly looked fit as he emerged

month station stint five years ago.

The exams - along with blood, saliva and urine collections - will continue for weeks if not months.

In the case of Kelly and his identical twin, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, the testing could last a year if not longer. The brothers served as guinea pigs - one in weightless-

ness, the other on the ground.

Kelly's last tweet from orbit provided a cliffhanger: ``The journey isn't over. Follow me as I rediscover (hash) Earth!''

The brothers were reunited at Ellington Airport near Johnson Space Center in Houston. The welcoming committee included Scott's two daughters, ages 21 and 12; his girlfriend who's been chronicling his mission as a NASA public affairs officer at Johnson; and his sister-in-law, former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Mark's wife.

Also joining in the celebration: Vice President Joe Biden's wife, Jill, and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden.

As for his space legacy, Kelly said he and Kornienko ``were a small part'' in setting the stage for Mars. ``Expanding our envelope and our ability to operate in space is something that's going to take us farther from this planet,'' he said.

He stressed that it took thousands working behind the scenes to pull off this mission, noting: ``It's really not about us.''

Maybe so, but their sacrifice was duly noted by grateful wellwishers at NASA and elsewhere.

On this flight alone, the pair traveled 144 million miles through space - the average distance between Earth and neighbor Mars and were exposed to cosmic radiation. They tackled 400 experiments, some of them unpleasant. -AP

In Brief Immigrants urge passage of financial aid bill HARTFORD, Conn.: Immigrant students without legal status in the United States are urging Connecticut lawmakers to make them eligible for institutional financial assistance at state-run colleges and universities.

Students from countries including Mexico, Jamaica, Ecuador and Brazil appeared before the General Assembly's Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee to tell lawmakers about their

struggles, including having to work multiple jobs to pay for school.

A bill proposed this year would make immigrant students eligible for different forms of financial aid funded by tuition payments from all students.

The proposal is the latest effort to help immigrant students in the state.

Last year, the amount of high school education required to be completed in Connecticut was reduced.

Legislation passed in 2011 allows immigrant students to pay instate tuition rates. -AP

„ Trump continues tough talk on immigration LOUISVILLE, Ky.: Republican Donald Trump is trying to woo Kentucky voters by promising a comeback for the state's coal industry if he's elected president.

At a rally in Louisville attended by thousands of supporters, the billionaire businessman criticized President Barack Obama for having ``decimated'' the coal industry.

Trump drew cheers by saying he loves ``clean coal.''

Trump continued his tough talk on immigration and trade but tailored his message to Kentucky by promising to preside over a comeback for coal.

The coal industry's struggles have taken center stage in Kentucky campaigns. Coal supporters blame tougher environmental regulations by Obama's administration for the sector's slump. Appalachian coal businesses have also faced higher production costs and competition from other coal basins and natural gas. -AP

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March 11, 2016

Canada reaches goal of 25K Syrian refugees Details on page 46

Trump changes stance on skilled-worker immigration during debate DETRIOT: Donald Trump reversed himself on a key immigration-policy issue in the middle of the Republican presidential debate.

In an unusual move, Trump said from the stage in Detroit that he now wants an increase in visas for highly skilled foreign workers. He has previously argued for the opposite this campaign season, during which immigration has taken center stage as an emotionally charged issue.

"I'm changing it and I'm softening the position because we need to have talented people in this country," Trump said at the debate with Sens. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

Trump's rivals have attacked him for hiring foreign workers at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm

Beach, Fla., and for having Trump-brand clothing made overseas.

The front-runner appeared to

in a statement after the debate that he wasn't specifically referring to that particular type of visa.

"Megyn Kelly asked about

be talking about so-called H-1B visas, which enable Silicon Valley and other firms to hire skilled foreign workers. But Trump said

highly-skilled immigration," said Trump. He also said that the H1B program is "neither highskilled nor immigration: these are

temporary foreign workers, imported from abroad, for the explicit purpose of substituting for American workers at lower pay."

Yet the visas are awarded to highly skilled foreigners. As of last summer, for example, H-1B holders accounted for about 6% of the workforce at Intel Corp.,The Wall Street Journal reported.

Cruz, meanwhile, kept up his attack on Trump over a meeting the New York real-estate mogul had with the New York Times in January. Trump reportedly said something in his interview with the Times about his flexibility on some of his immigration positions.

The Republican front-runner had actually said he was open to negotiating in a separate interview.

Trump said he wouldn't ask the Times to release the tape. -Courtesy MarketWatch

Judge blocks Indiana's Syrian refugee order INDIANAPOLIS: A federal judge in Indianapolis has blocked Republican Gov. Mike Pence's order that barred state agencies from helping Syrian refugees resettle in Indiana, saying the governor's directive ``clearly discriminates'' against refugees from the war-torn country.

The ruling grants a request for a preliminary injunction from Exodus Refugee Immigration, which helps resettle refugees in Indiana. The group sued shortly after Pence issued his order in November, saying the change would hurt aid groups by withholding reimbursements for housing and medical care to assist Syrian refugees.

Exodus and other organizations have continued to resettle Syrian refugees, though the state has sought to withhold funds earmarked for resettlements. Four Syrian refugees were settled in January, with Exodus planning to settle nearly 200 more this year.

More than two dozen states, most with Republican governors, have taken similar action to suspend Syrian resettlement programs.

Pence released a statement saying he stood by his decision and would quickly appeal. The governor has repeatedly cited the November attacks in Paris as justification, noting that a passport found near one of the suicide

money from the aid group ``in no way furthers the state's asserted interest in the safety of Indiana residents.''

Pratt also wrote that the governor's directive ``clearly discriminates against Syrian refugees based on their national origin.''

Similar lawsuits have been filed in Texas, Alabama and Pennsylvania, according to the judge's ruling. An attorney for the Indiana plaintiffs, Kenneth Falk, said he believes Pratt's ruling is Republican Gov. Mike Pence’s order barred state the first action agencies from helping Syrian refugees resettle in taken by a judge Indiana. in such a case. bombers had been registered The lawsuit, filed on behalf of along the route asylum seekers the refugee group by the Amerifrom Syria were taking through can Civil Liberties Union of IndiEurope. ana, said the state was violating In her 36-page opinion, U.S. the U.S. Constitution and the Civil District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt Rights Act by accepting refugees said the state had a compelling from other countries but not from concern to protect its residents, Syria. At the time, the group said but that withholding federal grant it expected to settle about 19 Syr-

ians vetted by the federal government within the next several months.

Pratt said she granted the preliminary injunction because she believed the plaintiffs would eventually prevail in their lawsuit.

The judge said the state had acknowledged it doesn't have the authority to bar Syrian refugees from crossing into Indiana after the U.S. government already gave them a green light to enter the country. But she said the aim of yanking funding from groups like Exodus was to achieve the same result. ``The State deprives Syrian refugees that are already in Indiana of social services in the hopes that it will deter (voluntary agencies) from resettling other Syrian refugees in the State,'' she wrote. ``This is essentially a policy of punishing Syrian refugees already in Indiana in the hopes that no more will come.''

Pratt added that the state's decision to not pass on funds to Exodus would mean the group might be forced to cut funding to other refugee clients - not just those from Syria. -AP

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March 11, 2016

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Trump appoints top Senator as security adviser WASHINGTON: Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump has appointed a top American Senator as head of his national security team.

In a statement, Trump said Jeff Sessions, who has advised him on issues such as trade and immigration, will serve as his National Security Advisory Committee.

"It is an honor to have Jeff as a member of the team. I have such great respect for him and I look forward to working with him on the issues most important to Americans," Trump said.

The announcement came hours after he was blasted by top Republican national security experts who said that they were opposed to his presidency as his vision of American influence and power in the world is wildly inconsistent and unmoored in principle.

Sessions, who has been on the Armed Services Committee for almost 20 years and is Chairman of

the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, had endorsed him over the weekend.

"Trump and the American people know our country needs a

other nations. It is time for a healthy dose of foreign policy realism," Sessions said.

"In the Middle East, this means forming partnerships based on

Jeff Sessions

clear-eyed foreign policy rooted in the national interest. We need to understand the limits of our ability to intervene successfully in

shared interests, not merely overthrowing regimes in the dangerous attempt to plant democracies.

We must also combat the refugee

crisis by creating regional safe zones, rather than depopulating the region by migration," he said.

"The only path to long-term stability and resolution of this humanitarian crisis for the United States and our European allies is to work towards the safe return of migrants to their home countries, as Trump has noted. This strategy will also protect our own national security," Sessions said.

Earlier in an open letter, 95 members of the Republican national security community slammed Trump on his national security, alleging that his advocacy for aggressively waging trade wars is a recipe for economic disaster in a globally connected world and that his embrace of the expansive use of torture is inexcusable.

"His hateful, anti-Muslim rhetoric undercuts the seriousness of combating Islamic radicalism by alienating partners in the Islamic

world making significant contributions to the effort. Furthermore, it endangers the safety and constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of American Muslims," they said in an open letter.

"Controlling our border and preventing illegal immigration is a serious issue, but his insistence that Mexico will fund a wall on the southern border inflames unhelpful passions, and rests on an utter misreading of, and contempt for, our southern neighbor," they said.

"Similarly, his insistence that close allies such as Japan must pay vast sums for protection is the sentiment of a racketeer, not the leader of the alliances that have served us so well since World War II," the letter said.

"His admiration for foreign dictators such as Vladimir Putin is unacceptable for the leader of the world's greatest democracy. He is fundamentally dishonest," the letter said. -PTI

Gov. Haslam takes issue with Trump on immigration NASHVILLE, Tenn.: Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has said that Donald Trump would need to make major policy changes before he could consider supporting the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination.

Haslam endorsed Marco Rubio before the state's Super Tuesday primary, but the Florida senator came in third behind Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. ``I'd love to see a blatant disavowal of white supremacy

entering the United States. But Haslam said he disagrees with that approach. ``Protection of religious freedom has been one of the foundations of this country,'' Haslam said. ``Once you say we're going to start excluding that group, how long is it until your group gets excluded?''

Haslam also criticized what he called a lack of education proposals from Trump other than a promise to dismantle Common Core education standards.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam answers questions during an interview in Nashville.

groups. I'd like to see him address issues like respect for life,'' Haslam told The Associated Press at the state Capitol. ``And is there going to be a religious test to get in to this country?''

According to exit polls, about seven in 10 Republicans said they support temporarily banning Muslims who are not citizens from

``Common Core was ended last year,'' Haslam said. ``It's gone.

There's no such thing the president needs to come in and end.''

The record turnout of 1.2 million for both the Republican and Democratic primaries was nearly 50,000 more than the number who voted in the 2008 contest.

With all Republican precincts

reporting, Trump had 39 percent of the vote, compared with 25 percent for Cruz and 21 percent for Rubio. Trump won every Tennessee county except Williamson, where Rubio won.

And on the Republican side, 9 in 10 voters said they were unhappy with the way the federal government is working, with close to half characterizing themselves as ``angry.'' Fewer than 1 in 10 said they were satisfied with the government. About 6 in 10 said they feel betrayed by Republican politicians.

Tom Ingram, a longtime Republican strategist and adviser to Haslam and U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker, said the frustration among GOP voters has been growing in recent elections.

Candidates in upcoming elections for the state Legislature, Congress and governor will have be able to manage that anger, Ingram said. ``You've got to understand the frustration, and you've really got to tune into it,'' he said. ``You've got to be really authentic in your response to it, but be true to who you are and not pander to it. ``At the end of the day I think people respect that,'' he said.

Alexander ran into a similar anti-incumbent sentiment when he survived a stiff challenge in the 2014 primary from little-known and underfunded state Rep. Joe Carr.

Ingram said that internal polling by Alexander's campaign showed that more than 40 percent of those who voted for Carr in the

primary didn't know who he was. ``They've gotten more and

``I'd love to see a blatant disavowal of white supremacy groups. I'd like to see him address issues like respect for life,� ``And is there going to be a religious test to get in to this country?'' more frustrated,'' Ingram said. ``They tend to tar-and-feather the

status quo and incumbency.''

Alexander ended up winning that primary by just 9 percentage points, a surprisingly narrow margin for the former governor who also ran for president twice.

Haslam said it's unclear what effect the Trump vote will have on Tennessee's next statewide elections for governor and senator in 2018. ``Every election is somewhat of a reflection of the election before that,'' Haslam said. ``So people say there's a huge frustration going on with Republicans, but maybe some of that is due to eight years of President Obama.'' ``It's hard to say what this means for two years from now, because two years from now will also create a reaction back to whatever we choose in this election,'' he said. -AP

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Immigration Post

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March 11, 2016

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Wyoming GOP presidential process heats up CHEYENNE, Wyo.: From immi- will back. The precinct caucuses, gration to gun rights, intense de- which started in mid-February, bate over which presidential can- determine who goes to the March didate would be best for Wyoming 12 county conventions, where the dominated Republican precinct party will select 12 delegates and caucuses in nine Wyoming coun- 12 alternates to the Republican ties.

National Convention this summer.

Nearly 800 people more than twice the number GOP officials expected - flooded Laramie County's standing-room only caucus. The crush of people lined up outside and inside Laramie County Community College delayed proceedings by nearly an hour. ``What we see here is these campaigns are extremely energized,'' Laramie County GOP Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz greets Chairman Jared Olson supporters after speaking at a Wyoming Republican Party fundraising event, at the said.

Wyoming Hereford Ranch in Cheyenne, Wyo. Tuesday's caucuses won't immediately shed Donald Trump, who had a light on which candidate the state

strong showing in other Super Tuesday states, didn't appear to have deep support in Laramie County. Ted Cruz buttons and stickers were worn throughout the room. Several caucus-goers said they liked Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. ``He's only been in the Senate for one term. And so I wouldn't consider him part of the establishment at all. You know, senators who have been there 20 or 30 years, that's a different deal,'' said Ed Prosser, a cattle rancher south of Cheyenne and former Republican state representative.

Rubio is ``a little more logical'' on immigration than candidates who advocate mass deportation of those living in the country illegally, said retiree Jim Wollack. ``I personally have a hard time with just trying to kick 11 million people out of the country,'' Wollack said. ``Plus, I think he's a person who cannot only unite the party but unite the country.''

Cruz supporters described him

as an upholder of the Constitution who followed through on promises, such as staunch opposition to the Affordable Care Act. ``He stuck to his guns,'' said Irene Bales. ``That's the kind of person I want.''

Cruz is the only candidate still running who has campaigned in Wyoming. He pledged at a rally near Cheyenne last summer to end federal regulations that threaten to impede coal mining in Wyoming and elsewhere. ``He is the most principled person in the field,'' supporter Robin Goodspeed said. ``He is a Christian man. I am a Christian and that is important to me.''

National security, jobs, the economy and the energy industry are top issues for Gov. Matt Mead, who hasn't endorsed a candidate yet. Mead expressed concern, though, about candidates who talk about their opponents' physical appearance and who put one

comments,'' Mead said.

Wyoming is the country's least populous state, and its politics lean heavily Republican. Under national party rules, that gives Wyoming an outsized share of 29 delegates to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in July.

Wyoming Republicans are looking for a candidate who understands their values and will work to reverse Obama administration policies, state party Chairman Matt Micheli said. ``Wyoming has more delegates than 14 other states,'' Micheli said. ``Our Wyoming voice is a big opportunity to make a difference in the presidential election.''

After the county conventions, 14 national delegates will be selected at the Republican state convention April 14-16 in Casper. The other three are the state GOP chairman, RNC committeeman and RNC committeewoman.

Canada reaches goal of 25K Syrian refugees TORONTO: Canada's immigration minister said here the country has reached a significant milestone with the arrival of 25,000 Syrian refugees.

government-arranged refugee flights were arriving as part of the Liberals' $678-million Canadian (US$501 million) settlement plan.

The refugee resettlement pro-

Stranded refugees stand in queue to receive food distributed by a nongovernmental organisation at a refugee camp in the Greek-Macedonian border near the village of Idomeni.

Immigration Minister John McCallum work continues to integrate the Syrians into the community. McCallum was at Toronto's Pearson airport as the last two

gram was launched in November, after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came to power and promised to bring in 25,000 government-sponsored refugees by the

end of 2015 amid an intense debate in the West over what to do with people fleeing violence in the Middle East. Trudeau later pushed back the date by two months.

In the United States, the Obama administration plans to take in 10,000 Syrian refugees. But several Republican governors have tried to stop the arrival of Syrian refugees in their states in the wake of the deadly attacks in Paris and California.

Canada's commitment reflects the change in government after October's election. The previous Conservative government declined to resettle more Syrian refugees, despite the haunting image of a drowned 3-year-old Syrian boy washed up on a Turkish beach. The boy had relatives in Canada, and the refugee crisis became a major campaign issue.

McCallum previously said he hopes to bring in between 35,000 and 50,000 Syrian refuges by the end of the year. -AP

LI dist to change immigrant students policy WESTBURY, N.Y.: A suburban New York school district has agreed to change its policies after it was found to have denied or delayed access to students arriving from Central and South America and elsewhere.

Attorney General Eric

Schneiderman says the Westbury School District on Long Island is now the 22nd district to change policies involving immigrant students.

The prosecutor found that between 2012 and 2015, the district denied or delayed enrollment to numerous students.

Delays lasted six months or longer. Others were told they were too old to enroll in high school.

Investigators found the district required proof of residency, Social Security numbers, and asked questions about citizenship or national origin. -AP

Participants in Republican precinct caucuses crowd into Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne

group of people against another remarks aimed at Trump. ``I think not only myself, but other governors and people I talk to are concerned about what I think are viewed as ill-considered

Republican presidential candidates who campaigned in Wyoming before dropping out include Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. -AP

Datebook

March 11, 2016

NEW JERSEY Upcoming

NEW YORK

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Upcoming

Sat, Mar 19

Sat, Mar 19

• Rang Barsay Bollywood Night

• The Biggest HOLI Party in New York City

Venue: Empire Meadowlands Secacus, 2 Harmon Plaza, Secaucus, NJ 07094 Time: 09:00 pm Contact: 732-900-4200

Venue: Stage48, 605 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036 Time : 12:00 pm Contact: 908-4251603

Sat, Mar 19 • Namam Excellence Award Night 2016

Sat, Mar 26

Venue: Royal Alberts Palace, 1050 King Georges Post Road, Edison, NJ 08837 Time: 5:00 pm Contact: 848-667-3313

Sat, Mar 26

• Umar Chee Antique Pan dil chee Romantic Gujarati Drama Venue: Plainfield High School - NJ, 950, Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060 Time : 7:30 pm

• Holi Bollywood Dance Party-Play with Real Colors Venue: Maple / Aspen Club, 157 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036 Time : 9:30 pm Contact: 646-543-8127

Mon, Feb 29 • Sulekha Seating Venue: Tester Venue, 123 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036 Time : 1:00 pm

Sat, Mar 12 • Bally Sagoo Live In Bay area Venue: The Glass House, 2 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113 Time: 9:00 pm

India Post 47

CHICAGO

Upcoming Sun, Mar 14 • Strings n Beats -Shakir Khan (Sitar), Harshad Kanetkat (Tabla), Shambhavi Dandekar (Kathak Dance) Venue: Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum

Sun, Mar 20 • Holi on the Beach

Rock Avenue, San Jose, CA 95116 Time: 4:30 pm

Venue: Seaside Lagoon, 200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach, CA 90277 Time: 11:00 am Contact: 843-503-2133

Sun, Apr 10 • Saroj Khan Dance Workshops Los Angeles - Ages 8-16 Venue: North Hollywood, 6407 Farmdale Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 91606

Sat, Mar 19 • KKNC Presents - Rock on Raaga Venue: Carrington Hall, 1201 Brewster Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94062 Time: 04:00 pm

ATLANTA Upcoming

Contact: 310-407-9191

Fri, Mar 11 • Purani Yaadein Bollywood Musical Journey

Sun, Apr 10

Venue: Atlanta Event Hall, 3750 Venture

• Saroj Khan Dance Workshops Los Angeles Adults

Dr, Duluth, GA 30096

Time: 10:00 am

Venue: North Hollywood, 6407 Farmdale Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 91606 Time: 2:00 pm Contact: 310-407-9191

Sun, Apr 10 • KAIFI AUR MAIN Cast:Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Jaswinder Singh Los Angeles Venue: The Terrace Theatre, 300 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802 Time: 06:30 pm

Time: 08:30 pm

Sat, Mar 19 • Bollywood Beats 2016 (FundRaiser Supporting Kids Battling Cancer) Venue: Norcross High School, 5300 Spalding Dr, Norcross, GA 30092 Time: 4:30 pm

Sat, Apr 9 • Hope Night At The Hawks Venue: Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303 Time: 7:30 pm

ILLINOIS Upcoming 1st and 3rd Sunday of Month • Chicago Children's Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes Venue: Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60192 (Next to Nissan Dealership) Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807

Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105

Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Where: Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105

Swami Ishatmananda • Bhagavad Gita: Philosophy of life 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

• 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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March 11, 2016

Philosophy

March 11, 2016

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T

he fourteenth day of every lunar month or the day before the new moon is known as Shivratri. Among all the twelve Shivratris that occur in a calendar year, Mahashivratri, the one that occurs in February-March is of the most spiritual significance. On this night, the northern hemisphere of the planet is positioned in such a way that there is a natural upsurge of energy in a human being.

This is a day when nature is pushing one towards one's spiritual peak. It is to make use of this, that in this tradition, we establish a certain festival which is nightlong. One of the fundamentals of this night-long festival is to ensure that - to allow this natural upsurge of energies to find their way - you remain with your spine vertical you stay awake.

Mahashivratri is very significant for people who are on the spiritual path. It is also very significant for people who are in family situations, and also for the ambitious in the world. People who live in family situations observe Mahashivratri as Shiva's wedding anniversary. Those with worldly ambitions see that day as the day Shiva conquered all his enemies.

But, for the ascetics, it is the day he became one with Mount Kailash. He became like a mountain - absolutely still. In the yogic tradition, Shiva is not worshipped GREG GOODE

W

hen I was about ten years old, my friends and I would throw rocks at each other. This led to a kind of self-inquiry, as I later found out.

Smack! My friend's rock hit my arm. "I got you," he said with glee.

"No you didn't," I retorted smugly, "You only got my arm."

Then he went for something closer to home. Bonk! The rock landed on my head. Now I got you!" "No, that was only my head." Later, I thought a lot about this, for many years in fact. There was no place a rock could land that I thought was truly me. In fact, whatever "X" could name was not me, because it was "My X." But where was the "I"? It's not as though I didn't have a strong sense of it. I did, especially at first.

This is why I looked so hard for it for so many years. But no matter where I looked, it seemed to keep shifting around, almost as though it was always in back of me! Even as a youth, years before I had ever heard of Buddhism or nondualism or Chandrakirti, the inability to find the "I" really did begin to weaken my sense of its reality.

The Sevenfold Reasoning is a Buddhist meditation on the ultimate nature of things - persons

as a God, but considered as the Adi Guru, the first Guru from whom the knowledge originated.

After many millennia in meditation, one day he became absolutely still.

That day is Mahashivratri. All movement in him stopped and he became utterly still, so ascetics see Mahashivratri as the night of stillness.

Legends apart, why this day and night are held in such importance in the yogic traditions is be-

ential reality in every yogi. The word "yogi" means one who has realized the oneness of the Existence. When I say "yoga," I am not referring to any one particular practice or system. All longing to know the unbounded, all longing to know the oneness in the Existence is yoga. The night of Mahashivratri offers a person an opportunity to experience this.

Shivratri, is the darkest day of the month. Celebrating Shivratri

things, you will see lots of creation. If your vision is really looking for big things, you will see the biggest presence in the existence is a vast emptiness.

Light is a brief happening in your mind. Light is not eternal, it is always a limited possibility because it happens and it ends. But darkness is all-enveloping, everywhere. The immature minds in the world have always described darkness as the devil. But when you

Mahashivratri is almost celebration of Darkness

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

If you open your eyes and look around, if your vision is for small things, you will see lots of creation. If your vision is really looking for big things, you will see the biggest presence in the existence is a vast emptiness.

cause of the possibilities it presents to a spiritual seeker. Modern science has gone through many phases and arrived at a point today where they are out to prove to you that everything that you know as life, everything that you know as matter and existence, everything that you know as the cosmos and galaxies, is just one energy which manifests itself in millions of ways.

This scientific fact is an experi-

on a monthly basis, and the particular day, Mahashivratri, almost seems like celebration of darkness.

Any logical mind would resist darkness and naturally opt for light. But the word "Shiva" literally means "that which is not."

"That which is," is existence and creation. "That which is not" is Shiva.

"That which is not" means, if you open your eyes and look around, if your vision is for small

describe the divine as all-pervading, you are obviously referring to the divine as darkness, because only darkness is all-pervading. It is everywhere. It does not need any support from anything. It is in the lap of this vast emptiness that all creation has happened. It is that lap of emptiness that we refer to as the Shiva.

Mahashivratri was celebrated on March 7. Excerpted from Isha.sadhguru.org

(the "I") and phenomena. In the traditions of Buddhism that utilize the Sevenfold Reasoning (such as the Dalai Lama's sect, the Gelukba Madhyamikas), the ultimate nature of things is said to be emptiness.

The Sevenfold Reasoning is based on the teachings of Chandrakirti, an 8th-century Indian Buddhist teacher.

Chandrakirti provided a way to inquire into the ultimate or final

teachings, it is the ignorance or misconception about the way things exist that keeps sentient beings in suffering and cyclic existence.

Sentient beings have the conception that phenomena (as well as they themselves!) exist in a very solid, independent way, whereas nothing really exists in this way.

When this conception ceases, ignorance ceases, and suffering

feelings about how things are. The reasonings are not a method of "no-thought" or of turning the mind away from objects. Instead, objects are taken full-strength, faced directly and forcefully.

When these powerful reasonings are gone into fully, one's view of one's self and the world is deeply shaken. For a moment it might feel as if the earth has turned upside down, or one has fallen into a huge

Meditation on the ultimate nature of things According to Perfection of Wisdom Sutras and teachings, it is the ignorance or misconception about the way things exist that keeps sentient beings in suffering and cyclic existence. nature of things, as a way to help relieve suffering. In doing so, he extended the arguments of Nagarjuna (2nd-3rd century), whose monumental Treatise On The Middle Way had systematized the teachings in the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras (100BCE - 100CE).

According to these sutras and

ceases.

The Sevenfold Reasoning is a set of inferences that one contemplates deeply. Even though they are an intellectual process, it is known as a meditation in the Buddhist Middle Way teachings. The reasonings are to be gone into intensely, with the full force of one's

Greg Goode

crevasse. Thereafter, things, including one's sense of self, do not really have the same inert heaviness any longer.

New York based Greg Goode is a philosophical counselor who has combined the ancient "directpath" method of self-inquiry with modern electronic media

He who, while living an apparently normal life, experiences the whole world as an emptiness, is a Jivanmukta. None is afraid of him; he is afraid of none.

-Sage Vasishtha When you rest in quietness and your image of yourself fades, and your image of the world fades, and your ideas of others fade, what's left? A brightness, a radiant emptiness that is simply what you are.

-Adyashanti My acts are irrevocable, because they have no essence...Where are the doers of deeds, absent among their conditions?

Imagine a magician who creates a creature, who creates other creatures.

Acts I perform are creatures who create others.

-Nagarjuna The four categories of existence, non-existence, both existence and nonexistence, and neither existence nor non-existence, are spider webs among spider webs which can never take hold of the enormous bird of reality -Buddha We live in illusion and the appearance of things.

There is a reality. We are that reality. When we understand this, we see that we are nothing. And being nothing, we are everything.

That is all.

-Kalu Rinpoche

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March 11, 2016

Pics- Preeti Verma Lal

ctress Priyanka Chopra, who conquered the entertainment circuit of the West with her television drama 'Quantico', is all set to take Hollywood by storm. Priyanka was spotted on the sets of her debut Hollywood flick 'Baywatch.'

The actress reportedly took off for Miami immediately after presenting the award at the Oscars in Los Angeles. Several pictures of Priyanka from the sets of the movie are doing the rounds online.

In the pictures, Priyanka looks ravishing in a white calf-length with sexy thigh-high slit and golden accessories. The actress appears to be looking around and taking in the surroundings - sort of surveying about her part in the beachside movie.

Priyanka is playing a negative role as Victoria Leeds in the movie which also stars Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron.

The movie is a big-screen adaptation of the eponymous series about lifeguards popular during 1990s. The Paramount Pictures movie is directed by Seth Gordon.

Alexandra Daddario, Kelly Rohrbach, Ilfenesh Hadera and Jon Bass are also part of the cast. The movie is being readied to release in May next year.

Priyanka's Baywatch co-star, Dwayne Johnson exposed this in a tremendously animated video message on his Instagram page. It says, "She's one of the biggest stars in the world. Insanely talented, relentlessly smokin' and extremely dangerous - perfect for #BAYWATCH. Welcome @PriyankaChopra to our bad ass and incredibly dysfunctional family. Cue RATED R slo-mo running on the beach. #WelcomeToBaywatch" It looks like the girl is done shooting her part, or so suggests her recent Insta post. The actress shared a pic of hers looking out the window of her car saying, ""Something magical about Miami! Last night shoot! being bad is so good! #VictoriaLeeds u will be missed! #Baywatch ... until next time!!"

Well that seems like a good bye, doesn't it?

"She's one of the biggest stars in the world. Insanely talented, relentlessly smokin' and extremely dangerous - perfect for #BAYWATCH.�

March 11, 2016

India Post 51 www.indiapost.com

Kapil Sharma wants Modi on new show MUMBAI: He has invited biggest celebrities from Bollywood and sports on his popular TV show

but comedian Kapil Sharma now wishes to have politicians as guests on his new show, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose story he finds "inspirational".

"I wish to have Mr Narendra Modi on our new show ('The Kapil Sharma show'). I was watching television recently and saw Mr Barack Obama on Ellen's show (on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show') and it is great. We should also have

politicians connecting to people," Kapil said in an interview here.

"If we have Mr Modi on the show we will not talk about politics, party and all. I would love to know how a man from a small town has come this far and became the PM of our country.

It's an inspirational story. I will try and talk to him," he said.

Kapil said he is happy that his previous show "Comedy Nights with Kapil", aired on channel Colors, has ended as he is now getting the opportunity to try something novel.

"I feel it is good that show got over as we got the opportunity to do something different as the characters were fixed. Now that we have a new show, everyone is excited. We are making a different show," he said.

Apparently, all was not well between Kapil and Colors.

Gossip mills were also abuzz that Kapil was insecure

with another comedian Krushna Abhishek's show "Comedy Nights Bachao", which also aired on the channel.

Actor-comedian Krushna had said there is rivalry between him and Kapil.

Kapil, however, cleared that though he had some differences with the channel, there was no friction between him and Krushna.

"I had some issues with the channel some differences. We both (Krushna and I) did a show called 'Comedy Circus', together.

There is nothing like that," he said.

-PTI

Actress Urmila Matondkar married Kashmir-based businessman Mohsin Akhtar Mir

A

ctress Shabana Azmi has said that mainstream Hindi cinema is witnessing a change from the stereotypical portrayal of mothers and other characters in earlier times.

"There is a change coming in mainstream Hindi cinema. Earlier, when there used to be a role of a mother, she would drop the thaali and scream 'nahi', an absolutely stereotypical role. And in Hindi

Shabana Azmi

Urmila Matondkar marries Kashmiri businessman MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar has tied the knot with Kashmir-based businessman-model, Mohsin Akhtar Mir, in a quiet ceremony.

The wedding was solemnized as per Hindu rituals at Urmila's residence in Mumbai.

The 42-year-old actress, best known for her performances in "Rangeela", "Satya", "Bhoot", "Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya", chose to keep the wedding simple and private.

Talking about the development, Urmila, in a statement issued here

Hindi cinema changing: Shabana Azmi

said, "We kept it an exclusive wedding with just family and friends at the celebration. Since our families wanted the wedding to be a low-key affair, we mutually decided to keep it private. We seek your blessings on embarking this new journey of our lives."

A close friend of the actress, designer Manish Malhotra, was the only Bollywood personality present at the wedding.

Urmila had last appeared on screen in a 2014 Marathi film named "Ajoba".-PTI

films, there was always an attempt to wipe out all the details," Azmi said at a press meet regarding the success of her film 'Neerja'.

This has been changing now, she said, adding that if you see, in mainstream cinema we are locating our characters. Azmi plays a role based on Rama Bhanot in the film, the mother of Neerja Bhanot

(played by Sonam Kapoor), a flight attendant who laid her life in protecting passengers on a hijacked flight in 1986.

The relationship between her and Sonam has been one of the highlights of the film, having earned appreciation from critics and fans. While there were numerous Punjabi mothers shown in Hindi films, many of them have been stereotypical with the accent, mannerisms and behavior.

For any character it is important that you play different types of characters, and in Neerja's character, there was a Punjabiyat, but we didn't blow trumpets about it, only a few lines of it were used, and people have appreciated it. That's the way forward. The most delightful feeling is that numerous Punjabi mothers said that I looked exactly like them," Azmi said. She also said that she's getting numerous compliments from people who said that she made them cry.

"Javed sahab cried a lot when he saw the trial; he was speechless for a substantial time. He then watched it in the theatre and again cried a lot there," she responded on being asked if her husband Javed Akhtar also feels the same.

'Neerja' has done good business at the box-office, having earned more than Rs.50 crore at the box-office in its first week.

52 India Post

March 11, 2016 www.indiapost.com

Let your boss track your fitness!

NEW YORK: You know you need to exercise more, but there's always next week, or the week after. To entice you to stop procrastinating, your company or insurer might soon reward you for wearing a fitness device to track your steps, heart rate and more.

For instance, in one program, some workers can buy a $350 Apple Watch for just $25 by meeting exercise goals for two years.

Miss goals, and see your discount shrink. Vitality, a provider of disease-prevention and lifestyle programs, is initially bringing the offer to U.S. employees at three companies, along with John Hancock life-insurance customers. It has been testing the program in South Africa since December.

Other programs let you redeem points from fitness activities for gift cards and other rewards. Submit to biometric screenings and nutrition classes, and in some cases you can earn insurance discounts. ``We all live busy lives, but the truth is, if doctors could write one prescription for the world, it would be activity,'' says Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer.

Adrian Gore, CEO and founder of Vitality parent company Discovery Group, says that for many people, the benefits from exercise might not be apparent for a few decades. Reward programs make the payoff more immediate.

Programs like these are still

new, but appear to be expanding as part of broader changes in the health care marketplace.

Health insurer UnitedHealthcare has started offering up to $1,460 a year in credits toward deductibles for meeting daily goals while wearing a cus-

ing cardio stuff isn't my favorite,'' says Brett Broviak, 43, an IU Health employee in Noblesville, Indiana.

He says getting a discounted Fitbit pushed him to walk 1 million steps a month.

These programs are typically

Mark Holloway of Clemmons, N.C., goes through part of his exercise routine at the Jerry Long YMCA in Clemmons

tom tracker. Oscar, which sells health insurance directly to consumers, has been giving out free Misfit trackers for opportunities to earn up to $100 a year in Amazon gift cards. Fitbit works with employers such as Indiana University Health and Emory University in Atlanta to subsidize fitness trackers for their staff. ``I love playing sports, but do-

voluntary, but you must be willing to share data to earn the most rewards and insurance discounts.

Sound creepy? Program officials say that data from fitness trackers typically go to outside administrators, such as Fitbit or Vitality. Employers and insurers get only broad totals to verify eligibility and not details on heart rate and sleep. But participants

Preity Zinta weds LA consultant

P

reity Zinta tied the knot with Los Angeles-based finance consultant Gene Goodenough on February 28 this year, reports have revealed. Details about the wedding have been carefully kept under wraps. Preity and Gene's private marriage ceremony took place in Los Angeles, with the Bollywood actor's mother overseeing the arrangements.

A report in Mumbai Mirror has doled out information on the Preity-Gene marriage. The mandap was an open-air one, with the LA skyline making for an unbelievably awesome backdrop. DJ Amara, a popular LA-based artist, posted a photo of the mandap on Instagram, which was later taken off.

A source from the venue in-

formed the tabloid, "It was a traditional Hindu ceremony with a pandit conducting all the rituals, including pheras, and took place in an outdoor mandap with the glittering LA skyline as the backdrop.

Preity's mother oversaw the entire arrangement."

Preity and Gene's wedding had

among guests designer Surily Goel and Sussanne Khan. Designer Farah Khan Ali, who returned to India before the wedding, took to Twitter to congratulate her friend: Preity is supposed to throw a lavish bash for her film industry friends sometime in April this year.

Preity had met Gene in Los Angeles a couple of years ago.

Goodenough was also a key witness in the infamous 2014 case, when Preity had slapped her exboyfriend Ness Wadia with molestaThe Bollywood beauty Preity Zinta married long term tion charges. boyfriend and fiance Gene Goodenough

need to trust that these systems won't get hacked.

Mike Doughty, president and general manager of John Hancock Insurance, says premiums won't rise if a screening uncovers higher blood pressure or other risks.

Rather, he says, wellness incentives are about promoting longer lives _ and collecting life-insurance premiums longer.

There's no proof that providing fitness trackers directly lowers health care costs, but there's plenty of evidence that exercise leads to better health, which in turn can improve productivity and reduce absences. Michael Staufacker, Emory's director of health management, describes the thinking as a ``value of investment and not a hard-dollar return on investment as it relates to medical or pharmacy costs.''

More importantly, reaching daily exercise goals is just the beginning of getting people to think more about their health. ``If I exercise regularly, then junk food just doesn't appeal to me,'' says Mark Holloway, 55, of Clemmons, North Carolina, who participates in Vitality's wellness program through his employer, Lockton. ``French fries and hamburgers? No, thanks. It's like putting sand in your gas tank.''

Programs from Vitality and others typically won't let you earn insurance discounts simply by exercising. You'll need to earn addi-

tional points by completing questionnaires and getting flu shots.

You sometimes get bonus points simply by staying within recommended limits for cholesterol, blood pressure and other measures. Smokers can also get points for joining programs to help them quit. ``You change one thing about your behavior, and you can be more motivated to work on these other aspects,'' says Tammy Smith, who manages the employee wellness program at IU Health.

DaVita HealthCare Partners says health care spending by its employees slowed significantly after it offered tracker-based incentives through Vitality. But DaVita also increased the deductible on claims and started such initiatives as Fresh Fruit Wednesday. That makes the effect of the fitness program difficult to isolate.

With the Apple Watch program, you must pay back Vitality each month you miss your fitness goals, which typically call for four substantial workouts a week. The goals are meant to be achievable, but tough enough to change habits. You can get more expensive Apple Watch models by paying the difference.

An iPhone is required; Vitality has no current plans to offer anything similar for Android. Neither Apple nor Vitality would provide financial details on the arrangement. -AP

Freida Pinto to play Mowgli's mother LOS ANGELES: Indian-origin actress Freida Pinto has revealed that she is playing Mowgli's adoptive mother in Jungle Book: Origins.

The live-action adventure fantasy film is being directed by Andy Serkis, who plays Baloo, along with Benedict Cumberbatch as Shere Khan, Christian Bale as Bagheera and Cate Blanchett as Kaa. Freida Pinto, who coPinto starred Serkis in Rise of the Planet of the Apes", said she is very excited to be a part of the film, which is based on the novel by Rudyard Kipling, reported Entertainment Tonight.

"I play Mowgli's adoptive mother, so I'm very, very excited about it. I read The Jungle Book and watched the TV series in India growing up, and for me, to fi-

nally be part of the film that reminds me so much of my childhood is just amazing," the 31-yearold actress said.

"It's one of those films that I feel, no matter what age group you are, you're going to enjoy that film, and I feel like it's been a while since I've done something like that, because most of my films have not been good enough for children. A little too intense, so I'm very happy to finally be doing a film that can be watched by kids," she said.

The lead role of Mowgli in Jungle Book: Origins will be portrayed by Rohan Chand, who played Adam Sandler's adopted son in 2011's Jack and Jill.

The film is slated to release next year. -PTI

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Kate Mara & Jamie Bell hit H&M Paris show PARIS: Celebrity couple Kate Mara and Jamie Bell hit Paris Fashion Week at the star-studded H&M catwalk show, alongside attendees actress Emma Roberts and singer Ciara.

Fashion-wise, the first major day of ready-to-wear shows saw spectators thrust from the 60s futurism of Courreges to the eclectic styles of John Galliano - as Belgian master Dries Van Noten got indulgent. Here are the highlights of the fall-winter 2016 collections: COURREGES TOWS THE LINE It was the sophomore outing for the revamped house of Andre Courreges - the influential French designer who gained global fame in the 1960s for his streamlined aesthetic and futurism.

As with any revival, the new designers Sebastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant face a big challenge and must make the 55-yearold brand relevant for today's buyers while not losing sight of the original codes.

Sure enough, sportswear and utilitarianism provided the contemporary feel throughout the collection - in sneakers with big white

laces, sporty stripe detailing, skintight body suits as well as big winter coats with studs, zippers and

large pockets.

But the Courreges DNA pieces abounded in the mix, effortlessly.

Black and white 60s check featured on an on-trend menswear coat with large proportions, and the Courreges style of playing with thencutting edge technologies was also seen in quilted sheen sections of fabric.

P e r h a p s Courreges' biggest claim to fame was (co-)inventing the miniskirt.

But the nod to this in what was a youthful-feeling collection was far from nostalgic.

Miniskirt designs hit the runway in fresh, myriad styles - sheens, PVC, blocks of color, and even in Kate Mara and Jamie Bell in H&M Paris show suede.

Aamir is somebody I look up to: Kabir Khan MUMBAI: Director Kabir Khan says he looks up to superstar Aamir Khan for his body of work in Bollywood and appreciates his views on various contemporary issues.

"He (Aamir) is somebody I look up to...he is one of the finest and biggest actors our country has ever seen," Kabir told reporters here at an event.

"He talks about various issues and does films on them. I respect him and his views. He is a very dedicated actor. There is a lot to look up to him," the "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" director said.

The two Bollywood personalities have never worked with each other but last year when Aamir got embroiled in the "intolerance" controversy; Kabir came out in his support.

Kabir was speaking at actor Arshad Warsi's wife Maria Goretti's book launch. The couple hosted the book launch at a suburban restaurant and it was attended by Kabir and several other

celebrities from B-town like Mini Mathur, Tusshar Kapoor, Homi Adajania, Sneha Ullal, Shirya Saran and others.

The "Ek Tha Tiger" helmer revealed he is a big foodie but not a great cook. "While we were shoot-

Kabir Khan

ing for `Bajrangi Bhaijaan' I remember food used to come from Salman's house everyday. At least 8 to 10 dishes that too for 40 people!"

"Salma aunty (Salman's mother) cooks amazing food. When we shoot in Mumbai or around Mumbai the food comes from Salman's house," he added.

Arshad is happy his wife Maria, who is a great cook, has finally come up with her own book.

"Maria has worked very hard for it (book). She is very dedicated, authentic and realistic person and made sure everything was proper right from the recipes to the color of the dishes in the book."

The "Jolly LLB" actor believes in eating everything and anything but insists exercise is a must to keep in good shape and health.

"I have seen Salman eating food items from briyani to pastries and then he does exercise.

I feel this is the right way. I think the diet food that we get is chemically treated; it is better," Arshad added.

The 47-year-old actor has interesting slate of films like Prakash Jha's home production "Fraud Saiyyan", "Irada" with Naseeruddin Shah and "Michael Mishra".

"Work on these three films `Fraud Saiyyan', `Irada' and `Michael Mishra' is almost complete. We will then start work on `Munnabhai' third part," he added. -PTI

H&M ATTRACTS THE STARS In a Balmain for H&M dark tuxedo jacket, Mara chicly rocked the front row for the high-street label's boho and 70-infused fall-winter show, held inside the ornate former Parisian stock exchange. ``In general, I would say I'm a mix between masculine and feminine,'' she told The Associated Press beside the large blossoming tree-decor used for the show.

The 33-year-old actress acknowledged that the stylish look, with complemented her new pixiestyle haircut, was a contrast to how she prefers to dress normally. ``I like to dress on a daily basis very casually and I don't usually wear heels or anything like that.

I'm usually in some sort of hoodie and jeans... It depends on what movie I'm making, as that kind of changes my mind set on how I want to feel.''

The ``Fantastic Four'' star said she was taking a break from movies for now.

GALLIANO'S MAISON MARGIELA FLAIR The back-in-favor John Galliano showcased his latest collection for Maison Margiela, the house that transformed quirkiness into a global mission statement.

Galliano's divergent and unpredictable styles, contrasting fabrics and colors, and East-meetsWest aesthetics featured on the runway - as they have in previous seasons.

Call it the expected-unexpected. But what lifts the fashion musing, time after time, is Galliano's painterly flair. A stiff, silk foulard was worn diagonally

round the neck with ruffles that evoked a fleeting brushstroke.

Kimono sleeves and check were set of with a razor-cut Asian-looking bob wig. And a conventionalenough `80s tuxedo power jacket with large lapels in green spawned unexpected giant organic sleeves.

DRIES VAN NOTEN INDULGES Belgian ``intellectual'' designer, and one of the famed ``Antwerp Six,'' Van Noten showcased a brooding and indulgently rich show, floodlit with romantic beam lighting.

Plush velvet leopard print pants opened the collection alongside a faux leopard fur cape coat - with an embellished choker scarf defining the aesthetic. And richness continued in the thick decadent layering, oversized baggy pants and coats, and in the use of sumptuous fabrics - silk jacquards, (faux-) fur, club jacket wools, as well as hand-knit pure cashmere.

Slicked back androgynous hair ticked Van Noten's sexual fluidity box (as did a menswear doublebreasted jacket) that the program notes nicely described as ``fused gender.''

As is common with Van Noten, long loose coats and oversize sweaters ensured that bodies of the models were practically invisible behind the clothes. It came as a nice contrast in body-beautiful Paris ready-to-wear from the talented designer who follows his own rules.

Ninety-four-year-old fashion icon Iris Apfel - famed for her unconventional styles - applauded from the front row. -AP

Akshay's heartfelt open letter to stuntmen

T

he original stuntman of Bollywood, Akshay Kumar, is credited for revolutionizing fight sequences in films. The Khiladi of Bollywood, who is known for his breathtaking stunts, recently penned an open letter to all the stuntmen, honoring their contribution to cinema after he learned about the death of Scott Cosgrove, an internationally acclaimed stuntman.

He wrote: To all the stuntmen and women out there, I just heard another great international stuntman who has actually worked in my own industry, and was going to come & train with me at my Parkour Gym has sadly passed away. I not only believe you all should be winning #Os-

cars & #FilmFares for your incredible work, in my eyes you should always be acknowledged globally for saving our lives & our films credibility with your expertise.

"It Pains me, coz I know the one expert that an Actor/Actress can't live without during their shoot is their #StuntBuddy We would be mourning so many Actors/Actresses if it wasn't for your unbelievable hard work & amazing talent that makes our movies look so good & help us earn so much, while keeping us safe from harm.

Instead the Stunt community is quietly mourning the ones they've lost be it by accident, injury or fatality on the sets of #AwardWinningFilms over the years."

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New Pak army move to de-fang MQM-A

India Post

RANA BANERJI

O

n 3 March, the former Mayor of Karachi, Mustafa Kamal, held a press conference to announce the formation of a new insofar unnamed political party. His castigation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Altaf's (MQM-A) leader Altaf Hussain as a drunkard and an agent of India's Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW) during the event seems like yet another sinister and calculated effort by Pakistan's all powerful military establishment to further fragment and decimate the party's hold over Karachi.

Kamal was accompanied at the press conference by another former MQM-A heavyweight, former Deputy Convener Anees Qaimkhani, who had left the country because of several criminal cases against him. The police/rangers took no steps to arrest him at the event.

Kamal and MQM-A Rising from humble origins as a telephone operator in MQM supremo Altaf Hussain's Azizabad headquarters, Kamal completed his undergraduate studies from Malaysia and Wales.

From 2003-05, he was the Information Technology Minister in the Sindh provincial government wherein the MQM was in alliance with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

In 2005, he became the mayor of Karachi, serving a difficult fiveyear stint during which he is credited to have provided a reasonably efficient, people-friendly and `not so corrupt' local government there.

In particular, he is reported to have contributed to better traffic management, designing the Jehangir Kothari flyover-cum-underpass.

During this period, Kamal maintained cordial relations with the then President of Pakistan, Gen Pervez Musharraf, despite having an uneasy relationship with Sindh Governor, Ishratul Abad - the MQM-A's most durable, pro-establishment politician.

He was seen as the new face of the educated, upwardly mobile, tech-savvy Mohajir youth. However, as he gained acclaim, his parent party MQM-A was riveted by rifts in the wake of the Azim Tariq and Imran Farooq murders.

In 2012, Kamal was 'kicked upstairs' as Member, Senate, a post

which he suddenly deserted in August 2013 and left the country - ostensibly for personal reasons (wife's illness cited).

It was rumored then that Kamal had received death threats from the MQM-A's hit squad goons and had to flee to save his life. Although he initially left for the US, he surfaced first in Tanzania and then joined Pakistan's influential estate dealer, Malik Riaz's outfit in Dubai.

Evolving Dynamics Though Kamal strenuously denied connections with `the establishment' during his press conference, his sudden re-surfacing at this juncture suggests the Paki-

Altaf Hussain

stan army and the Inter-ServicesIntelligence (ISI) would have extended assurances to ensure his personal security in Karachi for the present. It also seems in sync with orchestrated moves by the Pakistan Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif and ISI Director General Rizwan Akhtar to bring about en masse defections from the MQM-A. In the recent past, there have been rumors also of Gen (retd) Musharraf's persisting ambition to re-emerge in a political role, with a possible chunk of Mohajir support. Despite best efforts, this has not happened.

The Farooq Sattar-led leadership of the MQM in Karachi has remained steadfastly loyal to Altaf Hussain despite the recent court verdict and crackdown against any direct media coverage of the 'Quaid-e-Qiwan's' long-distance speeches from UK. In the December 2015 local body elections in Karachi, the MQM-A won 136 seats in six districts, comfortably besting the PPP that won 32 seats, and defeating the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI)-Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) alliance that won 13 seats. Senior MQM-A

leader Waseem Akhtar is now poised to become the mayor of Karachi.

MQM-A's Response On 3 March Farooq Sattar responded with the MQM-A's own long-drawn press conference, laboriously denying Kamal's charges, including those against Hussain's alleged misdemeanors and dictatorial style. He claimed the attempts to tar the party with 'connections to R&AW' were 'old hat', which the party had survived several times in the past.

The real test was approbation by the people, which the MQM-A had obtained during last year's byelections for NA 246 Karachi and now again, in the local body polls. He condemned this `new effort' to sustain the `MQM minus one' formula and asserted that it would fail again.

Nusrat Nadeem, Hussain's remaining trusted party lieutenant in London (Tariq Mir and Mohammad Anwar lost Altaf's confidence after squealing nineteen to the dozen before the Scotland Yard during their money fraud and Imran Farooq murder investigations), also urged the Pakistani establishment to talk directly to the party leadership instead of resorting to such nefarious tactics.

Barrister Saif Ali Khan, Gen (retd) Musharraf's lawyer defending him in the myriad court cases against him also discounted rumors of support to Kamal, and affirmed his continuing loyalty to the MQM-A. Prospects Both Kamal and Qaimkhani have support within the MQM-A. Their subsequent shenanigans would be watched with interest.

The Farooq Sattar press conference was surrounded by several glum faces.

A prominent leader, Faisal Sabzwari was absent. Though a major setback, it can, by no means, be said with certainty that the establishment would succeed in its objective of de-fanging the MQM-A by this man oeuvre just yet.

The writer is Member, Governing Council, IPCS, and former Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India

Intolerance, the other face

T

he Modi government and the BJP have been accused of intolerance and many cases of such intolerance have been consistently highlighted by the media. But it turns out that this intolerance is not one sided. There is as good intolerance on the other side of the fence also. Only it has not been reported or it is not the fashion to report such issues.

There have been cases of murder of BJP and rightist people in Kerala by the Communist party men. But they do not attract the attention of mainstream media. Enriched by Gulf money, Muslims in Kerala carry out a reverse discrimination like declaring Hindus are not welcome in jobs they offer. But this seems okay for the Congress ruling party in Kerala for reasons of electoral vote banks.

It is not that the intolerance and violence by the Hindutva groups is to be condoned. But there is need to list the acts of intolerance of the other side also.

For long it has been the practice of Sonia Gandhi and her party to malign Narendra Modi, even calling him "butcher" and "murderer." The RSS has all the time been demonized and no notice is taken of its welfare work.

All that, in their parlance is acceptable as "free speech." Recently, at a Jawaharlal Nehru University debate, one of the professors questioned the poster boy Kanhaiya Kumar on his facts. He was sought to be shouted down. On Kanhaiya Kumar's praise for Stalin, Professor Makarand Paranjape said "I am proud to belong to a country where one so called judicial murder created such a huge ruckus. Do you know how many judicial murders were committed from 1920 to 1950s in Stalin's USSR? 779,99553," he revealed.

His speech was interrupted first by sloganeering by Kanhaiya Kumar and was also booed by some students in the audience, unlike other speakers who took a pro-Left position.

Nayantara Sahgal, niece of Jawaharlal Nehru, recently called upon countrymen "to be offensive‌ when facts of our recent history are being totally falsified and education and culture are really in a battleground by our ruling government". Her call for "offence" is acceptable but not from the other side.

For a long time the discourse on history of India has been dominated by the Left, with the Congress governments caving in to their view and even introducing distortions in textbooks. If this is sought to be questioned today, there should be a debate and the correct position ascertained.

But the Leftists are crying murder. They have accepted the foreigners' version of India's history and when this approach is questioned by producing rival facts by indigenous scholars, they cry hoarse about "Hindutva" imposition.

Ishrat Jahan was a Muslim young woman of Mumbai who was shot dead along with three other terrorists in Ahmedabad in 2014 when Narendra Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat. The Union government led by Sonia Gandhi made all attempts to tar this intelligence operation as a fake encounter and it had been accepted by all that this was so.

Even the cops who took part in this operation were jailed. However, recent revelations by three top Home Ministry officials have proved that she was an accomplice of the terrorists and this fact was sought to be suppressed by the then Union government. The three top officials, who served in the Ministry during the UPA government, have indicted former Home Minister P.Chidambaram for delinking Ishrat from the terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. It is also being speculated if P Chidambaram was alone in this "political conspiracy" or a "puppet".

Even The Pakistani-American terrorist David Headley, deposing before the special Indian court via video cast from Chicago, admitted that Ishrat Jahan was working for LeT. But the controversy rages on and those now on the other side of the fence are not prepared to admit how they discriminated against indigenous scholars of Indian history.

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