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Dilip Sankarreddy

NRI politician makes a mark at Harvard meet Details on page 5

4 Indians among 36 winners of US contest Details on page 6

NEW YORK • WASHINGTON D.C. • CHICAGO • ATLANTA • CALIFORNIA

VOL 18, No. 966

March 22, 2013

50¢

Periodical Postage

U.S. INVESTMENT TREATY WITH INDIA LIKELY WASHINGTON: The US has said it is committed to a bilateral investment treaty with India, but suggested that setting a time-frame for the same may not be possible due to time-taking and complicated nature of negotiations.

"We remain committed to a bilateral investment treaty with India and look forward to holding additional positive and productive technical discussions on a treaty with the

Indian Government as quickly as possible," Caitlin Hayden, spokesperson of the National Security Council, told PTI. "These are complicated issues that will take some time to work through, but both sides have committed ourselves to doing so in a thorough manner," she said, adding the Obama Administration attaches importance to its economic ties with India.

Details on page 5

‘US fervently supports India’s rise’

Aneesh Paul Chopra

Indian-American Chopra in race for Virginia LG Details on page 6

Modi speech wins over Chicagoans Details on page 16

South Dakota's first Sikh TV journalist

Details on page 7

Details on page 30

Puri receives Jeffesron Eternal Vigilance award

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29 Classifieds ------------------------- 38

Details on page 8

Community Post -------------- 16-26 Date Book -------------------------- 27 Edit Page --------------------------- 54

INDIA POST SURVEY

HealthScience Post --------- 32-36

survey@indiapost.com

Horoscope ------------------------- 52

This week’s question

Immigration Post ------------- 44-47

Will a Hollywood-Bollywood film win success?

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

Last week’s result

Should Narendra Modi apologize for Godhra riots?

YES 53%

NO 47%

HOLLYWOOD MEETS BOLLYWOOD: Oscar-winning Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg (R) with Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan,Jaya Bachchan, Industrialist Anil Ambani, Tina Ambani and others at an event in Mumbai on March 11. (Details on page 7)

Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 30-31 TechBiz Post ------------------- 12-14 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 39-42

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

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ew York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will perhaps leave a bigger legacy than his predecessor Rudy Giuliani. The two have a lot in common both are Republican; both are tough and unyielding; both are controversial; and both have done for New York City what only those who love this amazing city can do.

Giuliani's legacy is that of a mayor who "cleaned up" New York City, from organized crime, to trigger happy killers on the streets to subway turnstile jumpers to delinquents defacing the city with graffiti. And of course he earned the sobriquet of "America's Mayor" for his handling of post-9/11 New York City.

And now we have Mayor Bloomberg, who is on the last leg in office, likely to leave as the "Nanny Mayor" of America. No offense meant to him, but Mayor Bloomberg did manage to tell New Yorkers how much salt and sugar they should be consuming in their food.

After his successful implementation of his law stipulating salt content in restaurant and store food - 21 big companies have met with the targets he set for lowering salt content in foods like ready soups, chips, popcorn, etc. - he told grudging New York restaurant owners to cut calories in the food they serve by banning trans fats from restaurant meals, and forced chain eateries to post calorie counts on menus. He is now bringing into force the stipulation on sugary drinks sold at restaurant, chain stores, street carts and movie theaters to 16 ounces.

Honestly, I totally support Mayor Bloomberg's crusade against obesity. I don't agree with people who argue that they know better what they want to eat.

Yes, but the question is, is the food that is available for you to eat healthy enough?

How many times have you eaten something, knowing it is more than what you need, simply because you paid for it and didn't want to waste it because it is food?

It surely won't hurt to know that somebody had your health in mind before packing that bag of chips or can of soup. C'mon New Yorkers, lighten up, I mean, literally.

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Picky Pari Parineeti Chopra has acquired the reputation of being ultra-selective, having turned down plum roles.

Cover Story: Investment treaty The US has said it is committed to a bilateral investment treaty with India but a time-frame may not be possible.

Community: Modi address Chicagoans gathered at Holiday Inn in Rolling Meadows were won over by a frank and forthright speech by Narendra Modi.

Immigration: Less talented A California study finds that foreign IT workers imported through H-1B visas are often less talented than U.S. workers.

Life Style: Tiger in Japan Ek Tha Tiger, alongwith a number of other current Bollywood films, is all set to make its debut in Japan in mid-April.

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March 22, 2013

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US investment treaty with India likely WASHINGTON: The US has said it is committed to a bilateral investment treaty with India, but suggested that setting a timeframe for the same may not be possible due to time-taking and complicated nature of negotiations.

"We remain committed to a bilateral investment treaty with India and look forward to holding additional positive and productive technical discussions on a treaty with the Indian Government as quickly as possible," Caitlin Hayden, spokesperson of the National Security Council, told PTI. "These are complicated issues that will take some time to work through, but both sides have committed ourselves to doing so in a thorough manner," she said, adding the Obama Administration attaches importance to its economic ties with India.

She said the US views economic relationship with India as one of its "most important", and is "actively working" to ensure

"We remain committed to a bilateral investment treaty with India and look forward to holding additional positive and productive technical discussions on a treaty with the Indian Government as quickly as possible," that both countries are able to lay the groundwork for future opportunities.

Her remarks gain significance

in view of the recent news reports that the Obama Administration has set in motion an ambitious global round of trade talks covering Europe and much of Asia, which is bound to influence countries such as China, India and Brazil.

Group of top American Senators and US India Business Council (USIBC), representing American companies doing business in India, have been aggressively pushing for a BIT with India.

"An investment treaty between India and the US will provide protection to Indian and American investors alike from arbitrary, discriminatory, or confiscatory government measures, enforceable by recourse to independent international arbitration," USIBC president Ron Somers said in a recent letter to Indian Finance Minister P Chidambaram.

"Such a treaty could help fa-

cilitate two-way investment in infrastructure and other areas where capital outlay is welcome and would provide protections to In-

Last year a group of Senators led by Senator Mark Warner, Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus, had written a letter to the US President, Barack Obama, to accelerate process for the bilateral investment treaty dian and American companies as they expand investments overseas," Somers said.

USIBC continues to work with global companies to generate momentum toward expeditious completion of negotiations of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) program, he added.

Last year a group of Senators led by Senator Mark Warner, CoChair of the Senate India Caucus, had written a letter to the US President, Barack Obama, to accelerate process for the bilateral investment treaty.

A November report released by CSIS, a Washington-based think tank, said the treaty will yield clear benefit to both sides by reassuring each country's private sector with more certainty in entering the other country's market.

It will provide India with muchneeded foreign direct investment, create jobs on both sides and building stronger ties between the two countries, the report said. PTI

NRI politician makes a mark at Harvard conference India Post News Service

BOSTON, Ma: In 2012, Dilip Sankarreddy, 32, quit his professional job in the U.S. to work for the people of India full-time and to lead by example to inspire the best and the brightest to enter politics to serve the nation. He is now a member of the National Council of Lok Satta Party and is fighting elections for the Malkajgiri Assembly constituency in Hyderabad City.

This youngest NRI politician was invited to speak at the prestigious Harvard India Conference conducted by Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School of Government at Boston, USA on March 9 and 10. Harvard India Conference is the most influential among the India-focused summits globally. Previous speakers at the conference include Amartya Sen, P. Chidambaram and Navin Jindal.

Speaking at the conference, Dilip Sankarreddy appealed to Indian citizens to donate to the political activities of capable and honest youth to encourage them to grow as effective leaders of tomorrow. He said the greatest tragedy of the current Indian politics is the lack of public participation in political donations. He made these remarks as an invited speaker on the topic "Politics as a vocation: Pathways for young people to ennoble Indian politics."

His speech was well-received by the audience including luminaries such as Sam Pitroda, advisor to

Dilip said that the two biggest impediments to aspiring politicians are dynastic politics and the requirement of big amounts of money. He said the Lok Satta Party is an effective platform for the youth to enter politics, even if they do not have the desired political family background or money power

Dilip Sankarreddy

Prime Minister of India.

Dilip said that the two biggest impediments to aspiring politicians are dynastic politics and the requirement of big amounts of money.

He said the Lok Satta Party is an effective platform for the youth to enter politics, even if they do not have the desired political family background or money power.

Dilip is the winner of World Bank India Development Marketplace Award 2007 for providing innovative lighting solutions to tribals and nomads across India and his work has been recognized by various universities and governments. As a social worker, he has taken up various issues concerning urban development and has talked about environment and sustainable development at international conferences and forums since 2004.

Dilip holds an MBA degree from the reputed University of

Chicago Booth School of Business. Prior to relocating to Malkajgiri, Hyderabad, he worked in corporate strategy, corporate finance, global sales and marketing, and product development in telecommunications and education industries in companies across the world.

Dilip is also the Vice-President - Finance for People For Lok Satta (PFL), the overseas political organization supporting Lok Satta.

After the engagement at the Harvard University, People For Lok Satta Boston chapter conducted a fund-raising event on March 10 evening for his election campaign at Malkajgiri Assembly constituency in Hyderabad city. Pradeep Chukkapalli and Sameer Mellacheruvu from PFL Boston chapter took leadership in conducting the fund-raising event.

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March 22, 2013

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Indian-American Chopra enters race for Virginia LG WASHINGTON: Indian-American Aneesh Paul Chopra, the first chief technology officer of the US, has formally entered the race for Virginia Lieutenant Governor.

Chopra has submitted 20,630 petition signatures, more than double of the minimum 10,000 signatures required, to qualify for ballot access in the June Democratic Primary.

have been possible without our dedicated and hardworking supporters and volunteers," Chopra said.

If elected, he would be the first Indian American to be elected to the top post in Virginia.

"I decided to run for the post as I firmly believe our state government can be smarter, faster, better, and fairer for all Virginians.

"This is just one step along the road to victory, but I am incredibly proud of our efforts across the Commonwealth. It wouldn't have been possible without our dedicated and hardworking supporters and volunteers," Chopra said.

"This is a credit to the grassroots network that drives this campaign," Chopra said upon delivering his petition signatures.

"This is just one step along the road to victory, but I am incredibly proud of our efforts across the Commonwealth. It wouldn't

This is a message that is resonating across the Commonwealth, and I look forward to engaging with more Virginians on it in the coming months," he said.

The Indian American community in Virginia has come out in support of Chopra.

"Aneesh Chopra is committed to making government work better, smarter, faster, and fairer. He's a forward-thinking innovator who has served as Virginia's Secretary of Technology and as the first Chief Technology Officer of the US," said Lavika Bhagat Singh.

Chopra announced his candidacy "to finish what he started when he first joined the government -- harnessing innovative capacity of the country to solve problems," he said.

Key supporters from around Virginia who have endorsed his campaign include Congressman Jim Moran and former Congressmen Rick Boucher and Tom Perriello.

Chopra, son of immigrants in Trenton, New Jersey, has spent his life focusing on education and innovation.

His father immigrated to the US in 1966, and enrolled in the engineering program at Villanova University and went on to earn three patents for his work in the refrigeration industry.

Chopra attended Johns Hopkins University and then the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.

moting innovation to address nation's most urgent priorities like creating jobs to reducing health care costs, besides keeping the

Aneesh Paul Chopra

He was tapped by the Virginia Governor Tim Kaine as his Secretary of Technology and in 2009, President Barack Obama appointed him as the nation's first Chief Technology Officer.

Chopra was entrusted with pro-

nation secure.

Upon his departure to run for office, President Obama said, "his legacy of leadership and innovation will benefit Americans for years to come, and I thank him for his outstanding service." -PTI

4 Indian students among 36 UAE sees 3-fold rise in Indian cos in 10 yrs winners of US contest WASHINGTON: Four Indians are among the 36 students from various countries who have been selected as winners of an international arts contest.

Bhavya Mithra from Artesia Art School in Malappuram district of south Indian state of Kerala has bagged the second place in the thirdfifth grade drawing category of the 2013 Space Foundation International Student Art Contest.

Mankeert Narang from Yadavindra Public School in northern Indian state Punjab's Mohali town has been judged as third in the third-fifth grade painting and mixed category, a media release said.

Similarly Jasmine Narang from Yadavindra Public School in Mohali and Payel Saha from Chaturanga Art Centre in West Bengal have grabbed the top two spots respectively in the 9th-12th grade category in painting and mixed media.

Young artists from as many as 12 countries were selected for top slots from among more than 4,700 entries representing 45 countries, including 38 US states and territories.

This is the largest response since the contest began three years ago, the release said.

The winners received award and get their artwork displayed at the Space Foundation's 29th National Space Symposium next

A panel of international judges selected first, second and third place winning entries in four grade categories - PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12, besides three style categories - drawing, painting/mixed media and digital.

month at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

They will also be invited to tour the Space Symposium's Lockheed Martin Exhibit Centre and meet former NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao, it said.

The Space Foundation invited students from around the world in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade to submit original artwork.

From that group, the 36 winners were chosen and the panel selected a single grand prize winner in each age category, for a total of four grand prize winners.

Space Foundation Achievement Award was also awarded to a participant selected from among the winners by the Space Foundation's internal graphic arts team. -PTI

DUBAI: The number of Indian nar, organized in collaboration with companies in UAE's Jabel Ali Free Jafza's India Representative M S Zone (Jafza) has almost tripled in Global Trade Linkages, focused on the last 10 years, growing to 698 huge opportunities in the Greater in 2012 from 236 in 2002.

Middle East region comprising This makes India the Free West Asia, Africa and the CIS. Zone's one of the most important "India and Dubai enjoy historic trading partners and leads global relationship that has evolved business community here, Jafza through the exchange of people, said. culture, merchandise and ideas Jafza and India have had strong running through several centubusiness ties that go back to 1985, ries," said Ibrahim Mohamed Al the year when Jebel Ali Free Zone Janahi, Deputy CEO of Jafza and became operational. With new in- Chief Commercial Officer of Ecovestments this bond continues to grow stronger, it said in a Jafza and India have had statement. strong business ties that go Indian companies in Jafza generated trade back to 1985, the year worth 12.25 billion dirhams (Rs 18,093.25 when Jebel Ali Free Zone crore) in 2011, it added. became operational The volume of trade between Jafza and India continues to grow at a robust nomic Zones World (EZW), the pace, but huge opportunities are parent company of Jafza. available for Indian companies in He added: "It has been a truly the region which needs to be ex- fascinating journey that started ploited. with Dubai's dhow-going seafarKeeping this in view, Jafza had ers and merchants who developed organized a Jafza-India trading routes connecting AraRoadshow March 11-12 in Delhi, bian Gulf with Indian subcontiwhich included a first ever Busi- nent that still remains equally ness Seminar and a three-day buoyant, despite the passage of Roadshow, March 13-15, in time, making India, Dubai and Mumbai, the statement said.

Jafza's one of the most important Jafza's first ever Business Semi- trading partners." -PTI

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March 22, 2013

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Spielberg meets top Bollywood stars, directors MUMBAI: Amitabh Bachchan's meeting with acclaimed Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg, whom he calls an "institution", was one full of talks on the state of Indian cinema and the future of cinema at large.

"An evening with an institution... an evening spent in conversation in the presence of select fraternity and press... an evening of sharing cinema with the prolific maker, inventor, story teller, innovator and one who continues to surprise us with his genius," the 70-year-old posted on his blog, after meeting Spielberg.

Amitabh is particularly in awe of Spielberg's 'E.T. Extra Terrestrial', which he feels was "endearing".

Spielberg, who is in India to celebrate the success of his Oscar-winning film 'Lincoln', interacted with as many as 61 personalities from Indian cinema and shared tips on filmmaking.

'Lincoln' is a co-production between Spielberg's DreamWorks and Indian business tycoon Anil Ambani's Reliance Entertainment.

Expressing his views on the new trend where Hollywood studios are collaborating with Indian production houses, Big B wrote: "The interest in the US and in particular Hollywood in holding hands with entertainment companies in India, because you felt that the world was 'diminishing in size' due to the ease of communication, and that the idea really was to

bring communities closer, build bridges of understanding and sharing, because impressions, thoughts were now instant, thanks to the internet and its various social networking programs.

"My own argument on the subject though was somewhat different; that ever since the open-

came suddenly, very attractive too, which was why the mention of India, Indian references, presence of Indian actors, albeit in minuscule roles, gained relevance in Hollywood and in American TV." Among the Indian filmmakers present at the event were

Oscar-winning Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg chats with Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani

ing up of the economy in India, the sheer volume of the demographics of the region, 1.2 billion, or every 6.3rd person in the universe being an Indian, was too attractive a consumer base to ignore! "...So the argument being that when a country did well economically, its politics, finance, food, music, clothing ‌ and film, be-

Rajkumar Hirani, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Anurag Kashyap, Ramesh Sippy, Shyam Benegal, Ashutosh Gowariker, Sudhir Mishra, Nagesh Kukunoor, Madhur Bhandarkar, Zoya Akhtar, Kiran Rao, Reema Kagti, Rajshree Ojha, Gauri Shinde, Homi Adajania, Abbas-Mustan, Rohan Sippy, Prabhu Deva, R. Balki and Kunal Kohli.-Agencies

Common KYC norms likely for FIIs: FM NEW DELHI: To attract more overseas investment into the country, government is working on bringing new norms for a common KYC for foreign institutional investors, Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said.

"Government is working on converging all KYC (Know Your Customer) norms and they (FIIs) will have common KYCs...Government will soon come out with a new set of norms that will have a common KYC across various regulators, be it pension, banking, stocks or insurance. There should be one KYC," he told the Rajya Sabha.

He said if a new FII applies in India, it has to go through due diligence and once registered it has to go through KYC norms.

At present there are 1,756 FIIs registered in the country, he said, adding that it takes a maximum of three weeks for an FII to register

with SEBI. The Finance Minister was replying to members' queries when the Securities and Exchange

P Chidambaram

Board of India (Amendment) Bill, 2013, was taken up for consideration and passage in the House.

The Bill, which sought appointment of a retired or serving High Court judge having held the

position for seven years for heading the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT), was passed by voice vote.

As per existing provisions, only a serving or retired Supreme Court judge or Chief Justice of a High Court can head the Tribunal, but government was finding it difficult to fill the slot.

Noting that the cumulative investment graph of FIIs in India is rising, Chidambaram said, "During the year 2012, there has been an investment of 31 billion US Dollars by FIIs in India. During the current year from January 1 till date, there has been an investment of 10 billion USD by FIIs."-PTI

'Indo-US ties one of the defining 21st century partnerships' WASHINGTON: Describing not mean. It doesn't mean diminIndo-US relations as one of the ishing ties to important partners defining partnerships of the 21st in any other region. It does not century, the US has said that it mean containing China or seek"fervently" supports India's rise. ing to dictate terms to Asia. And "The President considers US re- it isn't just a matter of our military lations with India, the world's larg- presence," he said. est democracy, to be 'one of the "It is an effort that harnesses defining partnerships of the twenty- all elements of US power -- milifirst century'", National Security tary, political, trade and investAdviser to the US President Tom ment, development and our valDonilon said in his address to the ues," he said.

Asia Society in New York.

"Perhaps most telling, this re"From Prime Minister Singh's balance is reflected in the most visit in 2009 to the President's trip to India in 2010, the US has “The US has made clear at made clear at every turn that we don't just accept every turn that we don't just India's rise, we fervently support it," accept India's rise, we Donilon said. fervently support it," "US and Indian interests powerfully con- Donilon said verge in the Asia-Pacific, where India has much to give and much to gain. valuable commodity in WashingSoutheast Asia begins in ton: the President's time. It says a Northeast India, and we welcome great deal, for instance, that PresiIndia's efforts to 'look East', from dent Barack Obama made the desupporting reforms in Burma to termination that the US would trilateral cooperation with Japan participate every year in the East to promoting maritime security," Asia Summit at the Head of State he said. level and hold US-ASEAN sum"In the past year, for example, mits," Donilan said.

India-ASEAN trade increased by "He (Obama) has met bilater37 per cent to USD 80 billion," ally with nearly every leader in Donilon pointed out in his major Southeast Asia, either in the reforeign policy speech on Asia. gion or in Washington; and that He spoke on efforts of the he has engaged with China at an White House on building new re- unprecedented pace, including lationship in the region. twelve face-to-face meetings with Donilon said the overarching Hu Jintao," the top Obama Adobjective of the US in the region viser said. is to sustain a stable security enIn his speech Donilon specivironment and a regional order rooted in economic openness, peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for universal rights and freedoms.

"To pursue this vision, the US is implementing a comprehensive, multidimensional s t r a t e g y : strengthening alliTom Donilon ances; deepening partnerships with emerging powers; building a fied India and Indonesia as the two stable, productive, and construc- countries to build new relationtive relationship with China; em- ship. powering regional institutions; and "The United States has also helping to build a regional eco- worked hard to realize Indonesia's nomic architecture that can sustain potential as a global partner. We shared prosperity," he said. have put in place a wide-ranging "These are the pillars of the US comprehensive partnership. We strategy, and re-balancing means have welcomed Indonesia's vigdevoting the time, effort and re- orous participation in the region's sources necessary to get each one multilateral forums, including hostright," Donilan said. ing APEC and promoting ASEAN "Here's what re-balancing does unity," he said. -PTI

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Uproar over Italy decision not Puri receives Jeffesron Eternal Vigilance award to send back marines NEW DELHI: As Italy's refusal to send back its two marines triggered an uproar, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the issue will be taken up with that country so that the accused soldiers could

us that this is not acceptable to us" and assured the delegation that the matter would be taken up "strongly" with the Italian government.

When pointed out that the

File photo of Italian marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone

be brought back to face trial for alleged murder of two Indian fishermen here.

Left MPs, who met the Prime Minister, said Singh told them that Italy's decision was "unacceptable".

However, PMO sources said Singh only told the delegations that the matter would be looked into and he will ask External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid to take up the issue with Italy.

Delegations of angry Left and Congress-led UDF MPs met Singh separately to express anguish and demand his intervention in the "serious" matter.

"We met the Prime Minister and took up the issue of Italian marines. The Prime Minister told us that he came to know about this from newspapers. He assured us that he will ask the External Affairs Minister to look into this issue to intervene in this issue," CPI (M) MP M B Rajesh said.

"He (PM) said this is unacceptable to us," Rajesh added.

Another party MP P Karunakaran told a press conference separately that Singh "told

PMO said Singh did not say that the decision is "unacceptable", Rajesh remarked, "it is a lie."

If he did not say it is 'unacceptable', it means it is acceptable to the government of India."

Khurshid, meanwhile, said the government is studying Italy's decision, its reasons as also implications.

use all diplomatic channels to bring them back."

MPs from Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Kerala Congress (Mani) were also part of the UDF delegation.

The agitated MPs met Singh in the wake of Italian Foreign Ministry statement that the marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone will not return to India from Italy where they had gone to cast vote in last month's elections after special permission granted by the Supreme Court.

The two marines are facing trial for allegedly killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February last year, mistaking them for pirates.

The Italian Ministry claimed India had not responded to its requests to seek a diplomatic solution to the case and there was now a formal dispute between the two countries over the terms of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea. CPI-M MP K N Balagopal alleged that it was "the result of a high level conspiracy between somebody holding the highest post in Indian government and Government of Italy." He, however, did not elaborate.

His party colleague P Karunakaran said the Prime Minister told them he would hold consultations with External Affairs Minister to decide on the course of action.

Senior CPI (M) leader Sitaram

The Italian Ministry claimed India had not responded to its requests to seek a diplomatic solution to the case and there was now a formal dispute between the two countries over the terms of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea "We will study and take a rightful position... We will take informed position," he told reporters on the issue which has sparked an outrage in Kerala. Congress MP P C Chacko, who led UDF-delegation, said, "More than saying whether this is acceptable or not, the Prime Minister has said that he will ask External Affairs Minister to take up this issue and

Yechury said the Prime Minister would also have to explain what "strong measures" the government would take to bring back these marines and ensure their trial under the Indian laws.

"The Italian marines have insulted the judiciary. It is an issue of the law of our land and the marines would have to come back here to face trial," he said. -PTI

WASHINGTON: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has presented the Thomas Jefferson Eter-

nal Vigilance award to former Permanent Representative of India to United Nations, Hardeep Singh

Puri, for his exemplary service to humanity.

At a function held in New York over the weekend, US Congresswoman Carolyn B Maloney also presented the same award to Pakistan's former envoy to the UN Abdullah Hussain Haroon.

The two former ambassadors were selected for the award by the National Advisory Council on South Asian Affairs, which is made up of people of South Asia origin.

Addressing the select gathering on the occasion, Ban spoke of the need to find a unified vision, with respect and friendship amongst nations, so humanity may better enjoy peace and prosperity. -PTI

US warns Iran-Pak on gas pipeline WASHINGTON: The US has nounced about 10 or 15 times bewarned Pakistan that if it goes fore in the past. So we have to see ahead with the construction of a what actually happens.

USD 7.5 billion gas pipeline with If this project actually goes forIran, sanctions would be trig- ward, we have serious concerns gered, even as a section of the that sanctions would be trigproject was inaugurated. gered," she said in response to a "We have serious concerns, if question. this project actually goes forward, "What the legislation calls for that the Iran Sanctions Act would is for our partner countries to be be triggered. We've been straight making a concerted effort to reup with the Pakistanis about these concerns.

As I said at some length last week, we are also working very closely bilaterally to support alternative projects to An Iranian worker welds two gas pipes at the beginning provide Paof construction of a pipeline to transfer natural gas from kistan with Iran to Pakistan, at the mile 250 in southeastern Iran, near the Pakistani border on March 11 the energy that it needs," State Department spokes- duce their dependence on Iranian person Victoria Nuland told re- oil over time so we are able to waive sanctions as we see reducporters.

"We've heard this pipeline an- tions being made," she said.-PTI

Top Stories

March 22, 2013

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Sri Sri to launch 'world without violence' program on March 24 India Post News Service

SAN JOSE, CA: Aurora, Oakland, San Jose, East Palo Alto, it could be anywhere. In the wake of the increased incidents of violence, be it gun related violence or petty robberies in a neighborhood, personal safety has become a major concern for a common citizen.

As a result the stress and anxiety levels have reached an unprecedented high, the uncertain economy is not helping the matters either.

The Art of Living Foundation in the Bay Area has taken an initiative to address this issue by launching a campaign for Stress-Free, Violence-Free Community.

The campaign aims to lead a

sustainable grassroots movement that brings together thousands of individuals, non-profit organizations, corporations, and

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

the government in a collaborative effort to build a stress-free, violence-free community. "We want

to create a community where every member feels connected to a greater whole, and empowered to create positive change around them," said Sridhar Suri Dasika, a software engineer and a volunteer with the Art of Living Foundation who is also Campaign Manager, Bay Area, "We will do this by engaging everyday people into compassionate action, inspiring them to stand together as a collective force of change, in turn creating waves of positive change in the community."

"The Wright brothers appeared crazy before they flew. I have this crazy idea - a world without violence. With all the violence in the world this idea may appear to be hoping for a Utopia, but we need to dream, and we will get there," said Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder of Art of Living Foundation and the inspiration behind this campaign, on a Google+ Hangout that was attended by over a million people worldwide.

The campaign has a twopronged approach - Go Inward and Take Action. All those who sign up to join the campaign will

be given support to help them keep up with both the goals. Every week there will be a different theme such as gender equality, youth, and all activities in that week will be focused around that

“The Wright brothers appeared crazy before they flew. I have this crazy idea - a world without violence. With all the violence in the world this idea may appear to be hoping for a Utopia, but we need to dream, and we will get there," theme.

The campaign has three phases: 1.

The six-week preparation period when the focus will be on enrolling people in the campaign, forming partnerships with other like-minded organizations, non-profits etc.

2.

The launch event itself on March 24, which will be attended by Sri Sri himself and when a coalition of all the non-profit organizations will be announced. To be held at San Jose Convention Center at 4PM. Till October 2, the non-profit coalition will together forge ahead to bring about a change in the society. The campaign's website www.stressfreeviolencefree.org will have all the resources available for the participants.

"The launch event will mark the announcement of a historic coalition of like minded non-profit organizations and other community organizations who will come forward to make the voice of non-violence heard," said Satinder Grewal, a businesswoman, mother of two, who also volunteers her time for Art of Living Foundation, and is filling the role of Event Manager for the launch on March 24.

"The event will bring together community leaders, government officials, nonprofits, educators, reformers, activists, and other citizens to show their commitment to a stress-free, violence-free society.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will give the keynote address at the event."

10

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March 22, 2013

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Tech News India to see 6 pc growth next year, says WB chief NEW DELHI: Indian economy is likely to grow at a rate of 6 per cent next year and probably more thereafter as exports markets start doing better, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said here.

India will get back to higher lev-

TechBiz 12 India Post

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March 22, 2013

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia with Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary General UNCTAD, Rufus Yerxa, Deputy Director General WTO, and Claude Smadja, President, Smadja & Smadja, at a seminar on The Growth Net - The new constellation of growth in the global economy in New Delhi on March 10

US seeks 'serious' action by China on cyber theft Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram shakes hands with World Bank President Jim Yong Kim during a meeting in New Delhi on March 11

els of growth, Kim said even as he expressed disappointment over 5 per cent growth (the projected rate for this financial year).

"India is going to grow by 6 per cent next year and we hope for even more increase in future," Kim told reporters after a meeting with Finance Minister P Chidambaram here.

Kim, who was on a three-day visit to India, said: "Growth rate of 5 per cent here is one that has been somewhat disappointing but we are very encouraged by what has happened and what will happen and we think India will get back to higher levels of growth." -PTI

Ending poverty in UP must for WB mission: Kim LUCKNOW: World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim has said the mission of the multilateral institution was to end poverty, and there is no way in achieving this objective for India without ending it in its north state of Uttar Pradesh.

"We have called on two fundamental ideas one is end to poverty... In this generation, we think that we can end the poverty," Kim said in a joint press conference with the state Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav here.

He said there is no way the plan could be successful in achieving the aim of ending poverty without being successful in UP, where 8 per cent of the people live below the poverty line.

"This is not right that people live below our level," Kim said.

The other issue on which the bank is focused is to further 'sheer prosperity'. -PTI

WASHINGTON: The US has called for "serious steps" by China to stop cyber-enabled theft emanating from the country on an unprecedented scale, and stressed that such an activity was intolerable to the international community.

"Increasingly, US businesses are speaking out about their serious concerns about sophisticated, targeted theft of confidential business information and proprietary technologies through cyber intrusions emanating from China on an unprecedented scale," Tom Donilon, National Security Adviser to the US President said.

"The international community cannot afford to tolerate such activity from any country. As the President said in the State of the Union, we will take action to pro-

concern and discussion with China at all levels of our governments. And it will continue to be.

The US will do all it must to protect our national networks, critical infrastructure, and our valuable public and private sector property," he said, in his address to the Asia Society in New York.

"But, specifically with respect to the issue of cyber-enabled theft, we seek three things from the Chinese side," Donilon said.

"First, we need a recognition of the urgency and scope of this problem and the risk it poses to international trade, to the reputation of Chinese industry and to our overall relations," he said.

"Second, Beijing should take serious steps to investigate and put a stop to these activities. Finally, we need China to engage with us in a constructive direct

"The international community cannot afford to tolerate such activity from any country. As the President said in the State of the Union, we will take action to protect our economy against cyber-threats," Donilon said. tect our economy against cyberthreats," Donilon said.

"From the President on down, this has become a key point of

dialogue to establish acceptable norms of behavior in cyberspace," Donilon said, adding that the Obama Administration has worked

hard to build a constructive bilateral relationship that allows engaging forthrightly on priority issues of concern.

constructive relationship between the two countries.

"As China completes its leadership transition, the Administra-

Tom Donilon

"And the US and China, the world's two largest economies, both dependent on the Internet, must lead the way in addressing this problem," he said. Devoting a considerable part of his speech on US-China relationship, Donilon said that Obama places great importance on this relationship because there are few diplomatic, economic or security challenges in the world that can be addressed without China at the table and without a broad, productive, and

tion is well positioned to build on our existing relationships with Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang and other top Chinese leaders. Taken together, China's leadership transition and the President's re-election mark a new phase in US-China relations, with new opportunities," he said.

Donilon said the US-China relationship has and will continue to have elements of both cooperation and competition.

Cont’d on page 14

MPs told of cyber security threat to India NEW DELHI: In a written reply to the question in the Lok Sabha, Milind Deora, Minister of State for C&IT said, there have been attempts from time to time to penetrate cyber networks operating in Government.

These attacks have been observed to be originating from the cyber space of a number of countries including China. It has been observed that the attackers are compromising computer systems located in different parts of the world and use masquerading tech-

niques and hidden servers to hide the identity of actual system from which the attacks are being launched.

spreading worldwide since July 2010. The virus targets industrial control systems. The following

These attacks have been observed to be originating from the cyber space of a number of countries including China.

Milind Deora

Hence, it is difficult to attribute cyber attack to a particular country.

A sophisticated virus called as "Stuxnet" was reported to be

specific steps were taken by the Government immediately after the threat was reported: Cont’d on page 14

TechBiz Post

March 22, 2013

India Post

13

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Cyber-attackers penetrate Australian bank computers MELBOURNE: Some of Australian central bank's computers have been hacked, apparently by a Chinese-developed "malware" spy program, in a series of successful cyber- attacks seeking intelligence on tense 2011 G20 negotiations.

The Reserve Bank of Australia's some computers had been infiltrated in 2011 by a Chinese-developed "malware" spy program that was seeking intelligence on sensitive G20 negotiations, 'The Australian Financial

Review' newspaper said.

The bank, however, did not comment on what information was stolen, which executives within the bank were targeted, or over what period the assailants had access to its systems.

"As reported in media, the Bank has on occasion been the target of cyber attacks," the bank said in a statement confirming that hackers had penetrated it computers.

"The Bank has comprehensive security arrangements in place

India offers Kuwait stake in petrochemical plants

Sistema wins telecom spectrum for Rs 3,639 cr

NEW DELHI: India has offered Kuwait a stake in state-owned ONGC's Rs 21,396-crore petrochemical plant at Dahej in Gujarat and in IOC's proposed chemical unit at Paradip as it looks to strength ties with the oil rich nation.

NEW DELHI: Russian conglomerate Sistema's Indian unit has won telecom spectrum in eight circles or zones for Rs 3,639 crore in an auction shunned by all other companies.

Sistema Shyam TeleServices Ltd (SSTL) bid to recover airwaves it lost when the Supreme Court last year scrapped 122 wireless mobile permits amid graft charges.

Indian Telecom Secretary R Chandrashekhar said the auction ended in just three rounds with lone bidder SSTL putting in bids at the minimum bid price, which had already been cut by about half after no companies bid for the band in November.

In all 24 blocks in eight telecom circles or zones were allocated out of 61 blocks that were put for auction. "In other words, 40 per cent of the spectrum that was put for auction has been won," he said.

"In value terms, the value of the spectrum which has been won is around Rs 3,639 crore, which represents little over 56 per cent of the value of spectrum put for auction," he said.

The government may not get any upfront payment as Rs 1,626 crore has to be adjusted against the license fee SSTL had paid in 2008. The licenses cancelled by apex court included 21 of SSTL. The auction results may dampen Finance Minister P Chidambaram's efforts to garner a reduced Rs 19,400 crore from spectrum sale this fiscal. He had previously targeted Rs 40,000 crore from spectrum auction to cut budget deficit.

None of the 12 telecom operators in the world's second-largest mobile phone market including Anil Ambani's Reliance Communications and Tata Teleservices participated in the auction as most of them considered the reserve or auction start price set by the government as too high. -PTI

formed for setting up the chemical complex at the Dahej special economic zone (SEZ).

Five per cent stake is with the Gujarat State Petroleum Corp (GSPC) and state-owned gas utility GAIL India has 15.5 per cent.

Minister of Amiri Dewan Affairs of the State of Kuwait Shaikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Jabar Al-Sabah meeting the Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, M. Veerappa Moily, in New Delhi on March 11

Indian Petroleum Minister M The remaining 53.5 per cent equity Veerappa Moily renewed the offer valued at Rs 3,434.05 crore is yet of a stake in the mega petrochemi- to be tied up. cal plants being built on the west Also offered was a stake in the and east coast to the visiting petrochemical plant ONGC is Kuwati Minister for Al-Diwan Al- building at Mangalore and Bharat Amiri Affairs Sheikh Nasser Sabah Petroleum Corp Ltd's (BPCL) proAl-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, of- posed chemical unit at Kochi in ficial sources said here.

Kerala.

The visiting minister, who is the The Gulf nation's national oil eldest son of Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed AlJaber Al-Sabah, Amir of Oil & Natural Gas Corp Kuwait, invited officials (ONGC) is keen to get an to visit Kuwait to disoverseas major who can cuss the offer threadeither bring in technology bare.

Oil & Natural Gas or marketing support for Corp (ONGC) is keen to get an overseas major its Dahej plant who can either bring in technology or marketing support company Kuwait Petroleum Corp for its Dahej plant that would be (KPC) was also offered a stake in built by year end. the 1-million tons petrochemical ONGC holds 26 per cent stake plant that was split from the Rs in ONGC Petro-additions Ltd, the 29,777-crore refinery at Paradip for special purpose vehicle (SPV) building in future, they said. -PTI

which have isolated these attacks and ensured that viruses have not been spread across the Bank's network or systems. At no point have these attacks caused the Bank's data or information to be lost or its systems to be corrupted."

The G20 summit in 2011 involved tense negotiations with

China over the level of its exchange rate, currency reserves and trade surpluses, which North Atlantic officials argue are being manipulated to China's advantage.

In March 2011, Paris Match - a French weekly magazine - revealed and the French government confirmed that over 150 computers in its Ministry of Economy and Finances had been hacked for months before the French-hosted G20 summit in February 2011.

"The targeting of high-profile events, such as the G20, by statesponsored adversaries, cyber criminals and issue-motivated groups, is a real and persistent threat. The information contained on government systems relating to high profile events, whether classified or unclassified, can be of strategic interest to cyber intruders," an Australian Defense Ministry spokesperson said. -PTI

14

TechBiz Post

India Post

March 22, 2013

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'Czech firms plan to invest $2 bn in India by 2015' NEW DELHI: Czech Republican firms are planning to invest USD 2 billion in India by 2015 in sectors like automobile, energy and infrastructure, Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) said.

The plan was shared during the meeting of EEPC members and officials of the Embassy of the Czech Republic, including Jana Peterkova.

"Czech Republic is to invest USD 2 billion in India in the next two years. Czech Companies like Bonatrans Group, koda Power, Skoda Auto and Eldis are some of the companies that have plans to invest heavily in India," EEPC said in a statement.

It is estimated that in Maharashtra alone there would be investments of 400 million euros in the next two years, it said.

"India ranks amongst the top 12 priority countries for promotion of mutual commercial, investment and other economic activities.

Czech companies are emerging as major investors in automobile, energy, infrastructure and large industrial projects in India," it quoted Peterkova as saying.

Inviting investments from India, Peterkova said that the central European country is offering incentives to corporations work-

ing in the area of R&D and software development in a form of discounted tax rate.

Indian companies such as

chemical industry and health equipment as well as in environment protection.

Czech Republic has collabo-

Minister of Industry and Trade of Czech Republic Martin Kuba with FICCI executive committee member Rakesh Bakshi at the India-Czech Republic Business Forum in New Delhi on March 12

Infosys, Alok Industries, and Ashok Leyland have already invested in the country.

"We strongly believe that other Indian companies will also follow," she added.

She said that Czech Republic is focusing on promoting collaboration with India in power generation, metallurgic, engineering,

rated with EEPC India as partner country for a three-day exhibition to be held on March 14-16 in Mumbai.

A 100-member delegation led

by Czech Republic Trade and Industry Minister Martin Kuba is in India to discuss ways to further strengthen economic relations between the countries. -PTI

Defense Ministry clears oil blocks of RIL, others NEW DELHI: Ending weeks of stalemate, the Defense Ministry has cleared Reliance Industries' producing KG-D6 block and gas discovery area NEC-26 along with most of the areas where it had either barred any oil and gas activity or put stringent conditions.

In all 8 blocks, including RIL's Krishna Godavari basin KG-D6 block and gas discovery area of NEC-25 in the North East Coast (NEC) region, were declared "NoGo" zones for reasons like overlapping with proposed Naval base or being close to missile launching and Air Force exercise area.

Stringent conditions were put for another 32 exploration areas.

At a meeting taken by National Secretary Advisor Shivshankar Menon and Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Pulok Chatterji on February 27, RIL blocks were fully cleared for exploration and production and stringent conditions

for most of the 32 other blocks relaxed, sources said.

RIL's KG-D6 was fully cleared for oil and gas activity with the total area of 7,645 square kilome-

RIL's KG-OSN-2001/1 was also cleared but the block had already been relinquished by the operator.

However, state-owned Oil and

ter reduced by 495 sq km to meet defense needs, sources said.

Similarly, its NEC-OSN-97/2, where six gas finds have so far been made, was fully cleared with the "hold harmless" clause for any accidental debris.

Natural Gas Corp's (ONGC) KG basin blocks KG-OSN-2005/1 and KG-OSN-2005/2 and BG Group's KG-DWN-2009/1 would remain NoGo areas as they fall directly within the boundary of the proposed naval base, sources said. -PTI

MPs told of cyber security threat to India Cont’d from page 12

curity audit of entire Information Technology Infrastructure, including websites, periodically to discover gaps with respect to security practices and take appropriate corrective actions.

• Setting up of Early Warning and Response to cyber security incidents through the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and to have collaboration at national and international level for information sharing and mitigation of cyber attacks. CERTIn regularly publishes Security

(i) Alerts and advisories about the Stuxnet threat were issued on website of the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In). Measures to be taken to detect infected systems, dis-infect the same and prevent further propagation were advised to all critical sector organizations in the country. (ii) Government in association with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and security vendors tracked the infected systems and advised the owners of the sys- Measures to be taken to tems to dis-infect the detect infected systems, dissame. Workshops were conducted by CERT-In infect the same and prevent and other government agencies jointly for criti- further propagation were cal sector organizations advised to all critical sector to create awareness and suggest steps to be organizations in the country taken to counter the threat.

Guidelines and advisories for safeFurther, the government has guarding computer systems and taken the following measures to these are widely circulated. CERTprotect cyber networks: In also conducts security work• Department of Information shops and training programs on Technology and Electronics has regular basis to enhance user circulated Computer Security awareness.

• The 'Crisis Management Plan Guidelines and Cyber Security Policy to all the Ministries/ Depart- for countering cyber attacks and ments on taking steps to prevent, cyber terrorism' was prepared and detect and mitigate cyber attacks. circulated for implementation by • All Central Government Min- all Ministries/ Departments of istries/ Departments and State/ Central Government, State GovUnion Territory Governments ernment and their organizations have been advised to conduct se- and critical sectors. -PTI

US seeks 'serious' action

by China on cyber theft Cont’d from page 12

"Our consistent policy has been to improve the quality and quantity of our cooperation; promote healthy economic competition; and manage disagreements to ensure that US interests are protected and that universal rights and values are respected," Donilon said.

"As President Obama has made clear, the US speaks up for universal values because history shows that nations that uphold the rights of their people are ultimately more successful, more prosperous and more stable," he said.

Reiterating that the US welcomes the rise of a peaceful, prosperous China, he said, the US does not want the relationship to become defined by rivalry and confrontation.

"I disagree with the premise put forward by some historians and theorists that a rising power and an established power are somehow destined for conflict. There is nothing preordained about such an outcome. It is not a law of physics, but a series of choices by leaders that lead to great power confrontation," Donilon said.

"Others have called for containment. We reject that, too. A better outcome is possible. But it falls to both sides-the US and China to build a new model of relations between an existing power and an emerging one. Xi Jinping and President Obama have both endorsed this goal," he said, adding that the two countries must keep improving their channels of communication and demonstrate practical cooperation on issues that matter to both sides. -PTI

March 22, 2013

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India Post 15

Desi News MKCA to celebrate Easter in Chicagoland SURI SWAMY

CHICAGO: Keeping up its years long tradition, the Mangalorean Konkan Christian Association (MKCA), Chicago will be celebrating "Easter" on Holy Saturday, March 30 at 6 pm at the Coutland Square Club House, 8909 David Place, DesPlaines, a northwest suburb of Chicago The Easter Vigil will begin with blessing of fire, water and incense, followed by a fun filled evening with entertainment, mind tickling games, mouth watering dishes, music and dance.

There will be live music for Baila

by Darrel Mascarenhas.

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA www.indiapost.com

16 India Post

Yogic practices give direct and tangible benefits Details on page 25

March 22, 2013

CM Modi wins over Chicagoans with statesman-like address SURESH SHAH & ASIAN MEDIA

High-level of competition at Spelling Bee VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

SANTA CLARA, CA: On a nippy Saturday morning, at 8:30am the Mission Ballroom of the Santa Clara Convention Center was buzzing with activity. Young men and women of Indian and Chinese origins were setting up tables, the atmosphere was festive with red and yellow McDonalds balloons filling the hallway and the room inside. There was a bee-line outside at the registration desk, hundreds of parents lined up with their little ones, checking in, some for the Wild card raffle, some for the semi-finals of the nation's First Ever Pan Asian Spelling Bee. Details on page 20

Mahashivratri celebrated in Bay Area

Narendra Modi's live telecast address being watched in Chicago. Pics Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: Chicagoans from all walks of life gathered at Holiday Inn in Rolling Meadows were won over by a frank and forthright speech from Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi broadcast live here on March 9.

The live speech via satellite by electronic media event at Chicago time 5 p. was part of the nationwide program orchestrated by the Overseas Friends of BJP- USA. Judging from the attendance, the general reaction of the audience and the dignified way the entire event was organized, the program met with huge success.

The topic of his speech was "Role if Indian Diaspora in the

people from Gujarat but also from other parts of India and even many well meaning Americans. Modi's 52 minute speech was in Hindi.

As put by Madhu Patel, founding president of NRI Press Club, "It showed what calibre this leader of India has. There was no rancour or belittling others but all about India as a nation and India as a possible world power. The country would be well off getting him as PM," he observed. However, he lamented that the organizers should have had Indian and American flags on the podium besides singing American national anthem.

Narendra Modi addressed the gathering at two venues simulta-

"It showed what calibre this leader of India has. There was no rancour or belittling others but all about India as a nation and India as a possible world power. The country would be well off getting him as PM� via videoconference. In addition to this, the program was viewed by large number of people across USA and Canada. In India, all leading channels telecast the program Live as large number of people viewed Modi not as Gujarat CM but a likely Indian PM after 2014.

Promoter at NJ was Jayesh

VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

SANTA CLARA, CA: Maha Shivratri, the grand night of Shiva falls on a moonless February night, and Hindus offer special prayer to the almighty Lord of Moksha.

Shivratri is the night when Shiva is said to have performed the "Tandava" or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction.

Sri Maha Kaleshwar Mandir in Santa Clara celebrated Maha Shivrathri puja spread over two days on March 9 and 10. Sri Maha Kaleshwar Mandir is the first Jyotirlingam Shiva temple in the United States.

Details on page 22

Nirav Patel and Prajesh Patel - Conveners of Overseas Friends of BJP-USA event

Development of India as Envisioned by Swami Vivekananda".

The event attracted not only

neously (Holiday Inn, Rolling Meadows, IL and TV Asia Auditorium, National Edison Road, NJ)

Patel, Rakshpal Sood and R. P. Singh while at Chicago it was a group of BJP admirers including

Amar Upadhyay, Kanwal Veer, Chandrakant Patel, Jayesh Patel, Kanwal Goyal, Mahesh Mehta (USA coordinator), Prajesh Patel, R.K. Piratla, Nirav Patel and Srinivas Bodige (Conveners).

Narendra Modi, the fourth term Chief Minister of Gujarat, is one of the front ranking Indian leaders known for his decisive and visionary leadership qualities. He has provided all-round development in Gujarat and has received acclaim from national and international community.

The live telecast program started with Prajesh Patel, the Master of Ceremony, welcoming the guests numbering close to 400. After the traditional lamp lighting the audience sang Vande Mataram. Many member of BJP, Chicago businessman and community spoke on Modi's leadership and progress of Gujarat State.

It was then Narendra Modi's turn who in his inspiring and rancorless speech, dwelt not only on the development of Gujarat but also touched upon various problems facing the country and the ways to address them.

Cont’d on page 19

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March 22, 2013

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MAFS and NW University conducting heart study DR SWAPNA DAVE & HIMALI BHARUCHA

CHICAGO: Metropolitan Asian Family Services (MAFS) and Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine are conducting a heart disease prevention study for South Asians in the Chicago area.

This study the first of its kind is funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Experts from Northwestern University are working with MAFS to reach South Asians because South Asians have some of the highest rates of heart disease in the world.

The study teaches South Asians about healthy lifestyle and includes information that is relevant to the South Asian diet and culture. The study team helps participants eat better, become more active, reduce stress, and lose weight. The study involves group classes and fun activities. The overall goal of the study is to help Indian and Pakistani community members improve their health habits and reduce their chances of a heart attack.

The success of this study depends on community participation

From left, Nalini Gohel, the Vice President, MAFS, Mrs. Santosh Kumar, the Executive Director, MAFS, Dr Swapna Dave MD, NWU Heart Health Research study, Dr Namratha Kandula, MD, the head of the NWU Heart Research study In the background, Manci, a medical student, NWU

participate in this study. People who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes are at risk for heart disease can also participate in this study. Classes

On the right, Mrs Santosh Kumar, Nalini Gohel. On the left Hanifa Goder, a teacher, Dr Namratha Kandula, MD, Paola Sequil, Nutritionist, NWU, Heart Health Research study

and enthusiasm. MAFS is working to improve the health of South Asians in Chicago and it needs the help of members of the community.

People between the ages of 30 to 60 years who do not have any history of heart disease or stroke can

are open to Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati, and English speakers.

MAFS Heart Health Mela was held on March 2. It was a fun event where 30 of the study participants brought their family members and learned about healthy liv-

Yoga instructor Adenia Linker with Sohana Sehneider

ing. There was a Yoga demonstration by instructor Adenia Linker.

There was a Healthy Salad Competition where the participants brought their own salad reflecting their expertise learned in the intervention classes.

The judges, Dr Namratha Kandula, MD, a head of the NWU research study, Mrs Santosh Kumar, the Executive Director MAFS, Nalini Gohel, the vice president, MAFS and Hanifa Goder, a teacher judged the salads the participants made for taste, appearance and variety. Four winners were awarded prizes. First prize was $25, second prize of $20 was given to two participants, and third prize was $15.

If you are interested in participating in this research study please contact Himali Bharucha at MAFS Chicago office (773) 465 3105.

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Scientist Meshri helps boost higher education SURI SWAMY

CHICAGO: The Oklahoma State University recently announced a scholarship to a medical student to help her realize her dream in the healthcare field. The scholarship for freshman students entering into the medical field, especially for future doctors, contains substantial donations from successful businessmen and philanthropists like Indian scientist Dr Dayal Meshri.

Two years ago, T. Boone Pickens, A Texan oilman billionaire and corporate raider, challenged the donors that he would match two dollars for one dollar of each donation and the deadline was December 31, 2011.

Dr Meshri, a globetrotting scientist with huge consultation work across the three continents picked up Picken's challenge and donated substantial amount in memory his late wife Dr Indu Meshri. The outcome was the establishment of "Dr Indu Meshri Scholarship" Pickens graciously matched with two dollars for each dollar donated. As a result, today, the Dr Indu Meshri Scholarship for freshman medical students at Tulsa Campus has become the largest Freshman Scholar-

ship at OSU. Ms Christine is the first recipient of Dr Indu Dayal Meshri Scholarship.

Now besides scholarships at North Gujarat University, there are three universities in this country - University of Idaho, University of Tulsa and Oklahoma State University "OSU" - that have Dr Indu

Dr Meshri, a globetrotting scientist with huge consultation work across the three continents picked up Picken's challenge and donated substantial amount Meshri Scholarships.

Amy Miller, senior director of development, Oklahoma State University Foundation said in a communication to Dr Meshri "Ms Christen is the first student impacted by the Indu Dayal Meshri Scholarship at OSU. She is so committed to medicine and is going to make a great doctor, like your daughter Gita."

Dr Dayal Meshri with Ms Christine. The picture in the background is that of Dr Indu Meshri

South Asian content in Comcast triple power play DEEPAK SHAH

CHICAGO: Comcast, a global media and away, but also help them keep apprised of technology company, has announced the news and information that's important and launch of a new Triple Play offer that in- germane to them." cludes XfinityTV content and voice features Starting as low as $99 per month for the focused specifically first year, this offer on the local South applies to new cusAsian market. tomers and eligible The new offer inexisting customers cludes Zee TV, Star upgrading to an India Plus and Set Xfinity Triple Play Asia, as well as 300 The new offer includes Zee package. minutes a month for Comcast Cable is TV, Star India Plus and Set calls to land and mothe nation's largest bile telephone lines video, high-speed Asia, as well as 300 minin India and PakiInternet and phone utes a month for calls to stan. provider to residenland and mobile telephone tial customers under "Comcast's goal is to provide all of the XFINITY brand lines in India and Pakistan. our customers with and also provides "Comcast's goal is to proproducts, services these services to and content that businesses. vide all of our customers meets their needs," with products, services and Comcast has insaid John Crowley, vested in technolcontent that meets their senior vice presiogy to build an addent of Comcast's needs," said John Crowley vanced network Greater Chicago Rethat delivers among gion. "These packages will not only pro- the fastest broadband speeds, and brings vide our customers with the ability to stay customers personalized video, communicain touch with their loved ones a half a world tions and home management offerings.

March 22, 2013

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Nevada varsity to have interfaith prayer-room India Post News Service

T

he prestigious University of Nevada-Reno (UNR) has reportedly included the interfaith prayer-room in the design of proposed Student Achievement Center building expected to open in Fall 2015.

Rajan Zed, one of the leaders of the group which was pushing for the interfaith prayer-room since 2011, met UNR President Marc A. Johnson and presented a memorandum in this regard.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, was told by Johnson that until the Student Achievement Center building containing the proper interfaith prayer-room was ready; UNR would provide a temporary facility as interfaith prayer room in Raggio Building of the campus as a short-term solution.

Rajan Zed has commended UNR for accepting the longstanding need of students of interfaith prayer-room and thus recognizing the intersection of spiri-

tuality and education. It is a step in the right direction, Zed adds.

Many universities in USA and Canada already have prayer/medi-

feather in UNR's cap in making it a world class educational institution, Zed points out.

Johnson told Zed that this 76,000 squarefeet Student Achievement Center would include various student service units, academic support units and c o m m o n spaces, including student veteran's lounge; all directly affectRajan Zed (right) with Marc A. Johnson after the meeting ing students; discussing interfaith prayer-room and would tation room/chapel for quiet reflec- stay open into late night hours. tion and spiritual exercise.

Designers were currently deZed stresses that with the pres- signing the building and workence of a prayer room, UNR stu- ing on the design of interfaith dents will have a spiritually mean- prayer-room which would be an ingful life in addition to material important part of it. Construction success after they graduate from would start on January 14 next, here. he added.

Cont’d on page 21 Prayer room will be another

CM Modi wins over Chicagoans with statesman-like address Cont’d from page 16

Vivekananda, he said that Swami Vivekananda combined spirituality with Bharat Bhakti. He affirmed that Gujarat is celebrating Swami Vivekananda's 150th birth anniversary as Yuva Shakti Varsh with special focus on skill development Dwelling at length on all-round development of Gujarat State, he pointed out that while the Center allocated only Rs 1000 crore for skill

He gave the Mantra of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' (One India, Excellent India) and added that we must move ahead with this mantra. He observed that "we believe in total secularism but secularism should mean 'India First'; "Whatever we do, it must be for India. We must never let India, her honor, the dreams of the people adversely impacted by our actions," He lauded OFBJP for orgahe added. nizing the Community OutHe lauded OFBJP for organizing the Commu- reach Program and comnity Outreach Program mended the members of and commended the members of Indian Indian Diaspora for keeping Diaspora for keeping their strong links with India their strong links with India. "Wherever we stay, our links with our roots, our development, a small state like culture, our tradition must Gujarat allotted Rs 800 crore to remain…the Bharat Prem and strengthen the youth with skills. He Bharat Bhakti must remain and in- talked on tourism and invited memcrease over the years," he said. He bers of the Diaspora to visit Gujarat.

Ms. S Patel proposed a Vote of applauded the second generation Indian youth for coming to India Thanks and appreciated the help and getting involved in commu- from volunteers and sponsors, Holiday Inn, Chicago businessnity work.

Paying rich tributes to Swami men and community leaders.

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Tie-breakers mark high-level of competition at Spelling Bee VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

SANTA CLARA, CA: On a nippy Saturday morning, at 8:30am the Mission Ballroom of the Santa Clara Convention Center was buzzing with activity. Young men and women of Indian and Chinese origins were setting up tables, the atmosphere was festive with red and yellow McDonalds balloons filling the hallway and the room inside. There was a bee-line outside at the registration desk, hundreds of parents lined up with their little ones, checking in, some for the Wild card raffle, some for the semifinals of the nation's First Ever Pan Asian Spelling Bee. World Journal, a leading Chinese Media House and Mahima Creations, a leading powerhouse in South Asian entertainment programming, came together to present this unique event. Mahima of Mahima Creations said, "There is so much cultural diversity in the Bay Area, we have the Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Pakistani and Fijian communities‌. Yet we are all bound together by the fact that our future is American. It only made sense to bring together the children from these communities on a common platform- this is just the first step in that direction.

The representative of the World Journal, Mr Peter Ho echoed the same sentiment adding that it only made sense for them to work with a market leader in the local Indian media to make this happen and "we are

coined by Mahima Creations and we wanted to remove the "formidable" element that pervades every element of a competition like the spelling bee. Children learn so much more when they are playing, and observing and that is what we aimed at providing them at this Spelling Bee" says Kishan S of Mahima Creations.

This was an action packed day, with categories contesting back to back in the semi finals, and 10 finalists in each category came to the finals, which was a nailbiter all the way to the The PASB team members (Left to right) Kavita S., Ayse Kaya, Irene Fu, Rahul Mudumba, Kishan S., Rakhi Sharma, finish. "In some categoTeresa Cox, Urvi Sharma, Ash Kalra, N. Parthasarthy, Mahitha Rao, Sarah Johnson, Valli Rao, Smita Jayakar, Jayshri ries, we went through 10 Sharma, Tushar Kothalkar. Pics Mahitha Rao and & World Journal rounds of tie-breaker questions, and these children made all of us work, including the orthrilled by the response of the Indian com- nizers, themselves and even the judges. munity to this event, we had more than 400 Aptly named "Big, Bigger and Biggest" ganizing committee, the word committee and children register".

- the children competed in three different even the Judges. The children in the Biggest category were so advanced in terms of The buzzing of activity was literally that categories based on their ages. of the little spelling bees - there were little five year olds, first graders all the way to eighth graders in the hall, the air was wrought with anticipation yet there was a sense of belonging, and the children seemed completely at ease with the orga-

Parents were seated in a separate area of the room, to dissipate any possible stress or tension of the competition from bogging down the fun experience for the child.

"Funformation is a copyrighted term

their vocabulary that they even got college level words right" says Kavita S of Mahima Creations.

Cont’d on page 21

Musical concert by Aligarh alumni assn ABDUL SIDDIQUI

CHICAGO: The Aligarh Muslim Univer- An evening to enjoy Naghmein and popusity Alumni Association of Greater Chicago lar film songs by other talented artists (AMUAA-GC) has organized a musuch as Nivedita Adsule of sical evening featuring Imran Bombay and Hitesh Master and Jawed Naghmein, Geet & the accompanying musiGhazals on Saturday April cians of SaReGaMa or13 at the College of Lake chestra.

County's Grayslake CamThe AMUAA-GC is a pus in Grayslake. The pronon-profit (tax-exempt) gram will begin at 7.00 pm charitable organization of sharp and gates will open alumni and well wishers at 6.30 pm. of the AMU working for The musical evening educational, social, and "Ek Shaam Aap Ke Naam" cultural awareness purwill feature internationally poses. This program is known singer, performer, organized for the excluAMUAA local chapter and entertainer of Pakisive benefit of education stan. Imran Jawed who is famous for his songs of girls living in economically disadvanand video songs such as taged communities in India. All proceeds "Dil Chura Kay", "Ainda Na Dekhoon". will go towards girls education projects.

March 22, 2013

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Get off the sweet stuff

Body screening at Temple India Post News Service

CHITRA THAKUR

I

n practice, it is most difficult to get off the sweet test. Our test buds are so addicted to the sweet taste, that it is the first reason for craving and the weight gain in turn.

• The sweetness of the food is due to sugars. There are simple sugars which break down fast and are transported to blood quickly.

The commonest Sucrose is made from sugarcane or sugar beets. We

find them in most addicting foods like cookies, cakes, candies, Indian

Cont’d on page 22

Tie-breakers mark high-level of competition at Spelling Bee Cont’d from page 20

The Awards ceremony was held the same day. The program was planned seamlessly, with the dignitaries arriving for the Awards ceremony just as the final tiebreaker ended. Consul General of India, Mr. N. Parthasarathi, San Jose City Councilman Mr. Ash Kalra and Trade Advisor to the Obama administration and Ohlone College Trustee Ms. Teresa Cox spoke words of encouragement for the children and distributed the awards to the winners who were adjudged by an esteemed and diverse panel of judges that included educators and literary elite from the Asian communities (Ms. Jaya Padmanabhan, Managing Editor of India Currents, Ms. Ayse Kaya, co-founder/Director of Mission Hills Middle School and Ms. Irene Fu, an educator with over 20 years of teaching experience from the Evergreen School District, aside from Ms. Pragati Grover, Saratoga Union School District, Ms. Anjali Kausar, Cupertino Union School District, Ms. Kshama Santhosh, Asst. Director of Scribbles Montessori).

There were winning smiles on the face of every child there, as

they walked out of the room, a Stratford Schools bag in hand, the other proudly clutching a glowing Participation certificate. They congratulated the winners who had now become their friend, after the hours of bonding sitting next to each other during the grueling final rounds.

Winners and runners up in each category received cash prizes, tro-

phies, Kindles, Nooks, Games, Gift certificates etc. from McDonalds, UnismileDental, The Menu, World Journal, Mahima Creations and Cheeni For Tots.

The buzz of activity slowly wound down around 6pm after the Awards Ceremony, as one exhausted, yet one beaming child after another left the room, personifying the words of all the dignitaries and the organizers, that every one of them who showed up there was a winner!

Nevada varsity to have interfaith prayer-room Cont’d from page 19

UNR, founded in 1874 and which has over 18,000 students, is known for helping to create the world's most accurate atomic clock, earthquake expertise, highly ranked MBA program, sev-

sweets in form of sugar etc. The other one is Fructose, a sugar present in almost all fruits and Lactose which is present in milk. Fructose is sweetest of the lot. The complex sugars are slowly absorbed delivered in the blood. They are mostly present in vegetables, grains, lentils etc.

eral Pulitzer Prize winners and for "study of the behavior of matter at extremely high temperatures and densities". About half-adozen Hollywood films were shot here and it is home to one of the largest earthquake-simulation labs.

FREMONT: On March 10, International Women's Day was celebrated. Fremont temple's health awareness program and India Post together held a free body composition screening for the attendees. The project was visited by many people who got themselves screened. The parameters screened instantly were weight, fat% hydration, muscle weight, calorie intake, metabolic

age, bone mass and visceral fat percentage.

The importance of theses values and the suggestions to get support to change them for healthy living were given by Dr Chitra Thakur. The TLS programs were suggested. The young enthusiasts were really surprised to see their values and were sure of taking further suggestions. The same facility is now made available at Fremont temple by appointment.

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Mahashivratri celebrated with devotion in Bay Area VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

SANTA CLARA, CA: Maha Shivratri, the grand night of Shiva falls on a moonless February night, and Hindus offer special prayer to the almighty Lord of Moksha.

Shivratri is the night when Shiva is said to have performed the "Tandava" or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction.

Sri Maha Kaleshwar Mandir in Santa Clara celebrated Maha Shivrathri puja spread over two days on March 9 and 10. Sri Maha Kaleshwar Mandir is the first Jyotirlingam Shiva temple in the United States. Its two ton granite Sahasralingam was inaugurated on August 28, 2010, by Swami

Sathasivom, head priest of Sri Kalikambal Temple in Chennai, India, and President and Founder of Sree Narayanee Kalikambal Sathasivom Foundation.

Maha Shivratri celebrations started with Nataraja abishekam, Sri Kalikambal Devi and Ardanarishwara abhishekam. In Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is considered as the God manifested by himself. His consort is considered as the manifestation of power or Shakti. He is the Lord who liberates your soul from the cycle of death and rebirth. Attainment of His feet will remove the fear of death.

On the holy night of Maha Shivratri there were four ablutions or abhishekams for Shiva Linga.

Sadashiv, the absolute formless God, appeared in the form of "Lingodbhav Moorti" at midnight on Maha Shivratri. The entire twelve hours were divided into four parts or Kalam and there was

On the holy night of Maha Shivratri there were four ablutions or abhishekams for Shiva Linga. Sadashiv, the absolute formless God, appeared in the form of "Lingodbhav Moorti" at midnight on Maha Shivratri ablution or Abhishekam for Shiva Linga after every three hours. The priests performed the ablution with the prescribed eleven ingredients.

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

During the holy night Vedic scholars recited Sri Rudram. It is the most powerful Vedic hymn,

praises Lord Shiva with all his names and forms. Arathi was performed at the end of each kalam and over 3000 devotees attended this grand celebration. Dance and music performances were showcased by Bay area tots and adults for all two days.

Get off the sweet stuff Cont’d from page 21

To a different extent all the foods we eat finally get converged into glucose for energy by liver (carbohydrates 100%, protein 80% and fat 10%). The excess glucose in liver and muscles get used and circulated but the one reaching to fat cells get stored as the reserve.

Therefore the too much intake of sugars leads to obesity.

Sweetners To satisfy the sweet tooth, many naturally occurring as well as artificial sweetners are made available to non diabetics and diabetic people. The natural ones are Agave Nectar derived from Agave plant, honey from honey combs.

The artificial sweeteners are made from sugars but they do not have calories, do not get absorbed in blood, so the sugar impact is avoided, they do not cause decay in teeth so are used in chewing gums.

The sugar alcohol, Xylitol is shown to restrict the bacterial growth in the mouth. The sugar Erythritol is safe, sweet, and used in wide variety of foods because of better tolerance profile.

Cont’d on page 26

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India Post 23

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Scarlet Night - an affair of the heart VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

SANTA CLARA, CA: The South Asian Heart Center's (SAHC) fifth annual fundraiser, Scarlet Night 2013, was held on

disease among South Asians who are at four times higher risk of heart disease than any other population.

The Gala's targets were to raise funds through the auction and event ticket sales. The centre

Dr Sheena Iyengar, Keynote Speaker

March 9, at the Santa Clara Convention Center and attended by over 850 guests. The popular event this year focused on increasing outreach, prevention, education and research of heart

raised over $1.5 Million over five years with 1000 individual gifts, grants and corporate sponsorships. SAHC used about 63.3 percent of their proceedings towards preventive care, 11.2 percent for

outreach, 7.3 percent on educating the physicians, 8.3 percent on research activities.

Dr. Cesar Molina, Medical Director of the SAHC, told India Post, "We don't practice medicine, we help individuals develop very good lifestyle habits not only for themselves, but for their families to prevent heart disease. Vedic medicine or Ayurveda places great emphasis on daily and seasonal routines as a way of preventing disease or quelling danger before it arises.

He added, "One of our missions is to bring awareness of the condition and to educate individuals to decrease heart problems and diabetes. Now, we are moving into the realm of research. This is not only a local epidemic; it's actually a global epidemic."

One of the ways to improve heart health is to eat better and cook healthier meals at home.

"Women are the ones who can prevent diabetes at home. It is producing concrete outcomes such as increased consumption of fruits and vegetables and minutes of weekly physical activity and this leads to decrease in risk factors including lower triglycerides level

and improved cholesterol ratios" said Ashish Mathur, Executive Director of the SAHC. "I think the SAHC is fantastic and I'm learning more about myself through the Center," Council Member Ash Kalra told India Post.

in everyday life. She spoke at length on how people make choices in their life and their effect. At a very young age she was diagnosed with retinal degeneration and had lost her sight by 11th grade. When she was just 13, her

SAHC members

Dr Sheena Iyengar, Keynote speaker of the evening is a renewed Columbia Business School professor and author of an award winning book, "The Art of Choosing", about the mysteries of choice

father died of a heart attack and she spoke on her dad's choices.

She urged the public to work on preventive measures to combat this deadly ailment.

Cont’d on page 25

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March 22, 2013

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Yogic practices give direct Scarlet Night - an and tangible benefits affair of the heart SWAMI MUKUNDANANDA

I

f we were asked to name our most valuable possession, what would it be? We may say our wealth, property or cars are the priciest possessions; but no matter how much we possess or successfully achieve, if the body is ailing and the mind is disturbed, we will remain unhappy. Hence our most valuable possessions are simply our own body and mind.

Some people argue that nurturing the mind and body are two separate things as spirituality makes us oblivious to the luxuries of the body and materialism makes us neglect the spirit. But Swami Mukundananda says that it is possible to blend both spirituality and materialism for attaining the ultimate goal of human life.

Simplistic spiritual practitioners sometimes proclaim that since we are the soul and not the material body, we must cultivate only the spirit and pay no attention to the body. However, if the body falls sick, the mind becomes filled with the sensation of physical pain, and one cannot even think of God. A healthy body is our boat for crossing the ocean of material existence.

Conversely, materialists often proclaim spiritual science as a waste of time and an impediment to material progress. This is also naĂŻve, for without the help of spiritual knowledge, secular science has no means of eliminating the negative propensities of the mind.

We may harness external nature through modern technology to multiply our bodily comforts, but the forces of our internal nature, such as lust, anger, greed, envy and illusion can be harnessed only by taking recourse to spirituality.

Swamiji has answered some interesting questions on benefits of yoga and explained its true essence in the context of Indian spirituality. He also tells about JK Yog which incorporates both material and spiritual techniques, based upon the timeless sciences of the Vedic scriptures.

Question: The popularity of Yoga has skyrocketed around the world. What is the science behind the effectiveness of the Yogasans?

Swami Mukundananda: The art of healthy living must incorporate all aspects of the personality: the physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. While the central theme of Yog remains the highest goal of the spiritual path, physical yogic practices enshrined

in it give direct and tangible benefits to everyone regardless of their spiritual aims.

Yogasans harmonize the body, mind and emotions. For example, at the physical level, organs, muscles and nerves may not be functioning properly. Asans bring the different bodily functions into perfect coordination so that they work for the good of the whole body.

At the mental level, people harbor poisonous thoughts and emotions within. Muscular knots can occur anywhere in the body - in the neck as cervical spondylitis, in the face as neuralgia, etc. Every mental knot has a corresponding physical, muscular knot and vice versa. For example, emotional tensions can affect the smooth

Swami Mukundananda

functioning of the lungs, and breathing process, contributing to a very debilitating disease, which is asthma.

The aim of asans is to release these knots. For full benefit, these asans should be performed along with the meditation. Meditational exercises cleanse the mind, to bring a feeling of peace and contentment within.

Proper asans, Pranayam, subtle body relaxation, meditation, tackle these knots both at the physical and mental levels. As a result of the release of dormant energy, the body becomes full of vitality and strength, the mind becomes light and creative, joyful and balanced.

Yogasans have succeeded as an alternative therapy in diseases such as asthma, diabetes, blood pressure, arthritis, digestive disorders and many ailments of a

chronic and constitutional nature, where modern medical science has failed.

Q: What is the difference between Yogasans and exercises?

SM: Exercises impose a beneficial stress on the body. Without them, the muscles waste, the bones become weak, the capacity to absorb oxygen decreases, and the ability to meet demands of sudden physical activity is lost.

However, exercises work only on the muscles. They cause catabolism, or break down of cells.

Asans work on the organs, nerves and glands, and alter the electrochemical activity in the nervous system. They increase the oxygen in the blood, lower the bodily temperature, and slow down metabolic rates.

Q: What is the best time to practice Yogasans?

SM: The best time for practicing Yogasans is brahm muhurt, or the morning hours before breakfast.

At this time the activities of the stomach and the intestines have stopped, the mind has no deep impressions on the conscious level and it is empty of thoughts.

The muscles are stiffest in the morning, yet through the session of Yogasans, they get flexed. In the evening, two hours around sunset are also a favorable time. However, keep in mind that the Yogasans must be done at least three hours after a major meal, so that the stomach is not loaded.

Q: What is pran, and what is its role in maintaining good health?

SM: Pran is a life-giving energy which is subtler than oxygen and present everywhere. It is also one of the major elements of the body, and other bodily elements remain worthless without pran. It is pran that gives motion to bodily parts, and everything that happens in the body is activated by pran.

It provides us with immunity to fight various diseases. It is also pran that gives energy to all the other sense organs.

Our lifestyle deeply affects the pranic forces. Our actions, sleep, diet, thought, senses, etc all have intense effects on our pran.

Cont’d on page 26

Cont’d from page 23

"The center has helped me by showing what I should eat, what kind of exercises I should be doing, how I should manage my stress" said Nimish Mehta, CEO and Co-founder of LumenData.

Ro Khanna commended the SAHC group for their hard work by saying, "Addressing the unique medical needs of the community is very important and health disparity is something we should be paying attention to."

The evening included connecting with friends, heart healthy hors d'oeuvres and a delectable dinner by "Turmeric" restaurant, and enthralling dancing by Mona Khan Company.

SAHC offers a comprehensive, culturally appropriate program incorporating wellness education, advanced screening, lifestyle change, case management and over 4,000 people have been screened at the center so far. The center has trained 161 physicians on practice methods for early diagnosis, comprehensive evaluation, and lifestyle changes.

SAHC has published posters and manuscripts in collaboration with UCSF and Stanford on topics raining from the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, adiposity and insulin resistance. SAHC has inspired several Bay Area restaurants and businesses in the food service industry to offer heart healthy options.

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www.indiapost.com Cont’d from page 22

There may be concerns such as tolerance complaints, bloating, and diarrhea. Sorbitol should be avoided in diabetics as accumulation in kidneys, nerve damage and vision problems were noted in some studies.

Naturally occurring low GI sweeteners Agave Nectar, Loquat and Stevia are naturally occurring sweeteners with low GI. Agave Nectar comes from Blue Agave plant and has fiber Insulin or fructosan. It has sweetness without the "sugar rush". The carbohydrate in Agave is low Glycemic. However too much of intake is not advisable due to Fructose present in it.

Stevia is non caloric South American herb sweet, which is 300 times sweeter than sugar. Because

Get off the sweet stuff the body doesn't metabolize glycosides, it is safe for diabetics. It is also available with fiber Honey is a natural sweetener from bees with higher nutritional value and a lower GI than refined white sugar. At 10 calories per 1/2 tsp, it is a source of both simple

and complex carbohydrates to give energy. Honey is known as "nature's medicine" because it has antibacterial and healing properties. Also, a study in the "Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine" found that honey promotes sleep and helps sooth

children's chest congestion and cough. However the Glycemic impact of honey is worse than sugar, which has no added advantage for diabetics if not to non-diabetic and children.

Other artificial sweeteners Whey-Low has Fructose, sucrose, lactose and is good for baking, beverages. It tastes like sugar.

Be careful of lactose intolerance because of the amount of lactose.

Sucralose: It is sugar molecule with added chloride. Many studies completed on Sucralose have shown its excellent tolerance. It is marketed as Splenda Aspartame: Artificial sweetener- Nutrasweet. It is shown to have most number of adverse reactions like migraines, tinnitus, palpitations, etc.

High amount of sweeteners are present in bars, cookies, confectionaries, cereals, prepared foods, baked goods along with

healthy ingredients and low GI sugars. Still they should be avoided. Many cups of coffee or too many diet sodas and junk foods are harmful to the body.

One can of soda increases 60% chance of likelihood of weight gain.

There is a threat of cephalic phase insulin response. It has recently been established that the early insulin response to meal ingestion is of great importance for subsequent glucose tolerance or insulin production.

Due to the memory of taste, smell and appearance, the blood sugar goes down fast and people tend to have non-stop eating or drinking.

Tips to control the craving for sweets

• Do not use sweet treats as distraction - have good snack if hungry • If stressed- ask why? Get control, walk, go out • Eat food regularly • Get rid of junk food • Do not use sweeteners to have too much of food (because they are low calorie) • Piece of dark chocolate not the bar!

• Write down why are you craving

• Keep blood sugar steady, drink water-rich and high quality sweet (if at all) • Eat appropriate foods at appropriate time.

• Know about sugar you want to eat, candy or fruit

Yogic practices give direct and tangible benefits Cont’d from page 25

An irregular and indiscriminate lifestyle depletes the pranic energy and eventually leads to pranic blockages. This is the reason why people feel loss of energy from time to time. The depletion of pranic energy leads to various ailments in the organs and muscles.

The different Pranayam practices largely contribute in the expansion of pranic energy and also in the balance of the five types of pran in the body.

Q: How does Pranayam benefit one?

SM: In physical terms, Pranayam is a systematic and organized exercise of breathing which makes the lungs stronger and improves blood circulation, and alleviates many physical and mental diseases. Through a systematic exercise of breathing, the lungs become stronger, and thus, the blood circulation throughout the whole body is enhanced.

At a subtler level, Pranayam is more than a respiration technique of inhalation and exhalation. The word "Pranayam" has been derived from two words "pran" and "ayam", which means "to expand the pranic energy." Through Pranayam, the level of oxygen in the body definitely increases, but along with oxygen, we also take in vital pranic energy that pervades the atmosphere.

Most people use only twentyfive percent of the lungs' capacity

throughout the day, in what is called "shallow breathing." Due to this, the pranic energy level in their body remains low, which results in the appearance of multifarious ailments, such as asthma, tuberculosis, etc. Regularly performing Pranayam expands the pranic energy supply to all the parts of the body, and prevents these maladies.

Pranayam makes us mentally healthier. One should not forget the fact that imbalances in breathing hinder the physiological functions which later become psychological. Pranayam is effective in treating psychic disturbances, like excitement, anxiety, fear, anger, disappointment and lasciviousness.

In addition, its daily performance also results in good memory power.

Thus, Pranayam has innumerable benefits that help embellish our life with a hale and hearty body and psyche.

Q: Many people, who flock to Yoga studios around the world, yearn for something more substantial than the physical exercises of Yoga, which will satisfy their inner yearning for spirituality Indian style. Why does this feeling persist?

SM: The craze for Yoga has definitely spread around the world, but invariably in the name "Yoga" only physical exercises are taught, and people doing them feel they have become Yogis. Actually, the word "Yoga" does not exist in the San-

skrit language or in the Vedic scriptures. The proper word is "Yog", which means "to unite." In this context, it means to unite the individual soul with the Supreme soul.

Sanyogo yog ityukto jeevatma paramatmanoh (Garud Puran) "The union of the individual soul with God is Yog." This union is achieved by elevating, purifying and focusing the mind lov-

Pranayam makes us mentally healthier.

One should not forget the fact that imbalances in breathing hinder the physiological functions which later become psychological.

Pranayam is effective in treating psychic disturbances ingly upon God. The Shreemad Bhagavatam states: Etavan yog adishto…

(Bhagavatam) "True Yog means removing the mind from all the material objects of attachment, and fixing it completely on God." Most publications and Yog institutions in the modern world have not endeavored to highlight the

mental and spiritual aspects of Yog, and teach sincere aspirants only physical exercises and incomplete meditation techniques in the name of "Yoga". Without emphasis on the purification of the mind, the hunger of the soul remains unaddressed. Those people who have deeper spiritual sanskars yearn for a genuine Divine experience. That is the reason why their inner urge to understand and experience Indian spirituality remains unfulfilled.

Q: How is the system of Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog unique from the Yoga that is taught in the hundreds of Yoga studios?

SM: Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog (JKYog) incorporates both material and spiritual techniques, based upon the timeless sciences of the Vedic scriptures. It is a complete system of Yog which includes five Vedic disciplines for mind-management and exemplary physical health. These five disciplines are: 1.

Radhey Shyam Yog Asans 2.

Radhey Naam Pranayam 3.

Subtle Body Relaxation 4.

Roop-dhyan, or Meditation on the Form of God 5.

Science of Proper Diet The techniques of JKYog have been practiced by true yogis in India for centuries. However, in their study and practice in the Western world, the role of the mind, which is the basis of elevation and degradation of a person, is not emphasized. The scriptures

state: Man ev manushyanam karanam bandha mokshayoh (Panchadashi) "The mind alone is the cause of bondage and liberation." If the mind is neglected, then any science for the nourishment and evolution of the personality will be incomplete and only partially effective.

JKYog is special because each of its five sciences is practiced with focus on purifying and elevating the mind through tools of spirituality. This gives a deep satisfaction and experience of Bliss at the level of the soul. If practiced sincerely, JKYog leads to the harmonization of the mind-body-soul, resulting in a feeling of wellbeing from within, and the attainment of true Yog, or union of the consciousness with God. Swami Mukundananda is a world renowned spiritual teacher from India, and is the senior disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj and founder of JK Yog. He has received his degrees in engineering from world renowned institutes in India, IIT and IIM. He has inspired people all over the world on the path of spirituality, holistic health, yoga, meditation, service to society and God realization. This year, Swamiji will be conducting weeklong programs in 30+ cities of USA from April onwards. For more information visit: http:// www.jkyog.org/events

Datebook

March 22, 2013

India Post

27

www.indiapost.com

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

ILLINOIS

NEW JERSEY

NEW YORK

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Sat April 27 to Fri May 3 Discourses by Swami Mukundananda • Bhagavad Geeta for Everyday Living

Sat Mar 23 • HOLI on the Beach Venue: Will Rogers State Beach (between towers 5&6), Pacific Coast Hwy, Los Angeles, CA 90272

Venue: Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, 420-450 Persian Drive, Sunnyvale CA 94089 Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

• Essence of Spirituality Venue: Fremont Hindu Temple, 3676 Delaware Drive, Fremont, CA 94538 Time: Sat: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Sun: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri: 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, Tue: 8:15 pm to 9:15 pm Prasadam: Prasadam will be served after the program May 4th (Sat) to May 10

• Regular On-going Balmukund Class Venue: 3839, Heriatage Terrace #232, Fremont, CA Contact: 510-794-3368, Email: babitarpur@gmail.com

• Regular On-going Satsang: Contact: 408-594-8197 Email: lisamousum@gmail.com, 510-573-2288 Email: karuna101_sharma@yahoo.com

WASHINGTON DC Upcoming

Time: 11:00AM Contact: 843-503-2133

Sun Mar 15 to Tue 17 • Songs of the Soul Poetry and Sacred Music Festival Venue: Embassy Suites, San Rafeal, California Contact: 415-472-6959 Highlight: Exhibition of My paintings from the series "Turning Rumi: Singing Verses of Love, Unity and Freedom" continues at Expressions Gallery until 15th March, 2013.

Sun Mar 24 • Pt Ajoy Chakrabarty Live in Concert Venue: Chinmaya Mission, 14451 Franklin Ave, Tustin, CA 92780 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 714-267-4023

ATLANTA Upcoming Sun Mar 24 • My Shadi Bridal Expo

Sat Mar 30 • Kite Festival Venue: Washington Monument, Ellipse Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20502

Venue: Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel, 2450 Galleria Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30339 Time: 12:00 pm Contact: 9547848100

Sat Mar 30 • Holi Dhamaka Time: 11:00 am Contact: 301-838-9778

Venue: Atlanta Event Hall, 3750 Venture Dr, Duluth, GA 30096 Time: 9:00 am Contact: 404-934-9991

• J K Yog, Chicago - Swami Mukundananda

Sat Mar 30

Sun Mar 31

• Rang Barsey 2013 Venue: Deewan Banquet, 560 Stelton Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 Time: 10:00 am Contact: 914-479-2596

• Strings - Live in Concert

Chicago Satsang Information: J K Yog Satsang and Bal Mukund Hindi Classes are held every 2nd and 4rth Sunday of Month 330pm-530pm @ Clarion Inn/Waterford Banquets, Board Room, 933 South Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, IL 60126 Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-5614807 -Website: www.jkyog.org Chicago Children's Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes- Bal Mukund Classes are held every 1st and 3rd Sunday of Month 11am-1pm @ Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60192 (Next to Nissan Dealership) Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-5614807 - Website: www.jkyog.org/bal-mukund Two superhit Gujarati plays are coming to Chicago

1. Eak Bejane Nadta Rahiye Date Venue:

March 22, 2013 Jain Center, Bartlett, IL

2. GujjuBhai Ni Golmaal Date: Venue:

March 29, 2013 Jain Center, Bartlett, IL

• Shreejidwar Community Events Venue: Vaishnav Samaj of Midwest, 440 W Fullerton Ave., Addision, IL - 60101 Time: Holi-Rasiya-Rangotsav: Sun Mar 24, Shree Mahaprabhuji Pragatyosav: Sun May 5, Haveli Patotsav: Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun/ Jul4/5/6/7 Nandmahotsav: Sat Aug 31 Sharad Poonam/Rasotsav Garba: Sat Oct 18 Annakut Mahotsav: Sat Nov 9 Tulsi Vivah: Sat Nov 16 Tavasmi & Kirtan Classes every other Sunday…

Satsang Every Saturday & Sunday After Sandhya Darshan Sakha Mandal 3rd Sunday Contact: 630-543-38-71

Venue: Roone Arledge Auditorium, 2920 Broadway, New York, NY 10027 Time: 8:30 pm Contact: 717-317-0171

Sat Apr 13

Sat Apr 13

• Bong Konection 2013: Bengali New Years Eve

• Indian Speed Dating - Meet 15 Desi Dates In One Night

Venue: Fire N' Ice, 85 Lafayette Rd, Fords, NJ 08863 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 973-462-1695

Venue: K lounge, 30 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 9173248022

Sun Apr 14

Sun May 5

• Varli Kids Food Festival 2013

• Masters of Indian Music

Venue: Hyatt at Headquarters Plaza, 3 Speedwell Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960 Time: 12:00 pm Contact: 612-220-3617

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

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Meethi Boliyaan: Kai Po Che! 2 Manjha: Kai Po Che! 3 Aake Tere Kareeb: Ammaa Ki Boli 4

Shubhaarambh: Kai Po Che!

5 Mat Aazma Re: Murder 3 28 India Post

www.indiapost.com

March 22, 2013 6 Saajna: I Me Aur Main 7 Kaise Bataaoon: 3G

A

fter Raaz 3 another horror film 'Aatma' with Bipasha Basu is set to release. Are you in love with horror films, she was asked.

"Yes, I am in love with ghosts (she chuckles). Raaz 3 and Aatma were never planned. But as an actor I would have been foolish to say no to such a script. I get many offers for horror films and I guess I will be doing something else soon. When the role is good how can one reject it.

If a horror film gives me the platform to perform, then why not.

"I get to play a mother in Aatma. One day I will be a fantastic mother and I have realized after doing the film. I have evolved as a human being and this film makes me understand the value of parents. It's a well rounded human drama and not just a horror film.

'Horror is a genre where director has lot of scope. You are treating an unknown and you can treat unknown in different styles. There are no similarities in Raaz 3 and this film. A director can have his own take in every film.'

8 Surmayee: Ammaa Ki Boli 9 Naino Mein Sapna: Himmatwala 10 Dhak Dhak: Nautanki Saala

RS 400 cr A

P

arineeti Chopra has acquired the reputation of being ultra-selective, having turned down plum roles opposite the likes of Akshay Kumar in the remake of the Tamil hit Thuppakki. Murugadoss was very keen to cast her opposite Akshay Kumar.

But picky Parineeti was not too kicked by the prospect of doing the role.

Now one hears choreographer-director Remo D'Souza was very keen to cast Parineeti opposite Sidharth Malhotra in his next directorial venture to go on the floors in July-August.

But Parineeti opted to be paired with Sidharth Malhotra in another film, Vinil Matthews' Hasee Toh Phasee. Now Remo D'Souza has to begin his hunt for a heroine all over again.

Parineeti says she didn't sign on too many films because she wanted to be sure of what she accepted after Habib Faisal's Ishaqzaade. "It'd be the easiest thing in the world for me to sign films for the money.

But the roles I got required me to play the typical heroine which I am not willing to do.

On the Friday when those films release, I don't want my parents to be embarrassed. I don't want to have to explain to my father why I did a certain film."

DEAL

jay Devgn has inked a staggering Rs. 400 crore deal with Star India for exclusive satellite rights to all his upcoming Bollywood releases until 2017.

Post Salman Khan's association with the channel, Devgn is the second star to venture into such a momentous deal with Star India and is the only other actor apart f r o m Khan to h a v e f o u r films in t h e elite R s 100 croreclub.

Among the first of the films to be released for the actor is Sajid Khan's retro fiesta Himmatwala, produced by Ronnie Screwvala & Vashu Bhagnani. The next is Prakash Jha's magnum opus Satyagraha followed by an action film with Prabhu Deva and a sequel to Rohit Shetty's Singham.

Besides Devgn's upcoming films, the network already has 18 of his earlier films, including Singham, the Golmaal series, Zameen and Gangajal.

March 22, 2013

Bollywood www.indiapost.com

D

eepika Padukone is report edly upset and angry with Shahrukh Khan after he teased her with her alleged beau Ranveer Singh.

According to reports, Khan started pulling Padukone's leg on the sets of Rohit Shetty's 'Chennai Express' after hearing so much about the alleged couple.

At first, the 27-year-old actress chose to ignore Khan's comments but he went on and on with his remarks just to inquire about Padukone's rumored beau.

The 'Cocktail' star, whose personal life has always been a topic of discussion, doesn't want to talk a word about her new relationship this time.

Rumor also has it that Khan later apologized to Padukone for upsetting her.

D

ancing queen Madhuri Dixit, who will soon be making her comeback with the film Gulab Gang, will also be seen in the upcoming film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. In what can be said as a story right out of the sky, Madhuri will be doing an item number in the film.

In her career that has spanned decades this will be the first time ever that Mads will be doing an item number, a far cry from most of her roles till date. Though the question is being asked why the actress is opting to do an item number as a comeback even before appearing as the leading lady in her film. Recently it was reported that Mads was planning to starting her own dance academy. Now keeping in mind this fact we wonder whether the actress would be promoting her soon to be launched academy through the film or vice versa!

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is directed by Ayan Mukherji and features Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in lead roles.

India Post 29

„

Realty Tidbits

Delays in clearances jack up property prices by 40%

Real Estate

P

roperty prices in India shoot up by 40 per cent due to delays in starting of projects, which require 34 procedures to get clearance, taking an average of over six months time and the issue needs to be addressed, according to the Economic Survey.

"India's housing and real estate sector faces many challenges.

There are 34 procedures and the average time taken is 196 days, which increases the sale value by 40 per cent," the Economic Survey for 2012-13, tabled in Parliament, said.

Citing the latest report by the World Bank, the survey said India is among the top countries in terms of housing and workspace needs, but it ranks 182nd in construction permission processes.

"Rapid increase in land prices, absence of a long-term funding and lending market at fixed rates, limited developer finance, the Urban Land Ceiling Regulations Act (ULCRA) continuing in some states, existing lower floor area ratio in cities, high stamp duties and difficulties in land acquisition are some other issues, which need to be addressed," it said.

„ Nine cities to be slum-free

W

hile improving civic amenities in Haryana, a target has been fixed to make nine cities of the state slum-free under the Rajiv Awas Yojana and budget allocation of the urban local bodies for 2013-14 has been raised to Rs 1,867 crore showing an increase of 62 per cent on the plan side as compared to that of the current financial year.

An official spokesman said that the Centre had allocated Rs 16.86 crore to make these nine cities slum-free. These cities are Gurgaon, Faridabad, Karnal, Panchkula, Rohtak, Panipat, Ambala, Yamunanagar and Hisar.

He said Rs 1.51 crore had already been released for conducting the survey for the purpose. A provision of Rs 50.99 crore had been made for 2013-14 for the implementation of the scheme.

30

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India Post

Regularization of illegal constructions regrettable: SC

T

he Supreme Court has expressed concern over illegal constructions coming up in cities and said it is 'regrettable' that government authorities are regularizing them. A bench of justices G S Singhvi and S J Mukhopadhaya said that the government authorities have 'miserably' failed to perform their duties in implementing municipal laws for planned development of the cities. -PTI

March 22, 2013

What it takes to finance a home remodel MARCIE GEFFNER

P

eople who dream of renovating a home - or redoing just the kitchen or bathroom - might wonder how other homeowners finance a home remodel that can cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Paying for a home remodel sometimes involves a new loan, but more often, homeowners have cash on hand from other sources, says Steve Klitsch, owner of Creative Concepts Remodeling, a home remodeling company in Germantown, Md. Klitsch says the majority of his customers last year used cash from personal savings to pay for remodeling projects, though two families received substantial gifts from their parents and two others refinanced their mortgage and cashed out some of their equity to finance a home remodel.

People who spent their own money to finance a home remodel typically were more frugal and asked more questions about labor, materials and warranties than those who received gifts or refinanced their mortgages, Klitsch says.

Among those who had saved up were dual-income couples whose children had recently completed college, ending years of education expenses.

"There's a relationship between working couples, life partners, who have children who've completed college and within a very short period after that, they say, 'Wow! Look at the money we have!' They're not paying tuition, not buying books.

They suddenly have thousands or tens of thousands of disposable income they can put into their home," Klitsch says.

A late-2012 survey by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, or NARI, in Des

People who spent their own money to finance a home remodel typically were more frugal and asked more questions about labor, materials and warranties than those who received gifts or refinanced their mortgages Plaines, Ill., also suggests many remodeling customers have adequate savings.

The survey found 96 percent of the 518 NARI member contractors who completed the questionnaire had accepted checks as a form of payment. Approximately one-quarter had accepted credit cards, home equity loans, bank home improvement loans or cash.

Only 6 percent had arranged financing for their customers.

Cash out to remodel Homeowners who tap their equity to remodel will be limited to the lenders' maximum loan-to-value, or LTV, ratio. Most lenders won't allow a homeowner to borrow more than 80 percent of the value, says Stephen LaDue, senior loan officer at Prime Lending, a mortgage company in Brookfield, Wis. "If you have a $250,000 house, 80 percent is $200,000. If you want to do a $50,000 remodel and you owe $175,000, you only have $25,000 to

work with," LaDue says.

Shopping around might turn up a local lender or credit union that will step up to 90 percent, LaDue adds.

"Be a smart shopper and ask upfront: 'What are your loan-tovalue limitations? Can I go up to 80? Can I go up to 90 with a second mortgage?'" he says.

A second mortgage might be especially difficult to get because second-mortgage lenders were among those who "took it on the chin the worst in the housing crisis," LaDue explains.

Still, some homeowners can pull out enough cash for a modest remodeling project that makes a house they'd planned to sell more comfortable for a longer stay, says Rob McAllister, a mortgage broker at West Seattle Mortgage in Seattle.

"People are refinancing, taking the low rate and pulling out $20,000 or $30,000 to get the house to where it needs to be for them to stay there longer than they'd anticipated," McAllister says.

An informal NARI website poll in April 2012 found quite a few homeowners planned to keep their home longer than they'd originally intended. Twenty-eight percent planned to stay an additional one to five years, 23 percent intended to remain another six to 10 years, 10 percent added 11 to 15 years, and 26 percent planned to stay 16 to 20 years longer.

Only 13 percent said they hadn't extended the time they expected to live in their home. The survey isn't scientific because those polled were self-selected and searching for information about remodeling, yet it offers a sliver-sized snapshot of homeowner behavior.

Unlimited funds Some homeowners can remodel with little concern about funds, says Jim Bateman, owner of Bateman Custom Construction, a home remodeling company in Fairfax, Va. "You meet all types," Bateman says. "Some people have more money than they know what to do with. I'd like to have all those customers, but that's not the case."

Others factor energy-efficiency rebates or savings into their calculations. Making a home more energy-efficient during a remodeling project involves upfront costs, but can pay off over time, says Gary Henley, president of Henley Homes, a home remodeling company in Liberty Hill, Texas.

"It costs you less every month to make the house more energy-efficient while you live there, so why not do it while the kitchen or bathroom is torn to pieces, instead of coming back and making another mess later?" he says.

"You're getting a quick payback, so it makes it affordable." -Courtesy Bankrate.com

Real Estate

March 22, 2013

India Post

31

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Can I prune neighbor's sap-dripping pine?

STEVE MCLINDEN

Q: Dear Real Estate Adviser, My neighbor has a giant pine tree with branches that extend across the property line. The problem is that it steadily deposits sap onto any automobiles parked in our driveway. Can I cut the branches to minimize the amount of sap dripping on our autos? The catch is that the pine is considered a "heritage tree."

-- Jim H. Dear Jim, In virtually all jurisdictions, you are allowed to prune the portions of a tree overhanging your land, at your own expense. Those limbs, after all, are occupying your property and you have domain over them -- or under them at present. And yes, your trimming rights even apply to heritage trees, but with a few minor restrictions that I am pretty sure you can comfortably meet.

Heritage trees, by the way, are large individual trees that have some kind of noteworthy characteristics that merit preserving, such as age, size, circumference, rarity, ecological value or historical status.

Some have served as longtime landmarks, while others have even had key treaties signed in their shade, though that's probably not the case with yonder mighty pine. ("I'll be glad to sign the treaty but first, why the sticky exclamation point made out of maple syrup? Oh ... pine sap.")

Typically, a permit from the city or county is required only to remove or heavily prune such a protected tree. Since it's doubtful that

your intent is to heavily prune whacking back a quarter of such heritage trees is typically the limit - then you can proceed.

But at least be cordial to your neighbors as you plan this. Make sure you inform them well in advance of your plan. They may want to quickly even out the prune job after you take a bit off the side. In a perfect world, you could coordinate this on the same day. For added peace of mind, you might want to contact your homeowners insurance agent before you go all "Clark Griswold" on the pine and ask them if you are proceeding

Be cordial to your neighbors as you plan this. Make sure you inform them well in advance of your plan. They may want to quickly even out the prune job after you take a bit off the side correctly. The odds say you are.

Your neighbor may protest but can't interfere with your property rights. Ideally, though, you'll be extending an olive branch to gracefully remove a pine branch.

If you do prune the pine, be sure it is done at the very edge of your property in a straight line from the ground to the sky. For good measure, take several before-and-after photos from different angles to show you have trimmed only your side.... -Courtesy Bankrate.com

Bangalore residential market to grow by 4-6 pc MUMBAI: Real estate market in Bangalore is expected to grow at 4-6 per cent annually till FY15 amid demand from new migrants as well as investors and continued expansion plans of many large IT, engineering and manufacturing companies based in the city, says a report.

"The city's residential demand is mainly led by growth and performance of the IT/ITeS sector," rating agency ICRA said in a report.

Bangalore is currently contributing to 33 per cent of India's IT exports and home to over 8 lakh IT/ITeS professionals, which accounts for about 55 per cent of the total demand of the organized real estate market, it said.

The total residential households in Bangalore has grown at a CAGR of 6 per cent over the last four years ended FY12, with an average of 94,000 new households added every year, the report said.

"With an estimated residential market size of 92 million square feet (msf) and value of Rs 27,600 crore in FY13, the sector forms around 5-6 per cent of Karnataka's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP)," it said.

ICRA said that there has been a significant increase in the residential projects under development over the last two years, which would result in increased supply in the market.. -PTI

Home loans under Rs 25 lakh to get additional deduction

M

iddle-class home buyers have reason to cheer Chidambaram's election year Budget. The finance minister proposed that any person taking a loan of up to Rs 25 lakh for a first home will be allowed an additional tax deduction on interest of up to Rs 1 lakh.

At present, tax payers are allowed to set off interest payments up to Rs 1.5 lakh against their taxable income. This, he said, will promote home ownership and give a fillip to a number of industries like steel, cement, brick, wood and glass, which are directly linked to the real estate sector, besides providing jobs to thousands of construction workers.

"This will help boost housing sales in tier-2 and 3 cities and peripheral areas and distant suburbs of metros, but not within the metros, where housing is targeted more towards the mid- and upperincome segments," says Anuj Puri, chairman & country head, Jones Lang LaSalle India. Home sales have taken a dip on account of high prices, interest rates and a poor economic environment.

The deduction limit should have been on loans of at least Rs

35 lakh to have a significant impact, says Anshuman Magazine, chairman and MD of CBRE South Asia.

To improve demand for homes, especially in the budget and affordable segments, and to kickstart the economy, the Budget has proposed that the National

give refinance to banks, housing finance companies and RRBs for their retail loans in urban areas, and the thrust will be on lower loan slabs," says RV Verma, chairman of NHB. This new demand will drive creation and supply of new homes in both rural and urban areas. The Budget, though, has been

Housing Bank start an Urban Housing Fund with an initial allocation of Rs 2,000 crore in 201314. It also provided an additional Rs 6,000 crore for the Rural Housing Fund.

"These funds will be utilized to

unkind to luxury home buyers.

The finance minister has reduced the abatement on service tax -availed of by real estate developers - to 70% from 75%. This applies to homes above 2,000 sq ft or costing Rs 1 crore-plus.

IPP route preferred to meet shareholding norms NEW DELHI: Real estate firms, including market leader DLF, are taking a contrarian view on preferred route for selling promoter shares, as they are opting for Institutional Placement Program (IPP) as against the much sought-after Offer For Sale (OFS) mechanism.

With just about three and a half months left to comply with Sebi's guidelines for a minimum public holding of 25 per cent, a host of private sector companies are selling shares and a majority of them have opted for OFS route in this regard.

However, when it comes to real estate companies, they are mostly opting for IPP route, where shares can be sold to only institutional investor. In the OFS route, shares can be sold to institutional as well as retail investors.

Among major real-estate companies, the promoters of Godrej Properties and Prestige Estates Projects have chosen the IPP route to sell their stake. Besides, DLF is expected to go for the IPP route next month to bring their holding below 75 per cent.

The promoters of Puravankara Projects and Oberoi Realty are

also said to be looking to take the IPP route to reduce their respective stakes.

IPP and OFS are the two new share sale tools introduced by the regulator in January last year, especially to help corporates increase their public float. More than 30 companies have already sold shares through OFS route, while only three (all real estate firms) have sold shares through IPP mechanism as yet.

Under OFS mechanism, promoters auction their existing

shares to bring down their stake in a company, while IPP route allows promoters to sell up to 10 per cent of their capital through auction to institutional investors.

As per Sebi (Securities and Exchange Board of India) norms, all listed private sector firms are required to have at least 25 per cent public shareholding by June this year.

According to market analysts, real estate companies are going for IPP route as promoters are not willing to sell their shares to certain entities-PTI

„ Health

Line

Cancer and heart disease are linked

Health Science

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RP, a protein that signals in flammation and heart disease may also indicate that a person has a high risk of cancer, according to Dr. KK Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India & National Vice President-Elect IMA. CRP or C-reactive protein is associated with inflammation, an activation of the immune system.

Measurements of CRP should be part of a regular health check.

People with high levels of C-reactive protein have a 30 percent higher risk of cancer. Cancer patients with the highest CRP levels are 80 percent more likely to die early.

Dr. Kristine Allin and colleagues at the University of Copenhagen studied more than 10,000 people who had their CRP levels measured and who were then followed for 16 years. About 1,600 developed cancer over this time and if they had high CRP levels at the beginning of the study, they were 30 percent more likely to be in this group of cancer patients.

And if a person developed cancer and also had high CRP levels, they were 80 percent more likely to die, whether from the cancer or something else, regardless of whether the cancer spread in their bodies.

The study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology concluded that five years after cancer diagnosis, 40 percent of patients with high CRP levels were alive, compared with 70 percent of patients who had low CRP levels. -HCFI

„ Computer use can cause neck pains

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sing computers for extended periods causes and aggravates neck pain, according to a study published in the journal Cephalalgia. Neck pain is more common among students who spend more time on computers.

Sixteen percent of children who spend 5 or fewer hours using a computer each week have neck pain as against 48% who use 25 to 30 hours of computer a week.

The study enrolled grades 10 to 12 at schools in Western Cape, South Africa in 2006 and assessed duration of computer use and occurrence of neck pain among 1073 students (65 percent girls), who were 16 years old on average.

Correct computer posture and a few minutes break after every one hour can help, said Dr S Arulrhaj, Past National President IMA. Overuse of computer can also cause computer vision syndrome, added Dr Navin Sakhuja Senior Eye Specialist at Delhi. -HCFI

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Minn. Senate approves health care marketplace bill ST. PAUL, Minn.: After hours of debate, the Minnesota Senate approved a bill that will make major changes to the state's health care system to conform with the Obama administration's health overhaul.

Details on Page 34

You can help Asians in need of bone marrow/stem cell transplants India Post News Service

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any people belonging to minorities and in need of bone marrow/stem cell transplants don't find a perfect match and end up losing the battle with cancer. Because not many registered donors are minorities, minority patients have far less chance finding a match compared to Caucasians.

Asian American Donor Program (AADP) is a local non-profit organization serving the lives of people struggling with Leukemia, Lymphoma or other blood cancers curable by bone marrow/stem cell transplant.

AADP creates awareness in the community and registers people to be part of the National Marrow Donor Program Be The Match Registry.

According to records,10 million people are registered in the national registry. Less than 30% are minorities.

Matching is based on ethnicities and patients will mostly be able to find a match within the same ethnic group.

Searching South Asian patients Gurjeet, 36, is a mother of three

boys and a loving wife. She is battling with T cell Lymphoma (lymphatic cancer) and in desperate need for a bone marrow match.

For more information, please visit www.helpgurjeet.com Sachin, 32, is a loving husband and professional from Houston. Recently, he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia with a very rare

are not a match.

Ekta. In January 2010, Ekta was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). CLL is a cancer of the blood and marrow that typically develops slowly. For more information, please visit www.makemestronger.com Nimesh, 38, was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer,

According to records,10 million people are registered in the national registry. Less than 30% are minorities. Matching is based on ethnicities and patients will mostly be able to find a match within the same ethnic group chromosomal trans-location. For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/helpsachin Rajesh, was born to Fiji Indian parents, he is the eldest of 6 children, none of his siblings match.

Rajesh was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lymphoma that can no longer be treated with chemotherapy.

Manjot, 9, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia in March of 2012.

His siblings, parents and family

Hepatosplenic T-Cell Lymphoma, in November 2012 by his doctors in India. He was advised to seek treatment in the US for his aggressive cancer. For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/ pages/nimesh-bone-marrow-drive How can you help Register! at any local drives in your area. Please visit www.aadp.org/ drive or request a home-kit at www.aadp.org/homekit

General guidelines -Be between the ages of 18 to 44 -Willing to donate to ANY patient in need -Be in general good health -Willing to fill out a simple consent form and provide cheek cells sample (4 cotton swabs) Donation Process There are two donation processes. The patient's doctor decides which of these methods is best. The procedure will happen depending on the patient's age, health status, and doctor's evaluations of the donor.

- 75% of the time its Peripheral blood cell donation (PBSC) involves no pain. Blood is drawn from your arm using a sterile needle and passes through a machine that separates out of the blood cells. The remaining blood returns to your other arm.

- 25% of the time its bone marrow donors receive anesthesia and feel no pain during the procedure. Most bone marrow donors feel some soreness in their lower back for a few days following donation. Your marrow will be replenished within 4 to 6 weeks.

Either procedure has no permanent damage to your body.

UN warns against health risk of 'designer drugs' VIENNA: Designer drugs are multiplying at a worrying rate and increasingly sending users to hospital, a UN-affiliated report has said, calling for international efforts to stem the spread of these substances.

"In recent years, there has been an unprecedented surge in the abuse of new psychoactive substances," often called "legal highs" or "designer drugs," the Vienna-based International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) said in its annual report.

"In Europe alone, almost one new substance is appearing every week. Previously, between 2000 and 2005 there were an average of five notifications of new substances per year," added INCB head Raymond Yans.

Experts estimate thousands of such drugs currently exist on

the market, the report said.

"As abuse of these substances has increased, so too has the number of users who have experienced grave health consequences or even suffered death due to exposure to them," it went

available on the Internet, requiring states and international institutions to find new ways to identify the drugs and stop their distribution, the UN-affiliated INCB said.

Another increasing problem was the rise in prescription drug

California, meanwhile came under scrutiny for its medical cannabis scheme, which according to the INCB "has contributed to an increase in cannabis abuse." on, pointing to "marked increases in emergency room visits for adverse health reactions" and "significant increases in calls to poison treatment centers."

Aggravating the problem further was the fact that these drugs were not subject to international control regimes and were readily

abuse, including painkillers, sedatives and others used to treat epilepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and mental illnesses.

This was especially the case in North America, Southeast Asia and South Asia, while prescription-drug abuse via injection was especially prevalent in South

Asia, heightening the risks of HIV and hepatitis B and C. In Latin America, "more than six percent of secondary school students have already abused tranquillizers in some countries," the INCB found.

It also condemned the easy availability of drugs and poor prescription policies in North America.

The United States, most particularly California, meanwhile came under scrutiny for its medical cannabis scheme, which according to the INCB "has contributed to an increase in cannabis abuse."

The report called on Washington to better police such programs to remain in line with international conventions and ensure that the drugs do not become available for recreational use. -PTI

March 22, 2013

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Kansas House panel approves big anti-abortion bill TOPEKA, Kan.: A Kansas House committee has approved sweeping anti-abortion legislation that would prohibit public schools using sex-education instruction from Planned Parenthood and would block tax breaks for abortion providers and patients.

The bill that cleared the Federal and State Affairs Committee doesn't contain changes as dramatic as a new Arkansas law that bans most abortions from the 12th week of pregnancy, but abortion rights supporters in Kansas still see it as a serious threat to access to the procedure. Abortion opponents argue the measure lessens the state's entanglement with a procedure many residents find objectionable.

The Kansas legislation rewrites tax laws to prevent groups providing abortions from receiving tax exemptions or credits that go to other nonprofit groups or health care providers. Also, a woman who claims an income tax deduction for medical expenses couldn't include the cost of abortion services.

The bill spells out in more detail what information doctors must provide to women before terminating their pregnancies, and it strengthens a law against residents at the state's medical school performing abortions on state time. It declares that life begins ``at fertilization,'' and ``unborn children have interests in life, health and well-being that should be protected.''

The legislation would prohibit any abortion provider from furnishing materials or

instructors for sex education classes in public schools. School district employees and companies or groups under contract to provide educational services couldn't be involved in performing abortions. ``It is meant to be comprehensive,'' said Rep. Steve Brunk, a Wichita Republican who

Julie Burkhart, founder of the Wichita-based abortion-rights group Trust Women, said the Kansas measure would ``stigmatize'' anyone associated with providers and violates their free speech rights opposes abortion and serves as the committee's vice chairman.

The provision dealing with public schools is similar to a 2007 Missouri law and legislation considered in Texas.

Julie Burkhart, founder of the Wichitabased abortion-rights group Trust Women, said the Kansas measure would ``stigmatize'' anyone associated with providers and violates their free speech rights.

In Kansas, decisions about course content are left largely to local school boards, and education officials said they're not

Experts point to health care options for Mainers AUGUSTA, Maine: About 127,000 uninsured Mainers will be required to get health insurance or face penalties starting next year under the federal health care overhaul, but experts say they shouldn't panic because there will be options for coverage, and help getting it.

The requirement, known as the individual mandate, has been one of the most hotly debated pieces of the federal health care overhaul and was at the center of last year's Supreme Court decision upholding the law.

About half of Mainers are covered by employer-provided health insurance, and about 42 percent have individual health insurance policies or are covered by public programs including Medicare and Medicaid, according to the Commonwealth Fund.

Ten percent of Maine's population is uninsured and will fall into the individual mandate category, the private health care research nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation estimates.

One uninsured Mainer who's hoping the new law will make coverage possible is Melisa Belanger, who lives in the rural town of Burnham and, like her husband, works two jobs. The only policy available to her through her employer costs $800 a month and has a

$10,000 deductible, Belanger said, leaving her ``very sour on what's being offered.'' ``I'm really hoping something can be done for people that are stuck in the middle without any help,'' said Belanger, who is 27.

The federal law provides for two ways of covering people who fall under the requirement set by the individual mandate: through expanded Medicaid coverage or subsidies for private insurance.

Expanding Medicaid coverage is an open question in Maine as the Legislature sorts out its spending priorities for the next two years. Republican Gov. Paul LePage remains opposed to the idea, while Democratic leaders say expansion is a priority.

If Medicaid isn't expanded, people who earn up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level but don't get insurance won't be penalized by the government. But many of them wouldn't be eligible for subsidies either and would likely go without health insurance, said Mitchell Stein of Consumers for Affordable Health Care, an Augustabased group that advocates for quality insurance for everybody. ``So they're left out in the cold, which is why we think it's so important that Maine participate in Medicaid expansion,'' said Stein. -AP

aware of examples of abortion providers furnishing materials or instructors for sex education classes. But districts aren't required to report such information.

Peter Brownlie, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, said his group provides both materials and instructors when invited but doesn't track how often schools ask. Planned Parenthood offers abortions at its clinic in Johnson County.

Mary Kay Culp, executive director of Kansans for Life, the most influential antiabortion group at the Statehouse, said parents shouldn't have to worry about their children being educated by groups like Planned Parenthood ``so that they can learn where the local abortion clinic is.''

The proposed legislation had drawn criticism because it initially was drafted broadly enough to prevent abortion providers or their employees from volunteering at their children's schools. Even some strong abortion opponents blanched and successfully worked to narrow the language.

But Rep. Allan Rothlisberg, a Grandview Plaza Republican, argued in favor of the broader language. -AP

Aspirin Paracetamol combination can be dangerous

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aking a combination of aspirin with paracetamol can be risky to the kid ney, according to Dr. K K Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India & National Vice President Elect IMA. If the combination is taken with caffeine or codeine, the risk is further increased. A single analgesic is risky to the kidneys, only if it is given over a period of years.

One should not take over-the-counter painkillers for more than 10 days for pain or for more than 3 days for fever without medical advice said Dr S Arulrhaj Past National president IMA. People who are taking them should increase the amount of fluid intake i.e. they should take 6 to 8 glasses of water a day. If they are already suffering from kidney disease they should contact the doctor before taking painkiller, added Dr Ramesh Hotchandani Kidney Specialist at Moolchand Medcity and President IMA New Delhi Branch.

According to Dr Vinayak Aggarwal senior cardiologist from Medanta Medicity people who are heart patients, have high blood pressure or kidney disease or are on diuretic medications or are over the age of 65 should also consult their doctor before taking any painkiller. -HCFI

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Minn. Senate approves health Stroke prevention device misses key goal in study care marketplace bill ST. PAUL, Minn.: After hours of debate, the Minnesota Senate approved a bill that will make major changes to the state's health care system to conform with the Obama administration's health overhaul.

Lawmakers voted 37-28 to pass the measure, which implements the health insurance exchange, an online marketplace for 300,000 uninsured Minnesotans and others to shop for coverage plans and seek assistance to pay for them.

The debate stretched late into the night as Republicans in the minority failed to force changes to a plan they consider too expensive, too intrusive and lacking in accountability in how the exchange is governed. ``This whole bill is about taking away something that's working and replacing it with a big gamble, in Gov. Dayton's words,'' said Senate Minority Leader David Hann, R-Eden Prairie. He was quoting the DFL governor's description in a radio interview.

Dayton again referred to the size of the undertaking, calling it ``gargantuan.''

Under the federal health care changes, states must either design their own exchanges or let

the federal government handle the job. Minnesota lawmakers are working on a federal deadline to have exchange legislation passed and signed by Dayton by the end of March, looking toward an Oct. 1 start to enrollment.

In addition to aiming to provide coverage for 300,000 uninsured

"This whole bill is about taking away something that's working and replacing it with a big gamble, in Gov. Dayton's words,'' said Senate Minority Leader David Hann people, the health exchange could cover another 600,000 now on government coverage plans and another several hundred thousand people who work for small businesses that it's hoped can get better deals on insurance in the exchange. ``This is a website that will allow for the first time real applesto-apples comparisons between

insurance plans,'' said Sen. Tony Lourey, DFL-Kerrick, the bill's chief Senate sponsor.

Backers have said the website would be similar to airline ticket clearinghouses like Expedia, will be governed by a seven-member board appointed by the governor and subject to approval by the House and Senate. It's projected to cost $60 million to year to operate.

That's a key difference between the Senate bill and a companion bill the House passed earlier. The House bill funds those operating costs with a tax on exchange premiums up to 3.5 percent. The Senate wants instead to fund it by diverting money from an existing 75-cent state fee on a pack of cigarettes.

Another key difference between the two bills is a provision in the House bill meant to entice insurance companies to offer their plans on the exchange by letting them sell some of their specific products an inclusion opposed by some of the Legislature's more liberal members. That provision is not in the Senate bill.

Differences between the two bills will ultimately have to be worked out in a conference committee. -AP

Consumers want NH health system to be understandable CONCORD, N.H.: New Hampshire consumers have told state and federal officials who will be setting up and managing new health insurance marketplaces required under the federal health overhaul law that first and foremost the new system should be understandable.

About two dozen people spoke at a forum organized by New Hampshire Voices for Health and AARP. Representatives from the state insurance and health departments were in the audience, and a regional representative from the federal Department of Health and Human Services listened in by phone.

Many of those who testified said they look forward to having more health insurance options and urged the state to focus on creating a user-friendly system, built on resources already in place and that could steer people to the right plans.

The federal law requires states to create marketplaces that will offer individuals and their families a choice of private health plans resembling what major companies

offer their workers. The New Hampshire Legislature passed a law last session prohibiting a staterun marketplace, and Gov. Maggie Hassan decided last month to pursue a partnership with the federal government in offering state residents their choices.

Several insurance industry executives said they were concerned that consumers would end up being advised by those without the appropriate skills and training At the forum, Lisa Morris, director of the Lakes Region Partnership for Public Health, said the state's previous experience with Medicare enrollment illustrates the need for community-based education and one-on-one assistance.

Many senior citizens, including those who consider them-

selves computer savvy, have had trouble using the Medicare online enrollment system, she said. ``I believe the health exchange will present many of the same challenges as the Medicare exchange, probably much more,'' she said. ``There are many people who have difficulty understanding the complexity of the health care system, not to mention navigating webbased information and enrollment.''

But several insurance industry executives said they were concerned that consumers would end up being advised by those without the appropriate skills and training. Thomas Welden, president of the New Hampshire Association of Health Underwriters, said it should be insurers, not the so-called ``navigators,'' who explain the various products to consumers.

And Ray White, a former state senator who runs an insurance company, said he doesn't like the prospect of competing with navigators who will be collecting federal funding regardless of whether consumers end up enrolled in health plans. -AP

SAN FRANCISCO: The future is unclear for a promising heart device aimed at preventing strokes in people at high risk of them because of an irregular heartbeat.

Early results from a key study of Boston Scientific Corp.'s Watchman device suggested it is safer than previous testing found, but may not be better than a drug

that is used now for preventing strokes, heart-related deaths and blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation over the long term.

More than 2.7 million Americans and 15 million people worldwide have atrial fibrillation. The upper chambers of the heart quiver instead of beating properly.

That lets blood pool in a small pouch. Clots can form and travel to the brain, causing a stroke.

The usual treatment is blood thinners such as warfarin, sold as Coumadin and other brands. But they have problems of their own and some are very expensive. The Watchman is intended to be a permanent solution that would not require people to take medications for the rest of their lives. It's a tiny expandable umbrella that plugs the pouch, and is inserted without surgery, through a tube pushed into a vein.

A study four years ago suggested the device was at least as good at preventing strokes as warfarin is, but the procedure to implant it led to strokes in some patients. Advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration narrowly recommended approving the Watchman but the federal agency required a second test of its safety and effectiveness.

The new study was to be the top presentation at an American College of Cardiology conference in San Francisco. But the group took the unprecedented step of pulling it from the program just before it was to go on because Boston Scientific released results early to investors.

The study was led by Dr. David Holmes Jr. of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He and the clinic have a financial stake in the device.

The study involved 407 patients 269 assigned to get the device and 138 to get warfarin. It had three main goals, and it clearly met the first on safety strokes, heartrelated deaths, blood clots and serious complications a week after implant or release from the hospital. ``The early concerns about safety of the device ... have been alleviated,'' Holmes said.

The other two goals were estimated based on just 88 patients who have been tracked for 18 months after treatment. Strokes and blood clots occurred no more often with the device in those patients.

However, the results suggest the device will not prove better than warfarin at 18 months on a wider measure - a combination of strokes, heart-related deaths or clots.

Whether that will be enough to win FDA approval remains to be seen. Dr. Gordon Tomaselli, a Johns Hopkins University heart specialist and former president of the American Heart Association,

A study four years ago suggested the device was at least as good at preventing strokes as warfarin is, but the procedure to implant it led to strokes in some patients said he was reassured that the device seems safer, and said it might be approved just for people who cannot tolerate blood thinners long term. ``It's a mixed result,'' he said. ``There still are complications'' but fewer of them in the new study.

Dr. Hadley Wilson, cardiology chief at Carolinas HealthCare System in Charlotte, enrolled patients in the new study and predicts the FDA will require even more testing. ``It would be difficult for approvability without further study,'' he said. -AP

March 22, 2013

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NM health insurance exchange proposal advances SANTA FE, N.M.: A proposal to create a state-operated health insurance exchange is heading to the Senate with bipartisan support, including from Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.

Supporters said the latest proposal was a compromise that will allow New Mexico to meet a deadline for having an exchange ready to enroll uninsured New Mexicans in October and be fully operating by January.

The exchange is to serve as an online shopping center for uninsured people and small businesses to buy health coverage from private insurance companies. The goal is to make it easier for consumers to shop for insurance by comparing prices and benefits.

Under a federal health care overhaul, states had the option of establishing their own exchange or leaving it to the federal government. Nearly 200,000 New Mexicans may be able to buy health insurance through the exchange by 2020.

``I am pleased that we are now moving forward with a piece of legislation that strikes a reasonable compromise, one that has invited advocates, industry professionals, and sponsors from both sides of the aisle to help shape the future of quality health care in New Mexico,'' Martinez said in a statement. ``Our state's health insurance exchange will provide the maximum

The exchange is to serve as an online shopping center for uninsured people and small businesses to buy health coverage from private insurance companies. The goal is to make it easier for consumers to shop for insurance by comparing prices and benefits. number of choices to New Mexicans when it comes to selecting a health care plan that fits their needs.''

Democratic Sen. Benny Shendo Jr., of

Stress emerges as major health issue in Fukushima MINAMI-SOMA, Japan: Japan's radiation nightmare has turned the lively home that truck driver Takahiro Ishitani once shared with his wife and three sons into a cluttered bachelor pad.

A coffee mug full of cigarette butts, a towel and other odds and ends sit on a low table in the apartment's small living room.

He offers a visitor a takeout box lunch, his main source of sustenance these days. Laundry hangs inside so it won't absorb the radiation that remains in the ground, two years after an earthquake and tsunami caused meltdowns and explosions at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, about 30 kilometers (18 miles) to the south.

To escape this lonely weekday existence, the 42-year-old Ishitani drives three hours up winding roads every weekend to see his family, which has moved away because of fears that radiation could harm the children. ``If it really is safe, I want them to come back,'' says Ishitani, a stocky man with a small beard on the tip of his chin. ``But it's hard to know. Different people say different things, and that adds to my stress. I don't know whom to trust.''

Just as with Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, mental distress could be one of the biggest health issues to emerge from this disaster, experts say. While attention has focused on the potential cancer risks, they remain unclear. What is clear is that the uncertainty and the upheaval it's caused in people's lives is already exacting a very real and pervasive psychological toll. ``It's one of the biggest problems,'' said Seiji Yasumura, a professor of public health at Fukushima Medical University.

Ishitani collapsed on the street with an ulcer nine months into the disaster. He was hospitalized for three days and still takes stomach medicine. The slightest tremor wakes him at night, and then he can't get back to sleep as he worries about the future.

Jemez Pueblo helped negotiate the compromise with the Martinez administration, Democrats and Republicans. ``We could perfect this thing to death and not have an exchange,'' said Shendo. ``If we don't get something, the feds will take over.''

A proposal by Shendo and Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque, unanimously cleared a final Senate committee and is

Will his youngest son, 8-year-old Ryusei, ever be able to play in the woods and catch crawfish in the river as Ishitani did as a child?

How long can his family continue this divided life? Will his now half-deserted hometown of Minami-Soma even survive or shrivel and die?

More than a decade after the 1986 Chernobyl accident, mothers of young children who were evacuated had twice the rate of post-traumatic disorders than the general population, according to Evelyn Bromet, a psychiatrist at the State University of New York, Stony Brook.

More than a decade after the 1986 Chernobyl accident, mothers of young children who were evacuated had twice the rate of post-traumatic disorders than the general population A health questionnaire sent to Fukushima residents by Fukushima Medical University found that about 15 percent of 67,500 respondents indicated high levels of stress on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, a commonly used test to gauge stress, much higher than the 3 percent among the general population.

The survey results, compiled through June, the most recent available, also showed 21 percent scored high on a checklist used to screen for post-traumatic stress disorder.

As Ishitani runs errands around MinamiSoma in his four-ton truck, he wonders out loud whether his family should return to a place where hardly any children ride bikes anymore for fear of touching the contaminated ground. -AP

headed to the 42-member Senate for consideration.

The measure faces a tight deadline for winning approval of the Senate and then the House. Lawmakers adjourn in a week.

Rep. Tom Taylor, a Farmington Republican involved in the negotiations, said the bill ``has a very good chance of flying'' through the Legislature.

A health exchange measure stalled in the House late last month after initially being rejected on a 39-30 vote, with eight Democrats opposing it. The measure was revived but lawmakers haven't attempted to advance it again. Critics said it would overly regulate the health insurance plans that

could be offered to New Mexicans.

Instead, the Senate proposal was hammered out.

The legislation creates the framework for an exchange governed by a 13-member board. The state superintendent of insurance is a member. The governor will appoint six board directors and six will be selected by legislative leaders. Among the board members are insurance industry representatives, a consumer advocate and health care provider.

Unlike the House measure, the latest proposal doesn't grant board members the power to exclude health insurance plans from being offered on the exchange if they meet qualifying standards and comply with the federal health care law. The governor wanted a ``free market'' exchange that will offer all insurance plans meeting basic qualifications.

The governor has taken steps to establish an exchange operated by the New Mexico Health Insurance Alliance, a nonprofit public corporation established in 1994. But Democrats, including Attorney General Gary King, contend the Legislature needs to change state law for the organization to handle duties of the exchange mandated by a federal health care overhaul.

Martinez said the legislation ``continues down the road of the exchange structure that we have already begun to implement, which has received conditional approval from the Obama administration.'' -AP

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Fish better than fish oil supplements: Study

WASHINGTON: Eating fish has greater health benefits than fish oil dietary supplements, according to a new study.

Researchers said Omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish may have diverse health-promoting effects, potentially protecting the immune, nervous, and cardiovascular systems.

But how the health effects of one such fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) works remains unclear, in part because its molecular signaling pathways are only now being understood.

Toshinori Hoshi, professor of Physiology, at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and colleagues showed how fish oils help lower blood pressure via vasodilation at ion channels.

In vascular smooth muscle cells, such as those that line blood vessels, ion channels that span the

outer membrane of a cell to let such ions as sodium, calcium, and potassium in and out, are critical to maintaining proper vessel pressure.

The researchers found that

ethyl ester, found in most fish oil pills fails to activate the same channels, and even antagonizes the positive effect of DHA from natural sources, on the cells. The DHA ethyl ester seems to compete with the natural form of DHA for binding sites on the ion channel.

The team concluded that these channels have receptors for longchain omega-3 fatty acids, and that DHA - unlike its ethyl ester cousin - activate the channels and lower blood pressure.

The findings have practical implications for the use of omega3 fatty acids as nutraceuticals for the general public and also for critically ill patients who may receive omega-3enriched formulas as part of their nutrition.

The findings have practical implications for the use of omega-3 fatty acids as nutraceuticals for the general public and also for critically ill patients who may receive omega-3enriched formulas as part of their nutrition DHA rapidly and reversibly activates these channels by increasing currents by up to 20 fold. DHA lowers blood pressure in anaesthetized wild type mice but not in mice genetically engineered without a specific ion channel subunit, according to the study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

In comparison, the team found that a dietary supplement, DHA

Coauthor Michael Bauer from Jena University Hospital in Germany said the findings may encourage physicians to have a closer look at the specific formulations given to sepsis patients as they may contain either the free omega-3 acid or the ester.

The findings also underscore the importance of obtaining omega-3 fatty acids from natural food sources such as oily fish. -PTI

Mobile phones can spread infections in hospital

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obile phones used by hospital healthcare workers are often contaminated with germs, including those that can cause illness in hospitalized patients, according to a study published in the BMC journal Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials. Turkish researchers swabbed the dominant hand and the mobile phones of 200 doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff working in

intensive care units and operating rooms and found that 95 percent of telephones were contaminated, often with more than one type of

microbe and often with antibioticresistant bacteria.

Potentially serious infectious bugs such as staphylococci were isolated from phones in intensive care units.

Ninety percent of health care workers said they never cleaned their mobile phones. The investigators recommend routine decontamination of mobile phones with alcohol-containing disinfectants.-HCFI

States need to chip in to improve healthcare: Montek NEW DELHI: Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has said the states need to match central government's expenditure on healthcare planned in the 12th Plan period (2012-17) to improve the sector.

"The relative size of what the central government does and what states have to do, central government's contribution (expenditure) has to be quite small," Ahluwalia said while addressing at the India Healthcare Awards function organized by ICICI Lombard and CNBC TV18.

"Health is a state subject and one thing exclusively responsibility of the Centre is medical education," he said further.

"In the 12th Plan, we will be spending more money (on health).

Probably, the Centre will certainly be doing that but the impact on overall health industry really depends on whether state governments match that (expenditure)," he said.

Ahluwalia also stressed on the need for increasing supply of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses and other paramedical staff.

Talking about the issue of poor access to health services in the country, he said that the National

Rural Health Mission is being converted into National Health Mission to cover urban areas also.

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia

Ahluwalia also stressed on the need for increasing supply of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses There are a lot of great successes in the pharmaceutical sector but there are a lot of regulatory issues as well, he added.

"It is true that as a country, we have not paid as much attention, we should have paid to health," he said. -PTI

Fortenberry behind medical conscience bill OMAHA, Neb.: Nebraska Republican Rep. Jeff Fortenberry has helped write a bill that would let those with conscience and religious objections opt out of some requirements in the federal health care overhaul such as covering the cost of birth control.

Fortenberry is an original cosponsor of the bill by Tennessee Rep. Diane Black, a fellow Republican. The legislation, known as the Health Care Conscience Rights Act, would allow health care providers and small business owners to opt out of some requirements and would allow health care workers not to participate abortion procedures.

Fortenberry says the bill ``sim-

Nebraska Republican Rep. Jeff Fortenberry

ply restores the basic rights in health care that were widely accepted before the implementation of the new health care law.''

Fortenberry introduced similar legislation in 2011. -AP

March 22, 2013

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W

ayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is made up of two discontinuous pockets Muthanga and Tholpetty. While Muthanga is situated to the south of Wayanad, about 18 km from Sulthan Bathery, Tholpetty is located towards the north of the district adjacent to Thirunelli. Both these pockets together cover an area of 344.44 sq km and are known for their rugged wild charm.

Cocooned in the Nilgiri Biosphere, Muthanga lies adjacent to Bandipur Tiger Reserve in

Karnataka and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. It also borders Sulthan Bathery and Kurichiat Ranges within Kerala and is known for its rich biodiversity.

Tholpetty also lies adjacent to Nagarhole Range of Karnataka.

History The area was declared a sanctuary in 1973. The deep forests of

www.indiapost.com this area had provided shelter for Pazhassi Raja during his rebellion against the British force. The sanctuary is part of Project Elephant and if you travel through the route, you can observe herds of elephants roaming freely across the various ranges and sometimes to the national parks in the adjacent states too.

Prior permission is needed to visit the place and the visitors are restricted to the outer zone of the sanctuary. Only researchers and wardens are allowed to go to the

inner zone of the sanctuary which is about 25 km wide.

Topography and climate Undulating hills and thick greenery are characteristics of the wildlife sanctuary of Wayanad. The highest peak is Karottimala, which is situated about 3800 ft above MSL. There are other peaks which lie at an altitude of 2100 to 2600 ft. The

March 22, 2013 elevated landscape ensures a cool climate and the visitors can enjoy a serene cool atmosphere with temperature falling up to 13 degree Celsius during winter and rising up to 32 degree Celsius during summer. A good rainfall of about 2200 mm is experienced by the area and usually heavy rainfalls occur from June to August.

Forest types & other flora While you travel through the roads leading to Muthanga or Tholpetty, you will get a glimpse of

the rich enchanting flora that the forests harbor. The sides of the roads are thick and green with various kinds of plants which constitute bamboo trees, long spiky bushes of ginger etc. You can also observe paddy fields on the way.

Typical moist and dry deciduous forest types cover most of the area of the sanctuary while the visitors can also see a few patches of semi evergreen forests. Bamboo groves intervening with moist deciduous forests is another characteristic of the sanctuary.

Cont’d on page 40

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Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Big cats amid rich enchanting flora & fauna Cont’d from page 39

About one third of the sanctuary is covered by plantations of teak, rosewood, eucalyptus and silver oak. Marshy lands also mark their presence in the sanctuary.

The place also harbors rich flora and a scientific conservation is followed to keep the rare plants with due care. Among the dry and moist deciduous elements of Wayanad, Careya arborea (Pezhu), Dalbergia latifolia (Rosewood), Terminatia chebula (Kadukka),

Kydia calycina (Vellachadachi), Anogeissus latifolia (Axle wood) and Stereospermum colias (Padiri) are the dominant tree species.

Ground flora, shrubs and creepers too can be seen here. Shrubs such as Helicters isora, Randia

ulginosa and herbs like Ageratum conizioides, Rauvolfia, sida cordifolia, and many others have also been found here. Woody climbers like Entada scandens and Calycopteries floribunda too grow abundantly in the forests of Wayanad.

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Fauna The sanctuary is home to a variety of animals. You can spot herds of elephants and deer crossing the road, or frolicking in the fringes of forests.

The presence of big cats, tiger, panther etc. has also been noted in this area. Langurs, bonnet macaques, bison, monkeys,

The sanctuary is home to a variety of animals. You can spot herds of elephants and deer crossing the road, or frolicking in the fringes of forests. The presence of big cats, tiger, panther etc. has also been noted in this area sambar, Malabar squirrel and bear too can be spotted. Diverse and bustling animal life of the region includes a variety of other ani-

cock, paradise flycatcher, Malabar grey hornbill, pariah kite, crested honey buzzard and crested serpent eagle too are seen here.

A rare blue bearded bee-eater (Nectyronis othertoni), has been sighted in Wayanad. It is the largest bee-eater in the world with a pale blue forehead and a "beard".

The bird has other characteristics such as green color on the upper parts of the head, belly adorned with soft streaks, square-ended long tail with yellow feathers below, de-curved slender black bill, short wings etc. Its call is audible

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mals too including the rarest Slender Loris.

The variety of reptiles seen in Wayanad sanctuary includes Monitor lizard and various kinds of snakes such as golden tree snake, coral snake, green whip snake and pit vipers. The other fauna of the region include crocodiles, a type of gecko called termite hill gecko, chameleon, flying lizard, monitor lizard, skinks, and flap shell turtles.

About 216 species of birds like peacock, owl, babbler, black woodpecker, golden backed three-toed wood pecker, cuckoo and jungle fowl are found in the area. Malabar whistling thrush, Malabar trogon shama, painted bush quail, golden oriole, pea-

from a good distance.

The amphibians found in the area belong to about 30 species and they include ornate

microhylid, red microhylid, Ceylon kaliula, triangle-spotted Ramnella etc. Bi-colored frog, bronze frog and Malabar gliding frog too can be spotted here.

The streams and rivers across the sanctuary hold large fish varieties which include Wayanad barb (Puntius wynaadensis), Malabar catopra (Pristoleptis marginata), korhi barb (P. micropogon), snake heads (Chann asp.) etc. Ariza labeo (Labeo ariza), common rasbora (Rasbora daniconius), Wayanad mystus (Mystus montanus) and giantdanio (Danio aequipinnatus) too can be found.

How to Reach

By Air: The Karipur International Airport at Kozhikode lies around 125 kms from the sanctuary. KTDC buses are available for the journey from the airport to the forest. Private taxis and buses are also available.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Kozhikode (100km) which is well connected to all parts of the country.

By Road: Express and deluxe bus services connect the sanctuary to different towns and cities of Kerala and other nearby states. Some of the major distances from Wayanad are: Calicut- 98 km, Kasargod- 216 km, Thirivanathpuram- 502 km and Cochin- 286 km.

March 22, 2013

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Visa on arrival to German tourists likely NEW DELHI: Aiming at increasing foreign tourist arrivals, the government says a proposal to extend Visa on Arrival (VoA) facility to visitors from Germany is being considered.

"A proposal to extend Visa on Arrival facility to the tourists from Germany is under active consideration of the Government of the India," Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi said while inaugurating India pavilion at International Tourism Bourse (ITB) in Berlin.

He said Germany is an important market for India.

"Our effort is to consolidate our well-developed cultural and heritage products and develop new niche products like rural tourism; wellness and medical tourism; adventure and wildlife tourism�

"During the year 2011, over 24,000 German tourists visited India and we are looking forward to further increasing the tourist traffic between the two countries," he said.

Earlier on March 1, Chiranjeevi had met Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and submitted a proposal seeking extension of VoA facilities for 16 countries including Germany.

The Minister said foreign tourist arrivals to India constitute only 0.64 per cent of the World Tourist Arrivals and foreign exchange earnings account for 1.61 per cent of the World Tourism Receipts.

"This is a matter of concern for all of us in the Ministry. Our endeavor is to increase India's share to 1 per cent of the World Tourist Arrivals by 2016," he said.

Chiranjeevi welcomes simplifying of embarking card NEW DELHI: Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi has welcomed the government's move to simplify the issuance process of embarking card for Indians and disembarking cards for foreigners.

"The proposed simplified forms for embarking and disembarking are point specific with the relevant questions and tourist friendly," he said.

The new system, a joint effort of home and tourism ministries, will come into effect from July 1.

Embarking card is a legal document used by immigration authorities to provide passenger identification and an effective record of a person's departure from the country.

Similarly, a disembarking card provides passenger identification and a record of a person's entry into the country.

Though these cards, foreign tourist arrival data can be easily generated. -PTI

Work on Sarthal Devi tourism center taken up JAMMU: Work on the proposed tourist reception center at Sarthal Devi in Kishtwar district has been taken up at a cost of Rs 1.78 crore, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was informed.

Centre has sanctioned a sum of Rs 1.78 crore for the project out of which Rs 35.78 lakh have been released as first installment, Urban Development and Local Bodies Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora said.

Union Tourism Minister K. Chiranjeevi inaugurating the Indian Pavilion, at ITB in Berlin, Germany on March 6

Currently, VoA facility is available for tourists from 11 countries including Singapore, New Zealand, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar and Philippines.

VoA is useful for attracting potential tourists in key markets and at times also useful for people who make decisions at the last moment.

There were total 16,084 foreign tourists who had availed the VoA facility in 2012 as against 12,761 in 2011.

Chiranjeevi said India has evolved as a round-the-year destination.

"Our effort is to consolidate our welldeveloped cultural and heritage products and develop new niche products like rural tourism; wellness and medical tourism; adventure and wildlife tourism; film tourism; monsoon tourism; golf, polo and sports tourism," he said.

The Tourism Minister said along with being committed to the growth of tourism, his ministry was aware about the issues of cleanliness, hygiene and sustainability.

Tourism Ministry has launched 'Campaign Clean India' to sensitize the masses about keeping Indian destinations clean.

Chiranjeevi was on a five-day visit to Germany. During his stay, he had extensive meetings with tour and travel operators, travel writers and other stakeholders.

The ITB is one of the premier international travel-related events, which provides an effective platform for networking and meetings with executives and leaders from all segments of the Tourism Industry worldwide.

ITB is one of the largest international events in which the ministry participates on a very large scale. This year too, an area of 870 sq m has been allocated for the India Pavilion.

The theme of the India Pavilion at ITB Berlin 2013 is 'Find what you Seek' which highlights the fact that India as a tourist destination has something to offer for everybody.

'Find What You Seek' is the second phase of the Incredible India campaign.

A total of 58 participants from India are attending ITB. These include 12 state governments and 46 travel agents, tour operators, hotels and airlines.

States of Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and West Bengal are represented by their Tourism Ministers at ITB Berlin 2013. As in previous years, complementary space is being provided to the North-Eastern states within India Pavilion for showcasing their tourism potential. -PTI

Nawang Rigzin Jora

He said the delay in the project was due to land dispute, which has been resolved.

The minister further informed that tendering passes of the project have been completed and an amount of Rs 10 lakh has been spent.

Jora said the work on Mubarak MandiBahu Fort cable car Project will be taken up soon after completion of formalities. -PTI

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India improves in travel, tourism competitiveness and of ports require further improvement," the report said.

The WEF report noted India is also a relatively price competitive destination (20th), even in the regional context.

The report however, said that some aspects of its tourism infrastructure remain somewhat underdeveloped, with very few hotel rooms per capita by interna-

NEW DELHI: India has moved up by three notches to 65th rank out of 140 countries in terms of travel and tourism industry competitiveness, a report by World Economic Forum has said.

According to the fifth Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report

by WEF, India has been ranked in the 11th place in the region and 65th overall, gaining three positions since the last edition.

"As with China, India is well assessed for its natural resources (ranked 9th) and cultural resources (24th), with many natural

and cultural World Heritage sites, rich fauna, many fairs and exhibitions, and strong creative industries," the report said.

Among the other emerging market economies, however, India was ranked below its peers, as Brazil was placed in the 51th position, Russia 63rd and China enjoyed a rank as high as 45.

"India also has quite good air transport (ranked 39th), particularly given the country's stage of development, and reasonable ground transport infrastructure (ranked 42nd), although the quality of roads

Another area of concern is the policy environment, which is ranked 125th because of the long time and high cost required to start a business and a restrictive visa policy tional comparison and low ATM penetration.

Another area of concern is the policy environment, which is ranked 125th because of the long time and high cost required to start a business and a restrictive visa policy.

Other areas requiring attention are health and hygiene standards

(109th) and the country's human resources base.

Switzerland, Germany and Austria lead the world in terms of their travel and tourism industry competitiveness. Others in the top ten list are Spain (4th), United Kingdom (5th), United States (6th), France (7th), Canada (8th), Swe-

maintain growth momentum.

"The travel and tourism industry has weathered the global downturn and is now playing an important role in helping tackle serious global challenges, including youth unemployment, economic development and environmental sustainability," World Economic Forum Director,

den (9th) and Singapore (10th).

The report highlighted the potential of travel and tourism industry to boost economic resilience and job creation and said that initiatives such as smart visa policies are seen as critical for industry to

Head of Aviation, Travel & Tourism Industries Thea Chiesa said.

Chiesa further noted that "the challenge for the industry and its stakeholders today is to maintain this powerful contribution to economic growth and employment..." -PTI

Status of hotel projects applications to be online NEW DELHI: In a bid to bring transparency in granting approvals for hotel projects, Tourism Ministry has announced that status of all such applications and those on classification status will

initiative to bring in transparency in granting approvals for hotel projects and classification status to functioning hotels, it said.

At present, when hotel promoters and owners seek voluntary

posted on the web. The web details will indicate the date of receipt of applications, status regarding project approval, proposed date of the visit of Hotel and Restaurant Classification Committee, final recommendation of the Committee and final status of classification/ approval.

"This measure will bring in more transparency, make officials more

"From April 1, all information relating to such applications indicating the latest status will be put on the website of the Ministry of Tourism� be available online from next month.

"From April 1, all information relating to such applications indicating the latest status will be put on the website of the Ministry of Tourism- www.tourism.gov.in," the ministry said in a statement Union Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi has announced the

approval from the tourism ministry for their projects and classification from one star to five star deluxe their requests are processed within 90 days but the applicants remain unaware of the status of their applications till the final decision is conveyed to them.

All applicants will be given a password to access the details

accountable in working and enable the applicants to access information and check status of their applications sitting at their own places," an official said.

The Ministry will make all efforts to give a final decision on all applications complete in all respects, he said. -PTI

IOC petrol pumps in Gujarat to promote tourism AHMEDABAD: The petrol pumps run by Indian Oil Corp Ltd in Gujarat would soon be offering tourism-related information and facilities.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed by Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL) and the oil major in this regard.

TCGL was represented by its Managing Director Sanjay Kaul while IOC was represented by its Deputy General Manager-Retail Sales, Gujarat, Shajeev Kakkar.

TCGL will get space in the IOC premises and create basic amenities such as toilets, food courts, kiosks etc.

Such facilities will be made

available every 100 km on the national highways and every 75 km on the state highways.

Work is expected to begin in the next six months.

The tourist inflow in Gujarat increased by over 54 lakh in the last two years, according to the state government. -PTI

Perspective

March 22, 2013

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Chuck Hagel comments - Storm in a teacup?

LISA ZIMMERMAN & J.S. BEDI

R

ecently, former Nebraska Senator and current U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel made some statements on India raising the hackles of the Indian leadership and the media. Both crying foul and demanding explanations and apologies and withdrawal of the statement by the Secretary. The Secretary had allegedly accused

Chuck Hagel

India of indulging in covert espionage and proxy war using funds and means via Afghanistan.

Of course, this did create the proverbial storm in a teacup with India protesting the Secretary's words. Now here is something which people need to understand.

Politicians often tend to, and are expected to make statements that are politically correct and do not raise hackles at the wrong places. For instance, the Secretary has also been criticized for his views on Israel and Iran. Here is a man who seems to be inclined to be more realistic and pragmatic as opposed to being politically correct and patronizing.

It is a known fact that international diplomacy and intelligence works in a cloak and dagger fashion. Diplomacy as the word suggests, is essentially stabbing each other with a smile whereas, intelligence operates in an entirely different environment.

Intelligence is based on espionage and very often, we see it working in a tit for tat fashion. All countries do that and India is no exception.

There are many examples of Israeli agents entering other countries to assassinate potential enemies including the alleged murders of Iranian nuclear scientists. The Iranian response has been seen in the form of material and financial support to anti-Israeli elements. Likewise, we all know about the traditional rivalry and spy vs. spy syndrome

between the CIA and the KGB during the Cold cal considerations too as well.

War era.

Then not too recently, in the 80's was Now coming closer to home. Pakistan's the Indian debacle in Sri Lanka with the InISI has been accused of a number of inci- dian government and the intelligence agendents in India, and it is a known fact that it cies doing a seesaw over the Tamil issue in has a network of spies spanning the entire that island nation. country. It is these spies who not only inIn this context, only the naive and the dulge in sabotage but also send back sen- outwardly stupid would believe that India sitive information and encourage local anti- is not responding in kind to Pakistan in the India outfits in kind and ideology. present day scenario. Whilst the Pakistanis A lot of this is done by the spies within can do it with every means at their disposal, the country, whilst a lot of it is channeled what is stopping India from returning the across the borders from Nepal, Bangladesh, China, and Burma. There is of There is of course the daily crosscourse the daily cross-bor- border activity by Pakistani ISI on the der activity by Pakistani ISI on the India Pakistan India Pakistan border, and likewise border, and likewise perperhaps the RAW incursion into Pakihaps the RAW incursion into Pakistan. Both armies stan. Both armies violate the internaviolate the international border on scouting mis- tional border on scouting missions, a sions, a fact confirmed by fact confirmed by ex-servicemen from ex-servicemen from both countries now here in this both countries now here in this country country.

It is a known fact that it was India, its favor? People need to understand that conarmy, and the intelligence agencies like cepts like the holy cow or Gandhism, nonRAW that were responsible for the creation violence, etc. look very attractive in textof Bangladesh. This was not for any love of books, but the real bad world is a different the Bangladeshis, but to sabotage and story altogether. weaken Pakistan. Another factor could have Kill or be killed is the name of the game been the economic repercussions of the vast and India cannot afford to let its guard refugee influx into India. There were politi- down.

Hagel visit to Kabul riddled with bombings, security threats KABUL, Afghanistan: After surviving a combative Senate confirmation battle, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel jumped on a military plane to Afghanistan and was hit with the jarring difficulties of shutting down a war in a country still wracked by violence and political volatility.

His stay of less than three days in the warzone was riddled with bombings, security threats, political gridlock and wild accusations from an Afghan president bent on securing his own legacy and determined to move his fragile, war-torn country toward stability and self-governance.

Hagel left Afghanistan with no real victories to tout, no solutions nailed down or hurdles overcome. Instead, during brief public comments shortly after he met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Hagel steadfastly avoided any direct talk of the escalating problems. Instead, the twicewounded Vietnam veteran and former U.S. senator spoke broadly of the challenges of war and the complications of politics.

"Sometimes I think we can get bogged down in the day-to-day evaluations of the minute, of the week, of the month," Hagel told reporters once he was back inside the fortified walls of Camp Eggers, the base in Kabul. "Those are all metrics, those are all good guideposts, but we've got to keep in mind the larger context of where we've been; and what we've accomplished and

where we're going with the big issues still hanging out there."

An early supporter of the war while in the U.S. Senate, Hagel later became more disillusioned with the conflict, opposing the surge of troops sent to quell the escalating violence. More recently he has warned that Americans want the U.S. to get out of the war that has killed more than 2,000 U.S. troops and that the Obama administration wants to wind down.

Hagel must he oversee the withdrawal of

He appeared at times to try and walk a delicate political line, forced to acknowledge the tensions with Karzai but seemingly determined not to fuel them.

In recent days, disagreements stalled efforts to turn a detention facility over to the Afghans and U.S. forces faced mounting Afghan restrictions on their combat and training operations. A suicide bomber targeted the Afghan defense ministry a day before Hagel was scheduled to go there, and he cancelled his news conference because offi-

Karzai accused the U.S. of colluding with the Taliban. In the latest broadside, Karzai said that two suicide bombings that killed 19 people - one outside the Afghan Defense Ministry, the other near a police checkpoint in eastern Khost province - show that the Taliban is conducting attacks to show that international forces will be needed after their combat mission ends in 2014 34,000 troops and thousands of containers of equipment over the next year or so. And he must do it as the Afghans throw roadblocks in his path and a stubborn insurgency rattles the nascent government with dramatic attacks and the promise of an early start to the spring fighting season.

"It's complicated," Hagel repeatedly said as reporters pressed him on the challenges.

cials said they learned of a security threat.

In addition, Karzai accused the U.S. of colluding with the Taliban.

In the latest broadside, Karzai said that two suicide bombings that killed 19 people - one outside the Afghan Defense Ministry, the other near a police checkpoint in eastern Khost province - show that the Taliban is conducting attacks to show that interna-

tional forces will be needed after their combat mission ends in 2014.

"The explosions in Kabul and Khost showed that they are at the service of America and at the service of this phrase: 2014. They are trying to frighten us into thinking that if the foreigners are not in Afghanistan, we would be facing these sorts of incidents," he said.

Hagel said that during his meeting and inaugural dinner as defense chief at Karzai's palace, he spoke "clearly and directly" to the Afghan president about the ongoing problems. He would not say if Karzai leveled the same charges of U.S. and Taliban collusion directly to his face during the meeting.

Stunned U.S. officials said they didn't know if the remarks were targeted to come as Hagel made his first visit to the country. And they seesawed between expressions of frustration to simply dismissing the charges as unfortunate political pandering. What most agreed on, however, is that such disputes will likely continue to come up and further complicate Hagel's effort to end the war.

Still, there were sparks of optimism. Both Hagel and Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, insisted that the Afghan military leaders are committed to taking over security of their own country and are on target to make that transition later this summer.-AP

In Brief Obama meets with faith leaders on immigration WASHINGTON: Projecting urgency, President Barack Obama says he wants the Senate to pass a comprehensive immigration bill in the next three months, though he is willing to be patient if that timeline slips slightly.

Obama spoke during a meeting with faith leaders, an increasingly powerful part of the coalition seeking to overhaul the nation's patchwork immigration laws. The private meeting occurred as the White House tries to show it is focused on more than just fiscal issues following Washington's inability to avert billions in budget cuts and a looming deadline for keeping the government running.

According to people who attended the meeting, the president was enthusiastic about the work underway in the Senate, where a group of eight senators, four Democrats and four Republicans, are crafting legislation. The White House has drafted its own immigration bill, but Obama emphasized to the faith leaders that he would only send it to Capitol Hill if the Senate effort breaks down. ``The president understood our sense of urgency,'' said Rev. Gabriel Salguero, president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition. ``He understands there's a very narrow window.'' -AP

'Gang of Eight' hushhush as they craft immigration bill WASHINGTON: The eight senators meet in private several times a week, alternating between Sen. John McCain's and Sen. Charles Schumer's offices. They sit in arm chairs arranged in a circle and sip water or soft drinks as they debate temporary workers and border security. In a capital riven by partisanship and gridlock, they are determined to be the exception and actually get something done.

This is immigration reform's ``Gang of Eight.'' With them lies the best hope in years for overhauling the nation's byzantine immigration laws and they know it.

That's partly why they are, by all accounts, working amazingly well together as a self-imposed deadline approaches for their sweeping legislation to be released.

The progress is happening even though the group includes some of the Senate's most outsized personalities, failed and prospective presidential candidates, one lawmaker dogged by scandal and another facing a potential re-election challenge that could be complicated by his stance on immigration. -AP

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Employment eligibility verification form revised WASHINGTON: US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published a revised Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 for use. All employers are required to complete a Form I9 for each employee hired in the United States. -AP

H-1B workers not best or brightest, study says

M

anagers of high-tech companies insist they need more H-1B visas for foreign IT workers to ensure access to the best and brightest workforce. But a study finds that imported IT talent is often less talented than U.S. workers.

The study, published by the Economic Policy Institute and conducted by Norman Matloff, professor of computer science at the University of California in Davis, compares U.S. and foreign IT workers' salaries, rates of PhD awards, doctorates earned and employment in research and development to determine whether those admitted to the U.S. under the H-1B visa program have skills beyond those of U.S. IT workers.

Based on Matloff's analysis, there's no evidence that those granted H-1B visas offer exceptional talents.

"We thus see that no best and brightest trend was found for the former foreign students in either computer science or electrical engineering," Matloff writes in his re-

port. "On the contrary, in the CS case the former foreign students appear to be somewhat less talented on average, as indicated by their lower wages, than the Americans."

The report concludes that the H-1B program and related work programs are not making the U.S. companies more innovative and are in some ways making them less so.

statements from tech industry leaders that reflected the widespread assertion that there's a tech talent shortage.

As Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg put it in one such statement, "Our policy at Facebook is literally to hire as many talented engineers as we can find. There just aren't enough people who are trained and have

The report concludes that the H-1B program and related work programs are not making the U.S. companies more innovative and are in some ways making them less so The technology industry sees things differently. It insists there's a shortage of IT talent in the U.S., based on the lack of students graduating from science, technology, engineering and math disciplines (STEM). Earlier, Code.org, a non-profit organization that aims to encourage more students to learn programming, published

these skills today."

Other tech industry leaders have been saying as much for years, which is why immigration programs like H-1B exist. And the tech industry's sustained complaints about lack of access to technical talent recently lead to the introduction of the Immigration Innovation Act of 2013,

which aims to expand the number of visas available under the H-1B program.

Outside the U.S. there are similar claims of an IT worker shortage. Last month, European Commission VP Neelie Kroes bemoaned the growing digital skills gap that threatens European competitiveness.

Critics of the H-1B program see it as a way for companies to keep IT wages low, to discriminate against experienced U.S. workers and to avoid labor law obligations.

In his examination of the presumed correlation between talent and salary, Matloff observes that Microsoft has been exaggerating how much it pays foreign workers. Citing past claims by the company that it pays foreign workers "$100,000 a year to start," Matloff says the data shows that only 18% of workers with software engineering titles sponsored for green cards by Microsoft between 2006 and 2011 had salaries at or above $100,000.

Cont’d on page 46

US-trained now enriching other countries CYRUS D. MEHTA

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ecent House of Representatives and Senate hearings focused on immigration reform. Also, President Obama included immigration reform issues in his State of the Union Address.

House hearing: On February 5, the House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee held a hearing on "America's Immigration System: Opportunities for Legal Immigration and Enforcement of Laws Against Illegal Immigration." Rep. Bob Goodlatte (RVa.), chairman of the committee, said that additional hearings on this topic would take place in the Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee.

Witnesses included Vivek Wadhwa, Director of Research, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University; Michael Teitelbaum, Senior Advisor, Alfred P. Sloan

Foundation and Wertheim Fellow, Harvard Law School; Puneet S. Arora, Vice President, Immigration Voice; Julian Castro, Mayor, San Antonio, Texas; Julie Myers Wood, President, Guidepost Solutions LLC; Chris Crane, President,

Mr. Wadhwa noted that foreign students graduating from U.S. colleges and universities have difficulty in finding jobs because employers have difficulty in getting H-1B visas. Those graduates who are lucky enough to get a job and

Not surprisingly, Mr. Wadhwa said, many are getting frustrated and returning home: "We must stop this brain drain and do all we can to bring more engineers and scientists here."

National Immigration and Customs Enforcement Council 118, American Federation of Government Employees; Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies, Center for Immigration Studies; and Muzaffar Chishti, Director, Migration Policy Institute's office at New York University Law School.

a visa and who decide to make the U.S. their permanent home find that it can take years - sometimes more than a decade - to get a green card, he said. "If they have ideas for building world-changing technologies and want to start a company, they are usually out of luck, because it is not usually possible for people on

H-1B visas to work for the companies they might start."

Not surprisingly, Mr. Wadhwa said, many are getting frustrated and returning home: "We must stop this brain drain and do all we can to bring more engineers and scientists here." He recommended (1) increasing the numbers of green cards available to H-1B holders; (2) allowing spouses of H-1B holders to work; (3) targeting immigration based on required skills; (4) allowing H1B holders to change jobs without requiring sponsorship renewal; (5) extending the term of optional practical training for foreign students from one to four years; (6) instituting a startup visa; and (7) removing the country caps on permanent residence applications.

Cont’d on page 46

Immigration Post

March 22, 2013

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Romney's stance on immigration was costly: Jeb Bush WASHINGTON: Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush writes in a new book that Mitt Romney moved so far to the right on immigration that it proved ``all but impossible'' for the Republican presidential nominee to appeal to Hispanic voters last year. He says the U.S. needs to completely overhaul its immigration policies but cautions against providing a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants.

In ``Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution,'' Bush writes that the immigration debate holds serious consequences for the nation and members of his Republican party, calling fellow Republicans ``remarkably tonedeaf when it comes to courting Hispanic voters - to the extent they court them at all.'' If the GOP fails to change, he says the influence of Hispanic voters ``will doom'' the party's future.

Bush is the son and brother of former U.S. presidents and has been mentioned as a possible Republican presidential candidate in 2016, speculation he has tried to tamp down, although he is going across the country to promote his book and will address conservatives at a Conservative Political Action Conference.

The book arrives as President Barack Obama and Congress consider the revamping of the nation's immigration laws following Obama's re-election, in which the growing Hispanic electorate went overwhelmingly for the president.

In the primary elections leading up

tricky path many Republicans are trying to navigate as they work to address the problem of illegal immigration in a way that's acceptable to the conservative Republican electorate.

A number of House Republicans wary of allowing out-and-out citizenship to illegal immigrants criticized by some as amnesty also

‘Immigration reform is essential to economic growth and the nation's future but must be governed by the rule of law’

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush

to his nomination, Romney suggested that illegal immigrants self deport themselves to their countries of origin.

Bush's newly articulated view may not affect the debate in Congress where a group of bipartisan senators aim to release comprehensive immigration legislation this month, but it underscores the

have discussed granting legal status short of citizenship to them instead. But that position is rejected as unacceptable by immigration activists.

Bush and co-author Clint Bolick, an attorney and vice president for litigation at the Goldwater Institute, contend immigration reform is essential to economic growth and the nation's future but must be governed by the rule of law.

Bush writes that lawmakers

Arizona spars over licenses for young immigrants PHOENIX: Immigrant rights advocates want Gov. Jan Brewer's ban on driver's licenses for young immigrants, who have gotten work permits under a new Obama administration policy, declared unconstitutional.

The groups asked a judge to refuse Brewer's motion to dismiss their lawsuit challenging her policy.

They say the policy is discriminatory and violates federal law.

Brewer's lawyers responded in court documents that the Obama administration policy isn't federal law and that those pushing the lawsuit can't support their allegation that they can't keep a job or go to school without a license.

Arizona officials ``face potentially

serious ramifications if they give driver's licenses to a large group of people who might not be entitled to them,'' the court filings allege.

The Obama administration recently took steps to shield as many as 800,000 immigrants from deportation. They also were allowed to apply for a two-year renewable work permit.

Applicants must have come to the U.S. before they turned 16, be younger than 30, have been in the country for at least five continuous years, be in school or have graduated from high school or a GED program, or have served in the military.

Roughly 80,000 immigrants in Arizona are eligible for deferred sta-

tus, according to state estimates.

Brewer's ``political disagreement with the federal government's discretionary decision is not a proper justification for denying licenses to individuals granted deferred action,'' lawyers representing the immigrants wrote in their motion, adding, ``the real reason for the challenged policy was the desire to discriminate against a politically unpopular group.''

The Department of Homeland Security announced last month that those who receive deferred action from deportation through President Barack Obama's new immigration policy are considered to be lawfully present in the U.S. -AP

should create a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants who live in the U.S. and agree to plead guilty to a crime of illegal entry. But unlike a bipartisan Senate proposal pushed by fellow Florida Republican Marco Rubio, a son of Cuban immigrants and also a possible presidential candidate in 2016, and others, Bush says tougher border security should not be a prerequisite and a pathway to legal status should not include citizenship for those who entered illegally as adults.

Bush said offering a path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants who live in the U.S. could encourage more illegal immigration and undermine the nation's laws. ``It is absolutely vital to the integrity of our immigration system that actions have consequences,'' he wrote.

The approach marked an appar-

ent reversal for Bush, who said in an interview in June 2012 that, ``You have to deal with this issue.

You can't ignore it, and so either a path to citizenship, which I would support _ and that does put me probably out of the mainstream of most conservatives or a path to legalization, a path to residency of some kind.''

Immigration activists pounced on Bush's shift. Frank Sharry, executive director of America's Voice, said Bush's approach would lead to a ``permanent underclass'' for a mostly Latino group of workers.

In an interview with NBC television's ``Today,'' Bush said he wants to ``share my beliefs about how the conservative movement and the Republican party can regain its footing, because we've lost our way.'' He declined to rule out a run in 2016, but said with a smile, ``I won't declare today either.'' -AP

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March 22, 2013

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US-trained now enriching other countries Cont’d from page 44

Mayor Castro recommended further strengthening border security; streamlining the legal immigration process "so that law-abiding companies can get the workers they need in this 21st century global economy"; and creating a path to citizenship "to bring the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in this country out of the shadows and into the full light of the American Dream."

He said that "outdated visa allocations" that separate family members for years "make no sense," and that companies who want to play by the rules are sometimes "handcuffed by rigid employment ceilings and burdensome regulations."

He noted that as global competition increases, American companies watch U.S.-trained engineers, nurses, and entrepreneurs "leave in frustration only to invent new products, heal the sick and bring new innovations to other countries." Mayor Castro also lamented "DREAMers" who were brought to the United States as children but remain in legal limbo.

Ms. Vaughan said the most important responsibility of the U.S. government is to secure the borders. She said that the "most conspicuous void" in immigration law enforcement, however, has been in the workplace.

Among other things, she recommended "[r]outine, frequent and thorough enforcement [that] discourages illegal workers by creating an expectation that they could be subject to arrest and removal at any time."

Mr. Chishti recommended, among other things, establishing a nonpartisan commission, called for by the Independent Task Force on Immigration and America's Future (convened by the Migration Policy Institute), that would make recommendations to Congress every year or two for adjusting immigration

levels "based on analyses of labor market needs, unemployment patterns, and changing economic and demographic trends."

He noted that the task force also recommended creating a provisional worker visa to bridge the "frequently artificial" distinction between temporary and permanent immigration and "build a system that is more closely aligned with how migration flows and labor markets work in practice."

The commission would recommend the number of provisional workers to be admitted every year.

Such provisional workers in all occupations would be allowed to enter the country sponsored by employers and work for two renewable three-year periods.

They would be allowed to change employers after an initial period, and could bring family members. Over time, they could be eligible to adjust status to permanent residence.

Mr. Chishti also suggested testing a variety of identity verification options. Among other things, he recommended that the Department of Homeland Security empanel a group of employer and worker representatives, and other stakeholders, to help it monitor E-Verify and advise on its progress during various stages of enrollment.

Senate hearing: The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on comprehensive immigration reform on February 13. Witnesses included Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security; Jose Vargas, Founder, Define American; Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies, Center for Immigration Studies; Steve Case, Chairman and CEO, Revolution, and CoFounder, America Online; Chris Crane, President, National Immigration and Customs Enforcement Council 118 of the American Federation of Government Employees;

and Janet Murguía, President and CEO, National Council of La Raza.

Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), Mazie Hirono (D-Haw.), and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) submitted statements.

Sen. Leahy opened the hearing by noting that "[m]ost importantly, comprehensive immigration reform must include a fair and straightforward path to citizenship for those "dreamers" and families who have made the United States their home the estimated 11 million undocumented people in the United States."

He said he is "troubled by any proposal that contains false promises in which citizenship is always over the next mountain." Sen. Leahy noted that in Vermont, im-

He said he is "troubled by any proposal that contains false promises in which citizenship is always over the next mountain” migration "has promoted cultural richness through refugee resettlement and student exchange, economic development through the EB-5 Regional Center program, and tourism and trade with our friends in Canada.

Foreign agricultural workers support Vermont's farmers and growers, many of whom have become a part of farm families that are woven into the fabric of Vermont's agricultural community." He said that President Obama "has a comprehensive proposal that he has deferred sending to us at the request of Senators working to develop their own legislation."

Mr. Case said the United States did not become the world's leading economy by luck or accident.

H-1B workers not best or brightest, study says Cont’d from page 44

"By contrast, 34% of Microsoft's green card sponsorees with financial analyst titles made over $100,000, as did 71% of its lawyers in the PERM data," he said. "It would seem that, counter to its rhetoric, engineers are not top priority for Microsoft..."

Marnie Dunsmore, an integrated circuit engineer who has worked for companies such as Intel, said in an email that she believes the H-1B program has had

the effect of making it easier to send jobs offshore and has discouraged U.S. students from seeking computer science education. And she disputed the notion that there's a shortage of U.S. IT talent.

Dunsmore recounted her experience with a recent job interview as a mixed-signal integrated circuit tester. The interviewer, she said, said was unwilling to conduct onthe-job training. "In other words, he was not willing to let me sit down with the manuals, pick up

what someone else has done, and allow me to spend a couple of weeks figuring out what test code he needs to have tweaked," she explained.

"Ten years ago, a test lab would have jumped at the chance to get an experienced circuit designer to do test design and coding. Now, they're so flooded with hiring options that they can turn their nose up at having to train, even for a few weeks, very experienced programmers and engineers."-Information Week

He noted that pioneering immigrant entrepreneurs, beginning with the country's earliest settlers, took a risk hoping to turn dreams into business, and their startup businesses became primary drivers of our economic growth. He noted that U.S. Steel, Pfizer, Kraft Foods, Honeywell, AT&T, Yahoo, and Goldman Sachs were all started by immigrants.

Today, he said, 40 percent of Fortune 500 companies in the United States were started by immigrants or the children of immigrants, employing 10 million people across the globe and earning $4 trillion in revenue.

Of the 10 most valuable brands globally, he said, seven of them come from U.S. companies founded by immigrants or their children, and in the past 15 years, immigrants founded one-quarter of U.S. venture-backed public companies. He said statistics show that immigrants are almost twice as likely as U.S.-born workers to start a company.

Between 1995 and 2005, he noted, half of Silicon Valley startups had an immigrant founder. In 2005 alone, those businesses achieved $52 billion in sales supporting 400,000 jobs. In 2011, he said, more than three-quarters of the patents filed at the top ten patent-producing U.S. schools had an immigrant inventor. Of the 1,600 computer science PhD graduates from U.S. universities in 2010, 60 percent were foreign students, Mr. Case noted.

He added that "this is not just about technology companies."

Mr. Case said that when Hamdi Ulukaya, an immigrant from Turkey, told friends that he was going to start a yogurt company in upstate New York in 2005, they advised against the idea, but Hamdi was adamant. He hired four employees to begin packaging yogurt by hand. Eight years later Chobani Yogurt generates $1 billion in sales, has hired 1,500 American workers, and is expanding operations across the country.

Ms. Murguía said that "if we are to restore the rule of law, the single most essential element of immigration reform is an earned legalization program with a clear, achievable roadmap to citizenship - not because enforcement is unimportant, but because enforcement is all we have done thus far, and restoring the rule of law requires both elements."

She noted that the "continuation of a situation where we collectively nod and wink because our society benefits from [undocumented] labor is unacceptable.

When our laws don't reflect reality, reality will win every time."

Mr. Crane remarked on low employee morale at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Out of 291 federal agencies, he

said, only 12 ranked lower than ICE in employee morale and job satisfaction, according to the results of a survey that included managers, officers, agents, and administrative personnel.

Among other things, he blamed confusion among ICE employees about who they can or cannot arrest and which federal laws they should enforce. Among other things, he claimed that undocumented aliens in jail are being released by claiming they qualify under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals without being required to provide any documentation.

USCIS posts EB-5 memorandum for public comment On February 14, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services posted an updated memorandum on the EB-5 program, and is soliciting public comment. The updated memo makes various technical changes. Among other things, it clarifies that a material change after filing of an I-526 through admission as a conditional resident requires a new I-526, and that any approved I-526 will be revoked if such a change occurs.

The memo also notes that if an immigrant investor is guaranteed the return of a portion of his or her investment, or is guaranteed a rate of return on a portion of his or her investment, then that portion of the capital is not at risk.

If the investor is guaranteed the right to eventual ownership or use of a particular asset, then the value of the guaranteed ownership or use of such asset will be subtracted from the total amount of the investor's capital contribution in determining how much money was truly placed at risk.

The memo notes that nothing precludes an investor from receiving a return on his or her capital during or after the conditional residence period, so long as the return was not previously guaranteed to the investor and so long as the funds are not a return of the investor's principal.

The memo also notes that in the case of a troubled business, job preservation is allowed in addition to, or in lieu of, job creation. In a troubled business, 10 jobs must be preserved, created, or some combination of the two.

For example, an investment in a troubled business that creates four qualifying jobs and preserves all six pre-investment jobs would satisfy the statutory and regulatory requirements. "Troubled business" is defined in the memo, which quotes the regulations. * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com

Immigration Post

March 22, 2013

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Changes in GA immigration bill draw opposition ATLANTA: Some quiet changes to a bill that was intended as a simple fix for unintended consequences of a 2011 crackdown on illegal immigration have turned the bill that originally had pretty universal support into a rallying point for activists on all sides of the immigration issue.

The bill sponsored by state Rep. Dustin Hightower, R-Carrollton, was presented as a solution to complaints from several state agencies that Georgia's 2011 law was creating extra work and delays in processing public benefits, including professional licenses.

It was an almost purely bureaucratic measure that neither those in favor of tighter controls on illegal immigration nor immigrant rights advocates had paid much attention to.

But the amended bill passed by the House would effectively deny driver's licenses to young people who were brought here illegally as children and who have been granted temporary permission to stay and work here under an Obama administration initiative. It also would bar illegal immigrants

from being able to get a marriage license or access water and sewage services in the state.

Though the amendments would affect relatively few people, the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia is quickly organizing efforts to protest the bill. ``All of a sudden, we're confronted with all of these damaging changes,'' the ACLU's Azadeh Shahshahani said. ``These are all additional complications and burdens that we don't need.''

The Dustin Inman Society, which pushes for stronger laws targeting illegal immigration and stricter enforcement of existing laws, sent out an email blast to supporters urging them to call their lawmakers to tell them to keep Hightower's bill intact and to defeat a more limited Senate version of the bill.

Though Hightower says he didn't initially realize the potential effects of the changes, he hasn't said whether he intends to take them out. He said the additions to his bill weren't meant to dupe anyone, that they were intended to streamline the legislative process. ``The original intent of this bill

was to be something to facilitate people obtaining and keeping a professional license in a much easier fashion,'' he said, adding that it was also meant to preserve taxpayer-funded public benefits for U.S. citizens and other eligible legal residents.

Hightower's bill says that to be acceptable, foreign passports would have to be accompanied by federal immigration documentation proving someone is in the country legally Georgia's 2011 law targeting illegal immigration requires anyone applying for or renewing public benefits like professional licenses, welfare and unemployment benefits to provide a ``secure and verifiable'' document proving their U.S. citizenship or

Colo. immigrant tuition rate gets final House OK DENVER: The cheers of immigrant students echoed through the Colorado Capitol here after the House passed a bill allowing students who entered the U.S. illegally to pay lower college tuition, a measure that will soon become law.

Students hugged and wiped away tears outside the House chamber after the vote, sending the proposal to Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper, who is expected to sign it sometime this month.

The historic vote comes a decade after the bill was first introduced. Along the way, Colorado lawmakers grappled with immigration and passed strict enforcement laws, including one to deny nonemergency benefits to illegal immigrants.

Colorado Republicans have traditionally taken a tough stand on illegal immigration, but this year a few joined Democrats in the House and Senate who unanimously supported the bill. Three House Republicans voted yes, including Rep. Kevin Priola. ``Thank you, Rep. Priola!'' the students yelled outside after the vote. ``For all intents and purposes Colorado is their home state, and there is no country to go back to.

They're bright, energetic hardworking kids,'' Priola said.

The bill would allow students who graduate from Colorado high schools to attend college at the in-state rate, regardless of their immigration status. Currently, students in the country illegally must pay the nonresident tuition rate, which can be more than three times

Colorado Republicans have traditionally taken a tough stand on illegal immigration, but this year a few joined Democrats in the House and Senate who unanimously supported the bill. higher than the in-state rate.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 12 other states have passed laws to allow illegal immigrants to attend college at in-state rates, including conservative strongholds such as Texas and Utah.

Similar bills have been debated in Colorado for a decade, with both

parties voting to defeat the proposals. ``This is history, you know?'' said Victor Galvan, 22, a student at Metropolitan State University of Denver who was hugging other students outside the House chamber in celebration. ``For 10 long years we fought.''

Later, downstairs from the House, students gathered in a circle with Democratic Sen. Mike Johnston, who has been pushing for the bill for three years. Some students took turns trading stories about being unable to afford college. Galvan recalled how his mother told him it would be OK if he didn't go to college. ``Never again will another person have to say that to their son or daughter. I told her that I would graduate from high school and I would give her one day my college diploma,'' he said, choking up.

Jennifer Romero, 21, said she finished high school in 2009 but was short $200 to attend her first semester at a community college. ``And ever since then, I've been waiting, just waiting, just saving up,'' she said. ``And now we know that that's not going to happen again, that I can go out there and give them money, pay in-state tuition and be able to graduate.'' -AP

legal presence in the country.

People in the country illegally have long been ineligible for Georgia driver's licenses. But after the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program took effect in August, Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens declared that those with deferred status could get a temporary driver's license.

However, the advisory opinion Olens issued at Gov. Nathan Deal's request seems to indicate that those in the federal program are not eligible for state identity cards, because those IDs are subject to the law governing public benefits.

The pending legislation adds ``state issued driver's licenses'' to the list of public benefits.

Hightower said he didn't know whether his bill denies driver's licenses to those granted deferred action, and said that wasn't his specific intent. But he didn't say if that was something he'd be in favor of or if he'd reconsider the addition of driver's licenses to the list of public benefits.

The 2011 law charged the state attorney general's office with cre-

ating a list of documents that government agencies could accept if they require identification for an official purpose. The list currently includes foreign passports, the only document on the list that those in the country illegally would be able to obtain legitimately.

Hightower's bill says that to be acceptable, foreign passports would have to be accompanied by federal immigration documentation proving someone is in the country legally.

By removing foreign passports from the list unless they're accompanied by federal immigration documentation, the new bill would technically prevent illegal immigrants from getting a marriage license in Georgia or from accessing water and sewage service in the many municipalities that require identification to turn on service.

Hightower said the possibility of preventing illegal immigrants from obtaining marriage licenses and access to water and sewer services was not intentional.

Since being made aware of that issue, he's looking at what can be done to resolve it, he said. -AP

NM GOP fails to force immigrant license debate SANTA FE, N.M.: Allies of Republican Gov. Susana Martinez narrowly failed in trying to revive legislation to stop New Mexico from issuing driver's licenses to most illegal immigrants.

A Martinez-backed license proposal has been bottled up in a House committee by majority Democrats, most likely dooming the bill as time runs out in the legislative session. Lawmakers will adjourn in 10 days and similar license legislation has stalled in the Senate.

Republicans - aided by a handful of Democrats - tried a rarely successful procedural move to bypass three House committees assigned to review the bill. That would have advanced the measure to the 70-member House for debate and a vote, with a strong chance that it could pass as occurred the past two years.

The effort fell one vote short, but there's still a possibility the bill could reach the House before the Legislature ends. Even if that happens, the measure would face problems in the Senate, which has turned down license restrictions since Martinez took office in 2011.

Democratic Rep. Brian Egolf of Santa Fe described the procedural maneuvering as a ``political game'' by the governor's supporters. ``Once again, we're attempting

to divert this body's attention to an issue that is not at the forefront of the most pressing needs of this state,'' said Rep. Brian Egolf, a Santa Fe Democrat.

New Mexico and Washington State allow illegal immigrants to obtain the same driver's license as a U.S. citizen. Utah grants a

Gov. Susana Martinez

special driving permit to immigrants that can't be used for identification.

House GOP Whip Nate Gentry of Albuquerque said the House should debate the license measure because there's support among New Mexico voters for ending licenses for illegal immigrants a policy that Martinez made a centerpiece of her campaign in 2010. -AP

South Dakota's first Sikh broadcast journalist

P

rabjot (PJ) Kaur Randhawa has become the first Sikh television broadcast journalist in the State of South Dakota. She is originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba (her parents settled there almost 40 years ago and are originally from District Amritsar- near Mehta Chowk), graduated with a Masters degree in Journalism from top-tier DePaul University in Chicago (2011) and began her career with ABC affiliate KOTA TV in Rapid City, South Dakota, as a news reporter in 2011. She was recently promoted to morning news anchor and her news segments are broadcast in 5 states: S. Dakota, N. Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Montana (and parts of Colorado during Good morning America).

Prabjot has interviewed many prominent figures.

PJ's achievement is great news for Sikhs for a greater presence in mainstream American media. This was apparent last August during coverage of the Wisonsin Gurudwara massacre when many of the major American news networks had very little knowledge of Sikhism and Sikhs (they originally labeled Sikhism as 'Hindu-Sikh' not knowing it was a distinct faith).

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India Post

March 22, 2013

Director Kabir Khan (centre) with Avtar Panesar (left) and Aashish Singh (right) of Yash Raj Films during the commercial release of Ek Tha Tiger in Tokyo on March 7

Indian Ambassador Ms Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa speaking on the occasion

Tokyo was freezing. And I was in Tokyo for the premiere of Ek Tha Tiger on March 7.

The crowd was buzzing. There were a few familiar Indian faces, but seats in Screen 1 of

Cine Mart were occupied by Japanese audience. Impatient for the curtains to go up and for the spy to appear on the screen. The moment was special. Unprecedented, in fact.

'TIGER' ROARS IN TOKYO PREETI VERMA LAL

TOKYO: Now, who would have thought that the tiger will roar so loudly in the land of the rising sun? That too not merely in one cold corner of the island, but across 30 different screens. Yes, in mid-April, this Tiger will conquer a new territory - Japan. If you are imagining a four-legged in stripes, perish the thought. This one is macho, kills a million enemies with a twirl of his fist, romances his girl like a dream and, well, also makes 300 crores at the box office. This tiger is Ek Tha Tiger. The film that is all set to make its debut in Japan in mid-April.

It is the first time in nearly two decades that a mainstream Hindi film was being released on such a massive scale. Rajnikant has a fan following in Japan, but Hindi films were never granted more than 3-4 screens and they barely lasted more than a week Pics Preeti Verma Lal

Prabjot (PJ) Kaur Randhawa

Following are excerpts from an interview by Parker McClain: Rapid City is a city with a metro population of 128,000 people, in the heart of South Dakota's Black Hills, and in the shadow of Mount Rushmore. Eighty-six percent of the population identify themselves as 'white' ‌ ten percent above the national demographic average. While the area is a hotbed for global tourism in the summer seasons, there is very little diversity to speak of year round.

Less than 1% of the population identify themselves as being of 'Asian' descent. For TV viewers in the area, much of the only diversity they see is on the local morning news. Born in Manitoba, Canada to Punjabi Sikh immigrants, Journalist PJ Randhawa is a highly visible TV anchor and reporter at Rapid City's ABC affiliate.

Cont’d on page 50

Poster of Ek Tha Tiger Japanese release

It is the first time in nearly two decades that a mainstream Hindi film was being released on such a massive scale. Rajnikant has a fan following in Japan, but Hindi films were never granted more than 3-4 screens and they barely lasted more than a week.

But Yash Raj Films (YRF) is all set to change that. YRF has partnered with Nikkatsu to distribute Hindi films in Japan.

The premiere of Ek Tha Tiger is the first step on the red carpet. Literally. On April 20, four Hindi films (Don 2, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Ek Tha Tiger 3 Idiots) will debut in nine major cities across Japan. And if the enthusiasm of Mr Aki Sugihara, Executive Vice President, International Operations, Nikkatsu is any indication, these will certainly not be the last. YRF and Nikkatsu want to create a very niche Bollywood space in Japan.

That, perhaps, is easier said than done.

Perhaps that is why Ek Tha Tiger will not be dubbed in Japanese. Instead, it will be released with Japanese subtitles. The name has been changed too - The working title for the Japanese release will be: The Legendary Spy. Speaking on the occasion, Kabir Khan expressed his excitement about breaking new ground not merely for his film but for Bollywood in totality. Khan along with Aashish Singh, Vice President (Production), YRF, and Avtar Panesar, Vice President, International Operations, YRF, are going beyond exploring Japan as a market territory. They went on a recee in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto in search of film locations. The premiere was also attended by Ms Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, Indian Ambassador to Japan.

The tiger will not roar in Japanese in Japan. But this tiger who is a legendary spy sure will mark its new territory. And conquer it too!

March 22, 2013

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Strings in California for two concerts Kahani" was on our minds and lips and in our ears for quite a long time in both India and Pakistan.

The song's haunting lyrics written by Bilal's father, the legendary Anwar Maqsood, still move some listeners.

Over the years the Karachi based Strings have played music with Hariharan, Euphoria and Indian Ocean from across the bor-

RAS H. SIDDIQUI

I

t has been around three years since the musical duo of Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia, popularly known as "Strings," last visited us here in the United States. It seems that they have beaten the odds against two's in music and have stayed together for over a decade now.

The closest comparison to them would be "JoSH" the Canadian India-Pakistan duo who have made their impact worldwide, and the popular 1970's and 80's American performers "Hall and Oates" (we will ignore Milli Vanilli here for obvious reasons).

Single acts and larger bands are the vogue in the music world today where duos remain a rarity

especially in South-Asia. Strings have managed to buck that trend, are staying different and successfully so.

Since rejuvenating themselves in 1999 Bilal and Faisal have been busy indulging in a number of positives. Their album Duur in the year 2000 and Dhaani in 2003 established their permanent presence on the Pakistani music scene.

But it was their impact in and from India that launched them within the Desi Diaspora worldwide.

First and foremost was a "little song" that they sang for the Bollywood movie Zinda in 2006.

One cannot comment too much on the movie (reportedly a copy of the South Korean Film "Oldboy" which itself had some Japanese roots), the song "Ye Hai Meri

FLIGHT OF FAITH: This photograph

by V.J. Sharma is on display at the 'Faithfully Yours' exhibition at Siri Fort in New Delhi. Clicked at Jama Masjid, Delhi, the pigeon soars with a monk in the background. Sharma is a software engineer by profession and a photographer by interest. The exhibition brings seven talented photographers together to explore what faith means to them.

V.J. Sharma The others featured in the exhibition are Ambika Sethi, Augustus Mithal, Raajan Sharma, Rajesh Ramakrishnan, Shilpi Choudhuri and Shivani Punia.

Over the years the Karachi based Strings have played music with Hariharan, Euphoria and Indian Ocean from across the border (just to name a few) and in Pakistan with just about every big name der (just to name a few) and in Pakistan with just about every big name including Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ali Zafar, Shafqat Amanat Ali and Atif Aslam. Their performance at the Aman Ki Asha (a peace effort by the Times of India and Pakistan's Jang Group) gathering in 2011 in Ahmedabad, India, alongside Indian Ocean was certainly a memorable one.

Strings represent South-Asia's Pop music genre. There is some infusion of classical trends but they have so far kept their music refreshingly light without overpowering the lyrics in their songs.

But theirs is certainly not the diet version of pop. Neither Heavy Metal nor Bhangra, it is somewhat like fusion cuisine, made more delightful when the eastern ingredients or spices take over the western guitar and keyboard. Either way, it can be an enriching experience.

To conclude, Strings will be in California playing at least two concerts here in March. They will be

performing at a charity event in San Jose on March 15 for The Citizen's Foundation, San Francisco Chapter fundraiser. Their latest big hit is bound to be a major attraction there, a sad commentary on the current state of affairs in Pakistan. It offers much to ponder in its lyrics "Mein To Dekhoon Ga, Tum Bhi Dekho Ge, Jab Roti Sasti Ho Gi , Aur Mehngi Ho Gi Jaan" (Translated from Urdu: "I will see and so shall you, a time when bread will be cheap and human life much more expensive").

Strings will certainly be pulling on many heartstrings with this one.

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India Post

March 22, 2013 www.indiapost.com

Awards given at international youth art contest

South Dakota's first Sikh broadcast journalist Cont’d from page 48

NEW DELHI: For the fifth consecutive year, the Mahatma Gandhi International Foundation under the leadership of its Founder and President Artist Suraj Sadan, has organized an art exhibition-contest on the theme of Peace and Non-Violence. Through this event, the art work from young artists is selected from Canada,

Frames was held at Gulmohar Club New Delhi which attracted many visitors who admired the art work of young stars and wrote encouraging comments in the visitors' book.

The three young Indian Contest winners had the honor of receiving their prize money from Mr. Santayantan Chakravarty, Editor of India Empire Magazine who presented the 1st Prize to Kamal Dahiya for his painting ``Peace.``

USA, France and India with the aim of having multicultural perspective of peace and non-violence.

This year's themes related to non-violence including Friendship, Peace, Love for Animals, Care for Elderly and Environment protection.

From March 1-3, an exhibition in collaboration with India Empire Magazine and Om Prakash Art

The 2nd Prize was presented by Mr. Om Prakash, Manager of Art Frames, to Prateek Kushwaha for his painting ``Love For Animals.`` Ms. Durga Devi, a Senior Citizen of Gulmohar Park, presented the 3rd prize to Md. Hussain for his painting on ``Non-Violence``.

The Foundation hopes to extend its activities in future in collaboration with other organizations promoting Non-Violence.

India Post News Service

After graduating from DePaul University with a master's degree in journalism and working in some of the top network newsrooms in Chicago, Randhawa, 26, began working in Rapid City, investigating crime, social issues and human interest topics. Randhawa is the first Sikh broadcast journalist in South Dakota, and for many, she's the first "East Indian" person they've ever seen.

PJ, how did you first enter the journalism field?

There's an old family video of me singing to a Gurdas Mann song when I was four or five years old, and I guess that performance convinced my parents that I should be some kind of TV presenter. I don't think it was the singing that persuaded them because it wasn't great, they just recognized something in me that wanted to be seen and had something to say.

But, it wasn't until college that I had the confidence and technical skills to present the news. I was always a writer and actor, but terribly shy for many years.

Did you your family or you have any hesitation about being a broadcaster, as there are not many Punjabi's in the news field?

I think to everyone, that was a big bonus. I wanted to standout and represent my heritage proudly. Growing up in Canada with friends from every background and walk of life, it was important for me to represent the changing face of an ever-shrinking world. I feel like my eyes are open to something not a lot of people see here in places like South Dakota, like how racially diverse the world really is. Having been to India a few times in my life, I've seen such poverty and culture that many in the Western world have their eyes closed to, so I believe that experience adds a unique perspective to my stories.

What did you do as far as education to prepare for broadcasting?

I completed my master's degree in broadcast journalism from DePaul University in 2011. Throughout my university career, I studied filmmaking and communication.

At some point, I couldn't hide behind actors or technology anymore. I stepped in front of the camera and began to present issues that were most important to me, like crime and social justice. The truth is more interesting than anything you can make up or write in your studio or get actors to re-cre-

PJ Randhawa

ate. Through my investigative reporting, I've been able to interview top South Dakota government leaders, like Governor Dennis Daugaard, US Attorney Brenden

Johnson and Attorney General Marty Jackly to explore a range of issues, including synthetic drug trafficking, cold case murders on

your career so far?

My religious beliefs have always guided me to keep and open heart and open ears to the people and issues I report on. It lends itself well to being objective. That's invaluable when you're telling sensitive stories about murder, crime, poverty and justice. I seek to bring out subtle and impactful truths on the subjects I report, and Sikhism has taught me no one should turn away from injustice. The media has a great power to cause harm, but my beliefs as a Sikh and as a trained journalist always lead me to put people first, instead of headlines.

Was it difficult for you to report on the Wisconsin Sikh temple massacre?

It was a terrible day for everyone who values liberty and religious freedom. Unfortunately, being the only Sikh person in the area, the only thing I could do was educate my co-workers and community about

My religious beliefs have always guided me to keep and open heart and open ears to the people and issues I report on. It lends itself well to being objective. That's invaluable when you're telling sensitive stories about murder, crime, poverty and justice. the Indian reservations, and criminal reform legislation.

How did you end up in South Dakota?

I was fortunate enough to secure a position as a reporter here after I graduated in 2011. I would go anywhere in the world to do what I love, so it was an easy decision and I had the full support of my family to pursue my dream.

How has being Sikh affected

the peaceful nature of Sikhism. I hope to report on Sikh issues more as I continue my career, and I think viewers will be responsive to learn more about the great things we have accomplished. I've been very surprised to encounter racism (although not directed towards me) in many communities here, and I believe through thoughtful reporting, some barriers raised by racial ignorance can be torn down.

March 22, 2013

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Horoscope

52 India Post

March 22, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Your Weekly Future

by Pandit Parashar

MARCH 22ND - MARCH 28TH 2013 (March 21 to April 20)

Y

ou will plan something adventurous with children. Mind will be at ease. You will be on the move and may have to spend most time outside office. Legal matters will keep taking positive shape and the final victory is not too far now. You will spend money on buying some unique gifts. An old friend will pay a surprise visit.

(July 23 to August 22)

L

ots of uncertainty will disappear from life and you will be able to plan things in better way with determination and confidence as well. You may have some money coming from insurance or in laws this week. You will meet few important people in connection with business who will immediately assure you of all help and cooperation.

(April 21 to May 20)

E

fforts will not go in vein, rather you will make good use of the weak opportunity and turn it into a very profitable deal. Strong Sun will make you more popular in social circle. You would not mind showing off an expensive item you purchased recently to your friends.

Things will keep getting more relaxed in career.

(August 23 to September 22)

T

here will be some changes in business partners you had been working with for quite some time. New partners will be more far sighted and easy to deal with. Some of you will be getting ready to move to another place. There is an overseas business trip in the air.

Planets looks very favorable from financial point of view.

(May 21 to June 20)

S

trong Venus will improve things around suddenly and you will start to enjoy life more and will stay cheerful. Favorable planets bring financial relief in a big way. You will make final payments on several bills, commitments made around November of last year. You will also receive valuable advice about career from a matured person.

(September 23 to October 22)

P

lanets bring lots of relief in career. Some one who was a threat will move out of state. You will finally lay your hands on the money which was due long time ago. Children will help you plan an exciting trip. There will be overnight positive changes in health of an ailing family member. All attempts will hit bulls eye.

(October 23 to November 22)

(June 21 to July 22)

H

ard work and patience shown in the past will pay off in big way and the investment will be lot less than anticipated. This could be a turning point in your career. You may suddenly develop taste for red meat or hot and spicy food. Planet in eleventh helps you make big chunk of money through stocks. Trip will be entertaining.

T

here will be dramatic changes in life and suddenly you will be full of energy. Project started half heartily will take off like a bullet and will become major thing soon. You will be helped by a person who is not only successful but have lots of good connections. You have some money coming out of legal procedure also.

(November 23 to December 22)

H

ealth concerns bothering you for past several months will go away. Chance of addition in the family for prospective couples become strong suddenly. You will really enjoy the company of a new friend. Very favorable week for people looking for a change in career.

Some of you will be getting ready for an upcoming move also.

(December 22 to January 19)

W

ait will be over and you will start hearing from other side. Negotiations will take some more time but will ultimately materialize. Pay attention to an health issue that flares up from time to time.

You will make few useful friends at the gathering. Letters you write will get response quickly and in positive only.

(January 20 to February 18)

O

pportunities to make money will keep coming one after another.

Soon a big family reunion will take place and you will be slowly working towards it. Business trip will be fruitful and the results will be far bigger than anticipated. You may develop a taste for sweets. Idea of legal action to prove your point is not bad.

(February 19 to March 20)

Y

ou will be offered a dream opportunity but without too much financial gains. People in business will experience better sales and will be motivated to spend little more on advertising. Spouse will complain about aches and pains in joint and may need to rest more.

You will also make final payment on couple of credit cards.

Pandit Parashar, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations. He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com

510-886-4370 website: www.parashar.com

Philosophy

March 22, 2013

India Post

53

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Page Sponsored by Sahanis JILLELLAMUDI AMMA

Q

uestioner: Are God and the human soul differ ent, or is man himself God? Is it true that the maturity of the human mind is Divinity?

Amma: If you ask, "what is true and what is false?" I say all that appears is true. We are using the name 'God'. For whom? For what kind of a being? We don't know what HE is like. We don't know the meaning of that word 'God'.

'God' means 'what is', 'Truth, Reality. What is Reality? 'What is', 'what is', is God. In answer to your question, I say that man, you, I - all that appears is God. We hear it said that God is formless and invisible.

'God' means 'Reality'. What is Reality? All that is seen as objects - water, air, fire light - isn't this Reality? They say, "For these objects to have come into being, and for these to have become so many, there must have been some cause."

Did the forms come through God, or are the forms themselves God? All that appears is God. I have not seen a form that differs and is separate from all this which appears. Creation is God. There is nothing other than this entire creation. Creation is that which has become many.

RUPERT SPIRA

T

he abstract concepts of the mind cannot apprehend Reality although they are an expression of it.

Duality, the subject/object polarization, is inherent in the concepts of the mind. For instance, when we speak of the 'body' we refer to an object, which in turn implies a subject. If we explore this object we discover that it is non-existent as such and is in fact only a 'sensation'.

However, a 'sensation' is still an object and further exploration reveals that it is in fact made of 'sensing,' of 'mind stuff,' rather than anything physical.

However, 'sensing' in turn is discovered to be made of 'knowing.'

And if we explore 'knowing' we find that it is made of Consciousness.

If we explore Consciousness we find that it has no objective qualities.

And yet it is what we most intimately know ourselves to be. It is what we refer to as 'I.' And if we explore 'I' we find it is made of…The abstract concepts of the mind collapse here. They cannot go any further. There is no adequate name for that into which the mind dissolves. We are taken to the utmost simplicity of direct experience.

This de-objectification is the process of apparent involution

I am just like you I have all the same qualities which you have. I am just like you.

They worship me because, owing to their purity of heart, they see the divine in me. But I am in no way different from you. I experience pain and pleasure, attachment and bereavement just as you do. The only difference is that I don't try to shun pain and sorrow.

I abandon myself to them without the least inhibition.

waters with all the attending perils of unseen thrones, rocks, pits and reptiles.

"But at the end of all that, the presence of Amma more than compensated all his toils. Only a staunch and determined few braved all these trails and tribulations and enjoyed unforgettable moments of bliss in the proximity of Amma, and Amma alone. Unlike now, there were no disturbing and distracting things or thoughts.

say?' After a pragmatic silence of a few minutes Amma said: 'In my view you are as great as either Rama or Krishna or Buddha. Those present thought that Amma was making fun of the questioner. But she was not. “ She continued; 'Rama came with a purpose. He has completed and he left. So did Krishna or Buddha.

They played their allotted roles. So will you. I find no difference.'

A hush fell on the audience. For a while no one spoke, moved or

'You are as great as Rama, Krishna or Buddha'

Jillellamudi Amma

‘I experience pain and pleasure, attachment and bereavement just as you do. The only difference is that I don't try to shun pain and sorrow. I abandon myself to them’

Richard Schiffman, writing in his book 'Mother of All' describes the atmosphere of visiting Jillellamudi thus: Those were good old days, when there was no road to Jillellamudi, no buildings, no telephones, no water supply, no electricity and blurring of loud speakers.

“One had to walk from the 7th mile with his load on his back or head. Many a time, one had to wait thru keen deep or even neck deep

"On one such beautiful clear moonlight night in 1959, a few brothers and sisters clustered around Amma, seated on a low uncomfortable cot and narrating stories in such a humorous way that everyone rolled with myth.

"Among those present was a student of Hindu College, Guntur, he expressed an opinion: 'Amma! In my view Buddha is greater than either Rama or Krishna? What do you

breathed. They were all trying to bridge the wide conceptual gap, each in his own way.

"A word of caution. This is not to equate those incarnations with mere mortals. It is just to highlight the dizzy height at which Amma stands from where all the hills and dales look alike."

The 90th birth anniversary of Jillellamudi Amma will be celebrated on March 28

through which That-Which-Cannot-Be-Named withdraws its projection of the mind, body and world, and rediscovers that it is the sole substance of the seamless totality of experience.

That-Which-Cannot-Be-Named, the Absolute Emptiness into which the mind collapses, then projects itself, within itself, back along the same path of apparent objectification, to recreate the appearance of the mind,

without ever becoming anything other than itself.

This process of evolution and involution is the dance of Oneness, That-Which-Cannot-BeNamed taking shape and dissolving, vibrating in every nuance of experience and dissolving itself into itself, transparent, open, empty and luminous.

Mind attempts to describe the modulations of this emptiness

And using the same names and forms, mind describes the apparent process through which That-Which-Cannot-Be-Named discovers that it never becomes anything, that it is always only itself and itself and itself.

Each statement that is made here is provisionally true in relation to one statement but false in relation to another. However, it is never absolutely true.

Consciousness, we find, has no objective qualities

Rupert Spira

body and world.

That-Which-Cannot-BeNamed, and yet which is sometimes referred to as 'I,' Consciousness, Being, Knowingness, takes the shape of thinking, sensing or perceiving in order to appear as a mind, a body or a world.

This is the process of apparent evolution through which ThatWhich-Cannot-Be-Named gives birth to a mind, a body and a world,

This process of evolution and involution is the dance of Oneness, That-Which-CannotBe-Named taking shape and dissolving, vibrating in every nuance of experience and dissolving itself into itself manifesting itself as the fullness of experience and this fullness recognizing itself as emptiness, knowing all the time that in doing so it is holding a candle to the wind.

Mind describes the names and forms through which That-WhichCannot-Be-Named refracts itself, in order to make itself appear as two, as many, in order to make Consciousness/Being appear as Consciousness and Being.

The purpose of every statement is to indicate the falsity of the previous one, only to await its own imminent demise. Each is an agent of Truth, but never true.

Mind, in the broadest sense of the word, is made of concepts and appearances. It never frames or grasps Reality itself.

Rupert Spira is an English studio potter. Excerpted from 'The Transparency of Things'

Feel nothing, know nothing, do nothing, have nothing, give up all to God, and say utterly, 'Thy will be done.' We only dream this bondage.

Wake up and let it go.

-Swami Vivekananda To awaken to the absolute view is profound and transformative, but to awaken from all fixed points of view is the birth of true nonduality.

-Adyashanti The mind must learn that beyond the moving mind there is the background of awareness which does not change.

-Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

-Kahlil Gibran By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

-Confucius Every problem is pregnant with the solution.

When you know this, you know the solution!

-Paramahamsa Nithyananda

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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March 22, 2013

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The contentious politics of the Brahmaputra River ROOMANA HUKIL

T

he Brahmaputra River is one of the most significant confidence-building measures between India, China, and Bangladesh. Despite a well-functioning relationship between India and China in recent decades, the Brahmaputra River may pose new challenges to the continued supply of fresh water for both countries in the future.

In addition, China's announcement, last month, of its plans to construct three hydropower dams - Dagu, Jiacha, and Jiexy along the middle reaches of the Brahmaputra basin, has raised anxiety in India and Bangladesh in terms of erosion, flood protective measures, and the potential ecological damage to the downstream regions.

The article delves into a strategictechno analysis of the issues festering around the proposed dam construction projects that may open a new front of contentious politics amongst the neighbors. It examines whether 'water rationality' will continue to govern the riparian relationship, and also reasons that in spite of no water sharing agreement between India and China, vis-à-vis only one water treaty between India and Bangladesh; coupled with the enormous potential of sharing the benefits, it is unlikely to envision the three countries agreeing to sign a portioned water resource development treaty in the near future.

Fresh strategic insights: Issues and steps The Brahmaputra River consolidated the water rights between all the riparian states pertaining to their water usage and requirements in the growing region. In spite of there having being no official water sharing accord between India and China, the two countries manifest a paradigm to maintaining cordial water diplomacy in the present international scenario of water conflicts. Hitherto, the dilemma over future water supply regulations, amidst the issue of ecological upkeep, persists for both India and Bangladesh.

China's vigorous push in favor

of the hydropower based construction on the Brahmaputra or Yarlung Zangbo River (as known in China) is seen as an attempt to harm the downstream interests, particularly of Northeast India.

The construction of the 100 meters Zangmu dam (510 MW project) in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) in 2010, is a case in point. The current proposed construction of the 124 meters Dagu dam, which has a 640 MW capacity, triggers a maximum impact on the downstream flows in India.

Post the 'flurry of dam-building', China has tried to leverage its hydropower requirements in the

north and central regions. India's Northeast and neighboring Bangladesh could face an undeniably reduced water supply, if not acute water shortage. The watercourse feeds on seven rivulets originating from the glaciers in the Tibetan plateau, hence damming the river upstream could result in the lower riparian regions facing an intense water division from these snow-fed rivulets during the summer months.

While the run-of-the-river projects are primarily meant to store large volumes of water for generating power, fresh concerns were raised regarding the need for a scientifically designed drainage system all over the downstream region, complemented by extensive soil conservation, afforestation, and watershed management in the hilly areas of the Northeast region.

An in-depth study of the climatic changes that cause erratic flooding patterns is urged so that proper ameliorative measures may be adopted. This, combined with regional flood early warning systems and flood moderation measures, along with well-planned erosion management, should encourage inter-state and regional coop-

eration. An earnest step would be for the international community and water boards to thwart any measures that are detrimental to the sustainability of the Brahmaputra.

It is imperative to maintain the flow of water in the Brahmaputra River so that it can sustain the environment and water balance in India's Northeast, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, before dispersing it into the Bay of Bengal.

The relationship soufflé China's aggressive planning to provide for the energy and water needs of its 1.3 billion people at the expanse of its Asian counterparts is presumable. China's 26 other dam projects in the pipeline (also along the Brahmaputra River) specify an 85 per cent decline in flows from China to India during the summer months.

Even if the foreseen water depictions, such as an environmental imbalance, natural disasters, degraded fragile ecologies, and diversion of vital river resources were to be refuted, China could keep any riparian neighbor on good behavior by acquiring the capability of using the Brahmaputra as a political instrument.

Thus, the implications for setting up an International Brahmaputra River Water Tribunal for arriving at an international water treaty, or a preliminary initiative of a tripartite agreement between India, China, and Bangladesh to sustain passive relations in the region are vital.

But envisaging a portioned water resource development treaty between the three countries is unlikely, where issues related to trade, transit, land, roadway, and, water distribution first require a heads up between the three neighboring states.

China's growing strategic interests in Pakistan, Southeast Asia, and maritime security coupled by Tibet's invasion in the past, raise grave security concerns for India with its plan to divert waters of the Brahmaputra to north and central China.

For India, the middle riparian between China and Bangladesh, marks a fine exemplar to understanding the water needs vis-à-vis water supplies, as it swings around both sides of the table. As a result, whether water rationality will continually govern riparian relations still remains a question mark.

The writer is Research Officer, IReS, IPCS

Modi vs Rahul

D

enied a stage by the Wharton Forum in Pennsylvania University, Narendra Modi soon found another - an ad dress to the Indian Diaspora in the United States and Canada through a video conference from Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

The address to Wharton students was also to be through video conference. Since his speech to the Diaspora was telecast live on TV channels, it must have reached those who were afraid his address to Wharton students would have harmed their morals or absolved him of any wrongdoing during the 2002 Godhra riots.

Their purpose was defeated as Modi's speech received widespread media coverage and his views, sought to be censored, were available on the Internet also. As always, Modi emphasized good governance adding for good measure that the people will forgive the "mistakes" of a government if it serves them well. The stick that the secularists often beat Modi with is his alleged "communalism." To this his reply in this particular speech was, "My definition of secularism is India First. Whatever you do, wherever you work, India should be the top priority of all its citizens. The country is above all religions and ideologies," he added. Taking another dig at secularism, he said, "Nothing less than India's well being should be our goal. And if this happens, secularism will automatically run in our blood."

His detractors may say this is a cloak to cover his anti-Muslim bias. Still, as a philosophy it scores over the Congress practice of appeasing different sections to win over their votes which add up to a substantial number in the face of a divided majority. The Modi formula at least promises development for all citizens. The Congress however provides sops and corruption in the name of development.

Its answer to Narendra Modi, crown prince Rahul Gandhi, continues to play Hamlet. Rahul, who seldom speaks to the media, suddenly called a press conference and made two major declarations - that he would never be prime minister and that he would never marry. Both decisions are outcome of a confused mind. If he sought to anoint himself a martyr having sacrificed the top post in the manner of his mother Sonia Gandhi, there is a need for clarification. Rahul already has more power than almost any politician in India other than his mother. In fact he has more power than Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who is ready to bow to him any time. Then where is the need for him to be prime minister?

Possibly he wants to continue wielding power without responsibility. Indeed his declaration has raised expectations among some Congress stalwarts that they could act regent prime ministers if Rahul declines the post in case of Congress emerging the largest party in 2014.

Rahul also claimed in that press conference that if he married, he would "become a status quo-ist and…be concerned about bequeathing my position to my children." This is typical dynastyspeak exposed by MJ Akbar in a recent column. He says, "It does not seem to occur to anyone that it is perfectly possible for a prime minister to have a child without forcing him or her to become a carbon copy. Rahul Gandhi did not have to become a politician. He could have led an extremely rewarding life as a professional. There are presidents and prime ministers all over the democratic world whose children believe their parent made an awful career choice. There are other offspring who think politics is a pretty good idea. In either case the decision lies with the child once he or she turns an adult. A parent should at best have an advisory role, not a decisive one."

He argues, "Some of the most powerful politicians in India are childless: Jayalalitha, Navin Patnaik, Mamata Banerjee, Mayawati, Narendra Modi. Does this make them either more honest or better administrator than Nitish Kumar, Sheila Dixit, Raman Singh or Shivraj Singh Chauhan who have children? Those who can rule with competence and honesty will do so whether or not they have children."

March 22, 2013

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