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Shilpa Shetty weds London businessman Details on page 26

Ashok Atri meets leaders in Delhi, defends himself

VOL 15, No. 795

December 4, 2009

50¢

Periodical Postage

WIDE-RANGING INDIA, U.S. CO-OPERATION

It is not for US to resolve Indo-Pak conflicts: Obama Details on page 7

PM signs off visit with signings

President Obama to visit India next year

Details on page 15

Consulate in soup over visas to terror accused

Details on page 13

Pak court frames charges against 7 Mumbai suspects

Details on page 16

Gujarati Samaj hosts Holiday Celebration

Details on page 14

SAALT welcomes DHS plan to audit NSEERS

Details on page 24

AAPI praises House vote on Medicare formula

Details on page 44

INDIA POST SURVEY survey@indiapost.com

Details on page 40

This week’s question

India-US friendship is enduring?

Construction industry hails achievements Details on page 38

Last week’s result

US trying to superficially please India?

YES 58%

NO 42%

2 CUPS, 3 CHEERS: US President Barack Obama toasts his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh during the first official State Dinner of Obamaís administration at the White House in Washington on November 24

REMEMBERING 26/11: Employees of the Trident Hotel, one of the sites of last yearís terror attacks, offer prayers during a memorial service for victims on the first anniversary of the Mumbai attacks.

Details on page 15.

Also J S Bedi on ‘Unanswered Questions’ page 21

SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY

CONTENTS

India Post News Service

Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29 Classifieds --------------------- 48-51

WASHINGTON DC: For the Indian media that was looking for a breaking news outcome of the Manmohan Singh Barack Obama meeting at the White House on Nov 24 - a meeting that was not necessarily the highlight of the Indian Prime Minister's state visit to Washington DCit may have come as a damp squib, but the two world leaders set themselves on a course of expanded bilateral cooperation that involves a broad spectrum of human endeavors that complement the strengths of the two countries as they move together to address the challenges of the 21st century.

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

Details on page 6

Community Post -------------- 16-24 Date Book -------------------------- 52 Edit Page --------------------------- 54 HealthScience Post --------- 40-41 Horoscope ------------------------- 42 Immigration Post ------------- 44-47 Life Style ----------------------- 26-27 Philosophy ------------------------- 53 Publisherís Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate ------------------------ 30 TechBiz Post ------------------- 38-39 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 32-35

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Publisher’s Diary

L

ooking from the American media perspective, the significance of the Indian Prime Minister's visit to the White House as President Obama's first official state guest comes down to this: Hostess Michelle Obama's glamorous turnout in a designer strapless gown; her chandelier earrings, bangles and make up; the flower arrangements inside the grand tent on the South Lawn where the dinner was held; the guest chef Marcus Samuelsson; the herbs from the White House garden in the dinner menu; the eclectic choice of entertainment; the varied guest list - in short, the art of hosting, the Obamas' style.

CNN had the state banquet beaming live on the Larry King show. Washington Post, New York Times and every tabloid worth its name went to great lengths describing the banquet - the focus, of course, being the hosts, who uncannily manage not to disappoint the scribes still looking at the Obamas through a paparazzi lens.

Mrs. Obama, of course rises up to the challenge, as always- beginning with a lesson in the behind-the-scenes run of the state banquet for a group of young girls in the afternoon, she artfully blended her personal style with a bit of the African American, amply incorporating elements native to the land of her guests. And so her gown was designed by an India-born designer, Naeem Khan; the dinner menu boasted of lentil soup, curry and naan; entertainment had A.R. Rahman and a bhangra group - as always, she had the homegrown media impressed.

But, what about the guests of honor -- the Prime Minister and his dignified looking wife Gursharan Kaur? Well, they just seemed incidental in the grand scheme of things. For this media, the show stealers were the hosts and not the honored guests.

On his part, however, Manmohan Singh said he was touched by his hosts' warmth and generosity. And I guess, at the end of the day, that's what matters - a generous host and a gracious guest. Well we need not wonder how the Indian media will cover the Obamas when they go to India as the state guests of the Singhs next year.

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

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Bollywood Spotted in London Lara Dutta and tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi are reportedly living-in together in London.

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Cover Story: Indo-US cooperation Visiting PM Manmohan Singh and Barack Obama have set themselves on a course of expanded bilateral cooperation.

Community: Attri under fire

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The Indian Consulate in Chicago is under fire for allegedly issuing multiple entry visas to two terror suspects

Health: Medicare reform AAPI has welcomed a US Congress vote to permanently repeal the flawed Medicare Physician payment formula.

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Star wedding Shilpa Shetty wed long-time beau Raj Kundra at the stroke of the twilight hour on Sunday November 22.

TechBiz: Engineers celebrate Hundreds of engineers of Indian origin celebrated their professional accomplishments at a glittering gala.

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Travel: Auli Auli, located among snow-capped mountains, is one of the very few places in India where skiing is a major pastime.

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December 4, 2009

India Post

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Highlights of the PBD 2009

Scope of Exhibitors

•

1800 participants from 54 countries

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

•

4 Plenary Sessions, 6 Concurrent Sessions, 7 Regional Working Sessions and 6 separate sessions with States

7 - 9 January 2010

•

21 overseas Ministers/Members of Parliament of Indian Origin attended the Conference

•

145 speakers, 72 of them from overseas

•

13 Indian Ministers, 3 Chief Ministers, 2 Members of Parliament and 10 Ministers from States addressed the conference

A Trade & Industry Exhibition with participation from Corporates, Financial Institutions, State Governments, NGOs and others will run concurrently at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

•

‘Marketplace’ of the Overseas Indian Facilitation Center, a place for interaction interaction on a one-to-one basis for concrete projects in social and business ďŹ elds

•

Participation of 12 Indian States in the exhibition

•

64 private exhibitors

•

Key Outcomes

•

Announcement of the composition of Prime Minister’s Global Advisory Council of People of Indian Origin

•

Launch of India Development Foundation

•

E-governance project to facilitate imigration of workers

•

Inauguration of website for Global Indian Network for Knowledge, Global- INK

•

Announcement regarding permission to some professionals with OCI cards to practice in India

•

Release of two manuals on FDI and taxation procedures in India

CONFERENCE The Programme Outline Inaugural session with the Prime Minister of India

Vigyan Bhawan, New Dehli

Exhibitor beneďŹ ts The Exhibition will provide an exclusive showcase of India to Overseas Indian delegates comprising the largest gathering of the Global Indian Family. More than 1000 Overseas Indian delegates from across 45-50 countries are expected to participate and provide a focused target audience for the exhibitors.

Apart from these NRIs/ delegates, Chief Minister, State Ministers, other Ministry / Government ofďŹ cials, bureaucrats, special dignitaries would also be present at PBD 2010.

Each exhibitor will get one delegate free of cost who can attend two-day conference including Inaugural and Valedictory function, cultural evenings and dinners. They can also nominate more delegates on payment basis.

One page write up of all exhibitors will be printed in the Exhibitor Catalogue which would be circulated among all delegates and special invitees.

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Plenary Sessions Interaction with Union Ministers Interaction with PIO Ministers & other Dignitaries Interaction with State Chief Ministers

Lecture by a prominent overseas Indian on “India and its Diaspora: Everlasting Bonds of Togetherness�.

Concurrent Sessions on • Returning to 9% Growth: Diaspora Connect • Leveraging Knowledge Networks: Global INK • Thousands of Fireies: Diaspora Philanthropy • Cross Cultural Relations and Diaspora Women

State Sessions Valedictory Session with the President of India Conferment of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards by the President of India Cultural Programmes & Dinner

Sponsorship Opportunities A limited number of corporate sponsorships are available. If you would like to partner the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2010, for sponsorship beneďŹ ts and other details, please contact our team Amit Narain, by e-mail at amit.narain@cii.in or by fax on your company letterhead at + 91 - 11 - 24626149

www.indianoverseascongress.us

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PM US visit

India Post

December 4, 2009

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Wide-ranging India, US co-operation PM signs off visit with signings SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

WASHINGTON DC: For the Indian media that was looking for a breaking news outcome of the Manmohan Singh Barack Obama meeting at the White House on Nov 24 - a meeting that was not necessarily the highlight of the Indian Prime Minister's state visit to Washington DC- it may have come as a damp squib, but the two world leaders set themselves on a course of expanded bilateral cooperation that involves a broad spectrum of human endeavors that complement the strengths of the two countries as they move together to address the challenges of the 21st century.

The key outcomes of Prime Minister Singh's visit were the signing of six MoUs, two memoranda-of-interest as well as several other initiatives and agreements that cover global security and counter-terrorism, education and development, health cooperation, economic trade and agriculture, and green partnerships.

Advancing Global Security and Countering Terrorism • Expansion of the US-India Counterterrorism Cooperation Initiative, Prime Minister Singh

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama at the delegation level meeting, at White House, Washington on November 24

larly. They affirmed their commitment to work together to prevent the spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction- and missile-related technology and to realize their

Manmohan Singh has a word with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

and President Obama committed to redouble their collective efforts to deal effectively with terrorism, while protecting their countries' common ideals and shared values, and committed themselves to strengthening global consensus and legal regimes against terrorism.

• Support for an early start of negotiations on a multilateral, non-discriminatory and internationally verifiable Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty. The two leaders also look forward to the April 2010 Nuclear Security Summit and agreed to consult each other regu-

shared vision of a world free of nuclear weapons.

Green Partnerships • Launch of a "Green Partnership" to strengthen US/India cooperation on clean energy, climate change, and food security. This reflects our two countries' commitment to taking vigorous action to combat climate change, ensuring mutual energy security, working towards global food security, and building a clean energy economy that will drive investment, job creation, and economic growth throughout the 21st century.

• Launch of an Indo-US Clean

Energy Research and Deployment Initiative, supported by US and Indian government funding and private sector contributions. This new Initiative will include a Joint Research Center operating in both the United States and India to foster innovation and joint efforts to accelerate deployment of clean energy technologies. The Initiative will facilitate joint research, scientific exchanges, and sharing of proven innovation and deployment policies.

• Support for an Indian EPA that will focus on creating a more effective system of environmental governance, regulation and enforcement. Working with the India's Ministry of Environment and Forests, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will provide technical support to help establish an Indian National Environmental Protection Authority.

Economic Trade and Agriculture • Meeting of the United States - India CEO Forum brought together leaders of the US and Indian business communities - approximately ten from each side across various industry sectors with senior government officials on Nov 23. Forum members conveyed their interest in working on recommendations on how the public and private sectors can work together to strengthen economic and commercial ties between the two countries, stimu-

late innovation, spur job creation, and promote sustainable inclusive growth.

• Launch of a new Agriculture Dialogue and agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation and Food Security that will set a pathway to robust cooperation between the governments in crop forecasting, management and market information; regional and global food se-

and expanding private sector investment in agriculture. The United States and India expect cooperation under the agreement to expand access to knowledge to improve productivity, safety, and nutritional quality of food crops; to strengthen market institutions and foster growth of agribusiness investment and improve food security and access to adequate quantities and quality of food,

Manmohan Singh shakes hands with Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner at the start of a bilateral meeting at the Willard Hotel November 25

curity through the L'Aquila Food Security Initiative; science, technology, and education; nutrition;

particularly for women and young children.

Cont’d on page 8

PM US visit

December 4, 2009

India Post

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It is not for US to resolve Indo-Pak conflicts: Obama SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

WASHINGTON DC: It is not the place of the United States to try to resolve from the outside the historic conflicts between India and Pakistan, said President Barack Obama, addressing a joint press conference along with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh following their meeting at the White House on the morning of Nov 24.

More than a hundred Indian, American and ethnic Indian media personnel crowded into the East Room of the White House for the press conference where both President Obama and Prime Minister Singh read out their respective statements and took one question each from the American and Indian media.

Responding to a question from an Indian news agency correspondent on whether India's concern over misuse of US aid to Pakistan against India, came up in the discussions, President Obama said he had extensive discussions with Prime Minister Singh about security issues in the region.

"Obviously there are historic conflicts between India and Pakistan. It is not the place of the United States to try to, from the outside, resolve all those conflicts. On the other hand, we want to be encouraging of ways in which both India and Pakistan can feel secure, and focus on the development of their own countries and their own people," the President said.

Skirting the issue of US aid to Pakistan, the President further said, "With respect to the relationship between the United States and Pakistan's military, I think that there have probably been times in the past in which we were so singlemindedly focused just on military assistance in Pakistan that we didn't think more broadly about how to encourage and develop the kinds of civil society in Pakistan that would make a difference in the lives of people day to day.

The work that the Pakistan military is doing in the Swat Valley in west -- in south Waziristan indicates the degree to which they are beginning to recognize that extremism, even if initially directed to the outside, can ultimately also have an adverse impact on their security internally."

Complimenting Prime Minister Singh as a "man of peace", President Obama said both of them recognized that their core goal is to achieve peace and security for all peoples in the region, not just one country or the other.

The Indian Prime Minister, with regard to the implementation of the Indo-US civil nuclear deal,

said the President had reaffirmed during their meeting, that it was the common resolve of the two governments to operationalize the nuclear deal as early as possible.

"There are a few "i's" and "t's"

‘We want to be encouraging of ways in which both India and Pakistan can feel secure, and focus on the development of their own countries’ which have to be crossed -- and I am confident and I have the assurance of the President that that process can be completed without much further loss of time."

Overall, Singh said, "President Obama and I had a very useful and productive exchange of views relating to security, peace, and

counterterrorism in our regions.

I'm very satisfied with the outcome of my discussion with President Obama."

Earlier in his opening statement, President Obama said the relationship between the United States and India would be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century, which is the reason why cooperation between India and the US has been made a priority. "This (Singh's) visit underscores the strengthening of that partnership, which I hope will continue throughout my presidency.

That's why I've made it a priority to broaden the cooperation between our nations," he said.

India and the US have agreed to strengthen the economic recovery and expand trade and investment with a view to creating jobs for both Americans and Indians, he said. "Indian investment in America is creating and sustaining jobs across the United States," Obama said. "There is significant balance in our trading relationships that I think is very

important and reflective of the framework that we put forward at the G20. And to sustain this momentum we're creating new initiatives to promote trade, investment and technology cooperation,

‘I think that there have probably been times in the past in which we were so single-mindedly focused just on military assistance in Pakistan’ especially among our small and medium-sized businesses that create most of the jobs here in the United States."

Obama reaffirmed his administration's commitment to fully implement the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement; and the two leaders also touched upon climate

change vis-à-vis the forthcoming Copenhagen Summit; transnational threats; Obama's policy in Afghanistan; the nonproliferation agenda and nuclear security; food security issues; and educational exchanges between the two countries.

In his statement, Prime Minister Singh said his discussions dealt with the full implementation of the civil nuclear cooperation agreement; enhancing the strategic partnership between India and the US; intensification of trade, investment and economic cooperation; collaboration in science and technology; and nuclear power and space.

Singh said, "Our dialogue covered the need to have an open and inclusive architecture in the Asia Pacific regions. It is important for the international community to sustain its engagement in Afghanistan, to help its emergence as a modern state. President Obama and I have decided to strengthen our cooperation in the area of counterterrorism."

Pak can do more to bring 26/11 perpetrators to justice: Manmohan Singh

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh speaking at a press conference in Washington DC on 25 Nov. He is flanked by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and National Security Adviser MK Narayanan. Pic Mohammed jaffer-SnapsIndia

SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

WASHINGTON DC: On the eve of the first anniversary of the Nov 26 terrorist attacks in Mumbai last year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was in Washington DC, said at a press conference that his government would not rest till it brings the perpetrators of this crime to justice. "We have taken

up the matter with all the force at our command with the Government of Pakistan," Singh told media persons at the Willard Hotel on the last day of his four-day stay in the US. "We expect the masterminds of the attack and their supporters to be tried and punished. The infrastructure of terrorism and all safe havens have to be dismantled. I wish to reassure the nation that strengthen-

ing internal security is the top priority of the government, and we will leave no stone unturned to safeguard and protect the lives of our citizens."

About bringing the perpetrators to book, Singh said India's position was clear. "Since the conspiracy was hatched in Pakistan it is the obligation of the Government of Pakistan to do everything in their power to bring them to jus-

tice. It is our strong feeling that Pakistan could do more to bring to book people who are still roaming around freely and dismantle the infrastructure of terror."

Prime Minister Singh reiterated his stated stand that Pakistan faces no threat from India. "That's our stated position, and when I say categorically that Pakistan faces no threat from India, no other statement (in this context) should be given any credence," he said.

Singh also said he had been assured by the United States that its influence (on getting Pakistan to eliminate terrorism on its soil) will work.

Responding to a question on whether there was any criticism on India's role in Afghanistan, he said he heard no criticism during his US visit of India's role in Afghanistan and on the contrary, there was appreciation of India's contribution there, a point that President Obama also made publicly.

Responding to a question on whether his visit to Washington DC was all about ceremony and show and not of much substance, Singh said he was very satisfied with the outcome of his visit wherein much was achieved in terms of collaborating with the US in the areas of agriculture, education, health, clean energy and energy security, science and technology.

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PM US visit

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December 4, 2009

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Community celebrates Manmohan Singh's state visit

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh greets Indian American Community at†a reception held in Washington DC† 25 Nov. Indian Ambassador Meera Shanker applauds. Pic Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia

SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

WASHINGTON DC: At least 700 members of the Indian American community who traveled from across the United States to hear Prime Minister Manmohan Singh speak at a community reception hosted by the Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar in Washington DC on Nov 25, went back home a happy lot - each of them got to shake hands with the much respected leader while an exclusive photograph was taken for them to preserve for posterity.

Such is the pull of the Indian Prime Minister, who has had the distinction of having been an official state guest of two consecutive American Presidents, that the community members traveled from as far as Seattle to New York and from California to Florida to applaud his standing among world

leaders.

In her introductory remarks, Ambassador Meera Shankar said that the respect that President Obama accorded the Prime Minister in hosting him as his administration's first state guest, reflects the respect that Singh commands around the world.

Thanking the community for having traveled all the way to be at the reception, Prime Minister Singh said, "I salute you for what you have all done to change the image of India in the US. In many ways, you have become the role models and it is my ambition that the young people of India should emulate what some of you have achieved in Silicon Valley."

Singh said that he had a most stimulating experience during this visit to the US. "My wife and I have been truly touched by the warmth and generosity of the First Lady and President. I have invited

invitation."

Expressing deep appreciation for the contribution of the Indian American community Singh said, "There were times in the past when the perspectives and priorities of our two countries were different. This often obscured the commonality of values and interests. Today things have changed.

I wish to record our deep appreciation for the enormous contribution your creativity, your hard work, and your good citizenship have played in bringing our two nations together."

Speaking of the many new challenges that India faces, Singh said we need a better education system, a better healthcare system and need massive investments in

Meeting Community leaders at reception

them to visit India and I am delighted that he has accepted the

modern infrastructure. "We need a lot of innovative and imaginative ideas for the journey we have

PM signs off visit with signings Cont’d from page 6

• Renewed bilateral cooperation in the field of intellectual property through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office and Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The memorandum and action plan will focus on human resource development, capacity building and public awareness programs in intellectual property protection and enforcement.

Enhancing US-India Cooperation on Education and Development • Expansion of the bi-national Fulbright-Nehru Scholarship Program through a 45% increase in funding by each government to support increased exchanges of

students and scholars in priority fields, bringing total support for these scholarships to $6.7 million this year.

• Launched the Obama-Singh 21st Century Knowledge Initiative which will provide $10 million in combined funding to increase university linkages and support junior faculty development between U.S. and Indian universities.

• Formation of the Women's Empowerment Dialogue (WED) to further the full participation of women in all aspects of society in order for the global community to address the complex challenges we face in this new century. During the initial meeting of the Women's Empowerment Dialogue in New Delhi, both sides agreed to explore the creation of a "Women's Empowerment Fund,"

set out to take," he said.

People of Indian origin worldwide can contribute mightily to this effort, he said. "In the past few years we have already experienced what has been called a "reverse brain-drain". I would prefer to call this "brain gain" or, indeed, a meeting of minds. We have tried to encourage this flow by making it easier for Indian and American scholars, scientists, business leaders and other professionals to work together. Let me take this opportunity to extend an invitation to all Indian Americans and non-resident Indians who wish to return home to India in one capacity or another. You no longer have to make a choice between here and there. Modern technol-

that would be able to support WED initiatives such as women's social and economic empowerment, female literacy, political participation of women, and healthcare.

Health Cooperation • Creation of a seventh Regional Global Disease Detection Center in India as a part of the Global Disease Detection (GDD) network. This GDD collaboration will include a range of activities, such as emerging disease detection and response, pandemic influenza preparedness and response, laboratory systems and biosafety, field epidemiology training, health communications, and zoonotic disease investigation and control.

Other Regional Centers include Kenya, Thailand, Guatemala, Egypt, China, and Kazakhstan.

• Launch of the Health Dia-

logue: The first meeting of the U.S.-India Health Dialogue is planned for early 2010 in Washington. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sebelius is the U.S. lead and Minister of Health and Family Welfare Azad will lead for India.

• Cooperation on Urban Health through U.S. Agency for International Development's, soon to be launched, new Health of the Urban Poor Program, which aims to improve reproductive and child health in urban poor populations, especially for those dwelling in slums, by building the local capacity, improving program implementation and increasing resource allocation for urban health through policy analysis. The program will work in close collaboration with urban local bodies and Indian national and state governments.

ogy and our flexible policies have opened possibilities of working in both places."

Metaphors like the salad bowl, the melting pot and the rainbow described polities of both countries, Singh said. "That is why Indians adapt well to America and Americans to Indians," he said.

Relations with the United States will remain one of the important pillars of India's foreign policy, Singh said. "Our relationship is not born out of a crisis or any one concern; nor does it exist in the context of any other relationship. It is nurtured by our shared values; and the bonds and mutual respect that exist between the people of our two democratic and pluralistic societies."

On the eve of the first anniversary of the Mumbai terrorist attacks, Singh thanked the United States for the support India received in the investigations and for the enhanced cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism with the US. "This is just one example of how we are working together to make our people more secure," he added.

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Indian and American companies sign a dozen agreements and MoUs SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

WASHINGTON DC: Economic cooperation took center stage to underline deepening Indo-US relations as some of the major Indian industries entered into agreements with their US partners, on the sidelines of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Washington DC, on Nov 23.

The new building blocks for the strengthening of the economic ties between the two countries were put in place with the signing of a dozen MoUs and agreements between Indian and US partners in the presence of Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Ambassador of India, Meera Shankar.

CII MoU Signing A total of eight MoUs, facilitated by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) were signed across a wide range of sectors, including Pharmaceuticals and Drug Development, Healthcare, Telecom and Information Communication & Technology, NanoElectronics, Research and Development, Leadership Training as well as Homeland Security. The growing list of sectors is highly reflective of the widening Indo US partnership and the scope for future collaboration.

"The CII MoU Signing Ceremony holds special significance in light of Prime Minister Singh's visit to USA and demonstrates the interest and dedication of Indian industry to work in partnership with American counterparts across diverse sectors," said Hari Bhartia, Vice President, CII and Co-Chairman and Managing Director, Jubilant Organosys.

HCL and CISCO signed an MOU to work globally in the area of Homeland Security to jointly deliver security and surveillance technology solutions. Tata Communications and Tyco Electronics signed a Submarine Cable Supply Contract for a new system that is intended for construction in the Gulf area. The collaboration will provide a boost to the telecommunication systems.

Apollo and StemCyte signed an MOU designed to provide stem cell therapies derived from umbilical cord blood to treat patients with certain malignant blood disorders, inherited disorders and immune deficiency diseases. Jubilant Organosys and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Southern Research Institute propose to undertake a joint venture

that will focus on leveraging innovation and enabling technologies in areas of Oncology, Metabolic Disease and Infectious diseases and develop them in a unique US-India arbitraged and leveraged partnership accelerating affordable therapies to the patients in India and worldwide.

Electronics, in the continued expansion of the Tata Global Network over the last five years. Dave Ryan, Executive Vice President Americas Region, Tata Communications and Mike Rieger, Vice President, Tyco Telecommunications signed their intent to continue to do so. They will be work-

Cisco signed an agreement with HCL Security Ltd to collaborate on delivering safety and security solutions to help enable safer and more secure communities. The collaboration will combine the strengths of Cisco's Smart+Connected Communities leadership with HCL Security's

structure in the Nano-Technology sector while providing new opportunities to position Indian companies as significant players in emerging technologies.

Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Novavax Inc. joined hands with the vision to enable the vital production of key vaccines in India,

US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner (C) holds a roundtable discussion with CEOs and business leaders from India including Chanda Kochhar (L), Ratan Tata (2nd-L), O P Bhatt (2nd-R) and Sunil Bharti Mittal (R) on November 24

Infosys and Microsoft Technologies signed an Enterprise Agreement for fulfilling the procurement and help in use of their technologies. Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited and Novavax Inc. joined hands with the vision to enable production of key vaccines in India, including the most recently developed H1N1 Pandemic Vaccine.

Further, CII and Santech Communications propose to work together to explore the possibility of establishing Santech CII Cen-

HCL and CISCO signed an MOU to work globally in the area of Homeland Security to jointly deliver security and surveillance technology solutions tre of Excellence on Nano-electronics.

To promote collaboration on training of young people of different sections of the society in value based leadership, a document was signed Aspen Institute USA and Aspen Institute India.

Tata Communications has worked extensively with Tyco

ing together in providing low latency routes, additional connectivity and transmission over ultra-long haul distances using dark fibers on the submarine cable system.

Jubilant Organosys Ltd, entered into a joint venture with University of Alabama and Southern Research Institute, which will focus on leveraging innovative and enabling technologies in areas of Oncology, Metabolic Disease and Infectious diseases.

This unique US-India partnership is meant to accelerate the development of affordable and successful therapies to the patients in India and worldwide. The parties committed to work together for 10 years in establishing path breaking and affordable healthcare.

Infosys Technologies relies on key technologies from Microsoft Corporation to run its business and has been using Microsoft technologies since 1996. Under a multi-year Enterprise Agreement (EA), the licensing framework and the services to deploy the products are articulated and agreed to.

The solutions deployed internally span across infrastructure software, application software and databases. At the CII MoU Signing Ceremony, Infosys and Microsoft inked their plan to continue to work closely in the future and build upon their respective strengths further.

'Safe State' architecture to design and deliver safety and security solutions in India initially and later in other countries. The vision of the collaboration is to combine Cisco's technology expertise and experience in network and physical security with HCL Security's market leadership to better address safety and security projects and customer requirements.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Santech Communication Pvt. Ltd. agreed to work together to explore the pos-

Aspen Institute India and Aspen Institute USA resolved to work together with the common goal of providing leadership training sibility of establishing a CII Santech Centre of Excellence on Nano-electronics. The joint initiative would aim to serve the needs of industry on nanotechnology based products and services. It would also work to increase the availability of, and access to, national Research and Development and create an innovation infra-

including the most recently developed H1N1 Pandemic Vaccine, Trivalent Seasonal Influenza Vaccine and targeting other more India specific Virus Like Particles (VLP) vaccines against Dengue, Japanese encephalitis, Chikungunya among other viral diseases.

Aspen Institute India and Aspen Institute USA resolved to work together with the common goal of providing leadership training and to foster a new generation of values-based action-oriented leaders. The two Institutes will offer programs such as the India Leadership Initiative and the Aspen Seminar, which are designed to enable participants to become better leaders.

The two Institutes will also conduct Policy and Strategic Dialogues on various issues which will engage government, industry and civil society into a more comprehensive discussion on the issues at hand. Together, they will evolve programs to develop value based leadership in India by conducting seminars, strategic and policy dialogues.

Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd and StemCyte Inc. signed an MOU designed to establish a cord blood bank facility at Apollo Hospitals Ahmedabad.

Cont’d on page 10

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American companies interested in global markets should look at India: PM SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

WASHINGTON DC: Welcoming innovative ideas to finance public private partnerships in India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh invited American businesses to look at the large number of such partnership projects in infrastructure being promoted by the federal government and individual state governments in India.

The Prime Minister inaugurated his second state visit to the United States by addressing an overflow crowd of highly potent roomful of American and Indian business and industry leaders including members of the US-India Business Council (USIBC)-at the US Chamber's historic headquarters in Washington DC on Nov 23.

Among the VIP list of attendees at the event were US government officials, members of the just reconstituted CEO's Forum, top Indian industrialists Ratan Tata, Mukesh Ambani, Sunil Mittal, and several CEOs of Indian American companies.

The Prime Minister admitted that a major weakness that limits the growth possibilities for India is the inadequacy of hard infrastructure. Assuring that the Indian government has taken a number of steps to improve its processes of project approval and implementation, he said, "We need massive investment in energy, transport and urban infrastructure to be able to support a high rate of growth," Singh said. "Expanded investment in these areas will help offset weak export demand by providing a domestic demand impetus to support higher growth."

Stating that the financial crisis of 2008 had affected India too, decelerating its growth rate to 6.5 percent in the current year, Singh said there were nevertheless, a number of reasons why he believed the Indian economy would resume rapid growth despite the fact that slower growth in industrialized countries would limit India's export possibilities.

"Rapid and inclusive growth in the years ahead will enable us to achieve our social objectives. It will also result in a few hundred million people entering the Indian market for a wide range of consumer goods. American companies interested in global markets would be well advised to look at India."

Assuring the American business leaders of continued economic reforms in India, the Prime Minister said, "Wherever I meet

businessmen to talk of our plans for the future, the question I am most often asked is whether economic reforms will continue. You should have no doubt on that score. The economic reforms of the past have brought us advantages … We might do it gradually, and in

lowed to have upto 26% foreign investment, opening a new avenue for Indo-US collaboration.

Further, signing of the MoU with the US government on energy security, clean energy and climate change will provide a framework for pursuing bilateral

from both countries are working seamlessly to build bridges between the two most powerful freemarket economies," said Ron Somers, president of the USIBC. "The future is very bright. There is no question US-India ties will shape the economic destiny of the

damentally from cold war mistrust to strategic partnership.

India, she said, was now on the trajectory of rapid growth, stands as a critical engine of global growth; is a vital partner in global security; and a model for democratic development. Speaking for

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressing the United States India Business Council (USIBC) at the US Chambers of Commerce, in Washington on November 23

a manner which builds consensus for change. But I assure you we will persevere."

He said key reforms that would be pushed are aimed at bringing the deficit under control such as, tax reforms, financial reforms, reforms in education and skill development, legal reforms and a program to raise resources by sale of equity in public sector enterprises.

Singh announced that he, along with President Obama, has reconstituted the Indo-US CEO's Forum, with David Cote and Ratan Tata as co-chairs and said he looked forward to the recommendations emerging from this group.

cooperation in specific areas, he said.

At the outset, Prime Minister Singh said most of the large American corporations, many of which engaged in high technology work, are present in India. Also, in recent years, Indian companies in sectors ranging from auto components, tractors, pharmaceuticals and software have invested in the US and creating thousands of jobs in this country. "This two-way flow illustrates the mutually beneficial nature of our relationship," he said.

"This decade marks a major step forward in U.S.-India relations," said Thomas J Donohue, president

‘Rapid and inclusive growth in the years ahead will enable us to achieve our social objectives. It will also result in a few hundred million people entering the Indian market for a wide range of consumer goods’ Acknowledging the supportive role American businesses played in persuading the US Congress to support the Indo-US nuclear agreement, Singh said "We are currently finalizing the details that will make the agreement fully operational. Once that is done, it will remove restrictions on the flow of technology in nuclear and many other areas. This will open a large area of commercial opportunities for US business."

On defense collaboration, Singh said, Indi's domestic private sector defense suppliers are now al-

and CEO of the US Chamber, while introducing Singh at event. "Our ever-innovative business communities are the drivers of this partnership and the job creators on both sides of the globe. It is gratifying that our governments have finally awakened to the vital importance of advancing stronger USIndia ties. We are privileged that Dr. Singh has joined us today and we heartily welcome him and the people of India to be our partners in building a strong, free, and enterprising 21st Century."

"More than ever, companies

21st Century."

Concluding the event, Indra Nooyi, Chairman, Pepsico and President of USIBC, said US and India relations have changed fun-

all business interests represented on the occasion, Nooyi assured the Indian Prime Minister that they were all want to actively participate in that process.

Indian, American companies sign dozen agreements Cont’d from page 9

This is envisaged to be the largest for public and private cord blood collection in India. Their collaboration will also provide stem cell therapies to treat patients with certain malignant blood disorders, inherited disorders and immune deficiency diseases.

The JV they propose to set up will enable participation in clinical studies to develop cell therapies for indications for which there are unmet clinical needs like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Spinal Cord Injuries etc.

This collaboration will further be extended to major research efforts extremely valuable to the medical needs of the country in areas relevant to India and developing countries.

Indian investments in the US have been rising consistently and the Indian corporate are keen to collaborate further. The CII MoU Signing Ceremony marked the commitment of the two countries coming together at the corporate level to deeply engage in economic collaboration and strengthen institutional linkages.

FICCI MoU Signing Three other important docu-

ments were signed by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry. These were an MoU with University of Texas at Austin to expand the ongoing cooperation for commercialization of Indian innovations by including capacity building, training of incubation centers and enhancing innovation capabilities of academic R&D institutions ; another with the Institute of International Education (IIE), Washington to facilitate exchange of information regarding scholarships and fund options available for cross mobility of students, researchers and faculty, etc. and the third one with Polytechnic Institute of New York University to promote Indian innovation capabilities in the US and to make available to the R&D establishments in the Public and private sector in India the best practice in innovation from the United States.

FICCI also facilitated a MoU between International Institute of Information Technology (IsquareIT), Pune and Lawrence Tech University, Michigan signed a MoU with the purpose of launching MS level courses in the field of Automative Engineering.

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Rain dampens pomp of ceremonial welcome for Manmohan

Agreements on Knowledge, IP and Investment Promotion India Post News Service

SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

WASHINGTON DC: A pesky rain took the thunder away from the pomp and show that was to be part of the customary arrival ceremony on the White House South Lawn for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, President Barack Obama's first official state guest at the White House, on Nov 24.

As the ceremony shifted to the East Room inside the White House, missing from the truncated ceremony were the Ruffles and Flourishes, the Nineteen Gun salute, review of troops and the musical troop review, and a few hundred invited guests who were

FIRST LADY TO FIRST LADY: Welcome

apologetically told to skip the event for want of space inside the East Room.

In attendance at the ceremony were of course Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, White House of Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel from the Administration, and from the Indian side, India's External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan, Special Advisor to the PM Shyam Saran, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar.

Stealing the limelight were the First Ladies - Michelle Obama looking svelte in a muted orange dress and Gursharan Kaur exuding dignity and grace in a green silk sari.

Warmly welcoming the Prime Minister and his wife, President Obama said, "It was exactly 60 years ago, in a ceremony not unlike this, that an American president welcomed to the White House the first prime minister of an independent India. And while the decades that followed were not without their challenges, the spirit of that first visit is with us today -- the same sense of possibility, the same hope for the future. So as President Truman said of President Nehru, it is my privilege to welcome the respected leader of a great nation of free people."

The President said it was fit-

The tradition of US arrival ceremony

A

beautiful invitation from the White House, giv ing a brief history of the arrival ceremony, said military arrival ceremonies for visiting foreign dignitaries are as old as the concept of an armed protective force.

The modern arrival ceremony, it says, has evolved over the centuries where earlier it used to serve a more functional purpose. During the Truman Administration, the visiting Chief of State and Heads of Government would be met at Washington National Airport with a military honor guard. For President Eisenhower's Administration, the air terminal was changed to Andrews Air Force Base, but the tradition for the parade remained.

The ceremony site was the West Grounds of the Washington Monument, and later the Ellipse.

President Kennedy's Admin-

istration brought the arrival ceremony to the South Lawn of the White House. The welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn is supposed to provide a beautiful site for a warm and dignified welcome for the foreign visitor.

What Prime Minister Singh and his wife may have missed enjoying at the White House, was perhaps compensated by the fact that the state guests did have ceremonial welcome at the Andrews Air Force Base, where they landed on Sunday.

They were received by the 316th Wing Commander Colonel Steven Shepro and other Obama Administration officials and accorded a warm welcome by the Joint Services honor cordon and the colors team as they walked down the red carpet and later the US Air Force Band played the national anthems of India and the US.

The two leaders at the arrival ceremony

ting that the Indian Prime Minister should be the first official state visitor of his presidency, "It is fitting that you and India be so recognized. This visit reflects the high esteem in which I and the American people hold your wise leadership. It reflects the abiding bonds of respect and friendship between our people, including our friends in the Indian American community who join us here today," he said.

President Obama said India was indispensable to building a future of global security and prosperity.

Thanking the President for the honor, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he brings the friendly greetings of one billion people of India to the President and the people of America.

"I've come today to build upon the successes and to strengthen our multifaceted relationship," Singh said. "We seek to broaden and deepen our strategic partnership and to work with the United States to meet these challenges of a fast-changing world in this 21st century."

Singh said India and the US must work together to harness the immense potential of India's talented and enterprising people and support each other's growth and prosperity. "We should cooperate in addressing challenges of combating terrorism, making our environment cleaner and

WASHINGTON DC: India and the US signed two significant inter-governmental agreements on Traditional Knowledge, Intellectual Property and Investment Promotion, at the US Chamber of Commerce on Nov 23.

A Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) Access Agreement signed between the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and US Patent and Trademark Office by Dr.Samir Brahmachari, Director general of CSIR and Sharon Barner, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property, acting on behalf of Under Secretary for Intellectual Property in the US Department of Commerce David Kappos.

The TKDL Access Agreement will enable the USPTO to search the extensive database of India's traditional knowledge painstakingly compiled under TKDL, a collaborative project between CSIR and Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

In addition, CSIR would provide training to the USPTO examiners and staff to help them use TKDL tools for search and examination.

This would help prevent misappropriation of traditional knowledge through mistaken issuance of patents as had earlier happened with neem and haldi.

The second document that was signed was a MoU between the office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of India and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, US Department of Commerce.

The MoU between patent offices of the two countries would facilitate comprehensive bilateral cooperation on a range of IPR issues focusing on capacity building, human resource development and raising public awareness of the importance of IPR. Another important Memorandum of Intent was signed to promote two-way investments between 'Invest in America' of the International Trade Administration, US Department of Commerce and 'Invest India', a joint venture of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and various State Governments of the Republic of India and FICCI concerning the promotion of investment in the US and India.

By facilitating exchange of information regarding opportunities for investment and about policies related to investment this MoI seeks to accelerate the growing investment flows in both directions which are benefitting both countries.

US-India CEO Forum reconstituted SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

WASHINGTON DC: On the sidelines of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Washington DC, the US-India CEO Forum was reconstituted to further strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

The Forum hosted its first meeting of the year on Nov 23 at the US Department of Treasury. The CEO participants discussed opportunities for new partnerships between businesses in the United States and India, how to promote investment and job growth in both countries, and provide input to senior US government officials on the key concerns of US and Indian business leaders.

The Forum Members include David M. Cote, Honeywell (US CoChair of the CEO Forum); Louis ChĂŞnevert, United Technologies Corporation; Richard T. Clark, Merck & Co., Inc.; Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Paul Hanrahan, The AES Corpora-

tion; Paul Jacobs, Qualcomm; Ellen Kullman, DuPont; Andrew Liveris, The Dow Chemical Company; Terry McGraw, The McGraw Hill Companies; Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo; Vikram Pandit, Citigroup; and Mike Splinter, Applied Materials.

The US Members will serve twoyear terms.

The US-India CEO Forum was initially launched in 2005, and has met in both the US and India in the past. Mike Froman, Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs, and Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, serve as the government cochairs of the Forum.

Senior government officials who were present at the Nov 23 Forum meeting included Dr. Larry Summers, Chairman of the National Economic Council; Tim Geithner, Secretary of the Treasury; Gary Locke, Secretary of Commerce; Ron Kirk, United States Trade Representative; and Robert Hormats, Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs.

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More banquet, less politics - US coverage of PM's Visit

John Kerry

WASHINGTON: The US media, over the past few days, has covered the flair and panache of first state dinner hosted by President Barack Obama for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, more than the politics of the visit.

Television and newspapers highlighted every aspect of the event including its dinner menu, guest list, decorations, the Naeem Khan designed dress worn by First Lady Michele Obama, and the toast made

by President Obama where he said "Aapka Swagat hai" (you are welcome).

The CNN channel covered the grand dinner for about two and half hours with the Prime Minister's visit being covered by Larry King who interviewed Khan?the designer of the dress and an intensive report in their morning show called American Morning - focusing on "why India is important to America".

The New York Times that covered the dinner wrote that while the dinner had all the old traditions, "President Obama and his wife Michelle made sure to infuse the glittering gala with distinctive touches.

"And the Obama's shook things up by serving, among other dishes, Indian food to an Indian delegation, typically a no-no," writes the daily, which scanned the menu for its website.

The NY Times blog called the Caucus was constantly updated particularly during the joint press conference.

Top Hollywood director Steven

Spielberg was also at the event, which witnessed performances by Oscar winners Indian music maestro A R Rahman and American singer-actress Jennifer Hudson, apart from jazz vocalist Kurt Elling and the National Symphony Orchestra.

"He is (Rahman) also an Oscar winner and he helped create some of the music for the film 'Slumdog Millionaire'," Michelle told the gathering. "I don't know if you guys got to see that movie -- incredible movie."

Many political figures, academics, medical professionals, prominent Indian-Americans and business people, including Ratan Tata, Amartya Sen, Mukesh Ambani, Deepak Chopra, Sanjay Gupta, Jhumpa Lahiri, Sam Pitroda, Indra Nyooi, Bobby Jindal and Fareed Zakaria, were also present at the banquet. In a case of wardrobe malfunctioning, Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey's cummerbund dropped to the floor just as he and his wife posed before photographers and reporters, AP said.

One of the "finest chefs" in the country, Marcus Samuellson, was invited to prepare the four-course dinner -- which was heavily dominated by vegetables and herbs from Michelle's kitchen garden served on 'Bush' cutlery- introduced by former First Lady Laura Bush.

"We feel privileged to be invited to the first State banquet under your presidency.

You do us, and India, great honour by this gesture," Prime Minister Singh told Obama reciprocating to his warm welcome. -PTI

Bobby Jindal

RatanTata Indra Nooyi

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur. Pic MOhammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia

Kal Penn

Vishaka Desai, Asia Society President Manmohan Singh addressing guests at the Banquet

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Unprecedented security breach at PM's White House dinner WASHINGTON: An unprecedented security breach took place at the high-profile 'black tie' state dinner when a Virginia couple entered the White House uninvited and had a "wonderful time" in the company of President Barack Obama, the first lady and the Indian Prime Minister.

Though President Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were never in any danger because the uninvited guests went through the same security screening as the 300-plus high profile guests, the US Secret Service has started a probe into how Michaele and Tareq Salahi, a couple of aspiring reality-TV stars from Northern Virginia managed to slip into Tuesday night's state dinner even though they were not on the guest list, agency spokesman Ed Donovan said.

The Washington Post broke the story after the couple went on to boast about their coup on a Facebook webpage, in which they appear in photos with Vice President Joe Biden, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, and TV news anchor Katie Couric.

According to the US daily, the polo-playing socialites, known for a bitter family feud over a Fauquier County winery and their possible roles in the forthcoming "The Real Housewives of Washington" - were seen arriving at the White House and later posted on Facebook photos of themselves with VIPs at the elite gathering.

"Honored to be at the White House for the state dinner in honor of India with President Obama and our First Lady!" one of them wrote on their joint Facebook page at 9:08 p.m. -PTI

A R Rahman

Nobel laureate Amartya Sen with his Emma Georgina Rothschild

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Obama at the first State Dinner of the White House on 24 Nov. Pic Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia

Bloomberg NY City Mayor

State Senator, Satveer Chaudhry and Lt Col Ravi Chaudhri

Dr Sanjay Gupta, CNN

Sonal Shah

Obama to visit India next year SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

Fareed Zakaria, Newsweek

WASHINGTON DC: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Nov 24 told a news conference at the White House that he had invited President Obama to India an invitation which the President has accepted.

"I have invited President Obama to visit India. A very warm welcome awaits him, his gracious wife and his two daugh-

ters."

Accepting the invitation, President Obama said his administration's commitment to India can be seen in its new strategic dialogue and in his personal partnership with Prime Minister Singh. "I consider him a wise leader who has helped unleash India's extraordinary economic growth. He is a man of honesty and integrity. I respect him and I trust him, and I have happily accepted his gracious invitation to visit India next year."

Congressman Gary Ackerman with Sant Chatwal

Top Stories

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China's growth superior but will stick to own path: PM WASHINGTON: With the world applauding Chinese economy, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has contrasted it with India's growth which has been achieved in a democratic society and said he would stick to the Indian path.

"No doubt Chinese growth performance is superior to India's growth performance. But I always believe that there are other values which are important than the growth of GDP - respect for fundamental human rights, respect for rule of law, respect for multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious rights," he said during an interaction at the elite US Council for Foreign Relations here.

India's growth rate, which slowed down to 6.5 per cent this fiscal due to global financial meltdown, is expected to get back to around 9 per cent within two years.

The GDP of China, the world's third largest economy, witnessed a 9 per cent growth in 2008. In the

first nine months of the current fiscal, its GDP grew by 7.7 per cent.

"There are several dimensions to human freedom which are not always caught by the numbers with regard to the GDP. So I do

‘Even though Indian performance with regard to GDP might not be as good as the Chinese, certainly I would not like to choose the Chinese path. I would like to stick to Indian path’ believe that even though Indian performance with regard to GDP might not be as good as the Chinese, certainly I would not like to choose the Chinese path. I would

like to stick to Indian path," Singh, who is here on a four-day state visit, said explaining why Indian of economic reform was preferable.

The Prime Minister said India might seem to be indecisive at times, but "once democracy decides on the basis of wide-ranging consensus, any reforms that are undertaken will be far more durable, far more effective than the reforms introduced by the writ of ruling group in a non-democratic set-up."

Earlier, Singh told CNN in an interview that development in India cannot be a carbon copy of what happens in China.

When asked about China's high growth and eye-popping infrastructure development speed, he said "Well, I have no hesitation in saying that I think development in India cannot be a carbon copy of what happens in China. And the Chinese system is very different. -PTI

Manmohan says India has taken note of assertiveness by China WASHINGTON: In unusually strong remarks, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said India has taken note of "certain amount of assertiveness" by China lately, an apparent reference to its objections over Beijing's provocative steps.

Coming against the backdrop of China's statements on Arunachal Pradesh and other issues, Singh, however, said he did not "fully understand" the reasons for its actions.

"There is certain amount of assertiveness on the part of Chi-

nese. I don't fully understand the reasons for it. That has to be taken note of," he said during an interaction at the US Council for Foreign Relations here.

The Prime Minister did not elaborate but the statement assumes significance considering that China has recently been involved in some provocative steps like issuing visas to residents of Jammu and Kashmir on stapled sheets of paper rather than passport, to send out a message that it does not consider the state to be a part of India.

Besides, China has objected to the Prime Minister's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, is participating in projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir despite India's objections and mentioned Indo-Pak relations in a Joint Statement with the US. Singh, who also responded to questions on Indo-Pak relations, denounced Pakistan's "selective" approach in the fight against terrorism.

The Prime Minister said he did not want to speculate about India's response in the event of another 26/11-type attack. -PTI

Pak court frames charges against 7 Mumbai suspects ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani anti-terror court has framed charges against LeT's operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and six others for involvement in the Mumbai attacks and declared 16 people, including Ajmal Amir Kasab, as proclaimed offenders.

Judge Malik Muhammad Akram Awan, who is conducting the trial at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi for security reasons, formally charged the seven suspects, sources said, adding the accused protested against their indictment.

They said the judge also rejected bail plea of some of the accused, besides declaring 16 people as proclaimed offenders.

Among those declared proclaimed offenders is Kasab, the

lone terrorist captured alive during the 26/11 strikes, and crew members of the two boats used by the attackers, sources said.

The indictment of the seven suspects by the Pakistani court came on the eve of the first anniversary of the attacks that had left 183 people dead.

During the proceedings of the case earlier on Monday, lawyers defending the seven suspects had demanded that Kasab be brought to Pakistan to face trial with the other accused.

They had said that since Kasab was the lone surviving attacker and his confession to Indian authorities formed a crucial part of the case built up by Pakistani authorities against their clients, he should be brought to Pakistan to face trial. -PTI

PM says borders in Kashmir can’t be redrawn, Pak protests W A S H I N G T O N / ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has made it clear that there can be no redrawing of borders in Kashmir, triggering a sharp response from Pakistan which said the "dispute" must be settled in line with the UN resolutions.

"I have publicly stated that there can be no redrawing of borders (in Jammu and Kashmir)," the Prime Minister said. "...but our two countries can work together to ensure that these are borders of peace, that people-to-people contacts grow in a manner in which people do not even worry whether they are located on this side of the border or that side," he told CNN in an interview.

Singh was asked whether he saw any prospects for productive negotiations with Pakistan since

JEWISH CEREMONY: Jewish Orthodox Chabad Lubavitch Movement New York Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky (L), Chabad World headquarters' Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky (C) and Chabad Lubavitch Movement Mumbai Director Rabbi Abraham Berkowich (R) attend a memorial service in Mumbai on November 26

he was set to be quiet close to some kind of a deal with President Pervez Musharraf before the military ruler quit.

"If trade is free, if people-topeople contacts (are there) and our both countries competing with each other to enable people on both sides to lead the life of dignity and self respect. Those are issues, which we can discuss, we can reach agreement," he said.

In Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said, "Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory awaiting settlement in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir".

"India is only one of the parties to the dispute; it cannot, therefore, unilaterally change the status of the dispute or place preconditions in open contradiction to the right of self-determination of Kashmiris," Basit said in a brief statement.

The Foreign Office said the statement was issued in response to Singh's remarks about Jammu and Kashmir in the interview.

India maintains that the whole of Jammu and Kashmir, including areas which it says has been illegally occupied by Pakistan, is an integral part of the country.

Pakistan had stopped insisting on the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN resolutions during the regime of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, when significant progress was made on steps to settle the issue through back channel contacts.-PTI

Remembering 26/11

December 4, 2009

India Post 15

www.indiapost.com

Parliament remembers those killed in 26/11 Mumbai attack NEW DELHI: Parliament remembered those killed in the terror strike in Mumbai on this day last year with the Lok Sabha resolving to unitedly fight and defeat the forces of terrorism which pose the "gravest threat to humanity".

The first anniversary of 26/11 terror attack saw Chairman Hamid Ansari making a reference in the Rajya Sabha, saying the "indomitable spirit of humankind cannot be subdued by such senseless acts of violence."

Members in both Houses stood in silence for a minute in memory of those killed.

"The House salutes the indomitable courage of the security

forces who gave a crushing blow to the terrorists on November 26,

‘The House resolves that we will unitedly fight and defeat the forces of terrorism and never again allow them to spill the blood of innocent people’ 2008 and the fortitude of the people of Mumbai," the Speaker said.

The Lower House also asked the government to take all necessary steps to "wipe out the scourge of terrorism from our country".

"On this day the House resolves that we will unitedly fight and defeat the forces of terrorism and never again allow them to spill the blood of innocent people," Kumar said.

In the Rajya Sabha, the Chairman recalled the way Mumbai quickly attained normalcy after the terrorist attack. This "speaks volumes for the resolve of our people to confront and defeat the evil designs of those wishing to destabilize the nation and disrupt its progress," he said. -PTI

Pranab and BJP MPs clash over Advani's 26/11 demand NEW DELHI: The first anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks saw Leader of the Opposition L K Advani expressing concern over the relief to the victims and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee hitting back accusing the BJP of exploiting the 26/11 incident for political gains.

"You are making politics out of this. Earlier also you did it and were paid back. ... You will be again paid back in your own coin," an angry Leader of the House, Mukherjee, remarked in the Lok Sabha.

This followed BJP leader Anant Kumar's insistence that

Mukherjee should respond to Advani's concerns over the state of relief and rehabilitation of the victims of 26/11 and the blasts in suburban trains.

Amid cries of 'shame, shame' from some members, Advani had said out of 403 persons eligible for relief, only 118 have received cheques so far and while 64 of them were eligible for railway jobs, only 32 had received offers till now.

The Leader of the Opposition also suggested that a special cell be created in the Home Ministry, with an officer on special duty as its head, to look into the "problems of coordination" between 12

different agencies, including eight of the state government, involved in handling relief.

Speaker Meira Kumar sought to pacify an agitated Kumar saying it was a solemn occasion and one should maintain its solemnity. She told the member Mukherjee has already said he had come specially to hear Advani and has noted what he said.

In the Rajya Sabha too, BJP attacked the government for showing "negligence" in fulfilling the promises made to the family members of those killed and injured in the 26/11 attacks. -PTI

NSG will assure a safer Mumbai for citizens: Aulakh MUMBAI: As Mumbai observed the first anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks, National Security Guards chief assured the denizens of better security with the setting of an NSG hub in the metropolis.

"With an NSG hub set up in Mumbai in June this year, I assure citizens that the Black Cats would rise to their call of duty in case of emergencies," National Security Guard (NSG) unit chief N P S Aulakh said at the 'Jai Mumbai' conclave at Hotel Taj President here.

Aulakh, while thanking the city police, said the NSG commandos in Mumbai are undergoing continuous training and are conducting mock drills at various locations in the city.

N P S Aulakh

The Director General said it was difficult for the NSG commandos to immediately take over the situation as it was a new place

"The 26/11 terror attack was the most traumatic experience not only for the citizens but also for the NSG commandos, who exhibited dauntless professionalism," the 1972 batch IPS officer said.

He further said that the manner in which the Black Cats were welcomed after the operations ended at Hotel Taj remain etched in the memories of the commandos and has reinforced the NSG's cause and motto of 'Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha'.

The Director General said it was difficult for the NSG commandos to immediately take over the situation as it was a new place.

"The officers had to take help from police to scour the rooms of both Hotel Taj and Trident," Aulakh said. -PTI

Children pay tribute to the people who died in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack last year

Atri meets leaders in Delhi, defends himself WASHINGTON: Ashok Atri, Consular General in the Indian Consulate in Chicago, which is embroiled in a controversy over visa issued to LeT operative Tahawwur Hussain Rana, has met External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and said that no rules had been violated in giving him the travel document as he had submitted all proper papers for the same.

Atri, who also met National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, explained that no wrong-doing had occurred on part of the Consulate as Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, appeared to be a bona fide normal traveler to India for business.

Rana was arrested along with

Pakistani origin US national David C. Headley by FBI for planning major terror attacks in India on behest of Lashkar-e-Toiba. As part of the plan, Rana had visited India several times on the visa issued by the Indian Consulate in Chicago.

The Consul General told Krishna and others that no exception had been made to give visa to Rana and that his office had routinely put the "discretionary" stamp on it.

Atri, the 1975-batch IFS officer, said as per an August 2005 circular of the Home Ministry, the Chicago Consulate was not required to send the visa applications of Pakistan-origin people to New Delhi and could process these in Chicago itself.-PTI

'Doing everything to ensure Pak smashes terror groups' WASHINGTON: The US has own interest," Jones told PTI in said it was "doing everything" to an interview. make sure that Pakistan smashes "There is no question that the terror groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba so-called safe havens in Pakistan and denies them safe havens, as are deeply troubling our efforts," India remembered 166 people who he said. fell to terrorists' bullets in attacks The National Security Adviser on Mumbai exactly a year ago. said President Barack Obama feels US National Security Adviser deeply about the Mumbai attacks Gen (retd) James Jones said it was and there was a "common cause" in Pakistan's self-interest to take on all kinds of terrorist or- The National Security Adviser ganizations and if it said President Barack Obama did so, it would get international sup- feels deeply about the Mumbai port and much more attacks and there was a economic assis- ‘common cause’ between the tance.

"I can assure two countries on the issue you that we have made our position very clear (to between the two countries on the Pakistan). We continue to have issue. daily interaction (with Pakistan), He said terrorism in any form is we are doing everything, we can not acceptable and India and the to encourage them to disarm all of US would work closely to reduce them because I said it is in their that threat.-PTI

Desi News US Senators apprised of denial of justice to Sikhs India Post News Service

WASHINGTON DC: A delegation of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a human advocacy group, met with US Senators, Department of State and Commission on International Religious Freedom to apprise them of the continuous denial of justice to the victims of November 1984 Sikh genocide by the Indian Government even after 25 years.

Details on page 18

TM helps lower risks of stroke, death HARISH RAO

ORLANDO: In a first ever study presented during the annual meeting of the American Heart Association in Orlando, Fla., on Nov.16, it is revealed that patients with coronary heart disease who practiced the stress-reducing Transcendental Meditation technique had nearly 50 percent lower rates of heart attack, stroke, and death compared to non-meditating controls.

The trial was sponsored by a $3.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health-National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Details on page 19

VHP of America holds National Meeting SURI SWAMY & USHA BODIWALA

CHICAGO: The Chicago Chapter of VHP-A hosted a three days National Governing Council meeting of the VHP-A last week at the Ramada Inn O'Hare in Elk Grove, a north side suburb of Chicago.

Various topics of importance and concerns were discussed, strategies were formed and plans of actions were drawn. According to VHP-A, it has become more than clear that the Hindu faith, values, traditions and Dharma have been under attack, particularly in the last 10 to 20 years.

Details on page 20

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

16 India Post

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Mumbai attacks - many unanswered questions

December 4, 2009

Details on page 21

Indian consulate in soup over visas to terror accomplices A.Q. SIDDIQUI India Post News Service

CHICAGO: The Indian Consulate in Chicago is under fire for allegedly issuing multiple entry visas to two Pakistan-born citizens

Indian Consul General Ashok Kumar Attri

of Canada and America now suspected of having links with the terror attack in Mumbai last year.

The two - Canadian citizen Tahawwur Rana and US citizen Daood Gilani a.k.a. David Headley - are beloved to have visited India several times to prepare the ground for the attacks. Tahawwur Rana's wife, Samraz Rana Akhthar, was also issued the visa by the Consulate in Chicago.

The Indian community is divided over the role of the Consul General in this episode. Some leaders have demanded his immediate recall whereas others have praised him for streamlining the work of the Consulate and have advised restraint in the matter till the inquiry by the Indian Home Ministry is over.

Federation of Indian Associations in Chicago (FIA), the umbrella organization for Indian com-

munity in Midwest has demanded immediate expulsion of Indian Consul General Ashok Kumar Attri According to an FIA press release, ICG had carelessly approved Indian visas to alleged terrorists Tahawwur Rana and David

The Indian community is divided over the role of the Consul General in this episode. Some leaders have demanded his immediate recall whereas others have praised him for streamlining the work of the Consulate Headley who are allegedly engaged in a serious plot to launch violent mayhem in India's most

his statement, said that the actions of Consul General can be charac-

Dr. Hyder Mohammad, President FIA

terized as supreme 'betrayal' of the people of India and his granting of multiple entry visas to alleged haters of India is downright dangerous and puts India in serious peril. Dr. Hyder Mohammed, President of FIA, said in a statement that the action of Consul General

In his response, Consul General Ashok Kumar Attri has asserted that his office had followed the visa issuance procedure to the core and that a prior clearance from the Indian Home Ministry was not needed for the issuance of visas Iftekhar Shareef, FIA Trustee

sensitive defense centers. Iftekhar Shareef, Trustee Chairman of Federation of Indian Associations [FIA] and a community leader, in

Attri has outraged the collective conscience of Indian Americans across the United States It is alleged that the copies of visas issued to Pakistani-Canadian

Rana and a woman Samraz Rana Akhthar, who he claimed to be his wife, show that both were issued multiple entry visas under the discretion of the Consul General.

This was done in apparent violation of rules under which clearance of Ministry of Home Affairs is required for any person born in Pakistan. Both Rana and the woman with him were born in the Punjab province of Pakistan.

Rana is an associate of US citizen David Headley, who has also been arrested on terror charges by the FBI last month for their connections with terror group Lashkar-e-Tayiba.

In his response, Consul General Ashok Kumar Attri has asserted that his office had followed the visa issuance procedure to the core and that a prior clearance from the Indian Home Ministry was not needed for the issuance of visas.

Consul Biswas Sakpal mentions that the Indian Consulate in Chicago issued visas to Tahawwur

Balwinder Singh, community leader

Rana and his spouse as per the established procedure for issuance of visas to persons of Pakistani origin.

Cont’d on page 19

Community Across America

December 4, 2009

India Post 17

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Indian activist helps launch climate change plan India Post News Service

HOUSTON: An Indian community activist, Dr Kusum Vyas of the Houston-based Living Planet Foundation, has helped launch an action plan for long-term environmental change sequel to a meeting in

Houston Over the next nine years, The Bhumi Project, led by the Oxford Center for Hindu Studies, will implement a series of initiatives to help Hindus worldwide engage in environmental action to better care for the planet the UK with Prince Philip and Ban-ki Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The Bhumi Project (Sanskrit for ‘Mother Earth’), of which Dr Vyas is a team-member, was launched as part of the November 2 “Many Heavens, One Earth Summit” at Windsor Castle, one of the stately homes

L-R- Dr. Shaunaka Das, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies, Dr. Kusum Vyas, HRH Prince Philip, UN Sec Gen Ban ki-Moon

of the Queen of England. It was attended by over 200 faith leaders from nine major world religions. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and The Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC), a secular body founded by the Prince Philip in 1995 to help world religions develop their own environmental programs, called the

meeting.

Over the next nine years, The Bhumi Project, led by the Oxford Center for Hindu Studies, will implement a series of initiatives to help Hindus worldwide engage in environmental action to better care for the planet. Specific proposals include educating members of their own communities on

best environmental practice; developing a Hindu labeling scheme for a range of products and services; helping all Hindu places of worship employ the highest standards of environmental practice; and partnering with conservation projects in India, such as those involved in cleaning the River Ganges.

Kusum Vyas says of the Bhumi Project: “I am proud to be part of the Hindu longterm plan, which has been appropriately named the Bhumi Project. This is a wonderful opportunity to share with the rest of the world the ancient wisdom and ecological vision inherent in the Hindu religion. ” “The concepts of ecology and environmental protection are not modern phenomena to the Hindus: they inherited it from their ancestors. Thousands of years ago, Hindu sages realized that preservation of the environment and ecological balance were necessary for the survival of mankind.

The centuries old Vedas, Upanishads and Vedanta are replete with spiritual and poetic references to Mother Earth where the environment is alive and teems with life, where trees, mountains and rocks become shrines and the river is respected as a source and support of physical and spiritual life.

We hope that the 9 Year Plan will be a time for serious reflection to build a profile of the contribution of the Hindu community and the relevance of the Hindu ethos to a wider audience.”

Meera dance drama staged in Dallas

A scene from Meera dance ballet India Post News Service

DALLAS, TX: Natyanjali Kuchipudi Dance School presented the dance ballet "Meera" last week. The event was Cohosted by Telugu Association of North America (TANA) and TANTEX. Under the direction of Srilatha Suri, the students of Natyanjali brought life to the legendary story of the Indian saint "Meera" and her ardent devotion to the God Krishna.

Performed in the Indian classical dance style of Kuchipudi, this script was written by Sri Dandibhotla Narayana Murthy, melodious music by Sri Dandibhotla Venkata Srinavasa Sastry and uniquely choreographed by Jaikishore Mosalikanti and Srilatha Suri.

The story of "Meera" was unfolded with graceful movements and mesmerizing expressions of the dancers. Partial proceeds of this show were dedicated to AP flood Relief. Team

The Meera Dance Ballet artist group and associates as well as well wishers of Natyanjali Kuchipudi Dance School

Dallas, TX Mayor Jones presented ‘Natya Mayuri’ award to Srilatha Suri for her dedication in preserving and propagating Kuchipudi style of dance

work and support from volunteers and community made this dance drama a successful event.

It was well coordinated by Vasanth Suri and Rajeswari Challa did an excellent job as MC. The "Meera" dance drama was inaugurated by Dr. Sandhyavandanam Laxmi Devi with Vedic hymns by Shankamanchi Nagendra Prasad Sharma. Prasad Thotakura, TANA Executive Vice-President and Dr. Sridhar Reddy

Korsapati, TANTEX President attended as Guests of Honor and Ronald Jones, City of Garland Mayor attended as Chief Guest.

Mayor Jones presented "Natya Mayuri" award to Srilatha Suri for her dedication in preserving and propagating Kuchipudi style of dance and her outstanding community service through dance ballet benefit shows for various causes.

Cont’d on page 19

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Community Across America

India Post

December 4, 2009

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US Senators apprised of denial of justice to Sikhs

Indian community mourns Rita Shah SURESH SHAH

US Senators, Department of State and Commission on International Religious Freedom apprised about the continuous denial of justice to victims of November 1984 Sikh Genocide India Post News Service

WASHINGTON DC: A delegation of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a human advocacy group, met with US Senators, Department of State and Commission on International Religious Freedom to apprise them of the continuous denial of justice to the victims of November 1984 Sikh genocide by the Indian Government even after 25 years.

Rahul Bedi a renowned journalist who personally witnessed the killings of Sikhs in the streets of Delhi in November 1984 undertook a journey of 10000 miles to Washington DC to accompany the SFJ delegation and apprised the US authorities with his first hand eyewitness account of the killings and involvement of Indian government.

According to Bedi “police, administration and political leaders were all hand in gloves in the killings of Sikhs in November 1984 and information in this regard is systematically suppressed”.

Rahul Bedi also explained at length how the killings of Sikhs in November 1984 were “not riots” as commonly portrayed for the last 25 years and presented uncontroverted eye witness account and evidence showing that the killings were instead “organized, systematic and targeted”.

Kamna Vohra an advocate Su-

preme Court of India who worked as staff attorney for Justice Nanavati Commission and who participated in the investigation and examination of the witnesses informed that “commission’s examination of witnesses and police officers revealed that police had been given orders from high ups to let the killings of Sikhs go on”.

Washington DC ‘CBI claimed to protect witnesses if they returned to India to give testimony in the court. Surinder Singh who returned to India in February 2009 was murdered in July’ Ms. Vohra further informed that the evidence led the commission to conclude that November 1984 killings of Sikhs was organized and targeted at the behest of political leaders. The commission “recommended investigation into the role of Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar, HKL Bhagat and Dharamdas Shastri and others in the killings of Sikhs.”

From the delegation, attorney

Gurpatwant S. Pannun, legal advisor for SFJ, submitted the newly discovered authentic evidence showing killings of Sikhs in 12 States of India in November 1984 and proof that none of the killers has been prosecuted to-date.

Attorney Pannun who previously campaigned for recording of statements of Jasbir Singh and late Surinder Singh witnesses of November 1984, by CBI in USA due to threat to witnesses’ life in India, also told the US authorities how CBI claimed to protect witnesses if they returned to India to give testimony in the court.

Surinder Singh who returned to India in February 2009 was murdered in July.

Coordinator SFJ Avtar Singh Pannun apprised the US authorities of growing disappointment and concern American Sikh community over the continued denial of justice to November 1984 Sikh genocide.

Jasbir Singh who is one of the witnesses and has come forward with his testimony gave the details of gruesome killings that he saw and his eyewitness account of Jadish Tytler leading the killers.

Department of State, Commission and Senators appreciated the efforts of Sikhs for Justice and its delegation in providing them with this vital information.

Rita Shah

CHICAGO: The sudden death of Rita Shah, wife of Prashant Shah, editor of India Tribune weekly newspaper, on November 20 here has shocked members of Indian community across Chicagoland. She was only 51 and was relatively healthy, although suffering from diabetes.

Rita Shah developed breathing problem and went into coma from which she never came out despite best of efforts from paramedics and doctors. She was admitted to Glen brook Hospital in Glenview,

a North West side suburb of Chicago, and breathed her last there.

Rita Shah had endeared herself among her friends, relatives and community members through her

Illinois amiable and helping nature. She was a loving wife, a loving mother and a loving member of Shah's household, as put by Nick Shah, Prashant's nephew whom she treated like her own son.

Cont’d on page 24

Gujarati Samaj hosts Diwali celebration ASHWIN PATEL

ST. LOUIS: Diwali, the festival of lights was celebrated by Gujarati Samaj of St. Louis last month with great fanfare and enthusiasm at St. Ann community center in St. Louis.

St. Louis Over 400 people of all ages from various social groups attended this event enjoying Gujarati food and musical program by visiting group from Vadodara.

Harish Patel welcomed the com-

munity members. This is the 25th year of the establishment of Gujarati Samaj. To celebrate 25th year this event was free to all members of Gujarati Samaj. Previous presidents and youth volunteers were honored by Harish Patel.

With all the fun and gaiety, the unending dances and the sumptuous food, the evening was truly a memorable one for all those who attended the party. Gujarati Samaj has been organizing a get together to celebrate Deepawali, a festival of Joy and happiness, since 1984.

Meera dance drama staged in Dallas Cont’d from page 17

The invocation dance on Lord Ganesha was performed by Samhita Bandaru, Sreeragini Ghantasala, Neha Cheruku, Vathsalya Senapathi, Suman Vadlamani, Midhila Vaddi, Nagarani Kamarapu, Sricharan Navuluri.

Suman Vadlamani playing as young "Meera" did a good job. The young

"Meera" played by Prahuti Suri was very graceful. Pranamya Suri as lord Krishna stole the show with her mesmerizing stage presence, graceful gestures and good abhinaya. Srilatha Suri as older "Meera" carried her role with elegance and her expressions and the bhakti bhava was very well received.

The bhajans were presented authentically. Bhakari Burra as Rana, Dr. Rajesh

Adusumilli as Akbar, Srichar Navuluri as Tansen performed their roles well.

Madhuri Chittajalu and Nagarani Kamrapu played their roles as "Meera"s mother and mother-in-law with ease. Lakshmi Gupta, Pallavi Shah, Pranhuti Suri, Midhila Vaddi, Monisha Veerapaneni, Ramya Pusuluri, Spruha Shah and Nagarani Kamarapu and Pranamya Suri as Lord Krishna danced gracefully with coordination as gopikas

in Rasakreeda. Along with colorful peacocks played by Nikita Reddy, Sobhita Pochiraju, Silpita Pochiraju and Anjitha Nair.

The wedding procession was very colorful. The concept chosen by Srilatha Suri was very well received and won appreciation for presenting a real story from our history with good stage props and special effects and colorful costumes.

Community/Illinois

December 4, 2009

India Post 19

www.indiapost.com

TM helps lower risks of stroke, death HARISH RAO

ORLANDO: In a first ever study presented during the annual meeting of the American Heart Association in Orlando, Fla., on Nov.16, it is revealed that patients with coronary heart disease who practiced the stress-reducing Transcendental Meditation technique had nearly 50 percent lower rates of heart attack, stroke, and death compared to non-meditating controls.

The trial was sponsored by a $3.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health-National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute,

and was conducted at The Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee in collaboration with the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa.

The nine-year, randomized control trial followed 201African American men and women, average age 59 years, with narrowing of arteries in their hearts who were randomly assigned to either practice the stress-reducing TM technique or to participate in a control group

Indian consulate in soup over visas to terror accomplices Cont’d from page 16

He said that as per the procedure, no prior clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs was required in such cases. The above mentioned visas were issued with due scrutiny of the available documents and following guidelines.

Kanti Patel, senior Trustee and spokesperson for FIA-Chicago said that the association is going ahead with a plan to stage a massive "black flag" rally in front of the Consulate General of India's office if Attri is not removed from

Sikh community activist, Vinesh Virani of Art of Living and scores of others have characterized the demand to remove the Indian Consul General as immature and unwarranted in the light of the Consulate asserting that the proper procedure was followed in the matter. Balwinder Singh said that it would be more prudent to await the outcome of investigation from the Indian Home Ministry before jumping the gun. Nand Kapoor mentioned that the Pakistani embassy and its officials should be taken to task for the al-

Balwinder Singh said that it would be more prudent to await the outcome of investigation from the Indian Home Ministry before jumping the gun Nand Kapur, former AIA President

office with immediate effect. The FIA release says some of the other prominent Indian American community leaders who have joined in demanding the expulsion of Consul General Attri include Ranjit Ganguly, Kanti Patel, Sitaram Patel, Subhash Bhatt, Sher Mohammed Rajput, Anil Pillai, Sunny Ghabawala, Rev. J.B.Singha, Sunil Shah, Sohan Joshi, Keerthi Ravoori, Ajai Anihotri and Dr. Indrajit Patel.

Meanwhile, some prominent members of the Indian community like Nand Kapur, a former president of Association of Indian Americans, Balwinder Singh, a

leged involvement of their nationals in nefarious activities.

They have sent a memorandum to the Indian Ambassador and the Indian government with hundreds of signature praising the good work being done by the Indian Consulate here.

It says the Consulate's public relation and functioning has vastly improved of late because of streamlining of procedures at the instance of Ashok Kumar Attri.

The Consulate services have become very fast and in case of emergency, the Consulate officials do not shy away from their duties, the memorandum mentions.

Transcendental Meditation technique had nearly 50 percent lower rates of heart attack, stroke, and death compared to nonmeditating controls

which received health education classes in traditional risk factors, including dietary modification and exercise.

All participants continued standard medications and other usual medical care. The results of the study are significant. There was a 47 percent reduction, significant (5 mm Hg average) reduction in blood pressure and reductions in psychological stress in the high-stress subgroup.

According to Robert Schneider, M.D., FACC, lead author and di-

rector of the Center for Natural Medicine and Prevention, "….this is the first controlled clinical trial to show that long-term practice of this particular stress reduction program reduces the incidence of ….heart attacks, strokes and mortality."

Dr. Schneider said that this is an effect where the new medications are derived from the body's own internal pharmacy stimulated by the Transcendental Meditation practice.

Cont’d on page 22

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Community Across America

India Post

December 4, 2009

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VHP of America holds National Meeting SURI SWAMY AND USHA BODIWALA

Kaushik Joshi receiving a gift (Hindu Temples of India Book) from Jyotish Parekh (current President of VHPA)

VHP leaders deliberating at VHP meet in Chicago

CHICAGO: The Chicago Chapter of VHP-A hosted a three days National Governing Council meeting of the VHP-A last week at the Ramada Inn O'Hare in Elk Grove, a north side suburb of Chicago.

Various topics of importance

Topics included misinformation, undue and unnecessary antiHindu propaganda, misuse and abuse of Hindu deities and phrases, conversions, direct and indirect threats, passing on the Hindu ethos to the future generations and concerns were discussed, strategies were formed and plans of actions were drawn. According to VHP-A, it has become more than clear that the Hindu faith, values, traditions and Dharma

have been under attack, particularly in the last 10 to 20 years.

Topics included misinformation, undue and unnecessary antiHindu propaganda, misuse and abuse of Hindu deities and phrases, conversions, direct and indirect threats, passing on the Hindu ethos to the future generations, unity of various Mandirs, participation in the mainstream American society, educating and informing the political class and media etc.

On Sat the 14, there was a special cultural program which included presentations by 2 groups of children-one from ISKCON (Hare Krishna) Mandir of Chicago and one by Nrityakalaashree Academy. The main presentation was regarding the Hindu Mandir Executive Council (HMEC) which aims to unite all the Mandirs across America for common causes. That was done by Kaushik Joshi of Chicago Chapter.

The program started with the traditional deep prajwalan (lighting of the lamp) ceremony by

Bhaaskar Joshi, a veteran Hindu swayamsevak from Chicago. He was accompanied by Mahesh Mehta, co-founder of VHP-A and Jyotish Parekh, current national President of VHP-A. That was

followed by a few Vedic mantras

by Rohit Joshi and Satish Bhaagwat.

There was valuable guidance from Dr Sukhdev Soni and Dr Bharat Barai, both past Presidents

Youth from ISKCON - Rahul Sharma Tamal Kumar, Ragav Sharma, Muknda Russel, Rahul Sawhney, Abhi Sajwal

of VHP-A. Among the speakers were Shamkant Sheth, President, Dhaval Joshipura, Treasurer, both of Chicago Chapter, Abhay Asthana, National General Secre-

‘It has become more than clear that the Hindu faith, values, traditions and Dharma have been under attack, particularly in the last 10 to 20 years’

VHP members and supporters

classes & Summer Camps in the '70s. Since 1971, VHP-A has been working on organizing and uniting Hindus in America., Since 1979, has been very much involved in various Sewa and Relief

tary and others.

Ajit Gandhi, VP, was the Master of Ceremony. He recounted some of the achievements of VHP. It started weekly Baal Vihaar

works. Later on, the same has come under one umbrella, called India Development & Relief Foundation (IDRF).In 1984, organized a major National Meeting in NY which was attended by 10,000 people, In 1990, formed the Hindu Student Council (HSC) which has become a prominent organization at various American universities, In 1993, arranged another National Meeting in DC, called Global Vision 2000, in honor of centenary of Swami Vivekanand's famous speech in Chicago in 1893.

In 2000, started the support-achild project which now supports 800 children annually in Bharat.

Since 2006, has promoted an innovative concept called the Hindu Mandir Executive Conference (HMEC) which aims at bringing the various Mandirs in good coordination.

December 4, 2009

Community/California

India Post 21

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One year after Mumbai attacks many unanswered questions JS BEDI India Post News Service

I

t's been a year since our commercial hub and the pride of India was attacked and raped by terrorists from across the border.

I saw this documentary on the Bombay attacks where it showed Maharashtra cops fleeing the VT station. Fleeing for good reason.

Armed with defective 303 rifles and with sticks does anybody actually expect them to fight terrorists?

Why do politicians and the Babus have to dictate to the Indian Military? The Bombay attack

Entire trains are being hijacked in broad daylight in full view (and perhaps connivance and patronage) of an impotent and corrupt political system. The politicians continue to play their games and vote politics. It's all about themselves and their kursi.

Talking about politicians, the less said the better. We also got to see their hypocrisy at its worst.

Narendra Modi of course could not resist getting political mileage out of this. He showed up uninvited and unexpected at the Taj, and left in a hurry, possibly after being snubbed by the army.

The Thackerays were conspicuous by their absence - probably hiding in some hole and frightened out of their wits. Where was Raj Thackeray and his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena? went out of control because India's unending officialdom was bumbling and fumbling. It took them hours to decide to call in the army. In a crisis like this the politicians and the bureaucrats should promptly step aside and allow the military commanders to decide what is good for India's security.

The death toll in Bombay could

Shame on Modi - so many people dead and dying and Modi wants to play the vote game.

Whilst on Modi here is another example of his and the BJP's double standards. Prior to the attack the then ATS Chief Hemant Karkare was constantly being slammed and maligned for his investigation of Malegaon vis a vis

A man waves national flag outside the Taj Mahal hotel, one of the sites of Mumbai terror attacks, on the first anniversary of the attacks in Mumbai.

dogs are more welcome than politicians. Dogs are loving loyal and selfless - words that do not exist in politicians' vocabulary.

The Thackerays were conspicuous by their absence - probably hiding in some hole and frightened out of their wits. Where was Raj Thackeray and his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, the so called "defenders of Mumbai?"

The then Home Minister Shivraj Patil could not stop changing clothes. Surely he could tell the difference between a wedding

and a carnage. With all the death and destruction around him, all that Shivraj Patil could think of is changing clothes.

The entire rampage was covered live by Indian TV and by CNN. By CNN because the targets were Americans Brits and Jews.

Not too long ago Western media covered the London and Madrid bombings in depth but in total contrast the Bombay station bombings did not get a fraction of what London and Madrid got.

Post event coverage by the

Indian media continues even to this day with news of how the Taj, Trident and the Leopold Café are back to normal. There was extensive coverage of the mayhem at these places and the Jewish Center at Nariman House. And, of course everybody was talking about the little child of the Rabbi who was orphaned in this attack.

The Indian media's coverage of all this also illustrates their hypocrisy and slave mentality.

Cont’d on page 22

There is a reason Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is one of the nation's leading retail mortgage lenders Security personnel bow their heads in tribute at Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus to mark the 26.11 attacks' anniversary.

have been averted had the Generals and the Admirals been given full liberty. Yes it is fair to say that people in Bombay died because the Babus messed up. They died because of some 'clause" in the Indian Constitution that puts constraints on India's military.

Today a year later we still do not see any repair of what went wrong. On the contrary terrorists appear to be tightening their stranglehold on the country -LET, Maoists, ULFA, the list goes on.

Sadhvi Pragya the prime accused.

Now suddenly he is again a hero and Modi offered his family ten million (one crore) rupees.

Likewise Kerala CM V.S. Achuthanandan tried getting political mileage by his visit to NSG martyr Sandeep Unnikrishnan's home in Bangalore. And when the late major's father asked him to leave, the CM insulted him saying that "Had it not been for your son even a dog wouldn't come here."

The Chief Minister forgets that

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December 4, 2009

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Mumbai attacks - many unanswered questions Cont’d from page 21

Yes it is tragic. Folks in the five star hotels and the Leopold Café died sipping their cocktails and eating caviar. They were fathers, mothers, wives brothers and sisters. They were also rich, white or Jewish and so perhaps the Indian media found them more worthy of coverage. To the Indian media their lives were more valuable

neither rich nor white or Jewish.

They were common people best illustrated by RK Laxman in his Common Man cartoons.

One newspaper did a detailed feature on the Rabbi's son.

Though orphaned he has affluent grandparents in Israel. Nobody wrote about the orphans of Cama Hospital and Bombay VT Station - kids who do not have rich grandparents and some face

Nobody is talking about those people who died in the waiting hall of Bombay VT station. Nobody is talking about those who perished at the Cama Hospital Ajmal Kasab, the only attacker caught alive, at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

than others.

Nobody is talking about those people who died in the waiting hall of Bombay VT station. Nobody is talking about those who perished at the Cama Hospital. These folks were also fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. And like the little Jewish boy, kids his age were also orphaned when their parents bore the brunt of the terrorists' bullets whilst shielding their child with their bodies. But to the Indian English language media, it seems these folks are not worthy of coverage because they were

a life of begging on the streets.

These folks were amongst the country's 1.6 billion mass of humanity and for India's English language media it appears their life is considered expendable. Not only it's a shame but also very sad.

Whilst on the role of the media, they need to understand that overzealous live coverage actually ended up to the terrorists' benefit. The element of surprise was lost because each and every movement of the security forces was being shown live globally.

And amongst this global audience were the LET and its handlers who relayed every bit of it to the terrorists. Of course there can be no doubt that the terrorists too watched whenever they could.

We also got to see the arrogance of the West with certain Western powers offering to send "Experts" to "assist" the Indian military. Israel too made a similar offer. Come on folks get real. Did it at any time look like the situation was being handled by a bunch of rookies? And in any case Israel's military has been highly overrated. The last major war Israel fought was in 1973 and they almost lost it to the Egyptians and the Syrians. However it is amusing to note that a local regional military like Israel offering to teach the world's fourth military power how to deal with terrorists.

Whilst on the subject of Israel, that country and the Jewish people on the whole need to learn to be grateful. The Indian army did a spectacular job at the Nariman House at great risk not only to its boys but also to the entire neighborhood.

The helicopter was dangling precariously in mid air at rooftop level over power lines. Had there been a sudden shift in the wind, it was a disaster waiting to happen.

Rather than be grateful, Israel and other Jewish groups had the temerity and the audacity to criticize the Indian army's action. That is being so ungrateful. They must learn to be grateful.

Whilst on the subject of Nariman House, it is imperative to add that this neighborhood has a large number of people concentrated in a relatively small area.

It was due to the Jewish center that this entire neighborhood was put to risk. Nariman House and its

periphery would not have come under a triple threat if this Jewish Center had not been there. Yes, people, Indian citizens in the Nariman House area came under a triple threat - threat of being directly targeted by the terrorists, getting caught in the crossfire and then there was this possibility of the army helicopter crashing.

Maybe it is time that the Jewish community did some introspection as to why they have been

been ferried into TAJ Hotel in one go (so obviously there is some help being provided from the Taj Staff). All this happened including their stay in Nariman House as tenants, and Indian Intelligence obviously was caught with its pants down. Also there is a local connection and this is the reason why a certain section of the establishment is balking at the idea of parallel investigations by the FBI and Scotland Yard.

2. There are reports that during the interrogation of the captured terrorist, he has confessed to killing two coast guard officials when confronted by them near Gujarat.

Now this should have Students paint a wall to pay tribute to 26/11 martyrs and sounded alarms victims, on its first anniversay in Mumbai. and it is weird reviled since the dawn of history. that nobody took notice. Or someAs for the present scenario body was paid to make sure nomany believe that the creation of body noticed.

Israel and its subsequent actions 3. These were no ordinary terand behavior with its neighbors rorists. They were trained, motihas a lot to do with why they are vated and there for a purpose. targeted and despised.

What were three senior police ofBut the fact of the matter is that ficers doing together without bulthe folks at the Jewish Center were let proof jackets that all three were Jewish and some were Israeli na- shot together? How is it that three tionals and it was their presence senior police officers get together that put the entire neighborhood's without any of their own police lives at risk. Maybe it's a good idea force? Or did they feel that this was to stay home and not venture out yet another of their "encounters"? to other countries and possibly 4. The intention of these terjeopardize the safety of that rorists was clear from the word go country's citizens. the moment they came out guns There are many unanswered blazing at every place they went. questions. But certain glaring is- If this be the indicators from the sues need to be seriously intro- beginning, a speedy lightening spected. strike by commandos would have 1. These terrorists trained for achieved quicker and better renearly six months and more, car- sults even though it might have ried out detailed reconnaissance killed a few of our own people. At of all the target area, got in huge least the majority would have esquantities of explosives and am- caped and this mayhem would munition which could not have have ended earlier.

TM helps lower risks of stroke, death Cont’d from page 19

Fast facts on coronary heart disease • Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in the United States • There are nearly 1.5 million heart attacks per year in the US and an American suffers a heart attack every 34 seconds • Coronary heart disease is also the leading cause of health care

costs. More than $475 billion is spent annually on treating CHD, including - $100,000 for each coronary bypass surgery, $50,000 for each angioplasty and $30,000 for each diagnostic cardiac catheterization • There are nearly 500,000 coronary artery bypass grafts and 1.3 million angioplasties performed every year • Stress is thought to contribute to the development of CHD

December 4, 2009

Community/California

India Post 23

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Family Justice Center delivering compassionate action HARRY SIDHU

ANAHEIM, CA: At this special time of Thanksgiving, the following words of Theodore Roosevelt bear repeating: "Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds." The Anaheim Family Justice Center (AFJC), which recently celebrated its third anniversary, exemplifies how the meaning of these words may be demonstrated through deeds of compassionate action for the good of others.

The AFJC, located at 150 West Vermont Avenue, is the first of its kind in Orange County.

By compassionately providing effective, coordinated services and support to people whose lives have been impacted by child abuse, domestic violence, elder/dependent adult abuse or sexual assault, AFJC makes a long-term positive impact on the community.

Free services available to every individual who walks through the door include counseling, court support, law enforcement assistance, legal aid, emergency housing, safety planning, support groups, victim compensation, short term childcare, prosecution assistance, transportation, victim advocacy and spiritual support referrals.

On-site partners include: Anaheim Police Department; Anaheim City Attorney's Office; Orange County District Attorney's Office; Orange County Social Services; CSP Victim Assistance Programs; Women's Transitional Living Center (WTLC); and

Chapman University School of Law (Family Violence Legal Clinic).

It all began with an innovative concept brought to Anaheim by Police Chief John Welter. A multidisciplinary approach would be used to improve victim safety, interagency communication, information sharing, collaboration, and cooperation with

2006. As explained by Chief Welter: "The responsibility for the prevention of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and elder/dependent adult abuse does not rest with any single individual, group, agency, or organization. It is a responsibility shared by all of our Community Members and Partners."

During the AFJC third anniversary cel-

‘Can you visualize what it's like to grow up in a household where violence in commonplace?" he asked. "We must stop the cycle." "This center isn't just about treating and serving victims," noted Chief Welter. "It's about preventing crime’ Harry Sidhu

community partners. What developed was a shared vision of creating a one-stop help Center - a safe, confidential and friendly place of assistance. Through the leadership and support of the Anaheim City Council, City Manager, AFJC Foundation and Advisory Board, along with vital community support, the AFJC became a reality in October

ebration, Chief Welter stated that half of Anaheim's homicides tragically result from domestic issues. "Can you visualize what it's like to grow up in a household where violence in commonplace?" he asked. "We must stop the cycle." "This center isn't just about treating and serving victims," noted Chief Welter. "It's about preventing crime."

Exact statistics on how many are victims of domestic violence every year are hard to come by, largely because most women who experience domestic violence are reluctant to seek out help, making it an under-reported crime.

Based a survey taken in 2000 by the California Department of Health Women's Health Project, about six percent of California's women (approximately 700,000) have been victims of domestic violence.

According to the now defunct OC Almanac, there were a total of 12,796 domestic violence-related calls for assistance in Orange County in 2003. The year before, there had been 12,233 calls, and in 2001 there were 11,896 calls. If those years are any indication, then, sadly, domestic violence continues to be on the increase in Orange County.

The AFJC continues to be a major priority of the Anaheim Police Department. "As a police organization, we are committed to do as much as possible to break the cycle of family crime that inevitably then results in a more violent society," said Chief Welter. "We seek to develop a true multidisciplinary approach to the prevention of, and response to, these serious crimes."

On a broader scale, domestic abuse affects us all. Family violence contributes to many social, educational and health problems in the United States. We have no idea what the annual cost to the nation is today - which is all the more reason why we need more facilities likeAFJC delivering compassionate action in Orange County.

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India Post

December 4, 2009

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Gujarati Samaj hosts Holiday Celebration

Community leaders

JS BEDI India Post News Service

DIAMOND BAR, CA: Federation of Gujarati Samaj of Southern California (FGSSC) hosted its 3rd Annual Holiday Dinner on Sunday, November 22, 2009 at Diamond Palace in Diamond Bar, CA. With over 200 guests in attendance, including members, supporters and volunteers, the organization introduced its new Board of Directors.

The celebration was organized to introduce the new Board of Directors and express appreciation to all individuals that have helped further FGSSC's mission since its inception in 2005. The 2009-2010 Board includes as follows: Vinay Patel, President; Ami Shah, Vice President; Pratik Shah, Secretary; Pankaj Patel, Treasurer; and Praful Patel, Harish Patel and Roshan Patel as Trustee(s).

Also recognized were sponsors and volunteers that have helped FGSSC successfully host FOGANA Regional and National Competition(s) in Southern California. A great program was organized, including a presentation on Gujarat and its rich history, comedy acts by members of the organization and several dance perfor-

The emcees

mances by Rangtaal and Bollywood Stepz dance teams.

The function was also attended by Anaheim City Councilman Harry Sidhu who greeted everyone present. He encouraged the Indian community to be more engaged, and have their voices heard, in the nations decision making. Also present was Author Surekha Acharya who is currently compos-

The celebration was organized to introduce the new Board of Directors and express appreciation to all individuals that have helped further FGSSC's mission ing a book on Gujaratis.

FGSSC was founded in 2005, by various leaders of the Gujarati community, as a platform for the promotion of social, cultural and educational development. The primary mission for creating this platform was to offer an avenue through which our youth can learn about Gujarat's rich traditions and cultural heritage and be able to pass on their culture to future generations.

Pravin Patel, Harry Sidhu and Paul Ghotra

Indian community mourns Rita Shah Cont’d from page 18

Prashant and Rita were married for 29 years. She was a typical Indian housewife devoting mainly to her family, and yet she was a "friend, philosopher and guide" to Prashant in his discharge of professional duties. She rarely intervened in his business.

The funeral on November 25 at Bohemian Funeral Home on Pulaski Avenue in Chicago was attended by a cross section of Indian businessmen, professionals, community members at large, Shah's family friends and relatives in large number. Rita is survived by husband Prashant and her son Eric Shah.

A section of the guests

December 4, 2009

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India Post

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December 4, 2009

Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Bachchan

MUMBAI: The night at Grand Hyatt hotel was a filmy affair, laced with glitter, glamour and of course hi-fi stars.

The wedding reception of Raj-Shilpa was brimming with celebrities, famous people all dressed in their best. The place was buzzing with rustle of

Shilpa, standing with husband Raj and her extended family on the dais, greeted everyone with a warm smile Bride-groom Raj Kundra arrives at Bawa Villa in Khandala on November 22

The Saat Pheras

branded clothes, gupshup of important guests, rich celebration - in all the reception had served as a melting pot for Ooos and Aaahs.

In shimmering golden outfit, Shilpa looked every inch of oomph bride.

Alongside, her husband Raj Kundra matched her elegance and style in a black designer sherwani. Shilpa's parents and sister too added to the grand quotient.

Shilpa, standing with husband Raj and her extended family on the dais, greeted everyone with a warm smile.

The two then cut their 9-tier wedding cake as the guests raised a toast to them. With wine and gourmet dishes from across the world, everyone was seen having a gala time.

Even though gifts were a big no-no, Amitabh and Aishwarya Bachchan walked in with a big one in hand. Then there was Rekha who came post 11 pm wearing an exquisite saree, laden with gold and sindoor.

It was only after midnight that Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan, Hrithik and Sussanne Roshan, Riteish Deshmukh, Juhi Chawla, Fardeen Khan with wife Natasha, Lalit Modi and Sanjay Kapoor walked in. Since they all came in at the same time, the photographers had quite a time getting them all to pose for pictures. That's when SRK took the lead and arranged all the stars in a row and asked them to pose along with him!

Cont’d on page 27

Shilpa Shetty and London based businessman Raj Kundra pose for the media after their marriage ceremony held at Bawa Villa in Khandala on November 22

Coy smile

December 4, 2009

India Post

27

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Shilpa ki Shaadi Reception brimming with B-town celebrities Patel, Ramesh Taurani, Madhur and Renu Bhandarkar, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Madhavan, Priya Sachdev, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sameera Reddy, Alka Yagnik, David Dhawan, Satish Kaushik, Bhavna Jasra, the Bhagnanis and the Bawas, designers Tarun Tahiliani, Rocky S, Neeta and Nishka Lulla... it just didn't seem to end! It was a grand reception and yes, the whole world did know about it!

The Wedding At the stroke of the twilight hour on Sunday Nov 22, Shilpa Shetty wed long-time beau Raj Kundra. The godhuli lagna had specifically been chosen by her

ABHISHEK MUKHERJEE

A

fter 62 years of independence, though wheels of foresighted law-makers have taken the country forward, its basic systems of governance and administration are still questioned. 'Superpowering India' by Air Marshal Amal Kumar Mukhopadhyaya renounces the West-inspired model of economics and peeps into the alternative view encouraging metamorphosis in the system of handling economics and military affairs of the country.

The book emphasizes the need to assess the uniqueness of our nation to realize a compatible solution. The author is dead against a subconsciously dependent ideology, and appeals to the nationalist policymakers to shake off their stupor and take control of the geo-politics in the world.

Rekha

Shamita Shetty Cont’d from page 26

The guest list was long, the names big, bigger, biggest - Ness Wadia, Haseena Jethmalani, Satish Maneshinde, Suhel Seth, Raja Dodhy, Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty, Govinda, Sanjay Khan with wife Zarine, Fardeen and Natasha Khan, Zayed and Malaika Khan, Gulshan Grover, Sanjay and Anu Gupta, Atul and Vandana Kasbekar, Farah Khan, Ameesha

Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan

mother Sunanda and the family astrologer since it's considered to be the most auspicious time for a wedding this year.

Said a source, "The Shettys have always been and will remain an extremely superstitious family.

They have always consulted astrological timings and charts before embarking on any major event."

Ameesha Patel and Manyatta Dutt

Rani Mukherjee

Juhi Chawla with husband Jay Mehta

Discovering a new beginning

"In fact", adds the source, "Raj had approached a numerologist at the beginning of their two-year affair to find out whether he could get married to Shilpa. At the time, he was going through an acronymous divorce with his first wife Kavita and he wanted to be very clear about the way ahead."

The decision on the godhuli lagna, added the source, seemed to have worked well as Shilpa's father Surendra, who was hospitalised with malaria and could not make it to the mehendi and sangeet ceremonies on Saturday, could attend the wedding yesterday and give her away.

The book says, ‘Military is the only currency which is viable on the negotiation table’ It is explicitly emphasized that there is an urgent need for a strong military in the country.

The book says, "Military is the only currency which is viable on the negotiation table", claiming that our military is small in accordance with our population. A small country like North Korea has the same size military as ours, it says.

The author has scant respect for the model of capitalism, for he claims liberalism in economics has ripped open the ugliest face of capitalism, heavily weighted in favor of the elite, and widening the gap between the common man alarmingly. Similarly, other West-inspired norms would be detrimental to the growth of the nation.

For example, he believes one of India's biggest strengths is its cheap and surplus manpower. As long as developed economies fill their voids through countries like India, the cycle of labor-import and product-export will not cease.

Economies like Great Britain and America would continue to having the cake and eating it too.

'Superpowering India' has ethical, rational, moral and religious value systems in utmost regard, laying the path for modified welfare economics. The author has no qualms in quoting references from mythologies like the Mahabharat and Ramayana to make his arguments richer.

Though having an incoherent style of writing, the distinguished Air Marshal is brutally frank in showing the mirror to the nation. The book also looks to find and realize the true meaning of democracy and attempts to bridge the gap between its conflicting claims, so that needless and irrational public wrath could be avoided.

In all its pessimistic opinions about current India, which includes a direct attack on the National Democratic Alliance leader AB Vajpayee, Mukhopadhyaya's book is a confession that India is a natural super power.

1 Khanabadosh - London Dreams

6 Shukran Allah - Kurbaan

2 Mann Ka Radio - Radio

7 Andhera Hain - Fruit and Nut

3 You May Be - Aladin

8 Tu Hi Haqeeqat - Tum Mile

4 Tera Hone Laga Hoon

9 Tum Mere Ho - Aao Wish Karein

- Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani 5 Rehnuma - Blue

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India Post

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December 4, 2009

10 Daata Sun Le - Jail

Spotted in London

K

elly Dorjee and Dino Morea are now history for actress Lara Dutta for the stunner has gone ahead and chosen her man of the moment and that's none other than tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi.

According to reports, the duo is apparently living-in together in London as Lara has ample time to spend with beau these days.

Though the reports of an affair between Lara and Mahesh have been doing the rounds for some time now but Lara (who recently split from Dino Morea) has been dismissing the link-up as rubbish, saying Mahesh's celebrity management company handles her portfolio and this is the only connection she has with him.

But what's peculiar here is the fact that the two have been spotted in London quite a few times.

They are said to have checked into JW Marriott hotel and are apparently staying in the same suite.

His first crush R

anbir Kapoor may have parted ways with Deepika Padukone andt earlier his name was linked with debut film Saawariya co-star Sonam Kapoor. But not many are aware that Ranbir's first crush in life was his schoolteacher.

Ranbir smilingly says, "I have had many crushes in life and my first crush was my second standard school teacher."

"Maybe because she was the first woman in my life after my mother who pampered me and loved me just the way my mom did. I used to secretly adore her."

However, now the actor's perspective towards love has changed. "Love is defined in my ways. I don't know how you look at love. Love has different meanings for me," he says.

High on the success of his last two films the actor is now looking forward to 'Rajniti' and 'Anjaana Anjaani'. Yet he says that his first film Saawariya will always remain special for him. "I did the film two years back. Though it was a disaster I learnt how to act and I learnt all about cinema through Sanjay Leela Bhansali. So like my first crush, my first film will also remain always special to me," Ranbir concludes.

Bollywood

December 4, 2009

www.indiapost.com

S

hilpa Shetty might have care fully devised her wedding guest list, giving a royal miss to exlover Akshay Kumar, but the brass band that was called in to play at her marriage brought back the memories of her sour love affair.

Just before the pheras were about the begin, the band started playing some romantic love songs from Akshay Kumar-Shilpa Shetty starrer 'Dhadkan', giving a shock to all present.

Members from Kundra and Shetty families rushed to instruct them to stop the music immediately.

They were categorically told, `Akshay ki film ka gaana mat bajao`."

In fact the band members were asked to stop the music until further orders.

They started playing a fresh batch of songs only around 5 pm, and this time, of course, they didn't have any Akshay song on their list. It was quite a hilarious situation. We wonder what was going on in Shilpa and Raj`s mind at that moment when this incident happened, said an eyewitness.

M

adhuri Dixit is all set to play the role of the iconic (late Prime Minister) Indira Gandhi in the biopic that is being made by the renowned director Krishna Shah. The two-part motion picture titled Mother: The Indira Gandhi Story was announced on her 92nd birth anniversary, which was on November 19.

If the market buzz is to be believed, Hollywood stars Tom Hanks (as Lyndon Baines Johnson) is most likely to be a part of the film.

Not just that, Tommy Lee Jones is being told as someone who was approached for an important role (to play Richard Nixon) in the film. On the Bollywood front, news has it that, Dharmendra, Abhay Deol and Nana Patekar have been approached to play Motilal Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi and Jai Prakash Narayan respectively!

While the first part will unfold her story from her birth to her emergence as 'Maa Durga' (Goddess of War) after her victory against Pakistan in the 1971 war, the second part will cover the political span of the rise of her son Sanjay Gandhi under Indira to her assassination.

Sources close to the filmmaker say the said film will have every element of an epic film - passion, love, marriage, motherhood, personal tragedy, revenge, and martyrdom.

India Post

29

Realty Tidbits

Tata Realty 4-laning Pune, Solapur highway

MUMBAI: Tata Realty & Infrastructure (TRIL) says the work on the Rs 1,370-crore four-laning of the 110-km long Pune-Solapur highway project has started.

The project, likely to be completed by mid-2012, is being built

by Navinya Buildcon, a venture between TRIL and Italy's Atlantia SPA. "The highway will ensure smooth traffic flow from Pune to Solapur, thereby increasing commuting convenience and connecting centers of tourism as well as places of economic importance," TRIL managing director and chief executive officer Sanjay Ubale said.

Pune-Solapur Expressway Pvt Ltd, a special purpose vehicle of Navinya Buildcon, is executing the project and will operate and maintain the highway for 21 years following which it would be given back to the state government. -PTI

Kumar Mumbai realty project from Jan

NEW DELHI: Real estate developing firm Kumar Urban Development Ltd has said it would start construction work on its new project 'Sky Villas' in Mumbai by January next year. The Sky Villa project, a 270-mtr high tower called Kumar Couture, will have villas of 8,000 sqft carpet area each.

"Construction on the project will begin in January and will be completed in four years," Kumar Urban Development Chairman and Managing Director Lalit Kumar Jain said in a statement. -PTI

367K housing units in seven metros: Knight Frank MUMBAI: Property consultancy firm Knight Frank has said that 367,000 housing units will be available by 2011, across seven Indian cities of which 25 per cent will come up in the National Capital Region alone.

Examining potential residential supply, the report said that with 92,202 units, NCR would be the highest contributor to the supply followed by Mumbai with 20 per cent or 72,906 units, during the period.

"Our extensive research reveals that as the real estate sector's growth continues to improve, the country will witness a supply of 138,000 residential units in 2010, 57 per cent more than the supply seen in 2009," Gulam Zia, National Director (Research and Advisory Services), Knight Frank India said in a release. -PTI

Real Estate 30 India Post

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December 4, 2009

Ansal postal ballot on investment plan MUMBAI: Real estate developer Ansal Buildwell said it would conduct postal ballot to seek permission of the shareholders for to invest over Rs 10 crore in share capital of five Jaipur-based firms and grant loans up to Rs 15 crore. It would also seek shareholders' nod to approve the proposal to invest Rs 5 crore in share capital of its joint venture firm Ansal Crown Infrabuild and provide loans worth Rs 20 crore, Ansal Buildwell said in a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange.-PTI

India plans to do away with lock-in period for FDI in realty NEW DELHI: The government proposes to do away with the lock-in period for foreign direct investment in the real estate sector that has witnessed a slowdown in demand following the global financial crisis.

The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has circulated a Cabinet note for inter-ministerial consultations on this, a source said.

The DIPP has made out a case for relaxing the foreign investment norms as it feels there is no risk for speculative inflows into the sector.

The government had allowed 100 per cent FDI in 2005 with certain conditions, including a lockin period. "Original investment cannot be repatriated before a period of three years from completion of minimum capitalization," the related DIPP rule of 2005 had

said.

Inflows have not been very encouraging in the sector which brought in only USD 7.3 billion till August, 2009.

According to industry sources, problems like land acquisition have remained an area of

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said here the proposed bill on land titles will remove complexities and ensure security in property registration in the capital,

Land titles bill

She was speaking at a two-day

The DIPP has made out a case for relaxing the foreign investment norms as it feels there is no risk for speculative inflows into the sector concern.

Dubai-based Emaar is the only major foreign investor which has entered the country in a big way.

Emaar-MGF is engaged in building the Commonwealth Games village in the capital in partnership with the Delhi Development Authority.

consultative meeting of stakeholders including real estate promoters and Resident Welfare Associations after the presentation on the Delhi Survey Registration and Recordal of Title of Immovable Properties in Urban Areas Bill, 2009.

"The purpose of the new legis-

lation is to create a single, secure, electronic and efficient system for mandatory registration and recording of title for which a Delhi Urban Property Registration and Titling Authority will be formed which would put an end to fraudulent practices," Dikshit added.

She said the system would help financing companies to use the property titles to create healthy mortgages which would speed up the economic development in cities through banking finance by strengthening the legal framework.

Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta said that property titling system for an urban area was very essential for better efficiency of the urban management system.

"This is one of the key mandatory reforms under the JNNURM and all states are committed to implement reforms in property titling system," he added.-PTI

India housing picking, no full recovery yet MUMBAI: India's largest-listed real estate firm, is seeing a demand revival in the housing segment but a full-fledged recovery was still some time away, a senior official said here.

Group executive director Rajeev Talwar said debt reduction was still high on the agenda, but there were no plans for further capital raisings before the fiscal year ends in March. The developer's founding family raised $780 million by

India Investment Summit.

In property, he expected housing would be the first to see demand recover, followed by commercial real estate and then the retail segment.

"If the economy is firmly in the saddle and running, in early 2010/ 11 you will see a huge revival in commercial real estate and little later year in retail. Maybe in the third quarter of the next financial year, you will see a huge revival in

Prices fell by as much as 50 percent during the global financial meltdown, and are estimated to have recovered about 20 percent from their lows selling shares to institutions in May. DLF has been hit by a crash in India's once-soaring property market. Prices fell by as much as 50 percent during the global financial meltdown, and are estimated to have recovered about 20 percent from their lows.

"You are now hitting an upside cycle, but you are not really at the crest itself," he said at the Reuters

retail."

DLF has put its wind energy business on the block as part of a move to exit non-core assets, and had "renewed interest" from 3-4 parties but was yet to finalize a buyer, Talwar said, adding a sale would fetch about $200 million.

Funding Plans DLF has said it aimed to raise 100 billion rupees ($2.2 billion) over three years by selling non-

core assets Heavy debt and a lack of investor interest in Indian real estate projects saw the founders of the 63-year-old company sell shares to institutions in May to raise funds.

A long-planned Singapore-listing of a property trust, DLF Assets Ltd (DAL), would also help raise capital, but Talwar said the company was yet to decide whether to go ahead with it.

In April, DLF said its board was "reviewing strategic relationship" with DAL, and analysts have said it may take over the trust.

"We are keeping all options

open," Talwar said.

DLF's profit has fallen for five straight quarters, and September quarter profit was almost half that of a year earlier.

The company had net debt of 121.35 billion rupees in its books at the end of the September quarter. Media reports have said DLF was examining various options to fully or partly exit its international luxury hotel chain Amanresorts, which it bought in late 2007.

Talwar said there was no such plan yet though it could be an option if the business's financials do not improve.-Agencies

December 4, 2009

India Post 31

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uli, located in the northern state of Uttarakhand, is a new entrant in the tourist map of India. Lo cated in the cradle of snowcapped mountains, it is one of the very few places in India where skiing is a major pastime. Gradually Auli is growing like other hill stations in India.

The bitter cold winds, the vast snow-covered landscape, the sylvan mountains, all add up to make Auli a skier's paradise. Representing man's constant endeavor to triumph over nature, Auli proves to be an ideal locale for the daring.

Auli forms a part of the Garhwal mountain range. It is at a distance of 16 km from Joshimath, on the Badrinath route. The

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A uli

December 4, 2009

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Paradise for skiers & adventure seekers

Falling on Skii, Auli

slopes, which are as high as 9000 feet above sea level, are covered with dense deodar and oak forests and this often reduces the velocity of the chilly winds. The slopes offer a panoramic view of many a famous Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat and Dunagiri.

Best time to visit: If one is an adventure freak, the best time to visit Auli is during the winter season. The period from late November to late March is generally considered ideal for skiers.

Cont’d on page 35

The bitter cold winds, the vast snow-covered landscape, the sylvan mountains, all add up to make Auli a skier's paradise.

Representing man's constant endeavor to triumph over nature, Auli proves to be an ideal locale for the daring.

On the chair car ropeway

December 4, 2009

Travel & Hospitality Post www.indiapost.com

Reindeer arrive for holidays at LA Zoo India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Zoo kicks off the holiday season with activities for the entire family at Reindeer Romp! Reindeer arrive at the Zoo in time for Thanksgiving and stay through January 3, 2010! Kids of all ages can get close to these beautiful creatures and make their own reindeer antlers. On weekends, everyone can listen to festive holiday entertainment, see the Zoo's animals enjoy holiday treats and get a photo taken with Santa (for a nominal fee).

"Seeing live reindeer is a great way to get in the holiday spirit, and now you can see them right here at the Los Angeles Zoo. Santa can't be far behind," said Councilmember Tom LaBonge.

Visitors to this year's Reindeer Romp will be greeted by a festive winter wonderland! Larger than life snow flakes and beautiful trees decorated with ornaments line the Zoo's entry plaza, the International Marketplace and Eucalyptus Grove. At Eucalyptus Grove, patrons can check out the reindeer corral, take

part in arts and crafts and on weekends have their photos taken with Santa! The new backdrop of the reindeer corral, generously donated by Twentieth Century Fox Television, depicts a quaint village that lies beneath vast snow covered mountains, with a three-dimensional train taking center

to help make their stay even more magical," commented Twentieth Century Fox Television Chairman and Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association Trustee Member Dana Walden.

"The incredible set designers at Twentieth Century Fox Television have created a beautiful environment for our rein-

Larger than life snow flakes and beautiful trees decorated with ornaments line the Zoo's entry plaza, the International Marketplace and Eucalyptus Grove

stage!

"Bringing reindeer in for the holidays is part of the magic of the Los Angeles Zoo, and we wanted

deer guests, and we owe a debt of thanks to the production people and studio executives who helped make it happen. We invite parents and kids of all ages to come down and enjoy this fantastic exhibit."

India Post

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Hover rafting to promote tourism in JK JAMMU: To give a fillip to tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir, sporting marvel hover rafting has been introduced on river Tawi in the state.

The government is introducing new activities in a bid to fully tap tourism potential of the state, state Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora said here.

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mote tourism in the state, Jora said, adding all logistic and financial support with attractive incentives will be provided to persons interested in setting up their ventures in the sector.

The minister said the government will consider extending the adventure sport on other rivers of Kashmir and Ladakh to encourage more domestic and foreign adventure lovers to visit the state. -PTI

December 4, 2009

Turtuk in Ladakh opened for foreign tourists JAMMU: In a major move to boost tourism in Ladakh region, the union Home Ministry has relaxed the Protected Area Permit Regime enabling foreign tourists to visit Turtuk village in Nubra valley, situated on the famous Silk route in Leh district.

Expressing happiness over the decision, minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora said that opening of Turtuk area for foreign tourists would place Nubra valley prominently on the global tourism map, an official release said here.

He said that the decision would go a long way in bringing the virgin locales of the region into limelight and also appreciated the role of union Home minister P Chidambaram for taking personal interest in this matter.

Referring to the potential tourist spots in the region, Jora said that from now on tourists would be able to travel along the banks of the Pangong Lake, right up to the villages of Man and Merak.

Earlier, they were allowed to go only up to village Spangmik, he said. The route along the Pangong Lake from Merak to Chushul and then across Tsaga La, Tsaga to Lomba Bend would also be considered for opening, once sufficient tourist infrastructure is developed there, he added. -PTI

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Punjab nod to Rs. 315 cr tourism project CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government has given nod to Rs 315 crore Tourism Infrastructure Development Project funded by the Asian Development Bank.

The decision to this effect was taken by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in a meeting with a team of ADB officials led by Ludwig Reider here, said an official release issued here.

Punjab is one of the four states selected by Asian Development Bank. Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Tamil Nadu are the other three states. Rs 40 crore would be spent during first year and the entire project would be completed with in five years.

Emphasizing the need for world class infrastructure to promote sustainable and inclusive tourism development, Badal said that there was a great tourism potential in the state, as Punjab is a blend of cultural, and natural heritage.

Cont’d on page 35

Travel & Hospitality Post

December 4, 2009

India Post 35

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Auli: Paradise for skiers & adventure seekers Cont’d from page 32

As the winter sets in, the mountains seem to extend to the firmament with arms of snow. From December to March, the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam conducts seven-day and 15-day courses for both amateurs and advanced learners.

History: In the 8th century AD, the great Guru Adi Shankaracharya is said to have tread on these fields. The temple built by him at Joshimath still exists. For hundreds of years, the colorful semi-nomadic tribes of the Bhotiyas, of the Mongolian stock, traversed the trails at Auli, locally called Thatauli. Their longhaired yaks, laden with an assortment of goods, assisted them in conducting a flourishing trade with nearby Tibet.

Before Auli was developed as a ski resort, its slopes were the training ground for men of valor and courage - the ski-equipped men of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force. Among the awesome, legendary peaks ranged round Auli, the 23,490-feet-high Trishul (literal meaning, the strident of Lord Shiva) was the scene of a unique expedition in 1958. The mountain-

eers took four days to climb the peak and only 90 minutes to ski down to the base camp.

Tourist attractions Skiers are naturally provided with clean stretches of 10-20 km of snow-covered mountain slopes.

Besides, there is a descent of 500 m from the ridge over a stretch of 3 km. The forests on the slopes also seem to help the skiers by reducing the wind velocity. In the months of February and March, Auli often hosts the National Winter Games. In a planned move, the Government and local authorities have involved the local Garhwali

Before Auli was developed as a ski resort, its slopes were the training ground for men of valor and courage - the skiequipped men of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force

Nepal to connect tourist hotspots with India POKHARA: Nepal is planning to link its major tourist destination, Pokhara, through air with Indian cities like Lucknow, Kolkata and Patna, in a bid to attract more visitors from the neighboring country.

The initiative is also aimed at easing travel hazards of pilgrims to Muktinath Dham, a shrine of Lord Vishnu, besides boosting local trade.

"There have been talks about establishing direct air connectivity between Pokhara and some cities like Lucknow, Kolkata, Patna and Varanasi. As of now, Lucknow has been almost confirmed.

"If plans have their way ahead, Pokhara would be in for more Indian arrivals which would add vigor to trade in the town," Shradha Shrestha, a senior

official of Nepal Tourism Board, Pokhara, told PTI. Under its ambitious 'Nepal Tourism Year 2011' project, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has envisaged promotion of Pokhara, a picturesque valley town 200-km west of Kathmandu, as a hot destination for three-pronged tourism in adventure, pilgrimage and air-sports.

"We are promoting Pokhara as a pilgrimage centre, especially to attract Indians. The valley is the gateway to Muktinath Dham. Thousands of pilgrims from southern parts of India and Kolkata flock the town every year," Shrestha said.

However, maximum Indian arrivals are from Delhi and National Capital region which includes Gurgaon, Noida, Faizabad and Ghaziabad, the official added. -PTI

Punjab nod to Rs. 315 cr tourism project Cont’d from page 34

Reider informed under the first phase of Sikh heritage circuit, the ADB would fund the site projects of Amritsar Walled City, Golden Temple, Ram Bagh Area, Gobindgarh Fort, Townhall, Rose Garden, Mughal Route, Dera Baba Nanak, Quadian, Hargobindpur, Achaleshwar, Pandhori Dham, Masania, Kishankot and Keshapur

Wetland.

He also said that work on the first phase of the project would begin from March 2010 and concept evaluation team of ADB would soon visit the sites for submission of final report.

The CM asked the ADB team to include the historic event of Wada Ghallukara in Gurdaspur district in the Sikh Heritage Circuit. -PTI

people to explore the slopes that rightfully belong to them.

By eight in the morning, one can see the first of the skiers and other adventure seekers. Until about four o'clock in the evening, when it gets chilly, cold and dark, the skiers make most of the slopes. For the best part of the winter season, Auli is blessed by an unusually large number of sunny days, but there are times when it snows heavily. In the evenings, the activity shifts from the slopes to the bukhari-warmed huts and resorts (bukhari: a quaint, wooden stove).

People then generally pass their

time listening to folklore and reveling in the local music of Garhwal in the lamp-lit rooms or besides the bonfires.

How to reach Air: The nearest airport is Dehradun, about 298 km away.

Rishikesh, about 235 km away, is the nearest railhead.

Road: Regular road services are available from Delhi, Dehradun, Rishikesh and Hardwar to Joshimath, 16 km away. From Joshimath one can hire jeeps to Auli. One can also trek the five kilometer between Joshimath and Auli.

36

December 4, 2009

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Tech News India's telecom subscriber base reaches 525.65mn NEW DELHI: By the end October 2009, the telecom subscriber base in India reached the 525.65 million mark. The numbers increased from 509.03 million subscribers in September-2009, highlighting a 3.26% increase. With this change, the overall Tele-density in India reaches 44.87, informs the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in a compiled data released.

For the wireless segment of the telecommunications sector, subscriber base increased by 16.67 million subscribers. The subscriber base rose from 471.73 million in September-09 to 488.40 million at the end of October-09 at a monthly growth rate of 3.53%. The Wireless Tele-density stands at 41.69.

Tata Teleservices had the highest additions in subscribers during the period.

Acer brings India's first Netbook on AMD platform

T

he world's second largest PC brand Acer brings another 'first' to the Indian market. The Company with its recent release "the Android based dual OS netbook" created a benchmark in the Indian region. And now, Acer introduces - Gateway LT 3111 netbook on the AMD platform, a 'Netbook with a difference'.

The 11.6 inch Gateway LT 3111 is all prepped up to take the Indian PC market by storm as the device comes as India's first on AMD platform. Gateway comprises of the superior AMD Athlon 64 single-core processor called L110 that has been designed for on-the-go use.

MoU, demerger scheme cannot be ignored: RNRL NEW DELHI: Stumbling blocks for resolving the gas row between the Ambani brothers can be removed by putting together the family MoU and the demerger scheme, Anil Ambani-led RNRL told the Supreme Court.

RNRL said these factors were pivotal for arriving at a suitable arrangement and even the two Benches of the Bombay High Court have held that the Mukesh Ambani group RIL's Board and its Directors were aware of the binding nature of the MoU which provided the road map for the demerger scheme. -PTI

TechBiz 38 India Post

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W Bengal to take back Singur land for power project

December 4, 2009

Details on page 39

Construction industry celebrates achievements India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Hundreds of engineers, architects, contractors, and developers of Indian origin celebrated their professional accomplishments at a glittering gala event that marked the 29th anniversary of the Society of Indo American Engineers and Architects. Recognizing the records of excellence of Indo-American professionals a number of officials from government sector also attended the event that took place at Grand Hyatt Hotel, Grand Central, New York City on Nov 21.

The Society's commitment to conserve energy was reflected in its theme of the event, 'Promoting Green Energy'. Elaborating on the theme of 'Green Energy', noted city planner Vishaan Chakrabarti urged world leaders to favor policies that supported the use of green technology in all walks of life.

In his keynote speech at the event, Chakrabarti, who is also the Marc Holliday Professor of Real Estate Development and Director of Real Estate Development Pro-

gram at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation at the prestigious Columbia University in New York, emphasized the need of changing our life-style in order to make it sustainable.

Expressing satisfaction at the climate control measures taken in recent times by developing countries, such as, China and India,

Complimenting the Society for its landmark success, Ambassador Prabhu Dayal, in his address, referred to its great contribution towards strengthening Indo-US ties.

He said that it was gratifying that Indo-American engineers and architects were building remarkable sky scrapers, but, he commented, "No construction was bigger than

Prabhu Dayal said that it was gratifying that Indo-American engineers and architects were building remarkable sky scrapers, but, he commented, "No construction was bigger than building the bridges of friendship between the USA and India’ Chakrabarti said that urban areas of the world are currently going through population explosion that demand a revolutionary change in city planning and policies. He hoped that governments of developed countries would encourage widespread use of energy-saving technologies to reduce pollutants from the environment we live in.

building the bridges of friendship between the USA and India."

In his presidential remarks, Society's president Ravi Shenoy pointed out that SIAEA grew into a premier professional organization of more than six hundred members after making a humble beginning three decades ago. "A number of our members have made

their mark by contributing towards design and construction of many award winning projects in New York City and other parts of USA and the world. The credit for our success goes to the collective vision of like-minded professionals from the Indian community who felt the need for solidarity and unity among engineers and architects of Indian origin", he said.

The guest of honor, Christopher Ward, Executive Director, Port Authority of NY & NJ expressed his happiness at the contribution of Indo-American engineers and architects in executing complex projects on behalf of Port Authority.

Ward is also the president of the Port Authority's wholly owned entities, such as, Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation, the Newark Legal and Communications Center, Urban Renewal Corporation and the New York and New Jersey Railroad Corporation.

He previously served at the Port Authority as chief of planning and external affairs, as well as Director of Port Redevelopment.

Cont’d on page 39

India Food Banking Network launched India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: The Aidmatrix Foundation and The Global food Network here hosted the launch of The India Food Banking Network, IFBN, Planning Forum in Delhi at Maurya Sheraton on November 17.

At the inaugural address Dr Sam Pitroda, Chairman - IFBN emphasized the need of establishment of IFBN to eliminate hunger in India. "Hunger affects generations, communities, societies and countries. When technology, productivity, logistics and transportation have been increased by leaps and bounds, we can't choose to ignore the fact that billions of our people are dying from hunger or sleeping half fed every night.

Launch of The India Food Banking Network is a giant step towards the eradication of hunger which will surely enhance our strength in the fight against hun-

ger." He stated.

IFBN is establishing a national food banking system focused on collecting surplus and unsalable food from the agricultural community and from the food industry like manufacturers, distributors, and retailers catering to both urban and rural needs. Through this

tems and mechanism for an effective food procurement, handling and distribution" Veena S. Rao - Director General, CAPART along with Chris Rebstock - Vice President, The Global FoodBanking Network shared their views and ideas on the relevancy of food bank in India and

‘When technology, productivity, logistics and transportation have been increased by leaps and bounds, we can't choose to ignore the fact that billions of our people are dying from hunger or sleeping half fed every night’ system, the India Food Banking Network initiates an infrastructure for serving the hungry and catering to the nutritional needs. Governor Scott McCallum, CEO Aidmatrix highlighted "how a technology driven initiative like the IFBN will truly provide the sys-

discussed opportunities and hurdles in adaptation of food banking and innovative solutions for food security.

According to Chris, "Food Banks are viable tools to promote food security. When hunger is the cause of maximum deaths per year,

it was necessary to establish a technology based infrastructure or a platform where the various working sectors like government, NGOs and private can come and work towards rooting out hunger."

Veena S. Rao highlighted health related issues that food banking also addresses in terms of providing hygienic, pure and clean surroundings while storing and serving food.

"There is huge difference between nutritional security and food security. The need of the hour is to provide the required nutritional package. There is a possibility that many may not die of hunger but other related problems or diseases," said Rao. The India Food Banking Network addresses the issue of hunger related problems prevalent in all age groups and will ensure the permanent access of food within the country.

Cont’d on page 39

TechBiz Post

December 4, 2009

India Post

39

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W Bengal to take back Singur land for power project KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has said it would start the process of getting back the land from the Tatas in Singur if BHEL selects the site for setting up a mega power plant there.

"I don't think there will be any problem to get back the land from the Tata Motors Ltd," Industry Minister Nirupam Sen told reporters on the sidelines of the Eastern Print Pack-2009 conference here.

BHEL Officials had inspected the site in Singur earlier this month where the state government proposed to set up a 1600 MW mega power plant as a joint venture.

Railway minister Mamata Banerjee had last week said the Railways would set up a rail coach factory in the site jointly with the state government or under a PPP model. -PTI

Construction industry celebrates achievements Cont’d from page 38

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New York State Dormitory Authority's executive director, Paul T. Williams, Jr., who was the chief guest of the evening, also extended his compliments to the members of the Society. He said that he found it exciting to work with Indo-American professionals.

Eight professionals, Vijay Desai, president of a construction consulting firm, VJ Associates, Jim Hirani, president of Long Island based firm, Hirani Engineering, Architect and Planner Kishor Y. Joshi, Nayan Trivedi, Associate Partner at Leslie E. Robertson Associates and project manager of 60 storey Oberoi Skyz Residences in Mumbai, Purnima Kapoor, Di-

rector of the Brooklyn office of NYC Department of City Planning, Jagmohan Kapur, vice-president Albert Weiss, G. Venkata Ramu, vice chairman, Syska Hennessy Group, and Noel Vaz, president, North Star Mechanical, were honored for their distinguished achievements in their profession.

Continuing its tradition of recognizing young talents by rewarding them with scholarships, the Society selected ten students, who are pursuing engineering and architectural careers in various universities and institutions in USA, and awarded each of them with a scholarship of $2000.

The award winners, Aarti Bedi of New York University, Ankit bedi of NJIT, Chanderveer

Singh of Spartan College, Heet Parikh of Missouri University, Kamal Yechoor of Columbia University, Mahesh Rana of NYIT, Meghavi Dave of NJIT, Priya Jaswal of CCNY, Priyank Patel of Penn State University and Ragini Sharma of Cornell University, walked to the podium to receive the awards.

Gala Chair and President-Elect Nayan Parikh extended a vote of thanks while Vinod Devgan conducted the program as the Master of Ceremony. Well-known comedian Dan Nainan enthralled guests with his stand alone comedy. The evening concluded with a variety of Bollywood dance, music and a wide spread of delicious Indian cuisine.

India Food Banking Network launched Cont’d from page 38

The goal of IFBN is to create permanent and positive change regarding food issues in communities by leveraging and aligning resources among the public sector, private sector and the voluntary sector.

J.K Sinha, member of National Disaster Management Authority appreciated the initiative and purpose of IFBN. "Food becomes more important at times of disasters. With so many corporates and organizations coming on board, the difficult task has become easy," stated Sinha.

"The concept of IFBN is a bridge for corporates and recipients to pool and distribute food with technology expertise of Aidmatrix. There is no doubt that

IFBN will prove as an extremely useful tool for handling hunger in the coming times." Said V.N. Gaur, CEO - The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, who also appreciated the IFBN focus on food safety during the salvaging, handling and distribution process.

Along with these case studies

by Munishwar Vasudeva, Business head- Adani Group, Leena Joseph, DGM- Naandi Foundation and Dr Murli -Programs OfficerWorld Food Program, India were presented to showcase the success and opportunities in Food Banking. Also there were case studies on the opportunities in development market place by Hemanth Kumar- Vice President, CSO Partners who presented the upcoming online initiative on NGO marketplace.

Health

Line

'Obama should focus on jobs, not health care' PHOENIX: Republican Sen. Jon Kyl has said that President Barack Obama should put health care reform on the back burner and focus on what's on most Americans' minds jobs.

Kyl, the Senate's second-ranking Republican, made the comments at a media round-table discussion at his east Phoenix office.

He says Democrats are trying to do too much, too fast and that it's costing way too much money.

Kyl says the health care reform proposed by Democrats could be a ``job killer'' because of a half-percent increase in the Medicare payroll tax for high-income workers. -AP

Transition center for war veterans planned COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.: A nonprofit group hopes to buy a Colorado estate once owned by antivirus software developer John McAfee and use it as a reintegration center for soldiers returning from war.

Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group says the 290-acre estate and 10,000-square-foot mansion could be used for programs that help veterans and families make the transition from war to home life.

The group estimates the property, about 50 miles south of Denver, could be purchased for $4 million.

McAfee sold it in 2007. Pikes Peak Behavior Health Group says it's now in foreclosure and the bank that controls it contacted the group about possible uses. -AP

3 more swine flu deaths in New Hampshire CONCORD, NH: New Hampshire health officials announced that the state is opening swine flu vaccination clinics for the highestrisk cases, as complications from the illness take three more lives, bringing the total in New Hampshire to six.

Vaccines are available for free by appointment at the clinics to high-risk cases who have no doctors.

Dr. Jose Montero, the state's public health director, said the groups that will be served include the caregivers of infants under 6 months old and adults, ages 1824, with underlying medical conditions. -AP

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Wis. expands swine flu vaccination target group MADISON, Wis.: Wisconsin health officials have expanded the group that can receive vaccination for swine flu to include all schoolaged children and young adults up to age 24. -AP

AAPI President praises House vote on Medicare formula India Post News Service

NEW YORK: President of the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) Dr. Vinod K. Shah has welcomed a US Congress vote to permanently repeal the flawed Medicare Physician payment formula.

Announcing that the US Congress voted in favor of repealing the flawed formula recently, Dr. Shah said, "I am pleased that Congress recognizes the importance of preserving Medicare for our nation's seniors," said Dr. Shah.

"Without this legislative fix, Medicare will cut payments to physicians by 21% in 2010 with even more cuts in the future. As physicians, we want to focus our abilities on providing the greatest access to health care in the most affordable manner to our patients.

"Without this fix, we simply cannot provide the care needed to patients, resulting in fewer

Without a legislative fix, Medicare would face continued cuts into the future. The origin of the flawed formula was the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, where spending reforms instituted a sustainable growth rate (SGR) mechanism to calculate the physician payment

Dr Vinod Shah, President of AAAPI

doctors accepting Medicare patients."

"This is a step in the right direction with action now needed in the Senate. AAPI members educated their Members of Congress on this important issue and the need for a permanent fix,

demonstrating our organization's passion for excellence in the field of health care," concluded Dr. Shah.

Without a legislative fix, Medicare would face continued cuts into the future. The origin of the flawed formula was the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, where spending reforms instituted a sustainable growth rate (SGR) mechanism to calculate the physician payment.

The SGR was designed to offset increased Medicare spending on a yearly basis, but actually resulted in yearly Medicare

cuts. Congress has voted since 2002 to eliminate these annual cuts.

The "Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009," (H.R. 3961) repeals the current Medicare physician payment formula and replaces it with a new one. Under the House bill, the fees paid to physicians under Medicare would increase by $105 billion over the next 10 years. The bill replaces the SGR formula with an annual payment increase equal to 1% more than the growth in the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Democrats in US Senate at odds over health care WASHINGTON: Moderate Democrats are threatening to scuttle Senate legislation overhauling the U.S. health care system, President Barack Obama's top domestic issue, unless their demands are met. More liberal senators are warning their party leaders not to bend.

The dispute within Obama's Democratic Party foretells of a rowdy Senate floor debate on legislation that would extend health care coverage to roughly 31 million Americans, crack down on insurance company practices that deny or dilute benefits and curtail the growth of spending on medical care nationally.

Republicans have already made clear they aren't supporting the bill.

Final passage is in jeopardy, even after the Senate's historic 60-39 vote Saturday night to begin a full debate after lawmakers

return from a recess for Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday. ``I don't want a big-government, Washington-run operation that would undermine the ... private insurance that 200 million Americans now have,'' said Sen. Ben Nelson, a conservative Democrat, on ABC television.

Nelson and three other mod-

provision that would allow Americans to buy a federal-run insurance plan if their state allows it. Moderates say they worry the so-called public option will become a huge and costly entitlement program and that other requirements in the bill could cripple businesses.

The sway held by such a small

The dispute within Obama's Democratic Party foretells of a rowdy Senate floor debate on legislation that would extend health care coverage to roughly 31 million Americans erates - Democratic Sens. Mary Landrieu and Blanche Lincoln and independent Joe Lieberman agreed to open debate despite expressing reservations on the measure. Each of them has warned that they might not support the final bill.

One major sticking point is a

group of senators has annoyed their more liberal colleagues, who could vote against a final bill if it becomes too watered down. ``I don't want four Democratic senators dictating to the other 56 of us and to the rest of the country - when the public option has this much support that (a public

option is) not going to be in it,'' Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown said on CNN. The House of Representatives approved its version of the bill earlier this month on a near party-line vote of 220-215.

Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, said the health care bill must be passed by the end of the year so that Obama and lawmakers can shift their attention to the economy and improving employment rates.

The United States is the only developed nation that does not have a comprehensive national health care plan. Nearly 50 million of the country's more than 300 million people are uninsured. The government provides coverage for the poor and elderly, but most Americans rely on private insurance, usually received through their employers.-AP

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Nursing Alzheimer's patients, she becomes one MONROE, La.: Sue Pinder, a registered nurse caring for Alzheimer's patients, began noticing lapses in her own memory five years ago.

When others began noticing the same lapses, Pinder, 53, began a series of tests that led to a diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's - a disease which she knew way too well. ``At work, I used to pray, 'God please don't let me get this,''' she said. ``I don't want my family to have to go through this. This is one disease I don't want to die of.''

November is National Alzheimer's Awareness month, when the National Alzheimer's Association strives to inform the community about the disease, its symptoms and its treatment. ``At first, a lot of crying took place,'' Pinder said. ``After a while the crying stopped. We've just taken hold of it and do what has to be done.''

Her chief caregiver is her husband, Jesse.

Early onset Alzheimer's, like Pinder's, affects people under the age of 65. Many of its victims are in their 40s and 50s and may have children at home or still be actively

employed. ``The hardest thing for me was to give up my nursing license,'' Pinder said. ``That was devastating because that identified who I was.''

In addition to affecting the patient, Northeast Louisiana Regional Director Sandy Bass said, the disease reaches out to anyone

November is National Alzheimer's Awareness month, when the National Alzheimer's Association strives to inform the community about the disease associated with the patient. ``It spares nobody,'' Bass said. ``It's like a ripple. It gets the husband, the wife, the family. We also lose a valuable member of the work force.''

Most of the time, Pinder's disease is controlled by medication.

Some days, she is able to drive with a Global Positioning System device, which helps her to focus on her destination.

``I've always been the strong one in my family,'' Pinder said. ``I was the one that made sure everyone was OK. Now I have to depend on them to make sure momma's OK.'' According to the Alzheimer's Association, by 2010, 83,000 people over 65 years old in Louisiana will have the disease. One in six women and one in 10 men who live to be at least age 55 will develop Alzheimer's. ``People don't realize how prevalent it is,'' she said. ``There are no survivors. When you get it, you're going to get sick and you're going to die.''

Bass said incidences of early onset Alzheimer's, which tends to be hereditary, are becoming more prevalent because of early detection and diagnosis. ``It's not normal aging. It's not normal,'' she said. ``We can diagnose it, we can treat it and we can stop it.''

Pinder spends her ``good days'' volunteering with the Alzheimer's Association and speaking out about the disease and its impact on loved ones. ``One of my fights is trying to get it stopped,'' she said. ``I want

us to be able to say, 'I have survived Alzheimer's.' That's not to say we will get rid of it, but to stop it where it is.''

The Alzheimer's Association offers 24-hour assistance with information, support and referrals in 140 languages by calling 1-800-

272-3900. ``I know what my future is, because I've seen the end stage,'' Pinder said. ``I hope to keep getting out there and spreading the word. I don't want to lie down and give up.

I want to keep going and get people to open up their eyes.'' -AP

Family members of special needs adults find help SUN CITY, Ariz.: Mariel Rosenau is a special needs adult who lived her first 50 years at home with her parents. Though suspected of having a form of developmental disability, her brother Larry, 65, said the family cannot find any record of medical or related care. ``She has a mind of an 8-yearold in most things,'' Larry said. ``But in other things I can't believe how knowledgeable she is.

She never forgets addresses, phone numbers or birthdays. But as far as practical things, she can't read or write. ``She can understand things but can't put it all together.''

Both Larry and his wife, Marie, of Glendale had parents who died

in the past few years. They now find themselves in the position of being the guardians for each of their special needs siblings.

Marie's brother, Stephen, 47, lives at Rainbow Acres, a ranch for special needs adults in Camp Verde, while Mariel, 55, lives in the Banner Special Adults Residence in Peoria.

Stephen was born with tuberous sclerosis, a rare, multi-system genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow in the brain and on other vital organs. ``We knew from the time he was 7 he was mentally retarded,'' Marie said. ``He has lost a kidney, has multiple tumors and has seizures that are pretty much under control.'' -AP

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Horoscope

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December 4, 2009

www.indiapost.com

ARIES Mar 21-Apr 20 Strong Rahu in tenth will cause some changes in career soon. You will start exploring other options and that's the way to deal with situation. Money wise you will continue to stay comfortable for the time being. You will be getting ready for an upcoming family reunion.

You will not get credit for the hard work but somebody else will.

LEO Jul 23-Aug 22 Your concerns about a child not doing so well will grow bigger. Contract will increase revenues and reduce stress in mind. You will be seriously looking to diversify. Outcome in legal matters will be favorable only. You may need stronger medicines for ache and pains in the body. You will be in market to purchase another car for yourself.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23-Dec 22

December 4 to December 10

You will become very diplomatic and it will help a lot in getting the work done.

Planets continue to improve your image and self confidence. You will be able to help many with your expertise. You may have to attend more than one party this week. An old friend will come to see you on a very short notice. Your bank balance will grow.

NEWS at your doorstep www.indiapost.com

TAURUS Apr 21-May 20 Planets will bring the energy back. You will make good use of time on hand and explore new business opportunities.

Competition will reduce but will not help you that much. Legal issues will take a very favorable turn and the victory is within reach. You will also finalize plans to travel to a very nice place with family in near future.

VIRGO Aug 23-Sept 22 Money loaned to others or a refund will come. You may twist facts little bit for big financial gains. There will be improvement on other fronts also and issues stuck for some time will start moving in right direction. You will receive good piece of advice from an experienced person but in part only. You will be getting ready for a family reunion.

CAPRICORN Dec 23-Jan 19 Professional hurdles will get out of your way and you will start to see things more clearly from now and on. You will be able to meet commitments and still have some left in your pockets. Competition will increase but leave you untouched for the time being. You will be in touch and continue to receive good advice from a matured and learned person.

GEMINI May 21-Jun 20 You will be aggressive and it will get many jobs done. Value of your assets and stocks will start creeping upwards.

There will be progress in negotiations and soon you will sign that big contract. You will be taking a trip soon.

Some uncertainty about career will evaporate too and you will start to feel relaxed.

LIBRA Sept 23-Oct 22 You will be tempted to make a big investment and go for the property too. Speculation and lottery will be profitable. You will spend more time on phone and get the jobs done.

You will control temptation and go for economical car. Children will be more cooperative and help you plan a trip.

AQUARIUS Jan 20-Feb 18 Things will continue to be strong at work and you will narrowly escape the bad. You will meet few important people and get the assurance quickly.

Money will go on entertaining others.

Bank balance will take a temporary dip. Business plan you have been working on will need more capital. You will be spending more on family.

CANCER Jun 21-Jul 22 You will make a very sound investment this week. Spouse should have better luck too. You may ultimately change your mind and visit a holy place with family. Money will come and disappear as usual. Response and clearance from government could come this week. Do not open up quickly with new friends or will regret.

SCORPIO Oct 23-Nov 22 You will be torn between right and wrong and end up having temporary fun in life. You will have chance to learn a lot from experts. You will be calling overseas more frequently. Some confusion lately developed in career will also clear and soon you will be working with new partners. Some of you may start a new and exciting relationship.

PISCES Feb 19-Mar 20 Twisting facts a little bit will bring in extra cash but the money will not stay.

Some issues causing stress in the mind will get solved with a younger person.

You will be slowly working on a brilliant business idea and looking for suitable partners. You should careful with law for some more time. Party will be interesting.

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In Brief Illegal immigrant arrests at Fort Lee decline PETERSBURG, Va.: Military officials say enforcement and education efforts have helped to reduce arrests of illegal immigrants attempting to enter Fort Lee. The decline comes despite a construction boom at the U.S. Army installation in Petersburg.

Fort Lee officials say 24 illegal immigrants have been arrested so far this year, compared to 83 in 2008 and 89 in 2007.

Fort Lee Police Chief Joseph Metzger says successful enforcement and a more aggressive program to educate contractors and subcontractors helped to reverse the trend.

Metzger says the lack of ID checkpoints at the new Ordnance School Campus for most of the year also may have been a factor. Workers entering work sites there didn't have to go through ID screening process. -AP

Advocates to promote English classes in Brockton BROCKTON, Mass.: Immigrant advocates are helping Brockton business and community leaders learn to apply for new grants to create English classes for immigrants.

Earlier this month, state officials announced $1.3 million in grants from the Obama administration stimulus package for English classes.

Around 17,000 immigrants in Massachusetts on are waiting lists for English classes.

The grants come after Gov. Deval Patrick announced last week that his cabinet is studying recommendations from an immigrant advisory panel. Among those recommendations are offering more classes for immigrants.- AP

Program to help truckers attracts drug smugglers LAREDO, Texas: A US program that offers trusted trucking companies speedy passage across American borders is attracting just the sort of customer who places a premium on avoiding inspections: Mexican drug smugglers.

Most trucks enrolled in the program pause at the border for just 20 seconds before entering the US Nine out of 10 do so without their cargo inspected.

But in the small fraction of trucks that are inspected, authorities have found multiple loads of contraband. They seized nearly 13 tons of marijuana in a three-week period last spring. -AP

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5 Vt. dairy farms targeted over workers WASHINGTON: Five Vermont dairy farmers are being asked to provide records proving their workers are legal, federal immigration officials said.

Details on page 47

SAALT welcomes DHS plan to audit NSEERS India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The announcement that the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will conduct an audit of the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) in early 2010, has been welcomed by the advocacy group SAALT. OIG is responsible for conducting and supervising audits, investigations, and inspections relating to programs and operations by the Department. This office can examine, evaluate, and critique Department operations as well as provide recommendations on how to carry out its responsibilities.

Begun in 2002 to track foreign visitors, NSEERS required certain male nationals from a number of

Muslim majority countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, to undergo a registration process including fingerprinting, photographing and questioning.

NSEERS has had a devastating impact on South Asian and Arab

Murthy noted, "SAALT welcomes the announcement of the audit of NSEERS. For nearly ten years, SAALT has worked with organizational allies to highlight the troubling provisions and effects of NSEERS, particularly in light of

Begun in 2002 to track foreign visitors, NSEERS required certain male nationals from a number of Muslim majority countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, to undergo a registration process including fingerprinting, photographing and questioning American communities and families. SAALT joined more than 40 signing organizations around the country on a letter calling for an audit of NSEERS to investigate serious concerns about the program.

SAALT Policy Director Priya

the negative impact the program has had on the South Asian community, along with Arab and Muslim Americans. Over 13,000 men were deported as a result of the program, breaking apart families, closing businesses and radically

Gesture of reasonableness to H-1B filers CYRUS D. MEHTA

S

o USCIS has at long last heard and understood about the hardships that the new iCERT system of DOL was causing H-1B workers. Normally, the USCIS does not care what the DOL does and vice verse, and so this gesture comes as a pleasant surprise.

The new iCERT system consistently denies Labor Condition Applications if it cannot verify the employer's Federal Employment Identification Number (FEIN) even if it is valid, and the employer has been routinely using this number for years on its tax forms. If one's H-1B status was about to expire, and iCERT denied the LCA due to an "invalid" FEIN, the employer's H1B petition also got denied if it could not be filed with a certified LCA. The poor H-1B worker fell out of status.

USCIS issued a news bulletin, dated November 5, 2009, http://tiny.cc/pYEyl, that it would accept an H-1B petition with an uncertified LCA between November 5, 2009 till March 4,

2010. Such a filing, though, will only be accepted if the LCA was filed at least 7 days before the H1B petition is filed, and there is evidence of such a filing. After the filing, the USCIS will issue a Request for Evidence asking for submission of the certified LCA within 30 days.

The new iCERT system consistently denies Labor Condition Applications if it cannot verify the employer's Federal Employment Identification Number (FEIN) We need further clarification. It makes no sense that the LCA should be pending for 7 days. If an LCA is filed, within 2 days, iCERT denies it erroneously for an allegedly invalid FEIN. One then needs to submit proof of the employer's FEIN such as a document issued by the IRS. After 2-3 days, iCERT indicates that it has

verified the FEIN and invites the employer to submit an LCA. Once a new LCA is submitted, it gets certified after another 2-3 days. None of these individual steps take 7 days, but the whole process of filing and receiving an initial denial, submission of proof of the FEIN, and re-submission of the LCA can take longer than 7 days. Hopefully, USCIS should accept an H-1B petition even after the initial LCA was denied and the employer has submitted proof that it has a valid FEIN. Also, what happens to the unfortunate filers whose H-1Bs were denied because they could not file with a certified LCA prior to this policy change on November 5?

Clearly, the ability to file H1Bs without certified LCAs will also increase the number of H1Bs. As of last count on October 30, 2009, USCIS had received 53,800 H-1B petitions towards the 65,000 cap. * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com

altering communities. We believe this program was a clear form of racial and religious profiling. The impact of the program is still felt today as individuals affected by NSEERS continue to encounter difficulties in obtaining immigration benefits- such as green cards and family member sponsorshipas a result of this initiative.

From the lack of efficacy as the counter-terrorism tool it was purported to be to the high volume of deportations resulting from minor immigration violations, this program has long deserved closer scrutiny and accountability.

While the details of the audit's parameters are yet to be seen, we look forward to seeing a full accounting of the program and the members of the South Asians, Arab and Muslim community members it has affected."

Dad pleads not guilty of Arizona honor killing PHOENIX: An Iraqi immigrant accused of killing his daughter because she had become too Westernized has pleaded not guilty in a Phoenix court.

Faleh Hassan Almaleki pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated assault. Prosecutors are expected to issue harsher charges now that his daughter has died.

Almaleki fled the country after the attack, but was stopped at a London airport and sent back to the US Peoria police say Almaleki ran down his daughter and her boyfriend's mother on Oct. 20 with his Jeep. Noor Faleh Almaleki died about two weeks later. The other woman survived.

Almaleki fled the country after the attack, but was stopped at a London airport and sent back to the US. The hearing had been delayed twice because Almaleki was on suicide watch in jail. -AP

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10 charged in marriage-formoney scheme diately and are eligible for citizenship in three years.

All 10 defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit marriage fraud _ an offense in which the reason why the accused couple got married is the key.

While actual marriages did take place, the motive in each case was strictly money on the part of the US partners, prosecutors said ``The defense to a charge of marriage fraud is love,'' said Gerardo Gutierrez, an attorney for traffic court employee Keisha McGary, 33, who is charged with taking part in an August 2003 sham marriage.

``We'll see how this plays out,'' Gutierrez told reporters. ``We'll work out some kind of equitable arrangement.''

Most of those who paid were Filipinos and none of them were charged, federal prosecutors said.

At least five of the defendants were current or former employees of the Cook County traffic court.

Prosecutors declined to comment and two defense attorneys said they didn't know.

Among those charged was a Chicago immigration attorney, Manny Aguja, 53, whose office is accused of producing some of the paperwork for the marriages.

Five defendants including Aguja appeared before U.S. District Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan, pleaded not guilty and were released on $4,500 unsecured bonds. -AP

Rubashkin seeks acquittal; judge denies bail IOWA CITY, Iowa: A former kosher slaughterhouse manager convicted of financial fraud has asked for an acquittal or new trial, saying prosecutors unfairly brought in evidence of immigration violations.

In a motion, Sholom Rubashkin's attorney said his conviction on 86 counts of financial fraud should be overturned because prosecutors didn't abide by rules established by U.S. District Court Judge Linda Reade.

Reade had the divided 163 federal charges against Rubashkin into two trials - one on financial fraud and one on immigration violations. After Rubashkin was convicted on the financial fraud counts last week, the judge dismissed the immigration charges at prosecutors' request. The charges can be refiled later if prosecutors choose.

“The government poisoned the financial trial with prejudicial evidence from the immigration charges, which they have now dis-

missed,'' said Guy Cook, one of Rubashkin's three attorneys.

Separately, Reade denied Rubashkin's request that he be released from jail until he's sentenced. Rubashkin is a greater flight risk after his conviction, she said.

After Rubashkin was convicted on the financial fraud counts last week, the judge dismissed the immigration charges “The court agrees that defendant has shown he is committed to his family and to his community,'' Reade wrote. ``Nevertheless, the court finds that this evidence does not rise to the 'clear and convincing' level necessary to show that he is 'not likely to flee ... if released.’”

US Attorney's Office spokes-

man Sean Berry declined to comment on the request for an acquittal or Rubashkin's request to be released pending sentencing.

A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Rubashkin was a top manager at the Agriprocessors plant in Postville, Iowa, the site of a massive immigration raid in which 389 people were arrested in May 2008.

The plant fell into bankruptcy after the raid, and charges against Rubashkin soon followed.

Rubashkin's attorney, F. Montgomery Brown, also argued in the motion that his conviction on money laundering charges should be overturned because the jury found Rubashkin didn't profit from it. A U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2008 held that money laundering doesn't exist without ``proceeds,'' or a profit.

The jury wasn't properly instructed to distinguish between the total amount brought and the profit earned from money laundering, Brown said. -AP

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CHICAGO: Ten people including at least five current or former traffic court employees have been charged with taking part in a marriage-for-money scheme aimed at getting around immigration laws, prosecutors announced.

At least fifteen foreign nationals paid thousands of dollars to marry people they had barely met and obtain permanent legal resident status in the United States, according to a 14-count indictment unsealed in federal court.

While actual marriages did take place, the motive in each case was strictly money on the part of the US partners, prosecutors said.

They said the foreign nationals were in the market for a green cards, not love.

Foreign nationals who marry U.S. citizens may apply for legal permanent resident status imme-

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Brothers released from immigrant detention MIAMI: In the week after Jesus and Guillermo Reyes were detained at home and threatened with deportation to Venezuela, college students rallied in Kendall, Venezuelan community leaders called politicians, lawyers mobilized and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson of Florida asked that the brothers ``be given all due consideration.''

The pressure worked. The brothers walked out of an immigrant detention center in Broward, a move they said would not have been possible had friends, relatives, politicians and lawyers not responded so strongly. ``They truly showed that spirit of support during this difficult time,'' Jesus said about an hour after he and his brother were freed.

The release of the Reyes brothers capped a week of turmoil in the Venezuelan exile community and among many students at Miami Dade College who rallied behind the youths and launched a campaign to win their release. Jesus is still a student at the college's Kendall Campus and Guillermo recently graduated there.

Cheryl Little, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, which represented the brothers and actively sought their release, said that after making calls and writing e-mails to local and national officials for days, she got a call from Washington advising her that the brothers would be freed.

Nicole Navas, a spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said that the brothers had been ``granted deferred action for one year,'' giving them

12 months to stay in the United States before their case goes before an immigration judge.

ICE officers arrived at the Reyes' home on Nov. 12 telling the brothers' father, Jesus Reyes Sr., that the family, which left Venezuela nine years ago, could no longer stay in the United States.

As immigration officers detained Guillermo, 25, and Jesus, 21, their father managed to leave to contact his attorney and warn his wife and his son, Marcos, at work at the time.

Jesus, who is currently studying criminal justice at Miami Dade College, said he hoped to become a congressman The brothers' parents and Marcos, who went into hiding after Jesus and Guillermo were detained, learned that immigration authorities had agreed to revisit their petition for asylum, which had been denied previously, Little said.

The Reyes family will be able to come out of hiding and remain in the United States while the petition is reviewed. ``My first reaction is one of happiness and surprise,'' Reyes Sr. said. ``I was told that I'm now able to go to my own home _ that I can go back and I don't have to be in hiding.''

Guillermo and Jesus said their release reinforced their belief that the justice system could be fair

to all. ``I've always had faith that justice was going to be done right,'' said Guillermo, who broke down in joyful tears when he learned he was being released. ``The U.S. is my home and the place where all my dreams have come true. This has been another dream that has come true.''

Jesus, who is currently studying criminal justice at Miami Dade College, said he hoped to become a congressman and work on immigration issues. ``It is my goal to influence this government in a good way so that things like this don't happen again,'' he said.

The Reyes family fled from Venezuela a decade ago after they began to receive threatening phone calls in the middle of the night. Reyes Sr. said he had joined a movement against Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez and was distributing anti-government pamphlets.

The family indicated that immigration officers had a final order of deportation dating to 2005 after their original asylum petition was denied.

Guillermo recently received a computer-animation degree at Miami Dade College and Jesus was the 2007-08 president of the Kendall Campus Student Government Association.

The Reyes's case is similar to that of Juan and Alex Gomez, Colombian brothers who almost got deported in 2007 but were spared after classmates and friends launched a national campaign on their behalf. -AP

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5 Vt. dairy farms targeted over workers WASHINGTON: Five Vermont dairy farmers are being asked to provide records proving their workers are legal, federal immigration officials said.

The farmers, who were not identified, were targeted as part of a national crackdown on employers by federal officials.

There had initially been fears among Vermont's dairy farming community that many other farmers had been asked to provide documentation for their workers. ``That's inaccurate,'' said Gillian Brigham, a spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, part of the Homeland Security Department. ``We served five notices of inspections (in Vermont).''

Vermont Agency of Agriculture spokeswoman Kelly Loftus said farmers were shaken up by word of the federal probes. ``A lot of the workers are like family ... because if they go away there's no one there to do the work,'' she said. ``They've got animals to take care of. It's a big concern.''

ICE said that it plans to audit the hiring records of 1,000 employers as part of a national effort against businesses suspected of using immigrant workers who have entered the country illegally.

The audits are based on investigations and intelligence and include some businesses connected to public safety and national security, ICE said.

Hispanic workers from outside Vermont _ not all of them in the country legally _ are a mainstay of the state's dairy industry, which struggles to find people to fill the

jobs. State and federal officials have generally taken a hands-off approach, since many of the workers present what appear to be valid work documents.

In Burlington and Middlebury, police have policies against bothering Hispanics about immigration issues unless they're breaking the law. ``Dairies are sacred,'' said Leslie Holman, a Vermont immigration attorney. ``These farms are a big part of the production and the work

If significant violations aren't fixed, employers can face significant fines, according to ICE guidance on I-9 inspections provided by the American Immigration Lawyers Association is really hard. I've worked with these dairy farmers for years and the reality is they can't find the workers they need,'' said Holman, who is also national secretary for American Immigration Lawyers Association.

She pointed out that dairy farms do not qualify for workers under the H2A or H2B temporary visa worker programs because dairies need workers year-round.

Under the Obama administration, ICE has issued more than 2,000 audit inspections since it began its employer-focused enforcement April 30.

In July, ICE issued notices of audits to 654 businesses, the most

issued in a single day until 1,000 notices were issued.

The July-issued audits have led to $2.3 million in proposed fines.

The fines are not final and can be negotiated. Of the businesses audited, the cases for 326 were closed for no violations. ICE is considering proposing fines in another 267 cases.

For those results, ICE reviewed 85,000 I-9 forms and 14,000 questionable identity documents for the July audits.

There is a range of violations and penalties businesses can face in the audits. ICE considers the business' size, effort to comply, seriousness of violation, whether unauthorized workers were involved and history of previous violations to decide penalty amounts.

Businesses with technical or procedural violations in their records get 10 business days to correct them. If significant violations aren't fixed, employers can face significant fines, according to ICE guidance on I-9 inspections provided by the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Employers that knowingly hired or continue to hire unauthorized workers are required to stop doing so, could be fined from $375 to $16,000 per violation and may be criminally prosecuted. They also could be prohibited from contracting with the federal government and lose other government benefits, such as subsidies. Repeat offenders get the higher fines.

For violations considered substantive, such as refusing to provide I-9's, fines are $110 to $1,100 per violation. -AP

Affidavit of Support Adjustment of Status ALL IMMIGRATION FORMALITIES U.S. CITIZENSHIP/GREEN CARD

Indian Passport & Miscellaneous Consular Services

We speak Gujarati/Hindi/Punjabi/Urdu Service Unit in USA RAO IMMIGRATION SERVICES INC

18520 1/2 S. Pioneer Blvd, Suite #202, Artesia CA 90701

Head Office: INDIA RAO IMMIGRATION SERVICES (P) LTD

111, Chinubhai Towers, Near Nehru Bridge Ashram Road,

Ahmedabad 380001 Tel: 562-403-1646 Fax: 562-403-1647 Tel: 91-79-2657-5977 Email: raoinssvs@yahoo.com Fax: 91-79-2657-5978 rao4ins@aol.com

Email: rajputlaw@hotmail.com

48

Classifieds

India Post

December 4, 2009

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MATRIMONIALS BRIDEGROOM WANTED

Parents looking for a groom for their beautiful daughter, American Citizen, 31years, 5'3" tall, Caste No Bar. Please send your picture and biodata to P.O.Box # 342, India Post 29274 Union City Blvd.,

Union City, CA - 94587.

Well Settled in California,

PUNJABI FAMILY INVITES CORRESPODENCE FOR THEIR WORKING DAUGHTER 28 YRS OF AGE, 5'6". SEEKING US RAISED WORKING BOY. SEND RESPONSE TO RSOUGU@YAHOO.COM OR CALL AT 714-234-4921

PUNJABI SIKH PARENTS INVITE CORRESPONDENCE FROM WELL ESTABLISHED FAMILIES FOR DAUGHTER, 24 YRS, BEAUTIFUL, SLIM, 5’3", MASTERS-HUMAN GENETICS, LIVING IN INDIA. PROFESSIONALS PREFERRED. PLEASE SEND BIODATA WITH PICTURE. gundeepsingh8@gmail.com PH:562-201-1130

Punjabi Khatri parents

42, youthful, handsome, PhD, professor in prestigious university, IIT undergrad, Brahmin, vegetarian, US citizen, divorcee never lived together, seeks partner below 36, Indian values, caring, PhD, MD, professionals, bio/photo details must. sunjupe@gmail.com

looking for a suitable professional match for

HINDU SOOD KHATRI

their beautiful daughter,

PARENTS FROM LOS

slim, 29 years, 5’5” tall

ANGELES INVITE

and well educated. Kindly

ALLIANCE FOR THEIR

smoker, non-drinker,

respond with photo and

U.S.CITIZEN SON 28/6'

professional son 26 yr old,

HAVING B.S. DEGREE

5' 9'' and well educated

IN ACCOUNTING

family background.

AND FINANCE. IF

Please contact

biodata to P.O.Box # 340, India Post, 29274 Union City Blvd., Union City, CA - 94587, USA.

INTERESTED, PL CALL AT (818) 996-2825 AND/

Looking For A Suitable Match For "Hindu Punjabi" girl, 29, 5'5"

Well Educated, Professional And Financially Stable. Please Email At vivah4ca@gmail.com

ALLIANCE INVITED FOR A 26 YRS, 5.3 SINDHI GIRL. BEAUTIFUL, INTELLIGENT AND SOPHISTICATED, BORN & RAISED IN THE U.S. LOOKING FOR SINDHI BOY BELOW 30 YRS OF AGE, HANDSOME AND SOPHISTICATED. WELL SETTLED IN U.S. OR EUROPE. PLEASE REPLY WITH PICTURE & BIODATA TO EMAIL:

MAXKAJ@GMAIL.COM

suitable match for their handsome, tall, non-

WITH PHOTO AT

abowry25@yahoo.com

Hindu Punjabi parents seek a suitable match for their daughter, 32, 5' 8'', Lawyer in U.S.A. Boy should be at least 6' tall, professional, and brought up in North America.

Email: RKGTA@HOTMAIL.COM

or Call 416-464-7471

hsnba@sbcglobal.net

510-461-6891 or email bio data at

Parents seeking

rohitdhand2002@yahoo.com

match for Punjabi

OR EMAIL BIO DATA

working. Boy Should Be Tall, Good Looking,

Khatri Family seeking a

Jat Sikh parents invite a matrimonial alliance for their beloved, beautiful daughter, age 26 years, 5 feet 5 inches tall, UC graduate and professionally employed in the bay area. Please contact:

Khatri handsome son

For Chanderika: Seeking alliance for 41 year old/5’5” Punjabi Khatri, well established professional teacher. Very brief marriage annulled. Seeking mature, responsible match from sincere professional/businessman, West Coast preferred. Email biodata/photo at matriad41@gmail.com.

born Nov. 1978, 5'9" educated, selfemployed. Alliance invited from beautiful educated girl. Email biodata and photograph to Dreamsunlimited1@yahoo.com

or Call (626) 374-1942

PAYROLL ACCOUNTANT WANTED Currently seeking payroll clerks and accountants.

Nai Sikh 5.1’ 25 Girl B.M.I.T.; P.G.D.C.A., from India.

Job comes with great

M.B.A (I.T) From USA. Has Student Visa and work

benefits,

permit Trying for H-1B Visa

Applicants should kindly

Brother Dentist in India. Father & Mother in USA

e-mail resumes or

Seeks Suitable Immigrant boy from USA or CANADA.

inquiries to Guiseppina

Contact at Email: shoti53@yahoo.com

Cavaliere.

with Bio data and Photo

Guiseppinainc@aol.com

Notice is hereby given that sealed competitive bids will be accepted in the office of the GSA-Purchasing Department, County of Alameda, 1401 Lakeside Drive, Suite 907, Oakland, CA 94612 NETWORKING/NORTH COUNTY BIDDERS CONFERENCE RFP #900666 for Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Services Program, Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 10:00 a.m. ñ Lakeside Plaza Building, 1401 Lakeside Drive, Room 1107, 11th Floor, Oakland, CA NETWORKING/SOUTH COUNTY BIDDERS CONFERENCE RFP #900666 for Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Services Program, Thursday, December 10, 2009, 2:00 p.m. ñ Fremont Main Library, Fukaya Room A/B, 2400 Stevenson Boulevard, Fremont, CA Responses Due by 2:00 pm on January 15, 2010 County Contact : Jennifer Chan Ngo (510) 208-9604 or via email: jennifer.ngo@acgov.org Attendance at Networking Conference is Non-mandatory.

Specifications and bid copies regarding the above may be obtained at the Alameda County GSA Current Contracting Opportunities Internet website at www.acgov.org.

12/4/09 CNS-1743982#

Notice is hereby given that sealed competitive bids will be accepted in the office of the GSA-Purchasing Department, County of Alameda, 1401 Lakeside Drive, Suite 907, Oakland, CA 94612 NETWORKING/NORTH COUNTY BIDDERS CONFERENCE RFQ #900662 for Carpet, Upholstery and Drapery Cleaning Services, Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 10:00 a.m. ñ Lakeside Plaza Building, 1401 Lakeside Drive, Rm. 222, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA NETWORKING/SOUTH COUNTY BIDDERS CONFERENCE RFQ #900662 for Carpet, Upholstery and Drapery Cleaning Services, Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 2:00 p.m. ñ Dublin Public Library, 200 Civic Plaza, The Program Room, Dublin, CA Responses Due by 2:00 pm on January 6, 2010 County Contact : Jeff Thomas (510) 208-9613 or via email: jeff.thomas@acgov.org Attendance at Networking Conference is Non-mandatory.

Specifications and bid copies regarding the above may be obtained at the Alameda County GSA-Purchasing Department or the Current Contracting Opportunities Internet website at www.acgov.org.

12/4/09 CNS-1741705#

Classifieds

December 4, 2009

India Post 49

www.indiapost.com

Executive Chef San Francisco based restaurant looking for a EXECUTIVE CHEF/culinary graduate.

Must have 10 YEARS of experience.

(650) 271-2849

MOTEL FOR SALE A 62 units economy Franchise motel on Interstate I 80 / 35 in Des Moine Iowa with two separate houses near to it is for sale.

Good business. Owner relocating.

Asking $2.2 million

BUSINESS FOR SALE Quiznos in a prime location in Inland Empire area for sale.

Only interested parties,

ONLY SERIOUS INQUIRY

Tel: (515) 265 7525 / Cell (515) 554 2131

CONTACT

Quiznossub1@hotmail.com or call (909)851-5395 5.30pm to 7.00pm only.

Experienced book keeper needed Full time In Fountain valley, email resume to susan@nevitz.com or fax to

714-557-1305 $10.00 / hr.

NEED HELP VENUS SALON NEED EXPERIENCED THREADING LADY FULL TIME OR PART TIME IN UNION CITY. PLEASE CALL TIVIA @

(510) 441-8462 OR VISIT THE LOCATION AT 2625 DECOTO RD., UNION CITY.

50

Classifieds

India Post

December 4, 2009

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Staybridge 98 Room Project For Sale in Spring/Houston TX ;Includes land , Plan and Permit . pls Contact Listing for further info Agent

AMIT MEHTA

#832 607 1579 COSMICA CONSULTING Business & Media Relations Creative Financing for Capital, Joint Ventures & High Tech Industry Promotions : tact ConSURI ULLAL: 2335 W Devon Ave. Suite 203, Chicago IL 60659 Tel:

773 973 7394 (773) 973-7396

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GET FREE PRODUCTS EVERYDAY!

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(845)735 -0183

HELP NEEDED Upscale Salon in Walnut Creek looking for experienced Threader.

Please call

925-785-3694

There's a company that gives never-ending freebies to you. And you can make a monthly income too!

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for interview.

DO YOU HAVE A DREAM OF BEING DEBT FREE ARE YOU TRYING 2 GET UR CREDIT CLEAN

Staybridge 98 Room Project For Sale in Spring/ Houston TX ; Includes land, Plan and Permit. pls Contact Listing for further info Agent

AMIT MEHTA #832 607 1579

“HOTEL HELP/ COUPLE WANTED” For FRONT DESK NIGHT AUDIT, House-keeping, Laundry, only. Energetic English/Hindi speaking/Punjabi speaking, Couple wanted In Franchise Hotel Florida / Georgia .Good Salary, Benefits Live Inn Accommodation, Immediate placement.

Please contact, Manish or Bobby at (904)891-5278,or (912)729-5454.

OWNER OPERATORS WANTED WITH OR WITHOUT

1888-632-9073

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THE ROAD. CALL

888-827-7525

FOR SALE Hotel property in Manhattan NYChelsea .50,000 sq ft Build able .50x100 lot Up to 24 Stories high Price $13 Million J/V possible.

Only serious buyersPlease. Email DennisD@citysitesny.com

December 4, 2009

Classifieds

India Post 51

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INTERESTED IN PUPPIES?

Name Change To Whomsoever it may concern I, the undersigned, MANOJ KUMAR residing at 11469,Trailbrook Lane San Diego CA 92128 desire changing my name from MANOJ KUMAR to MANOJ KUMAR JUNEJA with immediate effect.

Sd. MANOJ KUMAR JUNEJA

1 MALE AND 1 FEMALE ENGLISH BULLDOG. If you are interested in the puppies.

Contact email revjohn.colins99@yahoo.com

YOUR AD COULD BE HERE

NEWS RESTAURANT HELP WANTED

on your desktop www.indiapost.com

IN CLEVELAND Upscale Indian Cuisine (Inchin’s Bamboo Garden- Tadka) In Cleveland Ohio is looking for Professional servers Good compensation Call

(440) 734-0500

For More Informations Call: SAN FRANCISCO: Sonia: (510) 938-8668 LOS ANGELES: Bedi: (562) 644-9523 Shashi: 562-441-5511

Now Hiring !!

In South Orange County (Brea and Laguna Hills) Exciting Opportunity for a New Venture Excellent Salary + Commission and Sign-on Bonus too for Experienced candidates !!

Full Time and Part Time Hrs. available immediately.

Call - 630-802-9302

Datebook

52 India Post

December 4, 2009

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NEW YORK Upcoming

NEW JERSEY Upcoming

ILLINOIS Upcoming

Sat Dec 5

Sat Dec 5

• Kanubhai Chauhan Rajsun Megstar Ent Presents BLACK - Live In Concert

• Natraj Dance Academy Performs

Venue: Hindu Temple Auditorium, 143-09 Holly Ave, Flushing, New York Time: 8:30pm Contact: 718-639-9200

Thurs Dec 3 to Sat Dec 5

Sat Dec 5

Venue: Museum of Science & Industry, 5700 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago Time: 2:30pm 4pm Contact: (847) 634-4679

Dec 6 2009

• Health and Happiness Venue: Old Bridge Public Library, Municipal Center, Old Bridge, New Jersey Time: 4pm Contact: 732-284-4018

Sat Dec 5

• Sri Sri Yoga Course

• Chinmaya Mission Chicago Annual Banquet

Venue: Long Island Diagnostic Imaging Center, 100 Lafayette Dr, Syosset, New York Contact: 516-558-7327

Venue: Wateford Banquet, 933 South Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, Illinois, 60126 Time 5:00 pm

Venue: Iskcon, Towaco, New Jersey Time: 5:30pm to 9pm Contact: (973) 299-0970

Sat Dec 12

Sat Dec 12

Sat Dec 12

• RagaChitra Music Festival

• Indian Bazaar - Chaos and Cheers Fest

• Great Composers Day

Venue: Tamil Christian Church, 79-11 Caldwell Ave, Middle Village, Queens, New York Contact: (212) 203 3555

Venue: Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, 305 W. Jackson Avenue, Naperville, Illinois Time: 2pm to 9pm Contact: 630-355-5468

Venue: HTCS, Sri Venkateswara Temple, Bridgewater, NJ Contact: 908-222-3474

Fri Dec 11

Sat Dec 12 Venue: Kulture Kool, 225 Highland Cross, Rutherford, New Jersey Time: 5:30pm to 8pm Contact: 201-933-6651

Thurs Dec 31 • New Year's Eve 2010

• Bhangra The Que Venue: Funky Buddha Lounge, 738 W Grand Ave, Chicago, Illinois Time: 9pm Contact: bhangra@bhangratheque.com

Venue: Chutney Manor, 3793 Route 1 South, South Brunswick, New Jersey Time: 8pm Contact: 917-440-5110

Venue: Smith Center at Ohlone College, 43600 Mission Boulevard in Fremont Time: 8pm Contact: 510-659-6031 Highlights: Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Ballroom & Modern Dance.

Sat Dec 5 • Ohlone Community Chorale Directed

by Darryl Guzman Venue: Centerville Presbyterian Church, 4360 Central Ave. in Fremont Time: 3pm Contact: 510-659-6031 Highlights: The 70-voice Ohlone Community Chorale, will present the Mass in G by Franz Schubert and Te Deum by contemporary composer Mark Hayes.

Sun Dec 6 • Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi by Rasika Kumar Venue: Albert and Janet Schultz Theater, San Antonio Rd, Palo Alto, California, 94303 Time: 4:00 pm Contact: (650)565-8859

Thurs Dec 10

VEDIC DHARMA SAMAJ

HINDU TEMPLE & CULTURAL CENTER 3676 Delaware Drive, Fremont, CA, 94538 www.fremonttemple.org Tel:

• Ohlone College Winter Dance Showcase

• Bhagavatam

Fri Dec 18

• Live At Kulture Kool

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Upcoming

(510) 659-0655

• Free Yoga and Meditation Seminar Venue: Central Library, 828 I street, Sacramento, California, 95814 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 916-529-4197

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Upcoming Every 4th Sat every Month

Weekly Services Open M-F 8:30 AM-1PM, 4 PM-8 PM, Sat & Sun 8:30 AM to 8 PM DAILY AARATI 9 AM MORNINGS AND 7:30 PM EVENINGS. Sunday Services: 11am to 1pm, Aarti at 1:15pm followed by Prasad & Pritibhoj EARLY MORNING Bhajans by Khanna, Surendra @ 10 AM

• Durga Mata Ka Jagaran Venue: 2335 S. Diamond Bar Boulevard, DBC Center, Diamond Bar, CA Time: 6:30pm Contact: 909-519-1579, 626-810-2345

Every Sat (start from Sat Aug 8) • Gurukul Classes for Children

DATE

BHAJAN GROUP (11 AM - 11:45 AM)

PRAVACHAN (12 PM - 1PM)

PRITIBHOJ (1:30 PM - 3:00 PM)

11/29/09

LEELA MATHUR

SHASTRI JI

ABHISHEK GUPTA

12/06/09

MOHANTI JI

SHASTRI JI

SHYAM SHUKLA

12/13/09

PRIYA KASTURI

SWAMI ANANTACHARYAJI

UPCOMING TEMPLE EVENTS YOGA CLASS: MON.-FRI. 7 TO 8 AM SAT. 8 TO 9 AM GEETA CLASS: SAT. 11:00 AM TO 1:00 PM Gayatri Mantra Saturday - 11 AM - To 12 PM by Gayatri Pariwar Contact: Naresh Sethi (For Jagrata). TEL: 510-825-1927, 510-487-2844

Sundar Kand Ka Paath on 3rd Saturday of everymonth from 10:30 am to 12: 00 pm Mata ka Jaagraata on 12/12/09 7 pm to 10 pm Geeta Jayanti Hawan on 11/27/09 6:00 to 9 pm

GAURAV CHAWLA

ABHISHEKA: MON: 6:30 PM SHIVJI, FRI: 6:30 PM LAKSHAMIJI, SAT: 10 AM BALAJI, SUN: 6:30 PM GANESHJI & NAVAGRAHA

Venue: Sindhu Center, South California Time: 2pm to 4pm Contact: 818-541-1754 & 909-576-1114 Highlights: Children between the ages of 5 and 18. Children will be taught the Fundamentals of Hinduism, Prayers, Shlokas, Bhajans and Values of our culture.

Thurs Nov 26, 2009 to Sat Jan 3, 2010 • Celebrate the Holidays at LA Zooís Reindeer Romp Venue: Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens 5333 Zoo Drive, LA Time: 10am to 4pm Contact: 323-644-4200 Highlights: The LA Zoo kicks off the Holiday season with the activities for the entire family at Reindeer Romp. Kids of all ages can get close to these beautiful creatures.

Fri Dec 4 • Art of Living Course

TO PARTICIPATE IN TEMPLE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES CONTACT:

510-659-0655

SUNDAY, 1:15 PM FREE CONSULTATION WITH DR. PAWAN CHADHA AND DR. MRS. NOOTAN CHADHA

IN THE NEW YEAR BECOME: TEMPLE TRUSTEE - $1501, LIFE MEMBER - $ 501, YEARLY MEMBER - $ 101

REGULAR PROGRAMS & POOJAS & RITUALS: FOR ALL INFO CALL TEMPLE ADMINISTRATOR AT: (510) 659-0655. SASHTRIJI: (510) 490-8979, BHUSHAN KUMAR JI - 510-862-5834 GOVIND SRINIVASAN: (510) 226-6479 WEDNESDAYS: RAMAYAN KATHA (KISHIKINDHA KAND) BY SHASTRIJI. SUNDAYS AFTER AARTI FREE CONSULTATION WITH DR. PAWAN CHADHA SUNDER KAND KA PATH EVERY 3RD SATURDAY AT 10 AM TO 12 NOON. CALL TEMPLE (510)569-0655 (HANUMAN CHALISA) EVERY TUESDAY 7:30 PM AARATI FOLLOWED BY PRASAD AND PRITIBHOJ. SENIOR CITIZENS MEET WEDNESDAYS 10AM TO 1PM BHAJANS & DISCOURSES. For sponsoring Pritibhoj Anita Kapoor, Contact: 510-659-0655 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.FREMONTTEMPLE.ORG AND VISIT GALLERY

Venue: Art of Living center, 18768 Highway 18, Apple Valley, California Contact: 7602470157

Sun Dec 6 • Akal Takhat Martyrdom Commemoration Venue: Guru Ram Das Ashram, 1620 Preuss Road, Los Angeles, CA 90035 Time: 10:30am to 11:30am Contact: (310) 858-7691 Highlights: Special Kirtan Program with Professor Ranjit Singh Bhai and Ragi Jetha followed by Samapti and Guru ka Langar

Sun Dec 6 • Sevanjali 2009 - Magic Maya Venue: La Mirada Theater, 14900 La Mirada Blvd, La Mirada, California Time: 4pm Contact: (714) 991-5274

Sun Dec 13 • Indiandating.Com Desi Date & Dash Venue: Tanzore Restaurant & Lounge, 50 N La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills, California Time: 3pm to 7pm Contact: (303) 459-2308

Philosophy

December 4, 2009

India Post

53

www.indiapost.com

Page Sponsored by Sahanis Acceptance is not just a mind game. It is not a thought process. It is not going to happen really by just thinking about it. A deeper insight and process is involved in its understanding. It is a quality that we slowly acquire as we proceed on the path of meditation. This is one of the qualities of a sthitapragya.

Krishna wants us all to get there

Contd from last week cceptance is not negative.

Krishna is not a fatalist.

Krishna is not asking us to accept and do nothing. What has happened has happened. We need to move forward.

If we do not accept the result, we will be spending energy in the outcome itself. We will be fighting with the past and are likely to miss the present. We also do not move forward in any significant process.

That is why I think that Acceptance forms one of the key principles of Dharma. As and when we center in ourselves through meditative process, this principle of acceptance becomes clearer and clearer.

D

DR KRISHNA BHATTA

Krishna is not teaching us to become amoral or break the rules of society. He simply wants us to transcend morality

and then we can find out the meaning of life. I realized myself how just thinking about acceptance is not really getting to that place.

A simple event in my life shook my whole being. Jesus also for a moment thought of what was going on when he was placed on the cross. But, then he could soon say, "thy will be done."

Krishna goes on further about

it possible to get to the point that Krishna is addressing in 4:22.

Our life as I mentioned above is a series of karma (actions) and phala (results). We stay attached to these as long as we do not really understand the acceptance part. Until then karma and results run our life.

We want to be a good boy. We choose to do good work. If we go astray, we feel guilty. The so-

tinues. Results still happen. But they do not run life any more.

Krishna is not teaching us to become amoral or break the rules of society. He simply wants us to transcend morality. The beyond is beautiful. The beyond is plentiful. The beyond has no bondage.

Life is then a true freedom. That is Acceptance.

Concluded

forms. Or again, I would be absorbed in Gauranga. He is the harmonization of two ideals: the Purusha and the Prakriti. At such times I would always see the form of Gauranga.

"Then a change came over me.

The mind left the plane of the Lila and ascended to the Nitya. I found no distinction between the sacred tulsi and the ordinary sajina plant.

I no longer enjoyed seeing the forms of God; I said to myself, 'They come and go.' I lifted my

seek any result in return.

The rajasic sadhana prescribes many rituals: purascharana, pilgrimage, panchatapa, worship with sixteen articles, and so forth.

The tamasic sadhana is a worship of God with the help of tamas.

The attitude of a tamasic devotee is this: 'Hail, Kali! What? Wilt Thou not reveal Thyself to me? If not, I will cut my throat with a knife!' In this discipline one does not observe conventional purity; it is like some of the disciplines prescribed by the

somed forth the lotuses at the centers of Muladhara, Svadhisthana, Anahata, Visuddha, Ajna, and Sahasrara. The drooping flowers turned upward. I perceived all these things directly.

"In deep meditation a man is not at all conscious of the outer world.

The sense-organs stop functioning; the mind does not look outward. It is like closing the gate of the outer court in a house. There are five objects of the senses: form, taste, smell, touch, and sound. They are all left outside.

"At the beginning of meditation the objects of the senses appear before the aspirant. But when the meditation becomes deep, they no longer bother him.

They are left outside.

“How many things I saw during meditation! I vividly perceived before me a heap of rupees, a shawl, a plate of sweets, and two women with rings in their noses. 'What do you want?' I asked my mind. 'Do you want to enjoy any of these things?'

'No,' replied the mind, 'I don't want any of them. I don't want anything but the Lotus Feet of God.' I saw the inside and the outside of the women, as one sees from outside the articles in a glass room. I saw what is in them: entrails, blood, filth, worms, phlegm, and such things."

As recorded by M. (Mahendranath Gupta) in The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

In deep meditation, outer world ceases to exist

RAMAKRISHNA PARAMHAMSA

sometimes go up from the Lila to the Nitya.

"Sometimes, when the mind descended to the Lila, I would meditate day and night on Sita and Rama.

At those times I would constantly behold the forms of Sita and Rama.

Ramlala was my constant companion. Sometimes I would bathe Him and sometimes feed Him. "Again, I used to be absorbed in the ideal of Radha and Krishna and would constantly see their

ciety wants us to behave and we behave. Krishna wants us to become a rebel. He is readying us to break the cycle of karma and results.

Morality is needed but morality has its own constraints. Acceptance of the kind Krishna is talking about takes us to the point beyond karma and results. Karma still con-

Krishna wants us to break cycle of karma & results

A

uring my sadhana, when I meditated, I would actually see a person sitting neat me with a trident in his hand. He would threaten to strike me with the weapon unless I fixed my mind on the Lotus Feet of God, warning me that it would pierce my breast if my mind strayed from God. "The Divine Mother would put me in such a state that sometimes my mind would come down from the Nitya to the Lila, and

what to do after acceptance. He talks about karmaphaltyag and yagya. We have discussed these principles elsewhere and will not explore that further.

The point I am trying to make here is that acceptance is a quality of life and our being. A deep trust or tryst with existence is needed to get to this point. Then and then only is

‘At the beginning of meditation the objects of the senses appear before the aspirant. But when the meditation becomes deep, they no longer bother him’ mind above them.

I removed all the pictures of gods and goddesses from my room and began to meditate on the Primal Purusha, the Indivisible Satchidananda, regarding myself as His handmaid.

"I practiced all sorts of sadhana.

There are three classes of sadhana: sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic. In the sattvic sadhana the devotee calls on the Lord with great longing or simply repeats His name; he doesn't

Tantra.

"During my sadhana period I had all kinds of amazing visions. I distinctly perceived the communion of Atman. A person exactly resembling me entered my body and began to commune with each one of the six lotuses.

The petals of these lotuses had been closed; but as each of them experienced the communion, the drooping flower bloomed and turned itself upward. Thus blos-

There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first... when you learn to live for others, they will live for you.

-Paramahansa Yogananda Changing the world begins with the very personal process of changing yourself, the only place you can begin is where you are, and the only time you can begin is always now.

- Gary Zukav Meditation is not a way of making your mind quiet. It is a way of entering into the quiet that is already there - buried under the 50,000 thoughts the average person thinks every day.

-Deepak Chopra Find a place (inside) where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.

-Joseph Campbell What lies behind us and what lies before us Are tiny matters compared to What lies within us.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.

-Mother Teresa A human being has so many skins inside, covering the depths of the heart. We know so many things, but we don't know ourselves!

-Meister Eckhart

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December 4, 2009

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Obama in Southeast Asia: Winds of change?

TULI SINHA

B

arrack Obama's much awaited sojourn to Asia and, in particular, to Southeast Asia instituted diverse connotations for the region.

Obama's trip to Singapore is historic as it marks the first ever summit of any American president with the leaders of Southeast Asia.

In recent years, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has gradually lost its essence by transforming into a mere talk shop for counter terrorism strategy, co-

espoused the superiority of Western management and professed that more open markets were the best solution to the crisis.

Further, similar feeling of neglect was reinforced by America's focus on counter-terrorism issues post 9/11 and ignoring regional trade and investment initiatives altogether. Moreover, Chinese influence in the region has grown considerably since the 1997-98 financial crises and extended in the wake of the current global eco-

President Obama with Singapore Minister and Mentor Lee

operation on battling pandemic disease, and other unrelated issues. Thus, US participation in the APEC has somehow added tremendous prestige to its fading credibility as an economic organization for the most dynamic part of the globe, specifically designed to boost trade and investment liberalization.

Unlike the Bush Administration, which focused exclusively on the larger Asian players like China and India, Obama Administration is focusing on rather smaller countries signaling a break with his predecessor's foreign policy very deliberately and successfully.

Obama's declaration of himself as the US's first "Pacific President" indicates America's new Asian focus, also reflective of the fact that that the region has been neglected in the past much to the US's detriment in maintaining its pre-eminent position in the region vis-avis China.

Therefore, it becomes imperative to analyze how America calibrates its new engagement and the resulting reaction of China which will definitely play a significant role in determining the regional stability and prosperity of Southeast Asia.

Historically, United States' clout in the region was first hit by its perceived indifferent and opportunistic response to the 199798 Asian financial crises, where it

nomic crisis.

The late 1990s saw China's policy shift away from a confrontational approach, which included material support for several communist insurgencies, a brief invasion of Vietnam and high tensions with several Southeast Asian claimants to potentially oil-rich areas in the South China Sea.

Renewed US interest in the region is welcomed by most ASEAN members as a useful counterbalance to China's surging influence In its place, China began using what many analysts have dubbed as a "soft power" approach to regional diplomacy, combining improved diplomatic relations with heavy investment in economic and infrastructure development projects. The new strategy has seen China work most closely with the region's authoritarian regimes, most notably with Myanmar.

This sudden realization of China's growing clout gave rise to fears among some US officials that America's long-standing influ-

ence in the region could be eclipsed. Changes began under the Bush administration with the creation of a US ambassador for ASEAN Affairs and Obama has carried forward those efforts, beginning with the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's inaugural trip to the region in February when she visited the ASEAN secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Under a doctrine of engaging both friends and foes, a new US policy was announced at the end of September 2009 that provided for the diplomatic engagement with Myanmar's military regime.

The policy offers an alternative to the strict sanctions-led policies of the Bill Clinton and Bush era and removes a recurring impediment to US-ASEAN ties caused

by ASEAN's insistence of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states and the US animosity towards the rights-abusing military regime.

In an address to ASEAN leaders, including Myanmar Prime Minister Lieutenant General Thein Sein, Obama called for the release of pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and other political prisoners, and also for an end to the repression of ethnic minorities.

Surprisingly, Myanmar has not been the only focus of the Obama administration's re-engagement with Southeast Asia. The Chinese allies in the region such as Cambodia and Laos have also seen recent US moves aimed to balance Beijing's influence. For instance, US development and military aid has recently been increased in both countries.

Renewed US interest in the region is welcomed by most ASEAN members as a useful counterbalance to China's surging influence.

Although China has become an increasingly powerful economic force in the region, their exportdriven economies still rely on US markets to fuel growth and America's military still plays a leading role in many regional countries, which includes being a source of weapons and training to counter-terrorism forces in Indonesia and the Philippines, where terror networks linked to al-Qaeda are still active.

Though it is quite early to predict the positive implications of this recent shift in the US policy, Southeast Asia is definitely going to benefit from the super power competition and revived regional attention.

The writer is Research Officer, SEARP, IPCS

India Post Virtues of indecision

I

n his remarks at the US Council for Foreign Relations in Washington, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seemed to raise the indecisiveness of India's democracy to the level of a virtue.

Comparing the Indian and Chinese models of governance, he conceded that the Chinese growth performance was superior but suggested at the same time it was achieved by the "writ of the ruling group in an undemocratic set-up" while ignoring "other values which are more important than the growth of gross domestic product like respect for fundamental human freedoms, respect for rule of law, respect for multi-religious, multi-ethnic rights.

"Certainly, I would not like to choose the Chinese path. I would like to stick to the Indian path," he stressed.

Questions can be asked on India's own record on "respect for fundamental human freedoms, respect for rule of law, respect for multi-religious, multi-ethnic rights." Slip ups can be shown on each one of them. But then the ability of diverse people to raise these issues and demand redress is the safety valve in a democracy.

And what is this Indian path that the Prime Minister would prefer to stick to? A casualness, lack of urgency, tolerance of lot of sloth, allowing all sorts of opposing forces to derail development, and in the meantime giving corruption a wide berth to flourish!

The Prime Minister also said "once democracy decides on the basis of wide-ranging consensus, any reforms that are undertaken will be far more durable, far more effective than the reforms introduced by the writ of ruling group in a non-democratic set-up."

This may be true but the time taken in arriving at a consensus might defeat the very need for taking a decision. So it may be said that dithering is the official Indian policy. If that is a virtue it can be so only if compared to the certitude of fanaticism that is destroying Pakistan.

Look at how decisive has been Pakistan. Always trying to change the world, particularly the neighborhood. Ever since inception, Pakistanis have been intruding into their geographical east and west trying to forcibly change things beyond their borders more to their liking. And failing every time. But that hasn't stopped them from trying again. After the Mumbai attacks, there is a worldwide perception that another attack may be cooking in the jehadi kitchen.

Despite setbacks in Afghanistan, Pakistan is still intent on restoring their own Taliban puppets into power. And within Pakistan, every small group is certain it is carrying out its religious duties by launching armed attacks.

Decisiveness is also associated with dictators or communist systems. And sooner or later their extremism is sought to be reversed, if not carried to another extreme, by another group.

In the somnolent Indian world, it has taken the Liberhan Commission 17 years and 48 extensions to come out with its report indicting the Sangh Parivar for the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992. As if that was not enough the government sat over the report for more than five months. Its hand was forced when the report was leaked in the Indian Express. So the government was saved from taking a decision. This has been the preferred mode of the government's reaction. No action has been taken against those indicted by the Nanavati Commission Report on the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. Same is the fate of the Srikrishna Commission's findings on the 1992-93 Mumbai riots.

Lack of decision making also comes in the way of extremism. It allows the rival groups to cool tempers and with time the issue loses its currency. This seems to be the governance mode in India. Indecision is also in a way a reaffirmation of faith that some higher power is there which will take decisions for us and spare us the dilemma!

December 4, 2009

www.indiapost.com

India Post 55

56 India Post

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December 4, 2009

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