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Nikki Haley to take trade mission to India Details on page 5

Face competition from India, China: Obama Details on page 5

Lawmakers see bias in Lantos hearing

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

VOL 19, No. 1021

April 11, 2014

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Periodical Postage

RELIEF LIKELY FOR H1B VISA SPOUSES

WASHINGTON: Spouses of H-1B visa holders with technical skills may be allowed to work in the US under a new initiative by the Obama administration to attract the best and brightest from across the world.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will soon publish several proposed rules that will make the US more attractive to talented foreign entrepreneurs and other highskill immigrants who will contribute substantially to the

US economy, create jobs, and enhance American innovative competitiveness, the White House said in a statement.

"These proposed regulations include rules authorizing employment for spouses of certain high-skill workers on H-1B visas, as well as enhancing opportunities for outstanding professors and researchers," it said.

Details on page 5

Will do nothing with bad intent: Narendra Modi Details on page 6

BJP pledges to revise India's nuke doctrine Details on page 6

Sonia won't provide passport copy to US court

Details on page 8 Details on page 8

Arvind Kejriwal slapped again in Delhi

Time to get past tensions and move on: US

Details on page 10 Details on page 9

'Chai Pe Charcha' turns Modi event

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29 Classifieds ------------------------- 49

Details on page 16

Community Post -------------- 16-25 Date Book -------------------------- 50 Edit Page --------------------------- 54

INDIA POST SURVEY

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

survey@indiapost.com

Horoscope ------------------------- 26

This week’s question

Immigration Post ------------- 44-48

Will new H1B initiative help Indians?

Life Style ----------------------- 52-53 Philosophy ------------------------- 51

Last week’s result

Denial of L-1 visas will further strain ties?

YES 38%

NO 62%

Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4

DETERMINED BUT DISCIPLINED: People wait in queues to cast their vote at a polling booth for the first phase of Lok Sabha Election 2014 in Golaghat district of Assam on April 7

Real Estate -------------------- 38-39 TechBiz Post ------------------- 12-14 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 41-43

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IndiaNewsweekly Post Mission Statement To empower the Indian Diaspora and make their voice strong and effective in countries of their adoption. RJ Media conglomerate offers a credible, professional and complete package of news, opinion, entertainment, networking and information.

Publisher’s Diary

T

he biggest democratic exercise in the world got underway in India this week, and the month-long, nine-phase voting process across the length and breadth of the nation is all set to show the world once again what it means to give a people the opportunity to be heard.

Eight hundred and fifteen million eligible voters is a number that engulfs several nations on the map. And no other nation can claim such a distinction for better or for worse.

Still, there appear to be some forces that attempt at undermining the process and here, I am afraid, I refer to some US Congressional leaders who thought it appropriate to schedule a hearing of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) on Religious Freedom in India on Capitol Hill.

And thankfully, the agenda behind such a hearing is not lost on some of the other Congressional leaders, such as Reps. Tulsi Gabbard and Brad Sherman who questioned the timing of the Commission's hearing and warned that any attempt by the United States to influence the Indian elections would backfire.

Hindu Americans too have expressed justifiable objections over the hearing where the four-member panel collectively expressed concern over the possible election of BJP candidate Narendra Modi as Prime Minister. Representatives of the Hindu American Foundation who were present at the hearing felt it was little to do with the intention of promotion of religious freedom and more with an axe to grind against Modi.

Thankfully again, for the few Hinduphobic voices in the US Congress, there are many rational voices that believe in the Indian democratic systems.

Come to think of it - here in the United States, we are a bunch of people who think we have the patent on what freedom is all about and how people of other countries should exercise it. I mean, do our leaders ever bother to factor into their sweeping judgments what is called peoples' wishes?

While there is no question on the American ideal of freedom for all humanity, it must be said that it needs to realize that freedom is a shoe where one size does not fit all.

Romesh K Japra

rkjapra@indiapost.com

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Best kisser Who is the best kisser, Alia or Parineeti?

Arjun Kapoor has chosen Alia, saying, “she is very good".

Cover Story: New initiative Spouses of H-1B visa holders with technical skills may be allowed to work in the US under a new initiative

Community: 'Chai Pe Charcha' Bay Area Indian community led by Overseas Friends of BJP meets to discuss Modi's prospects of becoming PM

28 1 16

Immigration: Slowing deportations Fewer immigrants are being turned over to federal authorities for deportation since a new California law went into effect

Life Style: Ballot market Demo ballot boxes are being sold in Delhi among various other innovative products to help political parties in their campaign

Techbiz: Biggest deal In the biggest deal in two years, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries is to fully acquire rival Ranbaxy Laboratories

Travel: Bhimtal Bhimtal is famous for the enormous Bhimtal Lake which is bigger than Naini Lake and offers good boating facilities.

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April 11, 2014

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Relief likely for H1B visa spouses WASHINGTON: Spouses of H-1B visa holders with technical skills may be allowed to work in the US under a new initiative by the Obama administration to attract the best and brightest from across the world.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will soon publish several proposed rules that will make the US more attractive to talented foreign entrepreneurs and other high-skill immigrants who will contribute substantially to the US economy, create jobs, and enhance American innovative competitiveness, the White House said in a statement.

"These proposed regulations include rules authorizing employment for spouses of certain highskill workers on H-1B visas, as well as enhancing opportunities for outstanding professors and researchers," it said.

"These measures build on continuing DHS efforts to streamline, eliminate inefficiency, and increase the transparency of the

existing immigration system, such as by the launch of Entrepreneur Pathways, an online resource center that gives immigrant entrepreneurs an intuitive way to navigate opportunities to start and grow a business," it said.

From the statement, it appears

The White House also said the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) are launching a new collaboration to empower entrepreneurial scientists and address the critical gap between fundamental research and the devel-

Immigration Services can allocate a maximum of 65,000 H-1B visas for the fiscal year 2015 beginning October 1, 2014.

Academic researchers and entrepreneurs who receive Small Business Innovation Research funding from NIH will be eligible

"Faculty and students who participate in these new I-Corps programs will receive mentorship opportunities, entrepreneurial training, and modest funding to enable them to move their ideas from the lab to the market," it said that spouses of H-1B visas are unlikely to get a blanket approval to work in the US. Only certain category of spouses of H-1B visa holders - mainly from the science and tech category - are likely to get the nod.

opment of a commercial entity.

The H-1B work visas for highly skilled professionals have been most beneficial from IT sector professionals from India.

As per the Congressional mandated cap, US Citizenship and

to pilot a new version of the NSF Innovation Corps program that is specially tailored for biomedical technologies.

This intensive, mentor-driven experience is changing the way that NSF-funded researchers think

about the commercialization process, the White House said.

NIH will also help scale up ICorps by augmenting existing NIH-funded programs, such as the NIH Centers for Accelerated Innovation (NCAI), that focus on promising technologies developed by academic researchers.

"Faculty and students who participate in these new I-Corps programs will receive mentorship opportunities, entrepreneurial training, and modest funding to enable them to move their ideas from the lab to the market," it said.

The White House said fostering entrepreneurs and strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems are vital elements of USAID's newly launched US Global Development Lab (The Lab).

A new USAID Research and Innovation Fellowships Program will send more than 60 young US leaders in science and technology to universities, NGOs, and companies in 12 developing countries this year, it added.-PTI

Face competition from India, China: Obama

Nikki Haley to take trade mission to India

WASHINGTON: US President a chance to get that moment. place where you can make it if you Barack Obama has said that "you're also going to be lead- try," he said.

Americans are facing competition ing this country. That's the chance Obama announced to launch a from India and China and exuded that this country gave to me and new competition, backed by confidence that young Americans Michelle. And that's the chance I America's Departments of Educacan match or exceed anything that want for every single one of you," tion and Labor, to start redesignthey do.

"You guys are all coming up in an age where you're not going to be able to compete with people across town for good jobs you're going to be competing with the rest of the world. Young people in India and China, they're all interested in trying to figure out how they get a foothold in this world economy," Obama said while addressing students in Maryland.

"That's who you're competing against.

Now, I'm confident you President Barack Obama walks onto the stage to deliver remarks at Bladensburg can match or exceed High School in Bladensburg, Md., April 7 anything they do, but we don't do it by just ing some high schools. resting on what we've done be- he said.

"We call it Youth fore. We've got to out-work and "From preschool for every out-innovate and out-hustle ev- four-year-old in America, to CareerConnect. And we're offererybody else. higher education for everybody ing USD 100 million in new grants We've got to think about new who wants to go, every young to help schools and local partners ways of doing things," said the person deserves a fair shot. I'm develop and test new curricula US President. going to keep on doing every- and models for success. We want Obama said he wants to make thing I can to make sure you get to invest in your future," he said. sure every student in America has that shot and to keep America a -PTI

WASHINGTON: Indian-Ameri- the great things our administration can Nikki Haley, the Governor of is doing to make our state the most South Carolina, would lead a high- competitive in the country for busipowered trade delegation to India ness development," Haley had told in November, even as a team of her PTI in an interview last year. officials is currently in India to lay Unlike many Indian Americans, the ground works for the trip.

Haley, born as Namrata The first ever Indian trip of Randhawa, has maintained her Haley, in her capacity as the Gov- contacts with her families back in ernor of the State, would take her India, many of whom had atto New Delhi, Mumbai and Punjab, tended her inauguration. After where her parents were born, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, she is Haley's Commerce Secretary the second Indian American GovBobby Hitt said.

Haley's trip to India November 12 to No- Unlike many Indian Amerivember 22 - would take cans, Haley, born as place a week after the Namrata Randhawa, has election of the Governor of South Carolina, maintained her contacts for which she is seek- with her families back in ing her second term.

India, many of whom had According to local media reports, Hitt said, attended her inauguration South Carolina is playing catch up after a number of other ernor of a US State and the first American States that have made Indian-American woman to have trade missions to world's second- been elected to such a high office. largest most populated nation in reGiven her star appeal in India, cent years.

Hitt acknowledged that there "CEOs want to meet CEOs, and would be great deal of media inGovernor Haley is our CEO," he said. terest when she travels to India in Haley last visited India when November. she was two years old.

"There will be a great deal of "Although I haven't visited since interest in the media there. This I was a young girl, I will never miss will be a special trip for her," he an opportunity to sell South Caro- said adding that the trip is exlina and would love to visit India. pected to cost around USD 50,000 We are always excited to talk about to the state exchequer.-PTI

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Will do nothing with bad intent: Modi NEW DELHI: Faced with a taint over the 2002 Gujarat riots, Narendra Modi has vowed that he will not do anything with "bad intent" if he becomes Prime Minister as he outlined his vision.

"The party has bestowed me with certain responsibility. I want to make three promises personally - I will never be found wanting on hard work, I will not do anything for myself and I will not do anything with bad intent," the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate said.

His thrust on doing nothing with "badh irada (bad intent)" assumes significance as certain sections, particularly the minorities, have apprehensions about his rule given the taint of 2002 riots.

Modi was speaking here at a function to release the party's manifesto where he underlined that his main focus would be on "good governance and development" with a strong government at the centre.

Seeking a mandate for 60 months, Modi said the country is in bad state and full of pessimism and the manifesto outlines the "direction, goal and commitment" to correct the situation.

He said the government has the main responsibility of catering to the needs of the poor and deprived and his administration would focus on this aspect, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare. . Invoking the "track record" of NDA rule under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani, Modi said the manifesto outlined the agenda of development which would be "all inclu-

sive" and "all loving", covering the entire country.

"For us, this manifesto is not an election ritual or a document.

This is our direction, our goal and our commitment," he said in presence of Advani and other senior leaders Rajnath Singh, Murli Manohar Joshi and Sushma

nal security, he said, "There will be such a strong government at the centre that no country dares to threaten us but should feel like being friendly. We will also not threaten any other country but have cooperation. Such will be the capability of our government."

He said his government would

Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi speaks at the release of partys election manifesto in New Delhi on April 7

Swaraj. Arun Jaitley could not attend as he was filing his nomination papers in Amritsar.

"The 125 crore people of the country can feel the smell of their aspirations in this bouquet of our manifesto," Modi said.

Pledging to provide a strong government with "zero tolerance" with regard to internal and exter-

rise to the expectations and aspirations of the people with the slogans of "Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat" (One India, Outstanding India) and "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas (Helping All, Development of All)."

BJP President Rajnath Singh said the manifesto is like a pledge and its release is not a mere formality. -PTI

BJP promises growth but rejects FDI in retail NEW DELHI: Describing the UPA's 10-year rule as "decade of decay", BJP has promised to restore investor confidence by promoting growth, checking inflation, pushing tax reforms and encouraging foreign investments, but said no to FDI in multibrand retail.

The BJP manifesto, released in the presence of its top leaders, also proposes greater push to infrastructure, high speed trains, 100 modern cities and thrust on job creation along with skills development.

"Decade under the UPA - I and II can rightly be summed in one line, the 'Decade of Decay', in which India had a free fall on all fronts - be it governance, economy, diplomacy, foreign policy, border safety, etc," it said.

The absence of statecraft, it

said, has never been felt so acutely as today.

"The collapse of the Indian economy has contributed to the

BJP further vowed to fight UPA's "tax terrorism" and promised a "non-adversarial and conducive tax environment� sorry state of foreign affairs in no small measure," the 42-page manifesto said.

Accusing the Congress-led UPA government of dragging the country through 10 years of jobless growth, BJP said it will ac-

cord high priority to job creation and opportunities for entrepreneurship".

BJP further vowed to fight UPA's "tax terrorism" and promised a "non-adversarial and conducive tax environment" by rationalizing and simplifying the tax structure.

The party said it will work with all state governments to introduce Goods and Services Tax (GST), which will subsume most of the indirect taxes.

"We will bring back credibility and trust in government, re-sowing confidence in the India story domestically as well as internationally. Through consistent, long-term policies, we will not just spur the process of economic growth, but also ensure that it is stable as well as balanced," it added.-PTI

BJP pledges to revise, update India's nuke doctrine NEW DELHI: India will maintain a credible minimum deterrent in tune with "changing geostatic realities" in nuclear weapons program, BJP said as Narendra Modi pledged to provide a government with "zero tolerance" towards internal and external security threats.

In its manifesto, the BJP has also promised to strengthen the DRDO along with enhancing private participation and investment including FDI in selected defense industries.

"BJP will study in detail India's nuclear doctrine, and revise it and update it, to make it relevant to the challenges of current times.

We will maintain a credible minimum deterrent that is in tune with changing geostatic realities," its manifesto said.

The party also promised to invest in India's Thorium Technology Program for nuclear energy.

Credible minimum deterrent is the principle of India's 'no-first use' nuclear weapons use policy in which it wants to maintain an

arsenal which can help it in retaliating strongly if attacked by an adversary.

The BJP also blamed the UPA government of "frittering away" the strategic gains acquired by India in the nuclear program during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee regime.

"We will follow a two-pronged independent nuclear program, unencumbered by foreign pressure and influence, for civilian and military purposes, especially as nuclear power is a major contributor to India's energy sector," the manifesto said.

The BJP also promised that it will encourage Transfer of Technology to encourage indigenous defense manufacturing.

"We will find solutions to the problems hampering the growth of the defense sector and we will encourage domestic industry to have a larger share in design and production of military hardware and platforms for both domestic use and exports in competitive environment," it said.-PTI

BJP-NDA poll win is 'done deal', says Lord Desai LONDON: Predicting a vic- news website India Inc and intory for the BJP-led alliance in ternational accountancy and the ongoing general election, consultancy firm BDO. leading NRI economist Lord The senior academic and Meghnad Desai has said commentator also forecast a Narendra Modi as prime minis- take-off in India's growth trajecter will push for economic tory under a Modi-led governgrowth in Inment. dia.

"Modi will "The BJPprove a deciNDA will sive PM and form the new under him the government, growth rate that is a done will hit 6.5 per deal and not cent by the worth even end of 2015 taking a bet and 8.5 per on. And, it cent by the will be a very government's strong coalimid-term," he Lord Meghnad Desai tion," Lord predicted.

Desai said His views during a session on 'Economic were largely echoed by fellow and Political Outlook' at the Glo- parliamentarian and NRI entrebal Wealth Management Con- preneur Cobra Beer chief Lord clave 2014 here.

Karan Bilimoria.

"Narendra Modi will be the "Narendra Modi has a repufirst state chief minister to be- tation of getting things done. It come Prime Minister, who will was the BJP that set up the push the growth agenda quite Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to ena lot. Infrastructure will be a big, gage with the 30-million strong big item on the agenda of the Indian Diaspora around the new government and it will also world and an India under the prove investor friendly," he said new government will be outwhile addressing an audience of ward looking and investment wealth experts at the event friendly," Lord Bilimoria said. jointly organized by UK-based PTI

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Sonia won't provide passport copy to US court NEW YORK: Sonia Gandhi has declined to provide a copy of her passport to a US court here as documentary evidence in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, citing refusal by the Indian government on grounds of personal security and confidentiality.

US District Judge Brian Cogan had last month asked Gandhi to provide some form of documentary evidence by April 7 to enable the court to make a determination about her presence in the United States.

The court order had come on a lawsuit filed by the rights groups Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) which claimed it had served summons on Gandhi when she had allegedly visited Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in the city for a medical check-up in September last year.

The lawsuit against Gandhi

hinges on the issue of whether she was served summons on September 9 as the group claims or whether she was not present in the US during that time as per her assertion.

The SFJ has sought compensatory and punitive damages from Gandhi for her alleged role in "shielding and protecting" Congress party leaders including Kamal Nath, Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler from prosecution for their alleged role in the 1984 riots.

Gandhi's attorney Ravi Batra submitted before the court that his client has "nothing to hide".

Batra handed over to court as exhibit a letter dated April 5 signed

by Gandhi to him in which she states that "in matters of disclosure of my travels, which are contained in the passport document, the Government of India has in-

formed me that they would not permit such a disclosure.

"However, as I have nothing

Sonia Gandhi

to hide, I voluntarily relinquish the plea of lack of personal jurisdiction. I may add that the present submission is without prejudice to the plea of want of jurisdiction

in relation to the subject matter."

Batra, in his submission to court, said he was informed over the weekend that the Indian government has refused to permit the release of 67-year-old Gandhi's passport because of "concerns with respect to her personal security and keeping confidential the methods used to protect her.

"It appears that much as our government's Secret Service and Diplomatic Security agents

need to keep their means and methods confidential, so too do the Indian authorities with respect to those they are charged with protecting," he said.

He said that Gandhi "wishes to be as cooperative as she can" in resolving the lawsuit brought against her by the rights group to arrive at a final determination" of the case, "notwithstanding that she was not in the United States, nor served with process."

Batra said Gandhi does not possess records of the US government agencies, such as Customs and Border Protection entry and exit stamps into and out of the US or records of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center "given she was not there during the subject period." -PTI

No comments on BJP's manifesto, says US WASHINGTON: The US has refused to comment on election manifesto of BJP, which promises to revise India's nuclear doctrine, if voted to power after the Lok Sabha polls.

"We are not going to comment on a platform of a party running for office on ongoing elections.

But nothing has changed about our view," State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters.

According to the manifesto released in New Delhi yesterday, BJP had said if voted to power, it will "study in detail India's nuclear doctrine, and revise and update it, to make it relevant to challenges of current times".

At her daily briefing, Psaki refused to make any comment on the BJP's election manifesto.

"I'm not going to outline it further. Obviously, these are discussions we have with the Indian Government," she said.

Later a senior State Department official told reporters that the US, as a matter of policy, would not make any comment on an internal document of a political party in the middle of an election.

"The government (of India) has

not changed its policy. It is unlikely we would have much to say before that point," the official said.

Referring to the BJP's promise of reviewing the country's nuclear doctrine, Alyssa Ayers, a former senior State Department official,

Jen Psaki

said this element of the manifesto will be of great interest around the world, especially given the past history of the BJP hewing to their platform statements regarding nuclear doctrine.

"Indeed, the BJP manifesto of 1998 pledged to "Re-evaluate the country's nuclear policy and exercise the option to induct nuclear weapons. In May 1998, they did," she wrote in a blog at the Council on Foreign Relations - an eminent American think tank based in Washington.-PTI

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Hearing on Indian minorities one sided: Lawmakers WASHINGTON: Influential US lawmakers Eni Faleomavaega and Tulsi Gabbard have questioned the intention of a key Congressional committee on human rights to hold a hearing on plight of religious minorities in India ahead of the general elections.

"From the selection of witnesses to timing to failing to seek

Lantos Human Rights Commission in holding a hearing about the rights and freedoms of religious minorities in India ahead of elections.

"The purpose of the Commission is to promote, defend and advocate internationally recognized human rights norms in a nonpartisan manner, both within and out-

Tulsi Gabbard

a fair and balanced view, everything about hearing fell short, suggesting that the hearing may have been a last ditch effort to influence India's upcoming elections by focusing on the 2002 riots in Gujarat some 12 years after the fact," Congressman Eni Faleomavaega, said.

A ranking member of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, which has broad jurisdiction for US foreign policy affecting the region, including India, Faleomavaega in a statement questioned the intent of the Tom

side of Congress, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant human rights instruments.

"By inviting a panel of witnesses that give voice to only one side of an issue, I believe the Commission drifts from its mission, whether intentionally or not," he said.

Faleomavaega in the past has been instrumental in passage of non-binding Congressional resolutions in favor of Narendra Modi, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate.

"India is a multi-cultural and multi-religious democracy. India, like the United States, has an independent and transparent Judiciary and, after an investigation that has been ongoing for more than a decade, Modi has been cleared by the highest court in the land of any and all allegations that he intentionally failed to protect Muslims during religious violence in Gujarat," he said.

"As the world's oldest democracy, it is our responsibility to let the people of India choose their man of destiny without undue influence from the United States," he said.

Answering questions about the Lantos Hearing at a USINPAC event in Northern Virginia, US Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI 2nd District) agreed with Faleomavaega and said, "I attended the hearing to provide a balanced perspective.

We speak so much about the shared democratic values with India and yet, this hearing disrespected this friendship. The timing and the focus of the hearing was blatantly directed at trying to influence and impact India's election. It is painful to me personally that people would use such a setting to try to incite and foment religious bigotry and sectarian strife against others. This is not the right place for the US Congress to be."

USINPAC chairman Sanjay Puri stated, "USINPAC is in agreement with Representative Faleomavaega, Tulsi and many others who have taken a stand against this hearing and House Resolution 417". -Agencies

India denies US cop's arrest linked to diplomat case NEW YORK: India has dismissed as "ridiculous" suggestions that the arrest of an American police officer in New Delhi was a tit-for-tat response to last year's detention and strip-search of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in the US. The Indian consulate here said in a statement that any suggestions that the arrest of New York Police Department (NYPD) officer Manny Encarnacion at Delhi airport is connected in any way to Khobragade's detention are "ridiculous".

"The spokesperson of the Consulate General of India, New York, dismissed as ridiculous sugges-

tions that there was any connection between the detention of an NYPD official in New Delhi and

The consulate said that the NYPD officer was detained after his baggage was found to contain a few rounds of "live ammunition" when the bags were screened the arrest of an Indian diplomat in New York," the consulate said in

the statement.

The consulate said that the NYPD officer was detained after his baggage was found to contain a few rounds of "live ammunition" when the bags were screened at New Delhi airport, prior to him boarding the flight.

"In India, this is a violation of the Arms Act. Indeed, he was released on bail immediately and is currently in India awaiting a court date to resolve the case," it said.

Encarnacion, 49, was arrested on March 11 at Indira Gandhi International Airport after three bullets were found in his checked luggage before he was to fly back to the US.-PTI

Time to get past tensions and move on: US WASHINGTON: The US has Indian government is clearly posaid that it was time to get past litically motivated in response the recent tensions with India to the arrest of India's then and the two sides should move Deputy Consul General in Deon, days after arrest of an Ameri- cember 2013 in New York for alcan police officer at New Delhi leged visa fraud," King wrote airport for possessing bullets. in the letter.

"We've said we want to get "From all accounts this was past some of the tensions that the result of an innocent mishave been there over the past take. It is critical that the State several months and move on," Department intervene in this State Department Deputy situation and request that the Spokesperson Marie Harf said. Indian government release him She was responding to ques- and permit him to return to the tions about the arrest of New US," the Republican RepresenYork Police Department officer tative from Long Island said.

Manny Encarnacion, 49, at New New York Mayor Bill de Delhi airport on March 11 for Blasio also said he is "troubled" possessing three bullets.

by Encarnacion's detention and "We can't get into the specific case because of privacy considerations," she told reporters.

"I think we feel like we've moved past this and hope the Indians have as well," Harf said, adding that India is a very close and a trusted partner.

"I can't share Marie Harf any more about this individual be- New York Mayor Bill de cause of the privacy concerns," Blasio also said he is she added. "troubled" by Encarnacion's New York Congressman Peter detention and hoped that King has termed the the police personnel would arrest of be treated fairly by Encarnacion as "politically moti- Indian officials vated" in response to the arrest of Indian diplomat hoped that the police personDevyani Khobragade and has nel would be treated fairly by asked the State Department to Indian officials. "Obviously we seek the release of the officer. want to know a lot more about Encarnacion has been what's going on," he said. charged with violating the In"But so far, from what I'm dian Arms Act of 1959 and faces hearing, I'm troubled by it and I up to seven years in prison. want to make sure we're providHe is forbidden from leaving ing support to him and make India till his case has been sure he's not being treated unsettled in court. His next court fairly." appearance is on April 17.

Police Commissioner Bill "I write to express my grave Bratton said the department is concern over the arrest and "staying very engaged with that pending prosecution of New issue in India. We are certainly York Police Department officer concerned for that officer and Manny Encarnacion in India," for his wife who's there with him King said in a letter dated April in India at this time.

4 to Secretary of State John "But that's a process that's Kerry. moving slowly in the India jusHe said Encarnacion is being tice system but we're staying prosecuted for "unwittingly" informed." having spare bullets in his lugNew York Police Department gage. King said bullets being Sergeant Carlos Nieves said he found with Encarnacion was an is allowed to carry the ammuni"innocent mistake". tion in the US but "obviously" "This excessive act by the not in India.-PTI

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Arvind Kejriwal slapped again in Delhi NEW DELHI: Arvind Kejriwal was slapped by a man during a roadshow in Sultanpuri area of North West Delhi in second such attack in last four days and the AAP leader immediately held BJP responsible for it.

The man identified as Lali, who is an autorickshaw driver, first garlanded Kejriwal and then slapped him following which the attacker was thrashed by AAP supporters.

AAP leader Manish Sisodia tweeted that Kejriwal was injured in his eye. Kejriwal's spectacles fell on the ground following the attack.

The 38-year-old attacker, a resident of Aman Vihar in Outer Delhi, has accused Kejriwal of not fulfilling promises made to the auto-drivers. He was later detained by the

police.

"I do not understand why some people resort to violence for becoming the Prime Minister. If you think by attacking us, we will keep quiet then you are wrong. We will fight this battle till the last breath," Kejriwal said.

Later in a tweet, Kejriwal said, "I am just thinking - why am I being repeatedly attacked? Who r (are) the masterminds? What do they want? What do they achieve?"

The AAP leader headed for Rajghat after the attack which has been condemned by both BJP and Congress.

"No one should slap anyone. This is against democracy. We do not support it," Congress leader Kapil Sibal said.

An unidentified person slaps AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal during an election road show at Sultanpuri in New Delhi on April 8

BJP Vijay Goel also criticized the attack on the AAP leader. "We do not approve such things. But there is one thing that there has been more opposition to AAP because they say something and do something else."

AAP's Sisodia said people affected by AAP movement were trying to derail it.

"The people who indulge in politics of caste and religion, those who are involved in corruption are afraid of AAP. The politics in the country is changing and that is why they are resorting to such acts," he said.

This was second such attack on Kejriwal in the last four days. He was attacked by a 19-year-old youth during his campaigning in Dakshinpuri area of South Delhi earlier.

The former Chief Minister has been attacked a number of times in the past.

On March 28, he was attacked by a man, who claimed to be a supporter of Anna Hazare, during his election rally in Haryana.

In Varanasi last month, protesters threw ink on Kejriwal and a number of other party leaders.-PTI

12 year jail for beating Indian to death NEW YORK: A 20-year-old man in the US has been sentenced to over 12 years in prison for his role in the beating to death of an Indian-origin computer scientist in 2010.

Steven Contreras was sentenced by state Superior Court Judge Bradley Ferencz in New Brunswick for his role in the death of Divyendu Sinha, 49.

Contreras was among a group of teenagers who had been charged in connection with the death of Sinha, who was attacked as he and his wife Alka and two sons were out for a late night walk on June 25, 2010, near their home.

The group punched Sinha in the head and he died three days later at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. His two sons had minor injuries and his wife was not hurt.

Ferencz, while sentencing Contreras, was quoted as saying by 'My Central Jersey' website that "This is a tragedy, a tragedy for the Sinha family and the families involved in this. It is also criminal."

"You were the only sober one that night. You were in control. You made the decisions," the judge said.

Contreras, who had been driving the car in which the teens were traveling, apologized to the Sinha family, the court, the prosecution and his family. "On June 25, 2010, I created the greatest mistake I've ever committed in my life," Contreras was quoted as saying. -PTI

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Gupta asks court to rethink USD 13.9 mln penalty NEW YORK: India-born former Goldman year-old Gupta to pay an additional USD Sachs director Rajat Gupta has asked a US 13.9 million dollars in civil penalties and imcourt to reconsider its order asking him to posed severe lifetime injunctions against pay USD 13.9 million in civil penalties in him in Securities and Exchange the insider trading case, arguing it was un- Commission's parallel case. necessary given the heavy criminal pun"The Court should reverse the orders of ishment imposed on him. injunctive relief and vacate and remand the In a 23-page brief civil penalty for the disfiled with the Court of trict court to reconsider Appeals, Gupta's lawin light of Gupta's crimiyers said the insider nal sentence," the lawtrading violations due yers said in the brief. to which he was conGupta's lawyers victed were a "drastressed that the district matic deviation" from a court "abused" its dislifetime that has been cretion in imposing the otherwise marked by USD 13.9 million civil "outstanding profespenalty after having alsional accomplishready sentenced him to ment" and he should serve a two-year prison Rajat Gupta not be made to pay a term, a USD five million "heavy criminal penfine and more than USD alty". six million in restitution to Goldman Sachs.

Gupta's lawyers said he did not accrue Gupta argued that this maximum civil any "direct financial benefit" from the in- penalty was unnecessary given the heavy sider trading offences and yet he has been criminal punishment imposed on him. ordered to pay a "heavy price" of two years "No reasonable observer could doubt in prison, a USD five million fine and a sepa- that this heavy criminal penalty for an isorate USD six million in restitution to lated deviation will have a profound puniGoldman Sachs. tive and deterrent effect," Gupta's lawyers In addition, the district court ordered 65- said. -PTI

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Tech News Smartphones in $80-399 category to find more buyers NEW DELHI: As consumers in both developed and emerging markets are increasingly looking at a better device experience in an affordable range, smartphones in the super mid category - USD 80 to 399 - are set to gain more market acceptance, chip maker Mediatek said.

"The global smartphone dynamics is changing. Now the user is more informed and looks for not only an affordable handset, but also an amazing experience. This phenomenon is everywhere from

developed to emerging markets," Mediatek General Manager (International Sales & Marketing) Finbarr Moynihan told PTI. The integrated chip supplier is experiencing strong demand from the booming affordable smartphone markets in China and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.-PTI

Tata Comm expects global data biz to grow to 47% NEW DELHI: Global internet services firm Tata Communications expects its data business to account for 47 per cent of its gross revenue this fiscal.

"Global Data as a share of Tata

TechBiz

Philipp Von Sahr, President, BMW Group India during the launch of new BMW M6 Series in Gurgaon on April 3

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Sun Pharma to buy Ranbaxy in USD 3.2 billion deal NEW DELHI: In the biggest deal in two years, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has announced it will fully acquire rival Ranbaxy Laboratories in an all-stock transaction valued at USD 3.2 billion.

Sun Pharma and Ranbaxy said they will become the largest pharmaceutical company in India, with an estimated combined revenue of USD 4.2 billion, and the fifth-largest speciality generics company in the world.

Ranbaxy, controlled by Daiichi Sankyo of Japan, is struggling with quality compliance issues as all four of its plants in India have been banned by the Food and Drug Administration from exporting products to the US. Sun's Karkhadi plant is also barred from shipping products to the US for violation of good manufacturing norms.

As per their agreement, Ranbaxy shareholders will get 0.8 share of Sun Pharma for each share of Ranbaxy, representing an implied value of Rs 457 for each Ranbaxy share.

This is at a premium of 18 per cent to Ranbaxy's 30-day volumeweighted average share price and a premium of 24.3 per cent to

Ranbaxy's 60-day volumeweighted average share price, in each case, as of the close of business on April 4, 2014.

"The transaction has a total equity value of approximately USD 3.2 billion," the two companies said in a joint statement.

The combined entity will have

in the Indian pharma sector include Mylan Laboratories acquiring Agila Specialities from Strides Arcolab for USD 1.75 billion in 2013 and Torrent Pharma buying the formulations business of Elder Pharma in India and Nepal for Rs 2,000 crore.

Addressing a conference call,

operations in 65 countries, 47 manufacturing facilities across five continents, and a significant platform of speciality and generic products marketed globally, including 629 ANDAs (abbreviated new drug applications).

Recent big-ticket acquisitions

Sun Pharma Managing Director Dilip Shanghvi said the deal offered tremendous growth opportunities as Ranbaxy has a significant presence in India and the US, where it offers a broad portfolio of ANDAs and first-to-file opportunities.

"In high-growth emerging markets, it (Ranbaxy) provides a strong platform which is highly complementary to Sun Pharma's strengths. There is very little product-specific overlap between Ranbaxy and Sun products," he added.

Elaborating on the benefits of the deal, he said: "In the US, which is the largest market for Sun, we can now further strengthen our portfolio, with many more ANDAs waiting approval and also first-tofile opportunities," Shanghvi said, declining to put a time-frame on expected approvals for Ranbaxy's applications in the US. "The first important issue for us to focus on is to achieve compliance...all I can promise is that it would be the most important thing for the management to achieve compliance," he said.

Asked about the premium paid despite issues faced by Ranbaxy in the US, he said: "We'll have to look at the overall business and not at any temporary one-time cost...we believe that the valuation is justified and I am confident of the future for combined shareholders...

Cont’d on page 14

India losing 70% voice call centers to Philippines Communications' total gross revenue was about 45 per cent in FY 2013. This number is expected to grow to 47 per cent for FY 2014," Sumeet Walia, Head of Global Enterprise Business, Tata Communications (TCL) told PTI. At the end of financial year 2013, TCL's consolidated income stood at Rs 17,212.95 crore.

In FY 2013, India accounted for 51 per cent of TCL's global data business and the rest of the world 49 per cent; service providers accounted for 51 per cent and enterprises 49 per cent.-PTI

NEW DELHI: Struggling to diversify the delivery footprint to take advantage of low-cost centers, India's BPO industry is currently losing 70 per cent of all incremental voice and call centre business to competitors like Philippines and countries in Eastern Europe, says a report.

"It is estimated that in the ongoing decade India might lose USD 30 billion in terms of foreign exchange earnings to Philippines, which has become the top destination for Indian investors," Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said.

Thus there is a need to reduce costs and make operations leaner across the BPO industry,"

he added.

BPO companies could reduce the total operating costs by 20-30 per cent by moving to a low-cost city within India, with a cost differential of around 10-15 per cent for non-voice processes and upwards of 20 per cent for voice processes, the report pointed out.

Several Indian firms have set up substantial operations in Philippines which has a large pool of well-educated, English-speaking, talented and employable

graduates. Almost 30 per cent graduates in Philippines are employable unlike 10 per cent in In-

dia where the training consumes considerable amount of time, according to the report.

"Cultural proximity to the US together with availability of talented manpower are key reasons as to why BPO companies prefer expanding their operations in Philippines," Rawat said.

Expansion of non-English BPOs in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, to provide low cost services to the telecom and aviation sectors, are set to play a significant role in growth of domestic outsourcing industry, the report found.

"Lower attrition rate in smaller towns is a big positive owing to lower recruiting and training costs, while there is comparatively high attrition rate of 30-35 per cent in tier I cities. -PTI

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Industry wants BJP to reconsider on retail FDI NEW DELHI: Dismayed by the BJP's decision to say no to FDI in multi-brand retail in its election manifesto, India Inc has urged the party to reconsider its stand, saying the move may send a wrong signal to overseas investors.

However, industry bodies have welcomed other promises made in the manifesto like giving a thrust to job creation, tax reforms, growth revival and containing inflation.

"We welcome the openness to FDI linked to creation of assets and employment. Though we feel

disappointed on the stand on FDI in multi-brand retail, we hold out hope for a possible review," Ficci President Sidharth Birla said.

Giving high priority to revival of growth and job creation, BJP promised to contain inflation, pursue tax reforms and promote foreign investments but said no to FDI in multi-brand retail.

"We would continue to impress upon the BJP to reconsider its stand on FDI in multi-brand retail as the move will act as a multiplier effect on India's economy without impacting in any way the

India, China most complex tax regimes: Deloitte NEW DELHI: India and China are among the most complex tax regimes in the Asia Pacific region and that is a key concern for investors, shows a Deloitte survey.

Both the high growth economies continue to have challenges in catching up with business changes and providing consistent and predictable tax regimes.

"Respondents think that the complexity, consistency and predictability of the Chinese Mainland and Indian tax regimes would play a significant role when it came to determining their investment decisions here," the global consulting firm said in its '2014 Asia Pacific Tax Complexity Survey'.

"Tax audits are very frequent in the region and respondents

consistency was the most important issue to deal with when making business decisions.

"There is significant desire to be seen as socially responsible taxpayers as a result of which, there is a concern for reputational risk and an inclination not to engage in tax planning that may be perceived to be aggressive," it said.

Deloitte said 81 per cent respondents noted that the tax regime had become more complex in India, while over half (54 per cent) believed that it had become markedly less consistent over the last three years.

"India is on the upper end of the pool when looking at tax audit rigor. Seen as the least consistent tax jurisdiction ... Respondents highlighted the need to speed up tax audits."

Survey said 88 per cent of the respondents believed that India would be one of the most complex tax jurisdictions in the next three Survey said 88 per cent of the years and is one of the top respondents believed that India three countries would be one of the most likely to witness material complex tax jurisdictions in the next three years and is one of the change over the same petop three countries likely to witriod.

In India, inness material change over the vestors' greater same period. focus would be on spending were not optimistic in their ability more time on tax management over to get a favorable resolution the next 3 years, it said. through the administrative resoAbout 55 per cent of the responlution procedures," it said. dents with business in India said Indonesia will also become one they have plans to implement taxof the complex tax regimes in the risk management systems someregion, it added. time over the next three years, it On India, the survey found that said. -PTI

neighborhood kirana stores," Assocham President Rana Kapoor said.

"It makes little sense to bar FDI from multi-brand retail since a decision to this effect has already

Twitter buys Android lock-screen startup Cover

been taken by the government and foreign investments lined up for it. The move might send wrong signals to investors," PHD Chamber of Commerce President Sharad Jaipuria said.

The BJP promised to set up a price stabilization fund to check inflation, ensure fiscal discipline and pursue banking sector reforms to deal with rising bad loans.

"The BJP manifesto outlines multiple measures for inclusive development, with focus on gov-

SAN FRANCISCO: A young startup specializing in Android smartphone lock screens that anticipate what "app" a user might want at any give moment says it has been bought by Twitter.

The acquisition comes about a year after the launch of Cover, which said its free application, which hit the virtual shelves of

Google Play's online shop in October, has reached hundreds of thousands of users.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Cover team has joined San Francisco-based Twitter, according to the startup.

"We built a replacement for Android's default lock-screen that makes our phones easier to use by adapting to our context - providing fast access to the right apps at the right time," Cover said in a blog post.

"Twitter, like Cover, believes in the incredible potential of Android."

The take-over indicates that Twitter is keen to make its popular one-to-many messaging service ever more enticing to people with smartphones powered by Googlebacked Android software.

An IDC survey released in February found Android had a 78.1 per cent share of global smartphone shipments in the final three months of last year, bolstered by a 40 per cent jump in the number of handsets delivered. For the full year, Android's market share was 78.6 per cent to 15.2 per cent for Apple's iOS, 3.3 per cent for Windows Phone and 1.9 per cent for BlackBerry, IDC said. -AFP

ernance, growth and employment.

These are arguably the key concerns facing the economy today," Birla said.

BJP said its tax policy roadmap includes focus on a nonadversarial and conducive tax environment, overhaul of the dispute resolution mechanisms, bringing on board all state governments in adopting Goods and Services Tax and incentives to promote investment.

"The BJP's focus in its election manifesto on giving a boost to economy, rationalizing and simplification of taxation and restoring investor confidence would be a morale booster," Kapoor said.

Released here by top BJP leaders, the party's election manifesto accused the Congress-led UPA government of engendering 10 years of jobless growth.

Referring to taxation, the manifesto said, "The UPA government has unleashed 'tax terrorism' and 'uncertainty', which not only creates anxiety amongst the business class and negatively impacts the investment climate, but also dents the image of the country." -PTI

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Tiny power generator runs on human saliva WASHINGTON: Researchers have developed a tiny new generator powered by human saliva, which can generate sufficient energy to power key microelectronics.

Saliva-powered micro-sized microbial fuel cells can produce minute amounts of energy sufficient to run on-chip applications, researchers said.

"There is a lot of organic stuff in saliva," said Bruce E Logan from the Pennsylvania State University who carried the study along fellow researcher Justine E Mink.

Microbial fuel cells create energy when bacteria break down organic material producing a charge that is transferred to the anode.

Logan, who has studied microbial fuel cells for more than ten years, usually looks to wastewater as a source for both the organic material and the bacteria to create either electricity or hydrogen, but these tiny machines are a bit different.

"By producing nearly 1 micro-

Researchers believe that the emergence of ultra-low-power chip-level biomedical electronics, devices able to operate at submicrowatt power outputs, is becoming a reality. watt in power, this saliva-powered, micro-sized MFC already generates enough power to be directly used as an energy harvester in microelectronic applications," researchers said.

Researchers believe that the emergence of ultra-low-power chip-level biomedical electronics, devices able to operate at sub-microwatt power outputs, is becoming a reality.

One possible application would

be a tiny ovulation predictor based on the conductivity of a woman's saliva, which changes five days before ovulation.

The device would measure the conductivity of the saliva and then use the saliva for power to send the reading to a nearby cell phone.

Biomedical devices using microsized microbial fuel cells would be portable and have their energy source available anywhere, researchers said.

Indians rank 3 in getting best value hotel rooms MUMBAI: Indian travelers are among the top three in getting best value hotel room rates domestically in 2013, at Rs 5,254 a night, according to the latest Hotel Price Index (HPI) report by a leading online accommodation booking website.

"At Rs 5,254 a night Indian travelers stood third in terms of getting the best value hotel room rates domestically in 2013," as per the latest Hotel Price Index (HPI) report

by Hotels.com.

Travelers from Thailand took the first place at Rs 5,160 a night followed by Malaysians, who took in the second place at Rs 5,198 a night, the report said.

The Hotel Price Index is a regular report on hotel prices in major destinations across the world.

It further reveals that Swiss travelers paid the most on hotel rooms at home averaging at Rs 12,400 a night followed by Norway, which came second at Rs 10,834 and Singapore third at Rs 10,722 a night domestically.

When it came to spending on hotel rooms abroad, Indian travelers were listed at number 17, in the list of 32 countries, as the most

generous with an average payment of Rs 8,751 a night.

Travelers from Switzerland once again paid the most when traveling outside their borders with an average of Rs 10,642 per night.

Argentineans came in second at Rs 10,532 a night, also making them the highest paying Latin

Dutch as the lowest paying Europeans at Rs 7,908.

Of the 32 countries analyzed, 24 paid more abroad than at home with some having a significant gap between the two sums.

The Argentineans spent Rs 4,185 a night more on average when traveling abroad, followed closely by the Thais at Rs 3,575

In the past, the smallest fuel cells have been two-chambered, but this micro version uses a single chamber with a graphene rather than platinum - coated carbon cloth anode and an air cathode.

The anode is actually composed of carbon nanomaterial graphene. Other microbial fuel cells used graphene oxide, but the

Microscope camera to shed light on cells LONDON: A powerful fingernail-sized camera, that will enable scientists to examine living cells in "unprecedented detail" and may take digital imaging technology to next level, is being developed by researchers in the UK. The device, attached to a microscope, will enable scientists to closely monitor the movements of molecules within cells.

It should give scientists fresh understanding about the behavior of healthy and diseased cells.

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University are working together on the five-year project that costs 2.3 million euros.

Engineers are designing the camera to be sensitive enough to capture single photons of light the smallest unit in which light can exist. Conventional cameras typically capture thousands of photons at once on each of their pixels.

and the Indians at Rs 3,497 as well as the Chinese at Rs 3,408.

Only seven nations paid more at home than away with travelers from Singapore once again with the greatest difference, spending Rs 2,423 more domestically than abroad. -PTI

"This camera will take digital imaging technology to the next level. It will allow us to look at what goes on in living cells, which until now has eluded scientists," said Robert Henderson, of the University of Edinburgh's School of Engineering, who is leading the project.

"This device could be the key to understanding on a molecular level exactly how our cells function, and what happens when this goes wrong."

Once the first generation of the camera is developed, Colin Rickman at Heriot-Watt University will use the camera to study insulin secretion and how this can change in diabetes.

This will test the camera and its capabilities to provide feedback for the next phase of camera development. Rickman commented: "For the first time, this unique camera will allow us to examine in real time, protein interactions in live cells.-PTI

Sun Pharmaceutical to buy Ranbaxy in USD 3.2 billion deal Cont’d from page 12

American nation.

Travelers from the US stood third at Rs 10,083 a night.

Malaysians were the savviest nation with an average spend of Rs 7,526 a night, while traveling overseas, followed closely by the Taiwanese at Rs 7,621 and the

researchers showed that pure multi-layered graphene can serve as a suitable anode material.

While the researchers tested this mini microbial fuel cell using acetate and human saliva, it can use any liquid with sufficient organic material.

The study was published in the Nature Publishing Group's journal Asia Materials. -PTI

"...the quality of business of Ranbaxy from whatever we have seen is no way inferior to the quality of Sun Pharma. So it should be possible for us to find a way to make the business profitable."

In 2013, Ranbaxy agreed to pay USD 500 million after pleading guilty to felony charges over manufacturing and distribution of adulterated drugs in the US. The deal will mark another transition in ownership for Ranbaxy. In 2008, Japan's Daiichi Sankyo acquired a majority stake in Ranbaxy for Rs 22,000 crore after erstwhile promoters Malvinder and Shivinder Singh exited the firm.

The proposed deal was unanimously approved by the boards of Sun Pharma, Ranbaxy and Daiichi Sankyo. The boards of Ranbaxy and Sun Pharma have recommended approval of the

transaction to their respective shareholders.

"The transaction will need approval by majority in number representing 75 per cent in value of the shares present and voting at the shareholder meetings of each of Sun Pharma and Ranbaxy," according to the joint statement.

Both Daiichi Sankyo, which holds about 63.4 per cent of Ranbaxy's outstanding shares, and the promoters of Sun Pharma, who hold a 63.7 per cent stake, have agreed to vote in favor of the transaction.

After completion of the deal, Daiichi Sankyo will become the second-largest shareholder in Sun Pharma and will have the right to nominate one director to the board.

Mumbai-based Sun Pharma said it expected to realize revenue and operating synergies of USD 250 million by the third year after the transaction closes.-PTI

April 11, 2014

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Desi News Mohit-Mamta concert thrills Chicagoans Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: Live 2U hosted the celebrated Indian singers Mohit Chauhan and Mamta Sharma at Copernicus Center in Chicago on Friday March 28 with a packed house and audience enjoying it right thru the end.

The two visiting singers from India provided a very enthralling music experience for the Chicagoans.

Mohit Chauhan is a two-time recipient of the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer as well as several other awards. His song "Dooba Dooba" became a hit in the Indipop music scene but was a rage with his rendering of Tum Se Hi for the movie "Jab We Met".

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

Hand in Hand raises $140k for needy children Details on page 25

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April 11, 2014

'Chai Pe Charcha' turns into an Event to remember for Modi

Details on page 21

Fundraiser for survivors of domestic violence SURENDRA ULLAL

CHICAGO: Chicago's top restaurants will unite at Taste for Life, Apna Ghar (Our Home)'s annual gala celebrating domestic violence survivors on Thursday, May 1.

The event, sixth in a row, will be at Chicago Cultural Center in Downtown Chicago on May 1, 2014 with a VIP reception from 5:30pm - 6:30pm and general tasting from 6:30pm - 10:00pm.

Details on page 22

The interactive audience India Post News Service

MILPITAS, CA: In the heart of Silicon Valley, on Wednesday April 2, Bay Area Indian community led

by Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) thronged Swagat Restaurant in Milpitas, CA to discuss Narendra Modi's prospects of becoming India's next Prime Minister.

Though the program was to be a discussion "Chai Pe Charcha" (over a cup of tea) but the overwhelming response turned it into an all evening, dinner Event.

Dr Rajni Sarin, Co-Convener of Overseas Friends of BJP (Global), who had just arrived from Delhi, was the Chief Guest of the Event which was attended by over 100

Dr Rajni Sarin makes a point as Chandru Bhambhra looks on

strong Bay Area community leaders.

The Indian community in Bay area has been impressed with Modi's bold initiatives in improving Gujarat's growth and development in economic and human index with his selfless service. Indian community now expects Modi to duplicate the success at the

Center to uplift the nation.

Dr Rajni Sarin is a highly decorated physician, born and raised in Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh and is a long time BJP worker. She highlighted Modi's achievements in Gujarat and narrated her personal interaction with Shri Modiji, labeling him a workaholic with a clear vision and plan of action for next 20 years.

Various community members spoke in support of and to cheer Modi's mission 272+ and to wish him success. A lively discussion, which had 100% participation, provided many ideas and feedback to assure that BJP's mission 272+ succeeds.

Chandru Bhambhra, Past President of OFBJP (USA), started the event by welcoming the Chief Guest and giving a brief introduction about her. He said, "We have assembled here at Chai Pe Charcha to discuss as to what can be done at this last minute to help BJP win in the forthcoming elections and make sure Narendra Modi becomes the next Prime Minister of India. He emphasized that in these last few days, our callings to our friends and relatives in India and asking them to go and Vote for BJP would be very effective. This is the best situation in many years.

It is either now or never!"

Ashwini Surpur of Yoga Bharti made a powerful case to ensure that India does not lose this chance to pull India out of doldrums.

Cont’d on page 19

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Is the Internet harming our brains?

ARCHANA ASTHANA India Post News Service

FREMONT, CA: "Think it through"..."sleep on it:.."discuss it"...are some suggestions when working through a problem. Ever wonder why these work? Our minds are wired to process information by pulling from past experiences, linking them in the present context, and being able to use the processed product to project into the future, and forecast. Pretty complicated stuff! These are all attributes of deep thought and mindfulness, according to researchers.

In a recent event of Silicon Valley Reads,

2014, a panel discussion, sponsored by IBPW (Indian Business and Professional Women), explored this topic, led by Nicholas Carr, author of the book titled, "The Shallows: what the internet is doing to our brains". I needed to internalize the flyer advertising this event, after re-reading it, as I was busy "liking" a picture on Facebook

my son had posted! That convinced me this was an event I must attend!

Nicholas Carr gave an eloquent commentary on how he found his own behavior changing as he became an increasing user of the internet technology, and needed to purposefully tune out the essential from the non essential in order to get deep thinking

Nicholas Carr gave an eloquent commentary on how he found his own behavior changing as he became an increasing user of the internet technology, and needed to purposefully tune out the essential from the non essential

done. He also traced the lineage of what he termed the "Intellectual Technology", with the internet being its latest addition. In an attempt to seek information, the mind begins to focus more and more on the newness of the information, rather than its relevance. In doing so, the mind is being trained not just to follow, but seek distractions. Mr. Carr also lamented the loss of more contemplative, reflective and solitary thinking in today's age of information overload.

Dr. Elaine Bradley, director of Networth Recovery, which specializes in the treatment of Internet Addiction, was another panelist, who shared her experiences and thoughts on internet addiction, and its treatment.

Internet addiction is a recent addition in the DSM, among a long list of entrants in the last decade, and a large number of her clients are, not surprisingly, high school students.

There are legitimate concerns about a new kind of user or addict that specializes in cyber sex, cyber porn , and gaming addictions. She provides counsel on reducing or eliminating this damaging behavior.

The panel and audience together commented about the use of specific software to combat the problem of internet addiction, where reminders to take a break pop up on the user's screen. These work on a feedback system assessed by the software. Interesting point to note, like many other novelties, is that the internet can be a friend or foe, depending on how you use it.

WORKPLACE DISTRACTIONS Ms. Michelle Bolton, the third panelist and founding partner of Executive Edge, is tasked with managing workplace employee distractions due to internet use. One of the questions facing corporations is "What can be done to address dwindling attention spans and creative thinking so important in the business world?"

Audience participation was almost exclusively to the point about the information super highway being one of the most powerful entries into the technology world. Our daily lives are controlled, governed, yet made easier with the advent of this technology. The pencil and paper format giving way to the screen and keyboard format is a paradigm shift, and the early adopters are our school going children, starting at an even younger age each year.

Technology based education is heralded as the way of the future. The majority of the nation is adopting the Common Core Standards in education, where every high school graduate is expected to be college and career ready. The high school graduate is expected to have the skills needed to succeed in the real world, with a heavy emphasis on computer literacy, and the ability to critically think and solve problems. Sometimes, these two expectations appear to be at odds. This is a far cry from the Multiple Choice testing where guessing was one way to take and even pass a test for some students.

A technology executive in the audience commented that he is provided a list of links by his employees when asked to solve a problem. It is rampant to see individuals with information readily available, working to incrementally improve what someone else has already done.

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BAPS joins worldwide Earth Hour Celebration India Post News Service

BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha had pledged to join hundreds of

millions of individuals, businesses and governments around the

CHINO HILLS, CA: Iconic landmarks and cities went dark for one hour on Saturday March 29 to showcase their commitment to protecting the planet for this year's Earth Hour. Joining the iconic landmarks, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chino Hills, California celebrated Earth Hour by switching off lights at 8:30 pm.

Earth Hour is organized by the World Wide Fund For Nature and was started in Sydney, Australia as a single city event in 2007. Over the years it has grown to become one of the world's biggest voluntary actions for the environment. world to turn off their lights for Earth Hour.

Demonstrating a year-round commitment to the principles of environmental sustainability symbolized by Earth Hour, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is continuously finding new ways to creatively harness cutting edge environmental designs and materials in its Mandirs and activities. Currently, many facilities utilize solar power, LED lighting, power saving fiber optics and management practices to ensure energy consumption is both optimal and efficient.

Earth Hour was also observed at BAPS Mandirs across North America and at Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi.

Sikhs meet OFBJP on Gujarat Sikh farmers India Post News Service

PASADENA, CA: A delegation of Sikhs from Southern California met BJP overseas friends in Anaheim during their campaign rally for the upcoming elections in India. Ashvin Patel of the BJP Overseas Friends approached the Sikhs to support the BJP in the upcom-

ing elections. But the Sikhs expressed concern that the Gujarat Government, especially Narendra Modi, is expelling the Sikhs from Gujarat where they had cultivated the land for the last several decades since the dangerous times during war with Pakistan. Now when the land is fertile and livable they are being asked to leave.

During one of the rallies in

Punjab, Narendra Modi said the Sikh farmers will not be expelled from Gujarat. It was brought to the attention of the BJP Overseas Friends that in spite of his statements, the Gujarat government is appealing against the decision of Gujarat High Court, which has decided in favor of the Sikhs to stay there.

Members of the BJP overseas committee promised to forward the petition of the Sikhs to the higher Command in BJP, especially to Narendra Modi. The Sikh delegation emphasized that this should be done before the elections because after the elections there will be no hearing of any such effort.

Cont’d on page 20

'Chai Pe Charcha' turns into an Event to remember for Modi Cont’d from page 16

She said, "India lost three chances by not recognizing the talents of Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhai Patel and Lal Bahadur Shastri. We now have a fourth chance and we should not miss this. This will be a disaster for the country."

Colleagues of Janardhana Swami, Bay area techie and a Member of Parliament from Chitradurga in Karnataka, Shivu Vibhuti and Mahadev provided his background and his achievements to solicit support for his re-election.

Ajay Tripathi and Satej Chaudhary, volunteers for Mahesh Giri, BJP candidate from East Delhi, gave a presentation highlighting Giri's extraordinary work for the community.

Replying to this call for volunteers, many people indicated that they are already supporting BJP by calling people in their Hometown and encouraging them to

Cheering with the cups

vote for Modi. Some of them have already confirmed that they have made over 200 calls.

Sanjay Tripathi, General Secretary HSS (Bay Area) proudly announced that he is leaving for India to campaign for BJP in his hometown of Varanasi. Chandru Bhambhra, Organizer of the Event,

asked Tripathi to honor the Chief Guest of the Event Dr Rajni Sarin with a dupatta.

Gaurang Desai, Northern California coordinator for Friends of India Society International (FrSr) proudly indicated that he guaranteed to deliver his home state of Gujarat to BJP but would not be

Anticipating triumph

satisfied with anything less than 100% sweep.

Sunil Ganu, a community leader, provided statistics of Gujarat's growth, which included every sphere of development and was not just limited to a section of society, but had positively affected everyone.

The program concluded with beautiful rendering of Vande Mataram.

Mahesh Pakala, a well known community leader, said" The idea is to identify minimum 10 Panchayat phone numbers fro each state, then we are talking of convincing 260 panchayats."

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Vishaka Hari's Harikatha a moving experience VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

FREMONT, CA: Vishaka Hari's Harikatha rendition on Vamana Avatar, the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu was a moving experience that the 700 plus audience would soulfully remember for a long time to come.

South India Fine Arts (SIFA) President Meera Chari and her team had planned, worked hard and organized this excellent event, and as summed up appropriately in the vote of thanks, "It was the most appropriate person rendering the most appropriate theme of Vamana Avtaram, where the growth of Vamana to Trivikarama is compared to the beautiful form of the sun, at the most appropriate venue."

SIFA organized the 3 hour long program which rendered a perfect balance between theology and classical music, while interweav-

ing the underlying Bhakti Marga.

The audience was spellbound and offered great encouragement to the young artist, who exuded erudition over multiple domains.

Vishaka Hari, clad in the traditional nine-yard sari, her braided

linist, Padma Vibhushan Sri Lalgudi Jayaraman, while her spiritual guru and father-in-law is Sri Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal (Sri Sri Anna). She learnt the art of Harikatha by her husband, Sri Hariji, himself an experienced

ens, as it had been taken over by Mahabali, a benevolent Asura King. Bali was the grandson of Hiranyakshipu, the son of Prahlada.

Vishaka Hari sings beautifully, the pronunciation is perfect and her stories are intricately woven into the songs. But what makes it divine is her involvement in the story. Tears stream down her cheeks as she describes a story of Bali Chaktravarthy, the bhakti is evident on her bright face.

The violinist Vidwan Ananthakrishnan wowed the audience with a fantastic thanam in most of the renditions. His mellif-

Sikhs meet OFBJP on Gujarat Sikh farmers hair bedecked with jasmine flowers, is only 34, but she is an exceptional Harikatha exponent; an ancient art form of storytelling that has always been a male bastion; an art form that is today dwindling.

Vishaka Hari learnt Carnatic music under the legendary Carnatic vio-

Harikatha exponent. She has been performing in various sabhas during the Chennai Music Season since 2006.

The Bhagavata Purana describes that Vishnu descended as the Vamana avatar to restore the authority of Indra over the heav-

Free citizenship clinic on Sunday April 12 India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: On Saturday April 12, the Greater Los Angeles Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations will conduct a citizenship clinic for aspiring U.S. citizens.

Lawful residents who are eligible for naturalization will receive free legal assistance in completing the citizenship application, called the N-400. CAIR-LA's Immigrants' Rights Department will be holding the clinic in light of forthcoming changes to the application, which go into effect May 2. Some of the changes include more questions and a lengthier application, going from 10 pages to 21 pages.

"We're trying to get eligible legal permanent residents to apply

luous accompaniment that provided superb completions to the vocalist's ideas was greatly applauded. So did the mridangist, Vidwan Arjun Ganesh, whose accompaniment depicted every emotion Vishaka Hari was bringing out in each song, and also his thaniavarthanam was truly a fine exposition of his maturity and prowess.

SIFA embarks on its 35th year, in 2014, a significant milestone year. In conjunction with this, a huge two-day festival with artists from India is planned at the Sunnyvale temple auditorium on April 12 and April 13.

with the old form while it is still available," said Immigrants' Rights Attorney Farida Chehata.

Even after the new application takes effect, immigrants will still be able to continue receiving help from CAIR-LA's Immigration

Department, which aims to make citizenship more easily accessible.

The Immigrants' Rights Department is dedicated to providing high-quality, low cost and pro bono services to individuals seek-

ing legal assistance. Led by Farida Chehata, the department will conduct legal assessment, representation, advocacy, information sessions, citizenship application assistance, clinics, and outreach. In keeping with the organization's goal to promote inclusion and civic engagement, the department seeks to empower non-citizens by helping them gain independence, security, and the opportunity to fully participate in American society.

At the clinic, volunteer attorneys and recent law school graduates will help applicants complete the N-400 form, required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

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Cont’d from page 19

Dr Amrit Singh, the spokesman and coordinator, represented the Sikh delegation for the Sikhs of Southern California, Kulbir Singh, Moninder Singh Sethi, Ujjal Singh Dhillon, Ram Kakkar, Jagtar Singh, and Agyakar Singh. This delegation approached the BJP overseas friends with a short notice of one day. A pe-

tition signed by the Sikhs was presented to the BJP leaders to forward to the Gujarat government to withdraw the challenge to HC decision in the Indian Supreme Court.

The Sikhs delegation promised that if the Gujarat government withdraws the challenge in the Supreme Court then the Sikhs would try to support the BJP in the Indian elections.

Is the Internet harming our brains?

Cont’d from page 20

This may be a way for job creation for many, allowing slightly different ways of doing things being heralded as new. However, it replaces deep, cognitive thinking actions, where the neurons dredge, sift and churn the information around while you "sleep on the problem", "think through it" or "discuss it".

Amidst all the predictions of doom, one audience member threw cold water on them by recalling the harmless transitions that have

been made with new technology.

He put the thought in perspective of the fear of the change, rather than the change itself. The introduction of the telephone, radio and TV for example, is yet to kill all our brain cells.

Whether the public is rightly or wrongly suspicious of the hold the internet has taken of our personal and professional lives, the fact remains we cannot hide from it.

Moderation of use is the key to success, and we hold that at the tips of our fingers, as we chose to click or not to click.

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Mohit-Mamta concert thrills Chicagoans

Mohit Chauhan regaling the audience Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: Live 2U hosted the celebrated Indian singers Mohit Chauhan and Mamta Sharma at Copernicus Center in Chicago on Friday March 28 with a packed house and audience enjoying it right thru the end.

The two visiting singers from India provided a very enthralling music experience

for the Chicagoans.

Mohit Chauhan is a two-time recipient of the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer as well as several other awards.

His song "Dooba Dooba" became a hit in the Indipop music scene but was a rage with his rendering of Tum Se Hi for the movie "Jab We Met".

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Fundraiser for survivors of domestic violence SURENDRA ULLAL

CHICAGO: Chicago's top res- tures wine tastings donated by sity of Chicago, Booth School of taurants will unite at Taste for Life, Latitude Beverage and Wirtz Bev- Business. She is very active with Apna Ghar (Our Home)'s annual erage. PepsiCo will donate all the the Indian community in Dallas, gala celebrating domestic violence non-alcoholic beverages. currently serving as Honorary survivors on Thursday, May 1.

Ann Mukherjee, SVP and CMO Chair of Chetna, a non-profit orThe event, sixth in a row, will of Frito-Lay North America will be ganization dedicated to helping be at Chicago Cultural Center in Downtown Chicago on May 1, 2014 with a VIP reception from 5:30pm 6:30pm and general tasting from 6:30pm 10:00pm.

Guests will savor small plate dishes from Bar Louie Ann Mukherjee Ravi Baichwal, news anchor for ABC7 S k o k i e , B o m b a y Wraps, Cabot Creamery Coopera- the evening's featured speaker. South Asian women overcome tive, Chocolat-Uzma Sharif, She will begin the main event domestic violence. She will also Emilio's Tapas, Ethiopian Dia- with her story of survival and do a book signing for her new mond, Falafill, Floriole Café & Bak- success. She is an award win- book, Gale Gand's Lunch. ery, Gaylord Fine Indian Restau- ning, marketing trailblazer who Ravi Baichwal, news anchor for rant, Metropolitan Club, currently leads a large team re- ABC7, will be the evening's emNaansense, Peacock Indian Res- sponsible for the growth agenda cee. taurant, and Sataza Contemporary at Frito-lay. Born in Kolkata, she Each participating restaurant Indian Grill. The event also fea- holds an MBA from the Univer- will incorporate a purple (color of

Pratham gets global recognition thru BBVA award SUDHIR VYAS

NEW YORK: Pratham, one of the largest non-governmental organizations working to provide quality education to the underprivileged children of India, has been awarded prestigious BBVA Foundation "Frontiers of Knowledge Award" in the Development Cooperation category.

This is a global recognition of its innovative approach to learn-

BBVA jury underscored Pratham's ability to address children's learning needs both in and out of school. The Pratham model has delivered quality education to tens of millions of disadvantaged children by coordinating voluntary and government efforts and evaluating the results.

Over the years, Pratham has been rallying around the idea that

1994 to provide education to children in the slums of Mumbai city.

Since then, the organization has grown both in scope and geographical coverage.

It reaches out to millions of children living both in rural and urban areas through a range of interventions. The Pratham team comprises educationists, development professionals, media personnel, cor-

domestic violence awareness) food item into one of their dishes.

Guests will vote on their favorite dish and the winning restaurant will receive the Purple Dish Award. Chef Gale Gand will present the winning restaurant with this award.

Apna Ghar (Our Home) provides holistic services to women and children across immigrant communities in the Chicago area

to end the cycle of domestic violence. Apna Ghar empowers women to be self-sufficient by providing a full spectrum of services from legal services to emergency and transitional housing to counseling and case management.

Apna Ghar's multicultural, multilingual staff guides clients through difficult times with six comprehensive, free-of-charge programs.

Mohit-Mamta concert thrills Chicagoans

Mamta Sharma with members of the audience - singing and dancing together Cont’d from page 21

Mamta Sharma, an Indian playback singer from Gwalior, fetched several awards and nominations, including a Filmfare award for Best Playback Singer. She gave her voice to various Bhojpuri albums, but got her first with a song in 'Dabbang'. She sang the item song, 'Munni Badnaam Hui' and overnight became a celebrity.

Mahijit Singh Virdi, Kathakali and two other local artists delighted the audience with their melodious songs. Mohit Chauhan started the concert with his Rockstar single, 'jo bhi main kehna chahoon'. Even in the first song, he made sure to interact with the audience. Maintaining the romantic mood of the song, he went on to sing 'Kuch khaas hai' and then

Yeh dooriyan followed by Tum se hi from Jab We Met. Mamta Sharma along with six dancers presented famous song Anarkali Disco Chali, and stunned the audience with "Munni Badnaam Hui" from Dabbang; "Chamki Jawaani" and "TinkuJiya" from 'Yamla Pagla Deewana'; "Naa Board Irada Bus" from 'Hudugaru' "Mumbai MonyHai Re" from 'Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai' and "Pandeyjee Seeti" from 'Dabbang 2'.

The audience kept asking for their favorite songs which the singers kept presenting. It was truly a remarkable show leaving the audience spellbound by their amazing musical talent! The show ended shortly after midnight with Mohit Chauhan thanking fans and organizers for their support.

Pratham logo and children

ing as it helps involving more individuals in the learning process and will expand Pratham's influence around the world.

The BBVA Foundation disseminates world-class scientific research with the belief that science and knowledge hold the key to an improved future.

in India reading should be taught as a distinct skill. Its innovative approach to teaching, which combines the understanding of its own language and its own script with Western knowhow, will effectively lead to significant improvement in literacy.

Pratham was established in

porate help, workers, activists, PhDs, MBAs, CAs, civil servants, bankers, corporate professionals, consultants, who all bring their experiences and perspectives to the organization and are unified by the common vision of improving the future of children.

Cont’d on page 25

A section of the audience

April 11, 2014

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Ekal Vidyalaya gets huge community support Asian Media USA

Vibhavari Yadav known as the Nightingale of Gujarat was the lead singer. She was joined by Sunil Menon a Zee TV "Saregama" Finalist, (2005}, Piyushkumar

CHICAGO: Members of Indian Chicago community came in large numbers to support a very worthy cause: "The Gift of Education" for the underprivileged children of rural and tribal villages of India.

A musical evening organized by Ekal Vi d y a l a y a Foundation Chicago Chapter on Saturday April 5 at Lamp lighting was performed by lottery of 3 lucky winners from audience Schaumburg High School Auditorium in Schaumburg sought to fo- Bhatt, a master in playing various musical cus on providing free education to rural & instruments, Daxesh Patel, holding Master in Tabla from M.S.University with two Gold tribal villages of India.

The program was emceed by Harish Medals and Jaykumar Natu, an excellent Doshi and he began thanking all for unquali- rhythmist and percussion player. They enfied support. Ekal, he said, has its presence thralled the 550 plus members of the audiin almost every state of India with 57,502 ence who enjoyed the show and the very entertaining songs.

Later a video presentation was given followed by small orientation

by Dr Hasmukh Shah that gave a basic idea about Ekal's transparent organizational practice and how it functions in rural and tribal villages that he visited and witnessed The New York life CEO Amrit Mittal with Ekal Vidyalaya Chicago chapter President Dr Hasmukh Shah and guests in person.

This year marks schools and serving more than 16, 21,396 26th year of "Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation" which has been dispensing 1) Functional (16.2 M) children's educational needs.

Each year 'Ekal-USA collects around $4 literacy 2) Health care training 3) Integrated million (40 lakh dollars or 20 crore rupees) village development and 4) Empowerment through their fund-raising concerts. In the education in tribal and remotest rural areas last few years, "Ekal" has received numer- of India. ous prestigious awards and grants, including 'Best NGO', for its transparency of operation and outstanding administration.

The ceremonial lamp lighting was done in the presence of Amrit Mittal, one of the leading donors and three winners from draw of tickets. Artist introductions were done

by Jugal Doshi and A section of the audience at the Ekal Vidyalaya fundrasier Rachel Kapadia.

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April 11, 2014

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Hand in Hand raises $140k for needy children Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: Hand in Hand USA's 12th annual fundraising dinner on Saturday, March 29, at the Waterford Banquet & Conference Center in Elmhurst helped it to raise close to $140k in donations for the organization's charitable activities in India and around the world.

An attendance of 250 generous guests and patrons came together to extend their help for a good cause.

Following a hymn of invocation sung by artist Jayaraj Narayanan, volunteer Puneet Mansharamani welcomed all the guests and provided commentary to a video of the Balashram, a school for the underprivileged children in Odisha. The video highlighted the 11 acre ground of the charitable school and showed in-

Dancers of Nritya Taranga Dance Academy

terviews with some of the 400 resident students, all of whom were born into destitute conditions.

Mansharamani recounted experiences of his recent visit to the school in 2013 and observed that many students were eager to pursue careers in medicine, architecture, or other fields. Later in the evening, a live video stream was

established with a few of the elder students who shared some of their experiences and goals with the audience.

A cultural program then began with performances in the Carnatic and Fusion style by students of the Nritya Taranga Dance Academy and the Prerna School of Performing Arts. Aparna Prashanth

Indian Jewelry Fashion Show a big hit SN ULLAL

and Aruna Chandra, respective non-profit organization, works with artistic directors of these schools, Prajnana Mission (India) to properformed together with a troop vide humanitarian aid through a of their students, displaying their number of projects in rural India talent in four lively dance perfor- and around the world. In addition m a n c e s : Mahaganapatim, Faraz Thillana, Crystallize and Mangalam.

While the attendees enjoyed their dinner, entertainment was provided by artists Mukund Akkoor, K Raja Shankar, Thanish Rao and Harish Rao, performing instrumental music on the flute, harmonium, sitar, and tabla, respectively. The orchestra consisted of artists: Bhupendra Singh, Rama Raghuraman, Pavithra Anand, Praveen Jaligama, Parimala Prasad, Ravi Shankar, Sharanya Gururajan, Santhi Jaison, and Anusha Joseph, who sang a variety of hit songs in Hindi, Tamil, and even the Odia language. The Performance by dancers of Nritya Taranga festivities came full-circle Dance Academy and Prerana School of towards the end of the Performing Arts evening as many attendees, in turn, danced to some of their to the Balashram, their other favorite songs. HIH USA President projects in Odisha and West BenDurga Chunduri concluded by gal include health care (i.e. health thanking all for attending the event centers, mobile clinics, and mobile and for their continued support. dental vans), and medical outreach Hand in Hand USA, a US based (remote camps and seminars).

Models at Syna Jewelry Fashion Show with Twinkle in the middle

BURLINGTON, MA: The first of its type Indian Jewelry Fashion Show in Burlington hosted recently by Twinkle Morbia Gautam of Syna's Collections, turned out to be a big hit. It was held at India New England News' Spring Wedding Expo at Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, MA. Syna's Collections specializing in the Indo-Fusion Costume Jewelry had its first anniversary also and Syna team celebrated at the Expo. In a talk to this paper, Twinkle said that the fashion show was the embodiment of luxury and

power and it "helped us showcase elegantly understated and intensely gorgeous vibrant pieces in our collection to suit any fashionista's need, anywhere in the world."

She said the commitment shown by Syna's Collection along with total team effort for New England's first Indian Jewelry Fashion Show was very commendable.

"It was a thrill ride after that.

The satisfaction of having such a platform to have us launch was overwhelming. We received tons

Models parading at the Show

of compliments after the performance from all corners of Boston areas, North America and all comers of the world," said Twinkle.

Twinkle said that jewelry always stands out in any outfit and that women in general deem diamond as their best friend. "My ultimate dream is to bring some unique pieces of costume jewelry into the world that would bridge the gap between precious and Fashion Jewelry with a focus on high quality craftsmanship and design," she observed.

After finishing a course in fashion at the highly accredited National Institute of Fashion Technology in India, Twinkle found that her dream of getting into designing had turned into reality and she began to pursue her true passion: jewelry. She founded Syna's Collections a year ago. Although most of her clients are based in Mumbai, she is set on expanding her horizon and clientele worldwide.

Singers Pavithra Anand, Rama Raghuraman and Bhupendra Singh

Pratham gets global recognition thru BBVA award Cont’d from page 22

The BBVA seek to recognize and encourage world-class research and artistic creation, prizing contributions of lasting impact for their originality, theoretical significance and ability to push back the frontiers of the known world.

These international awards span eight categories: Basic Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics), Biomedicine, Ecology

and Conservation Biology, Information and Communication Technologies, Economics, Finance and Management, Contemporary Music, Climate Change and Development Cooperation.

The Award citation said that Pratham for over twenty years has catered successfully to the learning needs of tens of millions of disadvantaged children. In doing so, it has designed and implemented new methods that accelerate reading, it added.

Horoscope

26 India Post

April 11, 2014

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Your Weekly Future

by Pandit Parashar

APRIL 11 TH - APRIL 17 TH , 2014 (March 21 to April 20)

Y

ou will be negotiating with a known company and assurance is only a few days away. Trip will bring instant rewards. You will also gain friendship of an interesting personality. Avoid unnecessary stress and eat at regular intervals. There will be major changes in career soon. Planets will bend your mind and you will become more religious.

(September 23 to October 22)

O

nly aggressive attitude and positive thinking can get the results, wait and patience will not help now. You will be explor ing new ways to improve revenue. You will be invited to an upcoming party at a friend's house. You may delay your plans to by a property for the time being only. You may visit an government office for some work.

(October 23 to November 22)

(April 21 to May 20)

Y

ou will try to reorganize things and yourself in a short time.

Contract you had been working on will be in your lap soon. An old health issue will flare up again but you will be able to avert that surgery. Spouse will be shopping in big way and may buy few unnecessary items too. A new associate will be friendly and will take the pressure off too.

M

ajor improvements in career just around the corner. Don't be shaky as the events will take place at lightning speed. People will benefit from your advice and expertise and you will get a needy person out of a messy situation. You will be paying off several bills in full. Your hard work and all efforts will bring instant fruitful results.

(November 23 to December 22)

(May 21 to June 20)

Y

ou may not get the support you were expecting all the times.

Avoid all arguments and try to solve issues one at a time. Legal matters will get postponed for another date. Some of you will be taking a trip far away from home this week. Timely actions could save you from many complications. An old friend will call and invite for a small party.

Y

ou will have many reasons to celebrate. You will be rewarded for past performance now. You will be paying many bills and even write a check to government. You may also visit a holy place with family and get some special prayers done. Money anticipated will get delayed for another week, but its coming. You will become very diplomatic.

(June 21 to July 22)

S

pouse will stay nervous and tense. You will sincerely make the efforts to help the situation but may not succeed right away.

Old bills will drain you out but you will be able to fulfill your commitments and even make full payments on all. Something major is brewing up as far as career is concerned; it's a matter of little patience only.

(December 22 to January 19)

Y

ou have some real easy money now and for next few weeks.

Uncertainty developed recently will disappear and you will get the correct picture. All government related matters should be handled carefully or will be penalized soon. You may become slightly double minded about a relationship. You will travel to a nice area to meet someone.

(July 23 to August 22)

Y

ou will accept the challenge and go for the opportunity to prove your expertise. Money will come but will be hard to preserve.

Search will be over and you will find nice and compatible company. Self employed people will sit down and reevaluate the situation and make drastic changes in their business strategy. You will arrange a small get together.

(January 20 to February 18)

S

trong Venus in first will create protection and neutralize all negative energy coming towards you. Try to recognize enemy among friends. You will be offered a very lucrative deal by someone you know for long. You will be looking for ideal partners to invest in your idea. It will be a fruitful week and you will get many things out of your way.

(August 23 to September 22)

I

t will be better to put off all major financial decisions for another week or even month. You will be in constant touch with people over seas and try to resolve an important issue. Home may need minor repairs or you may need to change some heavy electric gadget in the house. You will attend an important meeting or go for an phone interview.

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

He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com

(February 19 to March 20)

Y

ou will be relaxed and feel motivated. Answer will come in posi tive only and soon you will have the money to play with. You will learn from competition and change your strategy little bit. Push yourself a little harder and you will make it impossible for others to ignore your abilities and talents. You will visit an old friend this weekend.

510-886-4370 www.parashar.com

April 11, 2014

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India Post 27

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

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

April 11, 2014

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

A

rjun Kapoor has kissed Parineeti Chopra in his debut film, 'Ishaqzaade.' And he has indulged in an intense lip-locking scene with co-star Alia Bhatt in '2 States.' Then who is the best kisser, Alia or Parineeti? Arjun speaks at length: "I really like kissing Alia. She is the best kisser. I don't look at it as a comparison. Everyone is different. It would be unfair to compare, but yeah, she is very good".

Alia explains: When he kissed Parineeti, he was Parma and she was Zoya. At that time he didn't like her. He kissed her to trap her. When he kisses me, he genuinely loves me. So, that is why it is a better kiss.

Arjun: Also, in Ishaqzaade, it was my first kiss. In that context, I was a bit nervous. The scene is very wrong, so I had to be an animal with Parineeti. This is much more gentle and simpler. And in the film you'll see that Alia kisses me, so it plays out very well.

Kissing is not a big deal for both Alia and Arjun Alia said, "It's not that we go around the set thinking 'oh, today we are going to kiss, so let's enjoy'.

It's not that. It's acting.

If it's important for the script, so be it".

B

ollywood is rife with rumors that action master Akshay Kumar has roped in Hollywood diva Megan Fox for his upcoming movie which will be a remake of `Shaukeen`.

Akshay has apparently confirmed signing her and is quite happy with the decision.

It will certainly be a landmark in the film industry where east will meet west to create magic on-screen. This has indeed left many tongues wagging as the `Transformer` actress has an ocean of fan following not only in Hollywood but also in the Indian film fraternity.

Earlier Nargis Fakhri was to star opposite the `Khiladi` star but apparently she walked out of the film following date clashes with a Hollywood project she has taken up.

This didn't go down well with Akshay and he was quite miffed with her. And now, according to rumors, the sensuous `Passion Play` actress has bagged the role.

Bollywood

April 11, 2014

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M W

ho says Rajinikanth is ready to call it a day? His daughter, Soundarya, who’s preparing to unveil her directorial debut Kochadaiiyaan on May 12, has refuted rumors about her dad’s frail health.

She insists that he’s absolutely fit and all set to work on his next project, a live action movie.

Sonakshi Sinha and Singham 2 actress Anushka Shetty are said to be the contenders for the female leads. The two roles are, a girl-next-door from another era and the other, a trendy miss of today. Sonakshi who loved the script has been given first preference to pick the role of her choice.

A friend of Sonakshi’s confirmed the news saying, “She is trying her best to work out the dates for Rajini sir’s film.”

The makers who met her in Mumbai recently, are also trying to rope in Oscar winner A R Rahman to compose the music.

eera Chopra admits that b e i n g Priyanka's cousin helped her find her bearing in the film industry. "Initially there were times when Priyanka got me introduced to directors. Honestly, none of your connections can work if you aren't talented, but yes, I can say that because of her I was welcomed in the industry."

For Meera, there is no comparison between Parineeti and Priyanka. "Priyanka is in a different league in everything, whether its fashion, acting etc. Pari, I would say, is still young and evolving."

J

uhi Chawla is a trained classical singer. And Priyanka Chopra has a single, In My City, to her credit. Now, we hear that Alia Bhatt, who recently sang in Highway, has plans to train professionally as a singer.

When asked if she planned to sing like other actors, as it is seen as an additional asset for an actor, she said, "I enjoyed bathroom singing till I reached the studio. The first time I realized I wanted to be in entertainment was when I was in kindergarten.

"Once, during choir practice, the headmistress asked me to come forward and sing. She then asked all the other students to sing like me. I sang and loved the attention I got that day. I wanted to be like that some day. And now that I am acting, singing for real is also on the agenda."

I enjoyed bathroom singing till I reached the studio. The first time I realized I wanted to be in entertainment was when I was in kindergarten.

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„ Health

Line

NY funds police training on mentally ill ALBANY, N.Y.: New York's new budget allots $400,000 for a pilot program to train police officers in dealing with the mentally ill.

Mental health advocates proposed the training to help officers assess and de-escalate confrontations when called to incidents involving psychologically troubled people.

The so-called Crisis Intervention Team model is already used in some form by 2,700 jurisdictions nationwide.

It teams police officers with mental health professionals.

The program includes guidance for 911 dispatchers on gathering information on mental health and addiction issues.

It also includes 40 hours of training for patrol officers on topics like maintaining a safety zone while assessing the situation and avoiding the temptation to immediately answer a crisis with force. -AP

„

Obesity primes colon for cancer

WASHINGTON: Obesity, rather than diet, causes changes in the colon that may lead to colorectal cancer, according to a new study.

A large body of scientific literature says people who are obese are predisposed to a number of cancers, particularly colorectal cancer, said Thomas Eling, scientist at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in the US. To better understand the processes behind this link, Eling and his colleague Paul Wade fed two groups of mice a diet in which 60 per cent of the calories came from lard.

The first group of mice contained a human version of a gene called NAG-1, which has been shown to protect against colon cancer in other rodent studies.

The second group lacked the NAG-1 gene.

The NAG-1 mice did not gain weight after eating the high-fat diet, while mice that lacked the NAG-1 gene grew plump.

The researchers noticed another striking difference between the two groups of animals.

"The obese mice exhibited molecular signals in their gut that led to the progression of cancer, but the NAG-1 mice didn't have those same indicators," Eling said.

The researchers looked for molecular clues, by isolating cells from the colons of the mice and analyzing a group of proteins called histones.-PTI

Health Science

Massachusetts: 4 months and 185 heroin deaths Details on Page 34

32 India Post

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'Indian vegetarian diet is one of the unhealthiest forms of eating' FREMONT, CA: "The South Asian Health Solution" is a book written by Dr Ronesh Sinha to address this unique challenge. Dr Sinha is an internal medicine physician for Palo Alto Medical Foundation and winner of the 2013 Silicon Valley Business Journal Health Care Hero award for his groundbreaking work with high risk South Asians. Dr Sinha runs a consult practice exclusively for high risk South Asians and delivers health education and wellness programs to prominent Silicon Valley companies and to the community.

Dr. Sinha shared his views on the topic and the book in an exclusive interview to India Post's Ritu Maheshwari.

What inspired you to write the book?

I wrote the South Asian Health Solution after I started my medical practice a decade ago in Silicon Valley. I was overwhelmed by

how many high risk Asian Indian patients I was seeing in my clinic.

Many of them had been following standard US guidelines which for them were ineffective. Diabetes and early heart disease became so common that nearly everyone had a family member with one or more of these conditions.

The resources available for South Asians were limited, so I developed a website for my medical group. Due to the great demand from high-tech companies and the community, I decided to share all of the key information on nutrition and health in this book.

This book is the essence of what I've learned from my South Asian medical consult practice and the wellness programs I've developed for major companies like Oracle. These have led to significant improvements in conditions like obesity, abnormal cholesterol and high blood sugar, without the use of medications.

One major motivator has been my

wife, a pediatrician who coauthored the children's chapter of the book. Almost daily she tells

Dr Ronesh Sinha

me about young Indian children who have developed conditions we used to only think of in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and fatty liver. In response, the book focuses on the entire family unit with dedicated chap-

ters for children and seniors. Every generation is suffering from the ill effects of our modern lifestyle.

In your experience, what is the most important aspect of lifestyle that your book focuses on?

I place a lot of emphasis on nutrition and how it impacts insulin resistance, the underlying process leading to common conditions in Indians such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. People underestimate what a profound impact diet, especially excess carbohydrates, has on their health condition. It actually far outweighs the effects of exercise when it comes to losing weight or overcoming insulin resistance. I've also gained a full appreciation for the devastating effects of stress on both mind and body. I've seen specific markers for insulin resistance and inflammation correct themselves after individuals initiated a stress-reducing practice like meditation or yoga.

Cont'd on Page 34

Sound waves can destroy brain tumor LONDON: In a breakthrough, scientists have for the first time successfully used focused ultrasound to non-invasively destroy a part of brain tumor through a patient's intact skull.

The treatment was conducted at the Focused Ultrasound Center of University Children's Hospital Zurich.

"The patient was awake and responsive during the treatment, and we were able to successfully target and destroy a part of the tumor located deep within the patient's brain," said Javier Fandino, Professor of Neurosurgery at Kantonsspital Aarau, Switzerland.

"We are very encouraged that we could utilize focused ultrasound to accomplish this with no side effects or complications," said Fandino.

Focused ultrasound employs thousands of ultrasound beams that converge on a spot deep in the body.

At this focal point, the ultrasound can cause a variety of biological effects, and in this case, heat and destroy the cancerous tissue, researchers said.

"The ability of focused ultrasound to accomplish both small lesions for functional neurosurgery as well as bulk lesions for tumor ablation is amazing," said Ernst Martin, Professor of Neuroradiology, University Children's Hospital Zurich.

There is an urgent need for new approaches to treating brain tumors, researchers said.

With its ability to noninvasively and accurately target and destroy diseased areas while sparing healthy adjacent brain tissue, focused ultrasound could be the breakthrough that patients and physicians have been waiting for.

"Treatment of this patient is the first critical step in the path to developing a new, noninvasive approach for patients with brain tumors that could serve as an alternative to surgery or radiation therapy," said Neal F Kassell, Chairman of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation.

"Additional clinical trials to prove safety and efficacy are required to translate this milestone into a treatment that could improve the quality of life and longevity for countless individuals," said Kassell.

The procedure was performed to assess the feasibility and safety of focused ultrasound in treating brain tumors and was not intended to demonstrate efficacy, researchers said. -PTI

April 11, 2014

Health Science Post

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Indian scientist develops potential non-insulin diabetes drug NEW YORK: A young Indian scientist has developed a potential non-insulin drug candidate for diabetic patients that can help eliminate the risk of low-blood glucose shock in case of an insulin overdose.

Arnab De, a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Columbia University here, has developed the non-insulin drug candidate in collaboration with Richard DiMarchi of Indiana University.

Patients use insulin to keep their sugar levels in check, an overdose of insulin can lead to low blood-glucose (hypoglycemia), which may cause diabetic-coma and be lifethreatening. Insulin treatment has also been reported to cause weight-gain that may exacerbate a diabetic condition, De told PTI. "We find that there is a peptide hormone in the gut called GLP1 that increases the secretion of insulin only when the blood glucose is high. This effectively eliminates the risk of hypoglycemic shock. Another

advantage is that GLP1 administration has been found to stimulate weight-loss.

The hormone offers the promise of revolutionizing the treatment of Type II diabetes and reduce obesity," he said.

Regarding the clinical trial of the new drug, De said that GLP-1 has an extremely

short half-life of two minutes and this instability has impeded its effective use in patients.

As per a study published in the journal Peptide Science, De and DiMarchi "envisioned a prodrug of GLP as a means to extend the duration of action" and their

New heart valve does not require open surgery

research resulted in several range of options for prolonging peptide action to once-a-day and once-a-week formulations.

"Needless to say, this will be very helpful for patients as we might have a formulation that needs to be taken only once a week as opposed to after every meal" De

WASHINGTON: Doctors in the US have implanted a newly approved aortic heart valve device in a patient that does not require open surgery.

The device, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is called the Medtronic CoreValve System.

On March 28, Loyola University Medical Center became the first Illinois hospital

The study found that patients who received the device had significantly lower mortality than heart valve patients who underwent open-heart surgery.

"This is a major breakthrough," said Fred Leya, co-principal investigator at the Loyola site, along with Mamdouh Bakhos.

The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, included 795 seriously ill heart-valve patients who were randomly assigned to receive the new device or to undergo open-heart surgery.

After one year, the mortality rate was 19.1 per cent in the group that underwent open-heart surgery, but only 14.2 per cent in the group that received the new device.

After 30 days, quality-of-life scores improved 19 points for patients who received the new device, compared with 3.7 points for open-surgery patients.

At the one-year mark, quality-of-life scores increased 23.2 points in the deDoctors in the US have implanted a newly approved vice group and 21.9 points in the openaortic heart valve device without open surgery. heart surgery group.

Quality of life is measured on a 100to implant the device in a patient who was point scale, in which 5 points is considnot part of a clinical trial. ered important and 20 points is considThe new device is deployed with a cath- ered a very large improvement. eter, which is inserted in an artery in the Aortic stenosis occurs when the heart's groin and guided up to the heart. aortic valve is narrowed, restricting blood Once in place, the artificial valve takes flow from the heart to the body. over the function of a diseased valve. The The valve doesn't open properly, forcsystem is much less invasive than tradi- ing the heart to work harder to pump blood. tional open-heart surgery.

Symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, Loyola physicians also have implanted chest pain/pressure, heart murmur, shortthe device in patients participating in clini- ness of breath during activity, heart palpical trials, including a landmark trial. tations and fainting. -PTI

said.

University of Delhi faculty member Subho Mozumdar said the development of a GLP-1 based prodrug represents a patient-friendly, diabetic therapeutic.

"It is a most remarkable breakthrough which might also help to defend against obesity and perhaps against Alzheimer's disease too. There is a huge market for such a therapeutic in India given the growing number of patients," Mozumdar said.

As per estimates by The International Diabetes Federation, around one in five individuals suffer from some form of obesity. These individuals are three times more prone to heart attacks or stroke and five times more likely to develop adult-onset of diabetes vis-a-vis individuals without the syndrome.

Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation (IURTC) has applied for patents internationally on these prodrugs in the world-wide market.

De has been conferred the prestigious Young Investigator's Award by American Peptide Society.

"I hope going forward this drug essentially helps people. That is when the years of hard work and research will pay off," he added. -PTI

Health Science Post

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Massachusetts: 4 months and 185 heroin deaths BOSTON: Gov. Deval Patrick has declared a public health emergency in Massachusetts with a sharp increase in heroin overdoses and opioid addiction. Numerous states are reporting a rise in heroin use as many addicts shift from more costly and harderto-get prescription opiates to this cheaper alternative. A look at what's happening in Massachusetts: The Problem: Heroin overdoses are on the rise in Massachusetts, fueled by its relatively cheap price and high potency. Police suspect some heroin has been laced with the prescription painkiller fentanyl, making it especially dangerous.

The Numbers: State police say 185 people died from suspected heroin overdoses in Massachusetts from November through Feb. 26, a figure that does not include overdose deaths in the state's three largest cities. The number of all opioid-related deaths, which includes heroin, OxyContin and other prescription pain relievers, increased from 363 in 2000 to 642

in 2011, the most recent year for which statewide figures were available.

The Response: Patrick's emergency order, an-

nounced March 27, will allow first responders to carry the overdose drug Narcan and make the antidote more accessible by prescription to family and friends of people battling addiction. Massachusetts health officials say the state's Narcan nasal spray distri-

bution program has stopped more than 2,000 overdoses since 2007.

The governor said his administration will dedicate an additional $20 million for addiction and recovery

services. State lawmakers passed a 911 Good Samaritan law in 2012 to provide limited immunity from arrest or prosecution for minor drug law violations for people who call for medical help for themselves or others who have overdosed. -AP

Ohio struggles with 'epidemic' of heroin overdose COLUMBUS, Ohio: Some states, including Ohio, are reporting a rise in heroin use as many addicts shift from more costly and harder-to-get prescription opiates to this cheaper alternative. A look at what's happening in Ohio: The Problem: Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine calls heroin overdoses an

addicts trying to pay for their next hit.

The Numbers: Heroin-related overdoses killed 426 people in Ohio in 2011, the most recent year for which data was available, up from 338 the previous year, according to state health officials. Just in Cuyahoga County, home to

Heroin-related overdoses killed 426 people in Ohio in 2011, the most recent year for which data was available, up from 338 the previous year, according to state health officials. Just in Cuyahoga County, home to Cleveland, 195 people died in 2013 ``epidemic'' contributing to as many as 11 fatal overdoses a week.

In Cleveland, U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach calls the problem a public health crisis. Emergency medical responders say calls about heroin-related overdoses are a daily occurrence, while police say an increasing amount of crime such as thefts and burglaries is tied to heroin

Cleveland, 195 people died in 2013 of heroin-related overdoses, shattering the former record of 161, set in 2012, the county medical examiner says. And in some of those deaths, the powerful painkiller fentanyl also was detected.

Among Ohio drug users, 12.5 percent in 2011 named heroin as their drug of choice, up from 5.8 percent in 2004. Several heroin busts

in recent months have charged dozens of individuals in cities across Ohio, including Circleville south of Columbus, Marion in north-central Ohio, and Cleveland. Addicts in treatment and substance abuse counselors agree heroin is the easiest drug to get in Ohio now.

The Response: Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed a bill into law in March that allows friends or family members of addicts to administer the drug overdose antidote, naloxone, marketed as Narcan, without the fear of prosecution. DeWine has created a heroin unit of investigators, lawyers and drug abuse awareness specialists to tackle crime, addiction and overdose deaths. Dettelbach held a heroin summit in November with the Cleveland Clinic to discuss solutions, with 600 people in attendance. Laws restricting the prescribing of painkillers may be slowing heroin abuse in some places by limiting the number of people who become hooked on painkillers before switching to heroin. -AP

'Indian vegetarian diet is one of the unhealthiest forms of eating' Cont'd from Page 32

Many Indians think that their vegetarian diets shield them from dietary ill-effects. However, their diet may not be healthy. How can one create awareness about a balanced diet?

I was shocked to discover from my medical consult practice that the typical Indian vegetarian diet is one of the unhealthiest forms of eating on the planet, especially for South Asians, who are predominantly insulin resistant.

My average vegetarian Indian only consumes 1-2 overcooked vegetable curries which have very few nutrients. They hardly consume any raw vegetables and as a result, I call them "grainatarians" rather than vegetarians since the staples in their diet are mostly rice, flatbreads and beans/lentils which in excess make insulin resistance much worse. In summary, the South Asian diet is filled with abundant, nutrient deficient carbohydrates.

How much and what type of exercise would you recommend for a typical sedentary office life style?

Walking more steps and interrupting prolonged periods of sit-

etary fat, a central premise of my book and I show readers how a vegetarian or non-vegetarian can make culturally sensitive carb substitutions to reduce belly fat. Just a few of these substitutions routinely slim bellies more effectively than running countless miles or adding on more sit-ups.

Stress seems to be everywhere at work or homes. For many families, social and family support structure is minimal or nonexistent. How can they begin to balance their lives while handling different roles?

Stress in our modern, high-tech world is a completely different animal than primitive stress. Primitive stress in the form of predators and adverse weather came episodically, allowing for periods of rest in between.

Today's stress is continuous and unless we learn to disconnect from our devices and set boundaries, it can swallow us whole.

Families need to support each other by prioritizing health. This might mean watching the kids so your spouse can go for a walk, dividing responsibilities in the kitchen, making sure kids go to bed at a decent hour, etc. The boundaries between home and

Today's stress is continuous and unless we learn to disconnect from our devices and set boundaries, it can swallow us whole.

Families need to support each other by prioritizing health. ting are the foundation of exercise in today's sedentary world. Studies show formal exercise sessions in the gym hardly counteract the adverse health effects of prolonged sitting, with diabetes and heart disease rates remaining high. I discuss the mechanism for this in detail in my book along with illustrated exercises and apps that help get readers active in the comfort of their own home and office.

You discuss impact of a protruding stomach on blood sugar and heart impact. This seems to be most difficult part of fat to control. Can lifestyle changes help?

The protruding South Asian belly has become a visible symbol for insulin resistance and heart disease risk present in most South Asians. It seems difficult to control if you follow outdated guidelines on nutrition. In most South Asians, excess belly fat is fueled by excess carbohydrates, not di-

work no longer exist, so unless we make deliberate efforts to schedule quality family time without electronics, family meals, time for physical activity and meditation, our health will suffer.

What are some of new advances in medical science that can help South Asians maintain their health and lead a balanced life?

The very technology that can be a barrier to good health can actually enhance health when used in the right way. Body monitoring devices are becoming increasingly refined in measuring various bits of personal data from sleep and nutrition to activity and heart rate. These tools can help South Asians be in better tune with their body and motivate them to continue with healthy lifestyle changes. I highlight several effective Apps and devices in my book that were game changers in allowing patients to reach their health goals.

April 11, 2014

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Gay men concerned after LA meningitis deaths WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif.: In the heart of this close-knit gay community, Luke Martel reflects the feelings of many when it comes to a strain of meningitis that has killed three gay men this year in Los Angeles County: He's concerned but not overly so.

Martel, a gay bartender who moved to West Hollywood from New York City sev-

eral months ago, called the deaths from the rare bacterial infection that can be passed by kissing, sharing utensils or coughing ``a little scary'' but said he doesn't plan to heed calls to get vaccinated. ``I might not take a drag off someone's cigarette now. And I'll run from people who don't cover their mouths when they cough,'' he said. But otherwise, he believes, ``I'm safe.''

Health officials announced a cluster of cases of invasive meningococcal disease that sickened eight people in the LA area.

Among those who fell ill, half were gay or bisexual, including the three who died. Two of the victims were HIV-positive.

Meningitis infections occasionally pop up in places where people interact closely.

The risk of infection is considered low among any population, but those with compromised immune systems are more susceptible, health experts say. ``It is concerning,'' said Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which is offering free meningitis vaccinations.

The disease attacks the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It can only be spread through close contact. Symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting that can develop within days of being exposed.

College campuses, high school locker rooms and prisons can be breeding grounds for the disease. In recent years, gay communities in New York, Chicago and Toronto have seen outbreaks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Since 2010, New York has recorded 22 meningitis infections among gay men and seven deaths.-AP

Hospitals in Vt., NH reject powerful painkiller MONTPELIER, Vt.: Hospitals that serve Vermont and New Hampshire will not be stocking the powerful new painkiller that officials fear could be easily abused.

Fletcher Allen Health Care, Rutland Regional Medical Center and DartmouthHitchcock Medical Center all confirmed that they will not be stocking a drug that hit the markets last month called Zohydro.

Zohydro belongs to a family of medicines known as opiates or opioids. Others include morphine, heroin and oxycodone, the painkiller in OxyContin. Its painkilling power comes from hydrocodone. Other medications, such as Vicodin, contain the same narcotic but also include acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol.

Vermont officials and officials across the nation fear abuse of the drug could worsen an already acute drug problem because it's not tamper resistant and contains up to five times more of the narcotic hydrocodone than previously available in other pills. ``We all just think the drug is too dangerous to use,'' said Dr. Gilbert Fanciullo, director of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center's Pain Management Center. ``I'm actually quite surprised that the FDA hasn't reversed their decision already.''

The Food and Drug Administration said Zohydro meets its standards and provides

an important option for patients with chronic pain and that abuse-deterring formulations of Zohydro are in the early stages of development.

But some health authorities say version on the market now can be crushed and then snorted or injected for a rapid, powerful high that can prove lethal.

Some health authorities say version on the market now can be crushed and then snorted or injected for a rapid, powerful high that can prove lethal.

San Diego-based Zogenix, which makes Zohydro, said that it has set up a board of experts to guard against abuse and that its sales representatives are not being paid based on volume, but rather on their efforts to ensure prescribers, pharmacists and patients understand the medication's risks and benefits.

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin announced an emergency order that would make it harder for physicians to prescribe a new class of drugs that includes Zohydro.-AP

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Realty Tidbits

Motilal Oswal invests Rs 100 cr in two projects MUMBAI: Motilal Oswal Real Estate Investment Advisors has said it has invested Rs 100 crore in residential projects - one near Mumbai and two in Bangalore.

The company closed its maiden investment from the India Realty Excellence Fund II in an upcoming residential project being built

by Ahuja Developers in the distant suburb of Ambernath, the company said in a statement.

In Bangalore, the fund has invested in two residential projects at Yelahanka and Bommanahalli promoted by the Mahaveer Group.

However, the statement did not give details of investments made in the projects.

"Both the transactions are in line with the fund's strategy of doing mezzanine structures with developers having proven track record," Sharad Mittal, director and head real estate investments at Motilal Oswal Real Estate, said.

-PTI

„ Dewan Housing raises $70 mn under ECB MUMBAI: Mortgage lender Dewan Housing Finance has raised USD 70 million from World Bank Group member IFC under the external commercial borrowing (ECB) window.

The landed cost of money, however, is higher than the normal at over 10 per cent.

"We have raised USD 70 million from IFC last week as part of the ECB program," company's Chairman and Managing Director Kapil Wadhawan said.

The tenure of the loan is for eight years and the money has been raised under the specially created ECB window for onlending to affordable homes, he said.

The money got raised at a premium of 3.08 per cent over the Libor, the international benchmark rate, he said. -PTI

Real Estate

Investment in realty sector dipped 65% in 2013

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5 simple home luxuries for less

E

ven in these days of eco nomic uncertainty, we'd all like some luxuries in our lives. Sure, a home addition or kitchen renovation would be nice, but there are plenty of low-cost changes you can make to upgrade your home without spending a small fortune. Adding in little touches here and there can make a regular room stand out and are an easy way to provide a bit of extravagance.

Here are five types of home luxuries you can acquire that won't break the bank.

Wine coolers Wine cellars are big sellers in new homes, but there are spaceand price-conscious ways to bring wines to the appropriate temperature in a snazzy way. "A unique wine cooler is one of those small features that really speaks to people," says Yuma, Ariz., homeowner and landlord Molly Blake, who installed built-in wine coolers in her rental-home kitchens and her own home.

A wine cooler can also help sell or rent a home. "My renters said it was one of the top three reasons they chose our house," Blake says.

"The coolers are not necessarily about wine, but more about small, inexpensive upgrades that show you are not just building or renting out a house, but a home."

Ben Argov, co-owner of International Wine Accessories in Cotati, Calif., agrees. "It shows it's a more affluent, sophisticated consumer, and it adds value to the home."

Wine coolers come in a variety of sizes. Tabletop coolers store up

DEBORAH ABRAMS KAPLAN

to 12 bottles at the proper serving temperature and cost around $100 to $150. Undercounter built-ins will run you a bit more -- from $600 to $1,900 -- but they come in 15- or 24-inch sizes and usually store 30

but you can also install a rain shower head that attaches to the wall via an extension arm.

Another way to upgrade the shower head without re-plumbing is to install a sliding vertical bar

to 50 bottles of wine. Once the space under the counter is open, they're easy to install. All you need to do is plug in the cooler and slide it into place.

with a hand-held shower head, says Denham. "You can raise and lower it based on the height of the family member," she says. "The advantage of a handheld is that it's easier to clean the shower or tub.

With a shower head only, it makes it difficult to clean. Plus, there are so many different options for shower heads. You've got soft flow, massaging, different strengths, body sprays."

Love stepping out of the shower into a cozy towel? Install a heated towel bar. "I'm a really huge fan of heated towel bars because in most areas, towels don't necessarily dry as quickly as we'd like them to. It's nice to have a warm towel," Denham says. For those who don't

Spa shower The bathroom is the place where we like to pamper ourselves.

Without remodeling the room, there are plenty of luxurious changes that won't cost a fortune, says Annette Denham, a kitchen and bath designer and general remodel contractor with Ultimate Kitchens and Baths in Gilbert, Ariz.

One idea, she says, is to switch out the regular shower head for a "rain" shower head. These are typically installed from the ceiling,

want to hardwire the towel bar into their wall, there are plug-in models for both the floor and wall that run $125 to $2,000, she says.

Indoor fireplace Have you always wanted a fireplace in your house but don't have a chimney? Thanks to electric and gel fireplaces, you can now add one that gives off heat and flickering flames without the need for a flue.

Whether mounting it on the wall or setting it on the floor, a freestanding fireplace can easily make a room feel cozier.

"I'm seeing the trend with electric fireplaces," says John Hoang, president of PortableFireplace.com. "Consumers are buying more, especially with wall-mounted units, after seeing them in restaurants and in places like Las Vegas." Denham agrees, saying the long, rectangular gel units are gaining popularity with her clients.

Electric fireplaces have improved in recent years, and flames no longer look fake, says Hoang.

"LED (lighting) technology allows the embers to glow just like pulsating embers. A lot of people confuse them with real fire," he says.

In contrast, gel fireplaces use canisters with gel fuel -- the flames are real. Hoang says that 90 percent of his customers purchase electric units because they're safer around children and there's no fuel to purchase.

Styles for gel and electric fireplaces vary from traditional to modern and generally cost between $300 and $1,000.

Cont’d on page 39

Real Estate Post

April 11, 2014

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Investment in realty sector dipped 65% in 2013 NEW DELHI: Investment in Indian real estate declined by 65 per cent to USD 1.2 billion during 2013 but the country was able to retain 10th rank in Asia Pacific, global property consultant Cushman & Wakefield said.

Investment in real estate sector in India stood at USD 3.4 billion during 2012.

"India has received a total esti-

mated investment of USD 1.2 billion in the real estate sector making it the 10th most invested location in APAC region," C&W said in a statement. quoting its latest report 'Investment Market Beat' 2013.

C&W said the APAC region received a record USD 487 billion of investment in the real estate sector.

5 simple home luxuries for less Cont’d from page 38

Because these aren't built into the wall, these kinds of fireplaces can be moved around the room anytime. The fireplaces can even be used outdoors, but the heat won't be as effective, Hoang says.

Sound system Big, fancy houses often have elaborate screening rooms and intricate sound systems on which to play their movies and music. But you don't need to spend a fortune to get the most out of your TV and music collection.

One simple solution is a "home theater in a box," says David Berman, vice president and general manager at Stereo East Home

Theater Design Studio in Frisco, Texas. The system provides five speakers, an amplifier and subwoofer for one room, starting at $299, though the better ones are generally around $1,000, he says.

You can also plug your other tech items up to it, such as a Blu-ray player, stereo system or computer.

"It's very inexpensive for someone who's looking to get better sound than (their) TV is capable of," he says, noting that as televisions become flatter and thinner, there's no room for decent stereos inside.

If you want a full sound-system solution, talk to a specialist, says Berman. Get quotes on an entire system, not individual components. Then get pricing for the best available system, an inexpen-

sive one that does the same thing but lower quality, and something in the middle, to see what fits your budget best.

Indoor bar "People like having a separate entertaining area," says Denham, but you don't have to build an extra room onto your house to create one. Instead, carve out a space where bar furniture can be a novel conversation piece. Keep it simple with an old-fashioned bar cart stocked with your favorite spirits, says Denham. "That's more of a luxury statement to me," she says.

"There are really nice bar carts in brass, stainless steel and glass."

Often it would be part of the dining room.

If you want something more permanent, Denham suggests installing one or two base cabinets with open, thick glass shelves above and a mirrored back. You can stack your glasses and bottles on the shelves or add some stainless steel bar racks on the ceiling for the glasses.

You can also opt for a piece of wine furniture, which comes in different shapes and sizes, ranging from a cabinet to an armoire to an actual bar with electrical outlets, lighting and space for a small refrigerator.

Argov says prices are generally $700 to $2,300. The furniture usually is not plumbed, but comes with

drawers and surfaces for preparing and serving drinks. "We have seen an uptick in wine furniture sales," says Argov.

-Courtesy Bankrate.com

Of the nations surveyed for investments, China (core & emerging) recorded the highest volume of investments of USD 358 billion, followed by Japan (3rd rank) that recorded investments worth USD 44.6 billion in 2013.

However, India was able to maintain its 10th position on the APAC stack despite the decline in investments largely due to some significant decline in volumes in other markets such as Philippines,

Indonesia, Thailand and Taiwan.

According to the report, investment in land was highest in India at USD 838 million followed by office (USD 247 million) in India during 2013. Investment in land suffered a decline of 61 per cent while office saw a decline of 77 per cent.

Commenting on the report, C&W Executive Managing Director South Asia Sanjay Dutt said: "There is a poignant pause that

the investors have adopted so far as the Indian real estate market scenario is concerned, largely on account of the fact that India is currently at political cusp with general elections for the country just around the corner".

Dutt noted that investors are shying away from making futuristic investments due to suggested regulatory framework changes, which are yet to be implemented. -PTI

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B

himtal is a popular tourist destination located in the Nainital district of the Indian state of Uttarakhand.At an altitude of around 1200 meters, it is named after Bhima, one of the Pandavas from the epic of Mahabharata.

The town of Bhimtal is popular among tourists and local travelers alike due to its proximity to the hill station of Nainital. Bhimtal is famous for the enormous Bhimtal Lake in the region which is bigger than Naini Lake and offers good boating facilities. The lake has an island in its centre which can be accessed only through boats.

About 22 km from Nainital, the lake is surrounded by the Kumaon hills all around. Geologists believe that the lake was formed by the chain of faults caused by the movements in the earth's crust. The blockade of surface drainage water led to the formation of Bhimtal Lake.

Bhimtal supports a wide variety of animal species like black eagle, wall creeper, tawny fish owl, bulbul and emerald dove.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: The climate of this region can be classified as sub tropical, with the basic seasons of summer, winter and monsoon. Summers in the town of Bhimtal are very mild and winters are cold, thus making it an ideal destination for honeymoons. The best time to visit the town of Bhimtal would be during the summer months and also during early winter.

Summers in the town of Bhimtal extend through the months of March, April and May. These three months will experience a maximum temperature of around twenty seven degrees (27°C) and a minimum temperature of around ten degrees (10°C).

Cont’d on page 42

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BHIMTAL

April 11, 2014

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Enormous lake with an island at center Cont’d from page 41

This is an ideal time to visit the town.

Bhimtal is a place of religious significance as well. A temple complex is located in the town and this complex attracts pilgrims from in and around the region. Called Bhimeshwar, the temple complex was built in the 17th century. Its exquisite architecture is an additional attraction.

You can also travel to the nearby locations of Almora, Pangot, Ranikhet and Mukteshwar during your trip to Bhimtal.

PLACES TO VISIT Bhimeshwara Mahadev Temple: It is an old Shiva temple, located on the embankment of Bhimtal Lake. It is believed that a temple was in existence there during the time of Bhima, when he had come to this place during the exile period of the Pandavas.

The present temple was built by Baz Bahadur - a king of the Chand Dynasty along with the Raja of Kumaon. The 17th century temple is located by the 40 feet high Victoria dam.

Hanuman Garhi: Hanuman Garhi or Hanumangarhi is located some 3.5 km from the Tallital or South End bus stop; at an altitude of 6,401 ft. Lord Hanuman - the monkey god of the epic Ramayana - is the main deity of the temple. The place also of-

an Hanum Garhi

fers some good views of the setting sun over the Himalayas. The statue of Hanuman located here is about 4 m high.

Folk Culture Museum: The Folk Culture Museum, popularly known as Lok Sanskriti Sangrahalaya, houses a good collection of information and artifacts about the hilly regions of Uttar Pradesh. The collection of artifacts includes important information on various

Bhimeshwara Mahadev Temple

topics like stone implements, traditional rites, rituals and archaeologically important items. It also has an impressive collection of photographs and reproductions of rock art.

H i d i m b a Parvat: Hidimba Parvat of Hidimba Hill is located some 5 km from Bhimtal and is named after the demon wife of Bhima Hidimba of the Mahabharata.

Vankhandi Maharaj, an environmentalist

and monk has developed a refuge for wild animals. The wildlife asylum is known as Vankhandi Ashram.

Victoria Dam: Victoria dam is located at one end of Bhimtal Lake and has terraced flower gardens that are placed on either side of the dam.

There is also the 17th century Bhimeshwar Temple devoted to Shiva, located very next to it.

Tourists can take a walk through the huge forests that surround the lake. The dam is 40 feet high and offers sights of nature that is very rare in other parts of the country. The gorge is decorated with wild flowers that give it a beautiful look, which attracts good number of tourists every year to this place.

Aquarium: Bhimtal Lake has an island located within it, which once had a restaurant. The restaurant was closed down due to pollution issues and an aquarium was created in its place by the Nainital Lake Development Authority. The aquarium is now home to fish brought from countries like China, South Africa and Mexico.

Karkotaka Temple: The hill of Karkotaka is quite well known for the Nag Temple and is visited by thousands of pilgrims who come here to worship the serpent god, Nag Karkotaka Maharaja on the event of Rishi Panchami.

Karkotaka hill is named after a mythical cobra named Karkotaka. It is believed that the temple with the serpent god protects the villagers from snake bites.

HOW TO REACH:

By Air: Flights can be taken to the minor airport located in the town of Pantnagar.

Folk Culture Museum

By Bus: Buses to Bhimtal run from many destinations including Nainital, Dehradun, Haridwar and even Rishikesh. Buses from Nainital are frequently available.

April 11, 2014

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Asia's largest Tulip garden thrown open for public SRINAGAR: Asia's largest Tulip garden on the banks of Dal Lake here was thrown open to visitors even as the inclement weather conditions have delayed blooming of majority of the bulbs.

"The weather this year delayed the blooming of the tulips and delayed its opening," an official of the Floriculture Department told PTI. He said most of the bulbs had not bloomed due to inclement weather and incessant rains in the month of March this year.

"Even with the bad weather conditions, around 50,000-60,000 bulbs have bloomed and we expect around 10 lakh bulbs to fully bloom in the next five or six days," he said.

The official said the department has imported 2.96 lakh fresh bulbs this year including new varieties, taking the total number of varieties in the 15-hectare garden to 120.

The garden in the foothills of Zabarwan Range has a total of 1.5 million tulips and its opening marks the beginning of a new tourism season in Kashmir Valley.

Formerly known as Siraj Bagh, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was opened in 2008 by the then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

The idea of the garden was conceived to advance the tourism season in the Valley by two months.

Last year the garden was thrown open to public on March

27.

The average life span of the tulip flower is three to four weeks but heavy rains or too much of heat can destroy them.-PTI

AP tourism proposes 'heli-tourism' 'Floating hotel' launched for Goa tourists in Hyderabad HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation is planning to revive its heli-tourism project, which will offer a bird's eye view of historical sites in the city and elsewhere in the region.

APTDC plans to introduce helicopter rides for tourists, in association with private firms.

It had sought to introduce this facility a couple of years ago but the Directorate General of Civil Aviation did not clear the proposal.

At the recently held India Aviation-2014 conclave, the Corporation officials took up the issue with Civil Aviation Ministry authorities, who sought a concrete proposal.

"We had a preliminary round of meeting with Civil Aviation Ministry officials. We discussed issues like coordination between different stakeholders for the project.

"We are now identifying the prospective circuits for heli-tourism," a senior official

At the recently held India Aviation-2014 conclave, the Corporation officials took up the issue with Civil Aviation Ministry authorities, who sought a concrete proposal.

of APTDC told PTI. Civil Aviation Joint Secretary G Ashok Kumar, who belongs to AP cadre of IAS, assured APTDC that he would coordinate with the DGCA for requisite clearances and licenses and also asked the Corporation authorities to convene a meeting with private helicopter operators to work out modalities.

"Many private operators are interested...We will discuss our plans with them next week," the APTDC official said.

"Warangal is a heritage city to which we can organize helicopter rides. There are other places like Vikarabad and Bhadrachalam that could also be developed as helitourism spots," the official said.

A helipad is being built on APTDC's premises near Tank Bund here for operation of short-distance services and city tour.

"We want to kick-start the project soon after the elections," the official said. -PTI

PANAJI: Bangalore-based Champions Group is aiming to bring in 'experiential luxury travel' in Goa, a concept that is picking up worldwide in tourism, a company official said.

"We have launched Catamaran facility for high-end customers in South Goa. There are also other facilities which are low priced and

at Cavelossim village has been attracting corporate and high end clients. It is a sort of 'floatel' (floating hotel) for high end customers, Vishwanath said.

"Experiential travel is a concept which already exists abroad but is a new thing to Goa. We have successfully introduced it here," Edson Martins, the company's

unique to the state giving a lifetime experience to the travelers," Prajwal Vishwanath, a senior official from Champions Group, told PTI on the sidelines of the ongoing Goa International Travel Mart (GITM).

The group ventured into Goa market about six months back and since then has forayed into this untapped tourism potential in the state.

The catamaran ship anchored

business development head, said.

The company has also introduced Pontoons and high speed cruise boats in Goan waters.

It has already provided ecofriendly boats to the state government-run facility at Mayem Lake.

"At Mayem we have supplied equipment like 'Chikara', ecofriendly battery operated boats and soon we will have a floating restaurant for the mid-segment customers," Martins said. -PTI

In Brief Judge orders review of residency application LOUISVILLE, Kentucky: A federal judge in Kentucky is compelling immigration officials to make a decision about an application for permanent residency brought by an Iranian immigrant who distributed leaflets for a violent organization in his home country 30 years ago.

U.S. District Judge Joseph Hood in Lexington ruled that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and it's immigration arm ``unreasonably delayed'' an application brought by Mehrdad Hosseini for 12 years. Immigration officials now have two months to make a decision on his application.

Hosseini sued the federal government in an attempt to force a decision on his application, which would allow him to legally stay in the United States with his wife and children. Immigration officials granted Hosseini asylum on Feb. 5, 2000. -AP

„ Immigrant hunger strikers released from solitary SEATTLE: Lawyers who sued the federal government on behalf of about 20 immigrant hunger strikers at a Washington state detention facility say their clients have been released from solitary confinement.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington and Columbia Legal Services sued on behalf of the men, and say they were returned to the general population after six days in solitary confinement.

In the lawsuit, the lawyers said U.S. Immigration and Cus-

toms Enforcement were unlawfully retaliating against the men for exercising their right to free speech.

The agency denied that and said the men had been intimidating others to join their hunger strike.

The hunger strikers were protesting U.S. immigration law as well as the conditions at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma. -AP

Immigration

USCIS holds teleconference with EB-5 stakeholders

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New California immigration law is slowing deportations SAN DIEGO: Far fewer immigrants arrested by California law enforcement are being turned over to federal authorities for deportation since a new state law went into effect in January.

The law was pushed by immigrant advocates and directs law enforcement agencies to more quickly release those without serious criminal records rather than hold them so federal officials can take them into custody for deportation proceedings.

Already, according to a review

by The Associated Press, the new law appears to be having a big impact in slowing deportations at a time when President Barack Obama is looking to ease immigration enforcement policies nationwide and appease immigrant advocates who say his administration has been too tough.

Until now, California has accounted for a third of deportations under U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement's Secure Communities program, which screens the fingerprints of arrestees for potential immigration violations.

While it was expected the state

law known as the Trust Act would reduce the number of people held for possible deportation, it wasn't clear how significant the drop would be.

Since sheriff's departments are responsible for most bookings, the

to 1,660. Those 15 counties included four of the five largest in the state - Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino. Orange County could not provide 2013 data because officials do not keep paperwork on this is-

Supporters of immigration reform gather in San Francisco on the National Day for Dignity and Respect.

AP surveyed those agencies in 23 counties responsible for most of California's deportations under the program.

Not all supplied data for the first two months of this year, but among the 15 that did, there was a 44 percent drop, from 2,984 people

sue for more than a year.

"It suggests that before the Trust Act went into effect, at least in California, Secure Communities was having a most significant impact on relatively minor criminal offenders, as opposed to the gang bangers the president was saying

were being targeted," said Kevin Johnson, dean of the University of California, Davis school of law and an immigration law expert.

While most counties appear to be complying with the law, some sheriffs' departments do not appear to have adopted policies to put it into action when the year began.

Angela Chan, senior staff attorney at San Francisco-based civil rights organization Asian Americans Advancing Justice, said advocates have received reports of about a dozen instances where people should have been released under the new law but weren't.

"There is inconsistency, and that is something we're working on," she said. "This is a law they have to follow."

Secure Communities has led to more than 300,000 deportations since October 2008. The program has immigration agents screen the fingerprints of arrestees and ask local law enforcement to hold for 48 hours those they want to deport until they can pick them up and take them to a detention facility.

Cont'd on Page 48

GOP plan offers military path to status WASHINGTON: Stymied on comprehensive immigration overhaul, House Republicans are pushing a plan to give young immigrants brought to the country illegally by their parents a path to resident status if they join the U.S. military.

Rep. Jeff Denham said he would press for a vote on his legislation, known as the ENLIST Act, either as a free-standing bill or as an addition to the defense authorization measure that the House will consider in May. The Californian from a competitive, increasingly Hispanic district is one of a handful of GOP proponents of reform whose hopes for a vote have been quashed this election year. ``This is a way to improve our national security,'' Denham told

Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., left, on Capitol Hill in Washington. House Republicans are pushing a plan to give young immigrants brought to the country illegally by their parents a path to resident status if they join the U.S. military.

reporters in arguing for his legislation.

Denham immediately faced a concerted effort from conservative opponents to scuttle his move. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., circulated a letter among his colleagues opposing any attempt to

add immigration legislation to the defense bill. His intent was to collect as many signatures as possible and deliver the letter to House leadership.

Brooks, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, vowed to challenge any move on

immigration, either when the committee writes its bill on May 7 or on the House floor. ``If another member tries to give illegal aliens preferential treatment and put them on equal footing with American citizens for jobs in the military, I will fight it and all hell will break loose,'' Brooks said in an interview.

In a blow to Denham, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee - and fellow Californian - said in a statement that he would not include the immigration legislation in his initial version of the defense bill. Republican Rep. Howard ``Buck'' McKeon, who is a co-sponsor of Denham's legislation, said the defense bill should not be the original venue for an immigration Cont'd on Page 48 debate.

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USCIS holds teleconference with EB-5 stakeholders

U

.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) held a teleconference on February 26 with EB-5 stakeholders. Nicholas Colucci, the new director of USCIS's Immigrant Investor Program Office, led the teleconference.

Among other things, USCIS said that it is now adjudicating I924 regional center petitions and I-526 alien entrepreneur petitions in the Washington, DC, field office, but that it continues to adjudicate I-829 removal of conditions and I-485 adjustment of status petitions at the California Service Center for the time being.

USCIS also said it is moving toward greater use of its Electronic Immigration System (ELIS) and has implemented it for intake of I526 petitions. The agency said it plans to offer webinars on the features of the document library, which allows regional centers to provide electronic versions of certain documents.

USCIS noted that regional center geographic area expansion must be contiguous to approved geographic areas. USCIS said it reviews such expansions on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the expansion will promote economic growth, frequently focusing on the supply chain and labor pool.

Targeted employment areas (TEAs) have been a hot topic for EB-5 stakeholders. USCIS noted that a TEA need not be singular

CYRUS D. MEHTA

tan statistical area, or of the city or town with a population of 20,000 or more in which the enterprise is principally doing business, has been designated a high unemployment area.

As of February 1, 2014, USCIS had approved approximately 440 regional centers. The agency said the average processing time for both regional center cases and direct EB-5 cases is 11 months, but that processing may take longer temporarily due to staffing issues.

The agency also said it is planning new EB-5 regulations and a policy guidance manual.

The list of EB-5 regional centers by state is available at http:// www.uscis.gov/general-keywords/eb-5. This article is based on multiple reports; USCIS has not yet released a summary of the teleconference.

State Dept. Waives Visa Fees for Participants in 2014 Special Olympics Summer Games and 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games The Department of State has waived fees for applications (i.e., machine-readable visa) and visa issuances (i.e., reciprocity) for certain participants in the 2014 Special Olympics Summer Games Invitational taking place in Los Angeles, California, from June 6 to 8, 2014, and the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games taking place in Los Angeles from July 25 to August 2, 2015. Approximately 250 accredited delegation

The Department of State has waived fees for applications (i.e., machine-readable visa) and visa issuances for certain participants in the 2014 Special Olympics Summer Games Invitational taking place in Los Angeles and a new commercial enterprise can be principally located in, doing business in, and creating jobs in a collection of TEAs. USCIS also confirmed that a high unemployment TEA must be established by a letter from an authorized body of the government of the state in which the new commercial enterprise is located, certifying that the geographic or political subdivision of the metropoli-

members are expected to attend the 2014 Games, and 6,500 members will attend the 2015 Games.

The included roles are: • Athletes and Unified Partners (athletes without an intellectual disability who train and compete on teams with persons with intellectual disabilities); • Coaches, trainers, referees, and judges; • Other supporting staff accred-

ited to the Games (e.g., medical doctors, nurses, therapists, Special Olympics staff from regional offices, and technical delegates to oversee each sport); • Heads and assistant heads of the delegation; • Medical doctors participating in the Healthy Athletes Program; • Global Messengers (former athletes acting as spokespersons

through May 2, 2014. USCIS encourages beneficiaries to re-register as soon as possible.

The 18-month extension also allows TPS re-registrants to apply for a new employment authorization document (EAD). Eligible Haitian TPS beneficiaries who reregister during the 60-day period and request a new EAD will receive one with an expiration date

All TPS re-registrants must also submit Form I765, Application for Employment Authorization. TPS re-registrants requesting an EAD must submit the I-765 application fee, or a fee waiver request. during the Games); and • Police officers who will participate in the final leg of the Torch Run. The Department has authorized U.S. consular posts worldwide to issue multiple-entry B-1/B-2 visas to qualifying applications. International media are not included in the fee waiver and will need to apply and qualify for I visas. "The same holds true for all petitionable classifications, such as temporary workers, entertainers, and cultural exchange groups," the Department cable states.

The related cable, which includes additional information about applicable dates and other facts, is available at.

USCIS Extends TPS for Haitians; ICE Extends Work Authorization for Certain Haitian F-1 Students U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has extended temporary protected status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Haiti for an additional 18 months, effective July 23, 2014, through January 22, 2016. Also, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has extended employment authorization for certain Haitian F1 students due to ongoing hardship related to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Highlights of these two developments follow.

Haitian TPS. Current Haitian beneficiaries seeking to extend their TPS status must re-register during a 60-day period that began on March 3, 2014, and runs

of January 22, 2016. USCIS recognizes that some re-registrants may not receive their new EADs until after their current EADs expire.

Therefore, USCIS is automatically extending current TPS Haiti EADs bearing a July 22, 2014, expiration date for an additional 6 months.

These existing EADs are now valid through January 22, 2015.

To re-register, current TPS beneficiaries must submit Form I821, Application for Temporary Protected Status. Re-registrants do not need to pay the I-821 application fee, but they must submit the biometric services fee, or a fee waiver request, if they are 14 or older.

All TPS re-registrants must also submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. TPS re-registrants requesting an EAD must submit the I-765 application fee, or a fee waiver request. If the re-registrant does not want an EAD, no application fee is required.

Cont'd on Page 46

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Rallies in cities across US decrying deportation PHOENIX: Immigration advocates and supporters rallied in cities across the U.S. in a renewed effort to push President Barack Obama to put a freeze on deportations.

Organizers of the more than 50 planned ``Day of Action'' demonstrations said Obama has the executive power to stop deportations that separate immigrants living in the country illegally from their loved ones.

In Eloy, Arizona, more than 100 supporters converged in front of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center after journeying more than 60 miles (100 kilometers)from Phoenix.

Natally Cruz, an organizer with the grassroots group Puente Arizona, said many of the people in attendance have relatives who have been inside the facility for more than a year. ``We want President Obama and his administration to really hear our community members across the country, to understand we do not want one more person separated,'' said Cruz, who entered the U.S. at age 8 illegally with her parents. ``One family every night goes to bed missing somebody in their family.''

Many walked with signs saying ``Not 1 More Deportation'' and calling for deferred deportation action for all. The group included a woman whose son has been in the Eloy Detention Center for

peaceful with no arrests.

Amber Cargile, an ICE spokeswoman in Phoenix, said the agency respects the rights of people to protest outside its facilities. ``While we continue to work

enter the United States,'' Cargile said.

More than 50 people, including families with children, stood in front of a federal immigration office in New York City. Among them was 47-yearold Humayun Chowdhury, a cab driver who said his family suffered immensely when authorities held him for 14 months. ``I got out to my family because my community helped,'' s a i d C h o w d h u r y, who is from Bangladesh.

Chowdhury Immigration advocates and supporters rallied in cities across the country in a renewed effort to now has a perpush President Barack Obama to put a freeze on deportations. mit to work in the U.S. and he nearly three years and a woman with Congress to enact hopes to get permanent residency who was arrested at her workplace commonsense immigration reform, status in the future. His 14-yearand detained for two months, the ICE remains committed to sensible, old son, Maheen, said he was 11 group said. effective immigration enforcement when immigration authorities The Eloy Police Department that focuses on its priorities, in- showed up to arrest his father at 5 had about five officers monitoring cluding convicted criminals and a.m. According to Maheen, the the rally. Sgt. Brian Jerome said the those apprehended at the border separation put the entire family in demonstration was relatively while attempting to unlawfully a tailspin.

South Korea to get India visa-on-arrival facility NEW DELHI: The number of South Korean visitors to the country is expected to increase as the government has extended the visa-on-arrival facility to the country with effect from April 15.

"South Korea will become the 12th country to get visa-on-arrival

istry official told PTI. Currently, there are 11 countries that have been given the VoA facility and after the inclusion of South Korea the number will go up to 12.

As a facilitative measure to attract more foreign tourists to In-

The number of South Korean visitors to the country is expected to increase as the government has extended the visa-on-arrival facility to the country

facility from April 15 and the necessary order has been issued accordingly," a senior Tourism Min-

dia, government had launched VoA scheme from January 2010 for citizens of five countries - Finland,

Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore - visiting India for tourism purposes.

The scheme was extended to six more countries - Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos and Myanmar in 2011.

Aiming at giving a major boost to tourism, India has allowed visaon-arrival facility for tourists from 180 countries, including South Korea, US, UK, Russia, Germany, China, UAE and Bangladesh.

Tourism ministry has sought the facility to be extended to some 180 countries including South Korea, Germany, France and Russia to boost foreign tourist arrivals in the country.

"Though the government has approved in-principle the VoA scheme for many countries, it will take four to five months for the respective departments to put the required infrastructure in place.

The scheme is expected to be operational from the coming tourist session beginning October," the official said. -PTI

``Everything was a mess. We had trouble getting food. My mom just cried all the time. We had to sell our car for money,'' said Maheen Chowdhury, who was born in the U.S. The Chowdhurys said they don't want others to suffer the same pain and that there should be a way for immigrants without criminal records to stay in the country.

In Hartford, Connecticut, dozens of immigrants gathered in front of a federal building after coming from 11 cities across the state. Many said they were angered into action by the refusal of Republicans in Congress to work on immigration reform. Protesters included Jasmine Mendoza, of Norwalk, Connecticut, whose husband was deported after a routine traffic stop. Mendoza said she is raising their 8-month-old son alone.

In March, Obama asked Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to review enforcement practices to ease his administration's rate of deportations.

Almost 2 million people have been removed from the U.S. since Obama became president in 2009. -AP

USCIS holds teleconference with EB-5 stakeholders Cont'd from Page 45

Applicants may ask that USCIS waive the I-765 application fee or biometrics fee based on an inability to pay by filing Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, or by submitting a written request. Fee waiver requests must be accompanied by supporting documentation.

Failure to submit the required filing fees or a properly documented fee waiver request will result in rejection of the TPS application, USCIS said.

Extension of work authorization for Haitian F-1 students: ICE announced on March 3, 2014, that it would extend the suspension of certain requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant Haitian students who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the January 12, 2010, earthquake in Haiti.

This relief applies only to students whose country of citizenship is Haiti and who were lawfully present in the United States in F-1 status on January 12, 2010, and enrolled in an institution certified by ICE's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

The current extension will enable eligible F-1 students to continue to obtain employment authorization, work an increased number of hours during the school term, and, if necessary, reduce their course load while continuing to maintain their F-1 student status.

The suspension of the regulatory requirements will remain in effect through January 22, 2016.

ICE noted that the ongoing devastation and unstable conditions caused by the earthquake in Haiti increased the financial burden on many of these students, who previously relied on assistance from the Haitian government or family members in Haiti to meet basic living expenses.

"While the government of Haiti has made progress in improving security and quality of life of its citizens following the January 2010 earthquake, Haiti continues to lack the adequate infrastructure, employment and educational opportunities, and basic services," ICE said. As of February 3, there were 820 active F-1 Haitian students enrolled in SEVP-certified schools in the United States.

April 11, 2014

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Immigration Post

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April 11, 2014

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Deportation ruling will let student graduate SILVERTHORNE, Colo.:AColorado high school student who was locked up by immigration authorities is back in class in time to graduate after his attorney won a delay in his deportation proceedings.

Jaime Leon Rivas walked out of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lockup in Aurora and returned to Snowy Peaks High School after protesters launched a campaign outside the detention center holding signs that read ``Let Jaime Graduate'' and ``Free Jaime.''

Principal Brett Tomlinson said he hugged Leon Rivas when he returned to school and welcomed

him back. ``It's fantastic. He's excited to be back in class. It shows how much everyone believes in him,'' Tomlinson said. Leon Rivas, who is 19, is expected to graduate with the rest of his class on May 22, Tomlinson said.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have detained Leon Rivas since March 4, when he was handcuffed at a scheduled supervision meeting in Glenwood Springs. But immigration attorney Alex McShiras said a stay of a federal-removal order was issued that gives Leon Rivas another year of freedom in the

United States, which is enough time for the Snowy Peaks High School senior to graduate and make a case that he should be given asylum.

Leon Rivas, who turned 19 on March 25, immigrated to the United States when he was 10 years old. He said he and his brother, who was then 15, were fleeing gang violence in their home country of El Salvador when they illegally crossed the Rio Grande into Texas back in 2005. Leon Rivas and his brother, Carlos, were quickly detained by ICE officials and persuaded to sign voluntary departure forms.-AP

New California immigration law is slowing deportations Cont'd from Page 44

Touted by supporters as a way to identify and deport those who have committed serious crimes, the program also has led to people with relatively minor infractions being sent back to their home countries.

Under the Trust Act, immigrants facing trial on serious criminal charges or with serious criminal records can be held on immigration grounds, but those charged with lesser crimes are released on bail or after serving time, just like Americans.

The law specifies which crimes are considered serious so that wherever someone is arrested the treatment is supposed to be largely the same, though some counties may choose not to honor immigration holds, such as Santa Clara.

In passing the legislation, California joined Connecticut and more than a dozen jurisdictions including Cook County, Ill., and Newark, N.J., in declining requests for immigration holds. State lawmakers in Massachusetts are considering similar legislation.

ICE declined to comment. The agency is evaluating the impact of the Trust Act. Thomas Homan, ICE's executive associate director for enforcement and removal operations, told a congressional committee in March that laws like California's are having an effect.

"It takes that leverage away from us," Homan said, adding that

he'd rather have his agents "arrest these people in a safe setting than be on the street looking for them, especially for the ones that have a significant public safety threat conviction."

ICE officials can pick up people arrested in California on minor violations, but must do so upon their release. That is much harder to coordinate and ICE agents don't have the resources to get to every jail to pick up every arrestee.

Diego was second in overall cases handled but dropped 58 percent, from 426 to 180.

Immigration law experts said it's too soon to pinpoint a reason for the variation. Potential factors include a delay in some counties implementing the law and different arrest priorities and practices among the agencies, immigration experts said.

In Sacramento County, Martin Del Agua was arrested in February for investigation of drunken

Immigration law experts said it's too soon to pinpoint a reason for the variation. Potential factors include a delay in some counties implementing the law and different arrest priorities and practices among the agencies, immigration experts said.

"We can't stop them from taking anyone if they're here," said Cmdr. John Ingrassia of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. "We're just not going to hold them."

The AP survey showed county-by-county disparities in the year-to-year percentage reduction of people held, from 3 percent in San Luis Obispo to 93 percent in San Francisco, which last year passed a local law that restricts the use of immigration holds even further.

Los Angeles, which handled the most cases, fell from 1,143 last year to 818 in the first two months of 2014, a 28 percent decline. San

and disorderly conduct after deputies went to his home to address a neighbor's complaint about loud music, and was later placed on an immigration hold, sheriff's officials said.

Del Agua's lawyer says the arrest was baseless, and notes he was never charged and should have been released the same day.

The 37-year-old Mexican, a landscaper and father of two, was released two days later after his wife and lawyer challenged his detention, he said.

Sheriff's officials acknowledged the arrest occurred before the department developed a Trust Act policy. -AP

GOP plan offers military path to status der security remains stalled in the House.

Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, McKeon, who has announced plans to retire at the end of his and other GOP leaders unveiled a term, would prefer to avoid any set of immigration principles in controversial issue that could un- January, but rank-and-file memdermine speedy passage of his bers balked at moving ahead on last defense bill, according to con- any legislation in an election year. gressional aides. The measure that Boehner attributed the GOP roadsets policy for the Pentagon and block to a collective distrust of President Barack Obama to enforce any House Republicans want to new laws. avoid a divisive immigration House Republicans want to avoid a divifight that could anger their sive immigration fight core voters, especially with that could anger their an improving outlook for the core voters, especially with an improving outNovember midterms. look for the November military traditionally enjoys strong midterms. The GOP hopes to inbipartisan support and has cleared crease its majority in the House Congress every year for the last and possibly win control of the half century, a rare occurrence in Senate.

Denham's bill, which has the the deeply divided legislature.

Denham is not a member of support of 42 Republicans and Armed Services, but his is work- Democrats, would allow immiing with Rep. Mike Coffman, R- grants who were brought to this Colo., who is, and several other country on or before Dec. 31, 2011, Republicans on the issue. Coffman and were younger than 15 years could try to force a committee vote old to become legal, permanent to add the immigration legislation. residents through honorable serThe latest maneuvering comes vice in the military.

Denham argued that oppoas the comprehensive, Senatepassed bill that provides a path to nents who have never served in citizenship for the estimated 11 the armed forces lack an undermillion immigrants living in the standing of the contributions of country illegally and tightens bor- immigrants to the military.-AP Cont'd from Page 44

Police bust gang making forged Indian visa NEW DELHI: The Special Cell of Delhi Police has busted a gang which allegedly used to prepare fake passports of African countries and forged Indian Visa for overstaying in India and other illegal activities with the arrest of three Nigerian nationals, police said.

Kelvin alias Eboy (28), Ibitoroko Melville (53) were arrested on March 19 following a tip off while Martins Cletus Okechukwu alias Charles (36) was nabbed on March 21 on their instance.

Police recovered 20 filled/blank passports of Ghana, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and blank and affixed forged Indian Visa stickers, seven-rubber stamps of Arrival/Departure of Immigration of Indian and Nigerian airports, stamp pads, papers, CPU, pen drive etc.

"In the second week of March, we got information that Kelvin and Melville are running a big racket of fake Indian Visa stickers and

fake passports of different African countries.

"The duo was selling them to the citizens of different African countries for facilitating their illegal stay in India even after expiry of their Indian Visas," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav.

On March 19, specific input was received that Melville would exchange fake passports, Visas with his associate Kelvin in Sector 13 and 3, Dwarka, Delhi. A trap was laid and both the accused persons were nabbed and large amount of incriminating material was recovered from them. Both of them were arrested under sections of IPC and Foreigners Act, police said.

"During interrogation, they disclosed that they were into this trade for a long time and were providing fake visas and passports in lieu of money to several African nationals to facilitate their stay in India even after expiry of their original Visas," said Yadav.-PTI

Classifieds

April 11, 2014

India Post 49

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Datebook

50 India Post

NEW JERSEY

NEW YORK Upcoming

Upcoming Sat, Apr 12 • Gujarati Drama “Marriage Fixing

Sun, Apr 13 • Wife Bahu Cute Hoi - Gujarati Drama

Venue: Plainfield High School, 920, Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060 Time: 6:30pm

Venue: Hindu Auditorium, 143-09 Holly Ave, Flushing, NY 11355 Time: 5:30 pm Contact: 347-513-8526

Sun, Apr 13

Sun, Apr 13 • Punjabi Virsa 2014 - NY

• Hriday Sandhya in South Jersey near Philadelphia Venue: Harrington Middle School Theater - South Jersey, NJ, 514 Mt Laurel Rd, Mt Laurel, NJ 08054 Time: 2:00 pm Contact: 6092062310

Sun, Apr 13 • Nadanap Peru Vizha Venue: North Brunswick High School, 98 Raider Road, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 Time: 3: 00 pm

Venue: Queens College Colden Center, 6530 Kissena Blvd,Horace Harding Time : 6:00 pm Contact : 718-610-9799

Fri, May 2

• An Evening Of Indian Classic Music Venue: New York Insight Meditation Center, 28 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001 Time: 08:00 pm Contact : 718-672-3211

April 11, 2014

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Upcoming

Sat, Apr 12 • Rock De Boomm 14 (A Maitri Benefit) Venue: Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose, CA 95116 Time: 11:00 am

• J K Yog Satsang and Bal Mukund Hindi Classes are held every 2nd and 4rth Sunday of Month

Venue: India Community Center, 525 Los

Chicago Satsang Information: J K Yog, Chicago - Swami Mukundananda Venue: Clarion Inn/Waterford Banquets, Board Room, 933 South Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, IL 60126 Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807 Website: www.jkyog.org

Coches Street, Milpitas, CA 95035 Time: 5:30 pm

April 12,13 • Brahma Kumaris Silicon

Sat, May 3 • Udit Narayan - Alka Yagnik Live In Concert Venue: Jordan High School Auditorium, 6500 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90805

Venue: 821 Anacapa Court, Milpitas,

Time: 6:00 pm

CA 95035

Contact: 310-715-3030

Time : 10:00 am to 12:00 noon Contact: www.bksiliconvalley.org

Sat, May 3 • Udit Narayan - Alka Yagnik Live In Concert Venue: Jordan High School Auditorium, 6500 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90805 Time: 6 pm Contact: 310-715-3030

June 5th to 8th • Ugadi Celebrations Prana Prathishta Mahotsavam of Anjaneya Swami, Ayyappa Swami, Durga Matha, Nava Graha's and Sri Kanyaka Parameswari (Vasavi Matha) Venue: Hindu Temple of St Louis, 725 Weidman Road, St. Louis, MO 63011 Time: 6 pm Contact: (636) - 230-3300

Upcoming

Sun, Apr 20 • Raaga Lahari - Telugu Music Concert

Contact: 415-410-3768

Valley Meditation Center has organized a special talk on "Make Mind Your Best Friend"

ILLINOIS

ATLANTA Upcoming Sat, Apr 12 • TAGG Ugadi 2014 Celebration Venue: Ahimsa Hall ,Vedic Center, 520 Bethel Rd, Mauldin, SC 29662 Time: 4:00 pm

Sun, Apr 16 • Alka Yagnik Udit Narayan 100 Years Of Celebration Venue: SAtlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

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

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

Apr 11, 12 and 13

• 6th St. Louis Indian Dance Festival Venue: Clayton High School Auditorium 1 Mark Twain Circle St. Louis, MO 63105 Time : April 11, 6.15 pm April 12, 5.15 pm April 13, 1.30 pm Contact: www.sooryadance.com

Time: 9:00 pm

Mondays and Fridays

Sat, Apr 19 • Vaisakhi Celebration 2014

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

Venue: Ashiana Global Mall, 5675 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Norcross, GA 30071 Time: 7:00pm

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

Philosophy

April 11, 2014

India Post 51

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asistha: O Rama, the mind itself is the jiva; the mind experiences what it itself has projected out of itself. By that it is bound. It is the state of the mind that determines the nature of the re-incarnation of the jiva.

One who wishes to be a king dreams that he has become king.

What one intensely wishes for he obtains sooner or later. If the mind is impure, its effects are also impure; if it is pure, its products are pure too. The noble man engages himself in noble spiritual pursuits even in straitened circumstances.

There is neither bondage nor liberation in truth. The infinite thinks 'I am the body' and this thought acts as bondage. When one realizes that all these are false, he shines as the infinite consciousness. When the mind has been purified by pure thoughts and actions, it takes on the nature of the infinite, even as a pure cloth takes on a color easily.

When in a pure mind there arise concepts and notions of a body, scriptural knowledge and dispassion, etc., the world-appearance comes into being. When the mind gets involved in the external objective universe it moves away from the self. But, when the mind gives up the subject-object relationship it has with the world, it is instantly absorbed in the infinite.

The mind has no existence apart from the infinite consciousness: it did not exist in the beginning, it

will not exist in the end and so it does not now! One who thinks that it does exist holds sorrow in his hand. He who knows that this world is the self in reality goes beyond that sorrow, and this world gives him both joy and liberation.

The mind is naught but ideas and notions: who will grieve when such a mind comes to an end! The reality is consciousness which is the middle, between the seer and the object; this reality is veiled by

the mind and revealed when the mind ceases.

When the mind's conditioning ceases, then ignorance, craving, desires and aversions, delusion, stupidity, fear and ideations come to an end: purity, auspiciousness and goodness arise. One enjoys the delight of self-knowledge.

He who has an intelligence that has been rendered pure by the destruction of all inner impurities, has his heart illumined by the light

in truth but with the potentiality of an apparent difference. The infinite consciousness is unmanifest, though omnipresent, even as space, though existing everywhere, is unmanifest. Just as the reflection of an object in crystal can be said to be neither real not entirely unreal, one cannot say that this universe which is reflected in the infinite consciousness is real nor unreal. Again, just as space is unaffected by the

sciousness and exists as consciousness; yet, to one who is ignorant (though considering oneself as wise and rational) there arises the notion that there has come into being and there exists something other that this consciousness.

Excerpted from The Supreme Yoga, A New Translation of Yoga Vasistha by Swami Venkatesananda. Ram Navami will be celebrated on April 8

NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ

M: You are never alone. There are powers and presences who serve you all the time most faithfully. You may or may not perceive them, nevertheless they are real and active. When you realize that all is in your mind and that you are beyond the mind, that you are truly alone; then all is you.

Q: What is omniscience? Is God omniscient? Are you omniscient?

ter all, knowledge is needed for action and if you act rightly, spontaneously, without bringing in the conscious, so much the better.

Q: Can one know the mind of another person?

M: Know you own mind first. It contains the entire universe and with space to spare!

Q: Your working theory seems to be that the waking state is not ba-

to liberate you from the false. The idea what is not true - which is enough to liberate you from the false. The idea that you know what is true is dangerous, for it keeps you imprisoned in the mind. It is when you do not know, that you are free to investigate.

And there can be no salvation, without investigation, because non-investigation is the main

G

reat and holy people are always within your reach, but you do not recognize them. How will you know who is great and holy? By hearsay? Can you trust others in these matters, or even yourself? To convince you beyond the shadow of doubt you need more than a commendation, more even than a momentary rapture.

You may come across a great and holy man or woman and not even know for a long time your good fortune.

The infant son of a great man for many years will not know the greatness of his father. You must mature to recognize greatness and purify your heart for holiness.

Or you will spend your time and money in vain and also miss what life offers you. There are good people among your friends - you can learn much from them.

Running after saints is merely another game to play. Remember yourself instead and watch your daily life relentlessly. Be earnest, and you shall not fail to break the bonds of inattention and imagination.

Q: Do you want me to struggle all alone?

of the self obtained through enquiry into the self; seeing the worthlessness of birth and death, he dwells without fear or anxiety in the city which is the body.

Rama asked: Lord, the infinite consciousness is transcendental; pray, tell me how this universe exists in it.

Vasistha replied: O Rama, this universe exists in the infinite consciousness just as future waves exist in a calm sea; non-different

clouds that float in it, this infinite consciousness is unaffected and untouched by the universe that appears in it. Just as light is not seen except through the refracting agent, even so the infinite consciousness is revealed through these various bodies. It is essentially nameless and formless, but names and forms are ascribed to its reflections.

Consciousness reflecting in consciousness shines as con-

Mind has no existence apart from consciousness

Lord Rama

There is neither bondage nor liberation. The infinite thinks 'I am the body' and this thought acts as bondage. When one realizes that all these are false, he shines as the infinite consciousness.

We hear the expression - universal witness. What does it mean?

Does self-realization imply omniscience? Or is it a matter of specialised training?

M: To lose entirely all interest in knowledge results in omniscience.

It is but the gift of knowing what needs to be known, at the right moment, for error-free action. Af-

sically different from dream and the dreamless sleep. The three states are essentially a case of mistaken self-identification with the body. Maybe it is true, but, I feel, it is not the whole truth.

M: Do not try to know the truth, for knowledge by the mind is not true knowledge. But you can know what is not true - which is enough

are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.

- Lao Tzu Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.

- Soren Kierkegaard Life is not always a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well.

- Jack London Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

- Thomas A. Edison Do things without always knowing how they'll turn out.

Running after saints is merely another game Do not try to know the truth, for knowledge by the mind is not true knowledge. But you can know what is not true - which is enough to liberate you from the false. The idea that you know what is true is dangerous

If you are depressed you

- Randall Munroe Beware the barrenness of a busy life.

- Socrates Life is beautiful, as long Nisargadatta Maharaj

cause of bondage.

It is not the 'I am' that is false, but what you take yourself to be. I can see, beyond the least shadow of doubt, that you are not what you believe yourself to be.

Excerpted from 'I Am That'. The 117th birth anniversary of Nisargadatta Maharaj will be observed on April 9

as it consumes you.

When it is rushing through you, destroying you, life is gorgeous, glorious. It's when you burn a slow fire and save fuel, that life's not worth having.

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52 India Post

NEW DELHI: Demo ballot boxes are being sold at markets here among various other innovative products like bindis, mangalsutras, masks and mobile covers to help political parties add zing to their campaign.

These items are being brought out by artisans involved in the business of election-related items following orders by the parties or, in some cases, by the traders themselves.

At Sadar Bazaar, the hub of campaignrelated items in the national capital, the artisans have been selling even products like tea pots, laser light pens, watches and scarfs featuring symbols of various parties and photos of the leaders.

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April 11, 2014

With its 'Chai Pe Charcha with NaMo' campaign on, BJP is trying to expand its support base and items such as tea pots having Narendra Modi's photograph are being bought in bulk by the party's campaign teams.

"We have launched a set of innovative products this season to attract customers," said Anil Bhai, a shopkeeper at Sadar Bazaar.

The innovative items include a demo ballot machine through which candidates in the fray can teach the voters how to cast their votes.

"The candidates can teach first-time voters how to cast their vote in the upcoming elections," said Chamman as he sold a demo ballot box to the supporter of a candidate.

He said 3-D pocket calendars, clocks and mobile covers are also getting good response from the various political parties.

"We have introduced different items for these elections like party clocks, watches, pens, scarfs, mobile covers, laser -light pens, 3-D pocket calendars, masks, hand bands and 3-D hand fans," said Shamshad, another shopkeeper at Sadar Bazaar.

Traders have studied the campaign strategy of various parties and have accordingly come out with products that may interest them, he added.

"Rahul (Gandhi) represents the face of

youth Congress. So, we show his face with the young generation in posters while Modi portrays development, so we make a poster of him with growing infrastructure," said Rehman, an artisan.

To attract women voters, shopkeepers have designed mangalsutras, tea sets and scarfs with political parties' slogans or with pictures of political leaders on them.

"One of the new items we have come out with this time is the party specific mangalsutra which signifies that a voter is married to a particular party," Chamman said.

Cont'd on Page 53

India Post 53

April 11, 2014 www.indiapost.com

IFFLA announces 2014 Festival jury ries, with HBO providing a Grand Jury cash grant for the short film LOS ANGELES, CA: The In- winner. In addition, audiences will dian Film Festival of Los Angeles have a chance to cast their ballots (IFFLA) has announced its 2014 for the same categories. The Audience Choice Award for Best Short is presented by NBCUniversal. Award winners will be announced during the festival's Closing Night, just prior to the Los Angeles premiere of the culinary comedy JADOO. "The jury for this year's IFFLA comprises some of the most influential and successful tastemakers in the industry," said IFFLA Artistic Director Jasmine Jaisinghani.

"We are honored to have them involved with the festiVariety film journalist and educator David Chute val this year, and appreciate their attention in judging each jury, as well as the program addi- of the films we have very thoughttion of a free screening of "An- fully curated."

The 2014 narrative film jurors thony Bourdain Parts Unknown." are: Variety film journalist and educator David Chute, Head of Digital Development for Crackle and Sony Pictures Television John Orlando, and writer and prolific television actress Meera Simhan (Date Movie). The Best Documentary Award will be decided by award-winning writer, producer, and director Brian Knappenberger (The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz, Scratch), film festival programmer Dilcia Barrera (Sundance, AFI FEST, LACMA), and producer Chris Salvaterra (Syriana, Good Night and Good Luck). JudgDirector Brian Knappenberger ing the short films are Senior Vice The popular outdoor musical pro- President of Post-Production at gram Rhythm Village, presented by HBO Entertainment Gena Desclos, Rukus Avenue, will once again award-winning director and writer take place this year at ArcLight Kamal K.M. (I.D.),and Sundance Hollywood's Courtyard with an and Palm Springs International exciting line-up of accomplished ShortFest programmer Heidi artists and KCRW DJ Garth Zwicker.

"We're thrilled to welcome CNN Trinidad highlighting the centerpiece celebration on Thursday, and 'Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown' to the IFFLA family," conApril 10.

Juries will award prizes to films tinued Jaisinghani. "Screening the competing in the Narrative, Docu- premiere episode the same day as mentary, and Short Film catego- our closing film, JADOO, gives us India Post News Service

a unique opportunity to celebrate Indian cuisine."

The Emmy速 award-winning Original Series "Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown" begins its third season on CNN, Sunday,

Sony Pictures Television John Orlando

April 13 at 9:00PM ET, with a look at the people, food, culture, and history of India's Punjab region.

This episode will screen at IFFLA on Sunday, April 13 at 2:30PM, free of admission, offering festival pa-

Director and writer Kamal K.M.

trons an opportunity to see it before the rest of the country.

In this episode, Bourdain dives into the ever-changing state of Punjab on a trip to Amritsar. He samples cuisine at the dhabas (roadside restaurants), a gurpurb festival (Sikh celebration), and a free community vegetarian restaurant, and also meets with local residents who give their perspectives on life in this sometimes contentious region of India that borders Pakistan.

Ballot market Knick knacks to lure partisans Cont'd from Page 52

"Tea sets and scarfs are also popular among women."

Shopkeepers are also selling clocks, watches and mugs with Arvind Kejriwal's photo on it.

Modi's picture featured on laser light pens and Sonia Gandhi's photo has been printed on calendars and scarfs.

The most popular items in terms of sales are T-shirts and pens.

"To attract the youth, we have designed T-shirts with faces of Rahul, Modi and Kejriwal," said Chamman.

A number of traders said that the growing use of social media for campaigning has adversely affected their business and that is why they were forced to come out with innovative ideas.

The Sadar Bazaar market is the largest wholesale market of household items in Delhi and houses around 8 to 10 shops which exclusively sell pollrelated material.

The trend of campaigning through social media gained popularity during Delhi elections in 2013 when Aam Aadmi Party carried out most of its promotion and campaigning through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

"Aam Aadmi Party taught other

political parties that you can campaign and win an election through social media. This had a negative effect on our business too as now people rely more on social media," said Shamshad.

"Business at this time used to be very good but now you can look around and see the huge stock of election material we have here with no customers," said another artisan, who did not wish to be named.

"There used to be a time when 2,000 artisans used to work but

now hardly 10 artisans in my shop are involved in this work," Chamman, said, adding that, "most of the artisans have given up designing poll-related items and moved to other professions".-PTI

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US would like to retain presence in Afghanistan

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s the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) prepares to pull out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014, it is of significance to assess larger American interests at play in the country and the region. How will the US leverage its resources to secure those interests?

Several voices in the US are of the view that the troop drawdown is reasonable. The US has achieved the mission of killing Osama bin Laden and has paralyzed al Qaeda's operational structure. The prevailing argument is that the war that has been expensive, and has resulted in the loss of several thousand American lives, needs to finally end. Yet, official declarations talk in terms of ensuring stability in Afghanistan that requires US presence for training and supporting the ANSF while focusing on counter-terrorism missions.

What remains understated is how Afghanistan, as an important geopolitical asset, serves larger American interests in the region. It is the Pentagon's only military base in Central Asia, with Iran to the west, Pakistan to the east, China to the northeast, various resource-rich former Soviet republics to the northwest, and Russia to the north. A presence in Afghanistan would not only serve to enhance economic and trade interests but also help the US keep a close tab on these countries.

Peace deal This explains US involvement in painstaking negotiations to conclude a Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) that would enable it to maintain bases post-2014. The prospect of a continued presence in Afghanistan has also led the Obama administration to seek a peace deal with the Afghan Taliban by offering them a de-facto diplomatic mission in Qatar.

The charged confrontation between the US and Russia over Ukraine has further boosted the support towards maintaining bases. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a Washington Post article, linked Russia's actions in Ukraine with the troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. According to her, anything less than the American military's requirement for 10,000 troops will suggest that the US is not serious about helping to stabilize that country, which is likely to embolden countries like Iran, Iraq and Russia.

SHREYA UPADHYAY

The US Congress has been giving out multibillion dollar annual bills as aid to the Afghan army.

However, with Karzai sticking to his word of not signing the BSA until after elections, the administration has claimed that the financial assistance, whether for armed forces or development programs, is likely to drop steeply. In January 2014, Congress slashed the development budget for Afghanistan by half and even reduced security aid by 60 per cent.

A recent report by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) states that the delay in signing the BSA is compounding uncertainty and diminishing economic confidence in Afghanistan. According to the report, the Afghan

in their backyard that has the potential to create unrest and instability within their own territories.

Russia and China are already worried about the spread of insurgency in the troubled Chechenya and Xinjiang provinces respectively.

India for its part is uniquely positioned - as a friend to both Washington and Kabul. India remains in a position to use its good offices to ensure that a version of the BSA agreeable to both the countries is signed.

Building on the 'narrative of opportunity' to counter the anxiety of withdrawal, New Delhi is attempting to shift focus to regional confidence-building, development, governance, trade and investment.

US army in Afghanistan

economy is witnessing increased capital flight, delay in investments, incipient job losses, declining demand for goods and services, and is leading to farmers planting more poppy. More families are choosing to arm themselves, leading to a hike in weapon prices. Stating that it is bound to spread into the government and security structures, the report puts the BSA as an anchor in navigating transition challenges.

Using the Region to Leverage US Interests It is a given that with or without the BSA, the US is likely to play a lesser role in Afghanistan in the coming months. However, the region as a whole has braced itself for more involvement in Afghanistan, with America's blessings. The neighboring countries realize that an unstable Afghanistan is likely to become an incubator of terrorism, poppy production and other illicit activities.

Pakistan and Iran understand the repercussions of a failed state

India until now has transferred 'no strings attached' aid directly to Kabul despite knowing that the Afghan government is considered corrupt. India has also tried to deal with Pakistan's fears over military involvement in Afghanistan.

Thus, it has been evasive towards Afghan requests for tanks, field guns and aircraft. As it turns out, Washington, which was more than ambivalent regarding India's participation in the region, wants more from New Delhi today.

The 'new silk road' initiative to link Afghanistan's energy, mineral and trade resources with the rest of the world ideated by the Obama administration is also being taken up by the region collectively to exploit the transit potential that can accrue much needed economic growth for the country. If successful, the project can serve as a conduit for mutually beneficial cooperation between the US, Central Asia and Russia, helping the US to continue playing a consequential role in the region.

The writer is Research Intern, IPCS

India Post Filling the vacuum

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he Indian Express has reported that governance in New Delhi has come to a halt as the ministers and bureaucrats wait for a new government. The paralysis in decision making begins at the PMO with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh rarely attending office. The good sardar must be a greatly relieved man having worked as proxy for most of his incumbency. He is sensing days of freedom ahead.

Policy paralysis has been the scenario all through the UPA's second innings. Decisions were kept pending because none of the trio said to be in charge were willing to make a move. While Manmohan Singh awaited a nod from Sonia who felt it was time for Rahul to do something who in turn seemed most reluctant.

And the party continued to pay obeisance to them. The result was a vacuum in leadership which BJP's Narendra Modi has exploited to the hilt.

Against the hesitant, fumbling and weak Congress leadership he appeared decisive, sure and strong. Frustrated with the Congress, the upper and lower middle class have invested faith in Modi but it is those in positions of authority today who are the most frightened by the prospects of a Modi-led government. Scare mongering has only increased. Finance Minister Chidambaram has warned of serious consequences if Modi became the country's next prime minister. Funny, he doesn't seem to have noticed the serious consequences of the prime ministership of Manmohan Singh that the country is now facing. Aviation Minister and RLD president Ajit Singh called Modi 'a threat to the country' and has asked people to "throw him into the sea to save Gujarat." Well, we all know how the national airline has been misused by those in power. Ajit Singh is livid as he senses a loss of power. A turncoat that he has been you never know he might even climb an NDA bandwagon to claim another ministry or two.

The criticism of other such potential allies is muted as they hope to wangle for some office profit under a new regime. Just as in West Bengal, the CPM cadres have turned loyalties to Mamata Banejree's winning Trinamool, at the national level also many time servers are expected to shift to BJP as they see which way the wind is blowing.

There have been reports from Uttar Pradesh that even the Dalits there are pondering casting their lot with BJP having lost faith in their own behenji (Mayawati) who betrayed them and concentrated on amassing wealth for herself during her years in power.

How is it that Modi is attracting such groundswell of support all over the country? According to Swaminathan S. Aiyar in Times of India, "To win he doesn't have to convince voters that he has some magic developmental model. He simply has to convince them that he will be more honest, more efficient and more decisive than the Sonia-Manmohan crowd. And that is dead easy."

Some newspaper columnists are so sure of a Modi victory that they have started speculating on who would be Modi's finance Minister who would set the economy on the growth path! They worry that the state of the economy is so bad that the life will continue to be difficult for the people.

The most interesting aspect of this election has been some of the spiritual leaders abandoning their neutrality and openly supporting a political party. One case in point is Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who at an event in Mumbai recently exposed the immaturity of the Aam Admi Party and said regional parties should not be allowed to contest national elections so as to avoid "khichadi" governments. He felt that another spell of coalition government at the Center would be disastrous for the economy. "The need of the hour is a stable government at the Center that can boost the economy," he said. And he drew a parallel with Krishna telling Arjuna to set aside his emotions and fulfill his "dharma."

April 11, 2014

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