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Pankaj Mishra wins $150,000 Yale literary prize Details on page 5

Indian battalion in S.Sudan gets UN award Details on page 6

VOL 19, No. 1017

March 14, 2014

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Periodical Postage

JINDAL CALLS OBAMA WORST PRESIDENT

WASHINGTON: Preparing ground for his potential presidential run in 2016, Indian-American Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has slammed Barack Obama as the worst president in history and took a dig at his inability to stop Russia from invading Ukraine.

"To President Carter, I want to issue a sincere apology.

It is no longer fair to say he was the worst president of this great country in my lifetime. President Obama has proven me wrong," 42-year-old Jindal told a conservative politi-

cal action committee.

In his address, Jindal criticized Obama on his foreign policy front at a time when the Russia has taken military action in Ukraine.

"I spent a lot of 2012 going around the country saying that President Obama was the most liberal and most incompetent president in my lifetime, ever since Jimmy Carter," the Republican leader said.

Details on page 5

Clean energy to gain momentum: US Energy Secy Details on page 6

70 passports stolen from BLS office in SF Details on page 6

Anxious wait for kin of Indians on missing plane Details on page 8

ED registers case against Hizbul chief Salahuddin

Marathon 'Bee' finally ends with Kush victory Details on page 48

Details on page 8

Seven women in Fortune India's under 40 list

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29 Classifieds ------------------------- 52

Details on page 12

Community Post -------------- 16-23 Date Book -------------------------- 24 Edit Page --------------------------- 54

INDIA POST SURVEY

HealthScience Post --------- 32-35

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Horoscope ------------------------- 51

This week’s question

Immigration Post ------------- 44-46

Do the Republicans want a war President?

Life Style ----------------------- 48-50 Philosophy ------------------------- 53

Last week’s result

Will India-US ties mend under Obama?

YES 57%

NO 43%

SAY CHEESE AMBASSADOR: US President Barack Obama with Ambassador of India to the US, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar who presented his credentials at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on March 10.

(Details on page 5)

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 38-39 TechBiz Post ------------------- 12-14 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 40-43

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I

got this invite for a 'Chai pe Charcha' in New York this weekend and suddenly realized the general elections in India are less than a month away and perhaps it's a bit late in the day to be having chai. For the uninitiated, these 'over-a-tea discussions' - a throw back on the initial Tea Party discussions around the kitchen table during the 2012 US elections - are street corner discussions initiated by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to get people talking about the issues facing the country. So it is some of our own Modi supporters here in the US, who, while intending to have fun over tea, are getting serious about the impending elections, and more importantly, to achieve their goal of putting Narendra Modi in the Prime Minister's seat.

While I am not going to push for any particular political party or candidate here, I want to talk about the gargantuan election process itself that India is undertaking and it amazes me how for all its organizational shortcomings, India manages to pull off its country-wide elections that involve more than 800 million voters in an exercise spanning nearly six weeks.

It's important to underscore the logistical structure of this democratic process - which is so sound that there is no parallel anywhere in the world especially because it comes from a country that practices one of the most cacophonous of democratic politics in the world.

I know many of us Indian Americans, be it the old guard or the fresh-off-theboat variety, have strong inclinations towards Indian politics, whether for the Congress, the BJP or more lately, the Aam Aadmi Party. Whatever be our affiliations, and irrespective of who ultimately forms the new government in India, I think we have a hard task ahead of us to work with both the Indian and American lawmakers to repair the trade and diplomatic cracks that are threatening to widen between the two countries.

It would be interesting though, to see how American diplomacy will work if ultimately Narendra Modi does become the prime minister. And that will make for a spicy chai pe charcha.

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

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Cover Story: All out attack Indian-American Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has slammed Barack Obama as the worst President in history

Community: Republican contender Larry Kaifesh, a 43-year-old marine reserve colonel now seeks to go to Washington to repair economy

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Jindal calls Obama worst President WASHINGTON: Preparing ground for his potential presidential run in 2016, Indian-American Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has slammed Barack Obama as the worst president in history and took a dig at his inability to stop Russia from invading Ukraine.

"To President Carter, I want to issue a sincere apology. It is no longer fair to say he was the worst president of this great country in my lifetime. President Obama has proven me wrong," 42-year-old Jindal told a conservative political action committee.

In his address, Jindal criticized Obama on his foreign policy front at a time when the Russia has taken military action in Ukraine.

"I spent a lot of 2012 going around the country saying that President Obama was the most liberal and most incompetent president in my lifetime, ever since Jimmy Carter," the Republican leader said.

"Now, having witnessed the events abroad these last several days, as we see the President of Russia invade a neighboring country while our President wants to downsize our military,

while our President brags about the increased spending on food stamps "....seeing a President that

"This President graduated from some of the best schools in the country. If I were him - and if he would like some free advice - if I were him, I'd consider suing Harvard Law School to get his money back because I'm not sure what he learned in three years" doesn't understand that a strong America leads to a peaceful, more stable world, seeing a President who doesn't understand that a

weak America leads to instability, seeing a President who doesn't seem to understand that our allies and our enemies alike

In his speech marked with applause and laughter, Jindal also criticized the economic and domestic policies of Obama.

Bobby Jindal

need and want a strong America," said Jindal, who is widely being seen as a potential Republican presidential candidate.

"This President talks about class warfare and dividing an ever-shrinking economic pie.

That's not the American dream I

learned about from my parents.

"The American dream I learned about was a country where the circumstances of your birth don't determine your outcomes as an adult, an America where we can do better than our parents - an America where every child is told, you, too, could be the first in our family to go to school.

"You could be the first in our family to become a doctor, a lawyer or an engineer or start your own businesses," he said.

"This President graduated from some of the best schools in the country. If I were him - and if he would like some free advice - if I were him, I'd consider suing Harvard Law School to get his money back because I'm not sure what he learned in three years," Jindal said amidst cheers and applause.

"This administration has assaulted our religious liberties. It has assaulted the American Dream. It's trying to redefine the American Dream so that success is defined by government assistance. That's not the American Dream; that's an American nightmare." -PTI

Pankaj Mishra wins S Jaishankar presents credentials $150,000 Yale literary prize to Obama WASHINGTON: S Jaishankar, India's new Ambassador to the US, formally presented his credentials to US President Barack Obama at the White House on Monday March 10.

During the formal credentialing ceremony at the Oval Office, Obama warmly welcomed Jaishankar to Washington and wished him success in his responsibilities as India's next Ambassador to the United States.

"The President said that US and India could accomplish a lot together," the Indian Embassy said in a statement.

"Jaishankar, in his remarks to President Obama, conveyed warm greetings from the President and the Prime Minister of India to him and Michelle Obama," the media note said.

Jaishankar during the credentialing ceremony assured Obama of his commitment to expand key pillars of the bilateral relationship including economic relations and trade ties, defense and security, energy, science and technology and global issues.

Along with Jaishankar, Obama also accepted formal credentials of several other new Ambassa-

dors including those from Pakistan, Tunisia, Papua New Guinea, Belgium and Qatar.

Pakistan's former foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani is the country's new Ambassador to the US. "The presentation of credentials is a traditional ceremony that

In his address to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Jaishankar said that politically there is no question that the comfort levels of India and the US are higher than they have ever been before marks the formal beginning of an Ambassador's service in Washington," the White House said in a statement.

Jaishankar, former Ambassador to China, who played a key role in

India-US nuclear deal, arrived in Washington late December, at a time when relationship between two sides was experiencing some tensed moments following the arrest of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in an alleged visa fraud case.

Jaishankar this year has met several eminent American lawmakers, Governors and has started travelling widely across the country.

In a recent address to the prestigious Chicago Council on Global Affairs, he said the Indo-US relationship is busy coping with the challenges of normalcy.

Considered to be a strong advocate of relationship between the two largest democracies of the world, in his address to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Jaishankar said that politically there is no question that the comfort levels of India and the US are higher than they have ever been before.

"We are now talking defense cooperation, counter-terrorism and homeland security with as much ease as we are energy, education or health," Jaishankar said.

-PTI

WASHINGTON: Indian author lished four works of non-fiction Pankaj Mishra is among eight writ- including "From the Ruins of Emers from seven countries who pire: The Intellectuals Who Rehave won a USD 1,50,000 Yale made Asia".

University prize each in recogniThe 2014 prizewinners are: in tion of their literary achievements. fiction, Aminatta Forna (Sierra Essayist and novelist Mishra Leone), Nadeem Aslam (Pakistan), has been selected for the presti- and Jim Crace (United Kingdom); gious Windham Campbell Litera- in non-fiction, Pankaj Mishra (Inture prize in the non-fiction cat- dia) and John Vaillant (United egory, Yale University said.

States/Canada); and in drama, Kia "Pursuing high standards of literary style, Pankaj Mishra gives us “You are always scrounging new narratives about for bits of time in which to the evolution of mod- write the next book, and this ern Asia," the univerwonderfully generous prize sity said.

The winners in the will help me secure a long three categories - fiction, non- fiction and undistracted period" drama - will receive USD 1,50,000 each in recognition of Corthron (United States), Sam their achievements and to support Holcroft (United Kingdom) and their ongoing work.

Nolle Janaczewska (Australia).

"Such delightful news! As a The writers didn't know that freelancer obliged to make a liv- they had been nominated, and ing from writing, you are always their responses to winning the scrounging for bits of time in prizes ran the gamut from "shock which to write the next book, and to gratitude". this wonderfully generous prize It was Donald Windham's wish will help me secure a long to support writers by giving them undistracted period," Mishra said. the time and financial indepenIn addition to a novel, "The dence to write.

Cont’d on page 9 Romantics", Mishra has pub-

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Clean energy to gain momentum: US Energy Secy NEW DELHI: The private sector will need to look at opportunities, said Ernest Moniz, Secretary, US Department of Energy, in New Delhi on March 11.

"They need to focus on the opportunities rather than the limits as they explore initiatives in clean energy transformation," Moniz said while addressing a conference on financing renewable and energy efficient technologies organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The Indo-US energy dialogue is happening in the national capital.

Global investment in the energy infrastructure space is estimated at $36 trillion, representing 0.6 per cent of the cumulative GDP over the next few decades. This would provide a huge opportunity for the private sector to scale up new technologies and meet the emerging challenge of climate change.

Moniz said, "Clean energy financing is being elevated through multilateral agencies in the US till private capital moves off the side-

Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia with United States Secretary of Energy, Ernest Moniz during a conference on Financing Renewables and Energy Efficient Technologies in New Delhi on March 11

Indian battalion in S.Sudan awarded for bravery UNITED NATIONS: An Indian peacekeeping battalion in a volatile state of South Sudan has been awarded for its courage and devotion to duty shown while working in extremely difficult conditions.

Indian battalion has been awarded for their work in the volatile Jonglei State of South Sudan.

"Without the steadfastness shown by the battalion group, it would not have been possible to implement the mission mandate in the desired manner," UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Force Commander Delali Johnson Sakyi said in the state capital Bor. "I commend the group for immense courage and poise shown when under fire and in adverse operational situations," he said.

"The Indian Battalion was honored on March 5 for their courage and devotion to duty, which brought credit to the UN military force in South Sudan," Sakyi said, according to information released by the UN Department of Public Information unit here.

"The Indian soldiers have been

working in extremely hostile conditions to protect civilians and provide humanitarian assistance as tensions and deadly clashes engulfed the world's newest country since December 15 when President Salva Kiir's government said soldiers loyal to former deputy president Riek Machar, dismissed in

one was injured on December 19 in Akobo following an assault on a UNMISS base.

"The rank and file of the battalion has never hesitated to put their life on the line for the cause of peace and have done so selflessly and impartially time and again," Sakyi said. "(They) have

July, launched an attempted coup."

Indian peacekeepers have also lost their lives while protecting civilians from attacks by rebel groups. In an attack in April last year, five Indian UNMISS peacekeepers were killed when they were ambushed by about 200 attackers near Jonglei State as they escorted a United Nations convoy.

Two UNMISS Indian Battalion troops were killed in action and

been worthy Ambassadors of peace, (responding) to every call, challenge and situation with sincerity, fixedness of purpose and alacrity.

Troops from the battalion also carried out tasks when exposed to hostile fire, he said. The battalion used land, water and air to extend its operational reach into "hostile and unchartered hinterlands".-PTI

lines."

This support is critical for Clean Energy to gain momentum.

Echoing a similar train of thought, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, of the Planning Commission, said, "Subsidies need to be explicit and it is important to distinguish between subsidy and finance."

"Renewable energy projects need to have a revenue model that can be financed and then we can bend over backwards to ease the regulatory restriction to address the externalities in renewable energy financing," said Ahluwalia.

The US Energy Secretary while highlighting two key trends, said, "The notion that the clean technology revolution remains a distant goal is changing as cost reductions in clean technologies (photovoltaic, LED and wind) continue to advance at a rapid pace. A shift in the public attitude towards the need for prudent action to pursue the clean energy agenda is also being witnessed. This is important to address the risks of climate change."-Agencies

70 Indian passports stolen from San Francisco WASHINGTON: About 70 Indian passports have reportedly been stolen from a private company, to which the Indian Consulate in San Francisco has outsourced various visa and passport related services.

The serious breach of security is being investigated by the San Francisco Police Department.

Both the Indian Consulate and the local police have informed the State Department and the relevant federal authorities so that these passports are not misused, a media report said.

At least 70 Indian passports were stolen from BLS International's San Francisco office, sometime during the week-

end beginning November 29, an Indian-American publication reported.

The San Francisco Police Department began investigating the case on December 2, 2013. According to the investigating officer a BLS employee told the police that the passports, along with cash and checks, were taken from a locked safe.

The Indian Consulate in San Francisco has cancelled the stolen passports. The cancelled passports cannot be used for fraudulent travel, as they are machine-readable and verified through a system that is used throughout the world, a consulate official said. -PTI

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Anxious wait for kin of Indians ED registers case against Hizbul chief Salahuddin on missing plane BEIJING: Relatives of five Indian passengers, traveling by the missing Malaysia Airlines plane, are anxiously waiting for any information about the fate of the aircraft and their loved ones.

Samved Kolekar, whose father, mother and brother were traveling by the Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing is waiting patiently along with his wife at a hotel here along with relatives of 154 Chinese passengers.

It is a testing time for the young researcher in Astrophysics as he is waiting to know about his parents and brother who were coming here to visit him.

"They are coming to visit me here," Samved, who hails from Mumbai, told PTI. Considering the tough time he is going through, he was reluctant to interact with the media and provide more details.

His father, Vinod Kolekar (59), mother Chetana (55) and their younger brother Swanand (23) were in the plane along with two other Indians Chandrika Sharma (51) and Kranti Pralhad Shirshath, whose husband is based in Pyongyang in North Korea.

Both Samved and Pralhad are put up in a hotel here by the Malaysian airline as search continued to locate the plane carrying 239 passengers and crew amid reports that it may have been crashed off Vietnamese coast.

Indian Ambassador to China Ashok K Kantha spoke to both Samved and Pralhad over phone and offered all assistance, while Counselor Shrila Dutta Kumar met them.

better assistance at the headquarters.

They have not yet decided and preferred to wait for the news about the fate of the plane.

Family members of Chennai-

Chennai based Chandrika Sharma (51) was also on the ill-fated plane. Pic United Nations official website

M H Pastakia, Head of the Indian Community in Beijing, also called on Samved and offered all support and assistance.

As the search operation made little progress, the Malaysia Airlines offered to fly both the families to Kuala Lumpur along with the relatives of 154 Chinese passengers in order to provide them

based Chandrika Sharma, an Executive Secretary in the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF) who was also traveling in the same plane on way to Mongolia on official work, were expected to reach here or Kuala Lumpur after an official announcement about the fate of the plane. -PTI

NEW DELHI: In a first, the Enforcement Directorate has registered a money laundering case against ten people, including chief of banned militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen Syed Salahuddin, for alleged cross-border funding of terror activities in the country.

The ED was prompted to register the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (Act) after it took cognizance of an NIA FIR registered against these people.

The central probe agency, sources said, will look into the financing and terrorist activities by Hizbul Mujahideen from Pakistan to different militant organizations in India.

The National Investigating Agency (NIA) had last year filed its case against these ten in connection with its probe related to cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade.

Those named in the charge sheet included Salahuddin's deputy Gulam Nabi Khan alias Amir Khan, Umer Farooq Shera alias Mehboob-ul-Haq, Manzoor Ahmed Dar alias Masroor Dar,

20 security personnel feared killed in Naxal attack RAIPUR: At least 20 security personnel were feared killed or seriously injured in a Naxal ambush in a dense forest in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district.

Chhattisgarh's Additional Director General (Intelligence) Mukesh Gupta said a joint team of CRPF and state police was attacked by a large group of Naxalites at the 'Jeeram Nullah' under the Tongapal Police Station area of the district.

"We suspect 15 casualties," Gupta told reporters.

CRPF sources said 15 of its personnel and five from state police may have been killed in the ambush. An assistant commandant rank officer of CRPF is believed to among those feared killed.

The incident took place in the same area where Naxalite had killed 76 police personnel in April 2010.

In New Delhi, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde confirmed

Security personnel near the bodies of their colleagues after Maoists attacked a joint search party of CRPF and the police near Tongpal in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on March 11

the ambush, saying details are still awaited.

Sources said a squad of 44 personnel, including 30 CRPF

and 14 state police were out for an operation, when Naxals triggered landmine blasts and firing leading to the killings.

A senior CRPF official said they have recovered the bodies of three of their personnel and are awaiting details as the area is "heavily mined."

Sources said two helicopters have been sent in from Jagdalpur and Raipur to the ambush area with reinforcements drawn from the CoBRA battalion and CRPF. The area is notorious for Naxal activities as it is also to close to 'Jeeram Ghati' where top Congress leadership of the state was wiped out by Maoists in May last year.

According to preliminary information, the joint security squad was deployed for a 'Road Opening' duty in the area for the movement of security forces convoy.

The jawans of CRPF belong to its 8th battalion which is deployed for anti-Naxal operations in the state.-PTI

Zaffar Hussain Bhat alias Khursheed, Nazir Ahamd Dar alias Shabir Ellahi, Abdul Majeed Sofi alias Majeed Bisati and Mubarak Shah among others, they said.

Besides, Talib Ali alias Talib Hussain Lali and Mohammad Shafi Shah alias Doctor alias Dawood were charged with various provisions of Unlawful Ac-

Syed Salahuddin

tivities (Prevention) Act in the NIA charge sheet.

All of them, including Salahuddin, have been named in the ED case registered under the PMLA, a first regular money laundering case to probe offshore terror financing ramifications, the sources said.

In a meticulously done probe, the NIA claimed to have unearthed at least Rs 13 crore which had been pumped through cross border trade at Uri, cash couriers and normal banking channels besides the routine hawala route.

The case was registered by NIA on October 25, 2011 for alleged regular and systematic funding of Hizbul Mujahideen for carrying out terror activities.

Investigation has established that under the cover of Jammu and Kashmir Affectees Relief Trust (JKART), terror group Hizbul Mujahideen operatives based in Pakistan used to provide funds through different channels for terrorist activities in India.

During the investigation, two of the accused i.e. Mohd Shafi Shah alias Dawood and Talib Lali alias Talib Hussain Lali, were arrested by the NIA. ED, the sources said, will look at confiscating some assets of these accused identified in the country.-PTI

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Rajnath claims Modi wave will bring BJP 300 seats INDORE: BJP president some big work done from him," Rajnath Singh has claimed his the BJP president said. party may win over 300 seats on Rajnath attacked Congress its own in Lok Sabha elections in over its claims of "Bharat Nirman", view of "surging" popularity of alleging successive Congress its PM nominee Narendra Modi. governments have misled the "When I first asked BJP work- common people on issues like ers to work together to attain the poverty, inflation, unemployment magic figure of 272 seats, even the and internal and external security opinion polls said this target is of the country. difficult to Rajnath achieve. Howalso exever, seeing pressed conthe energetic cern over a atmosphere in spate of misfavor of Modi, haps plaguing I now feel that the Navy and we may cross demanded even 300 that Prime s e a t s , " Minister Rajnath said Manmohan while addressSingh and ing party others should workers at partake "moral reRajnath Singh liamentary sponsibility" area meet on over these inDussehra ground here. cidents.

Rajnath said Modi was perhaps "Why is the PM silent on these the only leader in the history of mishaps? Should not he and other independent India who has been Congress leaders own up moral continuously attacked by his op- responsibility like the Navy chief ponents. "I feel the Almighty is DK Joshi did over the mishap at a testing Modi as He wants to get nuclear submarine"? Rajnath said.

NRIs having a live interaction with BJP prime Minister candidate Narendra Modi Chai Pe Charcha with NaMo on International Womens Day in Washington DC on March 8

He also attacked the central government accusing it of not accepting Madhya Pradesh government's demand for a Rs 5000-crore package for farmers affected by unseasonal rains and hailstorm.

"If the Congress government could indulge in corruption of Rs 5 lakh crore, why can't it give Rs 5000 crore relief to farmers in Madhya Pradesh"? Rajnath said.

Praising Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the BJP president

said "after formation of the BJP government at the Centre, it will implement a new agriculture income insurance scheme which will take care of damage to crops due to natural calamity in a more realistic manner". -PTI

Rahul accuses Modi of stealing farmers' land BALASINOR, Gujarat: In a sury if BJP government came to country that Gujarat shines but its hard-hitting attack on Narendra power. sheen is limited to few industrialModi on his home turf, Rahul Seeking to draw a parallel be- ists and the poor have not benGandhi has accused his govern- tween BJP's India Shining Cam- efited from it. ment of "stealing" farmers' BJP had lost the 2004 land and charged the BJP polls and the India Shining with appropriating credit campaign of the NDA not for schemes launched by going down well with the the Congress-led UPA. electorate was attributed Without directly namas one of reasons. ing the Gujarat Chief MinAccusing BJP of taking ister, Gandhi also alluded credit for programs initithat Modi works like Nazi ated by Congress, Gandhi dictator Adolf Hitler and said in a sarcastic tone that attacked him for retaining the leaders of the Opposi"corrupt" ministers in his tion party will claim after a state cabinet while talking decade that they had also tall of fighting corruption. brought MNREGA and "What kind of Right to Food, the flagship chowkidari (guarding) is programs of Congress-led happening in Gujarat.

UPA. Lakhs of acres of land are "There are two kinds of being taken away from leaders. The first type bethe farmers and being longs to those who go given to industrialists. among people, have some When farmers say someideology and believe in the thing, their voice is igknowledge of people. He nored. goes to them, asks them "Is stealing the land of and learns from them. The farmers chowkidari. This thinking of this kind of is called theft and not leader is that it is the people Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi is garlanded along with party General secretary Gurudas Kamat chowkidari," Gandhi said who are repository of during an election campaign rally at Balasinor town in addressing a rally in knowledge. Such a leader Mahisagar district on March 11 Balasinor, the first destiwants to understand nation of his tour propeople and has no pride. paign in 2004 Lok Sabha polls and gram.

"Then there is another kind of Modi has been saying in his its focus on Gujarat's develop- leader, whose best example is perrallies that he will work like a ment under Modi, Gandhi said it haps Hitler. Hitler thought there 'chowkidar' of the nation's trea- is being publicized in the whole was no need to go to people. He

believed entire knowledge of the world is only in his mind. That kind of leader only talks that he did this and that. That leader does not require to go to people," Gandhi said.

The Congress Vice President had in the past also compared Modi to Hitler. Maintaining that a true leader is one who goes to people, Gandhi said the job of a leader is not to give speeches but to listen to people.

"That is what my effort has been. I want to listen to you, understand you. This is what the UPA government did in last ten years. We brought land acquisition bill when you said that your voice is not heard in land acquisition," he said, adding, "what people of India want is adhikar (rights) and not chowkidar".

The Congress Vice President also hit out at BJP for attacking UPA over corruption.-PTI

Pankaj Mishra wins $150,000 Yale literary prize Cont’d from page 5

Aminatta Forna, a Sierra Leonean novelist based in the United Kingdom said, "The Windham Campbell Prize offers a writer what we most crave - time to write, free from deadlines, financial pressures, the expectations of others."

British playwright Sam Holcroft, the youngest of the prize winners at age 31, was quite emotional when she learned she had won.

"I'm stunned, overwhelmed and frankly, slightly unhinged - to be named as a recipient of the

Windham Campbell Prize," said Holcroft.

Pakistani novelist Nadeem Aslam gave a lyrical response.

"Artists are moths, chewing holes in the robes of the powerful and the unjust", he said.

All eight writers will accept the prize in person at a ceremony at Yale on September 15 this year.

"I can't think of a more appropriate setting to announce the winners of a global literary prize than here at Yale's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library," said Peter Salovey, Yale President while announcing the winners. PTI

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Rare bronzes from India at New York auction NEW DELHI: Thangkas, sculptures and ritual objects, from a Japanese collector of Tibetan art are coming up for auction in New York later this month. The sale also includes items associated with India.

The Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Works of Art Sale by Sotheby's scheduled on March 19 includes over 45 thangkas, sculptures and ritual objects, from the collection of Yoshitomo Tamashige.

The collection was first exhibited at Meditation Homeland in Toyama Prefecture in Japan in 2004 and published in a cata-

logue titled "Gems of Thangka Art." Many of the works up for auction were also included in the 2005 exhibition "The World of Mandala" at the Okura Museum of Art in Tokyo.

Leading the sale is a very fine gilt copper alloy figure Depicting Tara from the Yongle period (1403-1424) and estimated to fetch USD300,000 to USD 500,000. It has been finished and gilded to perfection with the Yongle hallmark style of jewelry and lotus petals.

Also included from the collection in an epic thangka depicting a King, possibly Tri

Ralpachen, one of the three legendary imperial patrons of early Buddhism in Tibet estimated to fetch USD 60,000 to USD 80,000).

The very large-format narrative thangka depicts a temple at the centre.

Further highlights from the auction include a rare copper alloy figure depicting Bodhisattva Manjushri, the oldest and most significant bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhist literature.

Cast in a lustrous copper alloy with silver inlay in the Kashmiri style has been estimated to fetch between USD 350,000 to

USD 450,000.

An 18th century parcel gilt copper alloy group depicting Manjushri on a snow lion has been estimated to fetch between USD 40,000 to USD 60,000.

Also up for offer is a large-scale granite figure of a Yakshi from South India and is pegged to sell between USD 50,000 to USD 70,000.-PTI

Indian-origin woman to lead NY taxi agency NEW YORK: An Indian-origin woman has been nominated by New York Mayor Bill de Blasio to lead the city's crucial taxi and limousine agency, which regulates the city's expansive network of yellow and green taxis and livery cabs.

Meera Joshi, nominated to serve as Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), had recently served as the agency's General Counsel under former mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration, a statement issued by the mayor's office said.

Her nomination has to be approved by the City Council.

A University of Pennsylvania alumnus, Joshi has worked in the city government for more than a decade.

As General Counsel at the TLC, she supported the regulation of more than 160,000 licensees and personally oversaw a portfolio of initiatives that have brought new cab services to New Yorkers.

She has also prosecuted financial injustices against victimized taxi drivers.

Joshi was also instrumental in the city's commitment to 50 per cent wheelchair accessibility by 2020, and the requirement that all taxicabs b e crashtested to federal standards by the end of 2014.

T h e Mayor deMeera Joshi scribed Joshi as a "dedicated public servant" with the experience and energy to move the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission in a progressive direction, "ensuring we prioritize New Yorkers' safety."

Joshi termed her nomination an "honor" and said she is committed to the de Blasio administration's agenda of providing equitable taxi and for-hire transportation services and safe streets for all New Yorkers.

Joshi's nomination got support from the city's taxi workers' unions.-PTI

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Indian-origin woman guilty of Indian-origin man dies in NY hit and run setting husband afire HOUSTON: A 27-year-old Indian-origin woman has been found guilty by a US jury of arson causing death to her husband two years ago, but not guilty of capital murder.

The Travis County Jury found Shriya Patel guilty of arson causing death to her husband.

The jury was dismissed by Judge David Crain until tomorrow after reading the verdict. That's when the sentencing phase of the trial will begin.

Shriya faces five to 99 years in prison. Prosecutors accused Shriya of luring her husband Bimal Patel, 29, into the bathtub for a massage, dousing him with gasoline and then setting him on fire on April 17, 2012.

Bimal died at the burn centre of the San Antonio Military Medical Centre, nearly five months after the incident.

Defense attorneys argue Bimal did it to himself and forced Shriya

to help.

Testimony ended when defense attorneys called their only witness, an associate professor of

Prosecutors say Shriya was upset that Bimal didn't live up to her expectations, and once she moved to the US she found he wasn't as wealthy as she had hoped. Witnesses testified Shriya loved another man and married Bimal to make him jealous Indian culture from the University of Texas.

She told the jury about the na-

KP's India visa expedited through 'Twiplomacy' NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed that the necessary clearance regarding star England batsman Kevin Pietersen's visa was received from the union sports ministry paving his way for upcom-

Kevin Pietersen

ing India visit.

MEA's official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted that the Indian Embassy in the United Kingdom will soon grant visa to Pietersen as they have received necessary clearance from the union sports ministry.

"Good news. Twiplomacy works!! Necessary clearance just received from Sports Ministry.

Mission to grant visa soon. C u in

India soon," MEA official Akbaruddin tweeted which was retweeted by KP. Earlier in the day, Pietersen wrote on his twitter page to reveal that his passport is lying with the Indian embassy in the UK for the past 10 days for a job that he claimed requires barely 24 hours, and subsequently requested the MEA to help him in this regard.

"Trying to travel to India urgently & the Indian Embassy has had my passport for 10days for a 24hr service. Help @MEAIndia, @IndianDiplomacy?," Pietersen tweeted.

In reply, MEA's official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin replied to the England batsman's query explaining him about the requirement of necessary approval from the Union Sports Ministry.

"Event requires approval of Sports Ministry. Mission will give Visa promptly once organizers of event obtain necessary approval," Akbaruddin replied to Pietersen via twitter.

Pietersen, who has been retained by Delhi Daredevils, will be available for the entire season of the sixth edition of the cash-rich Indian Premier League. This was made possible after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had formally announced that Pietersen will no longer be selected to play for England.-PTI

ture of arranged marriages and said women are encouraged to marry a man for his success and wealth.

Defense attorneys also presented evidence that cotton balls in Bimal's nose appeared to have been there before second and third degree burns covered his body, suggesting he knew he would be set on fire and wanted to mask the smell.

Prosecutors say Shriya was upset that Bimal didn't live up to her expectations, and once she moved to the US she found he wasn't as wealthy as she had hoped.

Witnesses testified Shriya loved another man and married Bimal to make him jealous.

Prosecutors said most of the evidence doesn't support the assisted suicide theory.

Arson investigators testified that burn patterns on Bimal's body showed he was lying in the tub when Shriya used a cup to throw the gasoline on him. -PTI

Gavaskar wants Dravid as chief coach

Rahul Dravid

NEW DELHI: Former captain Sunil Gavaskar has lashed out at chief coach Duncan Fletcher and called for his immediate ouster while suggesting the name of Rahul Dravid as the next coach of the Indian cricket team.

"For me, Duncan Fletcher would get 1.5 in a scale of 10 as far as his success is concerned.

I believe a younger guy should be appointed as the coach of the Indian team," Gavaskar said.

"Rahul Dravid is one man who is enormously respected and is a successful captain having won series in West Indies and England. When he speaks, the Indian players, some of whom are superstars listen to him as they know how much preparation went into his game," he told NDTV. He was very scathing while talking about Fletcher's role as the chief coach since his appointment post 2011 World Cup win which has seen the performance of the Indian team go down abysmally.-PTI

NEW YORK: A 64-year-old In- cumbed to his injuries a day after dian-origin man died after being being hit as he attempted to cross struck by a vehicle here and the the road.

New York police is asking for the "He was very generous, an expublic's help to find the driver in- tremely giving person and very, volved in the hit and run case. very kindhearted," Ragunath's Kumar Ragunath was walking sister-in-law Shiroon Khederoo to a city hotel in the Queens neighborhood where he had recently A witness has told investigajoined work as fire tors that the person who hit safety director, when he Ragunath was driving a was hit by an SUV. Police found him un- black SUV with New York conscious and unre- plates but he could not get sponsive with severe head trauma and a bro- the license plate number ken leg.

According to the police, the said. driver of the SUV did not stop to A witness has told investigahelp Ragunath, leaving him in the tors that the person who hit middle of the street with severe Ragunath was driving a black SUV injuries. A father of three and with New York plates but he could grandfather to six, Ragunath was not get the license plate number. from Guyana and had lived in No arrests have been made in Queens since 1992, a report in the the case yet which is being invesNew York Times said. tigated by the New York Police He was briefly placed in a medi- Department's Highway Patrol Colcally induced coma but suc- lision Investigation Squad. -PTI

Indian in UK seeks re-trial over killing sons LONDON: An India-born father serving a life sentence for killing his toddler sons in Scotland six years ago has launched an appeal against the decision over his undiagnosed mental disorder.

Ashok Kalyanjee was sentenced to at least 21 years in prison by the High Court in Glasgow back in 2009 after pleading guilty to murdering six-yearold Paul and his two-year-old brother Jay by slitting their throats with a knife.

He has now appealed against the sentence at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh, claiming a failure by psychiatrists to identify that he was suffering from a paranoid personality disorder at the time.

He specifically blames an incident when he was thrown out of a library two weeks before the murders that had been preying on his mind and his lawyers claim his guilty plea, instead of one of diminished responsibility, led to a miscarriage of justice.

Judge Lord Carloway, sitting with Lady Dorrian and Lady Paton, heard the four-day appeal last week. If it is upheld next month, Kalyanjee could stand trial for a second time.

According to court reports, the father had collected his sons from his former wife's home in Glasgow and driven down towards a layby in Lennoxtown area of Dunbartonshire.

He slashed Jay's throat then turned his knife on his brother as they sat in his Mercedes car in May 2008. He then burned their bodies.

"Kalyanjee is a spineless waster who never took responsibility for anything in his life," the Daily Mirror quoted his ex-wife, GiselleRoss, as saying.

"He was devious and cunning and boasted he knew how to work the system. As far as I'm concerned the trigger was fear of his mother finding out about his drinking and gambling," she added.-PTI

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Tech News Microsoft plans whole room web display WASHINGTON: Room-wide web! US computer software giant Microsoft has proposed new technology which would allow displaying of web content on multiple flat surfaces and devices such as phones or tablets in a room.

The technology would mean different parts of web content would fit just right onto different patches of walls and other flat surfaces.

The concept called SurroundWeb relies on Kinect technology to scan a room to "recognize" flat surfaces and other objects, 'Phys.org' reported.

The technology uses a software to parse out different parts of web content which it would divvy out to different surfaces or satellite devices such as phones or tablets in the room, effectively adding more screens.

Microsoft is offering a way to create immersive applications for the home that don't violate the privacy of their users.

Since SurroundWeb is Internet based, therefore, if it were to scan a room and allow information about what is found to make its way to the web, all manner of privacy violations could occur.-PTI

Spurt in Pakistan printed currency notes smuggling NEW DELHI: Smuggling of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) from abroad has shown an increase prompting financial intelligence agencies to keep a strict watch anticipating surge with Lok Sabha elections round the corner.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), country's lead agency to check smuggling, has found that neighboring Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh among others have fast emerged as new routes for smugglers to push Pakistan-printed fake currency notes, official sources said.

The DRI officials have during April, 2013 and January this year registered five such cases outside India and seized FICN with face value of Rs 15 lakh.

As many as eight people, including three Pakistani nationals, were arrested in a joint operation by officials of the DRI and respective countries abroad, the sources said.

During 2012-13, eight cases of smuggling of FICN from abroad were registered. About 14 people, including five Pakistanis, were arrested in this connection. -PTI

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Shiv Inder Singh, MD Firefox Bikes (R) and Preston Lewis MD, Warner Bros (2nd from R) launch Firefox Superhero Bikes for kids in New Delhi on March 10

March 14, 2014

India, France agree on cost of nuclear power from Jaitapur NEW DELHI: After three years of hectic negotiations, India and France have agreed on the cost of power that will be generated by Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant (JNPP), clearing a major hurdle in the path of the project.

The two sides have agreed on Rs 6 per unit, down from Rs 9.18 per unit quoted by the French company Areva initially, which was not acceptable to India, sources told PTI here.

France has also decided to provide India a loan for the project at 4.8 per cent interest rate for 25 years, they said.

The decisions were arrived at during a meeting between National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon and Chairman of France's Commission on Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies (CEA) Bernard Bigot in Paris recently, they said.

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and Areva are now working out further modalities.

The Jaitapur project in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra will have 6 EPRs (European Pressurized Reactors) with each reac-

tor producing 1650 MWs of electricity.

The cost of power was a major hurdle in the forward movement on JNPP with the two sides differing on it earlier.

Areva, which was building the reactors for JNPP, had quoted the price of Rs 9.18 per unit. This was strongly opposed by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and

and the new technology.

French officials say the reactors are expensive because of enhanced safety measures.

"There are no free lunches. All energy comes with associated costs," said Anne Lauvergeon, Areva's Honorary Chairperson at the India Today Conclave recently.

She had played a major role in

Lauvergeon said that India is the fourth largest energy consumer in the world after the US, China and Europe, and the country's energy needs are projected to grow at a rapid rate and it will require more than four times its currently installed generation capacity by the year 2031-32.

NPCIL. DAE secretary R K Sinha had also told reporters in December last year that the minimum price India could zero down to was Rs 6-6.50 per unit.

However, France now has agreed to bring down the price to Rs 6. JNPP would be one of the costliest nuclear power plant projects considering its sheer size

negotiations between India and France.

France, however, has said that there were few aspects which needed further discussions like project management and the liability issues as there has not been any clarity over them.

In the meeting, India also asked France to use its good offices for speedy execution of the Indo-Ja-

pan Nuclear Deal which can help both Indian nuclear industry as well as foreign collaborators.

France is expected to take up the issue when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visits Paris in May this year.

After its completion, the JNPP project would be highest nuclear energy generation plant in the country. The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) would have four reactors of 1000 MWs each.

Lauvergeon said that India is the fourth largest energy consumer in the world after the US, China and Europe, and the country's energy needs are projected to grow at a rapid rate and it will require more than four times its currently installed generation capacity by the year 2031-32.

"It is true that India has substantial, untapped coal reserves but these are not eternal. The wind and Sun cannot become the main means of electricity generation in India and oil and gas are scarce in the country, which has to import most of its needs and these are prone to price volatility," said Lauvergeon, who has also visited the Jaitapur site once.-PTI

Seven women in Fortune India's under 40 list NEW DELHI: Seven women have made it to the Fortune India's first '40 Under 40' compilation that lists individuals who have managed to grow an idea into a profitable business.

The list comprises entrepreneurs and professionals aged 40 years and less as of December 31, 2013. 'This is a listing, not a ranking,' Fortune India said, adding that scions of business families were not included.

Kavita Iyer Rodrigues, Director & COO of Theramyt Novobiologics and who cofounded the first biotech startup in venture capital firm Accel Partners' stable in 2007 got featured in the list. So was Richa Kar Founder & CEO, Zivame.com.

The other women entrepreneurs, managers, founders in the list include: Kavita Bhupathi Chadda, Group CEO Globosport; Simeran Bhasin I n d i a Marketing head Fastrack & New Brands, Titan Industries; Kavita Iyer Rodrigues Gauri Singh, Founder and Director, The Maids' Company; Avani Saglani Devda, CEO Tata Starbucks and Neha Kirpal, Founder & Director India Art Fair.

The criteria for selection in-

clude growth in business (market share or revenue) and where growth rates were similar, emphasis was on profitability; those who executed a business model or innovation to grow in a t o u g h market, who have Richa Kar reduced the per unit cost of delivering a product or service, scaled up an idea; Were able to raise capital in a difficult market, or find profitable exits, Fortune India added.

The individuals in the list be-

long from diverse sectors, although there are more tech startups than others.

Others in the list include Sachin Bansal & Binny Bansal Co-Founders, Flipkart; Aprameya Radhakrishna & Raghunandan G - Co-Founders and Directors, Taxi For Sure; Naveen Tewari - Co-Founder & Ceo, Inmobi; Anshuman Thakur - ED Investment Banking, Morgan Stanley India; Arun Chandra Mohan & Praveen Sinha - Co-Founders, Jabong; Mukesh Bansal - Co-Founder & CEO, Myntra; Rahul Sharma Co-Founder, Micromax Informatics and Deepinder Goyal - Founder and CEO Zomato. -PTI

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Larsen & Toubro wins Rs 2,935 cr orders NEW DELHI: Infrastructure major Larsen & Toubro has said it has won orders worth Rs 2,935 crore across various business segments in February and March.

"In the transportation and infrastructure business, new orders worth Rs 1,035 crore have been won," L&T said in a statement.

These include a major engineering, construction and procurement (EPC) order from Rail Vikas Nigam for building roadbed, major and minor bridges, track linking, outdoor signaling and electrical works in connection with doubling of Sambalpur-Barpali, BarpaliBolangir, Bolangir-Titalgarh sections, part of Sambalpur-Titalgarh doubling of East Coast Railway

project in Odisha, it said.

Another order has been received from the Public Works Department, Maharashtra for rehabilitation and upgradation of a NH

222 stretch to two-lane on EPC basis under National Highways Development Project (NHDP) IV. "Also received is a turnkey order from Government of Odisha

Voda 'secretly sharing data with British agency' NEW DELHI: Major telecom player Vodafone has been accused by the Union Home Ministry of secretly sharing subscriber data with a British intelligence and security organization, a charge denied by the company.

According to documents of the Internal Security Division of the Home Ministry, Vodafone is alleged to have given the UK-based Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ) "secret unlimited access to their network of under sea cables, which carry much of world's phone calls and Internet traffic".

"GCHQ's mass tapping operations have been built up over the past five years by attaching intercept probes to the transatlantic cables where they land on British shores," the home ministry documents claimed.

"Intercept partners are paid for logistical assistance," it said.

Though the note had asked the Department of Economic Affairs not to proceed with realignment of Vodafone, which is involved in a Rs 11,200-crore tax dispute over purchase of Hutch's stake in 2007, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) went ahead and gave clearance for increasing the foreign equity in Vodafone India Limited.

The Union Home Ministry had alleged that Vodafone and a USbased company Verizon "are learnt to be secretly collaborating with UK's GCHQ and passing on details of their customer phone calls, email messages and other communication and are intercept partners".

When asked for comments,

Vodafone said in its reaction that "no such concern has been raised with us by the Indian Government.

The Government of India's approval of our FDI application states that it was cleared by the

"GCHQ's mass tapping operations have been built up over the past five years by attaching intercept probes to the transatlantic cables where they land on British shores"

FIPB and CCEA after all necessary due diligence".

The telecom operator also denied that it was disclosing "any customer data in any jurisdiction unless - like any other operator - it is legally required to do so".

Vodafone said it complies with the law in all countries of its operations, including in the case of its European businesses - the EU Privacy Directive and EU Data Retention Directive.

It also rejected the Union Home Ministry's charge of being a tax evader and said "Vodafone has never been accused of tax evasion.

Vodafone's businesses around the world paid more than 4.2 billion pound in direct taxes to governments in our countries of operation last year, plus more than 3.2 billion pound in other non-taxation-based fees and levies".

"Our businesses also made a total indirect tax contribution to national governments of 6.1 billion pounds," it said. -PTI

for two-laning of Kanakotra to Jharsuguda section with paved shoulder including construction of a bypass at Belpahar in Odisha," it said.

L&T said its building and fac-

tories business has bagged orders worth Rs 562 crore including a major turnkey order from Lucknow Development Authority for construction of MIG/super MIG flats.

Besides its water and renewable energy business has secured orders worth Rs 553 crore including a contract for execution of river front development project in Patna from Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation.

It said the power transmission and distribution business bagged new orders worth Rs 502 crore in domestic and international markets including a contract from Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation for constructing 132 KV GIS substation at Doha festival city on EPC basis.-PTI

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Uninor aims 100% growth in Internet biz NEW DELHI: Telecom operator Uninor, Indian arm of Norwegian telecom firm Telenor, has said it expects to double its 2G mobile Internet business by end of this year with low cost plans starting at 50 paise per hour.

"We are now expanding strategy of Uninor from voice to Internet service. Also, we are mov-

mobile social media application WhatsApp for Re 1 a day to Rs 15 a month.

Uninor, which has operations in 6 out 22 service area, has launched this plan initially for Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa. The plan will be available for customers within a month in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh

ing out of volume-based Internet offering to service based. With news plans we are looking at both first user and mass market like students and other price sensitive segment," Uninor's nominated CEO Morten Karlsen Sorby said here.

The company unveiled unlimited plans starting 50 paise an hour to Rs 15 a month for Facebook and

(both Seemandhra and Telangana).

"With these plans, we will be able to increase our target which is double our revenue from Internet service as well as increase our active Internet customer base," Uninor Chief product officer and Head of Internet Project Amaresh Kumar said.

Uninor has about 8 million

Internet users on its network which is about 24 per cent of its total customer base of 33.9 million.

The company reported total annual revenue of Rs 3,300 crore in the 2013.

The company at present has 2G network on which Kumar said that user get average speed of 100 kilobit per second to 150 kbps. At this speed users will be able to download a video from WhatsApp of 16 MB (maximum size allowed by WhatsApp) in about 14 minutes.

"We are looking for users who want to use Facebook and WhatsApp for short time, frequently and without worrying for how much data they are consuming. It can be used for text messaging or chat comfortably," Kumar said.

Sorby said that company has accounted in it the loss it can incur of business Uninor gets from SMS but said "If Internet is the trend, we will have to go that way."

Facebook is reported to have over 93 million and WhatsApp over 40 million users in India.

Uninor has plans to invest about Rs 600 crore in India to expand its network coverage in existing service area by deploying 5,000 additional mobile towers. PTI

Sebi ups vigil for poll-related redemptions NEW DELHI: As general elections draw closer, Sebi has enhanced its surveillance to thwart any attempts by listed companies and others to channelise illicit funds through capital markets or investment schemes for polls.

The elections are scheduled to begin next month and concerns are being raised that huge sums of money could be spent by political parties and their leaders to lure voters.

According to a senior official, there are also indications that many entities running illicit money-pooling schemes have lined up huge redemptions from fictitious investor accounts for coming weeks and this money could also find their way into electioneering activities.

Capital market regulator Sebi itself has initiated action against more than 500 companies that have allegedly garnered funds from investors through illicit money collection schemes.

In many such cases, a large number of fictitious accounts are also created for money laundering purposes.

While robust surveillance and intelligence systems are already in place for detection and prevention of any kinds of money laundering activities in capital markets, regu-

It is feared that companies may divert funds from their business for funding elections without the knowledge of investors lators are being extra watchful because of elections being typically known as periods of increased illicit fund flows.

Foreign funds coming through

capital markets is also being monitored closely to check any possible laundering for political purposes, the official said, while adding that the dealings of various market entities with PEPs (Politically Exposed Persons) are also being placed under greater scrutiny.

Sebi regulations mandate that market entities deploy a "high risk" approach towards their clients who could be PEPs, who include individuals entrusted with prominent public functions, heads of governments, senior politicians, senior government/judicial/military officers, senior executives of state-owned corporations, important political party officials.

Similar approach needs to be followed for accounts of the family members or close relatives of PEPs. With regard to listed companies, it is feared that companies may divert funds from their business for funding elections without the knowledge of investors, while scrupulous entities may also use certain market intermediaries to generate funds illegally for polls.-PTI

Defense, CBI computers may be prone to spying NEW DELHI: About 3,000 Internet connections, including those of the Ministry of Defense, security agencies, the CBI and banks in Delhi, have been found to be compromised, probably for snooping from foreign locations, according to a report submitted by cyber security experts to government.

While computers in these organizations haven't been hacked, a vulnerability in the modems they use may have allowed outsiders access to information, the Indian Infosec Consortium said.

"About 3,000 Internet connections in Delhi are compromised, including that of defense, CBI, election officers. They are being accessed using servers abroad. We have shared a detailed report with Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal who has promised prompt action," IIC cyber security analyst Jiten Jain told PTI. The list includes the Ministry of Defense at South Block, the Deputy Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat at Rashtrapati Bhawan, the Chief of Naval Staff in C-Wing at South Block, the Air Force Communication centre at Vayu Bhawan, the zonal officer of the Controller of Defense Accounts at Delhi Cantonment, and the Directorate of Income Tax (Investigation) at Jhandewalan.

Some connections at the office of public telecom firm MTNL were

also compromised.

Jain said the consortium has also submitted a report to security agencies for immediate action and correction of their systems.

Over 99 per cent of the 3,000 connections surveyed by IIC were possible victims of snooping.

IIC is a group of 20,000 cyber security experts pitching to become the first line of cyber defense for India and develop indigenous cyber security products.

The researchers said they believe the threat emanates from vul-

nerability due to technical settings in modems imported and sold by most Indian telecom operators.

"All of the devices included in the research were imported. I have not seen Indian telecom operators providing modem or routers of any Indian company. All of them are made by foreign companies, which is making systems vulnerable and susceptible to espionage," Jain said.-PTI

India can quadruple revenue from Africa NEW DELHI: India can quadruple revenue from Africa to USD 160 billion by 2025 through expanding its presence in sectors like information technology, agriculture, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods, says a McKinsey report.

"There is a large opportunity for Indian retailers in Africa, more in terms of apparel, fashion products, etc," Vice-Chairman of Trent Ltd, Noel Tata said at a CII event where this report was released.

According to the report, India can aspire to capture almost 7 per cent of the African IT services market, 5 per cent of its FMCG space, 10 per cent of the power sector and 2 to 5 per cent of the agri-allied services.

"Returns to FDI in Africa in the last 5 years have been the highest

in the world," Director at McKinsey & Company Rajat Gupta said.

However, the report said that to be a true solutions partner for Africa, Indian industry needs to continually engage with governments and businesses, proactively surface opportunities, build an open consortia of interested companies and use funding from low cost countries like Japan for large projects where Indian cost of funds is a disadvantage.

"Areas where the Indian industry needs assistance are infrastructure and construction, to be able to access long-term funding for the projects we wish to participate in Africa. India is not the cheapest source of funds in the world. We need to find sources of third country funding," Tata added. -PTI

March 14, 2014

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India Post 15

Desi News Priety Zinta lights up Spring Charity Ball VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

MILPITAS, CA: A Spring Charity Ball was organized by Instant Karma and People Media on March 1 at India Community Center, Milpitas. This Charity Ball was an exquisite and classy program lined up to support charities with unique programs and causes. The idea was to provide a platform for charities to come together and raise funds for the same, said the organizers from Instant Karma.

Priety Zinta, dimpled beauty from Bollywood, was there to show her support for charities and meet her fans in the Silicon Valley.

She said she is associated with lot of charities and organizations which work on uplifting women.

Details on page 22

Maha Shivaratri celebration at Lemont Temple RAGHU BADDI

LEMONT: Maha Shivaratri, the 'Great Night of Shiva' one of the trinity of Hindu Gods, was celebrated with fervor at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, Lemont, as a three-day festival.

The festival started on February 25 with a traditional Ganesha Homa. Over the next three days, the homa continued twice a day along with the chanting of Shiva Pancha Bramha Mantra. On the actual Shivaratri Day, February 27, Lord Shiva was worshipped by offering 108 Kalash達bhisheka and Bilvarchana. Later that day, after Mah達nyasam and Maha Sankalpam, the Lord was offered eleven abhishekams that started at 9 pm. During the four kaalas (time-periods), the Lord was offered different varieties of dravyas (special substances).

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

Details on page 23

16 India Post

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March 14, 2014

Kaifesh emerging viable Republican to topple Democrats in 8th Dist SURENDRA ULLAL

CHICAGO: Larry Kaifesh, a 43year-old marine reserve colonel deployed three times to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan, now seeks to go to Washington to repair economy, overhaul immigration laws and health care reform. He first seeks Republican nomination for the 8th District this month and then defeat incumbent Tammy Duckworth in the final round end year.

A highly respected marine for his commitment, honesty and selfless service to the country and community is slowly emerging a viable Republican candidate who can defeat Tammy and wrest the

Jain, an elected official and a front ranking Indian community activist from Schaumburg.

In a talk to this paper, Kaifesh maintained that his was a fight for principle, and good, responsible government at all levels, including one in Washington, that would govern less and provide bigger platform for grassroots public initiatives. "I want to end reckless government spending and cut taxes as this would lead to trimming of deficit and revive economy and create more jobs. Besides, I want to ensure that the benefits percolate to all sections of the

Kaifesh felt that America should not leave Afghanistan in haste and would help work out smooth transition for Karzai government; otherwise it would be taken over by Taliban whom it fought a decade ago.

9th District seat for the Republican Party. The 8th District covers parts of Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane Counties in northeastern Illinois.

Kaifesh surprisingly has drawn good support not only among Americans but also from Indian Americans and other minority groups for his unstinted support to immigration overhaul, health care reforms and ending discrimination at workplaces, says Nimesh

community with special emphasis on minorities," he said.

Kaifesh has huge regard for Indian Americans for their business acumen, work ethics, family values, extra emphasis on education and commitment to society. He also has a special place for India in his heart as he was deployed to Afghanistan as US Marine and had worked there for over three years.

He watched India closely and was

Details on page 18

Holi: Time for enjoying Spring's abundant colors RISHIKANT SINGH

H

oli is an important and a very colorful festival of India. It is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalgun (February/March), or Phalgun Purnima, with joy and gaiety. This year Holi falls on March 17.

Details on page 20

Dr Nader to keynote South Asian Heart Center gala

Larry Kaifesh with Nimish Jain (left) and Amar Upadhyay (right), two front Indian community activists

Marine Colonel Larry Kaifesh

awed by its democratic traditions and great culture. He felt that the largest democracy and one of the oldest democracies need to work together for the good of global peace and progress.

Kaifesh felt that America should not leave Afghanistan in haste and would help work out smooth transition for Karzai government; otherwise it would be taken over by Taliban whom it fought a decade ago. "We need to be there for a while as otherwise there would be a vacuum.

Taliban have sizeable support among the Afghan people as they are Pushtuns but at the same time they do not want old days to return."

He was in Iraq thrice and is of the opinion that though the exit of Saddam Hussain is welcomed by most Iraqis, the sectarian war raging there could destroy the ranking social and economic structure.

Presence of Americans, even on limited scale, could be a factor in easing conflict between Shiyas and Sunnis. It is significant to note that Iraq has increased its oil production despite sectarian war and this is indicative of the fact that much more can be achieved with the relative peace in the region.

"America has a role to play there," he said.

Touching upon drone strikes and the general resentment among the people affected by the strikes, he felt that it was important to contain Taliban influence and Taliban militancy. The research of late would make the strike more precise and target oriented and much of the criticism would go away, he observed.

Kaifesh said that his military background would help him in a race against incumbent Democrat Tammy Duckworth, an Asian American veteran who lost both legs in Iraq. Businesswoman Manju Goel , the other candidate in the Republican primary, maintains that her Asian-American heritage will help her topple Duckworth. The Indian American Republican Organization has endorsed Kaifesh in the 8th District primary.

March 14, 2014

Community Across America

India Post 17

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MAFS/UMAS opens senior center with array of services BEGUM NAZNIN & ASIAN MEDIA USA

ORLAND PARK: Growing old is not easy, but can be even more difficult for those in need who lack the resources necessary for aging gracefully. Recognizing this growing need of elderly immigrant population in Chicagoland and now in South Suburb, Ms. Santosh Kumar, Executive Director of Metropolitan Asian Family Services (MAFS), decided to launch a new facility in Orland Park and finally had the doors opened on Friday, March 3, at a glittering ceremony.

Ceremony commenced with offering prayers to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi by Pandit Jagdish Joshi, Chief Priest Hindu Temples in Chicagoland area.

"We hope more seniors will come and enjoy all the activities we have to offer," Orland Park manager Zeenat Kapadia said.

"It's always nice to see the seniors come in and utilize all our services."

Speaking during the grand opening ceremony, Mrs Kumar thanked her team for

Ribbon cutting at New Senior Center in Orland Park. Pics Asian Media USA

After years of planning and much anticipation, the 9th branch of elderly care center is a dream come true. Hundreds gathered, braving the winter cold to celebrate the occasion. "It took over two years for the planning and a lot of hard work," says P. Kumar, CEO Metro Family Clinic.

"A facility like this is a place for the seniors to come and interact with other seniors. We're glad to see it here," he added.

Mafs is supported by Universal Metro Asian Services (UMAS), Metropolitan Asian Family Services (MAFS), Metro Family Clinic (MFC) and Metro Home Health Center (MHHC).

Led by Chief Guest Khodabhai Patel of Swagat Foods, seniors of various locations, local residents and staff members lined up to cut the ribbon, signifying the official opening of the facility. Other guests at the ribbon cutting were Zainab Iqbal, CEO of Raaz, Ms Asha Sharma, RN, Chicago hospital, Dr Harsh Kumar and Kanak Kumar, President of Hindu Temple, Gracelake, Lake County, Ms. Sucheta Sadhu, Board member, Bharat Seva Shram Sangha of Aurora, Rep from Charter Bank, James, CEO Mode Construction, Joe Ecman, manager, Assurant Health.

The Orland Park facility offers a plethora of services from home based assistance to lunch, from social gathering to public benefit assistance and medical services - all under one roof with the help and strong backup of Universal Industries. The Grand Opening

having a vision and making that vision a reality. She said that her journey would not have been possible without the effort of her dedicated team, be it the senior manager, drivers, and other staff members.

Mrs Kumar also thanked Mr Kumar and Universal Industries for giving strong financial support to this major venture at Orland Park location. She urged the community to come forward and support these commu-

nity service based organizations as the needs of growing aging immigrant population have been increasing and the funding

from the state and federal agencies has been depleting.

Cont’d on page 19

18 India Post

Community Across America

March 14, 2014

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3-day Maha Shivaratri celebration at Lemont Temple RAGHU BADDI

LEMONT: Maha Shivaratri, the 'Great Night of Shiva' one of the trinity of Hindu Gods, was celebrated with fervor at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, Lemont, as a three-day festival.

The festival started on February 25 with a traditional Ganesha Homa. Over the next three days, the homa continued twice a day along with the chanting of Shiva Pancha Bramha Mantra. On the

actual Shivaratri Day, February 27, Lord Shiva was worshipped by offering 108 Kalash達bhisheka and Bilvarchana. Later that day, after Mah達nyasam and Maha Sankalpam, the Lord was offered eleven abhishekams that started at 9 pm. During the four kaalas (time-periods), the Lord was offered different varieties of dravyas (special substances).

For each kaala, the Lord was

Nrityopacharam (spiritual service through dance)

A grand Girija Kalyanam was resplendent in a distinctly ornate alankara that was created by us- performed on March 1. The ing grains, unguents (chandan), Kalyanam (marriage) celebrated the clothes, flowers, etc. The alankaras celestial couple of Shiva and his were created with great attention consort, Parvati, through a reenactto detail, aesthetics, and spiritual ment of their wedding ceremonies and rituals. The bride and the significance.

Devotees in thousands groom, bedecked in flowers were thronged to receive the blessings of Lord The traditional exchange of Ramalingeshwara, the wedding garlands took place presiding deity at the temple. A three-foot tall accompanied by lively ice-sculpture of Lord music and dance, perShiva was a major attraction that welcomed formed by students of Nritya Sangeet Dance School. devotees at the door.

All through the night (till the final arati at 6:00 am, seated on a lion and a bull - their sangeethopacharam (spiritual ser- respective vehicles and taken out vice through music) was per- in a procession around the temple.

The traditional exchange of formed by Lemont Thirumural Group along with many other wedding garlands took place actemple volunteers, all of whom ren- companied by lively music and dered melodious bhajans. dance, performed by students of Nrityopacharam (spiritual service Nritya Sangeet Dance School. through dance) was performed by Special sweets and savories were students of Nrityanjanli School of prepared for the occasion in the Dance. The Ayyappa Seva temple's kitchen, and at the end of Mandalam offered vibrant chenda- the wedding ceremonies, about

Singing of bhajans

vaadya (traditional music of drums from the state of Kerala in India) and bhajans as well. With great devotion, priests and devotees alike chanted Rudram, Chamakam, Vedaghosa, Shodashopacharas (special devotional chants for Lord Shiva) during the abhishekas and alankaras.

200 devotees were treated to Kalyana Bhojanam.

Devotees also attended the cultural program that followed, which brought the Maha Shivaratri celebrations to a close. This year's Shivaratri festival was a grand success, thanks to the efforts of the priests, committee members, and many volunteers.

March 14, 2014

Community Across America

India Post 19

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Teens join to create Interfaith mural from cans ASHWIN PATEL

ST LOUIS: Thirty five teens representing four different faiths Hindu, Christian, Muslim, and Jew - came together on February 28 at the St. Louis Science Center to create an interfaith image from nearly 2000 canned food items. The image will be donated to local food pantries through Operation Food Search.

Inspired by the OMNIMAX film Jerusalem, the teens created this mural to convey their vision for interfaith dialogue and understanding. Through the collaborative efforts of Center for Indian Cultural Education - Bal Vihar of St. Louis and Interfaith Quest, the faith groups raised funds to buy the cans and designed an image depicting their faith symbols and a silhouette of an interfaith skyline.

At the end of March, the cans will be disassembled and donated to Operation Food Search. The Science Center will leave the structure on display until the end of the month. It is located on the second floor in front of the Imax theatre.

The Jerusalem movie was the perfect backdrop for this project because at one point in the movie, a young lady states "perhaps one day we will have the courage to reach across the lines of our faith and discover the other". That day is now in St. Louis. This is something that Bal Vihar of St. Louis strongly encourages with the kids.

Through Bal Vihar, these kids have had the courage to "reach across the lines" of faith by visiting many different houses of worship and having dialogues with their youth.

Under the leadership of Beth Damsgaard-Rodriguez and Interfaith Quest, they have had many

Youth gathered at Interfaith image event in St Louis

more opportunities for discussions and service projects with local interfaith teens. The kids always come back enriched from the experience.

This would not have been possible without generous contributions from the Center for Indian Cultural Education - Bal Vihar of St. Louis, the YMCA of Greater St. Louis, Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis, St. Louis Science Center, and Shop 'n Save.

Since it's inception in 1992, the Indian cultural school has focused on promoting, instilling, and fostering Indian culture in children ages 5-18. In the youth group, ages 13 and above, they study teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, teach

in the younger classes, and participate in many community service projects.

Bal Vihar teens are involved in yearly food and clothing drives, volunteer at various food pantries, soup kitchens, summer projects and grounds maintenance at the Hindu Temple. Over the years students have volunteered with Faith Beyond Walls tree planting and SLICE program, Circle of Concern, Ranken Jordan Hospital, Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, and most recently collected and donated $3,000 to Gifting Vision, a non-profit organization providing free eye care in India. Currently the teens are working on creating a web app for mobile devices.

Symbols of various religions displayed at the event

MAFS/UMAS opens senior center with array of services Cont’d from page 17

Mrs Kumar choked by emotions at times especially when she recalled her love, passion and desire for Metropolitan Asian Family Services (MAFS), human based community organization. She said that MAFS has no money and resources to have such well furnished facilities but its services are very intrinsic for the immigrant community; thus these service based organizations are nestled under the strong support and banner of Universal Industries.

Addressing attendees, Suresh Bodiwala, Chairman of Asian Media USA said that Mrs Kumar was earlier aptly recognized as the Mother Teresa of Chicago and now they give her a title of voice of voiceless or hapless immigrant

Executive Ms Santosh Kumar and Pramod Kumar carrying ceremonial Kumbh

community. Vandana Jhingan, Bureau Chief TV Asia, also congratulated community and Mrs and Mr Kumar for starting new facility for seniors at Orland Park.

Other prominent members in attendance were Mrs & Mr Shahid Shahin from Frankfurt and Dr Nalini Thakkar.

The grand-opening event fea-

Guests at New Center

tured Swar Sangam popular musical band from India, which held the audience spellbound through their famous Bollywood tracks such Zara Haule Haule Chalo

More Saajna, Hai Apna Dil to Awara and many more.

Post ribbon-cutting ceremony, attendees ate lunch in the dining area and toured the building.

20 India Post

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March 14, 2014

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Holi: Time for enjoying Spring's abundant colors RISHIKANT SINGH

H

oli is an important and a very colorful festival of India. It is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalgun (February/March), or Phalgun Purnima, with joy and gaiety. This year Holi falls on March 17.

People play by showering colored powder and colored water through water sprays and balloons. At the end, friends and families often come together for sharing meals and sweets. In its modern street avatar some amount of hooliganism mars this wonderful festival of love, devotion, togetherness and joy, of vibrant colors of life.

Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying Spring's abundant colors and saying farewell to winter. Holi festivities act as a justification to

reset and renew ruptured relationships, end conflicts and accumulated emotional impurities from past. It is a veritable new beginning.

Holi has existed for over 2000 years. The meaning of the festival is believed to have changed over the years. Earlier it was a special rite performed by married women for the happiness and well-being of their families, and the full moon was worshiped. Thus the full moon festival of Holika gradually became a festival of merrymaking, and commencement of the spring season - Vasanta-Mahotsava (Spring festival).

The literal meaning of the word 'Holi' is 'burning' and originally the festival was known as 'Holika'.

Among various legends, the most prominent of all is the legend associated with demon king

Hiranyakashyap.

Hiranyakashyap wanted everybody in his kingdom to worship only him, but to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana.

Hiranyakashyap commanded his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. Holika had a boon whereby she could enter fire without any damage to herself. However,

Holi celebrations

she was not aware that the boon worked only when she enters the fire alone. Prahlad was saved by the grace of God for his extreme devotion. The festival, therefore, celebrates the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of devotion.

In Braj region of India near Mathura, where Krishna grew up, the festival is celebrated for 16 days (until Rangpanchmi), in com-

dition.

There are a lot of paintings and murals in the temples of medieval India which provide a pictorial description of Holi. A Mewar painting (circa 1755) shows the Maharana with his courtiers.

While the ruler is bestowing gifts on some people, a merry dance is on, and in the center is a tank filled with colored water. A Bundi miniature shows the king seated on a

memoration of the divine love of Radha for Krishna, a prominent Hindu deity. Holi thus is celebrated as festival of love - Kama Mahotsava.

Legend of Lord Krishna is also associated with play with colors.

The Lord started the tradition by applying color on his beloved Radha and other Gopis. Gradually, the color play gained popularity with the people and became a tra-

tusker, and from a balcony above, some damsels are showering gulal (colored powders) on him.

In some parts of India, especially in Bengal and Orissa, Holi Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the supreme embodiment of love and devotion of the divine pair of Radha-Krishna.

The writer is Air India Manager-Midwest, Chicago Illinois

March 14, 2014

Community Across America

India Post 21

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Bingo hall to be converted into Hindu temple HARISH RAO

ALLENTOWN: One more Swaminarayan temple is coming up in USA. This time it is in Pennsylvania.

A former bingo hall near Allentown city airport is to be converted to a Hindu temple

by International Swaminarayan Satsang Organization (ISSO). Thus, Pennsylvania's third most populous city will have a Hindu temple in the near future.

The temple complex, which includes worship and meeting areas and priest's quarter, is expected to be completed in 4-6 months and zoning approval has been obtained.

Currently, area Hindu families drive around 90 minutes one way to reach another temple near Cherry Hill in New Jersey. Project leaders include Mike Patel.

ISSO's prime objective is "to advance the Sanatan Dharma, in accordance with the principles and teachings of the Swaminarayan Sampraday, founded and ordained by Lord Shree Sahajanand Swami". Shree Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj is the current Acharya of this global network headquartered in Ahmadabad

The temple complex, which includes worship and meeting areas and priest's quarter, is expected to be completed in 4-6 months and zoning approval has been obtained. which "is fully committed to bringing the divine teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan to followers all over the world".

ISSO has facilities in New Jersey, Chicago and few other places. Philadelphia is a new addition. Swaminaryan Temples from Pramukhswami group is different from ISSO but they all worship Sahaajnand Swami as the incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, applauded efforts of temple leaders and area community to realize this Hindu temple complex.

Rajan said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this temple complex would focus in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of

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Hinduism.

Liberty Bell was successfully hidden in Allentown, two-time winner of the AllAmerica City Award, which was settled in 1751. Ed Pawlowski is the Mayor, while Julio Guridy and Ray O'Connell are President and Vice President respectively of the City Council of Allentown. Prominent people associated with Allentown include former Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca; actresses Amanda Seyfried, Michaela Conlin and Christine Taylor; football players Ed McCaffrey and Andre Reed; golfer Gloria Ehret and author Lauren Weisberger.

Community Across America

22 India Post

March 14, 2014

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Priety Zinta lights up Spring Charity Ball VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

MILPITAS, CA: A Spring Charity Ball was organized by Instant Karma and People Media on March 1 at India Community Center, Milpitas. This Charity Ball was an exquisite and classy program lined up to support charities with unique programs and causes. The idea was to provide a platform for charities to come together and raise funds for the same, said the organizers from Instant Karma.

Priety Zinta, dimpled beauty from Bollywood, was there to show her support for charities and meet her fans in the Silicon Valley.

She said she is associated with lot of charities and organizations which work on uplifting women.

She said events such as Char-

Herj Virk, Amitabh Bhargava, Bhavini Joshi and Priety Zinta

ity Ball bring in like-minded people together for creating awareness and benefits for the society at

large. Gopio, Janyaa, Induz, Narika, CRY America, St. Jude India Child care, PINCC, BATA and

Awaaz Foundation were the participating charities at this special event. All these organization have

a passion to change lives of people here and in India.

WomenNow TV was a part of this great show and provided the entertainment quotient for the evening. The event was intertwined with Bollywood dancing, singing, fashion show presented

by WomenNow TV. Kids fashion show was a delight to watch with tiny tots walking the ramp with costumes provided by Zaris. Priya Gandhi and Nithya Bhaya entertained the evening with peppy Bollywood numbers.

"Throughout the year, WomenNow featured several charities and learnt a great deal about the phenomenal work they do to help the underprivileged across the World," said Ena Sarkar, CEO of WomenNow TV. She added she was happy to be a part of this great event.

WomenNow TV team

Kids fashion show by Zaris collection and WomenNow TV

70% stores in LA promote unhealthy products India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has released the results from a new survey on the availability and marketing of tobacco products, alcohol and food in retail environments - the first ever statewide survey that includes local data on all three of these types of products.

The survey is part of a statewide "Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community" campaign to raise awareness about the impact of unhealthy product marketing and to promote positive changes in the retail environment that support healthier communities.

Survey results found that almost 70 percent of stores in Los

Angeles County had outdoor advertising promoting unhealthy products while only 12 percent of stores displayed exterior advertising for healthy products, such as fresh fruits or vegetables. The survey also found that many of these stores are within 1,000 feet of schools and are frequented by youth before or after school.

"We've made significant strides in tobacco control and prevention, but as these survey results show, the tobacco industry continues to market products that entice our youth, like fruit flavored little cigars that are the same price as a pack of gum," said Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Public Health Director and Health Officer of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

"We also found alcohol drinks that resemble lemonade or fruit punch prominently displayed next to sodas and energy drinks, providing easy access to our youth.

In addition, unhealthy snacks are more readily available while afford-

These survey results show, the tobacco industry continues to market products that entice our youth, like fruit flavored little cigars that are the same price as a pack of gum

able, fresh and nutritious foods are nearly non-existent."

Additional LA County survey findings include: • 77 percent of stores sell the most popular cigarillo (little cigar) brand for under one dollar; • Nearly 40 percent of stores selling tobacco products are within 1,000 feet of schools; • Thirty-six percent of local stores sell e-cigarettes; • Almost 80 percent of stores sell alcopops; and, • Less than half of the stores sell fresh fruits and vegetables.

"Because these community stores function as grocery stores in many of our neighborhoods, we need to encourage them to promote and sell healthier food options and re-think how tobacco,

alcohol and unhealthy snacks and beverages are marketed and displayed. Oftentimes, these unhealthy products are available in stores just blocks from our local schools," said Dr. Fielding.

The "Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community" campaign is a statewide collaboration between tobacco use prevention, nutrition and alcohol prevention partners committed to working with the business community, local organizations and parents to make our communities healthier and safer for all residents.

This new statewide effort builds upon Public Health's comprehensive efforts to curb the obesity epidemic by educating and encouraging LA County residents to "Choose Health."

March 14, 2014

Community Across America

India Post 23

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Dr Nader to keynote South Asian Heart Center gala India Post News Service

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA: The South Asian Heart Center at El Camino Hospital will host its sixth annual gala Scarlet Night, an Affair of the Heart, on Saturday, March 22 from 6-11:30 pm at the Santa Clara Marriott. The event raises funds and awareness for programs aimed at helping South Asians prevent heart attack and early onset of diabetes.

The evening will begin with a cocktail networking reception in the California Ballroom where guests will have a chance to mingle, enjoy hors d'oeuvres and drinks and visit the photo booth.

The reception will be followed by a heart healthy banquet dinner and an evening of dancing and entertainment by the Mona Khan Dance Company, a name almost synonymous with anything Bollywood in the Bay Area. The color theme for Scarlet Night 2014 is fuchsia.

This year's event will include keynote speaker Dr Tony Nader, head of the Worldwide Transcendental Meditation organization. Dr Nader received his M.D. degree from the American University of

Beirut, where he also studied internal medicine and psychiatry. He received a Ph.D. in Brain and Cognitive Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

He completed his post-doctoral work as a Clinical and Research Fellow in Neurology at the Mas-

Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, MS, FRCS, founder of the Narayan Health Clinics, will offer a videotaped message to those in attendance. Dr Shetty worked as cardio thoracic surgeon under National Health Service UK sachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School. Dr Nader has conducted research on neurochemistry, neuroendocrinology, and the relationship between diet, age, behavior, mood, seasonal influences, and neurotransmitter and hormonal activity, and on the

role of neurotransmitter precursors in medicine.

In addition, Padma Bhushan Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, MS, FRCS, founder of the Narayan Health Clinics, will offer a videotaped message to those in attendance.

Dr Shetty worked as cardio thoracic surgeon under National Health Service UK at Brompton Hospital and Guys Hospital in London. He is Professor of International Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School, and Professor, Rajeev Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka, Bangalore.

Dr Shetty and his team have a mission to make healthcare affordable to the masses living in third world countries. He has received numerous awards, including Indian of the Year 2010 (NDTV), and The Economist Innovation Award's 2011 for Lowering Health Care Costs by Mass Production.

The Scarlet Night Gala serves as a stage for the Center to raise funds as it addresses the twin epidemics of heart disease and diabetes by extending reach of awareness campaigns, enlarging scope of prevention services, expanding network of trained physicians, and

enhancing risk prediction with research efforts. This year the gala's organizing executive team has over twenty members, many of them past gala chairs.

"The funds raised from the Scarlet Night Gala will help expand the South Asian Heart Center's expansion and reach to the larger com-

The Center has screened over 4,500 participants, casemanaged 2000+ high risk individuals for a year or more, created a Bay Area network of over 300 referring physicians, and trained 1,000 physicians munity, and assist with the Center's ongoing mission to stem the twin epidemics of heart disease and diabetes among South Asians," said Ashish Mathur, executive director of the South Asian Heart Center.

Funds raised for the South

Asian Heart Center are spent on prevention (60%), outreach (11%), research (8%) and education (8%).

Less than 13% of the Center's total revenue is spent on G & A and fundraising, and is covered by funding from El Camino Hospital.

The Center has screened over 4,500 participants, case-managed 2000+ high risk individuals for a year or more, created a Bay Area network of over 300 referring physicians, and trained 1,000 physicians on practice methods for early diagnosis, comprehensive evaluation and lifestyle changes.

The Center is also observing risk reduction with improvements in participant triglycerides and lipid levels in case-managed, lifestylecounseled participants. Together with its research partners PAMF, Stanford University and UCSF, it has published posters and papers on several topics related to cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome in South Asians.

Last year, the gala raised $312,000 to support the South Asian Heart Center's programs and services. Scarlet Night 2014 platinum sponsors include Xoriant, BMC Software and Silicon Valley Medical Imaging.

Datebook

24 India Post

NEW JERSEY

NEW YORK Upcoming

Upcoming Sat, Mar 15 • Rang Tarang 2014 Venue: Deewan Banquet, 560 Stelton Rd, Piscataway Township, NJ 08854 Time: 11:00 am Contact: 609-354-8080

Sat, Mar 15 • Page 3 Parties - HOLI HAI Venue: Dorrians, 555 Washington Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07310 Time: 09: 00 am Contact: 201-600-1120

Fri, Mar 28 • Sangam 2014 Venue: The Hindu Temple Society Of North America, 45-57 Bowne St, NJ 11355 Time: 6:00pm Contact: 732-398-9022

www.indiapost.com

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Upcoming

Sat, Mar 17 • Sonu Nigam Close To My

Fri, Mar 14 • Holi Hai

Venue: Nassau Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale, NY 11553 Time: 08:00 pm

Venue: Mehran Restaurant and Catering,

Soul - NY

Fri, Mar 28 • Sangam 2014 - NY Venue: The Hindu Temple Society Of North America, 45-57 Bowne St, New York, NY 11355 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 347-989-6104

Sat, Mar 29 • Zakir Hussain and The Masters of Percussion

Venue: The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Seventh Avenue between 31st and 33rd Streets, New York, NY 10001 Time : 8:00 pm Contact : 866-858-0008

March 14, 2014

Sun, Mar 22 • Aav Taru Kari Nakhu

5774 Mowry School Rd, Newark, CA

Venue: Smith Center at Ohlone College,

94560

43600 Mission Blvd, Fremont, CA 94539

Time: 7 pm

Time: 6:00 pm

Sat, Mar 15 • Rang Barse Holi Festival

Sun, Mar 23

Venue: Cardoza Park, 1356 Kennedy

• Lalgudi GJR Krishnan &

Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035

Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi

Time: 11:00 am Contact: 650-793-0639

Venue: Jain Temple, 722 South Main Street, Milpitas, CA 95035

Sat, Mar 22 • Brahma Kumaris Silicon Valley Meditation Center has organized a special talk on "Make Mind Your Best Friend"

Time: 3:30 pm

ATLANTA Upcoming

Time : 10:00 am to 12:00 noon

Sat, Mar 15 • Mohit Chauhan Live In Concert With Mamta Sharma

Contact: www.bksiliconvalley.org

Venue: Atlanta Civic Center, 395, Pied-

Venue: 821 Anacapa Court, Milpitas, CA 95035

ILLINOIS Upcoming • J K Yog Satsang and Bal Mukund Hindi Classes are held every 2nd and 4rth Sunday of Month Chicago Satsang Information: J K Yog, Chicago - Swami Mukundananda Venue: Clarion Inn/Waterford Banquets, Board Room, 933 South Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, IL 60126 Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807 Website: www.jkyog.org

1st and 3rd Sunday of Month • Chicago Children's Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes

Venue: Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60192 (Next to Nissan Dealership) Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807 Website: www.jkyog.org/bal-mukund

mont Ave, NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Fri, Mar 28

Sat, Mar 22 • BAYVP Dhuleti 2014

Time: 8:00 pm

Celebrations Corning Ave., Milpitas, CA 95035

Sun, Mar 16 • Chinmaya Tej lighting up the path

• Mohit Chauhan and Mamta Sharma Live in Concert – Chicago

Time: 11:30 pm

Venue: South Forsyth Middle School, 2865

Contact: 510 897 8111

Old Atlanta Rd, Cumming, GA 30041

Venue: Shreemaya Krishnadham, 25

Sat, Mar 22 • Holi On The Beach 2014 Venue: Will Rogers State Beach (between towers 5&6), Pacific Coast Hwy, Los Angeles, CA 90272 Time: 11 a.m Contact: 8435032133

Venue: Copernicus Center, 5216 West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, IL 60630 Time : 8:00 p, Contact: 847-230-7977

Time: 7:00 am

Mondays and Fridays

Sun, Mar 16 • Sangam 2014 - Atlanta

• Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Where: Metropolitan Asian Family Services

Venue: AHindu Temple Of Atlanta, 5851 Highway 85, Riverdale, GA 30274 Time: 5:00pm

Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105

March 14, 2014

www.indiapost.com

India Post 25

India News 26 India Post

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Archeologists of Archaeological Survey of India display an idol of Lord Vishnu and a sculpture of a bull of 12th century on March 10 which were found during their ongoing excavation project at Purana Qila grounds in New Delhi

March 14, 2014

DDA selling city lungs to banquet owners India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: Green areas in Delhi meant for use by residents and which serve to control pollution in this city named as the most polluted in the world, are being sold for a price to banquet owners and other commercial parties by the Delhi Development Authority in spite of warnings by the Supreme Court.

According to a recent report, India has slipped 32 ranks in the global Environment Performance Index (EPI) 2014 to rank a lowly 155 and its capital Delhi has earned the dubious tag of being the world's most polluted city.

A comparative study of 178 countries on nine environmental parameters released by the US-

District Park meant for recreation turned into several wedding venues

based Yale University shows that one of the world's fastest growing economies is a disaster on the

Residents of South Delhi RWAs demonstrating against the de-sealing order

In other cities, the Mayor or the Governor protects the city greens but here in Delhi, the Lt. Governor is Chairman of the DDA which sells green land in connivance with builders

lage got together on March 5 to protest against the re-opening of the Asiad Tower, a wedding venue situated inside the Games village.

The Supreme Court-appointed Monitoring Committee had on June 17, 2010, ordered the sealing of Jhankar Banquets after it found "gross" violation of the Master Plan for Delhi 2021 in the green area being used by it.

It was recently de-sealed after the apex court judgment ruled in favor of the banquet hall owner at Asiad Tower.

In other cities, the Mayor or the Governor protects the city greens but here in Delhi, the Lt. Governor is Chairman of the DDA which sells green land in connivance with builders.

environmental front.

But the efforts of concerned citizens to reclaim the greens in Delhi are being foiled by vested interests. At the receiving end of DDA's practice of selling green areas, residents of South Delhi colonies around Asiad Games Vil-

Residents say this is a typical case of misuse of a designated district park. The DDA showed utter disregard in handing over possession of a district park for commercial activities, one of them said. "It also showed disregard for public safety and handed over physical possession of the water life line of thousands of residents to a private party in these days of terrorism.

This was done against the advice of the specialist agencies which clearly said that the water installations must be restricted entry areas. This is the sole instance of this nature," he added.

The District Park also has a water tank which supplies drinking water to thousands of adjoining areas.

Typical congestion of traffic during wedding

Cities that shine with notable green areas India Post News Service

A

ccording to a paper by American Planning Asso ciation, just as growing communities need to upgrade and expand their built infrastructure of roads, sewers, and utilities, they also need to upgrade and expand their green infrastructure, the interconnected system of green spaces that conserves natural ecosystem values and functions, sustains clear air and water, and provides a wide array of benefits to people and wildlife.

Among the famous green spaces in the world are Central Park in New York and the Hyde Park in London.

Central Park, an urban park in Manhattan in New York City, receives over thirty-five million visitors annually and extends to 840 acres.

The park contains several natural-looking lakes and ponds that have been created artificially, extensive walking tracks, bridle paths, two iceskating rinks, the Central Park Zoo, the Central Park Conservatory Garden, a wildlife sanctuary, a large area of natural woods, a 106-acre billion-gallon reservoir with an encircling running track, and an outdoor amphitheater.

In addition there are seven major lawns, the "meadows", and many minor grassy areas; some of them are used for informal or

team sports and some set aside as quiet areas. There are also a number of enclosed playgrounds for children.

HYDE PARK Hyde Park is one of London's finest landscapes and covers over 350 acres. There's something for everyone in Hyde Park, from swimming and boating in the Serpentine to concerts and exhibition It provides a unique habitat in the heart of London for a diverse variety of species of flora and fauna. The trees, shrub beds and herbaceous plantings provide rich habitats for song birds.

The Serpentine attracts a large number of wildfowl into the park,

many of which are winter visitors.

The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk is a seven-milelong walk, charted by 90 plaques set in the ground that takes you within sight of famous buildings and locations associated with the Princess during her life.

Rowing and pedal boats are available to hire. The Hyde Park Senior Playground includes six pieces of exercise equipment to help users improve core strength, flexibility and balance.

CHICAGO Over 17 percent of Chicago City is devoted to parks and green spaces. Chicago has planted 500,000 new trees, invested hun-

dreds of millions of dollars in the revitalization of parks and neighborhoods, and added more than 2 million square feet of rooftop gardens, more than all other U.S. cities combined.

San Francisco has also been a leader in green building, with more than 70 projects registered under the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED certification system Austin also devotes 15 percent of its land to parks and other open spaces, boasts 32 miles of bike trails, and has an ambitious smart-growth initiative, making it a happy green nook in what's widely perceived as a not-so-green state.

March 14, 2014

www.indiapost.com

India Post 27

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Patakha Guddi: Highway 2 Ishq Bulaava: Hasee Toh Phasee 3 Mann Kunto Maula: Gunday 4 Maahi Ve: Highway 5 Zehnaseeb: Hasee Toh Phasee 6 Kinare: Queen 28 India Post

www.indiapost.com

March 14, 2014

7 London Thumakda: Queen 8 Bawla Sa Sapna : Shaadi Ke Side Effects 9 Yahaan Vahaan (Reprise): Shaadi Ke Side Effects 10 Khushfehmiyan (Unplugged): One By Two

S

anjay Leela Bhansali is keen to revive his ambitious project 'Bajirao Mastani' with Deepika Padukone and Hrithik Roshan. It was Bhansali's dream project and he wished to make it with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Salman Khan long time back after the success of 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' but soon after the film Salman and Aishwarya drifted apart and the project was shelved.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali waited long to get the exes together again but things did not turn out positive and the duo never patched up. At one point of time, he even decided to make the film with Kareena Kapoor's cousin Shivani Kapoor and Salman Khan but it also did not work out.

But after the success of 'Ram Leela', the 'Black' director has decided to sign the reigning queen of Bollywood Deepika Padukone and the Greek God of Bollywood Hrithik Roshan.

'Bajirao Mastani' is based on the love story of the Maratha general Peshwa Bajirao and his Muslim-origin wife Mastani, who faced the rage of society due to their inter-religion love and marriage. Their marriage reportedly led to a crisis within the royal family.

A

li Zafar might have faced a lot of trouble trying to please Yaami Gautam's on-screen mother (played by Kirron Kher) in their film Total Siyapaa, but the actress' real mother is mighty impressed with the actor. Yaami tells us, "My mom keeps asking me, 'Have you learnt something from Ali? He is such an intelligent, multitalented guy!' I say, 'What do I learn in a month? Singing? Painting? Acting? What else do I need to learn?'"

So, did Ali give her any classes at all on the sets? "She didn't need any, to be honest," says a blushing Ali, and a laughing Yaami adds, "I was already a fabulous painter, singer, and actor!"

The film, directed by E Nivas, is a funny take on how all hell breaks loose when Aman, played by Ali meets his girlfriend Asha's family and they find out he is from Pakistan.

Yaami says, "It delivers a message without being preachy."Adds Ali, "It's special to me because of the perception one has to face if they're from Pakistan, albeit in a very humorous way."

March 14, 2014

Bollywood www.indiapost.com

M

ahesh Bhatt will soon be making his acting debut with Mukul Mishra's 'Siddhartha', in which he plays a Buddhist monk. The story is about a boy who is lost in the brothels of Varanasi and comes to Manali, where

"It's uncanny, but weeks before this offer came to me, one of my childhood friends Simone, suggested that I do chanting and get into Buddhism. I did it for a few weeks and was hit by the stark coincidence, when this film was offered to me." he meets Bhatt's character, who sees Buddha in him and helps find answers to questions he has had. He is at the lowest point in his life when he comes to Manali and it is here that he meets Shazahn Padamsee's character and falls in love with her.

Shazahn, too, is a Buddhist girl, who stays with her father figure Mahesh Bhatt. Talking to us, Shazahn said, "It's uncanny, but weeks before this offer came to me, one of my childhood friends Simone, suggested that I do chanting and get into Buddhism. I did it for a few weeks and was hit by the stark coincidence, when this film was offered to me."

I

mran Khan had been absent from scene since the release of his last film "Gori Tere Pyaar Mein" and the actor says he was on an extended vacation before his wife delivers their first child.

At a Vespa scooter launch event, Imran revealed that he and his wife Avantika were away for a long "babymoon."

"I was on a holiday. From Christmas till two weeks back, I have been on a very, very long extended vacation. So, it's the last vacation before the baby is born. You obviously know that my wife is pregnant. So, we went on what is called a 'babymoon'," the 31year-old said here.

"After marriage you go on a honeymoon and before a baby is born you go on a babymoon, it's the last holiday before you have a child. It was very relaxing," he added.

Imran is reveling in the joys of becoming a father soon and is going through everything he needs to know about having a baby.

India Post 29

30 India Post

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March 14, 2014

India Post 31

March 14, 2014

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NEWS on your desktop

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„ Health

Line

Ohio communities to urge sign-ups under health law CLEVELAND: Ohio communities are stepping up efforts to enroll their residents in health care coverage ahead of an important federal deadline this month.

By March 31, nearly everyone in the United States is required to be signed up for health insurance or risk paying a fine under the health overhaul.

The leader of Ohio's largest county says residents will have the chance this month to enroll at

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald

county facilities that include the probate court and justice center.

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald said those seeking coverage can meet with people trained in navigating the federal insurance marketplace.

In Columbus, Mayor Michael Coleman says the city will partner with the nonprofit Enroll America to help spread the word.

More than 1.5 million Ohio residents, or about 14 percent, lack insurance. -AP

„ SD nursing homes get 20 more beds PIERRE, S.D.: The state Department of Health has awarded 20 additional beds to nursing facilities in western South Dakota.

The South Dakota Department of Health says the 20 beds going to two Rapid City nursing facilities are the first awarded under a 2012 law.

The state has had a moratorium since 1998 that prohibits the construction of new nursing homes unless they are replacement facilities. The moratorium has also prevented existing nursing homes from adding more beds. But a law approved in 2012 has given the department the ability to identify areas that are in need of additional beds and transfer them there from other places.

The beds will be divided between Golden Living Prairie Hills and Golden Living Bella Vista. AP

Health Science

High protein, low carb diet may shorten lifespan Details on Page 34

32 India Post

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March 14, 2014

Some Alabama doctors now offering concierge care TUSCALOOSA, Ala.: A growing model of health care has now come to Tuscaloosa.

An estimated 5,500 doctors in the United States are concierge doctors - physicians who charge patients an annual fee, usually ranging from $600 to $1,800 a year or more, in exchange for shorter wait times and more access for care.

In Tuscaloosa, Dr. David Fernandez, who has spent the last 15 years in urgent care, began offering a concierge practice in January. Dr. Steve Lovelady, who has practiced primary care medicine in Tuscaloosa since 1987, will convert to a VIP concierge model on May 20. ``With today's health care, there are fewer and fewer physicians who are seeing more and more patients,'' Fernandez said.

That means physicians in traditional practices may not have a time slot available. In turn, patients wait longer to be seen or must go to an urgent care center or emergency room for care. ``Patients are now deciding their time is important and valuable,'' Fernandez said.

While a concierge practice means shorter wait times and more access for patients, it also means a lighter patient load for physicians, which means concierge

cine,'' Lovelady said. ``Unfortunately our (traditional) model has been to react and treat sick people, rather than focusing on our ability to keep people well.''

Dan Hecht, CEO of MDVIP

doctors have time to get to know their patients and to focus on preventive medicine, Lovelady said.

A traditional primary care doctor in the U.S. will see between 2,500 to 3,000 patients a year, while most concierge practices keep the number of patients to 600 or fewer. ``I think that every doctor really would like to practice more wellness and preventative medi-

The annual fee at most concierge practices means an indepth physical that could take as long as two hours and includes an EKG, blood tests, spirometry testing, body-fat analysis and nutritional analysis. Doctors discuss family history, risks and review a physical workup. Patients who are members of a concierge practice are also usually given

cellphone numbers for their doctors. ``They will have a direct line to me and can reach me 24/7, rather than going through the traditional phone-tree system,'' Lovelady said.

The same is true for Fernandez.

Being a concierge patient could mean that if you travel during the week, you can make an appointment with a doctor on the weekend, or even get a house call if it's needed, Fernandez said. ``Again, you are paying for access and paying for convenience,'' Fernandez said.

Concierge medicine began in 1996 when a former team doctor for the Seattle SuperSonics professional basketball team left his practice and started a concierge service, MD2.

According to Concierge Today, a publication for the concierge industry, the number of concierge doctors in the U.S. has grown from 3,500 in 2011 to about 5,500 in 2013. The American Academy of Private Physicians estimates that concierge doctors serve almost a million patients in the U.S. Cont'd on Page 35

New class of antibiotics to fight bacteria WASHINGTON: In a breakthrough, scientists have discovered a new class of antibiotics to fight deadly bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and other drug-resistant bacteria that threaten public health.

The new class, called oxadiazoles, was discovered by University of Notre Dame researchers led by Mayland Chang and Shahriar Mobashery in silico (by computer) screening and has shown promise in the treatment of MRSA in mouse models of infection.

Researchers who screened 1.2 million compounds found that the oxadiazole inhibits a penicillin-binding protein,

PBP2a, and the biosynthesis of the cell wall that enables MRSA to resist other drugs.

The oxadiazoles are also effective when taken orally.

This is an important feature as there is only one marketed antibiotic for MRSA that can be taken

In the US alone, 278,000 people are hospitalized and 19,000 die each year from infections caused

by MRSA, said researchers.

Only three drugs currently are effective treatments, and resistance to each of those drugs already exists.

"Mayland Chang and Shahriar Mobashery's discovery of a class of compounds that combat drug resistant bacteria such as MRSA could save thousands of lives around the world. We are grateful for their leadership and persistence,, orally, researchers said.

MRSA has become a global public-health problem since the 1960s because of its resistance to antibiotics.

The researchers have been seeking a solution to MRSA for years.

"Professor Mobashery has been working on the mechanisms

of resistance in MRSA for a very long time," Chang said.

"As we understand what the mechanisms are, we can devise strategies to develop compounds against MRSA," said Chang.

"Mayland Chang and Shahriar Mobashery's discovery of a class of compounds that combat drug resistant bacteria such as MRSA could save thousands of lives around the world.

We are grateful for their leadership and persistence in fighting drug resistance," said Greg Crawford, dean of the College of Science at the University of Notre Dame.

The research is published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. -PTI

March 14, 2014

Health Science Post

India Post 33

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E-cigarettes may cause Medical infra construction nicotine addiction in Delhi on the rise WASHINGTON: E-cigarettes, promoted as a safer alternative to regular cigarettes, may actually be a new route to conventional smoking and nicotine addiction for teenagers, according to a new study.

In the first analysis of the relationship between e-cigarette use and smoking among US adolescents, researchers found that teens who used the devices were more likely to smoke cigarettes and less likely to quit smoking.

The study by the University of California, San Francisco researchers of nearly 40,000 youth also found that e-cigarette use among middle and high school students in US doubled between 2011 and 2012, from 3.1 per cent to 6.5 per cent.

"Despite claims that e-cigarettes are helping people quit smoking, we found that e-cigarettes were associated with more, not less, cigarette smoking among adolescents," said lead author Lauren Dutra.

"E-cigarettes are likely to be gateway devices for nicotine addiction among youth, opening up a whole new market for tobacco," she said.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that look like cigarettes and deliver an aerosol of nicotine and other chemicals.

Promoted as safer alternatives to cigarettes and smoking cessation aids, the devices are rapidly gaining popularity among adults and youth around the world.

In the study, the researchers examined survey data from middle and high school students who completed the National Youth Tobacco Survey in 2011 and 2012.

They found the devices were associated with higher odds of progression from experimenting with cigarettes to becoming established cigarette smokers.

Additionally, adolescents who smoked both conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes smoked more cigarettes per day than non-e-cigarette users, researchers found.

Contrary to advertiser claims that e-cigarettes can help consumers stop smoking conventional cigarettes, teenagers who used e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes were much less likely to have abstained from cigarettes in the past 30 days, 6 months, or year.

At the same time, they were more likely to be planning to quit smoking in the next year than smokers who did not use e-cigarettes, researchers said.

Researchers noted that about 20 per cent of middle school students and about 7 per cent of high school students in US who

had ever used e-cigarettes had never smoked regular cigarettes - meaning that some kids are introduced to the addictive drug nicotine through e-cigarettes.

"It looks to me like the wild west marketing of e-cigarettes is not only encouraging youth to smoke them, but also it is promoting regular cigarette smoking among youth," said senior author Stanton A Glantz.

The study was published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. -PTI

78% working women in India suffer health disorders NEW DELHI: Three out of four working women in India suffer from lifestyle, chronic or acute ailments due to the pressure from trying to balance their personal and professional lives, according to an Assocham survey.

The survey findings, released ahead of International Women's Day on March

8, reveals that 42 per cent of working women suffer from lifestyle diseases like backache, obesity, depression, diabetes, hyper-tension and heart ailments.

Besides, twenty-two per cent of women surveyed suffered from chronic diseases while 14 per cent had acute ailments.

"Working women have to double up as valued employees at their work place and home-makers after office hours. This takes a toll on their health," Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said.

The survey was conducted on 2,800 working women aged between 32-58 years from 120 companies across 11 sectors of the economy in 10 cities - Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Pune. -PTI

NEW DELHI: Constructions to upgrade medical infrastructure in the national capital and neighboring areas have seen a rise.

According to Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, "Massive constructions are going on in medical colleges and hospitals in Delhi and its neighboring areas to improve and upgrade infrastructure."

The minister said this while inaugurating a state-of-the- art convergence block and a free pharmacy store for the OPD patients in the AIIMS campus, just before the Model Code of Conduct came into force.

"Among the four big hospitals in Delhi, apart from AIIMS, huge construction work is going on currently at the Lady Hardinge Medical College and Hospital (LHMC) campus, and work will soon begin on projects at Safdarjung Hospital and RML Hospital," he said.

"At LHMC, while one block has been inaugurated, and other blocks currently being built should be ready in next twothree months. At Safdarjung, a state-of-theart, multi-storeyed 1,300-bed building with several operation theatres, is proposed on six-seven acres of land. At RML also, we are looking to expand the capacity," he added.

The AIIMS's convergence block, which has come up in a span of 1.5 years, and is a 12-storied complex including two floors of basement, now stands as the tallest build-

ing on the campus.

It has been built at a cost of over Rs 50 crore.

"The building will house teaching blocks, laboratories, lecture theatres, research centers, among other facilities.

Built with a central AC facility and power back-up system, it is a state-of-the-art amenity. It also has a public address system," Azad said.

On other AIIMS campuses coming up, he said, "The Haryana government has allocated 300 acres of land in Jhajjhar for second AIIMSDelhi campus.

On the 6 new AIIMS campuses coming up in the last 34 years, construction work has started," he said.

A b o u t AIIMS Delhi Union Health Minister campus, the Ghulam Nabi Azad minister informed about new hostel blocks and dining halls planned for it. Surgical blocks have also been planned at Masjid Moth area. -PTI

34 India Post

Health Science Post

March 14, 2014

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Little sleep may up heart disease risk in obese WASHINGTON: Obese adolescents who do not get adequate sleep may be at a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke, a new study has warned.

Lack of sleep and obesity have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in adults and young children.

However, the association is not as clear in adolescents, an age

studied 37 obese adolescents (1117 years of age).

Metabolic syndrome characteristics (fasting cholesterol and blood sugar, waist circumference, body mass index [BMI], and blood pressure) were measured to create a continuous cardiometabolic risk score.

The adolescents were fitted with a physical activity monitor, which was worn 24 hours a day

group that is known to lack adequate sleep.

In a new study, researchers found that cardiometabolic risk in obese adolescents may be predicted by typical sleep patterns.

Heidi B IglayReger and colleagues from the University of Michigan and Baylor University

for seven days, to measure typical patterns of physical activity and sleep.

One-third of the participants met the minimum recommendation of being physically active at least 60 minutes a day.

Most participants slept approximately seven hours each

night, usually waking up at least once. Only five of the participants met the minimal recommended 8.5 hours of sleep per night.

Even after controlling for factors that may impact cardiometabolic risk, like BMI and physical activity, low levels of sleep remained a significant predictor of cardiometabolic risk in obese teens.

This shows that even among those already considered to be at risk for cardiometabolic disease, in this case obese teens' decreased sleep duration was predictive of increased cardiometabolic risk, researchers said.

The study cannot determine whether lack of sleep causes cardiometabolic disease or if obesity itself causes sleep disturbances, they said.

"The strong association between sleep duration and cardiometabolic risk score independent of the effects of body composition and physical activity suggest a potential influence of sleep duration on cardiometabolic health in obese adolescents," said IglayReger.

The study appears in The Journal of Pediatrics. -PTI

Karzai's wife gives birth at Gurgaon hospital GURGAON: Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai was blessed with third child as his wife Zeenat gave birth to a baby girl at a private hospital here.

The 56-year-old President visited the hospital in Sector 44 to see his newborn and wife.

According to an email of Afghanistan's ambassador to India Shaida Abdali, both the mother and the baby are doing quite well.

"President Karzai was able to pay them a very short visit during his brief transit stay in New Delhi before going to Colombo, Sri Lanka."

Both the President and the First Lady enjoyed a few moments together with their newly born baby daughter," added the email.

To a question about why did they choose India for the delivery, the email stated, "the

President's two other beautiful children were born in Afghanistan.

"In this case, however, due to some predictable medical complication, the specialized doctor in Afghanistan advised that the

"We are thankful to the hospital's excellent medical staff for their superb services as well as to the hospital's management team."

"And we are grateful to the Indian government for their contin-

Zeenat Karzai

baby be delivered in India given the availability of specialized medical facilities and personnel."

ued support with everything, including facilitating the hospitalization process," the email stated. -PTI

High protein, low carb diet may shorten lifespan MELBOURNE: A diet high in Director of the Charles Perkins protein and low in carbohydrates Centre and corresponding author could lead to a shorter lifespan of the study. and poor cardiometabolic health, Co-author David Le Couteur according to a new Australian from the University's Charles study.

Perkins Centre and Professor of The study examined the effects Geriatric Medicine at Concord of protein, fat and carbohydrate Hospital said: "This represents on energy intake, metabolic an enormous leap in our underhealth, ageing and longevity in standing of the impact of diet mice. quality and diet balance on food It found that food intake is intake, health, ageing and lonregulated by dietary protein and gevity". carbohydrate, and not by the num"We now face a new frontier ber of calories consumed. in nutrition research," he said.

Conducted by the University The results suggest that of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre, the re- "This represents an enormous search demon- leap in our understanding of the strated in mice that calorie restriction, impact of diet quality and diet achieved by high balance on food intake, health, protein diets, has ageing and longevity. We now no beneficial effects on lifespan, a face a new frontier in nutrition phenomenon re- research" searchers predict will apply in humans. lifespan could be extended in aniWhile a high protein, low car- mals by manipulating the ratio of bohydrate diet resulted in re- macronutrients in their diet - the duced body fat and food intake, it first evidence that pharmacology also led to a shorter lifespan and could be used to extend lifespan poor cardiometabolic health. in normal mammals.

By contrast, a high carbohyAlthough mice were the subdrate, low protein diet resulted in jects of this study, Professor Le longer lifespan and better Couteur said the results from the cardiometabolic health, despite study accord with previous realso increasing body fat. search in humans, but with a A low-protein, high-fat diet much larger number of dietary provided the worst health out- treatments and nutritional varicomes, with fat content showing ables. no negative influence on food inThe researchers predict that a take. diet with moderate amounts of "This research has enormous high quality protein -- around 15 implications for how much food to 20 per cent of total calorie inwe eat, our body fat, our heart take -- that is relatively low in fat and metabolic health, and ulti- and high in carbohydrates will mately the duration of our lives," yield the best metabolic health said Steve Simpson, Academic and the longest life. -PTI

Idaho company denies bilking Medicaid KIMBERLY, Idaho: A southcentral Idaho home meal delivery service accused by state and federal officials in a federal lawsuit of overbilling Medicaid by nearly $900,000 is denying the allegations.

The Times-News reports that attorneys for Kimberly-based Homestyle Direct LLC filed a response to the lawsuit on Feb. 19.

The attorneys say Homestyle Direct owners Robert and Mariann Griffith did deliver some home meals to dead or

hospitalized clients but only because they were unaware of changes in the status of the clients.

The lawsuit filed Jan. 6 in U.S. District Court in Boise contends the company from January 2007 to February 2011 overbilled Medicaid by about $888,000. The lawsuit seeks triple damages and penalties.

The lawsuit says the company submitted claims company officials knew were ineligible for reimbursement. -AP

March 14, 2014

Health Science Post

India Post 35

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Some Alabama doctors now offering concierge care Cont'd from Page 32

But there is no record of the number of concierge doctors in Alabama, according to the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners.

MDVIP, a concierge program that includes more than 700 concierge physicians nationwide, had its first concierge doctor in Alabama in 2004, and now has six MDVIP concierge doctors in Birmingham and eight physicians in Huntsville. Lovelady will be the first MDVIP physician in the Tuscaloosa area once his practice converts to concierge in May. ``We started MDVIP 12 years ago, literally with doctors and patients getting together and saying there had to be a better way,'' said Dan Hecht, CEO of MDVIP. ``Doctors were running faster and faster on a treadmill and couldn't keep up with patients, and patients were tired of waiting 45 minutes to see a doctor.''

Tuscaloosa resident Justin Little has been a patient of Lovelady's for the last decade and has decided to join the concierge service. ``(The) thing that appeals the most to me is the preventative nature of the practice,'' Little said. ``It's well worth paying a little extra money up front to go ahead and get a preventative health plan in place. It almost seems to me like it is a reversion to the old way of practicing medicine, when you spent time with your patients and had

population and not contribute in a meaningful way to solving the problem of our health care system,'' Streiffer said. ``It doesn't address the population with the greatest need, and instead is giving those who already have the access and can afford the access the Cadillac of service.''

Most of Alabama is considered in a ``health professional shortage area'' for primary care, meaning there are not enough primary care doctors either to serve the number of people livThe Office of Inspector General of the U.S. ing in a certain geographic area, or Department of Health and Human Serenough physicians to vices has warned that charging Medicare service a certain popupatients an annual access fee to receive lation of people, like people who are low-incare that is already covered by Medicare come. could be considered double billing.

According to the Alabama Department care, and patients renew their membership of Public Health, Tuscaloosa County has a to MDVIP concierge doctors at a rate of 94 shortage of primary care doctors specifipercent, Hecht said. cally for people in poverty. Much of the But the concierge concept is a model of rest of West Alabama, including Lamar, care that could also put pressure on the Fayette, Pickens, Greene, Sumter, Marengo, rest of the primary care system and make Hale, Perry and Bibb counties do not have availability of care even more difficult for enough primary care physicians for the geothose who cannot afford it, said Dr. Rich- graphic area _ meaning there aren't enough ard Streiffer, dean of the college of commu- doctors working in rural areas. nity health sciences at the University of If more doctors switch to the concierge Alabama. model, it could mean fewer physicians try``It's going to be a development that will ing to treat everyone else, and could make only be reachable by a small subset in the the shortage even worse, Streiffer said. time to assess individual needs going forward.''

While some concierge doctors, like Fernandez, give insurance paperwork for patients to file on their own for reimbursement, other concierge doctors, like Lovelady, file insurance in-office and require co-pays. But the annual membership fee is out of pocket and not covered by insurance.

Despite the cost, it's a growing model of

``We are substantially under-supplied of primary care,'' Streiffer said. ``People have difficulty finding a primary care physician.

We are seeing an aging primary care medical staff across the country, and if practices shrink because they are going concierge, it does stand to exacerbate the (lack of) access of care.''

In comparison, the only counties in the state who do not have a shortage of primary care doctors are Madison, Shelby, Etowah, Calhoun, Tallapoosa, Pike, Coffee, and parts of Jefferson, Covington, Escambia and Baldwin counties.

Concierge care offered with insurance could also be considered double billing. The Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has warned that charging Medicare patients an annual access fee to receive care that is already covered by Medicare could be considered double billing.

Although concierge medicine is a growing trend, it's not something that Streiffer expects to be widespread, especially in poor states like Alabama. ``I would guess this will be found in larger cities, like Birmingham, Huntsville and Mobile,'' Streiffer said. ``You have to have a certain level of affluence for this to work. It's not going to serve folks who are inner city or blue collar, the Medicaid or working poor, it's not going to benefit them at all.'' -AP

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March 14, 2014

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Realty Tidbits

Nonprofit finishes nine homes for Yarnell residents YARNELL, Ariz.: A nonprofit has completed building the last of nine new homes promised for uninsured residents who lost their property in the Yarnell Hill Fire.

The Arizona Republic reports that the Yarnell Hill Recover Group utilized volunteers and donations to finish construction.

Officials say the project began in September and several were finished before Christmas.

Chuck Tidey, the group's chairman, says 13 houses in all have been built in the mountain community. Four were built by other builders.

Tidey says there are an additional two dozen homes that are under construction.

The June 30 fire led to the deaths of 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshot firefighting crew and destroyed 127 homes. -AP

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CHD Developers buys 10.5 acres of land in Gurgaon NEW DELHI: Realty firm CHD Developers has bought 10.5 acres of land in Gurgaon for about Rs 300 crore to develop a housing project.

The national capital-based developer is already developing two projects in Gurgaon and is looking to expand presence in the city.

"We have bought 10.54 acres of land in Gurgaon from a local landlord. The land is licensed and has all approvals in place," CHD Developers COO Ravi Saund told PTI. -PTI

Surprising things your home insurance covers ANA GONZALEZ RIBEIRO

M

any homeowners don't understand what their home insurance policy covers and excludes.

Case in point: More than 30 percent of U.S. heads of household who have homeowners insurance mistakenly believe flood damage is covered by a standard homeowners policy, according to

are typically included homeowners insurance.

a 2007 survey from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

To avoid making costly assumptions, it pays to know what's included in your policy, especially because homeowners policies may differ from state to state.

"Most people think when they call an insurance agent and ask for homeowners insurance that all policies are the same," says Michelle O'Connor, owner of O'Connor Insurance Associates Inc. "They are not. Regardless of what state you are in, there are different policies."

Regardless of where you live, however, a home insurance policy will cover more than just structural damage to the property. Here are several surprising coverages that

but HO-3 is the common name for it. This policy provides coverage for "ordinance or law," which covers costs associated with bringing the property up to code after a covered loss.

For example, "If a house burned down and a new law requires homes to have sprinklers as in the state of Pennsylvania, upon rebuilding, the sprinklers would have to be installed. This coverage provides the money to do that, but there is a limit that is a percentage of the home coverage," O'Connor says.

The basic homeowners policy also provides coverage for the owner's refrigerated items. If a power outage spoiled all your freezer and fridge items, the insured has coverage for up to $500 under this particular policy, she says.

Ordinance coverage or the refrigerated item coverage does not cost extra for the homeowner, ac-

in

Mandated upgrades and spoiled food coverage While home insurance policies vary, the standard basic policy is called an HO-3 home policy, says O'Connor. Some insurance companies might call it something else,

cording to O'Connor. It is included in the policy. However, you can purchase additional ordinance or law coverage if you think you need it. Ask your insurer about this coverage for further details.

Slander, libel and dog-bite lawsuits Another layer of protection that

„ Grad students help East Chicago with plans EAST CHICAGO, Ind.: Ten Harvard University graduate students are spending the semester studying the downtown Indiana Harbor neighborhood of East Chicago to come up with development plans.

The students spent three days touring different aspects of the city and meeting with residents and leaders, The Times of Munster reported. Richard Peiser, professor of real estate development at Harvard's Graduate School of Design, said the study will help students gain a deeper understanding of the complexities in real urban environments. ``There's a lot more going on in the North Harbor area than I anticipated, both with the demolitions of vacant buildings and construction of new housing,'' Peiser said.

The areas of study range from architecture, real estate development, urban planning and landscape architecture. -AP

typically comes with home insurance is liability coverage. This coverage applies when the client is sued for a variety of claims, including oral or written publication of material that slanders or libels a person or organization, according to O'Connor.

The liability policy also protects dog owners. Michael Barry, vice president of media relations at the Insurance Information Institute, says most states provide a basic standard policy that provides dog-bite protection at no additional cost.

Most policies provide $100,000 to $300,000 in liability coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

That protection can prevent a claim from taking a huge bite out of your bank account. An Insurance Information Institute study found the average cost of dog-bite

claims was $26,166 in 2010, up from $24,840 in 2009.

Miscellaneous accidents Homeowners insurance is basically a general liability policy, says Thomas J. Simeone, a personal injury attorney and adjunct professor of law. It covers a wide range of activities completely unrelated to a person's home. And it can cover the client in any location despite where their home is actually located.

"For example, we collected against a woman's homeowners policy when she drove her bicycle into our client and seriously injured her. Also, we made a homeowners claim against a man who was on a business trip and picked up and accidentally dropped a co-worker, causing her to break a bone," Simeone says.

Consumers should check their coverage whenever they suffer a loss or have a claim against them and it involves their property, he says.

Additional living expenses and falling objects Damage caused by the weight of snow on a property, burst pipes and additional living expenses are also covered by homeowners insurance at no extra cost, according to Barry. For example, if a home is uninhabitable after a storm, which many homeowners faced following Hurricane Irene, the insurer will pay for hotel and restaurant bills.

However, some insurance companies limit the amount of coverage or amount of time they will cover bills for the insured. Check with your insurance agent for any limits or restrictions.

Cont’d on page 39

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Tata Housing sells 250 flats online NEW DELHI: Tata Housing has said it has sold 250 flats worth about Rs 100 crore in five housing projects during its four-day online campaign, despite a slowdown in the property market.

Tata Housing's subsidiary Tata Value Homes had offered 200 apartments in 5

projects at Pune, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Chennai through 'National Home Buying Day' campaign during February 21-24.

In a statement, the company said the offer was oversubscribed 4 times with over 800 applications for the allocated 200 units across 5 projects. Seeing the response, the company offered 50 more units in this offer.

In the campaign, Tata Housing offered homes at its launch price, assuring the con-

sumer upto 33 per cent appreciation.

"Out of the over 250 apartments that were sold, around 20 percent were bought by NRIs and rest from Indians across various parts of the country," Tata Value Homes Head Marketing Pawan Sarda said.

A company official said the total value of the sale bookings was about Rs 100 crore.

Review of the controls over the process for selection of applicants to whom flats were allotted was carried out by KPMG. The success of this campaign has strengthened the company's belief accessibility, convenience and reach of the internet makes it an ideal medium to accomplish the vision of being the largest home provider of quality homes to consumers, he added.

Tata Housing had sold more than 50 homes online with sales totaling more than Rs 25 crore in just 4 days at Google Online Shopping Festival.

Tata Value Homes Ltd was set up to exclusively focus on value and affordable housing. Tata Housing is a closely held public limited company and a subsidiary of Tata Sons Ltd. Tata Sons Ltd holds 99.86 per cent stake in the company. -PTI

Surprising things your home insurance covers Cont’d from page 38

Damage caused by falling objects, such as defunct satellites, is also covered under standard homeowners insurance policies.

The coverage includes damage to the property as well as belongings within the home.

Student property Home insurance also provides property coverage to members of your household. If a homeowner has a student away in college, the child's personal property is covered under the parent's policy, says Ira Straff, founder and president of Insurance Adjustment Bureau Inc., a public claims adjusting firm.

In fact, students who live in an on-campus dormitory will have most of their personal possessions covered under their parents' homeowners insurance policy, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

This coverage, typically called personal property coverage, is included at no extra charge.

However, students living off campus may not be covered by their parents' policy and may need their own renters insurance.

Know what's not covered As far as what's not covered under home insurance, one of the biggest misconceptions is standard home insurance includes flood coverage. "Flood insurance is a sepa-

rate type of coverage that has to be purchased separately," says O'Connor.

Flood coverage is available through the federal government under the National Flood Insurance Program, but insurance agents sell the policies.

In addition, basic homeowners insurance won't pay for damage caused by an earthquake, routine wear and tear, or basic maintenance. If the insured's heater or air conditioning unit breaks down because of old age, home insurance policies do not pro-

vide any coverage.

And if you have jewelry stolen from your home, there is a limit on the amount of coverage provided. "If you have special collections or items of above-average value, you need to make your agent aware of it, so you can decide if you would like to purchase additional insurance to cover it," says O'Connor. -Courtesy Bankrate.com

Most crowded housing in Los Angeles area LOS ANGELES: Far from its reputation as the land of endless sprawl, Southern California has some of the nation's most crowded neighborhoods, according to a newspaper's analysis of population data.

The Los Angeles Times reported that of the most heavily crowded 1 percent of census tracts in the United States, more than half are in Los Angeles and Orange counties. To be ``crowded,'' a home must have more than one person per room, excluding bathrooms.

Cities south of Los Angeles such as Maywood and Huntington Park may have small bungalows and apartment buildings that are low-slung, not high-rise - but they are home to thousands more people per square mile than cities such as Chicago and Boston.

The newspaper analyzed data from 2008 to 2012 and concluded that in the most densely packed neighborhoods, about 1 in 6 homes have more than two people per room.

Seven people live in Josefina Cano's apartment, which is about the size of a twocar garage. ``We're not comfortable,'' Cano said, in Spanish. ``But what can we do? It's

better than being on the street.''

Thanks to the proliferation of bigger homes after World War II, and in the 1970s smaller families, crowding was not so pronounced. Crowding increased with immigration in the 1980s.

That difference has persisted - Hispanic households in Los Angeles are more than 12 times more likely to be crowded than white households, the newspaper reported.

Some scholars cite cultural reasons for the difference, including that having more people in a home can help pay the rent.

Fernando and Emma Solis share a singlebedroom back cottage in Bell with their two grown daughters. Each night, they rearrange the living room so their daughters can sleep. -AP

40 India Post

T

he Gir National Park and wildlife sanctuary is located in the Junagadh district of Gujarat. It is one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in In dia. It is internationally acclaimed for successfully saving this precious species from the brink of extinction. The national park lies amid an area of 1412 square km of lush deciduous forests. This national park was established on 18 September 1965 as a Forest Reserve to conserve the Asiatic lion. This sanctuary is the final refuge of the rare Asian lions which roamed freely two centuries ago throughout Middle East and some parts of India. Sasan, with a forest rest house, is the headquarters of the sanctuary.

Various deciduous forests, grasslands, acacia scrub, wetlands and the seven rivers forms the topography of this wildlife sanctuary. It has a topography made up of succession of rugged ridges, isolated hills, plateaus and valleys. Besides, being the last abode of Asiatic

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lions, Gir forms a unique habitat for ratel, rusty spotted cat, pangolin, ruddy mongoose, civets, paradise flycatcher etc.

The overwhelming presence of the omnipotent big cat diverts the attention of the common man from the remarkable bird population that the sanctuary has. However, the birds of Gir sanctuary did attract the great ornithologist, Dr Salim Ali who believed that, had the Asiatic lions not been there, the area would have been one of the most fascinating bird sanctuaries of the country.

HUNTING LIONS; BRITISH PASTIME Since 1884, Gir National Park has been the only habitat of the Asiatic lion.

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Lifeguards save Pensacola Beach's reputation PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla.: On Labor Day weekend 2003, the scene along Santa Rosa and Escambia beaches was one of pandemonium.

Sheriff's deputies in helicopters buzzing over the beach begged people to get out of the dangerous surf in the Gulf of Mexico.

With no laws on the books to force people to stay out of the Gulf on a red flag day, sirens wailed warning of dangerous conditions.

People ignored them and died.

That holiday weekend, three swimmers lost their lives on Pensacola Beach alone, bringing the total number of drownings to 21 since 2000. The 8.2-mile stretch of sand, guarded only by 21 lifeguards working out of a bread truck, earned a reputation as the most dangerous beach in the continental United States. That galvanized the community to transform that tragic trend and image.

A decade later, lifeguards returning to their towers this weekend are working for a vastly improved public safety program.

It now serves as a model for other communities, with a 90 percent reduction in drownings in the past decade. ``It's night and day,'' said Bob West, Pensacola Beach's public

safety supervisor, who was recruited in 2004 to transform the department. ``The culture here is completely different. We expect more professionalism. It took years to change the culture because it took a 100 percent buy-in from everyone.''

Improvements continue. This year's program is expected to be beefed up with 60 lifeguards - the largest team ever - who will be marching to the beat of newly minted value statements that last year's team adopted. The values leave no room for lifeguards to misunderstand what's expected of them.

Professionalism: Always represent Pensacola Beach in the best possible light. Believe: Believe in the people and system around us.

Lifestyle: We live healthy and drug-free. Goal-setters: We are leaders who always look to make

ourselves and others better.

To be sure, the statement is to prepare the team to face a more daunting task than their predecessors a decade ago or even a few years ago, with a record number of tourists - several million strong - expected to hit the sugar-white beaches this year. ``When visitors drive over the top of the Bob Sikes Bridge and see that emerald-green water, they don't realize how dangerous it can be,'' said Water Safety Supervisor Dave Greenwood, a veteran with 26 years lifeguarding on Santa Rosa Island. ``Our job is to make sure every family who comes to the beach has a nice, safe time and all leave together with great memories.''

West has a goal for this year's team: ``Zero drownings,'' he said.

It's a difficult challenge - given the fact that some people will drown in unguarded areas like Santa Rosa Sound or die from medical complications days or weeks after being rescued, West said.

Every year, West and Greenwood raise expectations for their lifeguards. For instance, success is measured by how many so called ``prevents'' are made. That's the number of people lifeguards approach to prevent them from getting i n t o trouble by pointing out rip currents and other beach hazards.

In 2009, there were 4,879 prevents.

That number swelled to 16,450 in 2013 by pushing the notion that a lifeguard's job is about serving the people who come to the island instead of sitting in a lifeguard tower waiting for someone to yell ``Help!''

It's that dedication to service, along with camaraderie, that keeps Hilary Rivkind, 26 - a Gulf Breeze resident and a fourth-grade teacher at Holley Navarre Intermediate School - returning to guard the beach every summer since joining the team in 2008. ``Being a teacher and a lifeguard are two ways to change people's lives,'' she said. ``I go home after a rescue and run it back through my head, and I'm glad I was able to help.''

West is careful not to disparage the lifeguards of the past when comparing them to today's team.

He was one of them from 1974-79.

They were dealing with much

smaller crowds, half of what they see now. And they were doing what was expected of them in the absence of a mission statement and a higher level of training that lifeguards have today.

One of the biggest past critics of the Pensacola Beach lifeguard program was B. Chris Brewster, president of the California-based United States Life Saving Association. He said he's seen remark-

able changes. ``Clearly, the level and quality of the lifeguard protection has risen dramatically in 10 years,'' he said. ``The community has gone from taking a blissfully ignorant approach to water safety to being actively engaged in making water safety a priority.''

Today's lifeguard program, West pointed out, literally took a village to whip into shape. ``I'm one cog in that big, old wheel,'' he said, ``just like the media, the board, and the community.''

The media shifted from only reacting to drownings and rescues to becoming part of the solution by educating the public about dangerous surf conditions, rip currents and the flag warning system, West said.-AP

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GIR NATIONAL PARK

Famous for saving Asiatic lion from extinction Cont’d from page 40

During British Raj, lions were hunted mercilessly by the British officers assisted by the obliging Maharajas and Nawabs. Every Maharaja was proud of the number of lions or tigers he killed during his lifetime. In 1899 the famine decreased the lion population so badly that Lord Curzon cancelled his shoot in Gir where he had been invited by the Nawab for a 'Shikaar'.

Lord Curzon advised the ruler to protect the remaining lions. By the time India achieved independence, the number of lions got increased, but they were once again hunted by the Maharajas. The Government of India banned the hunting of lion in mid 1960 and now this park is open only for the photo safaris. The Gir National Park later became a major tourist attraction in India. About 300 lions are present in this park.

WILDLIFE ATTRACTIONS The main wildlife attraction in the Gir National Park is the lion.

Besides lion, variety of wild animals are found in this park among which are the wild boar, bear, panther, jackal, sambar, spotted deer, striped hyena, leopard, nilgai, chinkara gazelle, jungle cat, black napped hare, common langur, porcupine, langur, blackbuck, mongoose and the Indian chousingha, the four horned antelope.

During Monsoons, about 200 varieties of birds can be seen in this park including the peafowl, grey partridge, Bonelli's eagle, crested serpent eagle, jungle bush quail, painted sandgrouse, common green pigeon and several species of doves. Gir is also home

of the marsh crocodile, which can be sighted easily in its rivers, particularly in the lake of the Kamaleshwar dam. There is also a crocodile breeding farm at Sasan.

JUNGLE SAFARI You can visit the Gir National Park by having a jeep ride with a guide. The Gir Forest Department also organizes "Lion Shows".

They make sure that you can see the lions at close range so they send trackers early morning on a mission to the located places and tempt them with live baits.

BEST TIME TO VISIT The Gir National Park is open from mid October to mid June.

November, January and February

ing or after 4 pm. It is during this time that the animals are most active and can be easily spotted.

Other attractions Within the Gir National Park, the Kankai Mata temple and Tulishyam Hot Springs are located in a scenic surrounding. These are the natural hot springs where one can take bath. It is about 90 km. from the entrance to the sanctuary. The forest is also known for its cattle herders, the Madharis, whose buffaloes form a substantial part of the lion's meals.

HOW TO REACH

By Air: The nearest airport is located at Keshod.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Junagadh. This station is located on the Ahmedabad Junagadh and Rajkot - Junagadh line.

By Road: Gir National Park is connected to various cities in Gujarat. Junagadh is about 60 kms from the Gir National Park. are the best months to visit the sanctuary. However the best time

to view the lions, in their natural surroundings, is early in the morn-

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India hotel prices rose 6 per cent in 2013 MUMBAI: Even as 2013 was a challenging year for the hospitality sector, the average hotel prices in the country grew by six per cent from the previous year at an average Rs 5,254 per night, according to a recent report.

Average hotel prices in 2012 stood at Rs 4,942 per night, according to the latest Hotels.com's 'Hotel Price IndexTM'.

Macau recorded the highest increase of 29 per cent to Rs 12,321 per night in Asia followed by Thailand 13 per cent at Rs 5,667 and the Philippines 11 per cent at Rs 6,420.

In spite of the fall in yen value, Japan saw 10 per cent rise for Indian travelers at Rs 8,195, the report revealed.

Globally, Ireland, which became the first country to exit the Eurozone 85 billion euro bailout program, saw the highest increase of 41 per cent to Rs 8,216.

With price rise of 23 per cent at Rs 13,567 per night, Russia was a country where Indian travelers paid the most.

Two other countries most impacted by the financial crisis saw a healthy revival in their rates, with Greece up 18 per cent at Rs 8,435 and Portugal up 17 per cent at Rs 5,784.

However, Poland was the only European destination in the region where Indian travelers paid the least with the prices declining by nine per cent to Rs 5,338 compared to 2012.

In Latin America, Mexico saw a 25 per cent increase to Rs 8,475 per night with regard to the average hotel prices paid by Indian

rise of 9 per cent to Rs 5,927, the report said.

Three destinations saw a four per cent rise in prices Kolkata to Rs 6,433, Bengaluru to Rs 6,215 and Cochin to Rs 5,290 compared to 2012.

However, Chennai saw a decline of eight per cent to Rs 5,897, Hyderabad dropped by 7 per cent

Goa to refund jet fuel VAT to attract air traffic PANAJI: The Goa government has proposed to refund ValueAdded Tax (VAT) levied on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for airlines which operate frequent flights to the tourist state.

The proposal is part of the Budget presented in the Assembly by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who also holds the finance portfolio.

The refund offer is part of the civil aviation policy, which seeks to make Goa an aviation hub and encourage more flights so as to boost tourist arrivals, he said.

The government is ready to re-

Panhandle birds to be featured in wildlife tours

travelers.

The prices paid by Indians in both the US and Canada grew by 18 per cent to Rs 9,446 and to Rs 9,017, respectively while South Africa tumbled by 12 per cent to Rs 8,136 per night.

As per hotel prices paid in India during 2013, there were mixed results, amongst the major changes. Goa recorded a healthy

to Rs 5,509 and Pune was down by 5 per cent to Rs 5,243, the report revealed.

In the average price paid for a hotel room in India by visiting nationality, Europeans paid the highest.

Visitors from Belgium spend the most at Rs 6,363, up 25 per cent from 2012, followed by Finland and Italy by 22 per cent at Rs 6,187 and Rs 6,098, respectively. -PTI

KIMBALL, Neb.: The birds of the southwestern Panhandle of Nebraska will be featured during a two-month series of Watchable Wildlife Tours.

The series is sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory and the Kimball County Tourism Department.

The series is titled ``For the Birds,'' and it will run March 15

statement added.

"Entry and exit for the general public is from Gate No.35 of the President's Estate, close to where

North Avenue meets Rashtrapati Bhavan, between 1000hrs to 1600hrs," Rajamony said. In a special arrangement for farmers, differ-

through May 15.

The tours will depart from the High Point Welcome Center at Exit 20 along Interstate 80. Registration is free and may be made by calling the center at 308-241-0573.

The schedule includes mountain plover migration on Tuesdays at 6:30 a.m., Hawk Watch on Thursdays at 6:30 a.m. and Ground Nesting on Saturdays at 8 a.m. -AP

Italian cabbie returns $20000 found in taxi

Mughal Gardens got 2.86 lakh visitors in 2 weeks NEW DELHI: The Mughal Gardens inside the Rashtrapati Bhavan complex has this year received 2.86 lakh visitors in the first fortnight of the month-long period during which it stays open to the general public.

The maximum number of visitors on a single day was received on February 23, which was a Sunday.

"The Mughal Gardens and other Rashtrapati Bhavan Gardens, open to the general public from February 16 to March 16, 2014, have received 2,86,942 persons till March 2, 2014.

"The maximum numbers of visitors on a single day was 50,173 on February 23," Press Secretary to the President, Venu Rajamony, said in a statement.

Since the maximum number of visitors is received on weekends, the public is encouraged to visit the gardens on weekdays, the

fund the 12 per cent VAT levied on ATF for airlines who have at least four aircraft parked overnight at Dabolim (Goa airport) and operate early morning flights from there, Parrikar said.

"This initiative, I am sure, will boost the tourist inflows to the state and help achieve the six million tourist target set for the year 2017."

Goa currently gets over one million holiday-makers every year.

The policy will help Goa increase its connectivity with Tier II and Tier III cities, the Chief Minister said. -PTI

ently-abled persons and defense personnel, Mughal Gardens will be exclusively for them on March 18, 19 and 20, respectively.-PTI

LONDON: An honest Italian cab driver who found USD 20,000 in cash in a handbag in his taxi has returned the money to the owner, a Russian tourist.

The money, around USD 19,000 in euros and the rest in rubles, was left in a handbag by the tourist in a cab in the Italian capital Rome.

The woman did not know the number plate of the vehicle, but was able to tell police of her journey from Piazza Risorgimento, close to the Vatican, to Rome's Piazza del Popolo.

The police then contacted the city's transport operator, and they were able to track down the driver, 'The Local' reported.

The driver confirmed that he had found the missing handbag in his taxi.-PTI

In Brief Dutch national sentenced for benefits fraud BALTIMORE: A Dutch national and registered sex offender who has lived in the U.S. illegally for more than 40 years and fraudulently obtained social security benefits has been sentenced.

Seventy-seven-year-old Fredericus Slicher was sentenced to three months in prison in federal court in Baltimore. After Slicher completes his sentence, he will be transferred to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement pending deportation. He was also ordered to pay nearly $50,000 in restitution for social security and Medicare benefits he unlawfully received.

Officials say Slicher arrived in the U.S. in 1967 on visas which expired in 1969. Authorities say he obtained forged documents and in 2010, began collecting benefits.

According to federal officials and online records, Slicher was convicted of a 3rd degree sex offense in Maryland in 2004. -AP

„ Immigrant can't get law license, court rules TALLAHASSEE, Florida: Immigrants in America illegally can't be given a license to practice law in Florida, a question that was raised when a man who moved to Florida from Mexico when he was 9 years old sought a license, the state Supreme Court ruled.

The court said U.S. law prohibits people who are unlawfully in America from obtaining professional licenses. The justices said state law can override the federal ban, but Florida has taken no action to do so. ``Simply stated, current federal law prohibits this court from issuing a license to practice law to an unlawful or unauthorized immigrant,'' the court wrote.

The case involves Jose Godinez-Samperio, whose parents brought him to the United States on tourist visas and then never returned to Mexico. He graduated from New College in Florida, earned a law degree from Florida State University and passed the state bar in 2011.

Godinez-Samperio was represented by his former law professor, Sandy D'Alemberte, who is a former American Bar Association president.

Godinez-Samperio received a work permit in 2012 as part of President Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which halted the deportation of immigrants brought to the United States as children. -AP

Immigration

Fact sheet on correcting immigration records Details on page 46

44 India Post

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March 14, 2014

Obama blames Congress for mass deportations WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has said he was powerless to stop mass expulsions of illegal immigrants, which prompted one Latino advocacy group to brand him "deporter in chief."

The President said Congress was requiring him to enforce existing immigration laws while balking at passing a comprehensive bill that would offer illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.

"I am constrained in terms of what I am able to do," Obama said.

"The reason why these deportations are taking place is that Congress said 'you have to enforce these laws'" "I cannot ignore those laws any more than I can ignore any of the other laws that are on the books."

In mitigation, Obama said he had ordered government agents to give priority to deportations of those involved in illegal activity and gangs and had used executive power

to shield undocumented young people with illegal status who have known no home other than the United States.

"What I have done is to use my prosecutorial discretion," Obama said.

"Any day now, this administration will reach the two million mark for deportations," said NCLR CEO Janet Murguia.

"It is a staggering number that far outstrips that of any of (Obama's) predecessors, and it

US President Barack Obama

The National Council of La Raza, America's largest Latino advocacy organization, has broken with the President over the deportation issue.

leaves behind a wake of devastation for families across America.

"We respectfully disagree with the president on his inability to stop unnecessary deportations.

He does have the power to stop this."

Obama said the deportation issue was one of the reasons why it was so important to get comprehensive immigration reform - already passed by the Senate through the House of Representatives.

"I am the champion in chief of comprehensive immigration reform," Obama said.

The President also defended his record on issues important to the Latino community, which voted twice overwhelmingly to send him to the White House.

He said for instance that he had kept many Latino families out of poverty during the recession raging when he came to office in 2009.

"I think the community understands that I have got their back," Obama said.

The President was appearing at a town hall-style meeting in Washington designed to showcase his health reform law for the Latino community. -AFP

Border Patrol releases use-of-force guidelines PHOENIX: The federal government has released the US Border Patrol's use-of-force policies while the agency's chief issued a directive that reiterates how personnel should respond to threats amid mounting criticism of excessive force and lack of transparency.

Border Patrol Chief Mike Fisher, in a memorandum to all agency personnel, reminded agents that the ``level of force applied must reflect the totality of the circumstances surrounding each situation.''

Immigrant rights groups have complained that Border Patrol agents are too trigger-happy in responding to people who throw rocks at them along the border with Mexico, often to distract agents from smugglers sneaking drugs into the U.S. Fisher said that since 2010,

agents have been assaulted with rocks 1,713 times, with deadly forced being used in 43 instances resulting in 10 deaths.

necessary.

The same policy was reiterated for incidents involving moving vehicles, reminding agents that

Chris Rickerd, policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington, said the memorandum from Fisher regarding use of force ``leaves much to be desired.''

While Border Patrol policy has always held that agents may use deadly force if there is a reasonable threat of imminent death or serious injury, Fisher's directive reiterates that they shouldn't fire their weapons unless absolutely

they shouldn't place themselves in the path of cars, creating a scenario where they would be forced to discharge their weapons.

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security also released use-of-force policies for U.S. Cus-

toms and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, something it had long refused to do.

Chris Rickerd, policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington, said the memorandum from Fisher regarding use of force ``leaves much to be desired.'' ``It is largely a restatement of existing policy, which is a shame because clearly existing policy isn't working,'' Rickerd said.

The National Border Patrol Council, the union for agents, agreed that the memorandum from Fisher doesn't change longstanding policy that allows agents to use deadly force when necessary, but noted they have dangerous jobs and rely on their training and instincts when confronted with threats.

Cont'd on Page 46

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750 immigration detainees on hunger strike TACOMA, Washington: Immigrant-rights activists rallied outside the Northwest Detention Center in Washington State, while at least 750 detainees protested their treatment with a hunger strike and

called for an end to deportations.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said that 750 detainees had refused to eat and said they were on a hun-

ger strike.

Activist Maru Mora Villalpando said the hunger strike started Friday as a protest against deportations as well as conditions at the center. She said the hunger strik-

ers, who she believes number more than 1,000, are seeking better food and treatment as well as better pay for center jobs. ``We are concerned for their

welfare, and we support their brave stand against inhumane treatment. We are gravely concerned about retaliation, particularly against the hunger-strike leaders,'' Villalpando said.

The center currently houses nearly 1,300 people being investigated for possible deportation.

ICE spokesman Andrew Munoz said the agency respects the right of detainees. ``ICE fully respects the rights of all people to express their opinion without interference,'' Munoz said. ``While we continue to work with Congress to enact commonsense immigration reform, ICE remains committed to sensible, effective immigration enforcement.''

The detainees are under continuous observation by center staff and medical personnel.

ICE detention standards state that a detainee who has not eaten for 72 hours is considered to be on a hunger strike. -AP

Thomas Cook, Y-Axis to offer immigration services MUMBAI: Integrated travel and travel-related services company Thomas Cook (India) has said it has joined hands with YAxis, an immigration and visa consultant, to offer convenient and seamless experience to Indians traveling overseas.

"The focus of both our organizations on excellence in product and service delivery forms a crucial element of this alliance and we look forward to jointly leveraging the opportunity in this growing market of immigration, long term work and education," Thomas Cook (India) COO and Head - Foreign Exchange Mahesh Iyer said in a release issued here.

The association will offer the convenience of a holistic and seamless product-service experi-

ence to Indians traveling overseas for permanent residency, on work permits or education.

"Our endeavor is not only to ensure good counseling by looking into the needs of our clients but also provide an array of immigration services. Encompassing all possible requirements from assistance in evaluating the right

destination, thorough visa documentation to meeting submission timelines through our concierge services.

"Now with Thomas Cook India as our partners, we will be able to offer value added services, mainly, foreign exchange," Y-Axis Solutions Founder and CEO Xavier Augustin added. -PTI

UK govt under fire over immigration report LONDON: Britain's government is being accused of burying a report that suggests immigrants have only a small impact on the number of jobs for British people.

The Conservative-led government has said it will reduce immigration, and has cited research from the Migration Advisory Committee showing that 23 British workers are left unemployed for every 100 new arrivals.

But the BBC reports that a study by civil servants found a far lower figure.

The BBC says the report was completed last year but has not been made public.

Prime Minister David Cameron's Downing Street office said that it

would be published "shortly."

It said the government was sticking by its goal of reducing annual net migration, the difference be-

Prime Minister David Cameron

tween arrivals and departures, below 100,000. Last year it was 212,000. -AP

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Civil & Criminal Litigation Felonies, Misdemeanors, Inc DUI 1 Personal Injury, Business, Divorce etc.

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2335 W. Devon Ave., Suite 204, Tel: 773-381-1820 Chicago, IL 60659

Immigration Post

46 India Post

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Fact sheet on correcting immigration records CYRUS D. MEHTA

U

S Citizenship and Immigra tion Services (USCIS) has released a fact sheet on how to correct immigration records after resolving a Tentative Nonconfirmation (TNC) in EVerify. USCIS noted that an employer may receive a TNC because immigration records are inaccurate. Correcting them can prevent future TNCs. The fact sheet, which includes several ways immigration records can be corrected, is available at http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Verification/EV e r i f y / E Verify_Native_Documents/ FactSheet-How-to-correct-yourimmigration-records.pdf.

DOL Administrative Review Board Partly Affirms ALJ's Decision in H-1B Wage Complaint In a recent case decided by the Department of Labor's Administrative Review Board (ARB) on January 29, 2014, the ARB affirmed an administrative law judge's (ALJ) finding that the scope of a Wage and Hour Division investigation initiated in response to a complaint is not limited to the allegations in that complaint. The ARB also affirmed the ALJ's evidentiary ruling on the

availability of pre- and post-judgment interest on awards in H-1B cases. The ARB reversed the ALJ's finding that discrete violations occurring outside a 12month period before the filing of a complaint are actionable. The deputy chief administrative ap-

bor condition application for time off due to a decision by the employer, had illegally made deductions from her wages, and had required her to pay an illegal penalty for stopping work before an agreed-upon date.

The decision is available at

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on February 6, 2014, that some optional practical training (OPT) science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) extension applications were denied in error. peals judge concurred in part and dissented in part, agreeing with the majority's ruling in the case of the initial complainant but dissenting from the majority's ruling in all other respects.

The ARB ordered Greater Missouri Medical Pro-Care Providers, Inc., to pay thousands of dollars in back wages for various violations to 29 H-1B workers. The case started when an H-1B nonimmigrant employee filed a complaint in 2006 alleging that Greater Missouri failed to pay her the required wages under its la-

http://www.oalj.dol.gov/PUBLIC/ A R B / D E C I S I O N S / ARB_DECISIONS/LCA/ 12_015.LCAP.PDF. ICE Releases SEVP Guidance on Errors in Denials of STEM OPT Extensions U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on February 6, 2014, that some optional practical training (OPT) science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) extension applications were denied in error.

USCIS said they were not adjudicated in accordance with appli-

Immigration report sparks British coalition row LONDON: Britain's coalition government was bitterly divided over immigration after the Conservative minister in charge of the issue accused Business Secretary Vince Cable from the Liberal Democrats of asserting "falsehoods" about the impact of immigrant labor.

The row between Immigration Minister James Brokenshire and Cable erupted as an official government study concluded there was "relatively little evidence" that migrant workers had taken the jobs of Britons when the economy was strong.

The review said there was evidence of "some labor market displacement" during the recession.

But it also found there was little evidence that immigrants from the European Union had an impact on the employment of British workers, although it was a "relatively recent phenomenon" and "this does not imply that impacts do not occur in some circumstances".

Cable, a leading figure in the junior coalition partners, has said

he is "intensely relaxed" about mass immigration and is expected to condemn "scare stories" about the issue.

Brokenshire, making his first speech as immigration minister, attacked Cable's views and said the number of recent arrivals from the European Union was "just too high".

Brokenshire, making his first speech as immigration minister, attacked Cable's views and said the number of recent arrivals from the European Union was "just too high".

"Mass immigration puts pressure on social cohesion, on public services and infrastructure and - yes - it can force down wages and displace local people from the

job market," he said.

"The winners are the haves like Vince, but the people who lose out are from working class families, they're ethnic minorities and recent immigrants themselves."

Brokenshire's stance was viewed as an attempt to attract working-class voters who are being wooed by the anti-immigration UK Independence Party (UKIP).

Conservative ministers have frequently cited research from 2012 by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) covering the period from 1995 to 2010 that found 23 British workers were left unemployed for every 100 new arrivals from outside the EU. But the new analysis stated that when data from the recession years of 2009 and 2010 was omitted, the impact of non-EU migration was not "statistically significant".

Brokenshire's predecessor as immigration minister, Mark Harper, was forced to resign after he discovered his cleaner did not have permission to work in Britain. -AFP

cable Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) OPT policy guidance. USCIS sent the alert to notify affected designated school officials and to provide instructions.

USCIS said that some OPT STEM extension applications were denied in error because the student applicants intended to work as volunteers or unpaid interns during their extension periods.

To prevent this problem from happening again, USCIS's Service Center Operations (SCOPS) instructed all USCIS Service Centers to follow ICE SEVP's policy guidance regarding work as a volunteer or unpaid intern.

The alert notes that SEVP's OPT 2010 policy guidance states that a student may work as a volunteer or unpaid intern for at least

20 hours per week. The alert says that if a student's OPT STEM application was denied solely on the basis that he or she intended to work as a volunteer or unpaid intern, the student should contact the Service Center that issued the denial by emailing the applicable dedicated student emailbox.

The student should provide his or her full name and the USCIS receipt number relating to the denied application. The email addresses are: California Service Center: CSC.StudentEAD@uscis.dhs.gov Vermont Service Center: VSC.Schools@uscis.dhs.gov Texas Service Center: TSC.Schools@uscis.dhs.gov Nebraska Service Center: NSC.Schools@uscis.dhs.gov The alert is available at http:// www.kidambi.com/resources/ OPT_Volunteer.pdf.

US govt investigating Mu Sigma for visa usage NEW DELHI: US-headquartered analytics firm Mu Sigma, which has offices in Bangalore, is being investigated by the US government for its visa usage.

With over 2,000 decision science professionals and more than 70 Fortune 500 clients, Mu Sigma helps companies institutionalize data-driven decision making and harness big data.

"The US government has asked us to provide certain documents and records related to Mu Sigma's sponsorships for, and uses of, visas," Mu Sigma Founder, Chairman and CEO Dhiraj C Rajaram told PTI. The company is providing that

information and will continue to cooperate with the government, he added.

The privately-held firm, which in December 2011 raised USD 108 million from investors including General Atlantic, is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois but many of its workers are based out of India.

It has offices in Arkansas, Texas and Washington in the US as well as in England and Australia.

According to people in know of the development, Mu Sigma filed about 630 labor condition applications (LCAs) for H1B visa and around 12 labor certifications for green card between fiscal year 2011 and 2013. -PTI

Border Patrol releases useof-force guidelines Cont'd from Page 44

``We believe it's all a reiteration of current policy and encourages agents to look for alternatives if available but not restricting them from being able to use force, if necessary,'' said Shawn Moran, the group's vice president.

In a statement Friday, Mexico's ambassador to the U.S., Eduardo Medina Mora, commended Fisher's directive and the release of use-of-force policies as ``a step toward transparency and a signal of openness.''

The Police Executive Research

Forum led a government-commissioned review on Border Patrol's use of force and recommended a ban on shooting rock throwers and assailants in vehicles. The agency rejected the recommendations, which Fisher described to The Associated Press as ``very restrictive.''

The Los Angeles Times obtained a copy of the report, which concluded that ``that some border agents stood in front of moving vehicles as a pretext to open fire and that agents could have moved away from rock throwers instead of shooting at them.'' -AP

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NEW YORK: A 13-year old Indian-origin boy has emerged as the winner of a spelling bee contest in the US in an epic verbal duel that lasted a total of 95 rounds, after judges ran out of words in a previous marathon round held last month.

Kush Sharma, a seventh-grader at Frontier School of Innovation spelled out "definition" to clinch the Jackson County Spelling Bee title in Missouri, and a berth in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington in May. The 29-round competition was lengthy in comparison to other spelling bees which typically run for about 20 rounds. Sharma won the title in two installments after the judges ran out of words in a previous round held on February 22.

Sharma beat fifth-grader Sophia Hoffman, 11, of Highland Park Elementary to win Missouri County's annual bee contest before a packed Kansas City Public Library.

Hoffman missed out after she misspelt the word 'stifling'.

Between the two, they spelt over 260 words, including 'barukhzy', 'muumuu', 'hemerocallis', 'jacamar' and 'schadenfreude' in 28 rounds with Sharma clinching the title after correctly spelling the word 'definition' in the 29th round, NBC News reported.

As per his practiced routine, Sharma

asked for the origin of the word, the part of speech and the definition of the word.

"The speller on stage asked for the word

definition," the moderator replied to Sharma as an example of the word's usage.

"Kush smiled, and the judges were try-

Jackson County Spelling Bee winner Kush Sharma, in the bee hat, poses with students and teachers from his school, Frontier School of Innovation.

ing not to smile," head judge Kaite Stover told NBC News after the competition.

"Kush rips that one off like it's nothing, like we knew that he would."

Hoffman's parents had appealed to the judges, believing that the pronunciation of "stifling" might have confused her.

The judges reviewed a recording of the proceedings and found nothing was wrong.

As Sharma spelt the word correctly, Hoffman was first to clap for her friend. He patiently gave the moderator a handshake before hurriedly going to Hoffman and hugging her.

"It was a great experience and I'm happy for Kush," Hoffman said adding that she would be back next year.

The duo returned to compete for the coveted title after the previous round ended in a tie with both of them getting every word right until the judges were left exhausted with words.

Last month, Sharma and Hoffman competed for 66 rounds before the judges were forced to turn to the dictionary after they ran out of approved words.

Once the judges saw that the kids might last all day, they decided to postpone the marathon bee so that they would not risk picking an unfair word. -PTI

V

ikas Bahl's 'Queen' has received positive feedback from Bollywood. Kangana Ranaut's portrayal of Rani, a naive Delhi girl who, out of sheer vengeance, takes off alone on her honeymoon and ends up discovering herself, has left B-Town folks impressed. Here's what they had to say...

Ranbir Kapoor: I wish I get to play a character as strong and entertaining as Queen. I couldn't think of one thing to change and totally loved the film.

Sonakshi Sinha: Kangana is phenomenal. I want to congratulate the production house and thank them for making such an entertaining film.

Huma Qureshi: The film refuses to leave me. It is now in my favorites' list. Kangana is in top form.

Richa Chadda: It's a beautiful film and it made me happy. Kangana fits the role like a glove. I have always admired Rajkumar Rao as an actor, but with this film, I love him even more.

Abhishek Chaubey: Armed with a sweet story, great music and an absolutely smashing performance by Kangana, Vikas has created one of the most endearing films of our time.

Says Vikas, "The response has left us ecstatic. We hope the film gets the same reception at the box office as well."

India Post 49

March 14, 2014 www.indiapost.com

'Sold' will be IFFLA opening night Gala film India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES, CA: The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) has announced today the Opening Night Gala film, 'Sold', a harrowing and inspiring story of child trafficking directed by Jeffrey D. Brown, executive produced by Emma Thompson, and starring Gillian Anderson, David Arquette, and Seema Biswas.

The full line-up of screenings and events will be announced in mid-March. The festival is widely recognized as the premiere showcase of groundbreaking Indian cinema. Celebrating its 12th year, IFFLA will run April 8 to 13 at ArcLight Hollywood in Los Angeles, the festival's home since its inception.

Through one extraordinary girl's journey, Sold illustrates the brutality of child trafficking, a

crime experienced by millions of girls every year around the globe.

Sold is a clarion call to action and

a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

"Because of Sold's marvelous script and courageous and brilliant cast," said Emma Thompson, "it is a story that we can all watch - so that we may understand the processes of slavery in modern India and feel able to act without feeling the kind of rage and hopelessness that gets in the way of doing anything."

Sold is an adaptation of the National Book Award-nominated novel

by Patricia McCormick, based on true accounts.

The book has been translated into 32 languages and is a powerful entry point to introduce young people to the issue of

modern day slavery.

Director Jeffery D. Brown and select A-list cast and supporters will be in attendance at the Opening Night Gala.

Nirvana-Bombay Palace will host the Opening Night Gala Reception in Beverly Hills. This year's exclusive after-party will align with Nirvana's sophisticated and positively vibrant atmosphere in an intimate setting that features masterful culinary renditions of Indian cuisine.

In addition, the appointment of Jasmine Jaisinghani as the festival's first-ever Artistic Director was announced by Christina Marouda, IFFLA's Founder and Chair of the Board.

"We're thrilled to have Jasmine on board as our Artistic Director," said Marouda. "She was our first Festival Coordinator in 2005, and has been associated with IFFLA

since. This feels like a full circle, and we could not think of a more deserving person to take on this position."

Jasmine Jaisinghani comes to IFFLA from AFI FEST where she served as the Cultural and Industry Relations Director and headed Guest Services. An independent producer of Indian-Mexican descent, Jasmine has also worked extensively in the music industry, including a tenure at George Harrison's record label Dark Horse.

Rounding out this year's programming team are Director of Programming Mike Dougherty, Documentary Film Programmer Sudeep Sharma, and Short Film Programmer Thouly Dosios.

The 12th Annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) runs April 8-13 at ArcLight Hollywood, located at 6360 W. Sunset Blvd between Vine and Ivar.

150 mins of weekly exercise keeps diseases at bay NEW DELHI: It takes as little as 150 minutes of exercise every week to improve blood glucose tolerance, reduce body fat and the risk to all possible lifestyle diseases that come with obesity, says a celebrity fitness trainer and nutritionist.

In her third book, "Don't Lose Out, Work Out", Rujuta Diwekar tries to tackle every myth and fad related to exercise, demystifies exercise for everyone and presents it as not an activity but a science which has the potential to combat all lifestyle disorders including diabetes and obesity.

According to the Mumbaibased nutritionist, whose clientele includes the likes of Anil Ambani, Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma and Anupam Kher, the best exercise is the one that gets done on a regular basis.

"If you are a lover of the breaststroke in an Olympic-size pool, then that's the best exercise for you. If you love the treadmill, then it's the treadmill for you. If squatting under a bar double your body weight does it for you, then it's

weight training for you, and if your head won't function without the sirsasana or sarvangasana cycle, then it's yoga for you," she says.

Diwekar also suggests that it is best to keep daily exercise to an hour, including warm-up, workout sets and cool down, and perhaps even the drive back home if one

compliance."

Eating right is more crucial for weight training than any other form of exercise, because weight training leads to maximum metabolic and biochemical changes in the body, she says.

A fruit, ideally a banana, is a

150 minutes of exercise every week improves blood glucose tolerance, reduce body fat and the risk to all possible lifestyle diseases.

lives close by the gym.

"This will improve exercise compliance and lead to reduction in guilt and body fat, again brought about by the exercise

perfect pre-workout meal, she suggests.

"Post-workout one needs to follow the 4 Rs - rehydrate, replenish, recover and repair - for which

it is recommended to have water, seasonal fruit, protein shake and vitamins."

The writer also feels that people tend to walk less as they get older and richer.

"We won't walk, take the bus or run for the train, or for that matter won't even open the door, draw out curtains or walk to the kitchen to get a glass of water. In India, the richer you get, the less physical activity you are supposed to do to help yourself."

The book, published by Westland Ltd, also has sample training schedules and real life workout examples with analysis.

Diwekar, whose earlier books are "Don't Lose Your Mind, Lose Your Weight" and "Women and The Weight Loss Tamasha", says half information is a dangerous thing, especially when it concerns one's health and wellbeing.

"This book is an attempt to turn the half information on exercise to complete information, things we should have been taught in school (along with nutrition) with the same seriousness as any other science, because how fit and unfit we stay influences the lives we lead and how complete or fulfilling they are," she says. -PTI

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State Farm launches Ayushmann in campaign India Post News Service

BLOOMINGTON, IL: As the Asian Indian population continues to grow in the US, so does its passion for Bollywood - with its larger-than-life movie stars, romantic dramas and musical numbers. State Farm recognizes this passion in its new advertising campaign featuring Bollywood talent Ayushmann Khurrana. It has

launched two new commercials on Asian Indian channels, online, mobile, and in select Indian cinemas.

In the two commercials, titled "State of matrimony," Khurrana's character is looking for his perfect match. The cast of characters also includes his parents, a heroine/ love interest, as well as two reallife State Farm Agents. Every State Farm commercial features real

agents and these agents not only come from the Asian Indian community, they have a deep understanding of the culture. The Agents play key roles in extinguishing the Bollywood-style drama, while subtly highlighting the everyday personal service, expertise, and affordability of State Farm.

"We're excited to share in the celebration of Asian Indian culture

through the popular lens of Bollywood," said Tim Van Hoof, Assistant Vice President of Marketing at State Farm. "Our goal is to reach consumers through culturally-authentic advertising and community efforts.

These commercials inform Asian Indian consumers about State Farm products and the good neighbor service provided by our agents in the entertaining and engaging Bollywood style."

Actor and singer Khurrana shot to fame in 2012 for his role in Vicky Donor, which earned him several awards; including the People's Choice Award, Filmfare, Zee Cine, and Stardust Award for Best Actor.

Ayushmann Khurrana

Horoscope

March 14, 2014

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Your Weekly Future

by Pandit Parashar

MARCH 14 TH - MARCH 20 TH , 2014 (March 21 to April 20)

Y

ou will gather your self and with complete divine help you will find solution to a very difficult situation that popped up very recently. Extra running around will be financial beneficial. You may try to join hands with some successful and professional person.

Expenses towards a child will continue to escalate rapidly.

(September 23 to October 22)

I

f you don't control being impulsive, you will end up spending lots of money on unnecessary things. Replacing an old car with an eco nomical version will be a wise choice. Stay away from a shady person at the social gathering who will try to flirt with you. You will also recover from minor illness with simple home remedy.

(October 23 to November 22)

(April 21 to May 20)

E

xpect instant success when you go on a business trip this week. Time spent on phone will be well worth it and gains will be for long time. You may finally dispose off some asset and pocket the large gains. You may also successfully work out deal with a government agency. Unexpected Expenses will not leave you alone.

N

egotiations with the best will continue to move in right directions and soon the contract will be in your lap. People in business will make few very important clients and will see sales shooting up suddenly. Take help you want to fill up those legal papers correctly. Any trip taken this week will bring instant rewards.

(November 23 to December 22)

(May 21 to June 20)

T

his week looks promising from financial point of view. Deal will be nothing less than some kind of jackpot. Stay away from unnecessary arguments at the party. You will be taking several important decisions in life and about a new venture offered with cool and rational mind. Health will improve with change in diet plan.

Y

ou will attend an entraining event with family this week. A big check will finally show up in mail and give you another reason to spend money on self and family. You will spend couple of days to write an important letter. You may also ignore a not so good looking job offer. Property deal will take place soon.

(June 21 to July 22)

L

oss will turn into profit. Sudden change in scenario will cause lots of excitement and bring the energy back. You may meet an interesting person during the course of a trip or when you attend a business meeting. Have patience and choose your words correctly when on phone. There will be some more delay in your plans to relocate.

(December 22 to January 19)

C

ontract will get signed after slight delay and minor changes but only to your advantage. You will be successful in resolving an important issue almost on the verge of loosing with a government agency with the help of some lost or forgotten documents.

Extra time spent at work will not go unnoticed in eyes of boss.

(July 23 to August 22)

S

ome of your actions will make spouse very nervous. Risk taken can turn into a great deal within next few weeks. Pay attention to legal document sitting on the table and send it out immediately to take advantage of the system. You may be working on a long distance trip. You may also try to cut down on hot and spicy food and red meat.

(January 20 to February 18)

A

n overseas or long distance journey is in the air. You will feel more energetic and jovial and people will notice and admire the changes. Spouse may go out of way and buy some unnecessary items. You will take family out for dinner at a nice place. Money may go on adding some more luxury items. Check will come in mail.

(August 23 to September 22)

R

emember health is wealth. Planets continue to test your patience and self confidence. Just stick to your guns and don't budge from the right path, if you want victory to be yours. Expenses will again exceed your revenues this week. Some of you may find a temporary consulting assignment. You may order some high tech item.

PANDIT PARASHAR, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations.

He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com

(February 19 to March 20)

B

oss or a government agency will be the cause of temporary stress. Progress anticipated will be further delayed. Spouse may give the news you had been waiting for. Business trip you take will bring instant rewards. You will continue to work on some important paper work. You may seek some advise from an older and matured person.

510-886-4370 www.parashar.com

52

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Philosophy

March 14, 2014

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ana: Baba, I am fed up with this Samsara. Please help me cut the bonds which bind me to it. What appears as pleasant in the beginning ends in misery. Fate tosses us hither and thither. I don't see an iota of happiness in this Samsara.

Baba: What you say is only partially true. You have misunderstood the truth. The Samsara will exist as long as the body exists.

No one can escape from it. How can you? Even I am under its clutches. The Samsara is varied and different. It is the work of Desire and Anger. All the vagaries of the mind and the body constitute Samsara.

By running away and hiding yourself in a forest you cannot escape it. What you are now has been brought on you by yourself.

You are only experiencing the fruits of your actions done by you in your previous lives. It is by that cause the effect of the appearance of this body has taken place. The soul gets a body just to experience the consequences of actions of its own previous lives.

Without experiencing the consequences of Prarabdha karma one cannot leave this world. Why do people look different? Why, in fact, do various living beings look different? It is all because of the

SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR

Q: I know it is important for me to be here with you. But I have a little conflict as it takes me away from my family. Could you comment?

Sri Sri: You know when you are here and when you go deep and get rid of all the stresses, you are also helping your family out there. The good vibration that you produce in your system doesn't just stay with you. Don't think that your silence course is only benefiting you.

You are being in silence, you are meditating - some of it goes to your family members as well.

You may have noticed, some times you sit for mediation and nothing happens to you.

And most of the meditation you know, the benefits of those meditations are going to people who have crossed the other side.

So when you have to clear your debts you find balance not going up. Because debt is being cleared.

So many times it happens.

There is an old saying "when you meditate the effect of it reaches to seven generations of the past and seven generations of the future." So the genes with which you are connected affects all those seven generations the past and the future. That is a very

karma of previous lives. A rich man's dog rolls in joy on a cushioned sofa. A poor man's dog rots at the street corner. The difference is because of Prarabdha.

Nana: Since pleasure and pain any way alternate in this Samsara, one feels like hating it and renouncing it. Is it not good to renounce?

Baba: Pleasure and pain are both Maya. What appears as pleasant is not really a pleasure.

ger. One fellow covers his body with costly cloth with zari and all.

Another does the same with a torn old rag. Both serve the same purpose. Pleasure and pain depend on the attitude of your mind.

This is the effect of Maya. Do not give place in your mind to thoughts of pleasure and pain.

Maya manifests itself as the six enemies of man: Lust, Anger, Greed, Delusion, Pride and Envy.

They make non-real things appear

tell you how you should go about in this Samsara. A wise person will be content with whatever he has, knowing full well that it is his Prarabdha. If you have riches, be humble. A tree with more fruits in it will bend. But do not bend before all. One should certainly be firm and stern with wicked people.

But with Sadhus and the devout, you should show humility and modesty.

Spend your wealth in charity

A wise person will be content with whatever he has

Sai Baba

One fellow covers his body with costly cloth with zari and all. Another does the same with a torn old rag. Both serve the same purpose. Pleasure and pain depend on the attitude of your mind.

People in the clutches of Samsara take the appearance of pleasure as real and are drawn towards it.

As a result of Prarabdha karma one fellow gets tasty, dainty and rich food while another fellow has only stale bread to eat.

The former thinks that he has no wants and the latter thinks he is a failure. Think well. Whatever you may eat, the result is the same. Appeasement of one's hun-

as real. A poor man, seeing the rich man wearing a gold ornament, wishes to have one like that for himself. This is greed. The others are similar to this. Conquer all six of these foes of man. No desire will then rise in the mind.

Otherwise you will become a slave of these six rogues. Use your discretion and kill them. You will not be affected by pleasure and pain caused by Maya. Let me

and dharma. Observe happily all the goings-on in the world. Do not forget God. Remember always: 'This Samsara is not mine, it is God's.' Keep a constant mental analysis of the question: 'Who am I?' Excerpted from Sai Baba's conversation with devotee Nana Govind Chandorkar translated

by V. Krishnamurthy from Tamil book Shirdi Sai Baba

common saying in India. People know it. So a portion of our meditation, merits of our meditation goes to our near and dear ones.

So you don't have to have a conflict. And when you are at home doing your job, don't think it is not spiritual. It is also my job.

If you are taking care of your family know that it is not just your family it is Gurudev's family also.

So the whole world belongs to me

ing your kith and kin. Where is the conflict?

Q: What is Sudarashan Kriya?

Sri Sri: Nature is replete with various rhythms and cycles - day follows night, night follows day, seasons come and go. Similarly, there are biological rhythms to our bodies, minds and emotions.

When these rhythms are in sync, we feel a sense of harmony and well-being. When stress or illness

with the rhythms of nature.

The breath connects the body and mind. Just as emotions affect our patterns of breathing, we can bring about changes in our mental and behavioral patterns by altering the rhythms of our breath.

It flushes our anger, anxiety and worry; leaving the mind completely relaxed and energized.

We need to do a cleansing process within ourselves. In

and every body is a part of my family.

So if you are taking care of your family you should know you are doing a seva, a work which is a part of AOL. And when you are here, you should know whatever you are doing you are also help-

throws them out of order, we experience discomfort and discontent and feel upset and unhappy.

The Sudarshan Kriya incorporates specific natural rhythms of breath which harmonize the rhythms of the body and emotions and bring them in tune

people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road.

- Stephen Hawking Never believe that a few caring

people

can't

change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have.

- Margaret Mead If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.

- Lao Tzu Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.

- Leo Tolstoy If you change the way you look at things, the things

Fruit of your meditation goes to your family as well And when you are at home doing your job, don't think it is not spiritual. It is also my job. If you are taking care of your family know that it is not just your family; it is Gurudev's family also.

I have noticed even

you look at change.

- Wayne Dyer Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

sleep we get rid of fatigue, but the deeper stresses remain in our body. Sudarshan Kriya cleanses the system from the inside. The breath has a great secret to offer.

Excerpted from http:// www.artofliving.org/

- George Bernard Shaw Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

- Confucius

You Insure all your Valuables, all are replaceable except YOU! So Insure yourself FIRST. Call Sahanis, (Arish, Priya or Shiv) for your Insurance needs 718- 271- 0453. Serving for last 35 yrs

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Edit Page

India Post

March 14, 2014

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Indian Navy and perceptions of being 'All at Sea'

A

tragic industrial accident occurred on March 7 on a naval warship under construction in the Mazagon Docks, Mumbai, resulting in the death of a naval officer. The fire-fighting equipment on board the Kolkata class destroyer was being tested and a malfunction of the valves led to the sudden discharge of carbon-dioxide and the subsequent death of Commander Kuntal Wadhwa - the engineer officer designate of the ship.

This missile destroyer is to be commissioned in the Indian Navy later in the year as the INS Kolkata and will be followed by two other ships - the Chennai and Kochi.

Part of the Indian Navy's ambitious indigenous design and ship-building effort, when inducted, these three ships will add considerable punch to the country's overall naval capability.

While this ship is still under construction and yet to be handed over to the Navy by the shipyard, the fact that another naval officer lost his life - albeit in an industrial accident - soon after the loss of two other naval officers on the submarine INS Sindhuratna in February 2014 adds to the sadness of the Navy as a family. The loss of life is always cause for anguish and hopefully this will be the last of such mishaps for a long time.

Operational mishaps for the military as an institution occur often during peacetime training and depending on how and when they occur, the necessary lessons are learnt and policy correctives applied. The Indian Navy has had a particularly challenging phase since August 2013 when the INS Sindhurakshak had an explosion on board while in the Mumbai harbor that resulted in the loss of precious lives.

The submarine is yet to be salvaged from where it is still semisubmerged. In the intervening months some sections of the print and audio-visual media have given inordinate attention and space to every operational lapse of the Navy, thereby creating a perception that all is not well with the Indian Navy and its top leadership.

Regrettably, the senior political leadership was stampeded by this dominant perception in the public domain and was unable to take a confident and informed professional assessment about this string of incidents and accidents and the Naval Chief at the time, Admiral DK Joshi, was chastised in public.

C UDAY BHASKAR

While recognizing the democratic principle that the political leadership has the mandate and responsibility to monitor and admonish the highest echelons of the military, there is a certain protocol that needs to be maintained on all sides and sadly this was not the case which led to the unprecedented resignation of Admiral Joshi from the high-office of the Chief of Naval Staff on 26 February.

The kind of media focus that recent naval incidents and accidents have received in the public domain has led to some very undesirable perceptions and misplaced conclusions. Even as the Indian Navy was undergoing a trial by the audiovisual media in particular - most of the operational

is accurate in every word - the inference that follows is disturbing.

Have the Defense Ministry and the armed forces not spent the funds allocated to them 'wisely'?

If so, this must receive the immediate attention of the CAG and the legislature and accountability sought. Given the probity associated with Defense Minister AK Antony, this observation is intriguing.

On the other hand, if the recent naval accidents are being attributed to less than 'wise' leadership - this perception must be clarified.

In many of the incidents related for example to the submarine mishaps - the leadership and courage displayed in managing the exigency was of the highest order and professional competence.

File photo of Defense Minister A.K. Antony and Navy chief Admiral D.K. Joshi

units of the service were deployed in the biggest annual exercise TROPEX - in the Indian Ocean region.

This exercise included the deployment of the aircraft carrier, a nuclear submarine, missile destroyers and the recently inducted maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

Some aspects of the exercise also involved units of the Indian Air Force. This should set at rest the invalid perception that the Indian Navy is 'all at sea'.

Concurrently, a statement by the Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram in relation to the spate of naval accidents has led to some disquiet. Yes, the Finance Minister is the guardian of the national exchequer and it is a tenet going back the Chanakyan era that every rupee garnered from the citizen through taxes should be spent wisely and in the larger collective interest. In the course of his remarks, one part notes: "I sincerely hope that the defense forces will learn a lesson and make sure that the money allocated to them is spent more wisely and more efficiently on essential matters."

Presuming that this statement

Commander Sandeep Sinha, the CO of the INS Sindhuratna, which had a fire on board while underwater displayed rare personal courage and competence and led from the front in dealing with the emergency that had arisen. The officer is still in hospital recovering from a serious lung condition.

The lack of wisdom and perspicacity which ails the management of national security lies at the higher levels of India's defense management. Denying the armed forces adequate funds for capital expenditure to modernize and upgrade major platforms and inventory is one example and the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is the highest forum for such deliberations and decision-making.

The defense forces must be held to the highest standards of professional competence and probity, and the citizen who dons the uniform does so with the full knowledge that when called upon - his or her life will be at stake.

But concurrently, a certain empathy is expected from state and society - not calumny - however unintended.

The writer is Member, Executive Committee, IPCS

India Post

I

Stability factor

n 2004, the BJP-led NDA sought votes on the ground that "India was Shining." Since not many had been touched by the socalled march towards prosperity, the BJP claim was rejected and the Congress or rather Sonia-led UPA came in proclaiming its love for poverty which, it said, had to be removed. They got so engrossed in "removing poverty" that even today their slogan is "India Whining." They forgot to produce wealth and went on a spending spree meant to benefit the poor. Their policies have led to such a disaster in the economy that the poor are suffering most over rising prices. Meanwhile, India has gone aspirational and even the so-called poor are fed up with the non-functional, paralyzed and indecisive government in Delhi led by two and a half prime ministers.

Having been booted out in 2004, the BJP is also not too confident of the "India Shining" slogan and is apprehensive if its promise of development will fetch enough votes to put it in power although the NDA is said to be making gains with urban and OBC votes. Opinion polls are saying the BJP led NDA will be the leading combination but will be well short of majority. The prospect then of an unstable "kichadi" government seeking to keep the BJP out as before is the nightmare scenario that everyone is afraid of. Here we can examine voter behavior ever since the "Third Front" governments whose members fought among themselves and did not know which way to move. If recent elections be examined, there is a tendency among voters to avoid mixed verdicts. Even in Delhi there was a decisive verdict against the traditional parties. Had it not been the apprehension in the minds of electors of wasting their vote, the Aam Admi Party would have got a clear mandate.

Uttar Pradesh has had its bouts with mixed verdicts resulting in no worthwhile government for years. Then in 2007, the so-called caste-hit divided electorate went the whole hog with BSP supremo Mayawati and gave her a clear majority. She had tied up with the upper castes in order to defeat Mulayam Singh's Samajwadi Party.

In 2011, people were disappointed with Mayawati's corruption ridden rule but did not want the oppressive Mulayam Singh Yadav back. Lured by the promise of new beginning under a youthful son of Mulayam Singh, the electorate gave a clear majority to Samajwadi party. This again emphasized the fact that the known devil that Mulayam Singh is, the electorate was even more afraid of a split verdict wherein nothing gets done; where the constituents just keep struggling for power.

In Tamil Nadu also, there is never a split verdict. People go for wholesale change from one party to the other. Either it is DMK or the AIADMK. As distinguished Indian thinker Pratap Bhanu Mehta puts it, "One suspects there will be a continuation of the trend we have seen in so many recent elections, that the eventual frontrunner does even better closer to the election. The Indian electorate will give a verdict more decisive than we are suspecting at the moment."

That should give a leg up to Narendra Modi. If you are thinking how the AAP of Arvind Kejriwal is pulling the rug from under his feet, there is a trend which has been highlighted by novelist Chetan Bhagat in a recent column. The AAP had raised the hopes of a large number of Indians but quickly dashed them by its methods.

"It has shown a lack of patience, compromised on many important societal values, and doesn't seem to have understood the gravity of restoring economic growth."

Sharing his personal political mood tracker on Facebook, he says that AAP has lost 40 % of its base on societal base and the gain has been that of BJP which went up to 75% from 60%. But then Facebook is not India!

March 14, 2014

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