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Consulate initiatives for India, Indians Details on page 16

Indian heads program to educate prisoners

VOL 20, No. 1071

March 27, 2015

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has announced an easing of the process to obtain L-1B work visas for corporate executives, a move that could end the large scale harassment of IT professionals from India and make it easier for Indian companies to bring employees here.

Such a move, Obama argued would attract larger foreign direct investment to the US. "I'm pleased to announce a new action I'm also taking to make it easier for global companies who are present

here today to launch and invest in the US. My administration is going to reform the L-1B visa category, which allows corporations to temporarily move workers from a foreign office to a US office in a faster, simpler way.

"And this could benefit hundreds of thousands of nonimmigrant workers and their employers, that in turn, will benefit our entire economy and spur additional investment," Obama said in his address to the SelectUSA Summit.

Vijay Kumar is Dean of Penn Engg. College

Indian-origin author assaulted in South Africa Details on page 7

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SC strikes down section of cyber law Details on page 8

Pro-Modi US lawmaker resigns Details on page 9

Nine Indian Americans awarded

WONDER KID: President Barack Obama looks impressed by the work of Anvita Gupta, 17, from Scottsdale, Arizona, about developing a computer algorithm to assess drugs' effectiveness, at 2015 White House Science Fair on Monday, March 23.

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CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29 Classifieds ------------------------- 48 Community Post -------------- 16-25 Date Book -------------------------- 27 Edit Page --------------------------- 54 HealthScience Post --------- 36-39 Horoscope ------------------------- 26 Immigration Post ------------- 12-15 Life Style ----------------------- 50-53 Philosophy ------------------------- 49 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 32-34

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don't usually go around talking about US-Israel relations, but seeing how much it is impacting our own dysfunctional domestic politics has prompted me to think of how deep partisan America's political divides are going to get in the coming future.

For decades, America has stood by Israel as the big and burly uncle under whose protective shadow Israel got away with impunity against Palestinian and Israeli Arabs. For the first time, however, it was President Obama who showed the gumption to perhaps upset the strong American Jewish lobby and hold Israel up to its needlessly paranoid behavior.

Also, while the right wing American politicians were calling for Iran to be bombed it was President Obama who extended a hand of diplomacy towards the beleaguered Arab state.

Now where foreign policy is concerned, it is not normal for Opposition parties to go against the reigning Administration in so blatant a manner as to invite another country's head to address Congress without expressly informing the White House. Which is exactly what the John Boehner-led Congress did when it invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the Congress only a few days before Israel went to elections, to actually stand and speak against the Obama Administration's Iran policy. How shameful is it that your own people invite a foreign leader to come and speak against your own government. I mean, how low can partisan politics sink to? While the Republican majority Congress gave Netanyahu a standing ovation, the Administration could do little than sulk and blame the Israeli leader for his regretful comments rather than take Congress to task for its blatant disregard for national integrity.

Now that Netanyahu has won the election in Israel, despite his last minute guttural anti-Arab rhetoric, the Obama Administration has a real task in dealing with the imminent aggression of a resurgent Netanyahu.

What will be more challenging for Obama in the twilight of his White House career is containing the outright rebellion of the Republicans. His legacy would be a Middle East policy that will shut up not just Netanyahu but also our own short-sighted Republicans. Can Obama do it?

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Crash actor While shooting for Fitoor in Delhi, Katrina Kaif started driving with door open and the car smashed into a wall

Cover Story: Teenage scientists President Barack Obama has praised the work of Indian American teenage scientists at the White House Science Fair

Community: Consulate initiative Indian Consul General Dr Ausaf Sayeed has persuaded Indian groups to have a unified India Day flag hoisting ceremony

Easier L-1B visa President Barack Obama has announced an easing of the process to obtain L-1B work visas for corporate executives

Life style: Creative retreat In Art Ichol, a creative retreat, close to Panna Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh), art grows out of the brown loam.

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Setback to Pak A UK court has directed Pakistan to pay 150,000 pounds to India as legal fees in the 67-year-old Hyderabad Funds case

Myanmar A land of breathtaking beauty and charm, Myanmar remains one of the most mysterious and undiscovered destinations

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Obama praises Indian American teen scientists WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has praised the work of a budding Indian American teenage scientist who used machine learning to teach a computer to identify potential drugs for cancer, tuberculosis and Ebola.

Anvita Gupta, 17, of Scottsdale, Arizona, winner of Third Place Medal of Distinction for Global Good, was one of the participants of the fifth White House Science Fair which was attended by sev-

contains language that is potentially abusive and hurtful.

Ninth-grader Doshi exhibited the design of his innovative carbon-dioxide powered battery called PolluCell.

Behari showcased the easy-touse security system developed by him which is versatile and effective in protecting online data.

Pandya exhibited the onesquare centimeter carbon nanofibre electrode-based bio-

"Now, I should point out that, like several of the young people here, Anvita and Ruchi are first-generation Americans.

Their parents came here, in part, so their kids could develop their talents and make a difference in the world� eral other Indian-origin teenagers - Trisha Prabhu from Illinois, Sahil Doshi from Pittsburgh, Nikhil Behari from Pennsylvania and Ruchi Pandya from San Jose.

When Gupta explained how she had used an algorithm to help identify possible new drugs to treat Ebola, cancer and tuberculosis, Obama turned to the press, grinned and said, "I don't know what you all have been doing. But this is what she has been doing".

"It is unbelievable what so many of these young people have

sensor that has the potential to improve cardiac health diagnostics for patients around the world.

In his remarks later, Obama specifically mentioned Nikhil.

"He's a freshman in high school, interested in how we can better protect ourselves against hackers and data thieves online.

So scientists are already using biometrics to prove that each of us walk in our own distinct ways," he said.

"And Nikhil wondered, what if we each type in a distinct ways?

US President Barack Obama reacts while listening to Nikhil Behari, 14, from Sewickley, Pennsylvania at White House in Washington on March 23

accomplished at such an early age," Obama said after his personal interaction and viewing of some of the exhibits on display.

This year's White House Science Fair has a specific focus on diversity and includes more than 100 students from 30 states, representing more than 40 science competitions and organizations.

Thirty-five student teams exhibited their projects.

Obama personally viewed 12 of these exhibits.

Prabhu showcased her computer program 'Rethink' that alerts users when an outgoing message

So he collected all kinds of data about how a person types - their speed, how often they pause, how much pressure they use and built a special keyboard to test it. And he proved that his hypothesis was correct - that even if somebody knows your password, they don't necessarily punch it in exactly the way you do," he said.

"He asked why - and made discoveries that now could help keep our online accounts more secure.

So in the future, if keystrokebased authentication keeps your siblings from breaking into your Facebook account or your

Instagram account, you will know who to thank. It will be Nikhil.

Congratulations," Obama said amidst applause.

Ruchi, Obama said found a way to use a single drop of blood to test a person's heart function, much like a person with diabetes tests their blood sugar.

And the President, did not forget Anvita in his speech.

"Anvita used artificial intelligence and biochemistry to identify potential treatments for cancer, tuberculosis, Ebola.

What she's done is she's developed an algorithm that could potentially significantly speed up the process of finding drugs that might work against these diseases," he said.

"Anvita's algorithm has the potential of speeding up pathways to discovering what drugs would work on what diseases, and is consistent with some of the work that we announced around precision medicine that we are funding at a significant pace here at the White House," Obama said.

"Now, I should point out that, like several of the young people here, Anvita and Ruchi are firstgeneration Americans.

Their parents came here, in part, so their kids could develop their talents and make a difference in

the world. And we're really glad they did," Obama said.

Obama said these young scientists and engineers teach something beyond the specific topics that they're exploring.

It's more than a school subject, or the periodic table, or the properties of waves. It is an approach to the world, a critical way to understand and explore and engage with the world, and then have the

US President Barack Obama speaks with Ruchi Pandya from San Jose, California, at 2015 White House Science Fair

"They teach us how to question assumptions, to wonder why something is the way it is, and how we can make it better.

They remind us that there's always something more to learn, and to try, and to discover, and to imagine - and that it's never too early, or too late to create or discover something new," he said.

"That's why we love science.

capacity to change that world, and to share this accumulated knowledge.

"It's a mindset that says we that can use reason and logic and honest inquiry to reach new conclusions and solve big problems.

And that's what we are celebrating here today with these amazing young people," Obama said. PTI

Indian heads program to educate US prisoners NEW YORK: An Indian-American professor is at the helm of a unique initiative launched by the prestigious New York University (NYU) to bring college education to criminals imprisoned at a correctional facility here.

Nikhil Pal Singh is the faculty director of NYU's Prison Education Program (PEP), which is backed by a USD 500,000 grant from the Ford Foundation and offers credit-bearing, university courses that will enable students to earn an Associate of Arts (AA) degree from the university.

"By expanding access to a university education to incarcerated students, the NYU Prison Education Program aims to help redress inequities that result from the fact that the United States incarcerates more people than any other nation in the world - over two million - the great majority of whom are poor, African American, and Latino," said Singh, associate professor at NYU's Department of Social and Cultural Analysis.

The initiative has begun with individuals jailed at the Wallkill

Correctional Facility, a mediumsecurity prison in New York State's Ulster County.

Douglas Wood, program of-

Nikhil Pal Singh

ficer at the Ford Foundation on Higher Education for Social Justice, said that supporting high quality, postsecondary education programs in prisons is "vitally important and will contribute in many ways to renewing communities, strengthening families and breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty".

Starting in spring of 2015, 36

inmates will take one of two NYU classes taught at the Wallkill facility, with up to three additional courses offered during the summer of 2015.

Classes will be taught by NYU faculty and offer both intensive liberal arts study and introductory courses from NYU's professional schools.

Once released from prison, students enrolled in NYU PEP will have the option to either continue their college education at NYU or transfer credits to another institution.

The initiative will also include providing educational and employment counseling, community support for families, and other services such as legal assistance to address human rights, housing, and employment issues.

The program is also working with a leading community -based organization addressing postprison release issues.-PTI

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PM pays tributes to martyrs, visits Golden Temple AMRITSAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to freedom fighters and martyrs of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and visited the historic Golden Temple on a day-long visit to Punjab.

complex after becoming Prime Minister.

Modi undertook the parikrama of the Harmandir Sahib and paid obeisance in the sanctum sanctorum, where he was offered a 'Siropa' (robe of honor) by the Priest.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying homage at the Samadhi statues of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev at National Martyrs Memorial, at Hussainiwala, in Punjab on March 23. The Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal is also seen

Soon after his arrival, Modi went straight to Hussainiwala in Ferozepur district by a helicopter where he paid tributes to freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev at the National Martyrs Memorial on the anniversary of their martyrdom.

He later visited the Jallianwala Bagh memorial and paid floral tributes at the memorial, where British troops opened fire and killed hundreds of unarmed Indians in April 1919.

He stopped by the Martyr's Well which stands testimony to the brutal killing of people, many of whom had no way to save themselves but to jump in it.

The Prime Minister ended his day-long visit to Punjab by spending about 40 minutes at the Golden Temple.

This was his first visit to the

Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki, were among those who accompanied the Prime Minister.

Modi also mingled with the crowd of devotees inside the temple complex and interacted with the SGPC officials.

He wrote in the visitor book of the Golden Temple: "Guru Ashirwad bana rahey. Pavittar Pranam. Narendra Modi (May the Blessings of the Guru Always remain.)"

At the Jallianwala Bagh, Modi evinced keen interest at the Martyrs' Well, where many innocent persons jumped into it in a bid to save their lives.

Before leaving Jallianwala Bagh, he wrote in the visitors book, "Veer Matayein Avem Veer Putro Ki Shahadat Ko Parnam (Sa-

lute to sacrifice of brave mothers and brave children)".

Later, he went to Durgiana Temple, where he offered prayers and spent a few minutes. The evening 'Aarti' was in progress during the auspicious Navratris, when Modi reached there. He was also honored by the Management Committee of the Sri Durgiana Mandir.

Modi was accorded a warm welcome at Sri Guru Ramdas International Airport on his arrival.

He was received by Punjab Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki, Chief Minster Parkash Singh Badal, Union Ministers Harsimrat Kaur and Vijay Sampla, among others.

During his visit to the holy Sikh shrine, Modi was presented replica of Golden Temple, a woolen shawl and a set of Sikh religious books by SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar.

Makkar, head of SGPC, apex religious body of the Sikhs, also gave memorandum to Modi containing demands that included return of Sikh religious books, some other important documents which

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Golden Temple, in Amritsar, Punjab on March 23

SGPC also demanded special corridor from Dera Baba Nanak Sector (India) to Kartarpur (Pakistan) where Gurdwara Kartrapur is located, and demanded to build flyover over the Ravi River, from India to Pakistan, to facilitate Sikh pilgrims to have direct access from India.

If flyover was build up, it would

founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev left for heavenly abode and spent last days of his life, SGPC said, adding if bridge was build, devotees could return to India within half an hour after paying obeisance in the Sikh shrine in Pakistan.

SGPC also demanded the release of Sikh prisoners who have

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the people at National Martyrs Memorial, at Hussainiwala, in Firozpur, Punjab on March 23

were allegedly taken during Operation Blue Star from the Sikh Reference Library in June 1984.

be 10 minutes distance from India to Pakistan for Sikh devotees to pay obeisance at Gurdwara where

completed their jail terms, lodged in the different jails of the nation.

-PTI

Vijay Kumar is Dean of Penn Engineering College NEW YORK: An Indian-American expert, known for his groundbreaking work on autonomous robots, has been named dean of a prestigious US university in Pennsylvania.

An IIT-Kanpur alumnus, Vijay Kumar, who has earlier served in the White House, will take over as the dean of University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science on July 1, Penn President Amy Gutmann and Provost Vincent Price have announced.

Kumar is widely recognized for his groundbreaking work on the

development of autonomous robots and on biologically inspired algorithms for collective behavior.

He has served in the White House as assistant director for robotics and cyber physical systems in the Office of Science and Technology Policy, during a scholarly leave in 2012-14.

"I am honored and excited to serve as the next dean of Penn Engineering. I look forward to partnering with Penn Engineering's incredible faculty, students, staff, alumni and friends to take our school to even greater heights," he said.

Vijay Kumar

Kumar, an author of more than 400 refereed articles and papers and more than 20 books and book chapters, said that technology will play a key role in addressing global challenges in the coming decade, from health care to security to sustainability and beyond.

"Vijay's superb academic judgment, compelling vision for the future of engineering and applied science, and proven track record as a leader and administrator make him the perfect choice to lead Penn Engineering," Penn President Amy Gutmann said.

Kumar joined the Penn Engi-

neering faculty in 1987 and currently serves as UPS Foundation Professor with appointments in the departments of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, Computer and Information Science and Electrical and Systems Engineering.

Kumar is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.

Besides, he is also the recipient of numerous awards and honors. -PTI

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Indian-origin author assaulted Nine Indian-Americans awarded US fellowships in South Africa JOHANNESBURG: An Indianorigin author in South Africa was brutally assaulted and verbally abused after she praised controversial writer Salman Rushdie whose work has angered Muslims around the world.

Zainub Priya Dala was hit in the face with a brick last week after she praised Rushdie's writing at a school in Durban, a city on the country's east coast.

Dala had been due to launch her novel 'What About Meera' in the city on Saturday March 21, which was ironically Human Rights Day in South Africa, but had to postpone it after being injured.

She was reportedly followed from the hotel where the festival was taking place by three men in a vehicle who forced her car off the road.

When she stopped her vehicle, two of the men came to the car, one allegedly putting a knife to her throat while the other struck her in the face with a brick as he verbally abused her.

Dala said she believed the attack occurred as a result of a com-

ment she made during a writing forum for schools earlier in the week, when she and two other authors were asked to comment on their favorite authors.

She replied that she liked the

hope you're recovering well. All good wishes," Rushdie said in a tweet.

In her reply, Dala said: "Thank you. I have my family and children around me and am recovering."

Zainub Priya Dala after the assault (right)

styles of Rushdie and Indian author Arundhati Roy, which led to a number of teachers and students attending the workshop walking out in protest.

Reacting to the attack, Rushdie said the attack on Dala was "appalling and disgraceful".

"I'm so sorry to hear this. I

Dala has filed an assault case with the police but there have been no arrests yet amid an appeal for any witnesses to come forward.

Steve Connolly, managing director of Random House and her publisher, said: "We condemn completely the brutish attack on author ZP Dala." -PTI

NEW YORK: Nine IndianAmericans are among 126 US and Canadian scholars awarded with a prestigious American fellowship worth USD 50,000 to further their research in eight key scientific and technical fields.

"The Alfred P Sloan Foundation is pleased to announce the selection of 126 outstanding US and Canadian researchers as recipients of the 2015 Sloan Research Fellowships. Fellows receive USD 50,000 to further their research," a statement said.

The Indian Americans who were awarded the fellowships are Vivek Shende, Nandini Ananth, Hemamala Karunadasa, Prabal Dutta, Neal Mankad, Padmini Rangamani, Shyam Gollakota, Shantanu Jadhav and Suresh Naidu.

The fellowships were instituted annually since 1955. It honor early-career scientists and scholars whose achievements and potential identify them as rising stars, the next generation of scientific leaders, the foundation said.

"The beginning of a one's career is a crucial time in the life of a scientist. Building a lab, attracting funding in an increasingly competitive environment and securing tenure all depend on doing innovative, original high-quality work and having that work recognized," said Paul L Joskow, President of the Alfred P Sloan Foundation.

"For more than 50 years the Sloan Foundation has been proud to celebrate the achievements of extraordinary young scientists who are pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge," Joskow said.

The fellowships were awarded in eight scientific and technical fields which include chemistry, computer science, economics, mathematics, computational and evolutionary molecular biology, neuroscience, ocean sciences and physics.

In the past, Sloan Research Fellows have gone on to notable careers and include such intellectual luminaries as physicist Richard Feynman and game theorist John Nash.-PTI

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SC strikes down section of cyber law NEW DELHI: In a landmark judgment upholding freedom of expression, the Supreme Court has struck down a provision in the cyber law which provides power to arrest a person for posting allegedly "offensive" content on websites.

Terming liberty of thought and expression as "cardinal", a bench of justices J Chelameswar and R F Nariman said, "The public's right

"grossly offensive", used in the provision are vague as it is difficult for the law enforcement agency and the offender to know the ingredients of the offence.

The bench also referred to two judgments of separate UK courts which reached different conclusions as to whether the material in question was offensive or grossly offensive.

"When judicially trained minds

"Governments come and go but section 66A will remain forever," the bench said, adding the present government cannot give an undertaking about its successor that they will not abuse the same to know is directly affected by section 66A of the Information Technology Act." Justice Nariman, who pronounced the verdict in a packed court room, also said that the provision "clearly affects" the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression enshrined under the Constitution.

Elaborating the grounds for holding the provision as "unconstitutional", it said terms like "annoying", "inconvenient" and

can reach on different conclusions" while going through the same content, then how is it possible for law enforcement agency and others to decide as to what is offensive and what is grossly offensive, the bench said, adding, "What may be offensive to a person may not be offensive to the other".

The bench also rejected the assurance given by NDA government during the hearing that certain procedures may be laid down to ensure that the law in question

Cong admits to flaws in cyber law NEW DELHI: The Congress use of freedom of speech and in has admitted that Section 66A of such cases ordinary laws should cyber law, introduced by the UPA apply and the offender should be regime in 2008, was poorly drafted dealt with under them. and vulnerable to misuse after the "If some provisions of the law provision was struck down by the have to be strengthened, that Supreme Court. could be considered. But Section The party, however, tried to 66A was not the answer," deflect criticism by targeting Modi Chidambaram said. government on its stand in the Party spokesperson Sanjay Jha court on the provision which allows arrest of a person for posting al- ‘If some provisions of the legedly offensive con- law have to be strengthtent on websites.

Congress leader P ened, that could be Chidambaram wel- considered. But Section comed the Supreme Court judgment holding 66A was not the answer,’ Section 66A of the IT Act as unconstitutional. questioned why the Modi govern"I welcome the judgment of the ment had "stoutly defended conSupreme Court holding that Sec- tinuity" of the provision in the tion 66A of the IT Act is unconsti- apex court when Narendra Modi tutional. "The section was poorly had once openly opposed the drafted and was vulnerable. It was provision before becoming Prime capable of being misused and, in Minister. fact, it was misused," he said.

"To all those bhakts criticizing The former Union Minister, @KapilSibal , Modi Sarkar stoutly who held the Home and Finance defended continuity of #Sec66A portfolios in UPA government, in SC . Smell the coffee beans, said there could be a case of mis- folk," Jha said on Twitter. -PTI

is not abused.

The government had also said that it will not misuse the provision.

"Governments come and go but section 66A will remain forever," the bench said, adding the present government cannot give an undertaking about its successor that they will not abuse the same.

The bench, however, did not strike down two other provisionssections 69A and 79 of the IT Actand said that they can remain enforced with certain restrictions.

Section 69A provides power to issue directions to block public access of any information through any computer resource and 79 provides for exemption from liability of intermediary in certain cases. . The apex court pronounced its verdict on a batch of petitions challenging constitutional validity of certain sections of the cyber law.

The first PIL on the issue was filed in 2012 by law student Shreya Singhal, who sought amendment in Section 66A of the Act, after two girls - Shaheen Dhada and Rinu Shrinivasan were arrested in Palghar in Thane district as one of them posted a comment against the shutdown in Mumbai following Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray's death and

Jadavpur Professor hails SC judgment KOLKATA: Jadavpur University professor Ambikesh Mahapatra, who was arrested for posting a cartoon of Mamata Banerjee on Facebook in 2012, has welcomed the Supreme Court judgment striking down Section 66A of the IT Act. "The move would protect common man's right to freedom of expression," Professor Mohapatra, who was arrested under the provision of the Section 66A, said.

"Section 66A should have been scrapped earlier. Under this Section, common people in several states came under the wrath of the state government for making anti-administration remarks... the same thing what happened to me," he told reporters here.

He said he hoped the move would protect the common man's right to freedom of expression, opinion and human right.-PTI

the other 'liked' it.

In the wake of numerous complaints of harassment and arrests, the apex court had on May 16, 2013, come out with an advisory that a person, accused of posting objectionable comments on social

controversial case hogged the limelight for alleged misuse of section 66A, in which a boy was arrested on March 18 for allegedly posting on Facebook objectionable comments against senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan.

Supreme Court of India

networking sites, cannot be arrested without police getting permission from senior officers like IG or DCP. After the apex court had reserved its judgment in the matter on February 26 this year, another

A petition was filed before the Supreme Court in this regard alleging that its advisory was violated after which the apex court had asked UP police to explain the circumstances leading to the arrest of the boy.-PTI

Cyber law misuse victims rejoice NEW DELHI: 'Victims' who Shaheen's father Farooq Dhada bore the brunt of the controver- too welcomed the decision saysial section 66A of Information ing "it is a big relief".

Technology Act for posting alleg"We welcome the judgment as edly "offensive" content online the section was being misused. We heaved a sigh of relief as the Su- have faced a lot of trouble. My preme Court, in its landmark ver- daughter's intention was never to dict, scrapped the provision dub- hurt any religious sentiments. bing it "unconstitutional".

There was tension and pressure Rinu Shrinivasan, who was ar- from political parties," he said. rested in Palghar in Thane district Following Shaheen's post on for liking a comment made by social media, her uncle's clinic was Shaheen Dhada against the shutdown in Mumbai following Shiv ‘I am very happy with the Sena leader Bal verdict. It's a victory of the Thackeray's death, expeople who want to raise pressed happiness over the decision saying jus- their voice against tice has prevailed. wrong doings’ "I am very happy with the verdict. It's a victory of vandalized for which no compenthe people who want to raise their sation has been given to them yet, voice against the wrong doings. I Dhada claimed. have got justice today.

For cartoonist Aseem Trivedi, "The post I liked was not wrong who was arrested in 2012 by or offensive for us to get arrested. Mumbai police for displaying carIt was misunderstood. But my toons on his website and family supported me through the Facebook page that mocked partough phase," Rinu said. liament and corruption in high Sharing similar views, places, it was a "big day".-PTI

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'Queen', 'Haider' win big at National Film Awards NEW DELHI: Kangana Ranaut won the best actress award for her powerful performance in "Queen" at the 62nd National Film Awards where Bollywood movies "Haider" and "Mary Kom" bagged key honors while Chaitanya Tamhane's "Court" was named the best feature film.

best music director but lost out the best director award to Bengali filmmaker Srijit Mukherji ('Chotushkone').

Bhardwaj was also named for best dialogues in the movie while Sukhwinder Singh clinched the best male playback singer for the song "Bismil". Its other two wins

Scenes from the movies ‘Queen’ and ‘Haider’

Ranaut, 28, who celebrated her birthday on March 23, got a belated present by winning her career's second National award in the movie about a girl who goes on a foreign honeymoon alone after being ditched by her fiance just before marriage.

She had won her first National award, as best supporting actress, for "Fashion" in 2010.

The Vikas Bahl-directed coming-of-age film was also named the best Hindi feature film.

Vijay was declared the best actor for his poignant portrayal of a woman trapped in a man's body in Kannada film "Nanu Avanalla

were in the categories of choreography and costume design.

"Chotushkone", a film about four directors' attempt to make four short stories, won two more awards - best cinematography and screenplay (original).

Priyanka Chopra-led biopic "Mary Kom" was named the best popular film providing wholesome entertainment.

While best songs in the music direction category went to Bhardwaj, the background score honour was won by Gopi Sunder for Malayalam film "Nineteen Eighty Three".

Best lyrics award went to NA

Ranaut, 28, who celebrated her birthday on March 23, got a belated present by winning her career's second National award in the movie about a girl who goes on a foreign honeymoon alone after being ditched by her fiance Avalu" (I am not a he, but she).

"Court", which focuses on the flaws in the Indian judicial system, has been winning critical acclaim nationally and internationally. The award is expected to give a major boost to the movie ahead of its theatrical release on April 17.

Shahid Kapoor-starrer "Haider", a Kashmir-set modern adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet, won five honours. Its helmer Vishal Bhardwaj was named the

Muthukumar for Tamil film "Saivam" whose singer Uttara Unnikrishanan won the best female playback singer honour for her song 'Azhagu'.

Tamil actor Bobby Simhaa won the best supporting actor trophy for "Jigarthanda" whose second win was in the best editing category.

Best supporting actress went to Haryanavi actress Bajinder Kaur. It is a first National award for a Haryanvi actress.

Indira Gandhi award for best debut film of a director went to Aditya Vikram Sengupta for his Bengali movie "Asha Jaoar Majhe". It also won the best sound designer trophy while "Nirbashito" won the re-recordist of the final mixed track.

"Chotoder Chobi", Kaushik Ganguly's tale on dwarfs, was declared best film on social issues for its empathetic portrayal of marginalised people's struggle for a life of dignity.

Best children's film was shared

by Tamil movie "Kaakkaa Muttai" and Marathi drama "Elizabeth Ekadashi". "Muttai" actors J Vignesh and Ramesh shared the best child artist honour.

The best film on environment conservation/preservation went to Malayalam movie "Ottaal" which also won adapted screenplay writer trophy.

Special jury awards went to Marathi film "Khwada", directed

by Bhaurao Karhade which also won the location sound recordist honour.

"Nanu Avanalla Avalu" also won in the best make-up artist category. Konkani film "NachomIA Kumpasar" won the best production design award.

The 62nd National Film Awards 2014 were announced by the chairpersons of the three juries on feature films, non feature films and best writing on cinema. The feature film central panel, was headed

by Tamil filmmaker P Bharathiraja and included 10 other members.

The non-feature jury was headed

by Kamal Swarup.-PTI

Pro-Modi American lawmaker resigns WASHINGTON: Republican lawmaker Aaron Schock, who visited India in 2013 to meet then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi who faced a visa ban by the US, has quit after allegations about wrongful mileage reimbursement and taking a photographer on his India trip without

File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting with US Congressman Aaron Schock in New Delhi

informing. "(The) constant questions over the last six weeks have proven a great distraction that has made it too difficult for me to serve the people of the 18th District with the high standards that they deserve and which I have set for myself," the Congressman from Illinois said in a statement.

"I have always sought to do what's best for my constituents, and I thank them for the opportunity to serve," said Schock, who was part of a delegation of Congressmen that traveled to India in March 2013 to meet Modi, who

Shashi Kapoor a 'stalwart' in film industry NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Bollywood veteran Shashi Kapoor

Shashi Kapoor

faced a visa ban by the US over the issue of 2002 post-Godhra riots.

According to his spokesperson, 33-year-old Schock has reimbursed all expenses received for official mileage since his election to Congress.

His resignation marks a swift

for winning Indian cinema's top honor - the Dada Saheb Phalke award and described him as a "stalwart" of the film industry.

"Shashi Kapoorji is a fine actor & a stalwart of the film industry. I congratulate him for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award," Modi tweeted.

Shashi Kapoor has starred in over 100 Hindi films and is best known for his powerful portrayals of characters in hits like "Namak Halaal", "Deewar" and "Kabhie Kabhie".

The award consists of a Swarn Kamal (Golden Lotus), a cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs and a shawl.-PTI

downfall of one of the GOP's most promising young stars and prolific fundraisers, the Politico reported.

According to Politoco's investigation, Schock sought reimbursement for 172,520 miles on his car, despite the fact that he signed documents that certified the vehicle traveled less than half that distance.

In another investigation, The National Journal alleged Schock appeared to have improperly accepted money from an outside group to cover travel expenses for a companion on a trip to India and failed to disclose it in a possible violation of House rules.

Schock's photographer and videographer, Jonathon Link, traveled with him on the India trip, against the rules of the House ethics committee.

"The problem is House rules allow a member to accept private money for a companion's travel expenses only if the companion is a staffer, spouse or child. Link was none of those; he didn't appear on Schock's official or campaign payroll until September 2014," the Journal reported.

Furthermore, Schock never disclosed that Link accompanied him on the trip, it said.

"Members are allowed to accept money from private sources for some travel as long as they disclose it, and they also are required by law to disclose in writing when someone accompanies them on a trip paid for by an outside organization," the Journal said. -PTI

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Indian-American sibling gets $9mn settlement NEW YORK: An Indian-American brother-sister duo has been awarded record USD 9 million in damages for severe injuries sustained when they were attacked by metal bats during a brawl with two men in a night club here in 2005.

Anuj Sapra and Arti Sapra won the judgment in Manhattan Supreme Court for the incident at the city club when the two men misbehaved with them and later beat them up with baseball bats.

The siblings' Indian-American attorney Ravi Batra said that the case "represents the serious fallout of New York clubs regularly serving under-age children excessive amounts of liquor, and such drunken state

coupled with immature judgment, becoming a violent trigger for serious injury, or worse, near-death."

Anuj Sapra and Arti Sapra won the judgment in Manhattan Supreme Court for the incident at the city club when the two men misbehaved with them and later beat them up with baseball bats

The court ruled against firm Ten's Cabaret, which owned the club, and awarded compensatory and punitive damages of over USD 8 million for Anuj Sapra and over USD 640,000 for his sister.

Batra said the Sapras were harassed and assaulted by Mohammad Abdul-Shakoor and Mohammad Asif who were "under-age" but were still "illegally" served liquor by the club.

Batra said while it took time, justice has been served to the Sapras after "traversing many a legal hurdle to get to this point."

In the January 2005 incident, Shakoor and Asif misbehaved with Arti Sapra and when her brother intervened he was at-

tacked by them. Outside the club, Anuj and Arti were chased down by Shakoor and Asif who attacked Anuj with the metal baseball bat, striking him repeatedly in the head and face.

Arti, seeking to help her brother, was also attacked with the metal bat on her arm.

Anuj sustained serious injuries, including traumatic brain injury, skull fractures, facial fractures, internal bleeding, hearing loss and a fractured hand.

Shakoor and Asif were subsequently indicted by a New York County Grand Jury and while Asif was convicted of attempt to murder Anuj, Shakoor has reportedly fled the country, Batra said.-PTI

CII releases guide for investment in US WASHINGTON: Aiming to facilitate more Indian investment in the US, a top non-government Indian organization has released a one-stop guide book, which also serves as a ready reference guide to all those looking to expand their business in America.

The one-stop guide was released by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

"Created at the request of our membership, the purpose of this report is to provide a 'first, one-stop guide' to companies as they evaluate the strengths of various US states and territories and decide where to put their investment dollars to work," said CII director general Chandrajit Banerjee.

The report entitled, Business and Investment Climate in the United States: Local Economy, State Incentives and Growth Prospects, is an update to a report jointly released by CII and SelectUSA in 2011.

‘Created at the request of our membership, the purpose of this report is to provide a 'first, one-stop guide' to companies as they evaluate the strengths of various US states and territories’ It serves as a ready reference guide to not just Indian companies but to all those looking to expand their business in the US or enter the US as an investment destination, a media release said.

Providing a state-by-state view of the US, the report highlights the 'Top 10 reasons to Invest' as offered by all 50 US states and the US territories to businesses.

In addition, this report outlines the core and upcoming sectors of strength and growth in each state/territory, as well as some of the major tax and financial incentives being offered to attract and retain businesses.-PTI

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Modi leadership has energized Secret Service men save life of Indian-American Indo-US ties: official WASHINGTON: The US re- est defense trading partner, mains heavily engaged with India Locklear said India's participation and the strategic relationship be- in these exercises signals its comtween the two countries has en- mitment as a regional security proergized under the new leadership vider of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "Through military modernizaa top Pentagon commander has tion, robust defense trade (C-17s, said.

C-130Js, and P-8Is, among other "Last year, India held the larg- items), and a growing network of est election in its history. With defense partnerships, India is asnew leadership in place, India is energizing the US-India strategic partnership," Admiral Samuel J Locklear United States Navy Commander of Pacific Command has said.

The US military remains heavily engaged with New Delhi's military, Admiral Samuel J Locklear having conducted 69 major exercises in the past five years, serting its role as an important rehe said. gional actor determined to protect The Indian Navy continues its common interests and ensure free strong participation in multilateral access to economically vital sea exercises including INDRA with lanes," he said.

Russia, MALABAR with the US "Although with respect to miliand Japan, and RIMPAC with 23 tary activities, India still asserts a navies from across the Indo-Asia- security interest in its EEZ that Pacific, Locklear said. does not conform to the law of Noting that over the past three the sea," he said. years the US has been India's largTestifying before the Congres-

Murthy's son-in-law leads Indian-origin MPs list LONDON: Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy's son-in-law is leading the list of ethnic minority MPs expected to win seats for the Conservative party in the May 7 General Election in the UK. The UK-based Rishi Sunak will contest from former foreign secretary William Hague's constituency of Richmond in North Yorkshire.

The Oxford University and Stanford MBA graduate, who cofounded a 1-billion pound global investment firm and specialized in investing in small British businesses, is expected to make the "class of 2015" as the most high profile new Indian-origin MP. "I'm over the moon. It's an incredible privilege to represent this really special part of the world, and to follow in the footsteps of William Hague," the 34-year-old had said in reference to his selection for the Tory party.

A new study found that the

Conservatives overall could have more ethnic minority MPs elected than Opposition Labor for the first time in the next parliament.

The Tories could see more new black and Asian MPs entering the House of Commons in three out of five possibilities considered for the general election by British Future, a think tank specializing in immigration and integration.

In the best outcome for Prime Minister David Cameron - a Conservative majority - the party could leapfrog Labor with 19 ethnic minority MPs overall compared with 15.

At the moment the Tories have 11 black and Asian MPs, while Labor has 16.

The Liberal Democrats have no non-white members in the Commons - a situation which the think tank predicts will remain unchanged after the May poll, 'The Sunday Times' reported.-PTI

sional sub-committee, Locklear said China is executing a strategy that includes expanding outposts in contested areas through land reclamation on South China Sea features.

China is taking actions to prevent other nations from establishing / maintaining outposts, exploring for natural resources in disputed waters, and increasing its naval and air forces' presence through exercises and patrols, he said.

China's aggressive land reclamation and construction projects at eight South China Sea military outposts include new buildings, more capable berthing space for ships, and presumably an airfield on the Fiery Cross Reef (China's largest reclamation project), he said.-PTI

WASHINGTON: An IndianAmerican journalist suffered a heart attack inside the White House, but a prompt response by US Secret Service personnel saved his life.

Manku Singh, the only Sikh journalist accredited to the White House, collapsed in the East Room while covering the White House Science Fair moments before President Barack Obama was to speak.

Singh is a community reportercum-cameraperson for TV Asia, the largest South Asian cable network in the US. The alert Secret Service personnel immediately responded to him and called the ambulance.

The emergency responders who tried to revive him found that he had no pulse.

They used cardiopulmonary

resuscitation, which is commonly known as CPR, to try to revive him while administering oxygen.

After about four minutes, one of the technicians said, "We have a rhythm."

CPR is an emergency procedure performed in an effort to manually preserve intact brain function until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person who has cardiac arrest.

The emergency medical technicians later said Singh had a strong pulse.

He was transferred to the nearby George Washington hospital.

At the hospital, soon, Singh underwent a heart catheterization, and the early signs were reported to be encouraging.-PTI

In Brief Hearing set on allegations in immigration lawsuit BROWNSVILLE, Texas: Justice Department attorneys are preparing to answer questions about claims that they misled a judge about when part of President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration was implemented.

A Thursday hearing is set in federal court in Brownsville,

Judge Andrew Hanen

Texas, related to a lawsuit filed by 26 states against Obama's plan, which could spare from deportation as many as 5 million people in the U.S. illegally.

The immigration action was put on hold last month by U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen, a move the U.S. government is appealing.

At issue Thursday is a claim by the states that the U.S. government told Hanen before his injunction that the immigration action hadn't been implemented.

The Justice Department says 100,000 individuals were granted reprieves before the injunction under guidelines from a separate program. -AP

„ Ex-wife of former Chinese official arrested for fraud LOS ANGELES: The ex-wife of a fugitive former Chinese official has been arrested in Washington State on allegations of immigration fraud and money laundering.

Shilan Zhao, of Washington State, was arrested and ordered held without bail. Her attorney, Kirk Davis, says he can't comment but looks forward to ``challenges as they come.''

Federal prosecutors contend Zhao and Jianjun Qiao falsely claimed to be married and lied about their source of money to obtain U.S. visas through an immigrant investor program.

Their documents were processed in Laguna Niguel, California.

An indictment in Los Angeles charges them with conspiracy and other crimes. It claims the divorced couple bought a home in the Seattle suburb of Newcastle using $500,000 from fraudulent transactions at a grain storehouse in Zhoukou City, China, where Qiao was a director.

He remains a fugitive.-AP

Immigration 12 India Post

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March 27, 2015

Colorado deal on immigrant driver's licenses Details on page 14

Boost for Indian IT workers as US L-1B visas now easier to get WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has announced an easing of the process to obtain L1B work visas for corporate executives, a move that could end the large scale harassment of IT professionals from India and make it easier for Indian companies to bring employees here.

Such a move, Obama argued would attract larger foreign direct investment to the US. "I'm pleased to announce a new action I'm also taking to make it easier for global companies who are present here today to launch and invest in the US. My administration is going to reform the L1B visa category, which allows corporations to temporarily move workers from a foreign office to a US office in a faster, simpler way.

"And this could benefit hundreds of thousands of non-immigrant workers and their employers, that in turn, will benefit our entire economy and spur additional investment," Obama said in his address to the SelectUSA Summit.

A large number of Indian com-

panies are participating in the SelectUSA Summit aimed at increasing US exports and attract-

ing more foreign investment into the US. Large scale decline of L-1 vi-

US President Barack Obama

"We want to make it as simple and as attractive for you to set up shop here as is possible.

That is what this summit is all about," he said, and hoped that global companies would benefit from the new measures.

sas was a major hindrance in Indian companies investing in the US. "One of the things that would make America even more attractive to businesses and that would grow our economy and shrink our deficits, and keep this country safer, stronger, and smarter, would be a comprehensive immigration reform package," he said.

"That's why I'm going to continue to push and prod and poke and cajole friends in the Republican Party to get on board and help us get this done. We need to get immigration reform done here in the United States of America.

That's who we are. So the bottom line is this: America is proudly open for business," Obama said.

"We want to make it as simple and as attractive for you to set up shop here as is possible. That is what this summit is all about," he said, and hoped that global companies would benefit from the new measures.

Obama said there has never been a more exciting time to do business in the US. -PTI

Predicting the H1B cap lottery for 2016 HASAN ABDULLAH

C

urrently, the H-1B work visa cap is limited at 65,000 petitions per year, and an additional 20,000 petitions for those with a US master's degree or higher. USCIS will accept fiscal year (FY) 2016 cap-subject petitions starting on April 1. In the scenario that more cases are filed within the first five business days of April than there are cap numbers available, USCIS will use a lottery to randomly select sufficient petitions to meet the cap.

For a brief history recap, the FY2013 cap was reached on June 11, 2012. The year after, the FY2014 cap was reached within the first five business days when a total of 124,000 H-1B visas were petitioned in that short time span. If that seemed like a

high volume, an astonishing 172,000 petitions were filed during the first five business days of

files a large bulk of all H-1B petitions), among other potential factors.

How these numbers have increased so significantly year after year is a testament to the growing demand for workers April 2015, a record high.

How these numbers have increased so significantly year after year is a testament to the growing demand for workers in the tech industry (an industry that

To predict what will happen this year, we have to ask what has changed since last year's H1B cap season. In 2014, more than 2.95 million jobs were created, the best year of job growth since 1999. This

year, however, Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody's Analytics, says, "Job growth is strong, but slowing from the torrid pace of recent months."

Additionally, with the provision of H4 employment authorization, many who are currently on H4 who would consider H1B sponsorship are now choosing to stay in H4 status and apply for employment authorization instead. So one may expect that last year's high will not be exceeded. However time will tell.

Readers who are interested in learning more about H-1B sponsorship may visit our website at www.usavisalaw.com where they may find our contact information.

Hasan Abdullah is Attorney at Law

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March 27, 2015

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Google exec calls for immigration changes WASHINGTON: The executive chairman at Google has urged Congress to increase the number of high-skilled work visas made available to foreigners and to deal with other immigration issues later on.

Eric Schmidt spoke at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. Schmidt said he believes the United States is better off having more immigration, not less, but he particularly is focused on allowing more immigrants into the U.S. with specialized technical skills. ``In the long list of stupid policies of the U.S. government, I think our attitude toward immigration has got to be near the top,'' Schmidt said in answering a question about the biggest policy change he would like to see the federal government make. ``We take very, very smart people, bring them into the country, give them a diploma and kick them out where they go on to create companies that compete with us,'' Schmidt said. ``Brilliant strategy.''

Schmidt said that increasing the number of H-1B visas, a program that's separate from the student visa program, would grow the economy because many immigrants will go on to become

lawful permanent residents and start their own businesses and hire workers. He also said he believes a majority of lawmakers from both parties agree on this point, which is why they should deal with other aspects of immigration reform separately.

inforced that some top lawmakers are strongly opposed to expanding the program. They argued that the U.S. has plenty of high-skilled workers, but companies would rather look elsewhere because it's cheaper. ``Over the years the program

Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt smiles during a meeting about the "right to be forgotten" in Madrid. Schmidt is urging Congress to increase the number of high-skilled work visas made available to foreigners and to deal with other immigration issues later on.

A bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah would expand the current annual cap on H-1B visas from 65,000 to between 115,000 and 195,000 visas depending upon market condition and demand. But a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing re-

has become a government-assisted way for employers to bring in cheaper foreign labor, and now it appears these foreign workers take over, rather than complement, the U.S. workforce,'' said the committee's chairman, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

Obama on St. Patrick's Day touts immigrant tradition WASHINGTON: Donning green in the Oval Office, President Barack Obama promoted U.S.-Irish ties on St. Patrick's Day as proof of America's immigrant-friendly tradition. He and Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny urged Congress to follow Obama's lead on immi-

at the Capitol. Obama defended the executive steps he's taken to shield millions in the U.S. from deportation, while acknowledging that due to a Republican lawsuit, those actions are ``currently tied up in the courts.'' ``We share the view that one of

President Barack Obama holds up a book of poetry by Irish poet William Butler Yeats, a gift from Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, left, during their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington

gration.

Obama hosted Kenny, known in Ireland as the Taoiseach, for their yearly St. Patrick's Day meeting, before accompanying him to the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon

the great strengths of the U.S. has always been its willingness to welcome new immigrants to our shores,'' Obama said. ``That's what's made us unique and spe-

cial.''

Kenny, a familiar face at the White House after years of St. Patrick's Day visits, said U.S. immigration policies were a priority for Ireland. In a clear reference to Congress, he said he hoped that eventually the political leadership in Washington would find a way to ``actually deal with this.''

Vice President Joe Biden kicked off the day of festivities with a breakfast at his official residence, but drew criticism for joking as he welcomed Kenny that ``anyone wearing orange isn't welcome in.''

Although Biden quickly added that he was joking, the quip offended supporters of the Orange Order, the grassroots organization for the Protestant majority in Northern Ireland.

William McCrea, a member of British Parliament from the Democratic Unionist Party, called on Biden, who is Catholic, to apologize. The DUP is the main British Protestant party in Northern Ireland. -AP

Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama said American schools are graduating twice as many students specializing in science, technology, engineering and math than there are jobs to fill in those specialties. ``It has nothing to do with trying to find the best and brightest,'' Sessions said of the H-1B visa program's proposed expansion.

Schmidt served as CEO at Google for a decade and his role now includes government outreach. He is also serving on a task force the Democratic National Committee organized to help it examine what went wrong in the 2014 midterm elections.

Schmidt took on a wide range of questions for about an hour.

He voiced concerns about the

government attempting to regulate the Internet. ``It's so difficult to predict how quickly this thing moves, and many of the problems that people have can be simply solved by technology that people are inventing,'' Schmidt said.

He also said that he still believes a college education is critical for the vast majority of young people and that stories of success like those of college dropouts Steve Jobs or Bill Gates are ``cherry-picked'' exceptions.

Most people, including himself, had little idea at age 18 what they wanted to do in life. ``Better to have them in college than at large,'' he joked before turning serious. ``The vast majority of people do very well by going to college.'' -AP

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Colorado deal on immigrant driver's licenses DENVER: Colorado lawmakers have reached a deal on a standoff over how to pay for a program that lets immigrants get driver's licenses regardless of their legal status, an initiative that Democrats passed without Republican support two years ago.

The deal approved unanimously by the six-member Joint Budget Committee allows enough funding for the program to operate three offices where immigrants can get licenses, driving permits and identification cards. State officials had only one such office available to immigrants since February because of the legislative stalemate.

At issue was a request from the State Department of Revenue to collect and spend $166,000 in fees from immigrant applicants to keep

up with high demand for the program and potentially expand it.

After weeks of negotiations, legislative budget writers readjusted the request to $66,000. That will allow the revenue department to serve immigrant applicants at three motor vehicle offices in the state, instead of having just one loca-

August, there were five offices around the state, but with temporary staff. Democrats and the department wanted the $166,000 to make staff at those locations permanent and open more offices if enough fees came in.

Democrats and immigrant advocates feared that with only one

Supporters of the program argue it improves public safety because immigrants will know the rules of the road and can be properly identified during accidents. Police chiefs and sheriffs wrote lawmakers last month in support of the licenses. tion in Denver. The two other locations have not been determined.

When the program started in

location open some applicants would have to wait years for their turn to get a license.

Australia to change its skilled visa program MELBOURNE: Australia has announced changes to its skilled visa program to ensure that the scheme was not misused and utilized for addressing skill shortages which cannot be met within the country.

The government will act on recommendations of a recent independent review of the 457 visa program to strengthen integrity and

ing with over 140 stakeholders and receiving 189 written submissions, including from businesses, unions, industry bodies and academics.

Key recommendations of the review include an increased focus on targeting employers who seek to misuse the program, greater transparency around the department's sanctions processes and proactive

"An important recommendation which is subject to further consultation is the proposal to replace the current training benchmark provisions introduced by Labor which are complex, costly, and susceptible to misuse" ensure that Australian workers have priority and support of employers, the Ministry of Immigration and Border Protection said in a statement.

The panel was tasked with examining compliance within the 457 program by sponsors of overseas workers to ensure that the scheme was being used as intended - to address skill shortages which cannot be met from the Australian labor market.

The review panel consulted extensively across Australia - meet-

sharing of information between key government agencies.

"The government will introduce a new penalty making it unlawful for sponsors to receive payment in return for sponsoring a worker for a 457 visa," said Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Michaelia Cash.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection will work collaboratively with the Australian Taxation Office to crosscheck records to ensure that workers on 457 visas are receiving their nomi-

nated salary and are not undercutting Australian workers.

"Further, we will proactively prosecute and name and shame offenders exploiting overseas workers and misusing the program," he said.

"The government will ensure businesses that utilize the 457 program appropriately will incur less regulation and cost, without compromising on the necessary safeguards that underpin the scheme," Cash said.

"We will reduce the regulatory burden for those businesses with a proven track record by streamlining sponsorship requirements," Cash said.

"An important recommendation which is subject to further consultation is the proposal to replace the current training benchmark provisions introduced by Labor which are complex, costly, and susceptible to misuse," he said.

Cash said contrary to allegations made by the former Labor Government, the review did not find there was widespread misuse of the program.

"It did make some sensible suggestions, however, for strengthening existing provisions to ensure Australian workers have priority, while supporting employers with genuine skill shortages to access the skills they need," Cash said.

Implementation of the review's recommendations will be rolled out throughout 2015.-PTI

Rep. Millie Hamner, one of the Joint Budget Committee members who negotiated the agreement, said both sides had to budge. ``It's one of those things where nobody is ever fully happy,'' she said.

The agreement still needs to be approved by each chamber - a likely outcome because it's backed by the Joint Budget Committee and legislative leaders.

Democrats passed the program in 2013 when they controlled both chambers of the statehouse. Every Republican lawmaker opposed the program then.

Democrats kept control of the House after November's elections, and Republicans took over the Senate for the first time in 10 years.

That gave them power over an initiative that they argued legitimized illegal immigration. That made a

potential expansion an unpalatable proposition for the party. ``We still have concerns over the overall program. But we were able to come to some compromise here on this one, and we're happy with it,'' Republican Sen. Kevin Grantham said.

Supporters of the program argue it improves public safety because immigrants will know the rules of the road and can be properly identified during accidents.

Police chiefs and sheriffs wrote lawmakers last month in support of the licenses.

Sen. Jessie Ulibarri, a Democrat who sponsored the bill to implement the program, applauded the Joint Budget Committee's deal. ``I see this as a first step to demonstrate that this is a vital public safety program,'' he said. -AP

Gov. Rauner's message leaves advocates perplexed CHICAGO: More than two months after taking the reins of one of the nation's most immigrantfriendly states, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has offered mixed signals about his stance on immigration.

He's publicly backed ``comprehensive reform'' and tells stories of his Swedish dairyman

Lawrence Benito said.

Rauner says he's ``pro-immigration.'' He told a group of Latino business leaders in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood that he'll be pushing Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform this year. He didn't detail what he thinks that legislation should include, but said the U.S. should

Gov. Bruce Rauner listens to speakers at an immigration reform panel hosted

by Illinois Business Immigration Coalition at St. Ignatius College

grandfather's immigration, but rescinded executive orders aimed at making the state more welcoming to immigrants. He refused to join other GOP governors in a lawsuit against President Barack Obama's immigration executive action, but proposed slashing roughly $8 million in services to help refugees and immigrants who want citizenship.

The contrasting views have left many immigration reform advocates in Illinois, including a leading Democratic congressman and a growing voting bloc, waiting for clarity. ``Like much of Gov. Rauner's agenda, it's a big question mark,'' Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights executive director

``help those folks who are here to become citizens.'' He didn't discuss his plans for the state.

And at an Illinois Business Immigration Coalition event earlier this month with Republicans, he talked about lessons gleaned from his grandparents' struggles and his choice of Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, born in Florida to Cuban and Ecuadoran immigrants. ``I think we have it backward in America. I think we make legal immigration almost impossible and we make illegal immigration relatively easy. I think we've got to flip that around,'' he told reporters the following day near Springfield.

-AP

March 27, 2015

Immigration Post

India Post 15

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H-1B workers have minimal skills: Infosys whistleblower WASHINGTON: H-1B workers replacing Americans have minimal skills and little or no business knowledge, a whistleblower from Indian IT giant Infosys has said and asked lawmakers not to increase the number of much soughtafter visas and plug in the loopholes in the immigration system.

Jay B Palmer, whose visa fraud case against Infosys had led to a USD 34 million visa fraud settlement - the largest in US history alleged that no matter who is chosen, no matter what their skill set is, H-1B workers are coming to the US and they have to learn the needed skills once they get here.

"I cannot emphasize enough that the H-1B workers that are replacing the US workers have minimal skills and little to no business knowledge. The idea of knowledge transfer is absurd; Americans are training these people on how to do their job," Palmer told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee during a Congressional hearing on immigration.

"This is just cold hard facts.

As statistics can validate, most of these workers have only a bachelor's degree: how is this specialized talent?" he wondered.

Palmer alleged that companies such as Infosys continue to abuse the B1 and H1B visa laws as well as the income tax and Securities

economy? H1B workers spend a minimal amount of money in the US and usually live eight people to a room.

These are indentured servants and most of the time they have to give kickbacks to their offshore managers," he said. "What about the years and years of ignoring the laws.

These companies maliciously do not hire Americans and look at ways to circumvent policy and law instead of working with it.

Look at the stock and growth of these large foreign companies in a down environment - they are not suffering," he said.

"However, they are still asking for more 'handouts' to increase their margin. Every company is out to make a profit, but when you knowingly defraud the system, it is concerning.

I have witnessed outsourcing companies bring over H-1B workers that have been trained by American workers and then they replaced the American workers," he said.

"Does this not violate the spirit of the H“I have witnessed 1B laws? The only speoutsourcing companies cialized talent these bring over H-1B workers that workers have is they will work for low have been trained by wages. These are American workers and then tasks that an existing they replaced the American worker could perform," Palmer said. workers," he said.

A top American Senator also opposed and Exchange Commission (SEC) any move to increase the number guidelines. of H-1B visas arguing that such a "This is widespread within the step would be detrimental to the United States. Americans are be- interests of small companies and ing displaced at record numbers. would benefit only large corpoForeigners are working full-time rations. jobs in the US without paying in"Increasing the supply of Hcome taxes and are not qualified," 1B visas alone also won't help he said. smaller US companies who are "In these difficult times, it is already shut out of the program inconceivable that Infosys and because the big corporations take other foreign companies are thousands of visas each year," avoiding paying income taxes, Senator Chuck Grassley, Chairabusing visa laws and then laugh- man of the Senate Judiciary Coming and saying, 'Law will follow mittee, said during a Congresbusiness, Business will not fol- sional hearing on immigration. low law'. This quote is from "The number one user of HInfosys' Nandita Gurjar, who was 1B visas is bringing in over 6,000 the Global Head of Human re- new workers each year. The top sources," he alleged in his testi- ten companies that use the H-1B mony. program swallow up over 50 per "I have read statements from cent of the supply of available NASSCOM stating that if the cap visas. Instead of just increasing is not increased and with the cur- the supply of visas, real reforms rent visa restrictions, the Indian are needed," he argued. economy would suffer. Let me ask "Why we in Congress would the committee, what about our simply increase the supply for for-

eign workers without adding more protections for American workers.

Claims by US businesses that there just aren't enough US workers willing and able to take these skilled jobs fall flat when we read stories about recent big layoffs in the tech industry," he said.

"Bills have been introduced that seemingly ignore the plight of US workers. Some bills would increase the annual number of H1B visas from 65,000 to 115,000, or as high as 195,000 per year.

This only makes the problem worse. It doesn't close the loop-

holes or prevent abuse. It doesn't make sure that American workers are put before foreign workers.

It only increases the supply of cheaper foreign labor," Grassley said.

Grassley alleged that over the years the program has become a government-assisted way for employers to bring in cheaper foreign labor, and now it appears these foreign workers take over rather than complement - the US workforce. -PTI

Desi News IADO endorses Jesus Chuvy Garcia VANESSA FIGUEROA

CHICAGO: Indo-American Democratic Organization (IADO); a political arm of Indian Americans in Chicago land, announced its endorsement to Mayoral Candidate Jesus Chuvy Garcia before a diverse and enthusiastic crowd gathered at Patel's CafĂŠ in the heart of the Devon Avenue Business District.

Garcia also received endorsements from the grassroots political group MoveOn Chicago Council; and the Green Party Chicago.

Introducing Chuvy Garcia, the Cook County Clerk David Orr, observed that "Chuy Garcia is someone who will listen to people, someone who understands. He is the kind of person that can show people that there is trust and goodness and hope to make the city a better place for everybody."

Details on page 19

Coal scientist Dr Hardarshan makes Indians proud SURENDRA ULLAL

HIGHLAND, Indiana: Dr Hardarshan Singh Valia has the distinction to be the only coal scientist in the world who has been honored with all three prestigious awards bestowed by the American Steel Industry.

He is the first ever Indian and second ever Asian person to receive Iron & Steel Society's Joseph Becker Award (for distinguished achievement in Coal Technology) for his work on Coal Usage in Steel Industry. Dr Valia was awarded Joseph Kapitan Award (best paper) from the Association for Iron & Steel Technology on his work regarding unique properties of Indiana coals. He is also a recipient of the American Iron & Institute Medal.

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

16 India Post

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How to practice Karm Yog in our daily lives

March 27, 2015

Consulate pulsating with initiatives for India and Indians here RAMESH SOPARAWALA & JAYANTI OZA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: A singular achievement that Indian Consul General Dr Ausaf Sayeed can legitimately claim to be an outcome of his initiatives relates to having a unified India Day flag hoisting ceremony with the support of the Indian community at large at the City Daley Plaza in Downtown Chicago.

The flag hoisting ceremony so far by the CG office was confined within four corners of the office wall while groups within the Indian community professing allegiance to different organizations were holding their own ceremonies separately at Daly Plaza.

For a change, the CG will host flag hoisting outside the Consulate premise in the open at Daley Plaza and all groups of Indian Americans have decided to support it. The CG office will also have all around support for its annual India Day banquet and hopes are exuded that group rivalries within the community triggered by personal differences and ego would come to an end.

Disclosing this at a Media meet held on March 11at his office in Chicago, CG Dr Ausaf Sayeed also briefed the Media on various activities proposed to be held by the Consulate office during the cur-

Indian CG Dr Ausaf Sayeed addressing a Media meet at the Consulate office in Chicago Downtown.

He is flanked by Consulate officials

tions along with freelance journalists.

Welcoming the Media, CG Dr Sayeed also took the opportunity

efforts to address the concerns of the community with regard to Passport, Visa, OCI and other related matters.

Meeting was invigorating for all and it reflected genuine efforts made by the Consulate office under the stewardship of Dr Ausaf Sayeed to chart a more meaningful course for a better India, better image of the Consulate to introduce his new Information officer, O.P.Meena, who recently joined the Consulate. He then informed the press that his office has chalked out a crowded program for the current year covering practically most areas that affect India and members of Indian community

The meeting was invigorating for all and it reflected genuine efforts made by the Consulate office under the stewardship of Dr Ausaf Sayeed to chart a more meaningful course for a better India, better image of the Consulate and better rapport with the community.

Details on page 20

Scarlet Night boosts funds for S. Asian Heart Center India Post News Service

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA: Over 550 philanthropists, physicians, business professionals and community leaders attended the Seventh Annual Scarlet Night Gala March 14, a major fundraiser for the expansion of El Camino Hospital's South Asian Heart Center programs.

Details on page 24

Details on page 25

CG with a group of media representatives

rent year. The meet was well attended by a cross-section of print and audio-visual media organiza-

here. It ranged from official events to economic, cultural and educational agendas besides intense

The Official Events planned for the current year are: 1) The International Yoga Day

(IYD) on June 21 at the Consulate and other venues in collaboration with established Yoga Institutes and other organizations in Chicago; 2).The Independence Day Flag Hoisting on August 15 at 10 am at the Daley Plaza Center; 3) the National day reception on the same evening of August 15 at the Union League Club of Chicago, where diplomats, local dignitaries, government officials, leading business persons and entrepreneurs, people from different walks of life, are expected at this event which is strictly by invitation; 4) The Second Kala-Utsav or India Independence Day Night 2015 to be held on September 6 to showcase local talent. In the first Kala-Utsav held last year nearly 25 different professional cultural groups participated, with groups coming from even Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Bolingbrook, etc.

5) The Consulate proposes to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 on a larger scale in collaboration with the Gandhi Foundation at Niles as well as the Milwaukee group. Last year the CG participated in the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations organized by the Chicago Sister City Committee in which Mayor Rahm Emmanuel had also joined.

To streamline the Consular Services and improve rapport with the community, the Consul General said that all consular officers will be available for meeting the public without appointment every day between 10am and 11am.

Cont’d on page 20

Community Across America

March 27, 2015

India Post 17

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FIA's colorful Holi captures hearts of all MOON KHAN & SURESH BODIWALA

Holi festival kick off with lamp lighting

CHICAGO: Celebrating Indian festival of color - Holi - at DuPage County Fairgrounds, the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) touched the hearts as well as

tor Tom Cullerton, DuPage County Auditor Bob Grogan, and Dennis Jung, representing the Illinois Governor's Office, gave the event an auspicious start. The entire pro-

FIA Founding President Sunil Shah and Current President Onkar Sangha

imaginations of not only Indian immigrants but also of many a non American with one stroke.

With the help of social media interactions, distribution of hundreds of flyers at the ethnic stores and publication of news in community newspapers, the Holi news went viral and ultimately, brought about 2,000 attendees to enjoy the brilliant blues, vibrant greens, perky pinks, dazzling music, thrilling dances, and sumptuous food and fashion items sold by 40 vendors of Illinois.

The excitement of the mainstream news media can be felt by their following headlines: Festival of Colors welcomes spring in DuPage; Colors will fly during first Holi Mela at DuPage fairgrounds; It wasn't the sky, the grass or some early blooms that brightened the fairgrounds Saturday. It was Holi Mela: Festival of Colors.

The traditional lamp lighting with heads of several Indian organizations along with State Sena-

gram brought out the best out of the FIA board members and volunteers. "It was the perfect 10 performance," said Sunil Shah, the founding president. Equally inspiring has been the FIA's current

The FIA team that organized Holi Mela

dozen artists, bringing face painter and balloon maker, installing inflated children's jumping house, inviting bag piper to perform free of charge, and culminating with Haldiram becoming a Grand Sponsor. Ravi Kapoor of Haldiram and Niranjan Bhai of Big Suchir brought cheers to the crowd by donating free gulal.

Shirish Shah invigorated the ambiance with his Dhol while sound person Mehmood Minhas was calibrating the sound system.

Nirav Shah was promoting sponsoring vendors by running their commercials on a life-size projector. Ninad Daftari was playing music outside the main hall to engage frolicking enthusiasts. DJ Shaw showed his control on the pulse of the music.

Mona Bhalla not only emceed the program, she also sang and played the role of cheer leader of the event. Payal Shah and Shalini Saxena were beautiful comple-

Nipa danced on the songs of Jai Jai Shiv Shankar and Balam Pichkari. Bhupender Singh stole the hearts of the audience by singing Rang Barse, Khai Ke Pan Banaras Wala, and Chinta Ta Ta. Mahijit Singh enthralled the audience with his song Holi Khele Raghubeera. Rinki Talati and Nagada sang Dhol baje. Saarang also presented a solo song Har Ghari.

Thanks to artists from Indian Fusion, Aradhya, Jugnu, Shringar School, and Rhythm Dance who regaled the audience. Raffle was

also organized for some famous entertainment shows like Adnan Sami, Ankit Tiwari, Naach Meri Jaan, Kagaz ki Kashtee, Gujjubhai Dabang, etc.

But the highlight was when participants picked up colored powder and chased each other, tossing colors into the air and covering friends and strangers alike.

They patted colors onto each other's clothes and pressed it into one another's hair and cheeks as if embedding the stamp of love and affection.

Holi artists

president, Onkar Sangha. "I feel honored. Today's event made the FIA team World Cup cricket winner," Sangha stated.

More than 25 people worked tirelessly in getting the event to a successful fruition soliciting 40 vendors, signing up with several

Holi participants play color

ments. These three ladies bring high-octane energy to FIA sponsored programs.

Sarrang and

18 India Post

Community Across America

March 27, 2015

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BAPs' women's meet extols compassion, perseverance PAYAL SHAH

CHICAGO: Over 450 women gathered at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett, (a northwest suburb of Chicago) on March 14 to participate in the Annual BAPS Women's Conference, now running

Chief Guest Ami Gandhi, Roopal Chand and Sumitra Patel begin the conference with Deep Pragitya

in its eighth year.

The annual conference is inspired by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, in an effort to highlight the empowering role of women to move forward in their lives and to ensure their spiritual growth as they overcome life's challenges.

In the opening presentation, Jesha Thakker, a radiation therapist from Michi-

gan, examined why compassion is so important in our lives and why practicing it helps us to look towards the future. She explained, "Many of us think that compassion drains us, but I promise you it is something that truly enlivens us." She encouraged the audience to "seek to find ways that you are similar and you will automatically feel a bond with another person." It is compassion that helps us to feel and see love and happiness within ourselves and others while facing struggles.

Another integral quality to living forward-thinking lives involves the quality of perseverance. Sneha Dixit, founder of VA Cosmetics and a Master Makeup Artist, shared personal memories and circumstances that changed her life and how she persevered through them to become a successful entrepreneur as a single mother.

She recounted that though there were hurtful moments, "painful memories can be carried and kept to build upon new peaceful beginnings." She explained research on the "growth mindset" as an antidote to defeatism and depression. She described that such a mindset, "interprets challenge and failure not as a signal to throw in the towel, but as a natural, healthy part of human growth and achievement." With a growth mindset, when one feels stuck, one chooses to, "solve the problem in front of you and

not all the problems that surround you."

As she described her life story, she shared new insights and lessons learned from her experiences: "Let happiness be your light that guides you to smile - know-

Chief Guest Ami Gandhi, Executive Director SAPRI

ing you are not alone and that God is with you. Discover that you can take care of yourself and you can persevere. We are all heroes within ourselves. Help yourself and others achieve goals - share what we learn with our community and family so we can all continue to grow, heal and learn."

By practicing compassion and preserving through difficulties, one can move forward, but one cannot achieve peace and success until they reflect on their past and learn to forgive. In delivering the closing speech of the conference, Mrs Vina Patel, (Phd. in Chemistry) described how forgiveness did not simply mean to forgive and forget, but also to wish well for others. In order to live fulfilling lives, forgiveness gives us the power to achieve our dreams. It allows us to live the rest of our lives in peace and happiness and to see divinity in those around us."

Ami Gandhi, Executive Director of the South Asian American Research and Policy Institute in Chicago, discussed how moving forward as individuals also impacted our progress in our community.

She discussed awareness and education outreach on issues such as immigration reform and gender gap in South Asian American communities throughout Chicago and the Midwest region.

Moved by the gathering at the conference, she said, "This conference is an inspirational example of how communities can make a big impact in the world by having a

safe space to talk about difficult issues and bring up these conversations with our family and friends and find specific ways to change our lives. It helps our society when women are empowered through various organizations, we benefit socially, economically, and politically when we get involved."

After the conference, attendees also enjoyed the opportunity to network and share their perspective on the talks of the day.

Members of the audience gained new perspectives and ideas to move forward with their goals. Roopal Chand enjoyed how motivational this conference was for attendees. "I learned I need to have compassion for myself and others so we can all have a fresh start to our lives by practicing these three qualities."

Poonam Desai, a college student majoring in Biology, attended the conference to learn how to move forward in her life without looking back. By attending, she learned to persevere through her struggles by sharing her thoughts with women of different ages and backgrounds and learning through their experiences.

Added Dhara Thakkar, "in an often maledominated society, it is nice to have women

Speaker Sneha Dixit, founder of VA Cosmetics addressing the BAPS women's meet

come together to share their similar stories and circumstances. It promotes everyone to achieve their goals, no matter where life takes them."

The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a worldwide socio-spiritual organization in Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, is dedicated to community service, peace and harmony.

Attendees at the 8th Annual BAPS Women's Conference in Bartlett, IL

Community Across America

March 27, 2015

India Post 19

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IADO endorses Jesus Chuvy Garcia VANESSA FIGUEROA

CHICAGO: Indo-American Democratic Organization (IADO); a political arm of Indian Americans in Chicago land, announced its endorsement to Mayoral Candidate Jesus Chuvy Garcia before a diverse and enthusiastic crowd gathered at Patel's CafĂŠ in the heart of the Devon Avenue Business District.

Garcia also received endorsements from the grassroots political group MoveOn Chicago Coun-

fiscal sustainability and transparent management of the City of Chicago," said IADO President Ram Villivalam. "Garcia's plan for a smarter and more effective government can bring a new direction to Chicago and its residents," added Villivalam.

IADO is a PAC (Political Action Committee) organized for the purpose of being a unified voice for the Indian American community and to encourage Indian Ameri-

"Unlike today's City Hall - where millionaire insiders, machine cronies and Hollywood moguls call the shots - you won't have to look far to find everyday people in a Garcia City Hall." cil; and the Green Party Chicago.

Introducing Chuvy Garcia, the Cook County Clerk David Orr, observed that "Chuy Garcia is someone who will listen to people, someone who understands. He is the kind of person that can show people that there is trust and goodness and hope to make the city a better place for everybody." He also praised him as an honest public servant who has the skills and

cans to participate in the political process.

Business and community leader Susan Patel of Patel Brothers welcomed the attendees and expressed her strong support to Garcia. "As a small business owner in an immigrant community, I appreciate Chuy Garcia's commitment to job creation and business development in the neighborhoods," said Patel.

the City a more welcoming place for immigrants, small business

Jesus Chuvy Garcia at his Devon Ave meet

owners, neighborhood residents and students. He also described how his immigrant experience has prepared him to lead a diverse city such as Chicago. "As an immigrant from a small town in Mexico, I know first-hand the sacrifices, challenges and aspirations faced by all newcomers," he added.

"My Administration will reflect Chicago's diversity," Garcia said.

"Unlike today's City Hall - where millionaire insiders, machine cronies and Hollywood moguls call the shots - you won't have to look

David Orr, the Cook County Clerk, addressing the gathering

experience to put the city's finances on the right track. David Orr also happens to be a co-chair of the campaign.

"As an organization, we are 100 percent behind Garcia's vision for

Responding to the a spate of endorsements and hearty welcome from members of Devon Business community, Commissioner Garcia said that as Mayor of Chicago he would strive to make

Susan Patel, Devon area business leader, addressing the meet

Preckwinkle's floor leader.

He faces incumbent Mayor

far to find everyday people in a Garcia City Hall."

Garcia said that the vitality of the many small businesses along Chicago's Devon Avenue reminds him of his own neighborhood, Chicago's Little Village. As a public official and neighborhood activist, he worked closely with small business owners and appreciates the challenges they face in a City whose Mayor is focused on downtown, not neighborhoods.

In addition to advocating for immigrant rights, Garcia has been a long-time champion for quality schools, better housing, workers' rights, environmental protection and social justice.

Garcia has more than three decades in public service. In 2010, Garcia was elected as Commissioner of the Cook County Board, where he serves as President Toni

Rahm Emanuel in the April 7 runoff. He is running on a platform of putting neighborhoods first and making Chicago "a city for the 100 percent, not the 1 percent." Garcia has earned the endorsement of many of Chicago's Asian American leaders and organizations.

The current Mayor has dragged his feet on language access, minority contracts and minority hiring. Garcia will change that.

Garcia came to Chicago from Durango, Mexico as a boy. He has a Masters in Urban Planning from University of Illinois at Chicago.

He and his wife Evelyn raised three children.

Patel confident of winning school board position SURENDRA ULLAL

CHICAGO: Indian Americans are slowly getting into mainstream politics to have their voice heard at the right place and at the right time. It is not at the state and federal level that the interest is focused on supporting this or that candidate; but it is now in a second phase - seeking elective positions.

This is not only again at the State or Federal level. Even local and school level is getting attention and that is a welcome sign.

Close on the heels of Ald Ameya Pawar getting elected second time trouncing his opponent by huge margin, many are getting inspired and one such candidate is Chiman Patel, seeking an elective position on the School Board from the Maine Township High School 207 district.

With a sizeable backing from Indian Americans and other minority groups, Chiman Patel who does not hold any elective position so far, is exuding confidence about winning a sixcornered fight for three school board positions. The Board consists of seven members, each enjoying a four years term.

Holding MBA from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Chiman Patel is a Financial Controller at Flowserve Corporation. He said that District 207 has been doing great but there are certain areas which need special attention and one such is students with special needs. He mentioned that his district has a growing immigrant student population and the challenges schools and teachers face in terms of cultural integration and

language education are enormous.

"As an immigrant and a thirtyone year member of the immigrant community in Niles, it is important to me that we look carefully at how we can better support our students with greater needs - be it language needs, special education, social services, health services," he said Talking about his background he said that he hailed from a small town in India with limited educa-

Chiman Patel

tional opportunities. "My grandmother taught me one thing and I cherish his thought even now education is a sure ticket to success - and to me he was right," Chiman observed giving his views on the importance of education and performance of students.

He favors taking care of teachers and teaching staff pay-wise and other benefits-wise since without high performing, motivated teachers, support staff and administrators, it would be difficult to create highly educated students.

20 India Post

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March 27, 2015

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Consulate pulsating with initiatives for India & Indians Cont’d from page 16

He also announced holding Consulate Camps for helping the community on various matters like Passport, Visa OCI etc. Two Consular Camps are being organized in March itself. The first one on March 22 was held at the Bhartiya Temple of Troy in Troy, MI from 9 am to 1 pm and the second will be held on March 29 at Oak Creek Gurudwara, in Milwaukee from 1 pm to 3 pm.

For the Indian community in Chicago land, the Camps are being planned at BAPS Shri Swami Narayan Temple, Bartlett, the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago at Lemont, the Jain Temple, Barrlett and the Gurudwara at Palantine in the quarter April to June. The Cox

Summit from August 3 to 5 is planned at Radisson Blu in downtown Minneapolis. The Consulate is the co-organizer for this key event which is imbibed as an extension program under the 'Make in India" campaign as announced

by PM Narendra Modi.

An Investment Mission from Michigan led by Kevin T. Kerrigan, Senior Vice-President, Michigan Automotive Office and Senior Adviser to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has come back from India.

An investment delegation headed by Chairman of India Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Sean Nelipinath, is scheduled to visit India in end March/ beginning April with the intention of exploring the possibility of making sub-

Dr Ausaf Sayeed had a meeting with the Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner in February during which he briefed him about the recent initiatives taken by the new Government to make India a favored destination & Kings Global Services (CKGS) will also be part of these Consular camps.

The Consul General also touched upon the new guidelines on OCI after withdrawal of PIO Scheme. Stamping of permanent visa on PIO cards is being rendered as a gratis service and the procedure for extension of passport facilities for those who had not renewed their passports for more than three years.

The Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVoA) is proposed to be extended to 150 countries in a phased manner. He also pointed out that the timelines for various services has been considerably reduced: Visas 1-2 days, new passports: 1 week in most cases.

The commercial initiatives by the CG will cover a gamut of area starting with enlightening the industry interests in Midwest about the investment opportunities in various sectors in India.

With a projected growth rate of 7.4 per cent, the investment scenario has turned hugely positive and the Consulate has been maintaining close contacts with different Chambers and Economic groupings in the US Midwest. The Consulate had recently organized a seminar on "India & the Midwest - An Economic Partnership".

The Consulate proposes to organize a Life Sciences summit on May 21.

The Consulate is in touch with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to cohost an event related to automotive industry, manufacturing and IT services firms in May/June in Detroit. A US-India Healthcare

stantive investments in India over the next five years in sectors such as oil & gas fields/refineries/power and manufacturing projects and also through infrastructure projects such as airports, dams, shipping docks, bridges etc.

Dr Ausaf Sayeed had a meeting with the Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner in February during which he briefed him about the recent initiatives taken by the new Government to make India a favored destination for foreign in-

vestment and businesses and huge potential that India could offer to companies in the US Midwest.

The CG pitched for the Governor leading a high-level trade mission to India. Governor Rauner, who has not visited India so far, agreed in principle to come to India in the near future. India has a trade of US$ 1.9 billion with Illinois, which includes India's exports of US$ 1.36 billion to Illinois and India's imports of US$ 648 million from Illinois.

The Consulate collaborates with different organizations in the Chicagoland in organizing various regular cultural events such 'Eye on India', 'South Asian Film' and 'Ragamala', which is a part of the Chicago Music Festival. Last year it collaborated with the Anila Sinha Foundation to organize the 3rd International Kathak.

This year efforts will be made to collaborate with other organizations and take important Indian cultural events to other cities in the US Midwest.

One such collaboration that is being discussed in the field of Theatre is with the Indo-American Heritage Museum and leading community leaders to host the English and Urdu performances of two plays 'Quli: Dilon ka Shahzada' and 'Savaan-e-Hayat'

by Padma Shri awardee and internationally acclaimed director Mohammad Ali Baig from the Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation, tentatively on May 17. In the coming months the Consulate would be exploring the possibility of stag-

ing Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati plays in Chicagoland.

The CG office has also been taking number of initiatives in academic and educational fields.

Mitch Daniels, Purdue University

nowned faculty from Purdue University, especially those of Indian origin, can help support PM Modi's "Make in India" initiative and the "Unnat Bharat Abhiyaan."

The University of Urbana

At the Question and Answer session

President visited India during November last to enhance and solidify the University's engagement with alumni and partners. Purdue has a long history of educating Indian students, with nearly 1400 currently enrolled. Also, nearly a 100 of its faculty are of Indian origin.

Many of its alumni are in key positions in Indian government, business, industry and academic settings. The University has partnerships with the IITs in Chennai, Mumbai and Hyderabad, IIMs including the one in Ranchi, IISc, the Cummins College of Engineering for Women in Pune etc.

Prof. Alok Chaturvedi of School of Management West Lafayette, was in India from March 13-28 where he discussed with minister Smriti Irani how the world re-

Champaign is in the advanced stage of opening a center in India.

The University of Chicago has been operating a center in New Delhi since last year. The St Louis based Washington University has 150 faculty connected to India or have projects underway.

The Consul General has time and again addressed students from different universities here. The Kellogg School of Management students who are undertaking the academic Program "Global Initiative in management (GIM) would be visiting India later this month.

The Consul General mooted the idea of making a directory of resource persons among IndianAmericans in the US Midwest.

The CG's address was followed by a question answer session.

Coal scientist Dr Hardarshan makes Indians proud SURENDRA ULLAL

HIGHLAND, Indiana: Dr Hardarshan Singh Valia has the distinction to be the only coal scientist in the world who has been honored with all three prestigious awards bestowed by the American Steel Industry.

He is the first ever Indian and second ever Asian person to receive Iron & Steel Society's Joseph Becker Award (for distinguished achievement in Coal Technology) for his work on Coal Usage in Steel Industry. Dr Valia was awarded Joseph Kapitan Award (best paper) from the Association for Iron & Steel Technology on his work regarding unique properties of Indiana coals. He is also a recipient of the American Iron & Institute Medal.

"It is like a Hollywood actor winning all three, the Academy Award, Grammy Award and the Amy Award," said Rajinder Singh Mago, a friend.

Dr Valia recently presented his book entitled "Indiana Coals and

the Steel Industry" to Senator Dan for Synthetic Fuel Production."

Coats of Indiana. The book is colSuch a process would result in laborated with Dr M. Mastalerz, not only production of coke for the State the steel inCoal Geolodustry but gist of Indican also proana Geoduce diesel logical Suroil, methane vey. gas, hydroUtilizing gen, fertilizer, certain and power. u n i q u e This process properties would usher of Indiana in a totally coals, Dr new industry Valia, in colto coal belt of laboration southern Inwith Allen diana where Ellis and coal producother sciention is declintists from ing as it is Purdue Unimainly utiversity, lized to earned a power induspatent entrial sector. It Dr Hardarshan Singh Valia presenting his titled "Mulhas implicabook entitled "Indiana Coals and the Steel tipurpose tions for the Industry" to Indiana Senator Dan Coats Coke Plant nation since

America has the largest global share of recoverable coal reserves that will last for more than 200 years.

"One needs to recover 'value added' products from coal rather than just burning it in the power plants," said Dr Valia, "thereby reducing our dependence on foreign liquid fuels," he added.

Purdue research Foundation under the leadership of Dr Robert Kramer and Dr Valia, is leading such an effort.

Dr Valia's emphasis on production of diesel fuels from coal was also presented in a series of his lectures in India, as India has large resources of coal but has shortage of oil.

Dr Valia has published 85 articles, contributed to 5 books (including Making, Shaping, and Treating of Steel), chaired 30 National/International conferences, taught 20 courses worldwide, authored two patents, Cont’d on page 21

Community Across America

March 27, 2015

India Post 21

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Trip to Vivekananda Retreat a great spiritual affair JAYANTI OZA

CHICAGO: A trip to Ganges in Michigan, where S w a m i Vivekananda set up a facility hundred years ago, turned out to be hugely rewarding for devotees of S h r i Swaminarayan Vadtaldham in Chicago. It buoyed up Chicago satsangis attending Shri Swaminarayan Kirtan, Dhun and Aarti spiritual sentiment for all participating in the trip.

It was the first ever tour to Swami Vivekananda Retreat in Fannville, MI on Sunday, March 15, sponsored by ISSM of Chicago. This tour was arranged with divine blessings of Acharya Maharajshri Rakeshprasadji. Over 100 satsangis participated in the end to end Satsang.

The tour started with two bus loads of passengers - devotees from Chicago around noon. Many Chicago Haribhaktas contributed in dedicated Seva (service) including preparing/serving Mahaprasad, fruits, snacks, etc. Non-stop satsang activity throughout the trip was the most cheering highlight for all. ISSM of Chicago Management sincerely appreciates seva and unique coordination of volunteers that made this trip successful and joyful.

Swmi Vivekananda Retreat, developed in 1968, is a wonderful worship place where cultural values of Hindu Vedic religion based on exemplified vision of Swami Vivekananda are maintained. Chicago Satsangis performed worship including Shri Swaminarayan Kirtan, Dhun and Aarti. The best part of this tour was watching a unique museum of antique murtis (idols), pictures of Swami Vivekananda and his Guru Ramakrishna Paramhansa.

Cont’d on page 22

Coal scientist Dr Hardarshan makes Indians proud Cont’d from page 20

consulted to many industries around the world (especially extensively in China), and presently is a contributor to American Iron & Steel Institute's website www.steel.org under How Steel is Made?

Dr Valia, after retiring as a Staff Scientist from Arcelor Mittal (formerly Inland Steel Company), started his own consulting firm Coal Science Inc. and also jointly owns Coal Science Laboratory in Gary, Indiana.

Dr Valia received his Masters in Applied Geology from Nagpur University and Masters in Geology from Bryn Mawr College and Ph.D.in Geology from Boston University. His hobbies include writing poetry and short stories. He is among the few Indians here who have not given up their Indian citizenship and that makes all Indians proud, said Mago.

Satsangis taking tour of unique Swami Vivekanand museum

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The significance of celebrating Ram Navami PANDIT ANIL JOSHI

A

mong Hindu deities, Lord Navaratra' or Vasant Navaratra. On Ram is an all-time favorite the ninth day, vigrah of infant form symbolizing chivalry, of Sri Rama Lalla is placed in Palana commitment and virtue. The sev- and rocked by devotees enth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Invested with divine qualities, he came to earth to annihilate evil he was born to King Dasarath and forces of the age. Swami his wife Kaushalya on the Shukla Vivekananda describes Lord Ram Paksha 'Navami' or the 'ninth day' as, "the embodiment of truth, mo- of Chaitra maas, and Ram Navami rality, the ideal son, the ideal hus- is celebrated in the spirit of a festiband, and above all, the ideal val in March/April of every year. king."

Unlike good number of other deities, he is widely believed to be an actual historical figure - a "hero of ancient India." From the mythological perspective, Lord Rama is seen as eternally blissful and in his earthly form came to exemplify the perfect man, referred to as ' M a r y a d a Purushottam'. It is this Pandit Anil Joshi, Priest, Grayslake, IL aspect that is recalled and preached to people during the Ram Navami fes- Lord Rama along with brother tival.

Lakshman, wife Sita and devotee Lord Rama's dutifulness, integ- Hanuman represent various divine rity, beneficence, humility and aspects of their earthly journey of magnanimity are highlighted in the life. Their life situations have discourses and Bhajans that nar- meanings in today's life where man rate details from the various epi- is confronted with unexpected sodes of the epic 'Ramayana'. In events that test his ego and moral the Hindu calendar, Ram Navami sense of duty and humanity. Thus, is marked as the auspicious occa- recitations and discourses of the sion that consecrates the birth of Ramayana help us to take hints Lord Ram.This year Shri Ram from Lord Rama's demonstration Navami is going to be celebrated of integrity and courage to win on Saturday March 28. This festi- over evil motives and egocentric val lasts for the whole nine days, desires of self and others. thus the period is called 'Sri Rama Ram Navami festival helps to

inculcate these qualities in our thoughts and actions. It is with this spirit that Ram Navami is celebrated in all parts of the country and wherever Indians reside, with occasions of full nine-day celebrations and fasting rituals to seek Lord Rama's grace throughout the ups and downs of life.

Lord Rama stands our before the whole world as an ideal king, son, brother, husband and father.

He taught us how to respect our Gurus, teachers, parents, elders, women, and youngsters. He showed to the world that all living creatures need to be respected, cherished, and loved as precious lives. He as a prince experienced all the good and bad life situations with a balanced mind and became a role model.

Shri Rama's heart always overflowed with love, generosity, humility, and a sense of duty. Later, as a king he provided full liberty and freedom to his citizens to express their feelings, problems, and complaints to their leaders without any fear and hesitation.

Lord Rama's primary message is that fulfill your duty without any selfish motives; put other people before yourself. When he was exiled to the forest, Shri Rama did not complain. He did not fight back in anger. Rather, he helped his father fulfill his promise given to his step mother. He lived his life according to Hindu Dharma as a son and as a future king. He did not even once think about himself, his own comforts, and his own rights.

Rather, he abided by his dharma,

Trip to Vivekananda Retreat a great spiritual affair Cont’d from page 21

At the end, President of ISSM of Chicago, Arjun Malaviya,

thanked Hari Dasa of Swami Vivekananda Retreat and greeted all satsangis who participated in this tour. He specially thanked

Satsangis outside museum

Jim Malavia, Yogesh Patel, Rajesh Patel, and Snehalbhai who worked hard to make this tour a success.

principles, and his duty.

Greed and desires do not get realized most of the time and a ceaseless quest for them brings only frustration. Therefore, regardless of how smart we are, how rich we are, or how beautiful we are, we are demons if our hearts are filled with anger and greed.

This in a way signfies the dif-

how to live our lives in accordance with dharma and the divine principles. Our desires and wishes for comforts, contentment, prosperity, and happiness will be fulfilled only after the celebration of Shri Ram Avatar.

The incarnations and preaching of Trinity in Hinduism are not meant only for Indian subconti-

Ram Parivar and Hanuman Ji

ference between Lord Rama and Ravana. Both were kings; both were learned in the scriptures; both were charismatic; both were brave and both were handsome.

But, the ideal Hindu Dharmik life led by Rama made him a god and non-ideal Adharmik life lead by Ravana made him a demon king.

In the present world, the celebration of Shri Ram Janma Utsav has more relevance and usefulness than before because listening to Rama's life episodes helps us to make a move towards becoming a perfect person in life. His personality shows us how to embody the divine spirit on Earth,

nent but for the whole universe and everyone on this earth to follow and live a worthy and meaningful life. In this connection, Lord Ram's avatar and His current Janma Utsav is to bless the whole universe and to establish ideal principles in this world.

Everyone should participate in Shri Ram Janma Utsav to learn lessons from the Ramayana and from the glorious examples of Shri Rama's life and obtain His blessings for your bright future, prosperity, and happiness and make use of this auspicious opportunity to have Darshan of Lord Ram Lalla and Palana Seva.

March 27, 2015

Community Across America

India Post 23

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Women learn to empower themselves and others India Post News Service

CHINO HILLS, CA: Women have long served in molding future generations through their in-

valuable contributions within their homes and communities. Encouraged to pursue their personal, professional, and humanitarian goals,

women are utilizing the support of one another and their communities alike. BAPS began hosting the Women's Conference in 2007 in an effort to provide a forum for women to connect, share, and celebrate the vital roles they play.

This year BAPS hosted its

ninth annual Women's Conference that took place at 11 centers across North America to inspire generations of women to pursue leadership positions, while making a commitment to bring other women along. The conference, themed "Moving Forward," focused on creating positive change that starts from within.

On March 14, over 500 women gathered at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, CA to participate in the annual conference. 'Moving Forward' covered three key concepts: compassion, forgiveness, and perseverance. The conference commenced with a Hindu prayer sung by Swara Modi, followed by a Stuti dance performed by

Lakshmi Thirumani, who is accomplished in Kuchipudi, a form of Indian classical dance.

The speeches commenced with keynote speaker Aparna Hande, honored as 56th Assembly District "Woman of the Year" in 2012 by Assemblymember Tony Mendoza.

She praised the BAPS community of women, saying, "These women are dedicated to empowering themselves and others. They are driven by compassion and forgiveness to work together to-

wards common solutions."

The conference continued with a session on forgiveness, and how this tool can help one advance her life in ways previously

thought unimaginable. "Forgiveness is like a muscle - the more we practice it, the stronger it becomes," beautifully quoted by the next speaker, Swati Desai, attorney and certified family law specialist.

She led the audience through an interactive discussion on practicing the art of forgiveness and left attendees with a challenge to move forward from negative situations and circumstances. In this awe-inspiring presentation, the audience was encouraged to put themselves in the shoes of another and learn to let go, as forgiveness leads to healing and happiness.

Hetal Patel, a third year Doctor of Chiropractic candidate at the Southern California University of Health Sciences, eloquently spoke of compassion, one of the strongest attributes she holds as a leader. She shared her personal journey of finding happiness through compassion for herself and others.

Patel elaborated on how this quality made her an effective leader and mentor in life, stating, "Many of us think compassion drains us, but in fact it enlivens us. For this, women are strong. We are strong.

We have the opportunity for gen-

erations to come to teach ourselves and our daughters how to unleash the power of compassion." The audience was moved by her experiences and recognized the value of shifting one's perspective to build a positive outlook to accomplish goals.

In closing the conference, Pratiksha Amin, a third year dental student pursuing her Doctorate at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, motivated the audience by encouraging introspection.

She asked the attendees to think of all the obstacles and failures they face in their day-to-day lives and take note of the small instances where they have persevered.

By sharing her own struggles, she took the audience through a journey of overcoming challenges by recognizing patterns of failure and correcting them with more achievable, measurable goals. Amin created an environment of camaraderie amongst the women in the audience to realize that the power of perseverance was within them all, they just need the right strategies and motivation to continue moving forward in life.

Among the honored guests in

IT professional; Alka Patel, civil engineer, business woman, and President of UFICA, and Anu Jain, Director Operations and Outreach at Sahara.

Sharing her thoughts on the conference, Jain stated, "It was not just an insightful but an intellectually stimulating event. The three guiding stones of today's conference are so important to ensure that we all have harmonious relationships in moving forward."

After the conference, speakers were available for one-on-one

attendance were Manisha Sulakhe, an accomplished chemist, dancer, and active community leader; Depti Patel, an experienced

unity in womanhood, knowing that change and growth are possible with the help of positivity, forgiveness, and introspection.

mentoring to help attendees with their own professional and personal growth. All left the conference with a profound feeling of

24 India Post

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Scarlet Night boosts funds for S. Asian Heart Center Combined with leadership gifts already in place, more than MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA: Over $500,000 is now available to fund 550 philanthropists, physicians, additional centers in South San business professionals and com- Jose and Fremont, joining three others in Mountain View, Milpitas and Los Gatos. Together, the five centers will be able to serve 1,000 residents per year increasing to 3,000 by 2017.

The idea for the South Asian Heart Center began when El Camino Hospital physicians noticed that those of South Asian lineage represented six percent of acute myocardial infarction cases in the emergency department, even though they comprise only three percent of the local population.

Many of these patients were not in high-risk categories (over 50, smoker, obese, etc.) so they didn't exhibit the traditional warning signs.

Working together, community philanthropists, the hospital's foundation and El El Camino Hospital CEO, Tomi Ryba Camino's medical team meeting the Press pioneered a new apmunity leaders attended the Sev- proach to intervention called AIM enth Annual Scarlet Night Gala to Prevent™, a comprehensive, March 14, a major fundraiser for culturally-tailored program that the expansion of El Camino raises awareness, reduces heart Hospital's South Asian Heart Cen- disease and diabetes risk through advanced screening, lifestyle ter programs.

India Post News Service

counseling, and personalized coaching, and conducts educational outreach and clinical research.

The Center has screened over 5,200 participants, whose sustained behavior change, as measured by increased physical activity levels and number of vegetable

expand and replicate our proven and successful program to significantly reduce these health risks facing the South Asian community."

About the South Asian Heart Center The mission of the South Asian Heart Center at El Camino Hospi-

cally governed organization with campuses in Mountain View and Los Gatos, Calif. In addition to state-of-the-art emergency departments, key medical specialties include heart and vascular, cancer care, urology, orthopedic and spine, genomic medicine, and the only Women's Hospital in North-

Scarlet Night 2015 Gala Exec Committee in Theme Mimosa

servings, has led to improved cholesterol ratios and triglyceride levels.

"Heart attacks and early stage diabetes continue to be major health issues for the South Asian community," said Ashish Mathur, Executive Director. "Through the generous support of the community at large, we can continue to

tal is to reduce the high incidence of coronary heart disease among South Asians and save lives through a comprehensive, culturally-appropriate program incorporating education, advanced screening, lifestyle changes and case management.

El Camino Hospital is an acutecare, 443-bed, nonprofit and lo-

ern California.

The hospital is recognized as a national leader in the use of health information technology and wireless communications, and has been awarded the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center as well as back-to-back ANCC Magnet Recognitions for Nursing Care.

Maximize every experience through gratitude, love

H

usband tells his wife, "I am missing you. How will I bear your absence?"

Wife replies, "Is it the whisky or you, which is speaking?"

Husband replies, "I am speaking to the whisky."

People have become witty but not wise. To be wise is to lead a wise life and not just speaking words of wisdom.

"Let the earth meet the sky," is a saying that is commonly used in India. In other words, let the ordinary situations in life (which is earth) meet the sky. It means let every situation in life, representing an experience, reach the peak.

Be in the question of how to maximize experience rather than minimizing the experience. Maximizing experience is not in quantity but in quality. For example you are eating a slice of bread.

SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA

You can do that with gratitude, with joy, with love. When you eat that way, you optimize the experience of eating and also peak the experience of eating.

On the other hand, imagine a

mize or maximize an experience" Instead of expecting me to give an answer, please be in the question and deeply enquire. From such deep enquiry, slowly an answer will emerge. That is called

You are eating a variety of dishes, which are a delicacy, but with anger and a disturbed mind. Then you minimize the experience of eating. So, honestly it is not what you have which matters, but how you use what you have that matters. situation where you are eating a variety of dishes, which are a delicacy, but with anger and a disturbed mind. Then you minimize the experience of eating. So, honestly it is not what you have which matters, but how you use what you have that matters.

"I am still not clear how to opti-

insight.

Let me illustrate through another example. A group of people went to the Himalayas. Some experienced immense joy and sheer bliss in seeing the majestic Himalayan beauty. Some did not experience such a joy or bliss. What is it due to? If you observe, such

people might have been worrying or upset about something. In such a state of mind, they can't experi-

dependent on experience. It is undoubtedly dependent on one's attitude to the experience. Bring in the attitude of joy, of learning, of love and then you can peak most of the experiences.

Hence, the expression "Let the earth meet the sky."

A mother's only child passed away, and Swami Sukhabodhananda she felt terrience the beauty of what they are bly miserable. She went and met seeing. So, a mind filled with worry a wise soul, Buddha. She reor anger can never optimize any quested him to solve her misery experience. by bringing the dead child alive.

Minimizing an experience or Cont’d on page 25 maximizing an experience is not

March 27, 2015

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India Post 25

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How to practice Karm Yog in our daily lives

O

n the topic of karm yog, it was explained previously how to perform one's duties without attachment to the outcome, and how in fact we are better able to perform our duties without attachment. There are still some unanswered questions about the practicality of karm yog. The first we will address is, "How is it possible to keep the mind in God while performing any action?"

Karm yog is made up of two

SWAMI NIKHILANAND

considered karm yog, and they will have binding material consequences.

Is it possible to have your mind in God and perform your work?

The secret to remembering God while we perform our work lies in our sense of identity and the deeper motivation behind our actions, both of which remain in the subconscious mind, no matter what activity the conscious mind is involved in. In other words, although it is not possible to have

When we identify ourselves with the body, all people and things related to our body take on prime importance, and reside in our mind as attachments. These attachments are so deep in our mind that they become a part of our sense of identity. words: 'karm' means performing one's duty; 'yog' means to join - in this case it means to join our mind with God. Hence, karm yog means keeping the mind joined with God while we perform our physical duties in the world. However, when the involvement of the mind is required for the performance of any action, how can the same mind be used at the same time for the remembrance of God? Can the mind be in two places at once? The answer is both no and yes.

The mind cannot be in two places at the same time The flight of the mind is incredibly fast, which can at times make it seem like the mind is in two places at once, but actually it is not possible. The mind can only think of one thing at any one time.

Which means that if we are thinking of God, we cannot do our work, and if we are doing our work, we cannot think of God. If you are visualizing the form of Shree Krishna (a type of devotional meditation called roop dhyan), or thinking of His leelas, you will not be able to hold a conversation with someone, or write computer code, or read an article, etc. Then how could you do karm yog? Because actions done without remembering God will not be

your conscious mind engaged in two different places simultaneously, it is possible for the conscious mind to be involved in one activity, while the deeper attachments of the subconscious mind remain somewhere else.

For example, there is not a time in the entire day when you forget that you are a human being, even while you are reading, writing, talking, listening, planning, etc.

This is because the deep identification with your body has cre-

ourselves, related to our body.

Just think: when we are so attached to this body - that is not even our true self - that we can never forget it even for a second, then what would happen if we began to identify with our true self, the soul? Then we would live in a higher state of spiritual consciousness, even while engaged in worldly activities.

In addition, according to our sense of identity, we form attachments to other people and things.

When we identify ourselves with the body, all people and things related to our body take on prime importance, and reside in our mind as attachments. These attachments are so deep in our mind that they become a part of our sense of identity.

Does a mother ever forget that she is a mother? No, it remains in her subconscious mind throughout the day, no matter what activity she performs. Yet, this is also just a superficial part of her identity, related only to her body, and concerning a temporary physical relationship with her children.

What would happen if the same person understood himself to be the soul, which is eternally related to God? What if they understood the fact that God is the only one who has always been with us, and will never leave us? What if they thought about the fact that He is

If you are visualizing the form of Shree Krishna (a type of devotional meditation called roop dhyan), or thinking of His leelas, you will not be able to hold a conversation with someone, or write computer code, or read an article, etc. Then how could you do karm yog? ated an attachment in your mind that is constantly experienced on a deeper level, even while you are involved in activities that require the full engagement of your conscious mind.

Similarly, you never forget whether you are a man or a woman, what race you are, what your ethnic background is, or what country you are from. Yet these are only superficial, temporary qualities of

so close to us that He resides within our very soul? What if they accepted the truth that only He could be ours forever? Then the attachment to God would go so deep into their mind that they would never forget Him, even for a moment.

Then the aim of that person's life would become the attainment of God, since He is the only one related to our soul. When God re-

Maximize every experience through gratitude, love Cont’d from page 24

Buddha said, "Go get mustard seeds from a house. But make sure no one in their family should have gone through death. She went around seeking mustard seed.

She found out that though every household was willing to

give mustard seeds, yet they could not because someone or the other had died in their family.

She went back to Buddha but with the deep understanding.

Understanding that death is inevitable, one has to learn how to be in harmony with death rather

than asking the dead to come back to life. Thus, the experience of death made her wise, and she became the student of Buddha and later, also became enlightened. Even death became a fantastic experience of inner awakening. www.swamisukhabodhananda.org

alization becomes the prime aim of life, then all the physical actions are also performed with this goal in mind (as described in the previous article). The deeper motivation

Swami Nikhilanand

behind our actions also stays in the subconscious mind while we perform the action with our conscious mind.

This means that even while we perform the mundane tasks related to our daily survival, like eating, working, sleeping, and brushing our teeth, the reason behind those actions can be God realization.

For example, "I am eating because I need this human body - it is the only chance to attain God. I must maintain it in good health so that I can do more devotion and service to God." "I am working because I need money to buy the basic necessities required by my body. Having acquired these necessities, I will use my time for doing devotion and service to God." In this way, we can remember God even while performing our duties in the world, and we can live the philosophy of karm yog

of the Gita. In the next article, I will share more techniques for remembering God throughout the day.

Disciple of Shree Kripaluji Maharaj: S w a m i Nikhilanand Ji is a Canadian born Hindu spiritual leader based in Austin, Texas. He is a sanyasi disciple and pracharak of Jagadguru S h r e e Kripaluji Maharaj.

Attracted to the teachings of Hinduism from a young age, Swamiji eventually let his deep spiritual longing lead him to India, where he was most fortunate to come under the guidance of Shree Kripaluji Maharaj.

Thereafter, living in the ashrams of JKP, he extensively studied Hindi, the philosophy of the prime Sanskrit scriptures (Vedas, Darshan Shastras, Gita, Bhagwatam), and practiced meditation in the tradition of raganuga bhakti. In 2003, he was given sanyas.

Swamiji conducts weeklong Family Gita classes across various cities in the U.S. Through these enlightening sessions, Swamiji imparts the true knowledge of the Hindu heritage, tradition and universal principles to children and adults alike. For more information regarding upcoming Family Gita classes in your city, please visit http:// www.familygitaclass.org/

Horoscope

26 India Post

March 27, 2015

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Your Weekly Future

by Pandit Parashar March 27th - April 2nd 2015 (March 21 to April 20)

S

low progress and not getting quick response will cause slight frustration.

Keep working on your plans and have patience, results will come and in big way soon. You need to spend more time with children and provide them guidance now. You will be successful in recovering some old payments also.

You will miss some one who was too close in the past.

(April 21 to May 20)

O

ffer will come but way lower than expectations. People in business will deal with few new faces.

Running around will not go waste and some of you will be traveling out of area for an important business meeting. A child not doing so well in the past will make remarkable improvement. A sibling may call you and ask for your help.

(May 21 to June 20)

W

eek may start with headache but one by one you will resolve all issues once for all. Phone call will not go waste but will bring down financial pressure. People in business will need to work harder to make old clients stay. Waiting for things to happen is not going to help, its you who will need to take initiative. Expect lots of bills in the mail.

(June 21 to July 22)

C

ombination of Sun and Mercury will help in all career related matters but you may have to settle for lot less than what you really deserve. You may put your needs aside and help a real needy person. People in business will do better than past months. You will finally take the initiative and call an old and trusted person.

(July 23 to August 22)

(November 23 to December 22)

Y

ou will try to have conversation with a child and try to make him understand what's right for him. Hunt will continue for a better job. Trip will be fruitful but results will come at a later day. Your ventures will need more money and you will be exploring few ideas to tackle this situation. You may visit a holy place with family this week.

(August 23 to September 22)

Y

ou will continue to marchin right direction. Help and ideas will come on their own. Some of you may be traveling long distance to attend to some important business soon. Legal issues should not be taken lightly and it will be better to seek the right advice. Strong Venus in angel will bring in much needed extra cash to play with.

(September 23 to October 22)

D

o not let your guards down and watch out for a person trying to drag you into unnecessary argument and hurt your image even. This week expenses will definitely exceed your income. It will be better to seek advice and help from an experienced person before you make any move. There will be some delay but ultimately money will be funded for project.

(October 23 to November 22)

I

f you play your cards right and on time without involving emotions, the world is yours.

Opportunity will come on a silver platter. Deal will materialize and you will make plans about the big upcoming move. Value of your assets and stocks will appreciate but will be better to hold on to them. You will be working with the best in trade.

PANDIT PARASHAR, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations.

He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com

I

t will be a mixed week. You will be concerned about spouse and try to provide moral support. You will be buying new things for the house and personal use. Money wise things should start looking up.

Dealing in stocks and playing lottery will be profitable.

Throw all unnecessary fear out of your mind. There will be some major changes in career soon.

(December 22 to January 19)

Y

ou will take time out to entertain yourself from a busy schedule. Health issues can be tacked by making change in diet and some walk.

You may temporarily develop taste for hot and spicy food. Money will go on doing some work in or around the property. Spouse will need lots of moral support. A close relative will send an invitation.

(January 20 to February 18)

Y

ou may make some money through stocks.

Business deal will finally happen and you will lay your hands on a big chunk of money.

Decisions will need to be taken fast or chances are you may miss the boat and settle for less. Spouse will buy some fine and expensive item for the house. You will slowly get ready for an upcoming trip.

(February 19 to March 20)

Y

ou will be working extra hard to please the boss.

Most of the conditions will be fulfilled and the loan will be approved in full soon. You will also recover from minor illness with the help of over the counter medication. Search for the right property may continue for some more time.

You will do some cleaning work in or around the house.

510-886-4370 www.parashar.com

Datebook

March 27, 2015

NEW JERSEY Upcoming Sat, Mar 28 • Gandhiji My Mentor - Gujarati Natak Venue: Crossroads North Middle School, 635 Georges Rd, South Brunswick Township, NJ 08852 Time: 10:00 am Contact: 908-458-3047

Sat, Mar 21 • Rang Tarang 2015 Venue: Deewan Banquet, 560 Stelton Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 Time: 11:00 am Contact: 609 354 8080

Sat, Apr 4

• Prevention Is Power – Health Awareness Day Venue: East Brunswick Public Library, 2 Civic Center Dr, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 Time : 11:00 am

NEW YORK Upcoming Sat, Mar 28 • Hans Raj Hans Venue: Performing Arts Center Of York College, 94-45 Guy R Brewer Blvd, NY 11451 Time : 7:00 pm Contact: 917-325-4903

Thu, Apr 2 • Nafees | Sama Blake Live Venue: Antun's by Minar, 244 W Old Country Rd, Hicksville, NY 11801 Time : 8:00 pm Contact: 516-336-9042

Sat, May 9 • Ranjeet Rajwada Prince Of Ghazal Venue: Hindu Auditorium, 143-09 Holly Ave, Flushing, NY 11355 Time: 7:30 pm Contact: 347-989-6104

India Post 27

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

CHICAGO

Upcoming

Upcoming

Sat, Mar 28 • Rang De Basanti - A Gala Holi

Sat, Mar 28 • The Leela Tnstitute for the Art

Celebration with DJ Vish Venue: Baylands Park, Sunnyvale, 999 E Caribbean Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94089 Time: 11:00 am Contact: 4089815995

Venue: Ektaa Center 2691 Richter Ave., Suite 104 Time: 6:30 pm

Kalyana Souganthigam

Four sessions of classes: June 22 - July 30 & Aug 10 - Aug 13 Registration Begins : April 1 Venue: Ohlone College Newark Center, Mission San Jose High School, and Cesar Chavez Middle School.

Contact: 510-979-7597, www.ohloneforkids.com

Fri, Apr 10 • Raga Boyz With Live Band Venue: Chandni Restaurant, 5748 Mowry School Road, Newark, CA 94560 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 408-881-4501

Sat, May 16 • Isayum Thendral The healing breeze Venue: DMarsee Performing Center, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90506 Time : 05:00 pm

Sat, Apr 4 • "Rangla Punjab 2015" Venue: Meadows Club In Rolling Meadows Illinois Time: 4:00 to 7:00 pm Contact: www.PCSChicago.org

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

Venue: CET Anthony Soto Theater, 701,Vine Street, San Jose, CA 95110 Time: 4:00 pm Contact: 408-252-1359

Summer Enrichment Program

Upcoming

Irvine, CA

Sun, Mar 29 • Kathakali Dance Ballet -

Wed, Apr 1, 2015 • Ohlone for Kids (and Teens)

ILLINOIS

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

ATLANTA Upcoming Sun, Mar 29 • Ugadi Utsavalu 2015 Venue: Holy Trinity Banquet Hall,20523 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, Tx Time: 3:00 pm Contact: 210-669-7124

Sat, Apr 26 • CMA Walkathon 2015 - for CORD

Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105

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

Venue: Settles Bridge Park, 380 Johnson Rd, Suwanee, GA 30024 Time: 9:00 am Contact: 678-428-4718

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

Mon, Aug 31 • MITHAS 2014 Membership

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

Venue: Wong Auditorium, MIT, 70 Memorial Dr, Cambridge, MA 02142 Time: 07:00 pm Contact: 857-205-9731

Mondays and Fridays

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

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Jeena Jeena : Badlapur 2 Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan : Roy 3 Jee Karda: Badlapur 4 Khamoshiyan : Khamoshiyan 5 Sooraj Dooba Hai : Roy www.indiapost.com

28 India Post

March 27, 2015

I

f you are Katrina Kaif, you obviously expect someone else to shut your door once you sit in a car. Recently, while shooting for Abhishek Kapoor's Fitoor in Delhi, there was a scene that required Katrina to drive a convertible. The camera was in front of her car and she sat in the car and started driving it without realizing that the door was left open.

And suddenly, there was a loud crash as obviously the car had smashed into a wall with the door open. Talking to us about it, Katrina said, "It was a very nice convertible.

And can you imagine, the car has hit a wall and Adi (Aditya Roy Kapur) the great, being the method actor that he is, kept on acting in the shot, just in case Abhishek wanted to use it. So, while Abhishek has rushed to see if I am okay, true actor Adi was still acting."

S

alman Khan's twin version for Sooraj Barjatya's Prem Ratan Dhan Payo will require the actor to work on two stark body languages for the film's climax.

This time there is a double bonanza in store for fans as Sallu will take on his other half in a fencing duel.

"It was an expected route to take for the climax and hence it is important that the scene is worth the hype. Creating different body languages in a fight sequence is even tougher and Salman will undergo workshops for the same.

The face-off between the demure Salman (a prince) and the brash Salman, shouldn't appear contrived and hence the team has decided on calling Epee experts from the US to help them get the scene right," says a source.

The face-off between the demure Salman (a prince) and the brash Salman, shouldn't appear contrived and hence the team has decided on calling Epee experts from the US to help them get the scene right,"

6 Tu Hai Ki Nahi : Roy 7 Judai : Badlapur 8 Tu Har Lamha : Khamoshiyan 9 Chhil Gaye Naina : NH10 10 Dard Karaara : Dum Laga Ke Haisha

I

n the upcoming AR Murugadoss film, Sonakshi Sinha would be sharing the screen space with none other than her own father and veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha. It is an official remake of 'Mounaguru' - a Tamil sleeper hit.

Other than the father and daughter, the movie features filmmaker Anurag Kashyap too. He has been signed to play a villain. He would be playing a Bhojpuri man, his look complete with a moustache.

Yet another upcoming film of Anurag is 'Ghoomketu' which shows him in a contrary role. In this one, he would be seen doing comedy as a police officer. Anurag donned the role of a baddie in the 2011 Nana Patekar starrer 'Shagird'. He played a gangster called Bunty Bhaiya.

This is the third time that AR Murugadoss is making a Hindi film. The director's first Hindi film was 'Ghajini' in 2008.

March 27, 2015

Bollywood

India Post 29

www.indiapost.com

O

ther than playing the female lead in 'Gabbar Is Back' Shruti Haasan has lent her voice too. The actress surprised people when she recorded the song in just one hour - and that too without any breaks! Moreover, she managed all this after having a long journey all the way from the south to Mumbai.

A source reported: "Shruti was shooting in the village of Pollachi for one of her films. This is one of 6 films of Shruti's line up that releases this year. Amidst her films schedules and her numerous brand shoots, she had just half a day to complete this recording. After a 2 hour car ride to Coimbatore and then a flight to Mumbai, Shruti landed and went straight into the recording studio."

But how did Shruti manage such a quick performance? The source reveals: "She had prepped the song in advance and had worked on the voicing so that she can maximize her output at the studio and that's exactly what happened. The music director got what he wanted from her for the entire song within an hour post which she took a flight back to resume her shoot in Pollachi."

U

pbeat about the success of her de but production NH10, Anushka Sharma says that for her next production project, she will be approaching actors and not stars.

Apart from Anushka, NH10 stars Neil Bhoopalam and Darshan Kumar.

Asked if she's thinking of roping in stars for her next film, she said: "We will approach actors, and not stars for our next. If the actor is a star, that's a different thing."

For the actress, "the film is always going to be the star".

"Scripts are going to be the star, and we are going to choose them smartly. Everyone is looking for good work. We will take them according to the films. I want to do unique things and I would like to set new trends," she added.

T

V

idya Balan, who is known for portraying challenging roles on-screen, is all set to play the 'Mahanayika' of Bengali cinema, Suchitra Sen. She has been approached with a suitable script and Vidya gave her nod to play the role.

Vidya wants to deliver her best. "She admires the late actor, and since it's a biopic, she wants her portrayal to be authentic. After the makers informed her that she will have Kathak dance sequences in the film, she asked them to arrange for a teacher," adds the source. Earlier, Vidya Balan was offered the role to play Benazir Bhutto but she declined the offer but Suchitra Sen's biopic attracted her. She will be trained in Kathak dance for the role and she has asked the team to arrange a good Kathak dancer for her.

he Akshay Kumar starrer Airlift will probably be an image defining role for the actor who is breaking away from his action avatar completely with this film.

Sources from the movie's UAE schedule confirm that the actor has practically no action sequences. "He doesn't even have one punch in the movie.

Though the film is essentially a thriller, the only action scenes are the movie's war sequences," informs our source.

"As far as Akshay is concerned, he plays a commoner (a businessman named Ranjit

Katyal) and doesn't indulge in his staple punch and kick routine," the source added.

30 India Post

www.indiapost.com

March 27, 2015

March 27, 2015

India Post 31 www.indiapost.com

NEWS on your desktop www.indiapost.com

„

Realty Tidbits

'Real estate millionaire Durst is a suicide risk' NEW ORLEANS: Officials say troubled real estate millionaire Robert Durst has been moved to a state prison with a mental health unit because he's considered a suicide risk.

Durst has been charged in Los Angeles with first-degree murder in the 2000 shooting of Susan Berman. He is in custody in Louisiana on gun charges while awaiting transfer to Los Angeles.

The search warrant's affidavit says a forensic document examiner confirmed for Los Angeles police in November that a letter that had alerted authorities to Berman's body was written by Durst.

His arrest came shortly before the finale of an HBO television series about his links to the slaying of three people.

„ Badal gives relief to property holders in Punjab CHANDIGARH: In a relief to property holders who have been allotted plots by government and semi-government authorities, the Punjab government has approved the registration of their conveyance deeds at rates prevalent at the time of allotment.

The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here, an official spokesman said.

The Cabinet decided to give two months to those allottees who have paid installments for their properties, but could not get the conveyance deeds registered.

Taking a "considerate and sympathetic view", the Cabinet decided to give the "last chance" to such allottees to get the conveyance deeds registered within two months from the date of notification of this decision failing which such properties would be registered at the prevalent collector rates.-PTI

Real Estate 32 India Post

www.indiapost.com

March 27, 2015

Real estate in Las Vegas: It makes great television LAS VEGAS: Two women drive to a small Las Vegas retail plaza, get out of their car and peer through the locked doors of real estate firm Goliath Co., trying to catch a glimpse of reality TV stars Scott and Amie Yancey.

Scott is in a conference room not far from the entrance, but normally he's tucked in the back in his mirrored office, invisible to tourists who flock to meet the married couple who got famous renovating and selling dumpy homes on A&E's ``Flipping Vegas.''

Cont’d on page 34

Sebi chief U K Sinha hopeful of REITs making it big MUMBAI: Hopeful that the Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) will eventually make it big in India, regulator Sebi's Chairman U K Sinha has said there is a need to look into the reasons why there has been "very little enthusiasm" so far in this market.

Striking a positive note, Sinha said REITs took a long time even in the US to take off in a big way and the growth started only after 5-6 years.

"I find that even after the regulations have come through, there is very little enthusiasm in the market for REITs. "I hope that we discover, we analyze and we find out why it is so. I'm not discouraged, because even if I look at data from US, first few years were areas of learning.

The growth started happening only after 5-6 years, Sinha said here at a Sebi-organized conference on REITs. Sebi had last year put in place a separate regulatory regime for

REITs, while Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also announced a taxfriendly regime for these invest-

sured the industry and investors "if there is an informed advice that Sebi needs to do something, we'll

SEBI chairman UK Sinha

ment instruments in the Budget last month.

Sinha said there is a need to look into whether there was something that was missing and as-

be more than willing".

"REITs were looked at with a degree of suspicion in the beginning. In 2008, the Sebi board felt it is risky and disallowed it but then

we took the idea forward," he said, while adding that some sections even felt that REIT is a vehicle to avoid tax.

"Right now, the industry has been representing to us on concerns regarding Dividend Distribution Tax and Minimum Alternate Tax. Sebi's decisions are based entirely on the feedback it receives.

"Initially, there was a thought to include Infrastructure Investment Trusts (INViTs) as part of the regulation on REITs, but now we've decided to have it separately. The Budgets in July last year and in February this year have given clarity in certain areas," he added.

In a fillip to investments in realty and infrastructure sectors, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, in his February 28 Budget speech, announced a rationalized capital gains tax regime for the sponsors of newly-created business structures - REITs and INViTs.-PTI

Economic revival to boost cement demand MUMBAI: Cement major ACC Ltd is expecting a modest but steady revival in the economy in 2015, leaving a positive impact on infrastructure, housing and construction sectors and rise in demand for the key building material.

The company also said clinker production unit and allied grinding facility at its Jamul plant in Durg district of Chhattisgarh are expected to be commissioned soon.

The clinkering and grinding fa-

ACC Chairman N S Sekhsaria told shareholders at the company's annual general meeting (AGM) here.

Commenting on the outlook, Sekhsaria said, "We see a modest but steady revival for the In-

"We started the year with sluggish industrial production. But a stable new Government has helped improve overall business sentiment. Inflation has slowed down and the economic environment looks better cilities have annual capacities of 2.79 million tonnes and 1.10 million tonne, respectively.

"The new plant with a grinding unit at Jamul is expected to be completed this year. In addition, a new grinding unit is also coming up at Sindri (in Jharkhand),"

dian economy in 2015. This will have a positive impact on infrastructure, housing and construction sectors and increase the demand for cement.

"The company will continue to focus on cost reduction, increasing the sale of premium products

and implementing other customer excellence initiatives.

This should deliver improved performance."

"We started the (current fiscal) year with sluggish industrial production. But a stable new Government has helped improve overall business sentiment. Inflation has slowed down and the economic environment looks better in the year ahead," he said.

The overall cement demand is estimated to grow at the rate of 6 per cent in 2015. The consumption growth may go beyond 6 per cent if investment is made in the infrastructure segment. With the gradual reduction in fiscal deficits and consumer price index, it is expected that interest rates would gradually come down which would stimulate demand in the housing sector, Sekhsaria said. -PTI

March 27, 2015

www.indiapost.com

India Post 33

Real Estate Post

34 India Post

March 27, 2015

www.indiapost.com

CCI investigating fresh cases against DLF BENGALURU: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) says it is investigating fresh cases of alleged abuse of dominance by realty major DLF. "The DLF case, which we had decided and which was upheld substantially by the appellate tribunal, is now in the Supreme Court that will be heard by the court. So, we will await their decision...," CCI Chairman Ashok Chawla told reporters here.

He was responding to a question on issues of jurisdiction of the CCI in a case relating to alleged adoption of "unfair business practices" by DLF. Speaking on the sidelines of a Confederation of Indian Industry event, he said "meanwhile there are fresh matters which have come to us in relation to DLF projects in the area where they are held to be dominant by us. So, those matters are getting investigated."

"We will see how it goes, and eventually of course the decision of the Supreme Court will guide us in all such matters," he added.

In the second week of February, the CCI ordered a probe against DLF, finding the company to have prima-facie abused its dominant position. It relates to alleged "abuse of dominant position

in development and sale of residential units in Gurgaon" for the Skycourt residential project of DLF Universal Ltd. This came close on the heels of another probe ordered by the CCI into similar complaints related to the 'Regal Gardens at DLF Garden City' project in Gurgaon.

With regard to a few other

pellate Tribunal, which upheld the penalty, pursuant to which DLF has gone to the Supreme Court.

To a question on adding more people to CCI with its role getting more active, Chawla said "Definitely, the government has given us the total sanctioned strength of two hundred, we don't even have that in position."

projects, all of which have been incidentally been in Gurgaon, the CCI has already found DLF guilty of having abused its dominant market position. In one such case, the CCI had imposed a penalty of Rs 630 crore on DLF in August 2011.

The company challenged that order before the Competition Ap-

"We have about two third of that, so we first need to scale up to those levels , but I think sooner than later may be over the next couple of years we will have to move for increased numbers as a whole," he said.

"So that's an ongoing process, which we try to bridge the gap every year," he added.-PTI

Puravankara to invest Rs 170 cr in office complex NEW DELHI: Realty firm Puravankara Projects Ltd will invest about Rs 170 crore over the next two years to develop an office complex in Hyderabad.

Bangalore-based firm has entered into a joint development agreement with land owner to develop this 4-acre commercial

Under the sale model, the company has kept the starting price at about Rs 25 lakh for a 300 sq ft office space, enabling the retail customers to participate and invest in the commercial property market. It would lease the office spaces to large corporate tenants on behalf of the retail customers.

project, that comprises 6 lakh sq ft of built-up area.

"Buoyed by the successful sale of its commercial projects in Chennai and Bangalore, Puravankara is now launching Purva Summit, its Grade A Office Space in Hi-Tech City (Kondapur), in Hyderabad," Puravankara Projects said in a statement.

In this project, Puravankara will sell as well as lease the office spaces.

In the first phase, Puravankara has got the Expressions of Interest (EOI) from potential buyers for double the area that it intends to sell.

"The Real Estate sector in Hyderabad seems to have stabilized and we are likely to see an upsurge in transactions as well as commercial activity going forward. The low vacancy levels in Grade A office Space makes Hyderabad an attractive destina-

tion for investments into commercial properties," company's joint MD Ashish Puravankara said.

According to sources, the total investment on construction of this project would be Rs 170 crore over the next two years and the same would be funded through internal accruals and sales realization from this project.

The company could achieve a sales realization of about Rs 220 crore if it decides to sell its entire economic interest in the project, they said, adding that the company would retain some portion for leasing purposes.

Puravankara Projects has presence in Bengaluru, Kochi, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad and Mysore. It has 24.87 million sq ft of projects under development and additional 81.83 million sq ft in projected development over the next few years. -PTI

Real estate in Las Vegas: It makes great television Cont’d from page 32

Las Vegas has been a major player in reality television for years, with shows about pawn shops, tattoo artists, hot rods, casinos, cage fighters, limo drivers, gigolos and polygamists.

Now another industry, synonymous with Las Vegas' wild growth and economic collapse, is gaining more of the spotlight: real estate.

is looking to film part of its third season in Las Vegas. Casting company Metal Flowers Media has been scouring the valley for months for people who have been burned by contractors and want to tell their story on TV, casting director Dorian Velinov said.

Fox News producers in New York have discussed plans to launch a locally focused real estate program - described as part reality show and part news-fo-

Scott and Amie Yancey, from A&E's "Flipping Vegas", check on progress of one of their remodeling projects during a taping of their show.

Shows about house-flipping, renovations, mega-mansions and property scams have been produced or are being pitched in Las Vegas. Real estate programs draw big audiences, and the valley is a cheaper place to film than, say, New York or Los Angeles, insiders say.

And Las Vegas' real estate market, with its wild swings, colorful investors and cheaper prices, intrigues viewers who dream of sun-soaked lifestyles or don't realize that people live in this popular tourist and party town - all while famous casinos dot the landscape on screen. ``Most people around the globe know Vegas,'' reality star Drew Scott, of HGTV's ``Property Brothers,'' said, according to the Las Vegas Sun. Canadian twins Jonathan and Drew Scott had a four-part series last fall on HGTV called ``Property Brothers at Home,'' in which they renovated their Las Vegas house in time for a family reunion. They are filming season three of ``Brother vs. Brother'' in Las Vegas, featuring a houseflipping competition between them, with the proceeds earmarked for donation.

Spike TV's ``Catch a Contractor,'' starring comedian Adam Carolla, filmed its first two seasons in Southern California but

cused - hosted by lion-haired Las Vegas Valley attorney and Fox analyst Bob Massi, author of the book ``People Get Screwed All the Time.''

Meanwhile, luxury-home broker Zar Zanganeh is working with production companies on shows about opulent Las Vegas penthouses and mansions packed with car collections, massive swimming pools, backyard dirt-biking and other perks.

And broker Tony Keep of 24/ 7 Real Estate is working to launch a show focused on scams and scandals, such as con artists who break into vacant homes, change the locks and try to rent them out.

Despite the stated concept, reality shows often follow scripts, industry pros say. But fake story lines aren't needed in Las Vegas.

In just the past decade, the valley has had white-hot construction, widespread foreclosures, huge price swings and mothballed condo buildings, malls and casinos. ``You don't even have to make stuff up,'' said Keep.

TV producers are no strangers to Las Vegas. In 2013, 150 reality TV episodes or entire seasons were filmed here, up from about 90 in 2012, according to Variety magazine. -AP

March 27, 2015

India Post 35 www.indiapost.com

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„ Health

Line

Aurobindo gets tentative nod from USFDA NEW DELHI: Drug firm Aurobindo Pharma has received tentative approval from the US health regulator USFDA for its generic Lacosamide tablets used in treatment of partial seizures in epilepsy patients.

The US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) has granted tentative approval to the company for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Lacosamide tablets in the strengths of 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg and 200 mg, Aurobindo Pharma said in a statement.

This ANDA is at present under litigation in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, Aurobindo Pharma said.

The product is generic equivalent of USB Inc's Vimpat tablets and is used in the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients with epilepsy aged 17 years and older, Aurobindo Pharma said.

Aurobindo Pharma including its arm Aurolife currently has a total of 193 ANDA approvals (165 final approvals and 28 tentative approvals) from USFDA, it added.-PTI

Health Science 36 India Post

www.indiapost.com

LONGMONT, Colo.: University of Colorado Health is to build a new hospital in Longmont, an announcement that surprised and pleased officials in the city north of Denver.

UCHealth says ground will be broken later this year. The new facility, with at least 50 beds and at a cost of at least $100 million, will be finished in late 2016 or early 2017.

Longmont spokesman Rigo Leal says UCHealth announcement was the first city officials had heard of the plans. He says they are looking forward to meeting soon with UCHealth to get more details. He adds the city welcomes the prospect of more jobs and more convenience for those seeking health care.

UCHealth says the project will mean some 500 construction jobs and later more than 200 new, permanent jobs.-AP

Details on Page 38

WHO chief wants tobacco firms pushed 'out of business' ABU DHABI: World Health Organization chief Margaret Chan urged global action to drive tobacco companies "out of business" and hailed progress in tackling smoking in many countries.

Speaking at the World Confer-

cians to work for them ... There is nothing they would not exploit to undermine the governments' resolve and determination to protect their own people," Chan told reporters.

"It's going to be a tough fight

„ University of Colorado to build new hospital

March 27, 2015

Vitamin D can treat age-related diseases

WHO Director General Margaret Chan, right, with UN Chief Ban Ki-moon.

ence on Tobacco or Health in Abu Dhabi, Chan welcomed steps taken by several countries, led by Australia, to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes.

The WHO chief called for similar action by other nations.

Tobacco companies "use all sorts of tactics including funding political parties, individual politi-

... (but) we should not give up until we make sure that the tobacco industry goes out of business," she said.

Despite a decline in the number of smokers in many countries, more needs to be done to curb tobacco use to meet the global target of a 30-per cent reduction in consumption by 2025, partici-

pants said.

"Largely thanks to legislative measures, smoking has plummeted in several countries," Chan told the meeting, referring to the latest WHO report showing that the proportion of men who smoke is going down in 125 countries.

Chan said non-smoking was "becoming the norm". "We are happy to see this progress in so many countries," she told AFP on the sidelines of the conference.

However, she urged countries that produce tobacco leaves to "move faster" to fight tobacco in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the WHO. The five-day conference aims to prove that tobacco use, in all its forms, is a major contributor to the occurrence of non-communicable disease (NCD) - cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases.

Organizers warn that tobacco causes one in six of all NCD deaths and almost half of current tobacco users will eventually die of tobacco-related disease.

"Tobacco use is one of the biggest risk factors for NCDs, and especially for cancer," Chan told the conference. "It is also one of

the most responsive to control measures."

According to the WHO, one person dies every six seconds due to tobacco - nearly six million people each year. Smoking could kill one billion people this century,

it says.

Participants at the conference have warned that unless urgent action is taken, the annual death toll could rise to eight million by 2030.

"Tobacco use is rising fastest in countries where control measures are relatively new," Chan warned.

China is "the number one country in terms of smokers, so it is important that China takes appropriate action to reduce tobacco consumption," Chan added.

WHO says NCDs kill 35 million people annually, of whom 80 percent live in low- and middle-income countries. -AFP

Air pollution in Delhi exceeds WHO limits NEW DELHI: The level of air pollution in Delhi exceeds the limits prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO), government said in Rajya Sabha.

The air quality monitoring data for Delhi provided by Central Pollution Control Board indicates that the levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) exceed the WHO guidelines by a "factor of 7 to 12", Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said.

WHO published Air Quality Guidelines for Europe in 1987 and 2000. A global update was brought out in 2005 by WHO. India took into account the norms while revisiting and notifying the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), comprising 12 pollutants.

The Minister said "the data of air quality monitored by the Greenpeace in five schools of Delhi are exceeding and are in

short term measures last month so as to improve ambient air quality in the capital.

"The Ministry of Environment,

similar range". He, however, did not name the schools.

Javadekar, while replying to questions, said Delhi government has come out with long term and

Forest and Climate Change has aced for a time targeted implementation plan by March 31, 2015," he said.

The Minister further said a

comprehensive air quality index would be launched and monitoring stations will be set up in 66 cities having population of 10 lakh or more.

He said the government has taken various measures to contain air pollution in the country, including supply of cleaner fuels, stringent source specific emission standards for air polluting industries and implementation of revised emission norms for gensets and cement plants.

To another question, Javadekar said the details were yet to be finalized by his ministry on acceptance of the TSR Subramanian Committee recommendation for enactment of a new 'Environment Laws (Management) Act. -PTI

March 27, 2015

Health Science Post

India Post 37

www.indiapost.com

Blue Shield loses state tax-exempt status SACRAMENTO, Calif.: Blue Shield of California is protesting a state decision to strip the nonprofit health insurer of its taxexempt status, which the company has held since its founding in 1939.

The California Franchise Tax Board quietly revoked the tax break in August, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The decision could put San Franciscobased Blue Shield on the hook for tens of millions of dollars in state taxes each year.

The insurer has paid federal taxes for years.

A spokeswoman for the tax agency declined to comment on why the insurer lost its status. The highly unusual action came after a lengthy state audit reviewed the justification for Blue Shield's taxpayer subsidy, according to the newspaper.

Blue Shield said it is protesting the decision, but state officials have ordered it to file tax returns back to 2013 in the meantime.

California's third-largest health insurer has faced criticism over its rate increases, executive pay and financial reserves.

Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, a longtime critic of Blue Shield, said that the company has also shifted its health insurance products from the Department of Insurance to the Department of Managed Health Care to avoid $100 million in pre-

mium taxes each year. ``Blue Shield is dodging taxes that other legitimate businesses and families and individuals pay, so it's fundamentally unfair and corrosive to our system of tax collection,'' Jones said.

Blue Shield spokesman Sean Barry told

Critics also note that the company has not served the state's poorest residents and has frequently run afoul of state regulators. The 2011 disclosure that its former chief executive earned nearly $5 million stirred protests.

The Associated Press in an email that the vast majority of the company's policies are already regulated by the Department of Managed Health Care and the company's reasons for shifting business there are not

New way to regenerate heart tissue found WASHINGTON: In a discovery that may pave the way for regeneration of damaged heart tissue, scientists have successfully stimulated the mouse heart to grow new cells.

Researchers have shown that a subset of RNA molecules, called microRNAs, is important for cardiomyocyte cell proliferation during development and is sufficient to induce proliferation in cardiomyocytes in the adult heart.

The team found that the loss of the microRNA cluster miR302-367 in mice led

to decreased cardiomyocyte cell proliferation during development.

In contrast, increased expression of the microRNA cluster in adult hearts led to a reactivation of proliferation in the normally non-reproducing adult cardiomyocytes.

This reactivation occurred, in part, through repression of a pathway called Hippo that governs cell proliferation and organ size.

"The Hippo pathway normally represses

related to taxes.

Barry added that the requirements for plans sold under the Department of Managed Health Care have been historically more rigorous than those regulated by the Department of Insurance.

In 2011, facing a backlash over rate in-

cell proliferation when it is turned on," said Ed Morrisey, from the University of Pennsylvania.

"The cluster miR302-367 targets three of the major kinase components in the Hippo pathway, reducing pathway activity, which allows cardiomyocytes to re-enter the cell cycle and begin to regrow heart muscle.

This is a case of repressing a repressor," said Morrisey.

In adult mice, re-expression of the microRNA cluster reactivated the cell cycle in cardiomyocytes, resulting in reduced scar formation after an experimental myocardial infarction injury was induced in the mice.

There was also an increase in the number of heart muscle cells in these same mice.

However, long-term expression of more than several months of the microRNA cluster caused heart muscle cells to de-differentiation and become less functional.

"This suggested to us that persistent reactivation of the cell cycle in adult cardiomyocytes could be harmful and causes the heart to fail," said Morrisey.

The investigators surmised that cardiomyocytes likely need to de-differentiate to divide, but they may lose their ability to contract over time.

"We overcame this limitation by injecting synthetic microRNAs with a short halflife called mimics into the mice," says Morrisey. -PTI

creases, the insurer capped its profits at 2 percent of annual revenue and returned about $560 million to customers and community groups from 2010 to 2012, the Times reported. Blue Shield also has given more

than $325 million over the last decade to its own charitable foundation.

But some consumer advocates and health policy experts told the newspaper those moves aren't enough in light of the company's huge cash stockpile. Blue Shield's surplus of $4.2 billion at the end of 2014 is four times as much as the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association requires its member insurers to hold to cover future claims.

Critics also note that the company has not served the state's poorest residents and has frequently run afoul of state regulators.

The 2011 disclosure that its former chief executive earned nearly $5 million stirred protests.

Some consumer groups have questioned whether certain Blue Shield spending is out of line with its nonprofit mission.

The company defended its work for California residents, citing its longstanding support of health reform and efforts to make coverage more affordable. ``Blue Shield as a company and management team firmly believes it is fulfilling its not-for-profit mission and commitment to the community,'' Shivinsky told the newspaper.

Blue Shield has about 3.4 million customers and 5,000 employees and brought in $13.6 billion of revenue last year.-AP

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Vitamin D can treat age- Green tea could help improve MRIs: study related diseases WASHINGTON: Vitamin D may play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases associated with ageing such as diabetes and cancer, according to new research.

Researchers reviewed evidence that suggests an association between vitamin D deficiency and chronic diseases associated with ageing such as cognitive decline, depression, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and cancer.

"Vitamin D deficiency is a common, serious medical condition that significantly affects the health and well-being of older adults," said Sue Penckofer, study author, from Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing (MNSON).

Older adults are at risk for vitamin D deficiency due to diet, reduced time outdoors and poor

skin absorption of the nutrient, researchers said.

With the number of people ages 65 and older expected to more than double from 2012 to 2060, the problem will become much more prevalent, researchers said.

Study authors concluded that as the older population continues to grow, universal guidelines for testing and treating vitamin D deficiency are needed.

"Better understanding the relationship between vitamin D and chronic diseases in older adults and whether treatment of vitamin

D deficiency can prevent or treat these disorders is important given the increasing number of people at risk for these health issues," said Meghan Meehan, study author.

The Institute of Medicine generally recommends that adults up to 70 years of age take 600 International Unit (IU) of vitamin D daily and adults over the age of 70 consume 800 IU of the nutrient daily.

Study authors concluded that as the older population continues to grow, universal guidelines for testing and treating vitamin D deficiency are needed.

Research to examine the proper dosing of vitamin D supplements necessary to prevent the chronic diseases of ageing also would have significant benefit for future generations.

The findings were published in the Journal of Ageing and Gerontology.-PTI

BERLIN: A new unexpected role for green tea - to improve the image quality of magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) - has been discovered by researchers, including one of Indian-origin.

Sanjay Mathur, from the University of Cologne in Germany, and colleagues have successfully used compounds from green tea to help image cancer tumors in mice.

Researchers note that recent study has shown the potential usefulness of nanoparticles - iron oxide in particular - to make biomedical imaging better.

But the nanoparticles have their disadvantages.

They tend to cluster together easily and need help getting to their destinations in the body.

To address these issues, researchers have recently tried attaching natural nutrients to the nanoparticles.

Mathur's team wanted to see if compounds from green tea, which

research suggests has anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties, could play this role.

Using a simple, one-step process, the researchers coated ironoxide nanoparticles with green-tea compounds called catechins and

administered them to mice with cancer.

MRIs demonstrated that the novel imaging agents gathered in tumor cells and showed a strong contrast from surrounding nontumor cells.

The researchers conclude that the catechin-coated nanoparticles are promising candidates for use in MRIs and related applications. -PTI

Body posture may affect memory, learning 28 test positive for TB WASHINGTON: Body posture is critical in the early stages of acquiring new knowledge, affecting memory and learning, a new study suggests.

The study offers a new approach to studying the way "objects of cognition," such as words or memories of physical objects, are tied to the position of the body.

"This study shows that the body plays a role in early object name learning, and how toddlers use the body's position in space to connect ideas," Linda Smith, professor in Indiana University Bloomington College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, said.

Using both robots and infants, researchers examined the role bodily position played in the brain's ability to "map" names to objects.

They found that consistency of the body's posture and spatial relationship to an object as an object's name was shown and spoken aloud were critical to successfully connecting the name to the object.

"A number of studies suggest

that memory is tightly tied to the location of an object. None, however, have shown that bodily position plays a role or that, if you shift your body, you could forget," Smith said.

To reach these conclusions, the study's authors conducted a series of experiments, first with robots, which were programmed to map the name of an object to the object through shared asso-

ciation with a posture, then with children age 12 to 18 months.

In one experiment, a robot was first shown an object situated to its left, then a different object to the right; then the process was repeated several times to create an association between the objects and the robot's two postures.

Then with no objects in place,

the robot's view was directed to the location of the object on the left and given a command that elicited the same posture from the earlier viewing of the object.

Then the two objects were presented in the same locations without naming, after which the two objects were presented in different locations as their names were repeated.

This caused the robot to turn and reach towards the object now associated with the name.

The robot consistently indicated a connection between the object and its name during 20 repeats of the experiment.

But in subsequent tests where the target and another object were placed in both locations - so as to not be associated with a specific posture the robot failed to recognize the target object.

When replicated with infants, there were only slight differences in the results: The infant data, like that of the robot, implicated the role of posture in connecting names to objects.

The research was published in the journal PLOS ONE. -PTI

at Kansas school OLATHE, Kan.: More than two dozen cases of tuberculosis have been detected at an eastern Kansas high school after widespread

Those exposed to TB during the spring semester will be tested May 5, the department said. It can take up to eight weeks for TB to show up positive in a TB test screening, state and county health officials announced.

More than 300 Olathe Northwest High School students and staff members were tested after coming into contact with an infected student. In addition to that student, the testing revealed 27 new cases of TB that hadn't progressed to the contagious stage, the Johnson County Health Department said in a news release.

Officials began calling the

people who tested positive while those with no sign of infection will receive letters, the department said. ``The number of individuals with TB infection does not exceed what we would anticipate in this setting,'' health department director Lougene Marsh said in the statement. ``Of course, we had hoped we wouldn't find any additional TB cases, but we knew this was a possibility. That's why we took such thorough steps to test everyone who might have been in close contact with the first confirmed case of TB disease.''

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that attacks the lungs and can be fatal if not treated with antibiotics. It is generally spread by coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include a bad cough for three weeks or longer, chest pain, weakness or fatigue, and coughing up blood.

Those exposed to TB during the spring semester will be tested May 5, the department said. It can take up to eight weeks for TB to show up positive in a TB test, the health officials said.-AP

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Alcohol ignition interlocks 'Kitchen towels top source to prevent drunk deaths of contaminants' WASHINGTON: Installing a built-in blood alcohol level tester in every new car in the US that keeps intoxicated drivers from getting behind the wheel could prevent 85 per cent of drunk-driving deaths in the country over the next 15 years, a new study has found.

Researchers at the University of Michigan Injury Center and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute studied the impact of installing these alcohol ignition interlock devices in all newly purchased vehicles over a 15year period.

They concluded that the country could avoid 85 per cent of crash deaths attributable to alcohol-involved motor vehicle crashes during the 15-year implementation period.

That would mean preventing more than 59,000 deaths, the team reported in a paper published in the American Journal of Public Health.

Another 1.25 million non-fatal injuries would also be prevented, the researchers calculated, as the nation would see a reduction of 84-89 per cent.

All these lives saved and injuries prevented would save US society USD 343 billion over 15 years. In fact, the cost of installing the devices would be recouped after just three years.

Though the injury prevention benefit was apparent for all ages, drivers who are closest to the legal drinking age would likely

be the most significant beneficiaries of alcohol interlocks.

Among drivers age 21 to 29 years, 481,103 deaths and injuries would be prevented, nearly 35 per cent of total deaths and injuries for all age groups.

Drivers less than 21 years old who engaged in drinking while driving would also benefit substantially, with 194,886 deaths and injuries potentially prevented.

"We knew our modeling would yield significant results, but the sheer numbers of preventable fatalities and serious injuries were surprising," said lead-author Patrick Carter, an assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the U-M Medical School and core faculty at the UMichigan Injury Center.

"Our analysis clearly demonstrates the significant public health benefit and societal cost savings associated with including alcohol ignition interlock devices as standard equipment in all new cars," Carter said. -PTI

Medical devices industry underinvested: WHO NEW DELHI: The ambitious 'Make in India' campaign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi throws up opportunities for growth of domestic medical devices industry, which is not only "underinvested" but heavily import-oriented at present, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

"There is a need for appropriate and applicable health care technology in India. Our medical devices industry is underinvested and heavily import-driven at present.

"But with the current 'Make in India' campaign, there is a huge opportunity for growth and expansion of the medical device industry.

This would highly improve the access of essential medical devices and health care technology to patients in India," WHO Representative to India, Nata Menabde, was quoted as saying in a Health Ministry statement.

She said this during an event to formally announce the commencement of National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC),

as the WHO collaborating centre for Priority Medical Devices and Health Technology Policy.

This was announced by the WHO Country office for India in collaboration with the Health Ministry and NHSRC. This is the first WHO collaborating centre in South East Asia Region, the Health Ministry statement said.

Menabde also handed over the designation of WHO collaborating centre commencement at NHSRC to Health secretary B P Sharma.

Noting that prioritizing medical devices and health technology in the country is an "important agenda" item, Sharma said that it is critical to have the specifications in place for the medical devices and equipments that are already procured and used in the system.

"There is also need for dedicated medical devices testing laboratories to ensure the safety and efficacy of these devices," he said. -PTI

WASHINGTON: Cloth towels in the kitchen can quickly and easily become contaminated at significant levels with microorganisms that potentially lead to food-borne illnesses, a new study has warned.

Lead researcher and Kansas State University food safety specialist Jeannie Sneed said the study showed some unique observations and areas of weakness when it comes to consumers' kitchen behavior.

"First, participants were observed frequently handling towels, including paper towels, even when not using them for drying," Sneed said.

"Towels were determined to be the most contaminated of all the contact surfaces tested," Sneed said.

Video observation showed many participants would touch the towel before washing their hands or used the towel after washing their hands inadequately.

Even after properly washing their hands, they reused the towel and contaminated themselves all over again.

Previous research has found that sal-

monella, bacteria commonly found in raw meat and poultry products, grows on cloths stored overnight, even after they were washed and rinsed in the sink.

Sneed recommends washing cloth towels after using them while preparing a meal, or using paper towels and discarding them after each use.

In the study, 123 participants were randomly assigned to three separate groups. The first group was given an education program on the four national Food Safe Families campaign messages of clean, separate, cook and chill.

The second group viewed and discussed the Ad Council public service announcements that focused on the same Food Safe Families messages, and the third group did not receive any food safety education before preparing the meal.

The researchers set up a condominium on the K-State campus to reflect a home kitchen environment and videotaped the participants preparing a recipe using either raw ground beef or chicken and a ready-toeat fruit salad. -PTI

40 India Post

M

yanmar sits at the cross roads of Asia's great civilizations of India and China, and looks out onto the vast Indian Ocean next to Thailand. One of South East Asia's largest and most diverse countries, Myanmar stretches from the sparkling islands of the Andaman Sea in the south right up into the Eastern Himalayan mountain range.

To this day Myanmar remains one of the most mysterious and undiscovered destinations in the world. A land of breathtaking beauty and charm yet it has only recently emerged into the modern world.

Myanmar offers all the traditional delights of Asia in one fascinating country.

Virgin jungles, snow-capped mountains and pristine beaches, combined with a rich and glorious heritage spanning more than two thousand years.

Spectacular monuments and ancient cities attest to a vibrant culture that is still home to 135 different ethnic groups.

www.indiapost.com

The country's tourism infrastructure boasts five star properties, intimate boutique hotels and family guest houses in all the major centers, as well as stunning mountain and beach resorts. Myanmar also boasts one of the lowest tourist crime records in the world, so visitors can rest assured their holiday will be carefree from

March 27, 2015

start to finish.

Wherever you go in Myanmar, whether it be cruising down the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River in style, drifting over the ancient city of Bagan by hot air balloon, or searching for that elusive tiger on the back of an elephant, there is always a feeling of adventure. With two modern internal

airlines upgrading and expanding their networks, new and exciting destinations off the beaten track are gradually being opened.

From mountain trekking and rafting in the far north to world class diving in the Mergui Archipelago. But above all, Myanmar offers the warmest welcome in Asia.

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India's tourism policy launch on May 15 NEW DELHI: The government will launch its "revamped" tourism policy on May 15, incorporating various changes in the sector, which would be a "sea change" from the National Tourism Policy introduced in 2002.

"We have declared the date. The national tourism policy would be launched on May 15," Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said on the sidelines of a workshop on National Tourism Policy 2015 here.

Asked whether the proposed policy would be a revised version of previous

tourism policy, he said that it would be a "sea change" as twelve years have passed away since the old policy was launched in 2002.

"It will be a total sea change. Twelve years have gone and it requires lot of changes. Of course, we will be using it (existing policy) as a base," he added.

The National Tourism Policy was introduced in 2002, but could not be implemented. According to Tourism Secretary Lalit K Panwar, the ministry is "re-visiting" 2002 policy, in which "plan of action" was missing.

UK tour operators unhappy with India visa changes LONDON: Tour operators in Britain have told the Indian High Commission here that changes to the country's tourist visa system will have a negative impact on tourism to India.

The uproar from groups such as the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) and individual firms such as TransIndus and Thomas Cook is largely a result of a lack of clarity around some of the new rules for Indian visas effective from March 1 this year.

"We fear that the way the changes are being handled will put people off from even looking at India as a destination," said AITO chairman Derek Moore, who was among scores of representatives from the travel industry invited to the High Commission here to present their case.

dia scheme.

"I will certainly convey the sentiments from tour operators to my government. I hear you loud and clear," said Mathai, who stressed that facilitating tourism into the country was among the Indian government's priority areas.

However, the general sentiment within the UK travel industry is that the previous visa system which allowed travel agents to apply for visas on behalf of their clients on one particular day of the week worked well and should have been left unchanged.

"Now if we are dealing with 10 applications, we will have to take 10 different online appointments. Instead of making the system simpler, it seems to have got only more complex," a tour operator, who organizes group tours to India, said.

The previous visa system which allowed travel agents to apply for visas on behalf of their clients on one particular day of the week worked well and should have been left unchanged.

The meeting was called in the wake of what the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Ranjan Mathai, described as a "spate of emails" that followed the introduction of an online appointment system as well as an end to the postal application process as part of a renewed contract with its outsourcing company VFS. A premature announcement in relation to biometric data collection from all visa applicants, making it mandatory for each applicant to be physically present to be finger-printed, lies at the heart of some of the confusion.

The tour operators urged the High Commissioner to put off its implementation until the UK is among one of the countries that is covered under the visa-on-arrival in In-

Last month, the Indian High Commission had announced an expansion of its services to VFS - an outsourcing and technology service specialist for diplomatic missions and governments worldwide.

"VFS will introduce Online Appointment System for all services for the convenience of the applicants across the UK. All applicants will be required to book an appointment online to submit their applications at the respective India application centers," the High Commission had said in a statement.

An estimated 2,600 applications are expected to be processed by VFS daily, which would add up to around 400,000 visas and 75,000 OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card requests.-PTI

National Advisory Board on Tourism, a body akin to the National Development Council with representatives from the Centre and state governments is likely to be incorporated in the policy, he said.

Earlier, tourism ministry officials said that they were working on increasing India's share in global tourism by two per cent before 2025.

Stakeholders from different segments of the Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma tourism sector also made their suggestions rang"The plan of action will have ing from improving amenities for tourists timelines," he said.

A National Tourism Board, comprising to enhancing air connectivity for promota think-tank from the tourism sector and ing tourism in the country.-PTI

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MYANMAR ONE OF THE MOST MYSTERIOUS & UNDISCOVERED DESTINATIONS Cont’d from page 40

Famous destinations Shwedagon Golden Temple (Yangon): This is a golden symbol of Myanmar. The temple is 2500 years old and its legend was born before the Buddha died.

Shwedagon tower is 98m high and many smaller towers are around where many sacred treasures of Buddhism are kept. Although there are a lot of wars and calamity, Shwedagon is still one of the largest temples in the world.

Golden Rock (Mon State): Over 200km from Yangon, Golden Rock at an altitude of 1,100 m, with little pagodas, creates a unique relic.

Golden Rock is famous for the protruding and gold surfaces. However, only men can approach Golden Rock, women are allowed only remote viewing.

Shwezigon Golden Temple: It is located in Bagan, capital of the ancient Pagan kingdom which had thousands of big and small temples. Built in the 12th century, Shwezigon Golden temple is the second largest in Myanmar.

Shwesandaw Temple: In Bagan, you should come to Shwesandaw watch the sunset. Standing from here, you can see the legend Bagan lands with thousands of large and small temples and towers. It's really very impressive Ananda Temple: Also located in Bagan, Ananda was built in the 11-12 centuries. It is a testament to the golden age of the Bagan kingdom with the reign of the great king Tilinman. Ananda has unique

architecture, unlike the two famous Golden temples mentioned above, and also unlike temples or towers in the Bagan area.

Mahamuni Temple (Mandalay): Mahamuni Temple was built in the

18th century. There is a 4m high statue, weighing 6.5 tonnes which has plated gold layer 15cm thick.

Buddhist devotees still come here to dedicate and contribute to gold

plating the statues.

Inhwa Village (Mandalay): Inwa is a beautiful little village beside Ayeyarwady River. This ancient village is a famous tourist

destination with multiple heritages. The Bagaya Kyaung monastery here was built with 267 teak pillars. Nanmyin leaning tower is

Mingun village

Ananda Temple

Mahamuni Temple

27m high.

Mingun village (Mandalay): In Mingun there are many monuments and landscapes but the most prominent is the Mingun bell

and Chinthe treasures. Chinthe (mascot half lion half dragon) is a pair of giant statues standing guard by the river bank. The stupa Mingun gives the opposite feeling of being overwhelmed; with its orange brick lofty block striking the blue sky.

Ubein Bridge (Mandalay): Ubein Bridge in Amarapura ancient village is the longest teak bridge

in the world (1.2 km). It is almost 200 years old. When Amarapura villagers comeback home, it is on the pilgrims path of the monks who wore long robes. From U Bein Bridge, sunset is brilliant and impressive.

Inle Lake (Shan): Inle Lake is about 11km wide, stretches 22 km from north to south. Having an adventure tour or sightseeing tour to the lake, you will experience many emotions: going through the floating house, the boat, the fishermen who wear traditional dress Longiy, sailing as artists.

Best time to visit The climate in Burma features three main seasons: the hot season from March to May, the wet season from June to September and the cool season from October to February.

How to reach India is set to launch a weekly cross-border bus service between Imphal in Manipur and Mandalay in central Myanmar. The service is likely to start from October and would cover a distance of 579 kilometers between Imphal and Mandalay in about 14 hours.

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Special focus on Jammu tourism promotion JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir government says it has taken several steps to boost tourism and is giving attention to the development of tourism-related infrastructure in the state, especially in the Jammu region.

"The development of tourist spots in the state including Jammu is being given attention, by way

tourist spots in Jammu.

"The government is developing a dak bunglow, six double-bedrooms and two suites, two doublebedroom huts and one restaurant including two double-storied huts," he said.

"Government is also developing a viewing point, decks surrounding water bodies of Surinsar

of creation of tourism related infrastructure," Tourism Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone told the Legislative Council.

In reply to a question by BJP's Charanjit Singh, Lone said steps were being taken to boost tourist inflow to Surinsar and Mansar

and Mansar, besides providing facilities like joy rides, swings at the existing parks."

On a question about the development of an artificial lake on river Tawi, Lone said the project with an estimated cost of Rs 69.70 crore has been taken up by the Irriga-

DALLAS: Experts say fall and winter rains in many areas across will help bring impressive wildflower blooms.

The University of Texas at Austin's Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center said that wildflowers should start blooming in earnest in North Texas and some other areas with the arrival of warmer weather. Wildflowers though have already been spotted in some areas, including in and around Big Bend National Park, where Texas bluebonnets the state flower - are blooming.

Near Houston, bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush are popping up

near Interstate 10.

Mark Simmons, the wildflower center's program director, says he expects early bloomers like bluebonnets and pink evening primrose to be ``stunning.''

He says recent temperature s w i n g s shouldn't h a m p e r blooms since

2015 is 'Visit India Year' in China

tion and Flood control department during 2010-11.

"An amount of Rs 57 crore has been released and spent till date, against which 85 per cent of civil works and 80 per cent of mechanical works have been completed," he said.

Lone said the government is in the process of constructing a world-class golf circuit to attract high-end tourists.

He said Rs 318.45 lakh has been released under Central government's infrastructure development scheme for beautification and infrastructure development at the Tawi River front.

Lone said the Union Ministry of Tourism has approved a project for development of holy shrine Peerkho in Jammu as a tourist destination at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore.

The indigenous ropeway project from Mubarak Mandi to Shahbad is budgeted at Rs 40 crore.

He said the government is planning to develop tourism near the border on the pattern of WagahAttari.

"Development of the border areas tourism circuit Suchetgarh in Jammu has been sanctioned by the ministry of tourism government of India at a cost of Rs 639.30 Lakhs," he said.-PTI

NEW DELHI: The year 2015 is being observed as the "Visit India Year" in China, Rajya Sabha was told.

Various promotional activities are being organized to showcase and promote the varied tourism destinations in India and its products in China with an objective of increasing tourist arrivals, Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said in a written reply.

The activities include advertising in the local print, online, and

early spring wildflowers have adapted to Texas' weather extremes. -AP

WASHINGTON: Rep. John Delaney is asking constituents to send him their stories of travel problems caused by inadequate roads, bridges, railways and airports.

The Maryland Democrat is sponsoring a bill that would use revenue from corporate tax reform

outdoor media, participation in travel fairs and exhibition, organizing road shows, "know India" seminars, and offering joint advertising and brochure support and inviting opinion makers to visit India under the hospitality program of the ministry.

In 2012, 1,68,952 Chinese tourists visited the country and their number rose to 1,74,712 in 2013.

He said the ministry has set up an 'Incredible India' helpline on a pilot basis to guide tourists. -PTI

Vice-Premier Wang Yang (R front) and Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj (L front) attend the launching ceremony of “Visit India Year 2015� in Beijing, capital of China

Delaney seeks constituents' Great wildflower season likely in Texas tales of travel woes gress should know how long commutes, unsafe bridges and overcrowded ports, railways and airports directly affect people's lives.

Delaney's 6th Congressional District includes Interstate 270, a highway between Frederick and the Capital Beltway that is routinely congested during rush

Travel agent guilty of mail, wire fraud PORTLAND, Maine: The owner of a Saco travel agency who took payments for clients for trips she never booked has pleaded guilty.

Beth Rogers in a hearing in U.S. District Court in Portland pleaded guilty to mail and wire fraud.

Prosecutors say as owner of

TravelWise Cruises and Tours, the 45-year-old Rogers booked individual clients and companies with tour operators, hotels, airlines, cruise companies and other businesses.

Prosecutors say she took money without making travel reservations for some clients but in-

stead used the clients' money to pay for the travel of other clients.

In some cases, she used client credit cards to pay for another client's travel without the first client's permission.

Authorities say she misapplied money from more than 50 clients.AP

Beltway traffic

to improve America's infrastructure.

Delaney said that infrastructure is often presented as an abstract, statistical problem. He says Con-

hours.

He says constituents can email their stories to DelaneyMD6 (at) mail.house.gov or call 301-9260300.-AP

Tech News India to rank states on business ease basis NEW DELHI: The government has proposed to give rating to states on the basis of ease of doing business in the country, Parliament was informed here.

"A detailed document on action to be taken on various measures of ease of doing business by states with specific timelines was prepared and circulated to all states/UTs," Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

She said that the states would be rated on nine parameters - setting up a business; land and building; environment compliances; labor compliances; infrastructure related utilities; finance and tax; inspection reforms; enforcing contract and exiting a business."

These action points were discussed and finalized at the national workshop on 'Make in India' in December last year.

"All the state governments/UTs have been requested to complete these reform measures against the indicated timelines on the 98 action points.

"Further, each state has been requested to complete the recommended action points within the identified timelines so that the state is not ranked poorly in subnational study," she said.

India has been ranked 142 among the 189 countries in the World Bank report on ease of doing business. It has dropped two places from its previous ranking.PTI

Online fashion retail in India may touch $35 bn MUMBAI: The fashion business in India through e-commerce portals is expected to see a turnover of USD 35 billion by 2020, said Google Director for E-commerce and Online Nitin Bawankule.

"By 2020, India is expected to generate USD 100 billion online retail revenue out of which USD 35 billion will be through fashion e-commerce. Online apparel sales are set to grow four times in coming years," he said at the India Fashion Forum.

According to Google research, every third shopping search on Google is fashion-related and the queries on fashion are growing at 66 per cent year-on-year.

Bawankule further pointed out that the online population in India would grow to 100 million by 2016 and 250 million by 2020 from its present 40 million.-PTI

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March 27, 2015

Stefana Pell, CEO, Piaggio India during the launch of new APE extra DLX in Mumbai on March 23

UK court asks Pak to pay 150,000 pounds to India as legal fee LONDON: In a setback to Pakistan, a UK court has directed it to pay 150,000 pounds to India as legal fees in the 67-year-old Hyderabad Funds case involving the Nizam's money while terming Pakistan's behavior as "unreasonable".

Holding that Pakistan has no "sovereign immunity" in the case, the Judge ordered the Pakistan High Commissioner here to pay the legal costs incurred by the other respondents in the case relating to the 'Hyderabad Funds' which is currently valued at 35 million pounds.

It is understood that the legal costs of the respondents - Govt of India, the National Westminster Bank & the Nizam's heirs Mukkaram Jah & Muffakham Jah - are approximately 400,000 pounds. Of this India has been paid 150,000 pounds, the National Westminster Bank 132,000 pounds and the Nizam's heirs about 60,000 pounds each respectively.

The immunity waiver under the verdict, which has opened the doors for India to recover the frozen funds through legal process,

is irrevocable.

It is also reliably understood that the Indian government and the heirs of Nizam were holding consultations on the subject.

This case, known as the 'Hyderabad Funds Case', relates to transfer of 1,007,940 pounds and 9 Shillings to a London bank account

of one of the largest and richest of the Indian princely states, the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad.

Following the partition in 1947, and the formation of the independent sovereign states of India and Pakistan, the numerous princely states within the sub-continent were permitted by the UK to elect

in the name of the High Commissioner in the UK for the then newly formed state of Pakistan, Habib Ibrahim Rahimtoola, at the Westminster Bank (now Natwest) in 1948.

The money was transferred by an agent who appeared to be acting on behalf of the absolute ruler

to join either of the two new states, or to remain independent.

The Nizam chose to remain independent.

However, on September 18, 1948, Hyderabad was annexed to India. On September 20, 1948 the money was transferred to

Rahimtoola by the agent. On September 27, 1948 the Nizam sought to reverse the transfer of money claiming that it had been made without his authority.

The Bank was unwilling to comply with the Nizam's request without the agreement of the account holder. Such consent was not forthcoming, and for a number of years matters remained unresolved.

As the successor state to the Nizam's State of Hyderabad, India has all along sought its claim over the money maintaining that it was State monies and not Nizam's private monies.

However, stuck in a legal battle with no hope of a resolution since 1960, the Indian cabinet had approved efforts to pursue an outof-court settlement with Pakistan and Nizam's heirs to recover the funds. The Cabinet had also given its approval to the negotiating strategy in the matter.

With no State immunity for Pakistan over the funds, India has once again got the chance to get the money through the legal process. -PTI

US policies hurting emerging economies: IMF BEIJING: The tightening of monetary policies by the US at a time when other countries are "easing theirs" could make emerging economies "vulnerable" as many of their firms and banks have sharply increased their borrowings in dollars in the last five years, the IMF Chief has warned.

Speaking at the opening of China Development Forum here, Christine Lagarde said, the world has yet to achieve full economic recovery as global growth continues to be weighed down by high debt, high unemployment and lackluster investment.

Referring to IMF's recent forecast to cut global growth to 3.5 per cent and 3.7 per cent in 2015 and 2016 despite the boost from cheaper oil and stronger US

growth, she said the global recovery remained fragile because of significant risks.

tries are easing monetary conditions," she said on the US' plans to raise interest rates.

Christine Lagarde

"One such risk emanates from the expected "tightening or normalization of US monetary policy at a time when many other coun-

"This asynchronous monetary policy may trigger excessive volatility in global financial markets. The divergence of monetary policy paths

has already led to a significant strengthening of the US dollar.

"Emerging markets could be vulnerable, because many of their banks and companies have sharply increased their borrowing in dollars over the past five years," Lagarde who was in India last week said.

Stating that some of the unconventional monetary policies, including large purchases of government debt, had strong, positive spillovers on the global economy after the 2007 economic crisis, she said those policies prevented a financial market meltdown and supported the recovery in advanced economies and beyond.

"I am convinced that, without these unconventional tools, the world would have sunk into a 1930sstyle depression," she said.-PTI

TechBiz Post

March 27, 2015

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India rejects US proposal on food stockholding GENEVA: India and other members of the G-33 grouping have opposed a new US proposal for a permanent solution to the factious issue of food stockholding for

In trying to address the food security issue vis-a-vis the proposal, one of the outcomes could be a decision on public stockholding whereas the mandate is the

food security in developing countries at the second informal meeting at the WTO this year.

India said the US proposal may result in an outcome where countries are advised as to what kind of food security programs they should adopt, which is not part of the existing mandate.

other way round, India argued.

The G-33 countries - led by India and including China and the Philippines - want public stockholding for food security purposes to come under the 'Green Box' subsidies that cause no or minimum trade distortion.

The G-33 debated the US pro-

posal on March 20 at the second dedicated session this year on the issue at the Geneva-based World Trade Organization (WTO). The proposal was among many others to clinch a deal.

The proposal comprises three main elements - reviewing efficacy and trade effects of existing food security programs and the extent to which they meet their goals; evaluating the real and potential problems encountered in implementing food security programs because of constraints in the existing WTO rules; and drawing from the best practices and recommendations on food stockholding.

Best practices in food stockholding would include programs in states that are most economical, targeted and effective and the ones that are not trade distorting and have enhanced transparency.

Indonesia, speaking on behalf of the G-33 countries, said that the real issue is getting a permanent solution, not to engage in an academic program or to expand the

Great time in India for US businesses: Diplomat PANAJI: In the wake of improved ties between India and US, it is a great time for American corporates to be in Asia's third largest economy, a diplomat said here.

Earlier, there was a sense of frustration among US businessmen about challenges in the Indian market but things have improved after the Modi government expressed commitment to boost bilateral trade and took several initiatives to attract investments, Thomas Vajda, US Consul General in Mumbai, told reporters here.

"The Indo-US relation is on upswing and there is clearly convergence of interest between both the countries. It is a great time to be in India. There was frustration about challenges in the Indian market among the US businessmen but with renewed interests and Prime Minister (Narendra Modi)'s commitment they are get-

ting offset," he said.

In the past, there were challenges in terms of regulatory mechanism, licensing, intellectual property rights, taxation and

Thomas Vajda

amount of ownership that US companies can have in India, Vajda said.

"We have seen a year of deepening of The President's visit didn't solve bilateral ties that inall of our policy differences and cluded Prime Minister there is still work to be done on Modi's successful visit to Washington, a intellectual property rights pro- steady stream of US tection, market access and cre- Cabinet members comto India, and Presiating a more transparent regu- ing dent Obama's historic latory environment visit to New Delhi as the chief guest for Re-

public Day," the envoy said.

"In New Delhi, our two leaders displayed a unique personal rapport, which is indicative of an increasing convergence of interests between our two democracies.

"As evidence of this convergence, the President and Prime Minister announced breakthroughs in several important areas of bilateral cooperation.

"They worked through key points that have impeded greater civilian nuclear cooperation. They renewed the framework for the US-India defense relationship and committed to taking our trade and investment relationship beyond USD 100 billion per year," the Consul General said.

These cooperative steps represent the possibilities of a new moment in the US-India relations. But the President's visit didn't solve all of our policy differences and there is still work to be done on intellectual property rights protection, market access and creating a more transparent regulatory environment, Vajda said. -PTI

mandate to review existing pro- bal Trade Facilitation Agreement grams. to find a solution to the stockpilThe informal meeting also saw ing logjam, which protected develthe playing out of the old hard- oping countries from legal conseened battle lines between the pro- quences if it exceeded its Amber ponents of another proposal to the Box limits as a result of stockholdissue, called the G-33 proposal, ing for food security. and the opponents of it.

India also suggested a new The G-33 proposal suggests to 'Friend of the Chair' (a delegate amend the Agriculture Agreement designated by the presiding officer to provide new flexibilities for pro- to perform a particular task) to exgrams when governments buy pedite the process of finding a food from low-income farmers at solution before the end of the year supported prices to build up stocks, to be shifted from the 'Amber Best practices in food stockBox' - all domestic sup- holding would include proport measures considgrams in states that are most ered to distort production and trade - to the economical, targeted and efGreen Box. fective and the ones that are The EU along with Australia and some not trade distorting and have other countries have enhanced transparency. called for maintaining the "integrity of the Green Box" and keeping the as "time is running out".

"Green Box, Green".

Chairperson Ambassador John One of the suggestions to the Adank, New Zealand's Permanent logjam was a solution on the ba- Representative to the WTO, said sis of the calculation of Aggregate that "wide gaps" remain between Measurement Support (AMS) - the G-33 proposal and its oppothe base period for which is still nents. the 1986-88 prices.

There are two broad areas of India, which is against it, has concern - the impact on the archibeen arguing that this has made it tecture of the existing Agriculture increasingly difficult for develop- Agreement, particularly shifting ing countries to stay within the the market price support programs WTO-prescribed limits. into the Green Box, and secondly, An interim peace clause was the "unintended consequences" brokered last year in November, of the G-33 proposal on export when India had blocked the glo- markets, Adanks stated. -PTI

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India Post

March 27, 2015

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FDI via approval route surges 162 pc to $1.91 bn NEW DELHI: Foreign Direct Investment into India through the approval route shot up 162 per cent to USD 1.91 billion in the first 10 months of the current fiscal, indicating that government's effort to improve ease of doing business and relaxation in FDI norms may be yielding results.

During the full 2013-14 fiscal, India had received USD 1.18 billion FDI through the government approval route, according to the figures collated by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).

"The FDI figures during AprilJanuary period clearly reflect that the government is giving faster clearance to the proposals. It is reacting fast on the needs of foreign investors," said a senior official in the Commerce and Industry Ministry.

Some experts think likewise.

Head of Tax and expert on FDI with corporate law firm Amarchand & Mangaldas Krishan Malhotra said: "Relaxation of FDI norms in some sectors and steps to improve ease of doing business have started generating positive environment in the country.

"Foreign investors are very positive about India.

Sentiments are also improving.

There is lot of positivity in the business environment."

Although in most of the sectors foreign investment is permitted through automatic route, FDI

India is estimated to require around USD 1 trillion over five years to overhaul its infrastructure sector, including ports, airports and highways to boost growth. in few sectors including pharmaceutical, defense and retail are permitted only through the approval of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB).

FIPB is an inter-ministerial body under the Finance Ministry which approves foreign investments related proposals.

During the April-January period, the total foreign inflows too

have increased by 36 per cent year-on-year, to USD 25.52 billion.

In January, the foreign direct investment (FDI) in India more than doubled to USD 4.48 billion, the highest inflow in the last 29 months. In 2013-14, FDI stood at USD 24.29 billion compared with USD 22.42 billion a year earlier.

Healthy inflow of foreign investments into the country helped India's balance of payments (BoP) situation and stabilized the value of rupee.

India is estimated to require around USD 1 trillion over five years to overhaul its infrastructure sector, including ports, airports and highways to boost growth.

Government is taking steps to boost FDI in the country. It has relaxed FDI norms in sectors including insurance, railways and medical devices.

The government has also taken a series of steps to improve ease of doing business that include having a timeline for clearance of applications, de-licensing the manufacturing of many defense products and introduction of e-Biz project for single window clearance. -PTI

Indian CEOs more confident about growth: PwC NEW DELHI: Chief Executive Officers in India are more confident about the growth prospects of their business than global peers and a majority of them are looking at alliances to enter new markets, a PwC study has said.

According to PwC's 18th Annual Global CEO Survey, 62 per cent Indian Chief Executive Officers are very confident of their growth prospects in the short term (12 months) - higher than their global peers and up from 49 per cent last year.

"The optimism in India may be more than just the euphoria following a majority growth-oriented government being voted to power at the Centre," the report said, adding that 84 per cent of Indian CEOs see more "opportunities" while only 41 per cent see more "threats".

Further, 71 per cent of CEOs are very confident of growth in the next three years.

"CEOs in India seem to be benefiting on both counts - developments within and outside the country. Our survey reflects

this exuberance of CEOs about growth of their businesses as also of the economy," PwC India Chairman Deepak Kapoor said.

According to the report, CEOs are ready to collaborate for access to new geographic mar-

The only threat common to both global as well as Indian CEOs is the unavailability of key skills, PwC said. An interesting point is that threat perception in China is much higher than in India across various parameters kets, technologies and customers with 63 per cent planning to enter into new strategic alliances or joint ventures over the next year - the highest percentage

since 2010.

The key concern for CEOs in India continues to be inadequate basic infrastructure, while global CEOs are more concerned about over-regulation, increasing tax burden, geo-political uncertainty and government response to fiscal deficit and debt burden.

The only threat common to both global as well as Indian CEOs is the unavailability of key skills, PwC said.

An interesting point is that threat perception in China is much higher than in India across various parameters from increasing tax burden to pandemics to supply chain disruption.

Global CEOs rate India as the sixth most important place for their growth prospect, while for CEOs in India, important market is the US, followed by China, UK, Japan and Indonesia.

Moreover, around 82 per cent of the CEOs surveyed in India said they have a strategy to promote diversity and inclusion as against the global 64 per cent, it added. PTI

No disconnect between RBI and government: Jaitley NEW DELHI: Dismissing mur- of policy rate, Rajan said: "The primurs of differences with the RBI mary factor in allowing for greater over trimming its jurisdiction, Fi- monetary easing will be the patnance Minister Arun Jaitley has tern of inflation and how that prosaid there is no 'disconnect' with ceeds. the central bank and hoped banks "We do not put pressure on would cut lending rate in tandem them (PSU banks for interest rate with monetary policy. cut). We only expect and our exWhile Jaitley said there were pectations come true," Jaitley said. regular interactions between the While the RBI has cut interest government and the central bank, rates by 0.50 per cent between Governor Raghuram Rajan opined January-March, only a few banks that the proposed agency for man- have lowered their rates since Januaging government borrowing ary 15, when RBI announced the should be independent of the government and the RBI. Emerging from the first post-Budget meeting between the Finance Minister and the RBI Arun Jaitley board, Rajan said future interest rate cut will depend on the first of its two successive rate pattern of inflation which could be cuts. impacted by recent unseasonal Some of the banks had said at rains and hailstorms. that time that they would wait for "We have complete free and further signals on RBI's monetary frank discussions and therefore policy on April 7 before passing there is no question of any dis- on the benefits to their retail and connect ... between the bank and corporate borrowers. the government, I have repeatedly As far as future rate cut by the clarified that," Jaitley said after the RBI is concerned, Rajan said, it meeting which among other things would primarily depend on the discussed macroeconomic devel- domestic price situation and partly opments and operations of RBI. on global factors, especially hike Jaitley in his budget had pro- in rates by the Federal Reserve. posed to shift powers to regulate Asked whether the dovish trading in government bonds from statement by the US Federal ReRBI to capital market regulator serve would impact monetary Sebi. Besides, two have also re- policy decisions at home, Rajan portedly differed on the Monetary said the primary factor deciding Policy Framework Agreement that aims to bring inflation down to As far as future rate cut by a pre-decided level.

"As far as proposals the RBI is concerned, Rajan in the Finance Bill are said, it would primarily concerned they are before Parliament. Some of depend on the domestic them we discussed ear- price situation and partly on lier, we discussed them even now ...I don't wish global factors to comment at this stage," he said.

He further said that discussion interest rates would be inflation. between the government and the "While external environment is RBI always continues. "They (dis- a constraint, a lot of what we need cussions) have been before the to do has to do with the internal budget and have taken place after environment. As the Fed start raisthe budget as well," he said. ing interest rates, my reading of When asked whether banks the latest statement is they may would be pressurized to pass on take a little longer... But I do not rate cuts to consumers, Jaitley think that will impinge on the prosaid government does not put cess in India." pressure on banks but hopes, and Last week the Fed said it has it is hopeful that they would do it removed a pledge to remain "pain line with the RBI policies. tient" on raising rates, signaling a On possibility of further easing possible mid-year rate increase.-PTI

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March 27, 2015

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Bharti Airtel partners Amazon for cloud services NEW DELHI: Telecom major Bharti Airtel has announced partnership with Amazon Web Services to offer its cloud computing services to customers in India.

"In line with this market adop-

tion, we are excited to strengthen Airtel's cloud services portfolio by adding Amazon Web Services to our growing list of cloud services providers.

We are confident that this will

Goa shipyard to import tech to build MCMVs PANAJI: After bagging the deal to build Mines Counter-Measures Vessels (MCMVs) for the Indian Navy, Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) has decided to tie up with the foreign yards for the technology transfer required to create these high-tech ships.

The Union Defense Ministry had recently cleared the Rs 32,000 crore-worth project to manufac-

ture 12 MCMVs, which will be built by the GSL. "We will be able to roll out the vessels six years from now. The actual construction on this project will begin after three years," GSL Chairman and Managing Director Rear Admiral Shekhar Mittal said here.

He was talking to reporters on the sidelines of launching of an OPV for the Indian Coast Guard.

Mittal said that India does not have the technology required for

MCMVs. "We don't have the technology. That is why we are going to import it. GSL has a capacity to absorb the technology," he said.

The Goa-based yard is contemplating the possibility of going for a tie-up with the foreign counterpart for technology transfer.

"We will take minimum possible technology from abroad," Mittal said.

The GSL has short listed countries like Russia, Spain, Sweden, Italy and Korea, where they can scout for the required technology.

"Depending on the naval specifications, we will finalize the partner," he said.

The GSL will float a global tender, inviting expression of interest for the technology transfer, Mittal added. The MCMVs, which are part of the 'Make In India' campaign, would be 50 per cent indigenous. The CMD said efforts are on to make it more than 50 per cent indigenous.-PTI

ED attaches property of Italian national NEW DELHI: Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached property to the tune of Rs 1.12 crore allegedly belonging to an Italian national involved in the Rs 3,600crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case.

The property was attached by the ED as it was questioning former Indian Air Force (IAF) officers in connection with its money laundering probe into the helicopter deal case.

The property in the name of a media firm, according to the ED order, belonged to the foreign national and included a flat in posh Safdurjung Enclave area of South Delhi, a luxury car and a fixed deposit of Rs 54 lakh.

According to the rules, the

owner of the property can appeal within two months of the order.

ED had registered a criminal case under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to probe alleged financial violations in the deal for the 12 VVIP choppers.

ED sources said that the agency has tracked purported payments, running into lakhs, made by middleman to some of the officials as "personal unexplained payments", which includes reimbursements made in connection with foreign travels.

The flat was purchased by a Delhi-based travel businessman but the purchase was allegedly funded by the European businessman, ED sources said.-PTI

help our global customers truly leverage the benefits of cloud," Bharti Airtel's Global Business CEO Ajay Chitkara said in a statement.

Cloud computing services offer software and other facility on pay as per use basis without customers requiring to buy entire product.

Amazon Web Services offers facility like website hosting, data storage and o t h e r softwares required to run or manage businesses.

An Airtel official explained that under this partnership customer will get commitment from the company on dedicated

connection between their premise and AWS data centers the facility which was not available earlier.

"By utilizing AWS Direct Connect customers are able to reduce network costs, increase bandwidth throughput and provide a more consistent network experience, helping Indian businesses of all sizes to rapidly expand their organizations," Amazon Web Services India Head Bikram Singh Bedi said. -PTI

Fox appoints Swati Mohan as new biz head

Tag Heuer to create smartwatch with Google

NEW DELHI: Fox International Channels (FIC) India has appointed Swati Mohan as the business head of the company with effect from March 30.

"Swati has been elevated to the new responsibility from her previous role of Vice President content and programming at FOX International Channels, India," the company said in a statement.

Mohan will take over the India operations from Keertan Adyanthaya.

"She will be reporting into the Hong Kong office and shall be heading the network portfolio of all existing FOX International Channels in India," the company added.

FIC's channels in India includes National Geographic Channel, Fox

Life, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo People, Baby TV and Nat Geo Music.-PTI

Swati Mohan

$ 228 bn worth PCs, phones to be shipped globally NEW DELHI: Over 2.65 billion units of PCs, tablets and mobile phones, worth USD 228 billion, are expected to be shipped globally by 2017, research firm Gartner said.

Worldwide combined shipments of devices (PCs, tablets, ultramobiles and mobile phones) are expected to grow from 2.41 billion units last year to 2.48 billion units in 2015, an increase of 2.8 per cent, Gartner said in a statement.

This is expected to rise further to 2.65 billion units by 2017, it added.

In value terms, the market is expected to grow from USD 244 billion last year to USD 226 billion in 2015 and further to USD 228 billion by 2017, Gartner said.

Gartner said the global PC market is likely to see shipment of 306 million units in 2015, a decline 2.4 per cent over 2014. By 2017, it is forecast to cross 327 million units.

"The fall in PC purchases is primarily due to expected price increases by vendors in Europe and

other regions, which is forced by local currency depreciation against the dollar," Gartner Research Director Ranjit Atwal said.

The mobile phone market, on the other hand, is the largest and most profitable segment of the global device market. It is expected to total 1.9 billion units and grow 3.5 per cent in 2015 and further to 2.05 billion by 2017.

"Consumers will continue to prioritize spending on phones over PCs and tablets in 2015," Gartner Research Director Roberta Cozza said. The presence of cheaper smartphones will continue to appeal to consumers and counter the need to increase prices.

Gartner said while mobile phone pricing has been increasing over the last few years, driven by a rising premium-phone average selling price, it will now remain flat or slightly down as the smartphone market reaches saturation over the next few years.-PTI

BASEL: Luxury Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer has announced it was joining forces with technology behemoths Google and Intel to develop a smartwatch that can compete with the new Apple Watch.

The timepiece, which aims to combine Swiss watchmaking know-how with high-end technology, is expected to hit stores by the end of the year, Tag Heuer chief Jean-Claude Biver told the Baselworld watch fair.

"Silicon Valley and Switzerland are going to conquer the market of the connected watch," he told a press conference at the world's largest trade show for timepieces, in the northern Swiss city of Basel.

Biver, an industry legend who also leads the watch division of Tag Heuer's owners LVMH, did not reveal how much the watch would cost or which functions it would have.

"We don't want the competition to know what we are going to

do. We want them to be surprised," he said.

In a statement, the three companies said their partnership "signifies a new era of collaboration between Swiss watchmakers and Silicon Valley, bringing together each company's respective expertise in luxury watchmaking, software and hardware."

David Singleton, head of engineering for Android Wear at Google, said the company was "thrilled" with the project, telling the news conference the companies were ready to "forge a new evolution for the luxury watch of the future."-AFP

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March 27, 2015

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Bilingual poll workers needed for April 7 suburban election Cook County Clerk David Orr is RECRUITING POLL WORKERS who are bilingual in English and Hindi to work the April 7 Election in suburban Cook County.

“Every voter deserves the same access to the assistance they need at the polling place,” Orr said, “and poll workers who are bilingual are a vital part of making voters feel welcomed and supported at the polls.”

Election judges receive $175 for completing a 3-hour training session and working on Election Day, from 5 a.m. until the votes are transmitted after the polls close at 7 p.m. Equipment managers have more duties and responsibilities, have to take part in additional training, and must set up voting equipment on the day before Election Day. They are paid $325.

More information on becoming a poll worker can be found on the clerk’s website, cookcountyclerk.com/elections/ electionjudges.

To qualify, you must be a registered voter and live in Cook County. People interested in serving on Election Day must complete an online application or call (312) 603-0965.

Prospective election judges and equipment managers can call Ranjana Bhargava, at (312) 603-0961, if they have questions about the positions. Those interested in serving as a poll worker are urged to do so as soon as possible, to allow time for the required training.

Serve as an Election Judge.

GET PAID. The Cook County Clerk’s office is looking for community members to serve as suburban election judges for the April 7, 2015 Consolidated Election. It’s a unique opportunity to get paid for serving voters and supporting local democracy. Election Judges are paid $175. (In some areas there are opportunities to earn $325 for taking on more responsibility for operating our voting equipment.)

Bilingual judges who speak Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati, Spanish, or Chinese are always needed to assist voters.

Visit cookcountyclerk.com/judges or CALL

312-603-0965

to learn more and submit an application.

Philosophy

March 27, 2015

India Post 49

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Page Sponsored by Sahanis JILLELLAMUDI AMMA

T

here is a hue and cry about wars; how inhuman they are, what colossal loss they cause and what havoc they create. What about internal wars that have more sinister consequences, that tip the scales from the human to the bestial?

Devotee: Amma, do you think there will be more wars? Do you foresee many changes in the future of the world?

Amma: Nothing has reached a crescendo. Let us wait and see.

Devotee: So you think there will be wars?

Amma: A war need not necessarily be between two countries.

There is a war in every heart, in every house, at every juncture, amongst all brothers.

Only we give different names to this. If a man kills another man, we call it a murder. If members of a group quarrel and kill each other, we call it a fight .On a larger scale, if one nation fights with another, we call it a war. The names given are different. The underlying feeling of hatred is the same. There is an incessant, unpleasant conflict all the time.

Devotee: Will this change?

Amma: Yes, the last three decades have witnessed lots of changes.

Attitudes are more positive. Politics have taken a turn for the better. People have become more inquisitive.

Devotee: Do you think there is an increase of love or hatred?

SWAMI CHIDANAND SARASWATI

L

ord Rama's primary message is: fulfill your duty without any selfish motives; put other people before yourself.

When he was exiled to the forest, Rama did not complain. He did not fight back in anger.

Rather, he helped his father fulfill a promise; he lived according to his duty as a son and as a future king. He did not once think about himself, his own comforts, his own "rights." Rather, he abided by his dharma and his duty.

The message of the Ramayana is: Choose Dharma over Artha Choose Moksha over Kama Lord Rama teaches us that given the choice, Dharma must be chosen over Artha. When, Rama's father, Dashratha, the King of Ayodhya, is compelled to banish Rama to the forest for 14 years instead of coronating him as King, Rama takes the path of Dharma by peacefully and agreeably leaving the kingdom for the forest rather than choosing the path of Artha, his duty as future King of Ayodhya.

Then, at the end of the Ramayana, Rama shows us to choose Moksha over Kama. After

Amma: No doubt hatred is on the increase, but love is also abundant-growing proportionately.

Devotion and spiritualism are taking deeper roots. There is a quest, a thirst to know the unknowable.

There is a noticeable vibration a chetana in every heart. We do realize that there is an internal war, a conflict that must end sooner or later.

Once Amma said desire and discontent are the two sides of the same coin called life. They complement each other and form the basis of human nature.

bond of togetherness is my desire.

I experience discontent when I cannot fulfill all your desires. No one should suffer from scarcity of anything. All should have plenty, should feel contented this is my dream.

Devotee: Will this dream ever come true? It will, if you so desire. It is in your hands.

Amma: If this dream materializes what else do I desire? Probably it will happen on the day that I don't desire anything, any longer.

Devotee: When will that be?

Amma: When the creation ceases.

the entire creation. Everything exists in me. I am the Self. I know I am the Self [Truth]. I am known to all as the Self. I am also the effort of knowing the Self. I am what I am.

Fire is warm and bright but smoke accompanies it. So also Truth is real, eternal and all pervasive. Truth is like the fire. But the smoke of ignorance and doubt cover it and we are not able to see the truth that is all pervasive. We do not feel the warmth of it. If an object is clear, the reflection is clear but the mirror that

A student asked Soen Nakagawa during a medi-

Internal wars have more sinister consequences

tation retreat, "I am very

No doubt hatred is on the increase, but love

ers."

discouraged.

should I do?" Soen replied, "Encourage oth-Essential Zen

is also abundant-growing proportionately.

Devotion and spiritualism are taking deeper roots. There is a quest, a thirst to Jillellamudi Amma

know the unknowable.

Seed of Creation Amma: People normally live their own lives, in their own way, in different places. But now all of you have gathered in this place.

Your thoughts are concentrated on me. Your hearts are attuned to me. You wonder, 'Who am I?' I am the seed wherefrom sprouts

reflects the object needs a coating. Your sadhana - spiritual practice - is the coating.

Excerpted from 'Conversations with Jillellamudi Amma'; a translation from Telugu 'Amma Tho Sambhashanalu.

The 92nd birth anniversary of Jillellamudi Amma'is celebrated on March 28.

the war in Lanka, Rama must leave Sita in the forest, for his subjects doubt her chastity.

How easy it would have been to choose his own happiness over his subjects' faith. How easy it would have been for him to say, "You are all stupid! You are all just suspicious." But, he does not say that. Rama knows that he is a king first, and a husband second.

cause Lord Rama had built a bridge to Lanka, a bridge to the enemy.

This is an important lesson. In our lives we should learn to build bridges between ourselves and others, even with those whom we may consider enemies. Rather than isolating ourselves from others, let us learn to build bridges. It is through building bridges, not burning bridges, that we may win

Lanka, Rama was giving Sita a tour of the city, showing her where all of the various events had occurred. When, they reached the place where Rama victoriously slew Ravana, he reported it to Sita only as, "and this is where Ravana died." He didn't say, "This is where I crushed the demon," or "This is where I killed Ravana." No. Even after achieving the great victory,

Fulfill your duty without any selfish motives

His primary duty is to his kingdom, to bring health, happiness and prosperity to his subjects.

Having Sita remain in Ayodhya would bring only resentment and disharmony. Therefore, he acts, once again, according to selfless duty and chooses his kingdom over his own marital happiness.

The war of Lanka was won be-

the war of righteousness over evil.

Ravana's ego led to his demise, first the demise of his spirit and heart and then the demise of his body. He thought he was the one who ran everything. He thought that he was the "doer" of it all. On the other hand, Rama was always humble, and never took credit for anything. At the end of the war in

IF you're afraid of being grabbed by God, don't look at a wall. Definitely

Devotee: Do you experience these desires and discontents as we do?

Amma: Since my life is entwined with all your lives, I do.

Devotee: But what desires can you have, you who are above all desire?

How can you experience discontent?

Amma: To take you all into my fold, to create the bond of oneness, the

The war of Lanka was won because Lord Rama had built a bridge to Lanka, a bridge to the enemy. This is an important lesson. In our lives we should learn to build bridges with others and even with enemies.

What

don't sit still.

-Jiyu Kennett The fundamental delusion of humanity is to suppose that I am here and you are out there.

-Yasutani Roshi The purpose of a fishtrap is to catch fish, and when the fish are caught, the trap is forgotten. The purpose of words is to convey ideas. When the ideas are grasped, the words are forgotten.

-Chuang-Tsu Water which is too pure has no fish.

-Ts'ai Ken T'an Knock on the sky and lis-

Lord Rama

he simply stated, "This is where Ravana died."

Also, while Ravana lay dying, Rama did not revel in the victory.

Rather, he sent his brother Lakshman to learn from the dying demon who was a peerless Vedic scholar.

Ram Navami will be celebrated on March 28

ten to the sound!

-Zen Saying What is your face before your mother and father were born?

sure yourself FIRST. Call Sahanis, (Arish, Priya or Shiv) for your Insurance needs 718- 271- 0453. Serving for last 35 yrs

-Zen Koan

50 India Post

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March 27, 2015

Art Ichol, an artists'/writer's retreat

Maihar was home of sarod player Baba Allauddin Khan.

This is his statue in Art Ichol

Ambica Beri

PREETI VERMA LAL

A

tree grows on a mound. When you walk by, the birds chirp. It has no flowers. No birds. Yet, it chirps.

Two men sit on a bench. Branches growing out of their neck. A kiln top lights up a dark night with 1,100 half-watt LED bulbs. A room stands on stilts. A hurriedly hewn limestone block lets lotus grow on its belly. Faraway one can hear the whirr of a stone-cutter. And the ding of a hammer. The air is redolent with the fragrance of mango inflorescence and under a large tree sits legendary sarod player Baba Allauddin Khan, cast in bronze and laden with a patina.

In Art Ichol, a creative retreat, close to Panna

Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh), art grows out of the brown loam. Sculptures everywhere. Trinkets, iron grills, factory discards picked from scrap dealers brilliantly recycled for an unusual decor. An open-air sculpture park with residences for artists. Foundry. Kiln. Welder. Ceramic Studio. Raw materials. Help. All the artist needs to carry to Art Ichol is his creativity.

Mint-fresh and the brainchild of Ambica Beri, art lover and owner of Gallery Sanskriti in Kolkata, Art Ichol takes forward Maihar's aesthetic thread that began with the arrival of Baba Allauddin Khan and later of Pandit Ravi Shankar who cut his musical teeth here and also found love (he married Annapurna, the daughter of Baba). Art Ichol sets new paradigms for design and art. Eminent artists have already taken to this haven which is about 3 hours by road from Khajuraho.

Art Ichol does not stand alone in the middle of a verdant patch from where one can see the temple of Sharada Devi, a Shaktipeeth. Maihar House is a 100-year old property with yellow arches and mustard/indigo tiles. At the entrance is a Devi made of scrap; in another corner, there's a ceramic studio.

Cont'd on Page 52

India Post 51

March 27, 2015 www.indiapost.com

Designer's touch graces bars and church WILMINGTON, N.C.: Dennis Setterfield, who is well into his second half century of designing bars and taverns, restaurants and nightclubs, movie sets and retail stores, chuckles over one of his most interesting assignments. ``I did the sanctuary of the St. Brendan Church in Shallotte with beautiful millwork,'' said Setterfield, who also designed a 16-by-14-foot altar screen. ``I was hired by a number of the church members who, ahem, had enjoyed the work I did in various bars and pubs.''

To be discreet, the St. Brendan parishioners could have become acquainted with Setterfield's design work from Disney World, or any Ralph Lauren Polo store, or different movie scenes from ``Sleeping with the Enemy'' or ``Smokey and the Bandit.'' His design curriculum vita is eye-popping - he's redone Fat Tony's and Front Street Brewery, for example, as well as Island Tackle and Hardware and the Fresh Market at Mayfaire. ``No, I'm not tired,'' said

Setterfield, 75. ``I've always got the next renovation ready to go in my mind. And in between, Sherron (his wife) and I travel somewhere like Barcelona or Paris or St. Petersburg to relax and unwind.''

her own restaurant there. They soon married and moved to a neighborhood off River Road, buying and building a home that has become a microcosm for Setterfield Design, complete with

Dennis Setterfield stands behind the bar inside what will become Shelby Jeans on the Boardwalk in Carolina Beach, N.C.

Dennis and Sherron Setterfield met in Newland more than 20 years ago when he was renovating restaurants in the North Carolina mountains and she was running

his signature Punka Fans that you may have seen swaying from the ceilings at Rucker Johns or Elizabeth's Pizza.

Setterfield and his stable of in-

dependent craftsmen currently have been up to their elbows on Pleasure Island. One of his favorite redos was a redesign of Kure Beach restaurant Jack Mackerel's.

Now he's moved up the road to help revitalize what was the BlackHorn Bar & Kitchen, on the Carolina Beach boardwalk.

His design touch is about to turn the sooted, shut-down BlackHorn into Shelby Jean's, which will soon be giving off warm and comfy vibes as a restaurant and pub. Setterfield and his team were doing their thing as owners David and Shelby Jean Gibson offered enthusiastic encouragement. ``I got lucky when Dennis walked in the door and offered to help us make this place over,'' says Gibson, who bought Harbor Masters restaurant two years ago and rechristened it Gibby's Dock and Dine. A year later, just after marrying Shelby Jean, who is the former manager of the Port City Animal Hospital, they bought the shuttered BlackHorn. ``We decided to name it after Shelby Jean since I

have Gibby's.''

They almost didn't have Shelby Jean's. ``About a week after we bought it, we were coming out of Gibby's in the morning and saw all this smoke down the street,'' remembers Shelby Jean. ``I thought: `This is a fine way to start.' It looked like the boardwalk was on fire.''

Because it was. Flames roared up from an arcade, a pizza parlorand other shops. But across the street, BlackHorn and Britt's Donuts survived. ``They say they're bringing back a pizza place and a bigger arcade across from us,'' said Shelby Jean. ``And that would be fine.''

They also are fine with the idea of Setterfield making the place sparkle for its planned opening later this month to coincide with the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the expanded Carolina Beach boardwalk. ``He's something,'' smiled David. ``He walked in with his photo book of what he's done.

That made it easy. He's really done some nice work.''-AP

Ideas for turning toast into something exciting

W

e're not entirely sure what the difference is between a classic openfaced sandwich and the suddenly hip world of toast with toppings.

Then again, maybe it doesn't much matter. A thick slab of lightly toasted good quality bread topped with delicious ingredients is an almost unbeatable comfort food no matter what you call it. Maybe it's because it reminds us of when we were kids and Mom would make toast for breakfast or to have in bed when we were sick. Or maybe it reminds us of late night snacks in college.

Call it what you will, eat it when you will. No matter what, gussied up toast can be a great indulgence.

10 IDEAS FOR BETTER TOAST TOPPINGS Humble toast doesn't have to be so humble. Here are 10 ways to mix up your toast routine, from super simple to almost a sandwich.

Having a party? Make miniature versions and serve as appetizers.

• Blue lime: Spread multigrain toast with lime marmalade, then sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese

and cracked black pepper.

• Ricotta-broccoli raab: Saute chopped broccoli raab in a little olive oil until tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Spread whole-milk ricotta over toasted sourdough bread.

Spoon the broccoli raab over the ricotta, then sprinkle with coarse salt and red pepper flakes.

• Cashew-sprouts: Quarter a

handful of Brussels sprouts and toss with olive oil. Pan-fry in a skillet until just tender. Spread a piece of toasted pumpernickel bread with cashew butter, then top with the warm sprouts and a sprinkle of Romano cheese.

• Avocado-walnut: Top toasted herbed bread with slices of avocado.

Drizzle with honey, then top with fresh chives and toasted walnuts.

• Tomato butter and salami: Stir together 1 tablespoon softened butter with 1 tablespoon tomato paste and 1 teaspoon capers.

Spread over ciabatta toast, then top with shredded salami and torn fresh basil.

• Pesto chicken: Slice a baguette in half lengthwise. Spread each piece with pesto. Top each

with shredded rotisserie chicken, lemon zest, and fresh mozzarella.

Broil until golden and melted, 2 to 3 minutes.

• Hawaiian: Spread a toasted sweet roll or English muffin with pineapple or mango jam. Top with sliced ham, roasted red peppers and crumbled bacon.

• Dates and goat: Spread soft goat cheese over toasted multigrain bread, then drizzle with toasted pumpkin seed oil and top with chopped dates, black pepper

and orange zest.

• Tarragon-beet: Stir 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon and 1 teaspoon lemon zest into 2 tablespoons softened cream cheese. Spread over toasted rye and top with thinly sliced cooked beets. Sprinkle with toasted caraway seeds. " Anchovy and brie: Lay slices of brie over toasted brioche. Top with anchovy fillets and sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds and balsamic glaze. -AP

52 India Post

March 27, 2015 www.indiapost.com

Cancer no death sentence: Lisa Ray

P

eople hear the word can cer and they immediately think death sentence," is how Lisa Ray describes the general perception of the illness, as she talks about her battle with cancer, defying gender norms and taking a stand for herself by shaving her head In Delhi recently to attend an event about women who have survived cancer, Lisa Ray talked about how she has been dealing with the illness after she was diagnosed with cancer in 2009, the rigidity of gender roles in India and how she uses her celebrity status to spread awareness and fight the misconceptions related to cancer.

"I never get tired of the cancer questions. For me, it's very energizing. I have a philosophy of 'pay it forward', because so many people helped me when I was going through cancer. When I asked them what I could do in return, they told me to pay it forward. So, I use the platform that I have to talk about cancer and share my story."

Talking about cancer is taboo in India. It has a huge fear factor wrapped around it. People hear the word cancer and they immediately think death sentence. It's also the way that cancer is projected in the media, movies and popular culture.

Getting accurate information out there is important. People also know that whatever the result may be, the treatment is not easy. You're going to change physically, get very weak and lose your hair. So I think this adds to the fear.

Cancer, an opportunity In India, people tend to be superstitious. Some of them think that being sick means they deserved it and it is part of their

karma. They feel ashamed and hide it. I find this disturbing, because that is no way to heal. Cancer is an opportunity to live. It's clichĂŠ to say that you have to deal with your mortality to get better, but it's true. So I hope that people who're diagnosed with cancer will be able to overcome these issues and that's why we have to keep talking about it constantly. It's very relevant in India because we're dealing with almost epidemic levels of cancer and we don't even

Lisa Ray

have the resources to deal with it.

I was advised not to go public about my illness. My management felt that I shouldn't go public about my condition because they were trying to protect my career. The common practice for someone in my business is to go underground.

First, you recover and maybe then, you go public about it. You don't go public while you're starting your treatment, because that has

Open-air Sculpture Park Creative retreat close to Panna Tiger Reserve Cont'd from Page 50

The coucal flits in for breakfast and the koel sings the morning alarm. Roughly 7-km away is Amaria, a writer's retreat which sits smug by the Tamas River. A hammock sways between two ancient trees and the placid river offers a silent friendship.

Art Ichol. Maihar House.

Amaria. All laden with art and stories. All bathed in strokes of lilac.

And strung sedulously in words.

All borrowing from a dream - and

repercussions. I was invited to the Toronto International Film Festival, when I was two months into my treatment and taking steroids.

I had gained about 18 kilos. I had to make a decision - to appear on the red carpet, lie about my appearance and hide my illness or go public. It was a challenge to announce my illness, because if I didn't, they'd think I was in denial and if I did, it would be talked about a lot. I chose to hijack the moment and talk about something that forms a major part of me.

Support from everyone I got a lot of support after I went public.

People paid attention when I wrote my blog and I used the platform to announce my diagnosis. I got a lot of support.

That is when I felt that I should use the attention I get to talk about something that's really important to me and spread awareness about my particular kind of cancer. Another thing that galvanized me was the fact that Multiple Myeloma, which is what I have and something many people can't even pronounce, needs to be brought to the public awareness because it's incurable right now.

But we can change its image into just a chronic illness, like diabetes, which anyone can live with.

I keep researching on what's determination - of Ambica who many summers ago, still in her pigtails and pinafores, first drew a fairy. Drew again. Again. And again. Until, the fairy looked pretty.

And real. Perhaps art dripped from her little fingers then. Art spills from Ambica Beri's fingers even now. As Art Ichol.

going on in the field of Multiple Myeloma. I get my blood tested once a month and I'm constantly on medication. It is a new 'normal' for me. I should have 25 different side effects, but I don't. I think it's partly mind over matter and partly because I take good care of myself. Cancer has changed my life and I actually owe a lot to it.

Gender typecasting in India There is so much gender typecasting in India. You come across it every day. It makes you stop and think about gender roles. Is it really a function of biology or just conditioning? On a plane, people may or may not recognize me, but they'll offer me a film magazine before a news magazine. But I want to read the damn news magazine. We're judged by what we look like and what role we play in society. What else are you going to do except constantly try and find an antidote to that through your actions and the kind of life that you lead? I used to be very rebellious and defiant earlier, but I'm more relaxed now.

Separate identity I'm a separate identity from my husband. My husband and I have some property in Canada. He's becoming a non-resident, but I will continue to be a resident of Canada. So our property manager called me and said I needed to fill out forms because I'm becoming a non-resident too. I said, "When did I tell you that I'm becoming a non-resident?" He replied, "But your husband's becoming one".

"So you assumed that because my husband is becoming a non-resident, I'll automatically become one too?" I asked.

This was a white guy in Canada,

not even in the US. The US is a lot more conservative. They assume when you're married, you're going to follow your husband's lead. So this is not just in India, but everywhere.

Shaved my head There is a sense of accomplishment in defying society's rules and that is why I got rid of my hair twice before my chemotherapy started.

It was my way of telling society that I would define myself, not you.

In the west, women can't live a conventional life without criticism.

I'm suspicious of mass movements. All you can take responsibility for is yourself. Women have to value themselves in order to live the kind of life that they want. Some women want a more conventional life. And who are we to judge that?

If you want to get married, have kids and lead that kind of a life, there should be no judgment on that. At the same time, if you're leading that kind of life, don't judge me.

My girlfriends in the west say things are confusing there now. It is seen as dismissive to lead a conventional life. There are women who want to settle down. That's normal. But now, it has become difficult to actually do that. The pendulum has swung in the other direction. And that is why I'm suspicious of mass movements and broad, sweeping statements.

I think we should all take responsibility for our own lives. As women that's the only thing we can do. It's a matter of working on yourself as opposed to society. Society will follow you, don't try to follow society. Don't look to completely change society either because that's taking too much on.

I avoid certain places in Delhi Men look very differently at you in Delhi. So I choose to limit that exposure. I choose to not go to certain areas. It is sad, but like I said, "I have responsibility to myself and my choices". I'd like to tell all Delhi girls to consider the possibilities you have and create the kind of life that you want.

It is within your power. No matter what anyone tells you, remember that they're just ideas. They're not a reality.

Women are so powerful and naturally more resilient. Take some time to understand what you really want from life. I'm not talking about career choices, but the kind of life that you want to live. I've worked hard to create the life that I wanted and I don't think that I'm more special than anybody else.

India Post 53

March 27, 2015 www.indiapost.com

Hollywood stylists still love Dolce & Gabbana WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif.: Some of Hollywood's top fashionistas are standing behind Dolce & Gabbana; others aren't so sure.

The embattled brand was on the minds - and bodies - of guests at the Hollywood Reporter's fourth annual luncheon honoring the industry's most influential stylists.

Gwen Stefani wore a Dolce & Gabbana polka-dot ensemble to the private party at Soho House sponsored by Jimmy Choo. And the first advertisement inside the

trade magazine's ``Stars & Stylists'' issue is a two-page tout for the label.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana denigrated surrogacy and same-sex parents in an interview with an Italian magazine, prompting Elton John to call for a boycott of the brand. Stars including Martina Navratilova and talkshow host Andy Cohen quickly hopped on board.

Stylist Samantha McMillen, who counts Johnny Depp and Chris Hemsworth among her cli-

ents, said she loves Dolce & Gabbana's clothes but feels their recent remarks put her in a ``weird place.'' ``I don't really know what to do at the moment,'' she said, adding that she generally believes in second chances. ``I'll respect whatever my clients want to do.''

Another stylist said she and her client had picked a Dolce & Gabbana outfit, but the star's publicist put the kibosh on it.

Jason Rembert, who works with Rita Ora, said he hopes the flap

Fast-food curb did not cut obesity rate LOS ANGELES: A much-hailed law that restricted the opening of new stand-alone fast-food restaurants in one of the poorest sections of Los Angeles did not curb obesity or improve diets, a new study found.

City lawmakers passed the zoning ordinance in 2008 that limited the opening or expansion of fastfood outlets in a 32-square-mile area south of Interstate 10 that struggles with high obesity rates

to exercise and make lifestyle changes, they said. ``It's not just about limiting unhealthy food, but increasing access to healthy food,'' said Alex Ortega, a professor of public health at the University of California, Los Angeles, who had no role in the study.

Rand researchers reviewed permits issued by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, which inspects food out-

and other health problems.

The law, believed to be the first effort of its kind by a major city to improve public health, did not ban new eateries in strip malls.

The research by the Rand Corp. think tank found that obesity rates in South Los Angeles continued to rise after passage of the law. ``It had no meaningful effect,'' Rand senior economist Roland Sturm said. ``There's no evidence that diets have improved more in South LA. Obesity and overweight rates have not fallen.''

Health experts said a single intervention would not reverse the obesity problem. People also have

lets. There were no licenses for stand-alone fast-food restaurants, but chains opened 17 new outlets in strip shopping centers and food courts in South Los Angeles from 2008 to 2012.

Almost half of the new food permits were for convenience stores that sell soda and junk food, the study found.

Researchers also compared obesity rates in South Los Angeles and other parts of the county using surveys that asked residents to report their weight and eating habits.

Before the fast-food ordinance, 63 percent of South Los Angeles

residents reported being overweight or obese compared to 57 percent in other parts of the county. Three years after the ordinance went into effect, 75 percent of South Los Angeles residents reported being overweight or obese compared to 58 percent in other parts of the county.

Supporters said the ordinance worked because it prevented chains from opening new restaurants at major intersections with their own drive-thru windows and parking lots. They acknowledged it will take some time to see health gains but noted that the area has seen farmers markets and community gardens in recent years. ``We never said this ordinance was the silver bullet'' to solving the obesity problem, said Gwen Flynn of the Community Health Councils. ``As long as we can make sure people have more options, that's the important thing.''

City Councilman Bernard Parks, who supported the zoning law, said he was hopeful that the area can attract more markets selling fresh food.

The ordinance was opposed by the California Restaurant Association. Spokeswoman Janna Haynes said the group had no comment on the Rand study.

Standing outside a McDonald's in the Leimert Park neighborhood, Edward Cox lamented the lack of sidewalk cafes. ``I want to sit down and eat, but there's no place to sit down and eat,'' said the retiree, who usually drives to another neighborhood to dine out.

Cox said he's hopeful that a planned light rail line will attract a variety of new eateries. -AP

over the design duo's comments

``I am a gay man. I've adopted

Amy Adams, from left, Zoe Saldana, Gwen Stefani and Petra Flannery

pass quickly. ``They seem to be really great people. I've met them before,'' he said. ``And their teams are really amazing.''

Taylor Swift's stylist, Joseph Cassell, isn't sure what the fallout for Dolce & Gabbana might be.

two children. I'm so busy with my kids, I can't stop to think of what (the designers) may or may not have said,'' he remarked. ``The only thing I wish I could talk to them and say right now is, talking to the press is dangerous.''-AP

Pharrell Williams fashion icon of the year NEW YORK: Pharrell Williams, fond of high hats and fabulous shoes, will be honored as a fashion icon by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

The singer, songwriter and record producer was singled out for the Fashion Icon Award, to be bestowed June 1 at Lincoln Center, as somebody whose indi-

imagine anyone not seduced by him,'' said Diane von Furstenberg, president of the CFDA, in a statement.

Last year's recipient was Rihanna, who wore a see-through dress to collect her award.

Johnny Depp, Lady Gaga, Iman, Kate Moss and Nicole Kidman are among past winners.

Pharrell Williams chosen as fashion icon of the year

vidual style has made a significant impact on popular culture on an international scale. ``If cool was a person, it would be Pharrell, not just for his looks and sense of style but for his kindness and openness. I cannot

In addition to music, Pharrell co-founded the clothing brands Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream Footwear. He has a New York City boutique and has codesigned jewelry and eyeglasses for Louis Vuitton.-AP

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Race for procuring submarines in Indian Ocean region STEPHEN WESTCOTT

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s most of the international community fo cuses on maritime events taking place in East Asia, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has been witnessing its own naval arms race in recent years. Increasingly at the forefront of countries' maritime procurement wish-lists, are improved submarine capabilities.

Owing to their ability to conduct multiple missions such as anti-ship warfare, intelligence gathering, and limited missile launches, submarines have long been a sought-after vessel for medium fleets. India and Australia, with the two largest resident submarine fleets in the Indian Ocean, have been looking to rebuild their fleet in recent years.

Though initially prompted by the state of their rapidly aging fleets, both countries' efforts to procure new submarines have been given new impetus by China's recent assertive behavior and forays in the IOR. With 2015 already shaping up

rather than have them built or outfitted in Australian shipyards.

Although an overseas purchase will likely need some modification, especially in range, to meet Australian requirements, the current government has refused to guarantee that this would be done

by Australian shipyards.

This has caused significant local backlash, especially in South Australia where the defense industry is strongest and the community, desperate to keep its diminishing manufacturing base after the last car factories closed.

Nonetheless, in February, Australia's defense force chief stated that there is more of an emotive instead of national security case for domestic construction of vessels as long as submarine maintenance remains in Australia.

India's plans Conversely, India plans to indigenously build at least three nuclear and 12 conventional submarines.

These will replace the noticeably aging fleet of 13 conventional

Though yet to publicly criticize Australia's and India's submarine procurement efforts, China has been noticeably increasing its submarine presence in the IOR in what the Indian media has dubbed a 'submarine noose to be an eventful year for both countries' submarine programs; it is prudent to investigate the intended composition of each country's future submarine fleet and the problems that have been plaguing their procurement.

Australia is seeking to acquire 12 new conventional submarines to be in service by 2024, a majority of which are likely to remain stationed in the Indian Ocean, facing Western Australia. Its current fleet of six indigenously built Collins class submarines, the last of which was only commissioned in 2003, will be upgraded with modern systems to extend their lifespan to reach their planned retirement date.

Clearly disillusioned by the Collins project, successive governments have sought to purchase the next generation, with the recent favorite being the Japanese Soryu class; although French and German designs too are being considered with a decision expected in mid-2015 to coincide with the new Defense White Paper.

However, the current government clearly favors purchasing these submarines 'off the shelf'

diesel electric submarines, including the one that sank at Mumbai harbor in 2013 after a series of internal explosions. India's first indigenously built nuclear submarine is currently undergoing trials and is expected to enter service in 2016; but only if tests go smoothly. India currently leases one Russian nuclear submarine to get enough qualified crew to man the new submarines.

As part of India's 'Project-75', it also wishes to modernize its conventional submarine fleet, approving in October 2014 a $8 billion project to build six new conventional submarines locally.

India has already purchased the rights to build and commission six Scorpène class subs from a French/Spanish shipbuilder, currently under construction in a Mumbai dockyard, the first of which is expected to undergo tests later in 2015.

The project is currently running four years late and was again delayed indefinitely in February 2015.

To make matters worse, construction has had 'technical and equipment-related issues' that will result

in at least the first four submarines being deployed without an air-independent propulsion system that allows a submarine to remain submerged for longer periods of time, thereby increasing their covert utility.

Though China's actions have provided the catalyst for the recent rigor in both countries' efforts to establish their submarine fleet, Beijing has been relatively subdued in the face of these efforts.

The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has a large submarine force with a current total of seven nuclear and 51 conventional submarines split across three fleets that are capable of longrange underwater operations and bearing capability to threaten both Australian and Indian interests.

Though yet to publicly criticize Australia's and India's submarine procurement efforts, China has been noticeably increasing its submarine presence in the IOR in what the Indian media has dubbed a 'submarine noose'.

While several of these deployments are likely primarily tests of its own capacities as well as protecting and monitoring its own maritime trade interests that pass t hrough these seas, China is undoubtedly also demonstrating its resolve and abilities to resident militaries in the IOR. As well as utilizing its own fleets, China has quietly been improving the capacities of its own allies in the region in an effort to mitigate any impact India's fleet expansion would have on Chinese operations.

Recently, Beijing reportedly gifted Dhaka some of its older submarines and is training Bangladeshi submariners to operate them. Reportedly, China has also been assisting Pakistan develop its own missile-capable submarines and remains the most likely supplier for Pakistan's ambitions to acquire six new submarines.

Though China has yet to issue any direct threat to any resident of the IOR, Australia and India remain committed to providing their navies with the most sophisticated submarines available so as to prevent Beijing from developing free reign over the seas.

However, with both countries handicapped by subpar and expensive shipyards, only time will tell if their different approaches will enable them to achieve their defense ambitions and whether it will elicit a stronger response from China.

The writer is Research Intern, IPCS

India Post Suicidal farming

T

he reason why there are so many suicides by Indian farmers is that farming is no longer viable. On top of it, the small yield in small farms is being eroded by freak rains and hailstorms. Experts say that marginal farms can nowhere generate sufficient income from crop farming alone to stay above poverty line. It is therefore necessary to provide an alternative to farming as a profession and leave farming to those armed with modern technology, new research models, investible funds and an interest in farming.

Latest reports from Maharashtra say farmer suicides there have shot up by over 40% in the last seven months. Since there is now a BJP government in that State, it is easy to blame the government as the Opposition parties are generally doing. It is to provide an alternative living to these very farmers that the Modi government at the Center has brought in a land acquisition bill which will, apart from giving adequate compensation to the farmer, will provide scope for jobs to the sons of the farmer in factories and also provide schools and hospitals. It is no longer the case that a son would have to follow his father's profession.

What Modi is trying to undo is the red tape in UPA's 2013 law the hundred-odd signatures and 50 months required to buy an acre of land! It is unfortunate that ganging up of oldster politicians led

by Sonia Gandhi is trying to mislead the people by marching to the President with a memorandum against NDA's land bill. The UPA's land law ensures that it will take a minimum of three years before land can be acquired. This is without accounting for court cases and other difficulties that will arise when you try to get the consent of 70 or 80 per cent of the local population before acquiring land for a road, a city or a port.

Subsequently, Modi addressed farmers in his 'Mann ki Baat' radio talk show to defend the NDA changes in the law. He told them that acquiring land from agriculturalists for building roads or industrial corridors is not about benefiting private capitalists. The real gainers will be people in the villages. With farm sizes decreasing with every farmer family, his children will not to be all accommodated on the farm. Hence the need to create jobs in the neighboring areas like factories and other job generating activities for which land will be required.

However, the government needs to climb down from its rigid stand of not consulting the farmers before acquiring their land. If the land is being acquired for rural infrastructure, industrial corridor, affordable housing or defense production projects, these will obviously benefit the farmers. If they are properly informed about the benefits, why would they not agree? If getting approval from 70 per cent of landowners seems unreasonable, the government could reduce the consent threshold further to, say, 51 per cent. This will demolish the propaganda unleashed by so-called friends of the farmer like the Congress and some other parties. If the Congress is indeed friend of the farmer, what was Sonia's son-n-law Robert Vadra doing buying up Land in Haryana and doing insider trading?

Modi also attacked the Congress, saying "those projecting themselves as sympathisers of farmers and undertaking protests" had been using a 120-year-old law to acquire farm land for over 60-65 years after Independence and were now targeting his government which is "trying to improve upon the Act of 2013".

Referring to his statement in Parliament, Modi did maintain that the government was willing to consider changes in the bill that would be beneficial for the farmers.

The government has bought more time by putting off taking up the land bill after the recess. It can in the meantime really agree to some changes in the law and assuage the fear in the minds of the farmers.

March 27, 2015

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March 27, 2015