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Srilata Zaheer named Dean of UMinn school Details on page 6

India, US launch 'Open Govt Platform' Details on page 8

ISI frontman Fai sentenced to 2 years prison

VOL 17, No. 917

April 13, 2012

50¢

Periodical Postage

MASSIVE SUPPORT TO SAVE DHARUN RAVI Community launches three-step plan

SRIREKHA CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW JERSEY: With less than eight weeks left for the sentencing of Dharun Ravi, the former Rutgers student who has been found guilty of bias intimidation against his gay roommate Tyler Clementi, there is a groundswell of support from the Indian American community to save him from a harsh sentence and deportation.

Last month, Ravi was found guilty by a 12-member jury on charges of bias intimidation and invasion of privacy for having viewed remotely through a webcam, an intimate encounter between Clementi and another man in their dorm room. Clementi later committed suicide, the exact cause of which was never revealed during the trial. Dharun is now facing 10 years in prison and possible deportation to his native India. Sentencing is set for May 21.

Details on page 5

Dr. Kumble R. Subbaswamy

Dr. Kumble to lead UMass' Amherst campus Details on page 6

Virginia varsity launches $1m India Chair Details on page 7

CUNY accepting ELI English students Details on page 6

Details on page 9

India contributes $4.71 mn to UN Democracy Fund

2 Indians among Champions of Change

Details on page 8 Details on page 10

CONTENTS

India needs large infra funds: Robert Zoellick

Bollywood ---------------------- 24-25 Classifieds ------------------------- 47 Community Post -------------- 12-19 Date Book -------------------------- 46

Details on page 20

Edit Page --------------------------- 49 HealthScience Post --------- 40-43

INDIA POST SURVEY

Horoscope ------------------------- 39

survey@indiapost.com

Immigration Post ------------- 36-39

This week’s question

India ------------------------------ 34-35

Can the community influence a judge?

Life Style ----------------------- 26-28

Last week’s result

BRICS mutual trade won’t affect US? YES 53%

NO 47%

Philosophy ------------------------- 48

KYI OF VICTORY: Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi waves to the crowd as she leaves National League for Democracy (NLD) headquarters after addressing journalists and supporters in Yangon on April 2. Following her landslide victory in a series of by-elections, the United States says it will ease restrictions on investment to Myanmar and quickly appoint an ambassador. (Details on page 11)

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

Publisherís Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 44-45 TechBiz Post ------------------- 20-23 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 29-31

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April 13, 2012

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April 13, 2012

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

Publisher’s Diary

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ecently, the motley group of BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa - announced they would start trade with each other in their own local currencies instead of the dollar.

Keen observers know that for these five countries, with half the world population and 25% of the world trade, this move is but a baby step to establish their clout, and that actual implementation is a long way off. For one, each of them has billions in dollar reserves and wouldn't want to see its value diminishing anytime soon.

Still, while their bravado in sidelining the dollar may be just that, what BRICS has achieved is to set up a series of bargaining platforms.

While in the current scenario the immediate agent provocateur is Iranian oil, it must be stated that nobody really likes Iran. But then, nobody needs the US to tell them whom to like or not like. So should the US fear the BRICS challenge?

Perhaps not. But it sure needs to accept the emergence of alternative power centers in the world, and play along.

BRICS has no intention to supersede the US; only wants its bargaining chips commensurate with the potential of its individual resources. They are using their collective strength to bring the US to the negotiating table and put their own interests first. Simply printing dollars will no longer ensure the US its economic leadership. The dollar, though not ready to be toppled yet, is no longer invincible.

Over the years, the US has - rightly and wrongly - used its bullying power to keep a lot of countries in check. But with emerging economies finding their own voice, the US needs to cede its political supremacy; hold its place, much as a class representative and not the monitor.

What is impressive in all this is the smart politics that India is playing.

Uncannily, India is the only country comfortable in own skin while being friends with the US, Iran, Israel (and Palestine, if you will) and managing to keep even China on its good side. That, traditional critics may well note, is what foreign policy is all about.

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Glam Diva In a recent poll conducted by BIG CBS Love, fans and the viewers voted Priyanka Chopra as India's Glam Diva.

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Cover Story: Saving Ravi There is a groundswell of support from the Indian American community to save Dharun Ravi from a harsh sentence.

Community: TNF convention Philanthropy, education, seminars and entertainment will be highlights of the Tamil Nadu Foundation convention.

India: Struggling school The parents cry out of gratitude to the NGO, Educo, which is supporting this struggling school in Mumbai.

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Life Style: 'Becoming American' 'Becoming American' exhibition is a multimedia record of the challenges and success of generations of Punjabi Americans."

Techbiz: BRICS bank Outgoing World Bank President Robert Zoellick has said he would back the proposed BRICS bank.

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Travel: Mount Abu Mount Abu is one of the popular Jain pilgrimage sites. Going by its lushness, it is called 'the Paradise of Rajasthan'.

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April 13, 2012

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Massive support to save Dharun Ravi Community launches three-step plan SRIREKHA CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW JERSEY: With less than eight weeks left for the sentencing of Dharun Ravi, the former Rutgers student who has been found guilty of bias intimidation against his gay roommate Tyler Clementi, there is a groundswell of support from the Indian American community to save him from a harsh sentence and deportation.

Last month, Ravi was found

based on an ambiguous Bias Intimidation Statute, and is facing up to 10 years in prison and deportation from a country where he spent practically his whole life because of what the jury "thinks" Clementi felt and do not know for sure; that the Bias Intimidation law be revisited; that Dharun not be imprisoned or deported and that punishment should fit his actions.

Still reeling under the shock of the guilty verdict last month, several members of the Indian Ameri-

Giving a detailed presentation of the turn of events that led to Dharun's conviction, Sanjay Sharma, a family friend exhorted the community to act in his support because as he said, ‘as Indian Americans we owe it to our children to come together; it's personally important to all of us’ guilty by a 12-member jury on charges of bias intimidation and invasion of privacy for having viewed remotely through a webcam, an intimate encounter between Clementi and another man in their dorm room. Clementi later committed suicide, the exact cause of which was never revealed during the trial. Dharun is now facing 10 years in prison and possible deportation to his native India. Sentencing is set for May 21.

Since the verdict, family and friends of Dharun Ravi formed a support group called 'Supporters of Dharun Ravi' and have launched, besides a petition on the White House website, a blitz of phone calls, letters, faxes and emails to Congressmen, Senators and NJ Governor Chris Christie, other state lawmakers and offices of the prosecutors and even Judge Glenn Berman in the Middlesex County courthouse.

Copies of the petition are being circulated and distributed in temples, grocery stores, doctors' offices and Indian restaurants together signatures in support of Dharun.

The support group has chalked out three steps for action: to send out a petition to offices of lawmakers; to rally in front of Governor Chris Christie's office; and to sign the petition to President Obama on the White House website. (http://wh.gov/NM1) Nearly 10,000 signatures have already been registered on this site at least 15,000 more are required to elicit some response from the President.

The draft petition states that Dharun has been found guilty

can community came together March 30 at Jewel of India in North Brunswick, New Jersey to chart out a course for collective community action to save Ravi from serving time.

A sense of urgency as well as one of agitation was palpable among the community members who were eager to contribute in any way they could to keep Dharun from being sacrificed in the altar of faulty laws, an overzealous prosecution and insensi-

tive media.

The event was addressed by Ravi Pazhani (Dharun's father), his attorney Steve Altman and friends of the Pazhani family who launched the support group.

With his wife seated next to him, Ravi Pazhani thanked the community for coming out in support of his son. He said that for them as Indian Americans, it was not just about Dharun, and as parents, they would "fight this fight till the very end."

Giving a detailed presentation of the turn of events that led to Dharun's conviction, Sanjay Sharma, a family friend exhorted the community to act in his support because as he said, "as Indian Americans we owe it to our children to come together; it's personally important to all of us."

The question one needs to ask is whether Dharun was a victim or a criminal, Sharma said, urging the community to help multiply the support and take it to the next level.

Two weeks into his freshman year at Rutgers, following his roommate Clementi's suicide, the media picked up the story and ran with it, Sharma said. "The story evolved like something was fueling the fire. Dharun became the poster boy for hate mongers; there were a lot of people behind this including politicians and celebrities."

Dharun Ravi

Dharun's family itself did not know how to tackle the situation, he said, when they started reading the utter lies being written about their son in the media. "We were not sure what to do, whether to reach out to the media or not," he said.

Sharma cited several examples of ridiculous and malicious news headlines before the trial began, some of which referred to it as the "sex video case" or to Dharun as "murderer Dharun Ravi". "This case was presented by media, pushed by activists, labeled by

'At the end, we'll win': Dharun Ravi's Attorney SRIREKHA CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW JERSEY: "I failed to communicate to the jury," said Steve Altman, defense attorney for Dharun Ravi, referring to the guilty verdict handed to his client in the webcam spying case.

Confessing before a large gathering of Indian American supporters of Dharun Ravi, Altman however, added: "But I wouldn't do it any differently, if I had to do it again."

As he heard the guilty pronouncements from the jury on the day of the verdict, Altman said he felt a blow to his stomach. "I couldn't react any other way but anger in that courtroom," he said.

Altman said working with the Pazhanis and in turn understanding the Indian American community has been a wonderful and learning experience for him. "I have handled cases for a diverse

set of communities, but in my 42 years of legal career I have never witnessed community support of this nature for one of their members," he said. "What I am concerned about now is to make sure that Dharun doesn't go to jail."

"The judge (Judge Berman) is now empowered to put Dharun in jail and I have to find a way to overcome that," he said of his task in the weeks ahead before the sentencing. "And all of your support, your petitions, letters, phone calls are important in impacting any decision the judge takes. It is not just the law or the advocacy, but your (community's) support is what will help to keep Dharun out of jail."

"Dharun is a good kid," Altman said, "There is no hate in his heart.

He never did anything out of hate.

What he did was perhaps immature; he had nothing at all to do with Tyler's suicide."

Altman said the Pazhani family has taken a high road in handling the situation.

Castigating the media for having made a villain out of Dharun, Altman said they were "not interested in the truth."

Dharun's parents simply decided to take the high road by not going all out in the media, but by letting things take their course till the truth came out, Altman said.

In response to questions from the community members, regarding garnering political support for Dharun, Altman said, "Politicians have their own agenda; there's no telling what they will do. Realistically speaking, you should target the local leaders as it would be important for them in terms of votes in the next election."

Irrespective of what the sentence is likely to be, Dharun will be appealing the case no matter what to get rid of the guilty conviction, Altman said. "At the end, we are going to win," he averred.

politicians and executed by prosecutors," Sharma said. "They had this muddled new Bias Intimidation Law and found a face to put against it."

The bias law was not very clear, Sharma said, adding that Indian American legal professionals have come forward to help Dharun's attorney Steve Altman to understand and interpret this law and see how Dharun can be brought out of this mess.

To the question that many asked as to why Dharun did not take the plea bargain offered by the prosecutor's office, Sharma said, "In lieu of 600 hours of community service, Dharun was being forced to accept guilt, which would have hung around his neck like a noose for the rest of his life."

Further appealing to the community to act fast in petitioning the relevant authorities, Sharma said, "The implication of inaction is it could be your own child next. We need to let our legislators know loud and clear on a daily basis that his community is upset."

Sharma said that the past one and half years of legal battle has been a financial drain on the family. Still, he said, the Pazhanis have been reluctant to seek financial help because they did not want the community to get a wrong impression about them.

Several of those gathered at the event, however, strongly suggested that the family should take all help they can get - financial and legal - to pursue the case.

Anyone wishing to send any kind of help or signed petitions may mail them to: Support Dharun Ravi, 10 Schalks Crossing Road, Suite 501-700, Plainsboro, NJ 08536.

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Dr. Kumble appointed to lead UMass' Amherst campus India Post News Service

chosen by the UMass Amherst Chancellor Search Committee.

Dr. Subbaswamy, a distinNEW YORK: Dr. Kumble R. Subbaswamy, a physicist who is guished scholar and respected Provost at the University of Ken- academic leader, assumes the tucky, was appointed by the Uni- Amherst chancellorship as the versity of Massachusetts Board campus prepares to celebrate its of Trustees to lead the system's 150th anniversary next year.

"Moments like this define who flagship campus in Amherst, capping a six-month nationwide we are as a University, what our search for a new Chancellor for values are, and what our vision is for ourselves and for the people of the Commonwealth. With that thought in mind, I am proud to recommend Dr. K u m b l e Subbaswamy - a man who has devoted his life to pursuing excellence, to opening doors and to serving others," President Caret said.

"Dr. Dr. Kumble R. Subbaswamy Subbaswamy often notes that he the University's oldest and larg- left his native India to come to here to seek the opportunity and gifts est campus.

The Trustees voted unani- that this great nation bestows. He mously in favor of Dr. will be a great and knowledgeable Subbaswamy upon the recom- leader in what for our students is mendation of University Presi- an increasingly global world."

Dr. Subbaswamy has been Prodent Robert L. Caret, who had been presented with four finalists vost at the University of Kentucky

since 2006. He had joined the University's Physics faculty in 1978 after serving as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of California, Irvine. During his first 18 years at the University of Kentucky, he served as Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences and as Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

As University of Kentucky Provost, he has made priorities of improving student retention and success and reforming the university's general education curriculum. He also supported faculty through improvements to the tenure and promotion process and enhancement of work-life benefits. Other focal areas included interdisciplinary research and training, internationalization, diversity and inclusion, and strategic planning and assessment.

"I accept the position with humility and gratitude," said Dr. Subbaswamy. "I am inspired and excited by the confidence expressed in me by the Board of Trustees, President Caret and the campus community. I look forward to the challenges ahead, knowing full well that the campus is strongly committed to fulfilling its promise and mission as the Commonwealth's public university flagship. I look forward to visiting Amherst soon and then to

Srilata Zaheer appointed Dean of UMinn's management school India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The University of Minnesota has appointed Dr. Srilata A. Zaheer Dean of the University's Carlson School of Management.

"Zaheer is a rare combination of someone who is renowned for her insights on international business, highly regarded for her understanding of the global and local businesses that drive the Minnesota economy, and acutely aware of the needs of the Carlson School as it continues to educate the world's current and future business leaders," Provost Karen Hanson said. "I am delighted that Dr. Zaheer will lead the Carlson School, and I am confident she will position the school, its students, and alumni for future success."

"In Dr. Zaheer, the Carlson School has a dedicated and visionary leader who shares my belief that the University of Minnesota can and will be an institution that solves the challenges facing our state, the nation and the world," said university President Eric W. Kaler. "She has charted a

course for excellence that, while forged by her own unique experience, builds upon Carlson's mission and closely mirrors my vision for an efficient, effective and engaged institution. I look forward to her aggressive engagement with our business community."

Zaheer, the Elmer L. Andersen Chair in Global Corporate Social

Technology, and a master's in business from the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad.

Zaheer, whose research has centered around the risks faced by multinational corporations and on the impact of technology on international location and organization, has won several international awards for her research including

Zaheer is a rare combination of someone who is renowned for her insights on international business, highly regarded for her understanding of the global and local businesses that drive the Minnesota economy, and acutely aware of the needs of the Carlson School Responsibility, joined the Carlson School in 1991 and most recently held the position of associate dean of faculty and research prior to her appointment to interim dean in June 2011. She earned a Ph.D. in international management from the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of

the Eldridge Haynes Award for the best interdisciplinary work in international management. She was named a 2007 Fellow of the Academy of International Business, the highest honor in the field, and was a consulting editor of the Journal of International Business Studies.

Cont’d on page 7

returning to work shoulder to shoulder with our very talented students, faculty and staff. Given the warm reception I received during my recent campus visit, I am eager to move forward on this new journey. In many ways, UMass Amherst already feels like home."

Dr. Subbaswamy was Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Miami from 1997 to 2000, when he left to become Dean of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University in

elor of Science in Physics from Bangalore University, a Master of Science in Physics from Delhi University, and a Ph.D. in Physics from Indiana University. He was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society in 1989. His primary research area as a physicist was the optical properties of novel materials and nonlinear excitations.

"This is a defining moment in the history of UMass Amherst, and we believe we have found the

As University of Kentucky Provost, he has made priorities of improving student retention and success and reforming the university's general education curriculum. He also supported faculty through improvements to the tenure and promotion process and enhancement of work-life benefits Bloomington, serving until 2006.

He has been active in promoting life sciences-related economic development efforts in Indiana and Kentucky. He is active in academia nationally and internationally, serving on a number of panels, including the American Council on Education and the German-American Fulbright Commission.

Dr. Subbaswamy holds a Bach-

right person in Dr. Subbaswamy, who will allow us to dream bigger and achieve more," said James J. Karam, chairman of the UMass Board of Trustees. "We are grateful to the UMass Amherst Chancellor Search Committee for providing us with such an outstanding pool of candidates, and we thank all of the excellent academics and administrators who were willing to participate in this process."

CUNY offers provisional acceptance with English proficiency India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Queens College in New York is offering provisional acceptance into its undergraduate and graduate degree programs to students who meet the minimum English language requirements after studying English through the English Language Institute (ELI).

ELI, a part of Professional & Continuing Studies at Queens College, City University of New York (CUNY), is a high-quality, affordable place to enroll in intensive English language classes. According to the College, upon reaching a certain level of language proficiency, most of its students go on to apply to a CUNY college or another American college or university.

This alternative admissions process, called QC/ELI Path (www.qc.cuny.edu/path ), is attractive for international students for many reasons, the College says. Investing in an education abroad can be costly, and this conditional acceptance increases the possibility that the student will go on to earn a degree. In addi-

tion, for students from certain countries, receiving an American visa is more likely if the goal is to matriculate toward a degree in the US. "We're very pleased that we can now offer this new path to a degree," says Donna Gruber, Executive Director for International Teaching and Learning at QC's English Language Institute. "This can make a huge difference to highly qualified international students who would otherwise not be able to come due to their limited language skills. With our popular and successful ELI already on campus, this is a natural fit for us."

Professional & Continuing Studies (PCS) at Queens College offers unique academic and international educational programs, technology training, and professional development opportunities. Options range from specialized classes within the ELI and membership in the Lifelong Learning Institute to project management, health care career training, ABA-approved paralegal studies certificates, and the Queens College Networking Academy.

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Virginia Commonwealth University launches $1m India Chair India Post News Service

diversities," said Ambassador Rao. "The horizon is limitless for

strengthening international relationships.

He told attendees that India NEW YORK: Virginia Comhas become increasingly important economically to Virginia, becoming the commonwealth's 15th largest trading partner in 2010. And he noted that partnerships such as the India Chair are important for promoting economic growth and strengthening international relationships.

"That's why this vision for this chair is so important because it represents the highest traditions of the best Indian Ambassador Nirupama Rao with VCU President Michael Rao and his wife Monica. ideals of both Pics Allen Jones, VCU Creative Services our nations," McDonnell said.

"As one of the largest univermonwealth University launched a what we can do together," said $1 million multi-year campaign to Ambassador Rao citing a num- sities in the Commonwealth of support a new India Chair in De- ber of ongoing successes as Virginia and located in our capiproof, including VCU's interna- tal city, VCU is an ideal location mocracy and Civil Society.

Indian Ambassador Nirupama tional partnerships with the In- to further the kind of cross-cutRao and Gov. Bob McDonnell dia University of Technology and ting interdisciplinary championjoined Virginia Commonwealth the Postgraduate Institute of ing of ideas that is required of University leaders in launching Medicine and Research and a the India Chair in Democracy and the first of its kind Chair in the collaboration last year between Civil Society," said Gov. United States, which will be planning students from VCU and McDonnell. "The India Chair has housed in the L. Douglas Wilder the Center for Environmental and tremendous potential to become an important resource for the study of Indian democracy, history, culture and civil society for ‘The India Chair has tremendous potential to government and community leaders, academics, and the corporate become an important resource for the study sector throughout the Commonof Indian democracy, history, culture and wealth of Virginia, the United States and beyond." civil society for government and community VCU President Michael Rao leaders, academics, and the corporate secsaid the India Chair provides an tor throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, exciting opportunity for VCU, Richmond and Virginia. the United States and beyond’ "This is a chair that very much aligns with VCU," said President School of Government and Pub- Planning Technology University Rao, who described the chair's in India on a major conservation creation as an incredible source lic Affairs.

Ambassador Rao and Gov. and development project in the of pride for the university. "The McDonnell served as keynote area where India's independence chair will position us as leading partners with one of the world's speakers at the India Chair in De- movement was born.

Gov. McDonnell noted that fastest-growing economies and mocracy and Civil Society Inaugural Dinner April 2, with about partnerships such as the India offer opportunities for economic 200 donors, elected officials and Chair are important for promot- and cultural development. In adother leaders gathered together ing economic growth and dition, the chair will provide our to launch the fundraising campaign.

"I applaud the initiative taken

by VCU to establish the India Chair in Democracy and Civil So- Cont’d from page 6 served as co-director of the Cenciety to foster greater underter for Integrative Leadership at standing about Indian demoShe is a founding member of the University of Minnesota. cratic framework and in promot- the International Academic Coun"I am honored and truly grateing inter-disciplinary studies cil of the Indian School of Busi- ful to be appointed Dean of the across a wide array of subjects ness, set up by McKinsey, Carlson School, an institution to relating to India's democracy, civil Kellogg, and Wharton in which I have a deep connection society, history and rich cultural Hyderabad, India. Zaheer also and for which I have great pas-

students - the next generation of leaders- with a broader picture of India."

The India Chair will lead the discussion about democracy by bringing experts on Indian art, culture, history, politics, economics, business relations and related areas to campus and the surrounding community.

Niraj Verma, director of the L. Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs in the College of Humanities and Sciences, said the India Chair will promote values and friendship.

"This is the first chair, or one of the first chairs, in the country, in the United States, that celebrates the democratic and civil society aspect of the friendship between two countries," Verma said.

"The India Chair in Democracy and Civil Society will bring scholars and thought leaders to Virginia Commonwealth University," said Verma. "It will support activities among our students that further the aims of the chair and above all it will be a vehicle for the Greater Richmond community to participate in India in a way that engages the deepest meaning of values and friendship."

to take concrete follow up measures to forge greater trade and investment ties between India and the State of Virginia.

On April 3, the Ambassador addressed an International Business Summit at the VCU on the theme "The rise of India in the global business arena". She said that rapidly growing commercial elements of India-US business ties including trade in goods and services; technology partnerships; two-way capital flows; research based tie-ups in the field of agriculture, energy, healthcare, etc., provided a key underpinning to the bilateral strategic relationship. She also underscored that fundamentals of India's economic growth remain sound. India's strong domestic consumption; a growing middle class of about 300 million people; India's focus on manufacturing and innovation; and its skilled human resource base would continue to provide new opportunities for commercial ties between the two countries.

On the same day, in her meeting with a cross-section of top business community in Richmond, hosted at the headquarters of Mead West Vaco, the Ambassador underlined that India's

Ambassador Rao with Gov. Bob McDonnell

Holders of the chair will visit VCU for short-term visits or longer stays of up to a year. The chair will host an array of speakers and events.

Forging trade ties In a separate meeting, Amb. Rao and Gov. McDonnell agreed

economic reforms are progressive and investor friendly. India is open for business and the Government of India, and the Embassy in particular are always ready to facilitate strengthened business partnerships between the two countries, she said.

Srilata Zaheer appointed Dean of UMinn's management school sion," Zaheer said. "For the last 20 years, it has been my privilege to work alongside a faculty regularly rated among the nation's elite and with students who represent the best and brightest. Carlson holds enviable strengths in its faculty and staff, its alumni, its stu-

dents and its links to the corporate community. I will work tirelessly on our shared pursuit, guided by a sense of purpose, to make the Carlson School a crucible for the ideas that will shape the future of business worldwide."

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India, US launch 'Open Govt Platform' India Post News Service

NEW YORK: India and the US launched April 4, the release of the jointly developed 'Open Government Platform' (OGPL) in New Delhi, India. The OGPL is a software platform, which will aim to provide enhanced public access to government data and documents, and spur citizen engagement and interface with the Government. The OGPL combines and expands the best features of the India's "India.gov.in" and the US "Data.gov" sites.

The Open Government Platform was launched by Kapil Sibal, India's Minister of Communications and Information Technology. This collaborative endeavor was started as part of a series of initiatives announced by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama in November 2010 in Delhi.

This initiative has been chaired on the Indian side by Sam Pitroda, Adviser to Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations and on the US side

by Aneesh Chopra, former Chief Technology Officer to President Obama. On the US side, the project is now lead by the Chief Information Officer Steve VanRoekel and Deputy Chief Technology Officer Chris Vein.

The purpose of the platform is to enhance access and use of government data to foster innovation; improve delivery of government services for interested countries and cities around the world; and promote government transparency, accountability, and public participation. After the launch, the two sides will work on enhancing the scope and increased use of OGPL as the project moves forward, including offering it to interested countries.

While launching OGPL, Sibal spoke about the impact such a platform would have on improving governance, enhancing accountability and generating greater collaborations between India and the US going forward.

Pitroda spoke about the need for democratizing information and improving governance by creating new tools and platforms such as the OGPL. He also spoke about

This initiative has been chaired on the Indian side by Sam Pitroda, Adviser to Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations and on the US side by Aneesh Chopra, former Chief Technology Officer to President Obama.

On the US side, the project is now lead by the Chief Information Officer Steve VanRoekel and Deputy Chief Technology Officer Chris Vein how this effort is a result of leveraging the collective strengths of the two sides and a great example of collaborative working. VanRoekel and Vein, joining via video from the White House, also shared how the teams from India and the US (India's National Informatics Center and the US General Services Administra-

tion) have worked together using open source technologies and project management tools to develop this product.

The US ChargĂŠ d'Affaires Ambassador Peter Burleigh further said that the Open Government Platform represents a new kind of diplomatic collaboration that benefits the global community. The US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake also addressed the press about this US-India collaboration. Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary, AMS, Jawed Ashraf also spoke about the benefits of this partnership for India, the United States, and countries around the world and also highlighted the collaborative nature of this project.

National Informatics Center Director General Dr. B. K. Gairola spoke about the role of NIC as the technical partner on this project.

He also highlighted the Platform's capabilities and gave an overview of its technical aspects. The India-US OGPL technical team further demonstrated the key features of the OGPL which include: The ability to publish government data, documents, and processes from multiple departments within a government; An internal workflow process for approvals and management of datasets; The ability to create data-rich community spaces around topics of national priorities; Cloud/ Host-based operation at multiple levels of government, with the ability link data from federal, central, state, district, municipal, and local levels; Open source architecture to allow software developers to develop applications and new features to view, compare and use Government data.

Chief decries attempts to 'throw muck at govt, army' KATHMANDU: Breaking his silence, Army Chief Gen V K Singh has dismissed as "absolutely stupid" a report on the "unusual" movement of two army units towards Delhi in mid-January, saying unnecessary attempts were being made to "throw muck" at the government and the army.

Here on a three-day visit, Gen Singh said such reports show that people were unnecessarily trying to throw muck at the government

and the army and they need to be taken to task.

"This is absolutely stupid," he told PTI when asked to comment on the report in the Indian Express that said the government was "spooked" on the night of January 16-17 because of the movement of a mechanized infantry battalion from Haryana's Hisar and a sizeable section of 50 Para Brigade.

"Whosoever is trying to make

stories against the army chief is deplorable.

"And what it shows is that people are unnecessarily trying to throw muck at both the government and the army and such people should be taken to task," he said.

The Army Chief was in Nepal to attend a three-day Regional seminar on Natural Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance.-PTI

India contributes $4.71 million to UN Democracy Fund India Post News Service

NEW YORK: India has contributed a further $4.71 million towards the United Nations Democracy Fund bringing its total contributions so far to $29.71 million.

India thus, is the second largest contributor to the UNDEF. The Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri, handed over a check for $4.71 million on March 30, to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The Secretary General thanked India for its consistent support to the UNDEF and said that he was pleased to receive the contribution from the 'greatest democracy'.

The UNDEF was initiated as a result of a partnership between India and the United States and was launched jointly by India's

ratization. UNDEF plays a unique role complementing the UN's traditional work with Governments to strengthen democratic governance around the world.

UNDEF projects exist in developing countries, in societies in transition and in challenging environments. UNDEF projects are two years long and fall under one or more of six main areas: a) Community development b) Rule of law and human rights c) Tools for democratization d) Women e) Youth f) Media.

UNDEF is based on voluntary contributions from Governments; in 2010, it surpassed 110 million dollars in contributions and now counts 39 countries as donors, including many middle- and lowincome States in Africa, Asia and Latin America. UNDEF grants range from $50,000 to $500,000.

Ambasador Hardeep Singh Puri, Permanent Representative of India to UN in New York handing over India's further contribution of USD 4.71 million for UNDEF to UN Secretary General on March 30

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, US President George Bush and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in New York on September 14, 2005.

At the inception of the Fund, India contributed $10 million.

Thereafter, it made contributions of $5 million each in 2008, 2009 and 2011.

India considers the Fund to be an effective instrument for the promotion of democratic values and processes and has played a prominent role in the UNDEF as member of its apex governing body - the Advisory Board UNDEF supports projects that strengthen the voice of civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes.

Since its inception UNDEF has funded about 400 projects in over 100 countries, bringing total disbursement to some 110 million dollars. The large majority of funds go to local civil society groups- both in the transition and consolidation phases of democ-

Applications are subject to a rigorous and competitive selection process, as UNDEF receives an average of about 2,000 applications a year and only some 60-70 are selected.

Presently, the Advisory Board of UNDEF (for 2012 - 2013) comprises 19 members: 13 Member States, including the seven largest contributors to UNDEF (USA, India, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden) and six countries reflecting geographical diversity and commitment to democratic principles (Jamaica, Lithuania, Tanzania, Timor - Leste, Tunisia, Uruguay) ; three individual members (Prof. Michael Doyle, Professor of International Affairs, Columbia University Chair, Shazia Rafi, Secretary General, Parliamentarians for Global Action, Mr. Jeffrey Wright, Actor and Founder, Taia Peace Founder),; and two civil society organizations (Women's Environment and Development Organisation -WEDO and Third World Network) .

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ISI frontman Fai sentenced to 2 years prison India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai of the Kashmiri American Council has been sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy and tax violations in connection with a decades-long scheme to conceal the transfer of at least $3.5 million from the government of Pakistan to fund his lobbying efforts in America related to Kashmir. Fai, 62, pled guilty of charges on Dec. 7, 2011.

According to court documents filed with his plea agreement, Fai, a US citizen and resident of Fairfax, Virginia, served as the director of the Kashmiri American Council (KAC), a non-governmental organization in Washington, DC, that held itself out to be run by Kashmiris, financed by Americans, and dedicated to educating Americans about the struggle of the Kashmiri people for self-determination.

But according to court documents, the KAC was secretly funded by officials employed by the government of Pakistan, including the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI).

"Mr. Fai spent 20 years operating the Kashmiri American Council as a front for Pakistani intelligence," said US Attorney MacBride. "He lied to the Justice Department, the IRS and many political leaders throughout the United States as he pushed the ISI's propaganda on Kashmir."

"Syed Fai is today being held accountable for his role in a decades-long scheme to conceal the fact that the government of Pakistan was secretly funding his efforts to influence US policy on Kashmir," said Assistant Attorney General Monaco.

"Today's sentence sends a strong message that using the taxexempt status of charitable entities to promote or conceal federal crimes carries heavy consequences," said Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General DiCiccio.

Fai admitted in court that, from 1990 until about July 18, 2011, he conspired with others to obtain money from officials employed by the government of Pakistan, including the ISI, for the operation of the KAC in the United States, and that he did so outside the knowledge of the US government and without attracting the atten-

tion of law enforcement and regulatory authorities.

To prevent the Justice Department, FBI, Department of Treasury and the IRS from learning the source of the money he received from officials employed by the government of Pakistan and the ISI, Fai made a series of false statements and representations, ac-

Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai

cording to court documents. For example, Fai told FBI agents in March 2007 that he had never met anyone who identified himself as being affiliated with the ISI and, in May 2009, he falsely denied to the IRS on a tax return for the KAC that the KAC had received any money from foreign sources

in 2008.

In addition, according to court documents, Fai sent a letter in April 2010 to the Justice Department falsely asserting that the KAC was not funded by the government of Pakistan. Later that year, Fai falsely denied to the IRS that the KAC had received any money from foreign sources in 2009. In July 2011, Fai falsely denied to FBI agents that he or the KAC received money from the ISI or government of Pakistan.

In fact, Fai repeatedly submitted annual KAC strategy reports and budgetary requirements to Pakistani government officials for approval. For instance, in 2009, Fai sent the ISI a document entitled "Plan of Action of KAC / Kashmir Centre, Washington, D.C., for the Fiscal Year 2010," which itemized KAC's 2010 budget request of $658,000 and listed Fai's plans to secure US congressional support for US action in support of Kashmiri self-determination.

Fai also admitted that, from 1990 until about July 18, 2011, he corruptly endeavored to obstruct and impede the due administration of the internal revenue laws by arranging for the transfer of at least $3.5 million to the KAC from

employees of the government of Pakistan and the ISI. According to court documents, Fai accepted the transfer of such money to the KAC from the ISI and the government of Pakistan through his co-defendant Zaheer Ahmad and middlemen (straw donors), who received reimbursement from Ahmad for their purported "donations" to the KAC. Fai provided letters from the KAC to the straw donors documenting that their purported "donations" to the KAC were tax deductible and encouraged these donors to deduct the transfers as "charitable" deductions on their personal tax returns.

Fai concealed from the IRS that the straw donors' purported KAC "donations" were reimbursed by Ahmad, using funds received from officials employed by the ISI and the government of Pakistan.

The KAC Board of Directors meanwhile, said it appreciated the US Government's voluntary withdrawal of FARA charges attempting to brand Dr. Fai, and by default the KAC, an agent of a foreign government. "The KAC is, was and always has been an independently organized and Kashmir focused organization," it said.

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Two Indian Americans among White House Champions of Change India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Two Indian American women are among the nine Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) leaders and organizations to be honored by the White House as Champions of Change.

The nine champions were chosen as part of the White House Initiative on AAPIs "What's Your Story" video challenge launched in the Fall of 2011.

The challenge aimed to highlight the personal stories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the country who have impacted their community through their dreams, experiences, and dedication to a cause. The White House received over 200 videos and 35 essays. From these entrees, the nine inspiring leaders were chosen to represent their communities as part of White House's Champions of Change program.

Among the honorees are San Francisco based artist Nidhi Chanani, and New York based gay activist Suma Reddy.

Chanani is an artist who creates illustrations that capture the everyday romantic and whimsical moments in life. In a fast paced society that is saturated with a variety of media, her work reminds people to recognize those moments. As an Indian-American in the field of art and she actively creates work that represents diverse communities.

Calcutta, India born Chanani connects with a wide audience that is eager to be represented, which demonstrates the need for strong female Asian voices within

the arts, the White House release said. Her work inspires aspiring artists young and old to pursue creativity and to recognize that art can be their voice and path in life.

Reddy shares her honor with Elena Chang, both part of The Asian Pride Project (APP), that aspires to foster greater visibility, pride, acceptance, unity, and harmony for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Asians & Pacific Islander (API) people in their families, cultural communities and beyond. They believe in the power of sharing, connecting, and relating to give API families and com-

Chanani is an artist who creates illustrations that capture the everyday romantic and whimsical moments in life. In a fast paced society that is saturated with a variety of media, her work reminds people to recognize those moments munities the support they need when struggling with the challenges of sexual and gender identities in the API cultural context.

Asian Pride Project is led by a small group of dedicated and passionate leaders of New York City's Asian American LGBT organizations, including Q-Wave - an Asian and Pacific Islander group for those who identify as lesbian,

female bisexual, or transgendered, GAPIMINY - the Gay Asian and Pacific Islander Men of New York, and SALGA-NYC - the South Asian Lesbian and Gay Association of New York City.

The Champions of Change represent the millions of AAPIs who are making a difference in their community, many of whom continue to make a difference without being formally recognized.

The nine leaders and organizations have stood out as demonstrating exceptional leadership in civil rights, immigration, community empowerment, LGBT engagement, anti-bullying, health, and the arts. Their work has been an integral part ensuring that the underserved among them are given a voice.

"These nine champions have demonstrated what it means to be a force of inspiration and change in their communities. It is because of their work that the AAPI community is as strong as it is today.

And it is their leadership that will enable us better address the various needs of the underserved," said Director of the Office of Public Engagement Jon Carson. "We are delighted to have them here at the White House to honor them for the work that they do."

The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama's Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different sector is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, are recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.

Relax norms on import of wine, toys, cosmetics: US to India WASHINGTON: The US has sought from India that it relax norms on a wide range of "technical barriers to trade" covering areas such as toys, cosmetics, wine and telecom equipment.

In its latest report, the United States Trade Representatives (USTR) said the US will press India to revise its labeling requirements for food and distilled spirits in 2012.

It also sought permanent exemption from the requirements that wine and distilled spirits labels include an ingredients list and disclose the date the product was manufactured.

USTR said India's Bureau of Indian Standards has proposed a

"Toys and Toy Products (Compulsory Registration) Order" that would impose additional testing requirements on toys manufactured abroad.

Under the proposed order, foreign manufacturers would only have 45 days to demonstrate that their toy products comply with the proposed testing requirements.

"The proposed rule also appears to establish a new registration procedure that will require foreign toy producers to provide detailed and burdensome information related to toy manufacture," it said.

The US has asked India to postpone implementation of the order until all interested parties have had an opportunity to sub-

mit written comments and the Indian government has had an opportunity to consider those comments.

According to the report, the US noted that India's proposal, in contrast to US and international best practices, would establish a de facto in-country testing requirement.

The US explained that India's safety objectives could be satisfied by less trade-restrictive approaches such as recognizing test results from internationally recognized laboratories, including those accredited under the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangement.-PTI

Two Indians selected as Yale 2012 World Fellows NEW YORK: Two Indians are interdisciplinary festival in Delhi among 16 people selected by the bringing together leading voices prestigious Yale University in from across the world for inspira2012 as its World Fellows. tion, debate and reflection.

The Yale World Fellows ProYadav, with a background in gram is the University's signature advertising, human rights and the global leadership development women's movement in India, has initiative and a core element of focused to empower elected Yale's ongoing commitment to in- women representatives at the ternationalization. grassroots level as key change Ayush Chauhan, co-founder agents in local institutions of govand Managing Director of design ernment across seven states in consultancy company Quicksand India. and Ruchi Yadav, senior program Each year, the university welofficer at The Hunger Project will join 14 othSo far, nine Indians have ers from countries like Argentina, Chile, China, been selected as Yale Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, World fellows since the South Africa and UK for an intensive four-month inception of the program in period of academic en- 2002 and with the selection richment and leadership of two fellows this year, their training at Yale.

So far, nine Indians number has gone to 12 have been selected as Yale World fellows since the incep- comes a group of mid-career protion of the program in 2002 and with fessionals from a wide range of the selection of two fellows this fields and countries for the Yale year, their number has gone to 12. Fellow program.

Among this year's World Fel"The 2012 fellows were selows are an executive with China lected from a global pool repreConstruction Bank, a British mili- senting thousands of innovative tary officer who served in com- difference makers. We are proud mand and staff appointments in to offer them this unique opporAfghanistan, an Algerian private tunity to develop their leadership equity entrepreneur and a former skills while enriching the Yale Argentine minister of economy. community through active particiChauhan heads the multi-dis- pation in campus life," said ciplinary design and innovation Michael Cappello, director of the consultancy, working at the inter- program and professor of pediatsection of business, development, rics at Yale School of Medicine. and culture.

Yale President Richard Levin He is also a partner at the Box said the university community is Collective, where he conceptual- always enriched by the World ized and launched UnBox, the first Fellows.-PTI

AutoZone settles discrimination suit with former Sikh employee WASHINGTON: American auto parts retailer AutoZone has agreed to pay USD 75,000 to one of its former Sikh employee who was barred from wearing turban at work.

The lawsuit in this regard was filed in September 2010 by US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in Boston, according to which managers of AutoZone in Massachusetts prevented Mahoney Burroughs - a newly Sikh convert - from wearing his turban, a religions requirement.

Managers of AutoZone - a Fortune 500 distributor and retailer of automobile parts - made inappropriate remarks such as asking if he had joined al-Qaeda and if he was a terrorist.

There was likewise no inter-

ception when customers made similar terrorist jokes and referred to the man as bin Laden, EEOC said in a statement.

EEOC charged that AutoZone refused to let Burroughs wear a religiously mandated turban and "kara" (a religious bracelet).

Finally, the EEOC alleged that AutoZone terminated him because of his religion and in retaliation for asking for an accommodation and complaining about discrimination.

"It is plainly unlawful as well as cruel and counter-productive to harass employees or co-workers because of their religion," said Elizabeth Grossman, regional attorney for the EEOC's New York District Office, which has jurisdiction over Massachusetts. -PTI

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Rewarding Myanmar reform, US to relax sanctions WASHINGTON: The United States says it will ease restrictions on investment to Myanmar and quickly appoint an ambassador as it seeks to boost reformers who allowed landmark elections in the long-closed nation.

In its latest gestures under a three-year diplomatic drive on Myanmar, the United States said it would step up aid and allow select

officials to visit but stopped short of easing the bulk of two decades worth of biting sanctions.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed the "leadership and courage" of President Thein Sein after the opposition swept the byelections, giving Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi her first seat in parliament.

"The United States will stand

Junta will never be able to get rid of Suu Kyi: Biographer NEW DELHI: Aung San Suu Kyi, elected to parliament in a historic victory, will remain a unifying force for those who desire to see a different Myanmar and a prolonged threat to the junta which will find it very difficult to get rid of the 66-year-old pro-democracy leader, says her Swedish biographer.

"House arrest or not, the only thing one can state with any certainty is that the junta will never be able to get rid of her. She will remain a unifying force for those who desire to see a different Myanmar, and the junta fears her more than anything else," writes Jesper Bengtsson in "Aung San Suu Kyi: A Biography".

"Through her ability to unite the many political and ethnic groups in Myanmar she is, and will remain, the foremost threat against their prolonged monopoly of power. This is the reason they have kept her under house arrest for a decade and a half."

Bengtsson says in his book, published by Amaryllis, he tries to portray the true picture of "one of the most interesting political personalities of our time" and provide an insight into her family and background in Asia and Europe, her political values and her time as a politician.

He, however, feels it is not a comprehensive biography of Suu Kyi, as such a project would require for a start her own participation.

The Nobel laureate was released from house arrest in November 2010. She was earlier set free for almost two years in 200203.

"The military gave me seven years of rest, so now I am full of energy to continue my work," she said after her release. . She is hopeful but very cautious to predict anything for the future.

"My hope for the short term future is that we can continue to rebuild our organization and change more than we have done so far. But the only thing I can

predict is that we will continue to work very hard. What I hope for is that the rest of the world continues to give us strong support," she told Bengtsson.

The book tells about Suu Kyi's early life, her student life in India, her father Aung Sang and his role in the nationalist movement.

Suu Kyi was born to Aung Sang and Khin Kyi on June 19, 1945.

Her name literally means 'Strange Collection of Brilliant Victories'.

There is also a mention of Malavika Karlekar, who attended the same class as Suu Kyi during her years in India.

According to Karlekar, Suu Kyi was very self-disciplined right from the beginning.

"This was even visible in her posture while sitting down, not to mention how she carried herself and spoke. She was also academically brilliant." -PTI

with the reformers and the democrats both inside the government and in the larger civil society as they work together for that more hopeful future that is the right of every single person," Clinton told reporters.

Clinton said the United States would start easing restrictions on US investment and financial services in areas seen supporting the economy and reforms in the country formerly known as Burma.

Officials said they were still deciding the exact measures and timeframe but that one priority would be to allow the use of credit cards in Myanmar, one of the few nations where MasterCard, Visa and American Express are never accepted.

Clinton said that the United States would complete formalities "in the coming days" to send an ambassador to Myanmar, completing a promised upgrade to full relations after a two-decade gap.

The US Agency for International Development will set up a mission inside the country and the United States will support a similar normalization of work by the UN Development Program, Clinton said.

Clinton - who paid a landmark visit to Myanmar in December said that the State Department would also allow select officials and lawmakers to visit the United States and that US private organizations would be allowed to conduct a greater range of work inside Myanmar, including on

health and education.

But Myanmar will remain under a number of tough sanctions set by the US Congress including a ban on its key exports such as jade.

"Sanctions and prohibitions will stay in place on individuals and institutions that remain on the wrong side of these historic reform efforts," Clinton said.

Clinton said the United States was still pressing for greater progress on key concerns including a release of all political prisoners and the end to any condi-

principle" to the measures announced by Clinton.

"The Burmese government has taken many positive steps of late but still has much to do, including ensuring that violence against the Kachin and other ethnic minorities ceases, as well as ending the Burmese military relationship with North Korea," McConnell said.

Aung Din, a former political prisoner and executive director of the US Campaign for Burma advocacy group, was more critical.

He said Myanmar's leaders won

Clinton - who paid a landmark visit to Myanmar in December - said that the State Department would also allow select officials and lawmakers to visit the United States and that US private organizations would be allowed to conduct a greater range of work inside Myanmar, including on health and education tions on those recently released from jails in a major amnesty.

She also called for reconciliation with minority groups and the "verifiable termination" of any military cooperation between Myanmar and North Korea, which plans to test a long-range missile this month.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, the top senator from the rival Republican Party whose approval is critical to confirm an ambassador, gave his "support in

"enormous" rewards even though Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy will hold a tiny number of seats in the military-dominated parliament.

"Today will be the best day for the Burmese regime, which is still killing innocent civilians in ethnic areas in Burma," he said.

The European Union has also been seeking to reward Myanmar and is leaning toward a "substantial" removal of sanctions, a senior EU diplomat said in Brussels.

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Desi News Prominent attorney Mahendra Mehta passes away India Post News Service

CHICAGO: A prominent Chicago based Indian American attorney, Mahendra R Mehta, 82, passed away on March 29 in Chicago, after a brief illness.

Born in 1930 at a Gujarat town in Godhra, Mahendra Mehta had a law degree from LA Shah College in Ahmedabad.

He was one of the old timer immigrants coming to New York in 1968. He studied law and was bestowed a license to practice in Illinois He worked for a while at the Chicago Title and Trust Company but was keen to start his own practice which he did in 1973.

His penchant for helping members of his own community induced him to concentrate more on immigration law.

Quite often he rendered pro bono services to those in need but without means to get an attorney.

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

BAPS Mandir celebrates Swaminarayan Jayanti & Ram Navmi Details on page 17

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April 13, 2012

Education, entertainment to be highlights of Tamil Convention

Details on page 15

International Indian Dance fest from April 20 SEEMA KASTHURI & SHUBHA BASKARIRISH

ST LOUIS: There is a sizeable population of Asian Indians settled in the St. Louis area who have made their American dream come true. The sounds of their dance and music through the St. Louis International Indian Dance Festival on April 20-22 will rock the Clayton High School Auditorium.

The Indian community shares their culture with everyone in St. Louis. The festival is hosting several artists from India, Canada and many other cities of USA. The fourth International Indian Dance festival brings different Indian classical dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi and Mohini Attam. It is the brain child of Guru Prasanna Kasthuri, artistic director of Soorya Performing Arts Details on page 16

CORRIGENDUM In our report on Bridal Expo carried in April 6, 2012 issue we inadvertently identified Raj Goyal as Raj Sharma. The error is highly regretted. Raj Goyal has been one of the oldest travel agents and consultants, and has been in forefront of community activities.

-Editor

100 donors have pledged $ 192,500 for the convention. Picture shows: Padmini Nathan (left), Sam Kannappan, A .K. Subramanian, P. Vaduganathan, Roopa Balakrishnan, S. Narayanan, Srikanth Venugopalan, Rajan Radhakrishnan & S. G. Appan.

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Philanthropy, education, seminars, cultural programs and entertainment will be some of the highlights of the threeday Tamil Nadu Foundation (TNF) annual convention to be held in Hotel Hilton North, Houston, TX, during the Memorial Day weekend of May 25-28.

"Tamil Nadu Foundation seeks to promote education, social and other charitable projects in the State of Tamil Nadu as part of a humble attempt by its members to share their fortunes with the less fortunate," Dr. Deivanayagam, TNF president said. "Many health related activities have been initiated in Tamil Nadu; schools were aided and built; drinking water facilities were established; scholarships were given; famine and drought relief were undertaken and all other social issues were taken up in many areas."

Sam Kannappan, convention chair and Dr. Padmini Ranganathan, co-chair, said the 37th convention to be held in Hilton Houston North is expected to attract over 1,000 visitors from neighboring States. Prominent personalities from the field of performing arts, literature and music are coming from Tamil Nadu.

Noted industrialist and Managing Director of Thiagarajar Mills of Madurai Karumuttu T Kannan

will receive TNF 2012 Excellence Award. He is also Chairman, Board of Trustees of famous Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple and Director, Color Yarns Ltd, Madurai. He is the executive member, INTACH, Madurai chapter; member of the Indian Sociological Society, Delhi; Tamil Nadu History Congress, Chennai; Crafts Council of India, Chennai; Association of British Scholars, Chennai and Institute of Natural Healing, London.

Kannan, a household name in South India, is involved in social

Resident Indians and philanthropists, Kannappan said.

According to Rajan Radhakrishnan, cultural chair of the convention, big names in entertainment industry from Tamil Nadu are expected to enthrall the audience. For the first time, the TNF will conduct a reality show -TNF Idol 2012- competition in music and dance categories for youth.

Some of the dignitaries attending the convention include famous actress and director Suhasini Maniratnam; popular director

"Many health related activities have been initiated in Tamil Nadu; schools were aided and built; drinking water facilities were established; scholarships were given welfare projects of women and children and he is passionate about teaching rural women flower handling skills to promote Madurai's native 'malli' (jasmine) flower. Keen to revive Indian crafts using local wisdom and has developed a vegetable dye project called 'suvasa' and researching seasonal trends.

The TNF has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu to support rural educational projects with the support of Non-

SP.Muthuraman; folksong experts Pushpavanam Kuppuswamy and Anita Kuppuswamy; Tamil orators K. Gnanasambandam, Parveen Sultana and Umayal Muthu; singers Haricharan, Saindhavi and Rahul Nambiar. Noted TV personality Subashsree Thanikachalam is the coordinator for the cultural projects in Chennai.

There will be Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs headed by Dr P. Vaduganathan and the organizers are planning to invite all the top elected officials

of the State to grace the event.

"This is the first ever a major Tamil convention is being held in Houston and we have secured the support of most Tamil Sangams and other organizations across the US, "Ranganathan said. Dr. S. G. Appan has been chosen as chair of the fundraising committee and Srikanth Venugopal as chair of the public relations committee.

Bala Balachandran has been named as coordinator for publicity, Sudha Jeyam as webmaster, Dr. Sivaraman heads the volunteer committee. Vairavan Subramanian and head the souvenir committee and Raj N Thiagarajan coordinate TNF idol competition.

"We are working to bring all the Tamils together for a great cause.

It is very appropriate that the Convention will be held in Houston, TX to give voice for the educational freedom of underprivileged rural Tamil children. TNF has adopted "School Dropouts Project" as its main focus project with the intent of minimizing school dropouts among Tamil children," said Dr. Deivanayagam.

There will be an entrepreneur's forum, matrimonial networking, trade fair and expo, youth forum to cater to the visitors from all age groups, said Venugopal. Net proceeds will go towards reduction of drop outs in TNF-adopted schools in rural Tamil Nadu, Kannappan said.

Community Across America

April 13, 2012

India Post 13

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Lion Prabhu creates new records in Mother District NAND KAPUR

CHICAGO: District 1-A, Mother District of Lionism held their annual convention at The Westin Chicago Northwest from March 30 to April 1 with colorful celebrations. International Director Dr. Gary Anderson and his wife Michelle from Michigan were the guests for the weekend.

This year's theme was "Stars in the Movies" and all rooms were decorated to reflect

Gary Anderson. This was the highest recognized award received by an individual Lion in the Mother District of Lionism.

District Governor Wes Salsbury gave his State of the District address and thanked all lions for their support in making his programs a success throughout the year. Election results were announced and Dr. Austin Prabhu was declared winner for District Governor for the

District Governor Wes Salsbury gave his State of the District address and thanked all lions for their support in making his programs a success throughout the year.

Election results were announced and Dr. Austin Prabhu was declared winner for District Governor for the year 2012-2013 movie stars from Hollywood except one hospitality room. This belonged to Dr. Austin Prabhu and was decorated with Hollywood and Bollywood stars. Continuous running movie videos were shown in this room to provide entertainment.

Three Melvin Jones Fellowship Awards from Lions Clubs International Foundation were presented. Dr. Austin Prabhu was recognized with 11 Diamond Melvin Jones Fellowship Pin by International Director Dr.

year 2012-2013. It was a new record in Mother District of Lionism with Austin winning for the second time as District Governor since 1917.

He thanked his wife Terry and children Anita, Anil, Atina and Angel for their support in his successful mission as a lion. He declared his next year's theme as a Governor - "Nothing is Impossible, Keep Lionism Alive."

The Convention was closed with a cash raffle with a first prize of $10,000 for the winner.

Dr Austin Prabhu with wife Terry

Free eye clinic at Swaminarayan Temple ARVIND THAKKAR

blessings of Acharyashri Koshalendraji Maharaj and with the help of a donation by devotee, J.P. Patel, and under the guidance of Dr Grishma Patel and Premal Kumar Patel, the temple has bought eye examination equipment and has started a complete eye examination service including providing free glasses to needy patients.

Dr Grishma is a practicing Optometrist and provides eye exami-

Dr Grishma Patel examining an eye patient at Swaminarayan free clinic

ITASCA: Midwest Swaminarayan Temple located in Itasca, a northwest suburb of Chicago, has been providing a number of religious, humanitarian and social services to the devotees of Chicago land area and of surrounding states for the last 13 years.

As part of the humanitarian services, from May 2003 the mandir has been providing free monthly medical clinic facility for the needy patients. This was the first such activity in the Chicago suburbs and has been regularly helping 50 to 60 patients every month on an

ongoing basis. The services provided include medical consultation by doctors, blood tests as required and free generic medicines.

More than 2,000 patients have used these services so far. Many other institutions have followed this activity and a large segment of population is now being served without any cost or inconvenience of going to a doctor, buying medicines and for laboratory tests.

Recently, the mandir has taken another step forward in providing eye clinic to devotees. With the

The goal is to expand these services to twice a month to clear the backlog of patients and serve more number of needy people

nation every month. The goal is to expand these services to twice a month to clear the backlog of patients and serve more number of needy people.

Recently, the temple organized a fund raising dinner and presented a drama "Var Maro Lagne Lagne Kuvaro". Devotees packed the hall and enjoyed the Kathiawadi dinner and the comedy drama. The funds collected will be used for medical services.

14 India Post

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April 13, 2012

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Hari Om Mandir celebrates Ram Navmi

Ram Navmi celebration in St. Louis HARISH RAO

Kusum Patel receving Mahila Ratna Award in New Delhi last month

CHICAGO: A group of Gayatri Shaktipeeth activists headed by Kusum Patel and Rajnibhai went to St. Louis to perform Gayatri

head of Chicago Gayatri Shaktipeeth, received Mahila Ratna Award from Vishwa Mahila Pariwar New Delhi for spreading

Devotees at Hari Om Mandir for Ram Navmi Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: Hari Om Mandir celebrated Ramnavami Mahotsav on April 1 in Medinah, a northwest suburb of Chicago, with quite pomp and enthusiasm.

Prayers started on Saturday with reading of Ramayan Path, but the main Bhog Ceremony was held on April 1when Lord Ram's birthday was celebrated at 12 noon with Ram Dhun 'Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram' and Bhajans. Aarti was done at 1:30pm and ladoos were distributed to celebrate the occasion. All the devotees took Mahaprasad and dispersed chanting 'Shree Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram.' The Board of Trustees and Executive Board thanked all those

Chicago yagya

who had helped. Some volunteers worked day and night to make this auspicious occasion successful.

Hari Om Mandir established

nearly two and half decades ago has statues of all major Indian gods & goddesses. Every Sunday there is a Havan and general congregation followed by Aarti and Bhojan Prasad. On every first Saturday of the month there is a Devi Jagran

Prayers started on Saturday with reading of Ramayan Path, but the main Bhog Ceremony was held on April 1when Lord Ram's birthday was celebrated at 12 noon with Ram Dhun from 7-10pm. Every Monday there is Shiv Puja and every Tuesday there is Hanuman Chalisa Path.

There are two learned priests available in temple, for Poojas, Havan, Kathas etc in the temple and at home.

yagya during celebrations of Ram Navmi, the birth day of Lord Ram. The event took place on March 31.

Devotees in St. Louis organized Ramnavmi Gayatri Yagya at Church from 2pm to 5 p.m. Over 200 devotees gathered to offer Gayatri Mantra aahuti. On 1st April Gayatri Yagya was performed at Gayatri Shaktipeeth Chicago. Rajubhai and Damyantiben were the main Yajman.

There will be Pragya puran new katha of this era at Gaytri Shaktipeeth Chicago every Sunday between 5pm-7pm.

Meanwhile, Kusum Patel, the

spirituality-divine culture in a western country for the last 24years.

On 1st April Gayatri Yagya was performed at Gayatri Shaktipeeth Chicago.

Rajubhai and Damyantiben were the main Yajman The event took place on 12th March at Shree Ram Center in Mandi House.

Gayatri Yagya and Ram Navmi celebrations in St. Louis

Community Across America

April 13, 2012

India Post 15

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Ram Navmi celebrated at Manav Seva Mandir Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: Manav Seva Mandir celebrated Ram Navmi Festival at its facility in Bensenville, a northwest Chicago suburb with a week long celebration culminating on Sunday April 1.

The celebration started on the first day of Chaitra and continued to the ninth day correspondingly known as Navratri, which was enthusiastically celebrated daily in the evening and on last day. It was birthday of Lord Ram and it was celebrated with lot of devotion and enthusiasm.

There was a long queue for darshan and thereafter, Mahaprasad was taken by one and all. Jaihind restaurant was the caterer.

According to Dr. C.L. Shastri, the Chief Priest at Manav Seva Mandir, “Bhagwan Shri Ram was Purushottam (Poornavtar). This festival is celebrated on Chaitra Sud (Shukla) Nom-9th day. As part of the celebration, Akhand Ramayan Path Parayan are done regularly. Bhagwan Ram demol-

ished the tyranny of demons and had given rebirth to Hindu Sanatan Dharma. The celebration

The celebration started on the first day of Chaitra and continued to the ninth day correspondingly known as Navratri, which was enthusiastically celebrated daily in the evening and on last day. It was birthday of Lord Ram and it was celebrated with lot of devotion and enthusiasm of Ram Navmi is in some way a special reminder of all the noble deeds and ideals which Lord Ram symbolizes.

Prominent attorney Mahendra Mehta passes away India Post News Service

CHICAGO: A prominent Chicago based Indian American attorney, Mahendra R Mehta, 82, passed away on March 29 in Chicago, after a brief illness.

Born in 1930 at a Gujarat town in Godhra, Mahendra Mehta had a law degree from LA Shah College in Ahmedabad. He was one of the old timer immigrants coming to New York in 1968. He studied law and was bestowed a license to practice in Illinois He worked for a while at the Chicago Title and Trust Company but was keen to start his own practice which he did in 1973. His penchant for helping members of his own community induced him to concentrate more on immigration law. Quite often he rendered pro bono services to those in need but without means to get an attorney.

He came into prominence when in the eighties he filed a law suit against Seymour Hersh who allegedly defamed Indian leader Morarji Desai in one of his books, dub-

bing him a CIA Agent.

Mahendra Mehta was married to Shankutala Parikh who is 80 now

Mahendra Mehta (Pic Asian Media USA)

and is in good health. Mehta is survived by his son Snehal and daughter Sonal. His cremation and final rites held at Bohemian Fu-

Community raises $4,000 for Jim Himes election

Indian American supporters of Rep. Jim Himes for Congress held an interactive session with the Congressman and raised $4,000 at a fundraiser in Stamford, Connecticut. A member of the Congressional Caucus on Indian and Indian Americans, Rep. Himes has been actively engaging with the community since his election in 2008. The group endorsed Himes for Congress and appealed community's support for his re-election campaign.

INOC elects new president India Post News Service

NEW YORK: George Abraham, the founding General Secretary of Indian National Overseas Congress (INOC), has been appointed as the new President for the term 2012-13. INOC is a part of Indian

National Congress, the ruling political party in India.

Abraham's appointment was made by Dr. Karan Singh, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of All India Congress Committee (AICC) New Delhi at the recommendation of vast majority

of INOC members led by its National Vice President Shudh Prakash Singh.

Abraham succeeds Dr. Surinder Malhotra who has been the President for the last 12 years.

Dr. Malhotra has been given an honorary position of Chairman

Emeritus for his services to INOC. "I am truly humbled by this appointment and consider it as an honor," said Abraham. "I am looking forward to working with the Diaspora in strengthening the organization and accomplishing the stated goals."

neral Home/crematorium in Chicago were well attended by his family members, friends and com-

He came into prominence when in the eighties he filed a law suit against Seymour Hersh who allegedly defamed Indian leader Morarji Desai in one of his books, dubbing him a CIA Agent.

Mahendra Mehta was married to Shankutala Parikh who is 80 now and is in good health munity members. Sohan Joshi, a former President of FIA and a good friend of Mehta, said that besides being a successful legal practitioner, he was quite active in community affairs.

Community Across America

16 India Post

April 13, 2012

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International Indian Dance Festival from April 20 SEEMA KASTHURI & SHUBHA BASKARIRISH

ST LOUIS: There is a sizeable population of Asian Indians settled in the St. Louis area who have made their American dream come true. The sounds of their dance and music through the St. Louis International Indian Dance Festival on April 20-22 will rock the Clayton High School Auditorium.

The Indian community shares their culture with everyone in St. Louis. The festival is hosting several artists from India, Canada and many other cities of USA. The fourth International Indian Dance festival brings different Indian classical dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi and Mohini Attam. It is the brain child of Guru Prasanna Kasthuri, artistic director of Soorya Performing Arts.

This year's festival will feature leading exponents: Savitha Sastry whom the San Francisco Voice raved as "breathtaking" moves like a temple sculpture come to life; Ramya Ramnarayan (New Jersey),

winner of the prestigious Artist Fellowship Award for Choreography by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation; Enakshi Sinha (Canada) whose dance was described by the Pulse, London as "captivating"; Viji Rao (Philadelphia) who has worked with top

The chief choreographer of Pampa dance academy of San Jose, Nirmala Madhava, returns this year with novel captivating group recitals. She will be presenting Aaradhanam (prayer or worship) in both Kathak and Bharatanatyam style. The festi-

The fourth International Indian Dance festival brings different Indian classical dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi and Mohini Attam choreographers and dancers in productions by Indian, American, Canadian and British dance and theatre companies, Dancer-Choreographer Sushma Mohan from Los Angeles who will present her successful production Srichakra on the mystic Hindu triangle that was raved by the Indian press.

val is a kaleidoscope of dances representing all classical dance styles of India. Other than Bharatanatyam, the other dance forms that will be presented will be the sprightly Kathak of North India by Prashant Shah (India), and graceful Odissi from the Eastern Indian state of Orissa.

Sushma Mohan

'Practicalculation' using Vedic mathematics ASHWIN PATEL

ST LOUIS: Sreenivasa Ramanujan Mathematricks club, organized by Sanghamitra, a non-profit organization in St Louis, presented 'Practicalculations using Vedic Mathematics' on March 17, 18, 24 and 25.

Twenty eight participants including adults attended the program and enjoyed it. y. During this four day program the participants learnt Finding Square of a number 1 to 100, finding the ratio of sides of right angled triangle, quotient and remainder when divided by 9, doubling and halving and many more practical applications during the session. Parents and kids participated with the same enthusiasm. Many kids expressed their interest in joining the summer program.

Srinivasa Ramanujan Mathematricks Club conducts classes every summer for two months (June and July), during which it shares knowledge including Vedic Mathematics, problem solving techniques etc.

Medhavadhanam is presentation of the skills by each participant followed by award ceremony. Audience questions are an-

Srinivasa Ramanujan Mathematricks Club conducts classes every summer for two months (June and July), during which it shares knowledge including Vedic Mathematics, problem solving techniques etc swered without using a calculator or paperpencil or any computing aid, that too within a minute.

Math Club participants in St Louis

Sikh Council relief at stay of Rajoana execution India Post News Service

WASHINGTON: Dr. Rajwant Singh, Chairman of the Washington based Sikh Council on Religion and Education, expressed relief at the temporary stay of hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana due to presidential intervention.

Dr. Singh said, "We believe that it is a step in the right direction to assuage the feelings of Sikhs a bit. There is a widespread anguish in the commu-

nity due to this scheduled execution of Rajoana and spontaneous reaction all over expresses that feeling. It is critical that the Central and State governments take steps to handle this issue carefully and commute the sentence in the larger interest of public good and maintaining peace and harmony in the nation."

He added, "While Rajoana's fate is being discussed, one cannot overlook the era Punjab and its people have witnessed un-

Dr. Rajwant Singh, Chairman

der the rule of Chief Minister Beant Singh. Extra-judicial killings, summary executions, fake encounters, disappearances were routine due to sweeping powers given to security forces under the pretext of wiping out terrorism. Many innocent lives were impacted and many of those homes are still awaiting justice. No official inquiries have taken place to look into these violations of rights by the state machinery.

"In the face of no respite to

those who suffered in Punjab under Beant Singh, this planned hanging of Rajoana certainly has lead many in the Sikh community to believe that the justice system in India is one sided when it comes to dealing with violations related to 1984 and its aftermath. That is the primary reason why his case resonates with so many. This sense of alienation must be removed and governments have the responsibility to play a positive role to heal the wounds."

April 13, 2012

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India Post 17

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BAPS Mandir celebrates Swaminarayan Jayanti & Ram Navmi

India Post News Service

CHINO HILLS, CA: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi once proclaimed, "Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart."

The power of prayer obliged

prayer is the center of all life affirming traditions and spiritual practices. Centering on the power of prayer, this year's annual festivities of Swaminarayan Jayanti and Ram Navmi celebrated the unequivocal, compassionate nature of Bhagwan upon us humans.

On the auspicious evening of Sunday, April 1, enthused devo-

This year, a unique emceed program complimented the theme, 'He Nath Sunjo prathana', creating an exciting atmosphere that enthralled the hearts of all the attendees.

Short verses from Harililamrut were recited the kind almighty to come upon this earth and listen to the plight of his merciful devotees. It were the sincere prayers of many devout believers that compelled Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Ram to take birth on this earth, establish the principles of religion, and eradicate evil from this world. As a bridge to god,

tees gathered at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, CA to commemorate the 231st birth anniversary of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Annually, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha celebrates this ninth day of shukla paksh in the lunar month of chaitra with great fervor and pomp as it denotes the birth of

Ghanshyam, the childhood name of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, as well as the birth of Bhagwan Ram. An absolute divine mood was witnessed by all who attended as children, youth, and adults combined their talents to put forth an excel-

lent performance adorned with themed verses, skits, and speeches.

This year, a unique emceed program complimented the theme, 'He Nath Sunjo prathana', creating an exciting atmosphere that enthralled the hearts of all the attendees.

Short verses from Harililamrut, a sacred scripture describing the divine ventures of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and His devotees, were recited throughout the program. The performances highlighted the results of hearty prayers of well-known devotees

such as Mava Bhagat and Naja Jogia to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, along with his qualities that propelled him to consider every single one of their prayers. Similarly, Bhagwan Ram granted liberation to Shabri by eating her half-eaten berries.

The assembly allowed each attendee to experience an intimate reflection of their personal spiritual journey. The impactful evening concluded as all the devotees merrily joined in singing, "Dharma gher anand bhayo, Jay bolo Ghanshyam ki".

Community/California

18 India Post

April 13, 2012

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BAPS hosts balanced living conference for women

With over 300 women in attendance, the womenĂ­s conference brought together professional women from multiple generations and backgrounds, filling the room with diversity.

India Post News Service

CHINO HILLS, CA: Contributing to the worldwide commemoration of the 101st International Women's Day, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha celebrated its fifth annual Women's Conference in Chino Hills on Saturday,

with practical scenarios from the twenty-first century.

Following the theme of "Purusharth - Balanced Living," experts ranging from college professors to healthcare professionals incorporated presentations discussing the four purusharths, namely Dharma, Artha, Kama, and

The focus of the Women's Conference was on the ancient Hindu teachings of the four purusharths (goals of life), which resonated with women within the Indian-American community who work hard to balance various aspects of their personal, career, and social lives.

March 24. This year's focus was on the ancient Hindu teachings of the four purusharths (goals of life), which resonated with women within the Indian-American community who work hard to balance various aspects of their personal, career, and social lives.

BAPS hosted an engaging conference with panelists who shared pragmatic applications of the purusharth teachings. Many Hindu scriptures, including the Bhagvad Gita and Upanishads, speak of discovering a point of equilibrium and balance while making progress through different phases of one's life. The conference presented the perfect opportunity for Indian-American women to coalesce these ageless values

Moksha. Expressing her thoughts regarding the focus of the conference, Conference organizer Bindi Patel noted, "The theme of today's

event has relevance in all aspects of our lives as mothers, wives, and daughters. The topics discussed today dealt with how to balance our daily lives with our families, our careers, and spirituality."

The program commenced with the children's wing of BAPS singing the Shaanti-Path, a Hindu

Rakhee Patel, a fourth year dental student, discussed how she is able to balance her spirituality whilst being faced with the challenges of graduate school and losing a loved one at a young age.

She mentioned, "Everything happens for a reason through the will of God� prayer for peace. Following the prayer, the children sang the national anthems of the United States and India.

The program commenced with the children's wing of BAPS singing the Shaanti-Path, a Hindu prayer for peace. Following the prayer, the children sang the national anthems of the United States and India.

In presenting the Kaam purusharth, Ms. Kavita Patel emphasized all that is encompassed within Kaam (ambitions). She noted the importance of Kaam in providing balance between ambition and dharma.

In presenting the Kaam purusharth, Kavita Patel emphasized all that is encompassed within Kaam (ambitions). She noted the importance of Kaam in providing balance between ambition and dharma. She mentioned that Dharma gives us boundaries that enable us to fulfill our Kaam,

only constant in life is God." The other two panelists, Nilam Singh and Nikshita Patel discussed their personal experiences on balancing family life with their professional careers and maintaining spirituality through it all.

Aspects of the Dharma purusharth, pertaining to living a

Ms. Chital Selvakumar moderated a panel discussion that focused on the Artha purusharth, with the topic of 'Simple Living, High Thinking'. The panel discussion comprised of a group of professional women who have excelled in their careers while balancing family and spirituality.

which then allows us to successfully handle what the world gives us.

Chital Selvakumar moderated a panel discussion that focused on the Artha purusharth, with the topic of 'Simple Living, High Thinking'. The panel discussion comprised a group of professional women who have excelled in their careers while balancing family and spirituality. Rakhee Patel, a fourth year dental student, discussed how she is able to balance her spirituality whilst being faced with the challenges of graduate school and losing a loved one at a young age.

She mentioned, "Everything happens for a reason through the will of God. Worrying about the whatifs won't get you anywhere. The

righteous life, was displayed through a thought provoking video presentation, Moksha purusharth, focusing on the true definition of what it means to be liberated from birth cycles. It was presented by Deepa Mehta-Tank.

Darshana Patel, an IT Professional from Corona, CA echoed the sentiment expressed by a number of professionals in attendance. In conveying her thoughts, she stated, " I am impressed by the number of career-oriented women in attendance and by their amazing ability to maintain their commitment to their families as well as allocate time for community service."

Cont’d on page 19

April 13, 2012

Community/California

India Post 19

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Suit filed against city denying Muslims' rights India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) and the law firm of Hadsell Stormer Keeny Richardson & Renick LLP (HSKRR) have filed a law suit against the City of Lomita and City Council Members for their "unlawful" denial of the Islamic Center of South Bay's (ICSB) rebuilding application.

The complaint, filed in the United States District Court, Central District of Calif., claims that the city's actions violated the mosque and its congregants' rights to worship, assembly and expression, under the Religious Land Use and

Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), the U.S. Constitution, and the California Constitution.

The complaint states: "To date, ICSB has been unable to renovate or unify its facilities into a single house of worship to accommodate

refugee camp rather than a religious institution."

The mosque is seeking injunctive relief in the form of permitting its rebuilding to take place, as well as compensatory damages.

"The Islamic Center of South

The City Council denied the mosque's application, despite its recommended approval by the city's Planning Commission, Public Safety and Traffic Commission and City planning staff the religious needs of the congregation, thereby substantially burdening the religious practice of ICSB's congregants. Its facilities remain inadequate, resembling a

Bay serves a diverse Muslim community, including medical doctors, dentists, university professors, attorneys, business owners, county and federal employees and

BAPS hosts balanced living conference for women the traditions and values of the previous generation. The older generation appreciated the challenges faced by the younger generation in balancing their careers while cultivating family values.

The conference also helped bridge generational gaps and reconcile differences between women raised in various cultures.

The conference concluded with a traditional Hindu prayer for peace as well as an opportunity to network and socialize with one another during a post-conference reception.

Attendees were impressed with the participation of young women in organizing the event and expressed the importance of holding such forums to address issues impacting women. Many women also felt enriched and inspired by the talks and conveyed their motivation to share the message with their families and friends.

Guests being welcomed Cont’d from page 18

Another conference attendee, Ritu Rajparal, appreciated the thought provoking questions presented during the talks. "It was very informative. I love seeing women empowering women. It was a wonderful event."

With over 300 women in attendance, the conference brought together women from multiple generations. The younger generation realized the relevance and value of their heritage and gained an understanding and respect for

The conference concluded with a round-table dinner reception, allowing the attendees to share their feelings of inspiration on the event. Many women felt enriched and inspired by the talks and conveyed their motivation to share the message with their families and friends.

college students," said mosque spokesperson Dr. Iraj Ershaghi.

"We are disappointed that the Lomita City Council Members' actions violated federal laws that protect our religious rights, and yielded to negative pressure from a small but vocal opposition and denied our application, despite recommendations for its approval from their staff and the Planning Commission."

In March 2010, the Lomita City Council considered the mosque's application to renovate and unify the 8 disjointed buildings into a single prayer space with increased parking and an indoor community hall for dining and meetings. Currently, the mosque's dining area is outdoors, covered by tarp.

Mosque representatives worked with neighbors and city staff from 2008 to 2010 and repeatedly revised their application to mitigate neighbor and city staff concerns.

However, the City Council denied the mosque's application, despite its recommended approval by the city's Planning Commission, Public Safety and Traffic Commission and City planning staff.

In denying the request, council members indicated concern over parking and traffic despite the City staff's findings that the renovated facilities would improve

parking and traffic flow. Council members also objected to the potential loss of tax revenue of rezoning the mosque's commercial lots to residential, despite the properties' continual use as a religious facility since 1985. The city rezoned the properties in 1989 to commercial retail, precluding the mosque from rebuilding its facilities without a zone change.

The city's application denial has forced congregants who pray inside the prayer hall "to squeeze, bend and twist during prostration...because of the unusable space, some women pray in a separate building and listen to sermons through a television set which often malfunctions and excludes women from participating in the communal prayers..." the complaint states.

The complaint also claims that only about 13 ablution stations contribute to long lines and delays for congregants, a lack of sufficient parking forces street parking and traffic congestion, and an outdoor eating area prevents families and children from participating in communal meals during cool and hot months.

Moreover, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) opened a civil rights investigation of the City's decision to deny the mosque's permit. The investigation is ongoing.

Readers Write... www.indiapost.com

Thank you, Consulate

U

sually we hear about bad experiences with Indian embassies. I had a very positive experience. A friend of mine from Dayton, Ohio, went to see his ailing mother in India. She passed away. On the third day, when we collect bones called Fhul Chugne, he had a severe heart attack and didn't survive.

His wife had to go to India to join the funeral.

Ohio is under the jurisdiction of New York consulate office.

They called me and asked if she can get visa from Chicago, that way she can also fly from here as she has nobody in New York. I called my longtime friend Mr. Nand Kapoor who is founder member of AIA (Association of Indians in America). He called Mr. Suresh Menon at the embassy and asked him if visa for Dayton resident is possible from Chicago.

Mr. Menon said as long she

has traveled before to India and her particulars are in their data base, she can. She applied online for emergency visa and got to the embassy at 9am next day.

They sent her to outsourcing office to deposit money and complete application.

Outsourcing people were very helpful and we were done by 9:30am. We came back to the embassy and everyone knew she was coming and needed emergency visa.

The receptionist kept us informed that she will get her visa kept us update about waiting period.

By 11:30am, she had the visa and she booked the 3pm flight.

So thank you Mr. Kapoor, thank you Mr. Menon, thank you outsourcing and thank you embassy. May God bless you all for helping a person in need.

Thakar S Basati Chicago, IL.

Disclaimer :- India Post does not endorse opinions expressed in the letters.

Tech News Yahoo Inc dropped from suit against social websites NEW DELHI: The US-based Internet giant Yahoo Inc, accused of hosting allegedly objectionable content on its site, has got relief from a Delhi court which removed it from the list of accused parties.

Administrative Civil Judge (ACJ) Praveen Singh allowed the application of Yahoo Inc for removing its name from the list of accused websites after Santosh Pandey, counsel for plantiff Mufti Aijas Arshad Quasmi, gave his no objection to it.

The company, in its application, had told the court that there was no defamatory material posted on its website and that no case was made out against it.-PTI

Indian ADRs lose USD 6-bn of market value in March NEW YORK: Shares of Indian companies trading on American bourses took a severe beating last month, as their overall market valuation tumbled by nearly USD six billion during March 2012 amid gloomy global market conditions.

During the month, the 15 Indian entities listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq saw their cumulative market value plummet by a staggering USD 5.69 billion. This followed a collective loss of about USD 120 billion during entire 2011.

While companies like Tata Motors and Sterlite Industries witnessed considerable decline in their valuations, Dr Reddy's Laboratories, WNS Holdings and Genpact witnessed an increase in their respective market capitalization in March 2012.-PTI

India ready with all-weather imaging satellite BANGALORE: India is set to launch an indigenous satellite with the "unique" capability to capture images in all-weather conditions that will facilitate agriculture and disaster management, ISRO said here.

India currently depends on images from a Canadian satellite as domestic remote sensing spacecraft cannot take pictures of the ground during cloud cover.

After nearly 10 years of effort, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has developed - with a lot of participation from Indian industries - a microwave satellite that has the unique capability of imaging during day and night and in all weather conditions, it said. -PTI

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April 13, 2012

Tata Motors to replace suspension part in Manza NEW DELHI: Tata Motors is replacing free of cost a part in the suspension system of its mid-sized sedan Manza that has been sold so far, without calling it a recall.

"We are replacing a plastic component called anti-roll bar bush which is connected to the suspension of the car. I am not aware of any complaint from customers and we are replacing it free of cost," a Tata Motors spokesperson told PTI. He said the company is changing the anti-roll bar bush with a more sturdy material than the earlier one.

The anti-roll bar bush is placed between two moving metal parts to prevent friction and provide stability to the vehicle while on the move. "We are not recalling the Manzas. We are just changing the part as and when the cars are brought to the service centers by customers," he added.-PTI

India needs large infra funds, says WB prez on BRICS bank BEIJING: Outgoing World Bank President Robert Zoellick has said he would back the proposed BRICS bank desired by the five member grouping for various reasons including large infrastructure demand by India.

The bank chief said he favored his organization working with such a lending agency as with any other development bank.

Answering questions at the Boao Forum for Asia in China's Hainan province on the plans of BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - to have a bank of their own, Zoellick said it is still to be finalized by the Finance Ministers of the five nation bloc.

"It's still at the stage where the Finance Ministers are analyzing it to go forward. As a general principle, my view would be, if the countries want to develop it, then we should work with it," he said, according to the transcript circulated to the media by the World Bank.

He said it is important to understand what was driving countries like, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, (BRICS) to have a Bank of their own.

"People often jump to an issue and they don't step back and think about what's driving it. In India it's very much a concern that they want more multilateral financing.

Their needs for infrastructure financing are very great," he said.

"They've drawn on the Bank support over years. I think our total outstandings are about USD 38 billion from different sources in In-

World Bank president Robert Zoellick gestures as he attends attends a forum entitled 'Employment and Growth' during the Boao Forum for Asia on the southern Chinese island of Hainan on April 2

Forming a bank is not an easy venture. So there'll be some sensitive issues as to who the President of the Bank is, and where it's located, and where the capital will be. It will have to get a rating. We have an AAA rating, which influences your overall financing," he said dia.

"Frankly, we've been somewhat limited about what we can do in India going forward, in part because our share holders say, well, you don't want too much to one country and so on and so forth," he said.

"I've actually tried to push against that. I increased the single borrowing limit for India, and I'm trying to look for innovative ways

we can leverage our financing with guarantees and others.

On China he said: "My guess is, in China, obviously it's (the reason for the proposed bank) not so much a financing vehicle. It may be a way to further internationalize their Renminbi (currency) and transactions to be supportive of other countries," he said.

"But it's important to recognize if you can't serve the country ef-

fectively, well then, they're going to look elsewhere," he said.

Stating that BRICS will face problems such who will head the proposed bank, he said it will help China to further internationalize its currency.

"Now I have to say, forming a bank is not an easy venture. So there'll be some sensitive issues as to who the President of the Bank is, and where it's located, and where the capital will be. It will have to get a rating. We have an AAA rating, which influences your overall financing," he said.

"So those will be issues that'll have to be worked out.

But, at least my political economic philosophy for the World Bank is, we should be open to work with any we can and it's based on this idea.

"If others can bring capital, if others can bring knowledge, and we work with foundations; and we should figure out in some ways to support them, and there's other ways we can be a catalyst," he said.

On the BRICS Bank he said, "We work with the regional development banks, I actually created a series of partnerships with the Islamic Development Bank, the Arab Development Bank, and those institutions were probably more like the BRICS bank in they'd probably be more of a financing vehicle than a knowledge and experience vehicle".

He said World Bank also works with NGOs, private sector and other institutions. -PTI

Facebook hires UP student for annual Rs 1.34 crore

F

acebook has hired an engi neering student for an annual package for Rs 1.34 crore, making it as one of the biggest offers given to any alumnus of technical institution of the country.

The lucky man is an Indian B.Tech student from Allahabadbased Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology

(MNNIT). Hiring for a high amount, in 2010, a student from IIT Madras was appointed for an annual sum of Rs 1.7 crore.

Feeling proud on his students, P Chakravarti, Director, MNIT said that, many students

have bagged lucrative jobs and around 30 alumni have been hired for more than Rs 10 lakh package from companies namely Microsoft, Amazon, Adobe and others.

Facebook has been recruiting

students from technology institutions in India, especially IITs. This is the first time it has recruited someone from NIT. Chakrabarti refused to divulge details of the student citing privacy reasons. The student, said the director, would join Facebook in June after his final examination.

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India will continue to woo foreign investments: Montek BEIJING: Amid concerns over Indian government's move to amend tax laws retrospectively, Planning Commission Deputy Chief Montek Singh Ahluwalia has said that as a policy the country would continue to woo foreign investments.

"There is absolutely no question of India having turned against foreign investment," Ahluwalia told The Wall Street Journal.

Indian government's proposed amendment to the Income Tax Act, 1961, to bring into tax net Vodafone type overseas mergers and acquisitions involving domestic assets, has evoked sharp

George Osborne with Indian Finance Minister P r a n a b Mukherjee in New Delhi.

Several global business associations, in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had sought reconsideration of the retrospective amendment cautioning that the proposed changes could impact

Pointing out the concerns are overblown, he said, "We are saying that as long as the asset in India is taxable, and whoever is buying the thing better pay the withholding tax". He regretted that some budget proposals had been "a little bit misrepresented" reaction from various quarters which feel it would hurt foreign investment.

The issue was also raised by UK Chancellor of Exchequer

foreign investments into India.

Clarifying on the controversy, Ahluwalia said, "The policy (of India) remains one of strongly encouraging foreign direct invest-

Montek Singh Ahluwalia

ment, and also portfolio investment into India."

Pointing out the concerns are overblown, he said, "We are saying that as long as the asset in India is taxable, and whoever is buying the thing better pay the withholding tax".

He regretted that some budget proposals had been "a little bit misrepresented".

According to Ahluwalia, "What has happened is that there's been a profusion of news reporting, which is certainly giving the wrong impression". -PTI

India-China working groups to meet next month BEIJING: A high level Indian delegation would visit China next month to streamline mutual investment opportunities between the two countries and discuss steps to remove impediments in this regard, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said.

nomic Dialogue (SED) held in Beijing last year.

The groups were tasked to make comparable and comparative studies on sectors like railways and water resources that could act as benchmark for both countries.

Four groups were set up to work on issues relating to infra-

The groups were tasked to make comparable and comparative studies on sectors like railways and water resources that could act as benchmark for both countries.

Four groups were set up to work on issues relating to infrastructure, energy, environment and high technology A delegation headed by Planning Commission Member B K Chaturvedi would visit China next month to discuss investment related opportunities with Chinese officials, he told reporters after attending the Boao Forum for Asia in China.

He said the two countries formed working groups under the first India-China Strategic Eco-

structure, energy, environment and high technology.

The fifth working group on policy coordination, he said, will attempt to remove obstacles for investment.

"This group is looking at what it is holding up investment. They have problems about visas. We do need on our own to make a very clear judgment. Are we in favor of

Chinese companies going to India? My view is we should be in favor of them," he said.

The working group in India will study the problems and solutions of particular sectors and compare them with the studies conducted by the Chinese counterpart, he said.

"We are running a more and more open economy with integration with global economy. We are looking at a country that in 20 years times is going to be the largest economy in the world," Ahluwalia said.

Besides holding talks Zhang Ping, who is the head of China's National Development Reform Commission (NDRC), Ahluwalia also met China's Vice-Foreign Minister Cui Tian Kai. "Zhang Ping expressed satisfaction that SED is taking off," he said.

On retrospective amendment to the tax law to deal with cases such as Vodafone, he said, "there is certain excessive reaction".

He left for India after a three day visit to Boao, a coastal town in Hainan province. -PTI

Lockheed bags deal to supply laser-guided bombs to IAF NEW DELHI: US defense major Lockheed Martin has bagged a deal expected to be worth over about USD 197 hundred thousand for supplying laser-guided bombs (LGBs) for the Jaguar fighter aircraft fleet in the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The IAF plans to induct more than 100 bunker-buster LGBs for its Jaguar warplanes to destroy strongly fortified enemy targets.

"We have emerged as the lowest bidders in the deal for supplying LGBs to the IAF. We have offered our Paveway II LGBs for the Jaguars and contract negotiations are on in this direction," Lockheed Martin India head Roger Rose told PTI. The IAF had issued a global Request for Proposal (RFP) for the purpose last year, and Lockheed Martin along with Raytheon and

an Israeli missile manufacturer had taken part in the tender.

With their capability to pierce hard surfaces, the LGBs can also be used to destroy enemy's concrete runways and fortified locations.

LGBs are guided projectiles that use lasers to strike a designated target with greater accuracy than a gravity bomb and were used with high accuracy by the IAF against Pakistani Army posts during the Kargil war in 1999.

Around the same time, the US had supplied some Paveway bombs to India which could be launched from the Jaguar and Mirage 2000 planes for accurately striking enemy targets.

The earlier lot of the American bombs to the IAF was supplied

by Raytheon. -PTI

CII for increasing Pvt. Sector role in Defense NEW DELHI: Industry body CII fense contracts and mandate that has suggested setting up of a national prime contractor be an Indian encommission under the Prime Minister's tity," Chowdhary said, adding that Office for increasing involvement of joint venture should be promoted private sector in defense production to ensure that technological gap besides allowing 49 per cent FDI on in the private sector are overcome. case-to-case basis.

"NDMC besides ensuring proReleasing a report on defense gressive increase of domestic promanufacturing sector in India, the curement from 30 per cent to 75 Confederation of Indian Industry per cent in next 10 years, should also recommended access to criti- also ensure that eight to 10 largcal technologies under Transfer of est weapons program in the counTechnology (ToT) agreement. try have a targeted large percent"With several large equipment age of locally manufactured conand modernization programs in tent," he said. pipeline, analysts are projecting a spending of USD 80-100 billion in "With several large equipnext five years... A Nament and modernization tional Defense Manufacturing Commission programs in pipeline, ana(NDMC) should be set lysts are projecting a spendup under PMO to build ing of USD 80-100 billion in capability of private sector," said Ajai next five years... A National Chowdhary, Chairman Defense Manufacturing of CII's National DeCommission (NDMC) should fense Council.

Observing that India be set up under PMO to build is poised to become capability of private sector" "world's most lucrative market" for military products, Chowdhary said, "The curRecommending formation of rent cap of 26 per cent on FDI in Raksha Udyog Ratnas (RUR), defense production needs to be Chowdhary said, "Government had relaxed to 49 per cent to ensure earlier announced formation of adequate participation of interested RURs for Indian defense industry... parties on case-to-case basis."

These can be the key drivers toCII also demanded creation of wards raising indigenous defense an "innovation fund" of Rs 1000 technological base and world class crore for Small and Medium Enter- manufacturing capabilities in India." prises in defense sector.

He added that the RURs will "Government should enforce also ensure growth of Indian 'Make or Buy' and 'Make' (Indian) SMEs which will be integral part classification for all flagship de- of their supply chain.-PTI

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Indian clearance must for work contract in UAE NEW DELHI: Indians seeking to migrate to UAE for employment can now expect an assured salary package and better work environment with both countries introducing a system under which work contracts of prospective employees will have to be endorsed by Indian authorities.

Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi and Minister of Labor of United Arab Emirates Saqr Ghobash signed a protocol to this effect in Abu Dhabi to streamline the employment process of Indian workers through an electronic contract registration and validation system.

The setting up of the new mechanism comes amid rising complaints of exploitation of Indian workers by recruitment agencies and employers in the Gulf region.

UAE has been a favorite destination for employment for skilled and un-skilled Indian workers whose number has grown to approximately 1.7 million in the country.

The new system heralds a joint endeavor by the UAE and India to ensure welfare of the workers, a senior official of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs said here.

"The protocol mandates the informed consent and approval by the worker, the employer and the Indian competent authorities of the full terms of the work contract prior to the worker's deployment to the UAE," said an official release.

It said contract terms and conditions will have to be signed by workers and employers and must be registered with UAE's Ministry of Labor.

Ravi, who is on a two-day visit to the country, hailed the new initiative which he said would protect the interest of workers as well as the employers.

"The protocol underlines the

Elaborating about the new mechanism, he said the mechanism requires that the worker signs the contract and that the competent Indian authorities approve the terms and conditions of contract before work permit is issued commitment of the Indian Government to the protection and welfare of the Indian workers in the UAE," he said thanking the UAE government for agreeing to introduce the new system.

Underlining UAE's commitment to safeguard interests of Indian workers, Ghobash said the new system will ensure full transparency of the employment process

by mandating that the prospective worker be duly informed by Indian government and recruitment firms about terms of contract, including the scope of remuneration and employment conditions prior to their departure to UAE. Elaborating about the new mechanism, he said the mechanism requires that the worker signs the contract and that the competent Indian authorities approve the terms and conditions of contract before work permit is issued.

"These same terms would then be electronically captured into the formal employment contract that will have to be signed by the workers and employer in the UAE," said the official.

Ravi said Government is in the process of implementing a comprehensive e-governance system towards making the process of overseas deployment of Indian workers transparent and accessible to all stakeholders.

"The Contract Registration and Validation System is fully aligned with India's e-governance system, allowing for a seamless application of the respective rules and procedures of both countries," he said.

The new system was activated by an online application by a UAE employer for the granting of work permits.

Government agencies like emigration clearance authorities would be able to access the electronic system. -PTI

ISRO bags 100-crore deal to launch French satellite BANGALORE: Indian Space Along with SPOT-6 satellite, the Research Organization has signed PSLV, in its "core alone" configua deal, believed to be valued at ration, will also carry other co-pasaround Rs 100 crore, to launch an senger payloads. This launch ser800 kg satellite of ASTRIUM SAS, vices deal signed between a Company under EADS, France.

ANTRIX and ASTRIUM is a part ISRO said in a statement a com- of the long-term agreement signed mercial launch services agreement between An advanced Remote SensAntrix Corporation Liming satellite - SPOT-6 -weighited (ANTRIX), its commercial arm, and ing nearly 800 kg, built by ASTRIUM SAS, has ASTRIUM SAS, will be been inked but gave no financial details of the launched on-board ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vedeal.

But sources in the hicle, during the second half Bangalore-headquartered space agency told of 2012", ISRO said PTI here the contract was worth around Rs 100 crore. between the two agencies in Sep"Under this agreement, an ad- tember 2008. vanced Remote Sensing satellite In November 2010, under a SPOT-6 -weighing nearly 800 kg, commercial contract between built by ASTRIUM SAS, will be ANTRIX and ASTRIUM, an adlaunched on-board ISRO's Polar vanced communication satellite Satellite Launch Vehicle, during HYLAS was successfully built by the second half of 2012", ISRO ISRO and ASTRIUM together for said. a European customer. -PTI

Korean company sets up facility in Haryana CHANDIGARH: Korean power cable manufacturing company L S Cable and System has inaugurated its new plant facility at industrial estate of Haryana State

New 2013 Altima Sedan unveiled at NY show India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The all-new 2013 Altima Sedan has just made its world debut at the New York International Auto Show.

Introduced 20 years ago, the Nissan Altima is the second bestselling car among all nameplates in the U.S. in 2011. With its arrival this summer, the all-new fifth generation design will be the most innovative Altima yet.

Among the 2013 Altima's many features are a targeted best-insegment fuel economy of 38 mpg highway (2.5-liter engine), new

premium exterior styling with a strong presence and excellent aerodynamics, an upscale interior with premium materials, and an outstanding balance of ride comfort, stability and a fun-to-drive demeanor with projected bestlevel acceleration.

"In a segment as critical as this, with longtime nameplates and new challengers fighting for every sale, it's not enough to just target the competition. You have to think outside - and far above - the segment," said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America, Inc.

"We took our most successful model and changed nearly everything - the look, the feel, the driving experience and, of course, the technology down to even the headlights and windshield wipers." The result is a vehicle that builds on the strong fundamental reputation "We created the new Altima to set a clearly recognized benchmark for many years to come."

The 2013 Altima is one of five all-new Nissan models set for introduction in the next 15 months and, as the second best-selling car in the United States in 2011, much is riding on the new fifth generation Altima.

"The safe thing to do would be to follow other automakers' paths, conservatively evolving the Altima so as not to upset the existing owner base. But that would not be in keeping with Nissan's 'In-

novation for All' philosophy," explained Carolin. "We took our most successful model and changed nearly everything - the look, the feel, the driving experience and, of course, the technology down to even the headlights and windshield wipers."

The result is a vehicle that builds on the strong fundamental reputation, earned over four generations and two decades, for quality and reliability and adds new levels of innovation, fuel-efficiency, dynamic performance and premium style.

Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (HSIIDC) at Bawal in Haryana.

The new plant has been set up with an investment of Rs 270 crore with high voltage cable capacity of 1800 km a year, said an official spokesman of HSIIDC. He said company's potential clients for power cable are state electricity boards, Indian Railways, L&T, NTPC, PGCIL, BHEL, ONGC, NPCIL, ENERCON, Tata, and Reliance.

Bawal in district Rewari of Haryana on National Highway is home to many domestic and multinational companies and occupies a place of pride among large, medium and small scale industries in Haryana.

It is considered to be the biggest industrial estates in India, sprawling over an area of about 3367 acres developed by the HSIIDC. It has now emerged as a preferred destination for the domestic and multinational companies and among them are Keihin Fie Pvt. Ltd., Talbros India Ltd., Mitusi Mining and Smelting Co. Ltd., Korean Ambassador Joong Kuen Kim, Israel Ambassador Mark Sofer, LS Group COO Ja Eun Koo, LS Group CFO Non Hyoun Myoung were also present on the occasion. -PTI

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US nominee for World Bank chief meets PM NEW DELHI: The US nominee for the World Bank President's post Jim Yong Kim has met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to seek India's support for his candidature.

South Korea-born Jim also held meetings with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh.

Indications are that India could support the candidature of Jim, who was nominated by US President Barack Obama, for the World Bank's top post, though no final decision has been taken, a highly placed source said.

Jim was keen on meeting Montek Singh Ahluwalia. But the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman was on an official tour to China.

US Nominee for World Bank Presidency, Dr. Jim Yong Kim calls on the Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, in New Delhi on April 3

Dartmouth College President and global health expert, Jim was chosen by US President Barack

Obama for the World Bank President's post.

Current President Robert

US exporters face trade barriers from India WASHINGTON: Despite India's ongoing economic reform efforts, US exporters continue to encounter tariff and non-tariff barriers that impede imports of Americans products to India, an official report has said.

In its report 2012 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, the US Trade Representatives (USTR) said the US has actively sought bilateral and multilateral opportunities to open India's market.

"The structure of India's customs tariff and fees system is complex and characterized by a lack of transparency in determining net effective rates of customs tariff, excise duty and other duties and charges on imports into India," said the India section of the

report.

US goods trade deficit with India was USD 14.5 billion in 2011, up USD 4.3 billion from 2010, it said.

US goods exports in 2011 were USD 21.6 billion, up 12.4 per cent from the previous year. Corresponding US imports from India were USD 36.2 billion, up 22.5 per cent.

Noting that India is currently the 17th largest export market for US goods, the report said US exports of private commercial services (excluding military and government) to India were USD 10.3 billion in 2010 (latest data available), and US imports were USD 13.7 billion.

Sales of services in India by majority US-owned affiliates were

USD 13.1 billion in 2009 (latest data available), while sales of services in the US by majority Indiaowned firms were USD 7.2 billion.

The stock of US foreign direct investment (FDI) in India was USD 27.1 billion in 2010, up from USD 20.9 billion in 2009, it said adding, that US FDI in India is led by the information, professional, scientific, and technical services, and manufacturing sectors.

In its report, USTR said India' procurement practices and procedures are often not transparent.

Foreign firms also rarely win Indian government contracts due to the preference afforded to Indian state-owned enterprises and the prevalence of such enterprises.-PTI

US says its poultry products do not pose health risk WASHINGTON: The US has sought to impress upon India to lift the ban on American poultry products, arguing that they do not pose a human health risk as is being asserted by India.

"The United States maintains that the presence of paratuberculosis in dairy products does not pose a human health risk, and India should not make elimination of this bacterium a condition for issuing a sanitary export certificate for US dairy products," the US Trade Representatives (USTR) said in a report.

Since 2003, it said, India has imposed unwarranted SPS requirements on dairy imports, which have essentially precluded US access to India's dairy market, one of the largest in the world.

For example, India requires the US Government to certify that any US-origin milk destined for India has been treated to ensure the destruction of paratuberculosis, which according to India, is linked to Crohn's Disease.

"Despite repeated requests

from the United States, India has not provided scientific evidence to substantiate this assertion, and has declined to take into account evidence to the contrary submitted by the United States," the report said.

The Indian import certificate for pork requires that importers make an attestation that the imported pork does not contain any residues of pesticides, veterinary drugs, mycotoxins, or other chemicals above the MRLs prescribed in international standards, the report said.-PTI

Zoellick, who assumed office in July 2007, is schedule to retire in June.

Jim has spent more than two decades working towards improving conditions in the developing countries.

Besides Jim, the two other candidates in the fray are Jose Antonio Ocampo, a Colombian national and Professor at Columbia University in New York and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigerian Finance Minister.

The new President of the multilateral lending body is expected to be elected during the Spring Meetings of the IMF-World Bank to be held in Washington from

April 20.

Expectations are that the President would be selected by consensus during the Spring Meetings, which will be attended by Mukherjee.

BRICS, a grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has been insisting that the selection of the World Bank President should be transparent, based on merit and not on the basis on nationality.

Since its inception in 1944, the World Bank has always been headed by an American national, while the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) top post has been held by an European. -PTI

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

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India Post

www.indiapost.com

April 13, 2012

R

ecently a poll was held where the Indian entertainment fraternity zeroed in 14 gorgeous, brilliant and exceptional ladies who competed for the distinction (title) of 'India's Glam Diva'. This was conducted by BIG CBS Love. These ladies have generated a place for themselves in different fields such as film industry, television, corporate sector, sports and others.

The ones who were chosen include Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Katrina Kaif, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sonam Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Sonakshi Sinha, Ekta Kapoor, Sania Mirza, Shruti Haasan and Freida Pinto. The fans and the viewers were allowed to vote for their best gal and our very own Piggy Chops (Priyanka Chopra) was named the winner as she got the maximum votes and topped the list. She was given the title of India's Glam Diva.

After being crowned, the excited Chopra said she was really flattered that she topped the list by getting maximum number of votes by her fans. She felt as if she was being crowned once again for the Miss World title. She felt the same nervousness and happiness which she had witnessed during the announcement of Miss World title.

Priyanka was hugely praised and applauded by Shaina NC, Shiamak Davar and Rajeev Masand. Shibani Dandekar hosted this sparkling event.

1 Chikni Chameli: Agneepath 2 Hosanna: Ek Deewana Tha 3 Jhoom Jhoomta Hun Main : Players 4 O Saiyyan: Agneepath 5 Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu : Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu 6 Aromale: Ek Deewana Tha 7 Kal Chalna Shuru Tu : Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu 8 Zara Dil Ko Thaam Lo: Don 2 9 Dil Yeh Bekarar Kyu Hai : Players 10 Sharminda Hoon : Ek Deewana Tha

TUSSHAR'S SIX

HEROINE'S T ITEM K

areena Kapoor, who has lately been doing many item numbers, is gearing up for her next item song in Madhur Bhandarkar's "Heroine".

"We have a new item song called 'Halkat Jawani' which is a wonderful song that will be picturized on Kareena Kapoor. I am sure the audiences will love this song. This film 'Heroine' will be a different sort of film for Kareena Kapoor," Bhandarkar said.

The film has Kareena and Arjun Rampal in the lead.

"Forty percent of the film has been finished. From (April) 10th, we will again have a nonstop shooting and by September the film will be released," he said.

Bhandarkar also sought to deny speculation that the film is based on Manisha Koirala's life.

"This film is not based on Manisha Koirala. It is absolutely wrong. Lot of things had been written about the film before. I have created a character called Mahi Arora who is today's girl. The film is all about how she witnesses the ups and downs in her life," he said.

usshar Kapoor is set to join the six-pack gang in Bollywood. The actor is working out hard for "Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum", in which he will go shirtless and reveal a sculpted body in a beach sequence.

"My trainer is pushing me a lot. He is working hard on me for 'Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum'. There is a beach scene and if I have to go shirtless, I will have to be fit," Tusshar says.

"It's fun to shock people and do something that you have not done before. I also have a seduction scene in the film," he added.

A sequel to 2005 film "Kya Kool Hain Hum", "Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum" will be a sex comedy. And Tusshar feels the Indian audience is ready for such content. "'Kyaa Super Kool‌' is quite a mad film. It's an adult film. Today, everybody is ready for it. They are accepting all kinds of cinema. Nobody is ashamed or embarrassed to watch a sex comedy. India has opened up and we are being very honest with the publicity of our film," the 35-year-old said.

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April 13, 2012

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MOST ICONIC L

egendary actress Madhubala and dancing diva Madhuri Dixit are among the names that come to Dia Mirza's mind upon the mention of Bollywood's most iconic women.

"Madhubala, Madhuri Dixit, Manisha Koirala, Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen… these are among the most iconic women I can think of in Bollywood," Dia said here while unveiling the top 10 iconic bestsellers of beauty brand The Body Shop.

If Dia was to grab one aspect of each of their lives, what would that be?

"It has to be Madhubala's films, Madhuri's talent! Manisha was one of the few naturally beautiful actresses when she came into the industry, and Aishwarya, I admire for everything… just for the fact that she is truly a global ambassador of India," she added.

As of now, she is enjoying the relaxed pace of her work.

"You arrive at a stage in life when you want peace, you don't want to rush after things… so it's just that for me. It's time to reinvent myself, do new things, move forward and widen my horizons," she said.

Dia is reportedly set to tie the knot with her beau, director Sahil Sangha, this year

A NEW J

JOHN

ohn Abraham, who has five films lined up for release this year, says 2012 may prove to be his year. His maiden production venture 'Vicky Donor' is also coming out this month.

"Everyone has their own time and I think my time has just started. In fact, I think that it might begin by the end of this year," the 39-year-old said in an interview.

While John`s next, 'Housefull 2' is set to hit theatres on April 5, he is currently busy shooting for 'Race 2', 'Dostana 2', 'I, Me Aur Main' and 'Shootout at Wadala'. The actor is hoping to get third-time lucky with 'Housefull 2', which is coming after 'Force' and 'Desi Boyz' both of which did above-average business at the box office.

"I would like to thank Nishikant Kamath for bringing the change in my career. `Force` actually changed a lot for me. After `Force`, `Desi Boyz` was appreciated and I am confident that `Housefull 2` will work and if it does it will be a good run for me," said John.

BETTER W

SHAPE

hen criticism came her way for being a tad over weight in her debut film Veer, Zarine Khan took this matter to her heart and made sure that she worked towards shedding off the extra baggage that she had put on herself. She got herself into a much fitter and better shape in Housefull 2 so that there wasn't room for any more criticism in that direction. ''Criticism did hurt but I did take that all in my stride,'' smiles Zarine, ''I understood that to be a leading lady in Bollywood, I have to get into a better shape. So today you would see an all new me in Housefull 2. I am happy to be playing this super-hot glamorous girl and though I don't want to blow my own trumpet, I for sure am looking forward to audience reaction. My songs like 'Right Now' and 'Do You Know' have fetched me good response. Now I want to see how audience looks at me in the entire film.''

26

India Post

AMAR SHERGILL & JS BEDI

YUBA CITY, CA: On March 31, the Punjabi American Heritage Society (PAHS) unveiled 'Becoming American', a permanent exhibit at the Community Memorial Museum of Sutter County. Over 300 people, including elected officials, donors, sponsors and PAHS members gathered to tour the multimedia exhibition.

"The exhibit is a multimedia record of the challenges and success of generations of

www.indiapost.com Punjabi Americans," explained Dr. Jasbir Kang of PAHS. "It documents the hardships accompanying their arrival in California in the early twentieth century and their journey in becom-

April 13, 2012 before them; it is an American story."

Assemblymember Jim Nielsen addressed the attendees and fondly

Leela Rai

STORY OF PUNJABIS

ing American. The story of the Punjabis, the Sikhs and the South Asians is the same as that of the Irish, the Italians and the Polish

'Becoming American' exhibition unveiled

Gurmeet Kaur and daughter Davinder Kaur Deol

described his long friendship with Punjabi American community. He related his experiences traveling to India and agreed that the Yuba City area was truly the 'Punjab of America.' Assemblymember Dan Logue, who authored Sikh Appreciation Month in 2010, also congratulated PAHS on their achievements.

"The shade we enjoy today is due to the efforts of those that planted the tree long ago," said Davinder Deol of PAHS. "This exhibit is our thanks to all those that en-

dured and persevered so that we could be a part of the American dream." She elaborated that the PAHS Museum Committee raised approximately $250,000 over seven years as they imagined, developed and constructed the exhibit.

Along with Mrs. Deol, the committee members included Dr. Jasbir Kang, Sarbjit Singh Johl, Kulwant Singh Johl, Hitpal Singh Deol and Gurmeet Kaur Sidhu.

Cont’d on page 28

April 13, 2012

India Post

27

www.indiapost.com

Yoga Rave: A new wave of celebration Vinesh Virani

CHICAGO: A trendy night club in the heart of downtown Chicago, Excalibur, became the hub for Yoga Rave, the counter party of the year. 800 plus participants rocked out to mantras and music from the Argentinean band that was on a seven city tour to the United States for the first time.

An unprecedented event, where the only high in the jam packed venue came from dancing, meditation and yoga. Yoga Rave was organized by the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) to benefit their inner city schools 'Yes! For School' and the 'Prison Smart' programs. The organizers said that they wanted Yoga Rave participants to experience a natural high, in an alcohol free, smoke free environment. Certainly, that goal became a reality, for all to witness as the crowds danced wildly to the beats of the high decibel Argentinian band, flowing into meditation and yoga.

Yoga Rave was a unique celebration that took the crowd from movement to stillness and back, giving the word celebration a new dimension. Participants described the event as "history in the making," and a "miracle."

As the jam packed venue rocked to music and wild dancing, a casual observer might have mistaken the enthusiasm and energy of the crowd to be driven by artificial stimulants. The evening however, was completely

Experiencing a natural high

alcohol free!

Tika, a senior in a Chicago High School, meditated with a group of her friends in a guided meditation process, as a peaceful quiet fell upon the crowd that was dancing wildly only a few minutes ago. Bill Herman, the National Director for the YES! program for schools said, Yoga Rave, is a party like none other in the world, a new concept in fun where the body responds

only to the stimulation of music, yoga and meditation.

The Yoga Rave tour will bring the spiritual element back to celebration and the way we have fun, offering a drug free alternative for our youth to gather and release their energy and tension. In the words of IAHV, and Art of Living Founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, "from the intoxication that depletes the energy to intoxication that brings en-

lightenment".

The vision is to create a movement that will support all people to come together in deeper connection and celebration, without the fallout. All proceeds will go to support stress reduction for youth and prisoners around the nation. On the heels of the success of this tour in Chicago, IAHV hopes to bring this event back in the fall of this year, once again.

28

India Post

April 13, 2012 www.indiapost.com

Story of Punjabis 'Becoming American' exhibition unveiled Cont’d from page 26

"The Committee provided each donor with a commemorative book at the unveiling," said Mrs. Deol.

"Included in the book is a memorial to the late Ted Sibia. He was an inspiration to our community and the source of much of the research that was relied upon in compiling the exhibit."

To begin the unveiling and reception program, attendees enjoyed a moving rendition of the national anthem by 16 year old Harkiren Kaur Everest. Her late grandfather Hari Singh Everest was featured in a short documentary illustrating the oral history of Punjabi Americans in the Yuba-Sutter region. Violinist and internet sensation Raginder 'Violinder' Momi also entertained the attendees and received a standing ovation.

Also attending the exhibit unveiling and reception were County Supervisors Jim Whiteaker, Larry Munger and Stan Cleveland, City Councilman Tej Mann, and former Yuba City Mayors Kash Gill and Rory Ramirez.

Special thanks were given to Gerry Sandhu for his tireless efforts in creating www.punjabipioneers.com which serves as an international gateway to the Punjabi Community of the Yuba-Sutter region.

The PAHS Museum Committee continues to work on updating the exhibit and is soliciting contributions from the community. A coffee table book is being produced with the assistance of Lea Terhune, a former CNN News and Span magazine editor.

The 600 plus square foot dis-

Isabel Singh

play is a journey through time.

The exhibits give you a rare insight to the times and travails of the early pioneers. On display were passports dating back to the early 1900s,antique suitcases and metal trunks, footwear, kitchen utensils that the early pioneers brought with them and above all, photographs dating back decades. The museum also features a rare portrait of a young Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Isabel Singh posed for a picture in front of her parents' picture. Her father Bishan Singh Gill came to America in the early 1900s and married Ernestine Zuniga.

Their son Lal Singh Gill married Mary Singh and their daughter Leela Rai proudly posed in front

of her grandparents' picture.

There was a picture of Karnail

The display is a true timeline of the struggle of the pioneers and it is the only permanent display in America.

Above all its location at the Community Memorial Museum makes it accessible to all Singh Takhar and Gurmit Kaur holding their infant daughter dat-

Dr Jasbir Singh Kang and Satnam Singh Tatla

ing back to the late 50s. That little baby is now Mrs Davinder Deol.

The museum also chronicles the tests and travails of the early pioneers. They had to suffer extreme discrimination, humiliation, loneliness and in many cases, poverty. This museum is a monument, a shrine, to their struggle.

The pioneers are largely responsible for the equal opportunities that we enjoy today. Imagine leaving your home for a week long train ride from Punjab to Calcutta and then a month long voyage to Vancouver. Well, it is hard to fathom the dilemma of these people when they land in a country they know nothing about, do not speak the language and have little or no money. Then there

was the uncertainty of what the future had to offer. When would they see their family next‌.or would they see them at all! Communication was primitive and a letter took months to reach Punjab.

The display is a true timeline of the struggle of the pioneers and it is the only permanent display in America. Above all its location at the Community Memorial Museum makes it accessible to all.

The 'Becoming American' exhibit is located at the Community Memorial Museum of Sutter County, 1333 Butte House Road, Yuba City, CA 95993. The Museum is open Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, and Weekends; 12 noon - 4:00 pm.

Admission is free.

Never imagined Bob Biswas would be so popular: Saswata NEW DELHI: His portrayal of a poker-faced contract killer in "Kahaani" has been loved by all and the internet is abuzz with tidbits related to his character Bob Biswas, but Bengali actor Saswata Chatterjee says he had no idea his role would become so popular.

Besides being compared to cult villains like Gabbar Singh and Mogambo, Saswata's role of a harmless-looking, pot-bellied insurance agent who kills for money, has prompted various jokes and one-liners on the internet.

Facebook and Twitter pages dedicated to Bob Biswas have thousands of followers.

"We had never expected that

the character would become so popular. I do not use computer much, but I am slowly becoming

aware of the popularity of Bob Biswas and the jokes on the internet. I feel like Alice in Won-

derland, it's a dream which might end someday," Saswata told PTI over the telephone from Kolkata.

In the film, the cellphone proves to be a tool for Bob Biswas as his prospective victim's photo is sent to him via MMS, but in real life Saswata doesn't even use a mobile and has only a landline number as a point of contact.

"Bob's use of the cellphone to identify his target shows how the gadget can be misused. I am better off without one."

Son of veteran Bengali actor Shubhendu Chatterjee, Saswata, who has a sizeable body of work in the Bengali film industry, says he was surprised when this role

was offered to him.

"When I came to know that director Sujoy Ghosh wanted me for a role in a Hindi film, I was very surprised. I had never met him before.

When he described the role to me I asked why me? There are so many good actors in Bollywood! It was all very sudden," says Saswata. .

Bob's USP lies in the fact that no one can imagine him as a contract killer, which adds to his ruthlessness, and Saswata says that's how the character should have been.

"I have never played such a ruthless character before, but I didn't face any difficulty, as I believe that a person who kills for money is very matter-of-fact about the job. -PTI

29 India post

It has more scenic beauty, more architecture and archaeology in the form of the famous Dilwara caves, the chief center for the Brahmakumaris and a generous peppering of temples

M

ount Abu is one of the popular Jain pilgrimage sites. Going by its lushness, it is called 'the Paradise of Rajasthan'.

Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan, offers you the best of all possible worlds, with more scenic beauty, more architecture and archaeology in the form of the famous Dilwara caves, the chief center for the Brahmakumaris and a generous peppering of temples which shows that the place is exceptionally favored by the gods.

Abu has been an important place of penance for the sages.

The shops on both sides of the road are

www.indiapost.com

glitteringly alive, as late as 10 p.m. on a winter night. In case it is a winter trip, one can just arrive in Abu, at any time of the night or day, employ a wheelbarrow, which will take your luggage all over Abu for few rupees while you check out a place to stay. This is, in fact the best time to visit if the cold does not bother you too much (it is usually warmer than a Delhi winter). All hotels are available at half rates and the best of rooms can be yours for a rate that suits your budget.

Abu in summer is definitely a retreat from the heat of the plains. A summer visit re-

April 13, 2012

quires careful planning, and rooms should be booked at least two months in advance.

Everything, from hotels to restaurants, to transport is at double the rates, and beware of the new monster - the Marutis, in every color which cover the landscape and race pugnaciously around the hills.

Yet, the little township is well prepared to handle tourists. Tourist buses show you around the places of interest twice a day and the bus guide provides a background, history and of course his own interpretations on everything you visit.

Cont’d from page 30

30

India Post

Travel & Hospitality Post

April 13, 2012

www.indiapost.com

India, Brazil to strengthen tourism cooperation NEW DELHI: India and Brazil have expressed their desire to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the tourism sector.

The two countries will also explore the possibilities of promoting joint venture investments in the field of hotel industry and tourism infrastructure, Tourism Minister Subodhkant Sahai said after meeting his Brazilian counterpart Gastao Viera here. "We have decided to promote Indian destinations by organizing roadshows and other events in Brazil," he said.

A bilateral tourism cooperation agreement between India and Brazil was signed in January 2004. India and Brazil are also part of IBSA,

a trilateral, developmental initiative between India, Brazil and South Africa to promote South-South cooperation and exchange.

The issue of cooperation between the two countries in the tourism sector was also discussed at the 5th India Brazil Joint Commission held in New Delhi in December, 2011. Viera said Brazil is keen on exchange of experience in destination management and promotion with India.

He said Brazil would also like to share with India its best practices followed in the area of Eco-tourism and beach tourism. In return India offered to share its expertise on rural tourism with Brazil.

As per the proposed action

plan, India will organize a workshop on rural tourism while Brazil will be holding a workshop on beach tourism.

"We are also planning to organize a tourism conference for BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries," Sahai said, adding, "Brazil is also keen to have an e-visa system with India."

There were about 20,000 tourists from Brazil who visited India in 2009. Since Brazil is organizing World Cup in 2014 and Olympics in 2016, India would utilize the occasion to promote its destinations.

Tourism Ministry has proposed to appoint India Tourism Marketing Representative office in Brazil to enhance its reach there. -PTI

J&K hoteliers demand facelift for Tawi JAMMU: Demanding a face lift for River Tawi, All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association has said "massive encroachments" on the river bank must be removed and it should be thrown open for tourism activities.

"We demand immediate removal of encroachments from the banks of River Tawi in Jammu city. It should be beautified," said AJHLA president, Inderjeet Khajuria.

The association backed concerns expressed by Jammu-based legislators in both the Houses about vandalizing of the river.

He said the government had conceded to their "long-pending

demand" for setting up of an artificial lake in Tawi and face lift of its banks but regretted that the work on the project was going on at a "slow" pace.

The association also demanded a plant for scientific disposal of solid waste The association also demanded a plant for scientific disposal of solid waste. "Indiscriminate quarry of sand and stones from river Tawi should also be stopped, to maintain its depth," he added. -PTI

Mount Abu: Jain pilgrimage center & 'Paradise of Rajasthan' Cont’d from page 29

Information is also available from a tourist guide office, but even without guidance there are certain places that simply cannot be missed on a visit to Abu. Tourist attractions: The Dilwara Jain temples for instance, have been compared to the Taj Mahal for their sheer elegance and beauty in marble. Built between the 11th and 13th century, these temples are all the more exceptional because the marble to build these was brought all the way from Makrana and the best workmen and craftsmen employed to ensure the finest quality of sculpture.

Intricate carvings decorate each portion of these temples, which are dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras. Millions of rupees were spent on the carvings, architecture and dĂŠcor of the temples and the workmen were rewarded in silver and gold equivalent to the amount of marble brought in.

The Jain temple: Of the five temples - Vimal Vasahi, Lun Vasahi, Shri Risha Lhdeo, Shri Parshvanath and Shri Mahavir Swami, the first two are the most famous. One estimate states that a sum of Rs. 1.2 billion was spent on Lun Vasahi itself. This temple was built by two brothers - Vastupal and Tejpal ministers in the court of Raja Varadnawarkar, a ruler of Gujarat.

They were devotees of Neminath Bhagwan, the 22nd Tirthankara.

Outside the main doors of this temple, there are two statues called Devrani's and Jethani's goklas respectively, and are backed by stories of competitive jealousy of the two wives of these brothers. Another striking feature of the temple is the marble dome in the porch, which is made up of a cluster of half open lotuses, which appear to be almost transparent.

The Vimal Vasahi temple is

older and is also known to be the first Jain temple and is dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara.

Built in 1031, by Bhim Deva, the first Solanki ruler of Gujarat, the temple is constructed in pure marble, with plain exteriors. However, its interiors are richly sculpted and house some fine examples of the accomplishment of artists in those times.

Residents of the area will tell you that a visit to Abu cannot be complete without obtaining the blessings of Arbuda Devi, the goddess after whom Abu is said to have been named. Arbuda Devi is stationed some 200 steps above the road, in a series of caves on top of a mountain. Along with Arbuda Devi are the statues of her three attendants.

Abu's highest peak: Guru Shikhar, the highest peak of Mount Abu, is also perhaps the most beautiful. There is certain serenity about the temple built atop this peak. The temple might just have stepped out of a fairy tale, with only a small portion in pink jutting out of an otherwise plain white chalk building.

Inside is a shrine of Datta-traya, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Outside the temple, a little distance

from its door is a huge brass bell, which stands sentinel overlooking the lush greenness of Mount Abu. A costume photographer displays dresses and invites tourists to

Guru Shikhar, the highest peak of Mount Abu, is also perhaps the most beautiful. There is certain serenity about the temple built atop this peak. The temple might just have stepped out of a fairy tale, with only a small portion in pink jutting out of an otherwise plain white chalk building pose with temple as a backdrop.

Another temple worth visiting is the Brahmakhadd, a Shiva temple with a difference. Here the deity is not the traditional lingam but a pit into which Lord Shiva is

said to have put his foot. Legend has it that the spot goes deep into the earth until it touches water.

Outside this temple there is a statue of Goddess Parvati, and a large statue of Nandi, which still bears marks of destruction, wrought by invading armies.

Nakki, the lake: In the heart of the town, at one end of the Mall is Nakki Lake, which has an interesting history. It is said that it was drawn by the finger nails (nakk) of a sage, Balam Rasia, in response to the demands of the stepmother of the girl he wished to marry. The girl, a princess, and a daughter of the then King of Abu, was also in love with the sage, but because of the evil stepmother the affair ended in tragedy, and has been immortalized in a temple of the Kunwari Kanya, alongside which stands a statue of her lover.

The lake too, has survived to tell the tale. Picturesquely set, with the hills rising all around it, it has several islets to which you can hire boats. An interesting facet is the many rock formations around the lake. They have been named Toad Rock, Nun Rock, Nandi Rock and Camel Rock because of their resemblance to these figures. The road

appears to be looking broodingly down towards the lake, as if contemplating jumping in. Nun Rock is a large smooth rock, as it supposedly looks like a woman with a veil. The climb up to these rocks, through the wooded forests is a beautiful one, with each of the rocks on the way making unique formations, fissures and shapes.

Places around: Like all other hill stations, Abu too, has its horse rides, honeymoon packages and sunset points. Sunset point here is definitely worth a visit. An entire hill has been carved into several layers, top to bottom and as the sun begins to lower itself in the sky, the entire hill is crowded with people covered in the golden glow of the setting sun.

How to reach: Mount Abu is Rajasthan's only hill station. It is 187 km away from Ahmedabad in Gujarat.

Rail - There are direct trains to Abu Road Station (27 km away from Mount Abu) from Delhi, Jodhpur and Agra. A fast train takes four hours between Ahmedabad in Gujarat and Abu Road.

Road - Mount Abu is linked with Udaipur and Ahmedabad by road.

April 13, 2012

Travel & Hospitality Post

India Post

31

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Tagore, tiger, golf and Kolkata's heritage KOLKATA: There is more to West Bengal than Rabindranath Tagore, Kolkata's British heritage, the Sunderbans and the Hazarduari palace.

For instance, the lush green golf courses tucked away in the folds of the great Himalayas in north Bengal. "They are already well-developed. It just needs proper marketing," the state tourism department's principal secretary, Raghvendra Singh, told PTI. Singh said the well laid-out golf courses would be one of the 25 themes the state government would highlight in order to promote tourism in the state.

Some of the themes will be based on geographical regions like Darjeeling hills while others will focus on subjects such as wildlife, heritage, Tagore, etc.

Highlighting the proud history, rich culture and glorious heritage of the state along with the geographical variety which it offers to tourists, an aggressive promotional blitzkrieg will be launched in the next couple of months, The state government has already roped in reigning Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan as its brand ambassador who will also be used to woo tourists.

"We are chalking out a plan on this which will be announced soon," a source in the chief minister's office said without re-

vealing further.

Among other tourist themes will be the beaches of Digha and the nearby Mandarmoni, trekking in the wildlife-rich forests of Dooars and Jalpaiguri in north Bengal, heritage journey in the towns of Murshidabad and Coochbehar,

Forest dwellers living in the small hamlets within reserve forest areas of Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling districts have joined hands to initiate community-based tourism and improve their socio-economic conditions river cruise to visit other tourist attractions in Kolkata and its outskirts.

The biggest area of concern, however, remains augmenting infrastructure, providing tourism-related amenities and ensuring the safety and security of travelers.

For this, the officials said, the budgetary allocation of the department of tourism has been doubled from Rs 44 crore in the

current financial year to Rs 90 crore in the next fiscal.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already assigned tourism as a high-priority area.

Besides constructing budgethotels, log huts, cabins, etc in picturesque locales around the state for accommodation purposes, the tourism department is actively promoting the concept of homestays, where travelers pay locals to stay at their place.

Forest dwellers living in the small hamlets within reserve forest areas of Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling districts have joined hands to initiate community-based tourism and improve their socioeconomic conditions.

Officials said there are 220 forest villages in north Bengal, out of which 20 villages have been identified, considering idyllic locations.

Staying in the guest houses of forest villagers, tourists also get the opportunity to enjoy the local cuisine and observe their indigenous culture from close quarters.

The tourism department is also trying to launch helicopter services to connect Digha, Murshidabad, Sunderbans, Sagar Islands and Mayapur to Kolkata.

To encourage private investment in developing tourism infrastructure, they are also drawing up a PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model. -PTI

HP to act against erring tourism units SHIMLA: The state government would hold a thorough enquiry into violations of HP Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972 and take stern action against erring tourism units, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister P K Dhumal said here.

Replying to a question of Congress' G S Bali in the Vidhan Sabha, Dhumal said the HP tourism department had issued 84 essentiality certificates for buying land for various projects between January 1, 2008 and January 1, 2012.

The chief minister said in case

a non-agriculturist fails to utilize the land for the purpose, for which the permission was granted, within stipulated period, the said land can be vested in the state government free from all encumbrances, as per the Act. Dhumal said that in many cases the land has been confiscated where the rules were violated. "We will take strict action against all the defaulters," he assured the House.

The chief minister said that during the previous Congress government regime as many as 2,398 permissions were granted to

purchase land, while the BJP government had granted only 1,097 permissions till March 17 this year.

Bali alleged that many people had got land for setting up tourism units in state, but later such units had been sold to others in the form of flats.

In a reply to another question, Dhumal said eight agricultural farms had been closed but no farm has been leased out to any private party in the last three years. The agricultural farms were running in losses and these were not commercially viable, he added. -PTI

ADB loan to promote tourism in TN, U'khand NEW DELHI: The Central government, Asian Development Bank and state governments of Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand have signed a USD 43.84 million loan agreement for the second tranche of Infrastructure Development Investment Program for Tourism.

"This agreement aims to enhance tourism environment in Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand States with

a view to draw increased volume of national and international tourists," the government said in a statement.

The loan was part of the USD 250 million multi-tranche financial aid signed in 2010 to facilitate and develop tourism related infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Tamil Nadu.

"The first tranche for USD 43.42 million involving states of Punjab

and Himachal Pradesh is under implementation," it said.

The loan agreement was signed

by Venu Rajamony, joint secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Narhari Rao, ADB, deputy country director of India, VK Jeyakodi, principal secretary, Tourism and Culture Department, Tamil Nadu and SS Sandhu, secretary, Tourism Department, Uttarakhand. -PTI

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April 13, 2012

EDUCO lifts India's children out of poverty with education from Mumbai to Assam Mumbai, Kolkata, or Assam where Educo currently supports its schools.

"We really only service the poor children and poor students in the cities where our schools are operating. Both Iain and I receive

Iain and Shilpa (teacher at Saibaba Path) at Mumbai Marathon

CHERYL HEFFERNAN Special to India Post

MUMBAI: The laughter of children resonates through the worn corridors of Saibaba Path School in Lower Parel. Dwarfed by a line of towering cement struts that will soon support Mumbai's new cross city monorail, the school could be mistaken for one of the abandoned textile mills that dot the neighborhood.

Sometimes the parents cry as they watch their children perform at "Game Day," a special event of songs, skits and races, not out of sadness, but out of gratitude to the NGO, Educo, which is supporting this struggling school.

"That's what makes this all worthwhile," observes Meenal Srinivasan, a Trustee of Educo in India. "So many parents in this neighborhood now want to send their children to our school, it tells us we're doing something very right."

There are lots of NGOs doing wonderful work in India. But for many people hoping to support them with funds or donations, the question always arises, which NGOs truly get their funds to the people who need it. Impressively 100% of all funds donated to Educo directly serve the children it helps educate.

Established in 2002 in Ireland specifically to support the education of children in India, Educo currently works with its Indian half, Educo, India, to make families' dreams come true.

"We have regularly gone through assessment tests and designed them with lesson plans and goals for the classroom," she says proudly. "This way we know what is being taught in the classroom and we can monitor it and assist teachers in improving their lessons"

Statistics clearly show that educated, English-speaking, students with computer skills get ahead in India with the best jobs, better pay, and can move up the ladder from economic poverty into India's burgeoning middle class.

Without education a child's future can look very dim.

Meenal, who grew up in India and graduated from a business school MBA program in the United States, now heads Educo operations in Mumbai along with Iain

no salary, so all of our fundraising and presence at the schools is on a volunteer basis. All of our donations go directly to our kids and teachers," Meenal candidly comments as she watches the Saibaba first graders going over lessons

McDonald, head of projects, who hails from Scotland. Together they dedicate their time and long hours to meeting with a plethora of people and companies in India to assist their charitable work.

They both will tell you it is the children at their schools that motivate their often thankless time traveling in the city to show potential donors what they are trying to do for the poor in Lower Parel,

with their teachers.

Hiring local teachers from the community adds to Saibaba Path School's connection to Lower Parel, according to Iain, who points out that Saibaba's Path's neighborhood once thrived as Mumbai's textile industry center.

Now the landscape shares a skyline of newly built high-rises side by side with the slums of the former workers when the factories

closed in the 80s.

Preeti Valia, who volunteers as Faculty Director at Saibaba Path, reports: "We have regularly gone through assessment tests and designed them with lesson plans and goals for the classroom," she says proudly. "This way we know what is being taught in the classroom and we can monitor it and assist teachers in improving their lessons. We also help encourage

also recently offered to help support their projects, and several top Bollywood stars have even donated signed scripts for auction, such as Akshay Kumar, Ritesh Deshmukh and Javed Jaffrey as well as producers Indra Kumar and Ashok Thakeria known for their hit films Dhamaal and Double Dhamaal.

"We had five runners raising money for us in the Mumbai Mara-

female empowerment of our young girl students, something that culturally is helping our children."

Iain underscores Preeti's enthusiasm: "When I started here, I wasn't sure what we could do. We now have school projects in Kolkata, Assam, and several others in Mumbai. And they all need our help," he says.

"We really are non-discriminate in our communities," observes Claire Nugent, Educo's Marketing Manager, who assists the school as a volunteer with its website, database and fundraising, and recently gave birth to a new baby while relocating to Mumbai with her husband.

"In Mumbai we serve predominantly Marathi speaking kids, in Kolkata it's a Muslim slum, and in Assam a lot of the children are Catholic, but we have a large Hindu and Buddhist contingent as well. India is diverse religiously and culturally, so if you want to help, you really need to have an openness to all its people's backgrounds," she says.

Recent fundraisers for Saibaba and Educo have garnered some remarkable assistance in the form of donations from Irish donors, in spite of major economic crises in Ireland. But India's HDFC Life has

thon in January," says Meenal enthusiastically. "And anyone could have been a sponsor for them here or even in the US. But we have so many needs we really appreciate the help because quite honestly, to purchase a building in Kolkata for the children, or to build one in Malad, Mumbai where we're being asked now by another community‌it all takes funds. So we really, really rely on the generosity of everyone who cares about educating children in India.

The parents aren't the only ones moved by the school, even the faculty has been touched by this oasis of academia in Lower Parel.

"Being a teacher here in Saibaba Path literally changed my life helping these children," says Shilpa, one of the teachers. "When the parents come to our PTM's they are always so grateful for what we're doing for our children."

And perhaps there isn't any more powerful statement than that.

To learn more about Educo's great work, or even donate a few dollars or rupees, or maybe purchase a signed script by a Bollywood star for charity, you may visit their site.... www.educo.in.

A gift of education can never be taken away or taken back.

India

April 13, 2010

India Post

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US Secy reveals $10 mn bounty on LeT chief Saeed NEW DELHI: The US has announced a bounty of USD 10 million on outlawed Pakistan-based Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 26/ 11 Mumbai attacks.

This was stated by US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman while addressing a gathering at the American Centre here.

She was replying to a question on what the US was doing to bring to justice those involved in terror attacks against India.

Saeed, the founder of terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba, is on India's most wanted list. After the 26/11 attacks that left 166 people dead, India has asked Pakistan to hand him over.

Sherman, who was on a four day visit to the country, met Indian officials including Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai during which a host of key issues per-

taining to Indo-US ties were discussed.

They also discussed the agenda for the Indo-US Strategic Dialogue to be held in Washington DC in mid-June.

Meeting LK Advani Wendy Sherman and Acting US

developments and prospects in India. When they asked me about the Presidential elections, I said even the candidates have not been decided yet and only when that is done will the alignment become clear," Advani told PTI after the meeting.

Sherman, who was on a four day visit to the country, met Indian officials including Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai during which a host of key issues pertaining to Indo-US ties were discussed ambassador Peter Burleigh also met NDA Working Chairman L K Advani to discuss the current political situation in the country and the upcoming Presidential elections here.

"They wanted to make a general assessment of the political

The senior BJP leader said he was not very keen on meeting Sherman and Burleigh and suggested the names of some senior BJP leaders but the two insisted on meeting him.

During the meeting, Advani told the US officials that the

Lauds Bihar growth story in Patna PATNA: United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Ambassador Wendy R Sherman visited Patna and met Governor Devanand Konwar and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Sherman was accompanied by U S Embassy Charge d'Affaires A Peter Burleigh.

She attended a meeting of some of Bihar's leading entrepreneurs, think-tank analysts, community leaders, NGO activists and state government officials to discuss trends in development and governance throughout the state and potential challenges faced by them.

When asked the purpose of her visit, Sherman said "Bihar is on the move ... Bihar has emerged as an inspiring model of positive change and good governance. Bihari society in general and its youth in particular appear eager to create new opportunities for economic growth and development."

The visit of Sherman to the state capital is seen as the US' appreciation of Bihar's growth and success story, about which it received information through various sources. The extensive coverage of the changing face of Bihar by the world's top magazines also drew the attention of world powers towards Bihar, which they once saw as a caste-riddled, lawless and poor Indian state.

Earlier, British Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, called on chief minister Nitish Kumar at Bihar Niwas in Delhi and expressed deep interest in the growth story of Bihar. He also explored the investment opportunities available to British companies

strength of the "non-Congress" parties is more.

"I told them that it is difficult to predict which way these non-Congress parties will vote in the Presidential elections," Advani said.

Asked if the question of NDA putting up a Presidential candidate came up during the meeting, Advani replied in the negative.

"They know these things well," he said.

In reply to another question on whether BJP is in touch with other parties like AIADMK to increase the strength of the NDA alliance, Advani said there is nothing new about reaching out to them.

"During the conclusion of my (Jan Chetna) yatra, she (AIADMK Chief J Jayalalithaa) had sent her MPs. Even on the floor of Parliament, we coordinate with each other on issues," Advani said.

There are reports that BJP may seek the support of other parties, including AIADMK, during the Presidential elections.

Advani, who is also BJP Parliamentary Party chief, advised Sherman and Burleigh not to make assessments about national politics from the results of the recently-concluded Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

"I told them no conclusions

about national politics should be drawn from the outcome of the Uttar Pradesh elections. Here, BJP and Congress were behind while SP and BSP were ahead. At the national level, there has been a bipolar polity for the last two and half decades and this is an enduring phenomenon," Advani said.

The senior BJP leader maintained no formation of a government at the Centre is possible without the involvement of Congress or BJP. Asked if he was rubbishing recent reports of possibilities of formation of a Third Front, Advani said he does not believe in this but there will always be parties which are not with either Congress or BJP. "Even when Charan Singh became Prime Minister he was supported by Congress from outside.

When V P Singh, who was a Congress dissident, became Prime Minister BJP and the Left supported him," Advani said, adding he gave these examples to the US officials.

Advani said he also sought to know what the assessment of the US Under Secretary of State and the US Ambassador was on these issues, including the Presidential elections here. -PTI

India commissions nuclear submarine US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman (R) and US Embassy Charge dĂ­ Affaires A. Peter Burleig arrive for a meeting of state officers and NGO activists in Patna on April 3

'Bihar is on the move ... Bihar has emerged as an inspiring model of positive change and good governance. Bihari society in general and its youth in particular appear eager to create new opportunities for economic growth and development' in the state. The CM informed him that huge investment opportunities were available in power sector, provision of professional education like engineering, management, law and skill development as well as agro-based industries.

The CM told Osborne that though there has been good growth in the state despite handicaps, there is a huge development deficit. "Bihar has benefited from the participation of Department for International Development

(DFID) in the development process and it requires continued engagement of all development partners," Kumar said.

The CM explained to both the foreign dignitaries about the turnaround of Bihar, saying he emphasized good governance including enforcement of rule of law, transparency in functioning of the government, investment in infrastructure, and strengthening delivery of public services like health and education. -PTI

VISAKHAPATNAM: India inducted the Russian-origin nuclear-powered submarine 'Nerpa' into the Navy, joining the elite league of nations having such sophisticated warships.

Defense Minister A K Antony formally commissioned the Akula II class Nerpa, rechristened 'INS Chakra', into the Navy at the Ship Building Complex here.

"INS Chakra will ensure security and sovereignty of the country," Antony said after commissioning the vessel.

India has earlier leased and operated a Charlie Class Russian nuclear submarine from 1988 for training its personnel on such warships.

With the induction of INS Chakra, India has joined the elite group of nations with nuclearpower submarines after a gap of two decades.

With INS Chakra and the indigenous INS Arihant expected to start operational patrols soon, India will soon have two nuclear submarines guarding its vast maritime boundaries.

The Nerpa has been taken on

lease from Russia for ten years and would provide the Navy the opportunity to train and operate such nuclear-powered vessels.

India had signed a deal with Russia in 2004 worth over USD 900 million for leasing the submarine.

It was expected to be inducted a couple of years earlier, but after an accident in 2008, in which scores of Russian sailors died during trials, the delivery schedule was changed.

Indian Navy crews have already been imparted training for operating the submarine in Russia. A crew of over 70 people, including around 30 officers, is required to operate INS Chakra.

The heart of the submarine is its nuclear reactor which has been made by Russia. Its displacement is around 8,140 tonnes.

With a maximum speed of 30 knots, the vessel can go to a depth of 600 metres and has an endurance of 100 days with a crew of 73.

The vessel is armed with four 533mm and four 650mm torpedo tubes. -PTI

In Brief Man may enter US from Mexico to bury son ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania: An immigration lawyer says a Mexican man will be allowed to enter the United States to bury his 10-year-old son, a U.S. citizen who died in a house fire in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Fidelmar ``Fidel'' MerlosLopez initially was barred entry into the country. But his Philadelphia-based lawyer, Elizabeth Surin, says her client was issued a humanitarian parole to attend the funeral.

Lopez's son, Damien Lopez, died in a Shenandoah row house fire along with his cousin, aunt and 7-month-old half-brother.

Lopez was an illegal immigrant who left the U.S. voluntarily in 2008. He's in the process of getting his green card so he can rejoin his wife in Shenandoah. -AP

Immigration officers arrest 94 in Colo., Wyo. DENVER: Federal officials say they arrested 94 immigrants in Colorado and Wyoming who were convicted of serious crimes, immigration violations, or were immigration fugitives.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say the arrests were part of six-day nationwide sweep that resulted in more than 3,100 total arrests. Of those arrested by the Denver field office, 92 were arrested in Denver, Aurora and 21 other cities in Colorado.

Two arrests in Wyoming happened in Casper and Rawlins.

The sweep comes nearly a year after ICE pledged to focus on deporting illegal immigrants with serious criminal histories and those who posed national security threats. -AP

Judge says lawsuit can proceed against ICE agents COLUMBUS, Ga.: A federal judge in Georgia says a lawsuit can proceed against five immigration agents in the case of a mentally disabled U.S. citizen who was deported to Mexico.

An order denied a motion to dismiss due process and unreasonable seizure claims against five U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The judge also says claims against the United States for false imprisonment, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress can go forward. -AP

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April 13, 2012

US representatives support Fla. immigrant lawyer TALLAHASSEE, Fla.: Eight members of Congress and four former American Bar Association presidents are urging the state Supreme Court to grant a law license to an illegal immigrant. -AP

H-1B visa employees crucial to US business: Microsoft WASHINGTON: As IT companies in India and the US started filling petitions for the most coveted H-1B work visas, software giant Microsoft has stressed on importance of the visa in retaining America's competitiveness and urged the US Senate to pass a bill pending before it in this regard.

"While the vast majority of our US workforce is comprised of US workers, the individuals we employ in H-1B status - educated at some of the best universities in the US and around the world - are crucial to our business," said Brad Smith, general counsel & executive vice president, Legal & Corporate Affairs, Microsoft.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has begun receiving petitions for the H1B visas for the fiscal 2013 beginning October, 2012.

The congressionally mandated numerical limitation on H-1B petitions for the fiscal year 2013 is 65,000, as has been in the previous years.

Additionally, the first 20,000 H1B petitions filed on behalf of individuals who have earned a US master's degree or higher are ex-

empt from the fiscal year cap.

Smith has predicted that the numerical limitation for H-1B could be filled up very soon than previous years.

"Even with our economy in the midst of a prolonged recovery, the annual allotment of H-1B visas is projected to be exhausted earlier than last year, and well before the

while keeping the door open to highly skilled talent from around the world to support the needs of US businesses."

Anu Peshawaria, a Californiabased attorney at law, said while there are no indications that the filings this year will resemble fiscal 2009 - the last time when the cap was reached in the initial fil-

Referring to the huge Green Card backlog, especially that from China and India, the top Microsoft official said America's approach to high skilled immigration must do a better job of reducing these backlogs end of the government's fiscal year.

"This isn't surprising, with the unemployment rate in the technology sector below 4 per cent," he wrote on a Microsoft post.

Smith said, "Our economy is hungry for workers with strong educational backgrounds, especially those with degrees in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

"We must continue to improve educational and professional opportunities for American workers,

ing period - it is important to be aware that, as the economy is slowly recovering there has been an increase in H1B demand. "Indian students (number) in the US is growing, recording an increase of 30 per cent more than last year.

"However, unless we reduce the waiting period for visa seekers, particularly students and cut down on the backlog we will continue to lose trained employees and US cannot make significant progress," Peshawaria said.

Referring to the huge Green Card backlog, especially that from China and India, the top Microsoft official said America's approach to high skilled immigration must do a better job of reducing these backlogs to enable US companies to retain this talent, and reap the economic benefits of their brainpower and contributions over the long term.

"There are important steps that Congress can take right now to accomplish this. The House passed the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act in November with overwhelming and rare bipartisan consensus, 389-15," Smith said.

He added, "The bill would replace the discriminatory 'per-country' limits on employment-based green cards with a merit-based, firstcome-first-served system, but it has unfortunately stalled in the Senate.

"The Senate should act now and pass this important legislation. Congress should also pass legislation to help ensure that the US can retain top foreign students who complete their education at US universities, rather than driving them away after graduation to compete against us in other countries." -PTI

What the Third Circuit missed in Vera and Bradley DAVID A. ISAACSON

I

n its decision earlier this month in the case of Vera v.

Attorney General of the U.S., the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit held that a woman who had entered the United States at the age of 12 under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) could be removed without a hearing before an immigration judge, even though the government could not produce proof that she had actually waived her right to such a hearing.

The Third Circuit in Vera relied on a presumption that the waiver must have been properly executed since this was required by statute in order for Ms. Vera to be admitted under the VWP, and also on the argument, first accepted by the Third Circuit in the case of Bradley v. Attorney

General of the U.S., 603 F.3d 235 (3d Cir. 2010), that there was no prejudice to Ms. Vera from any lack of a knowing and voluntary waiver because the summary removal that she now faced was the same consequence that she would

misunderstanding regarding the consequences of the different types of summary removals that can occur under the VWP. Additional background details regarding the VWP, as well as regarding the original decision by

If a VWP entrant who has waived these rights is found inadmissible at the time of applying for admission, or is later found to be deportable, he or she may be summarily removed have faced if she had refused to sign the waiver.

This second argument, similar to one made by the en banc Seventh Circuit in Bayo v.

Napolitano, 593 F.3d 495 (7th Cir. 2010), appears to be based on a

the Seventh Circuit in Bayo (preceding the en banc decision relied upon by Bradley), are available in a 'Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.' For present purposes, it suffices to note that VWP entrants are required by

statute, as noted in Vera and its predecessors, to waive their rights to contest removal other than on the basis of an application for asylum, or similar relief from removal based on the threat of persecution or torture.

If a VWP entrant who has waived these rights is found inadmissible at the time of applying for admission, or is later found to be deportable, he or she may be summarily removed without a hearing, absent an application for asylum or related relief.

There are, however, important differences between the consequences of summary removal upon initial application for admission under the VWP, and summary removal after admission under the VWP. Cont’d on page 38

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April 13, 2012

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Clergy group to air ad against AL immigration law MONTGOMERY, Ala.: Faith leaders across Alabama have asked state lawmakers to hear ``the cries of their people'', reflect and revise what they deem the toughest-in-the-nation immigration law.

A coalition called Faith Leaders for a Welcoming Alabama announced it would air a television commercial claiming the law has hurt the state's economy, bred a climate of fear and divided families.

The ad urges Alabamians to contact their local legislators and ask them to fix the law. ``We're asking them (lawmakers) to repent, or turn around on HB56 (the bill that carried the immigration law),'' said the Rev. Angie Wright of Birmingham, adding that repent means to turn around or change direction. ``They, like Pharaoh, have not been hearing the cries of their people.''

The commercial produced by the coalition is on a two-week run.

The group paid $70,000 to broadcast it in Montgomery markets. It is available online, but will not run anywhere else.

The commercial says the law prevents religious organizations from following their scriptural mandate to care for those in need by penalizing groups that transport or aid illegal immigrants.

Decatur Republican Rep. Micky Hammon carried the immigration law through the Legislature and is sponsoring a bill to make minor changes to the law. ``There are no penalties for religious groups,'' Hammon said.

``They can practice religion now; the law does not stop it. They have been wrong about the law all along.''

Hammon said his bill tweaking the law may include language to assuage the concerns of religious groups, but those changes aren't needed.

Legislators who passed the law said cracking down on illegal immigrants would open up jobs for legal residents in a state suffering from nearly 10 percent unemploy-

“Alabama made history with the cruel and unfair treatment of minority persons,'' Stryker said. “In the present we have and continue to make history'' ment at the time. The law requires police to determine citizenship status during traffic stops and requires government offices to verify legal residency for everyday transactions such as obtaining a car license, enrolling a child in school, getting a job or renewing a business license.

Courts have put on hold some portions of the law, including one that penalizes people who knowingly transport illegal immigrants.

The Rev. Dr. Richard Stryker, a native of Liberia in West Africa,

held up his green card as he spoke to reporters and clergy about how his ancestors fled the Carolinas to Liberia to avoid the persecution of slavery in America.

He pointed out the irony that he and other immigrants still faced government harassment based largely on the color of their skin. ``Alabama made history with the cruel and unfair treatment of minority persons,'' Stryker said. ``In the present we have and continue to make history'' with the implementation of the immigration law.

Stryker, the superintendent of the Southeast District of the North Alabama Conference for the United Methodist Church, immigrated to the U.S. in 1992 to attend school at the Memphis Seminary in Tennessee. He moved to Alabama in 1997, ``sent by God,'' he said.

The Rev. Wright said the group isn't going to dictate what they want done with the immigration law, but they're hoping for ``as much change as is politically or humanly possible.''

She said they will not be satisfied with minor tweaks, but they aren't going to go as far as to demand a full repeal of the law.

Faith leaders who spoke said they would prefer to see a federal program to control immigration rather than a hodgepodge of individual state laws.

Faith Leaders for a Welcoming Alabama is made up for nearly two dozen clergy leaders of different faiths from across the state. -AP

Federal sweep nets 123 illegal immigrants in NJ NEWARK, NJ: Federal immigration officials have announced the arrests of more than 100 illegal immigrants in New Jersey, including many people who have been convicted of serious crimes.

The sweep was part of an initiative by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with state and local law enforcement authorities.

In New Jersey, 107 of the 123 people arrested had criminal con-

victions. Of those, 82 were for felonies and 14 for sex crimes.

John Tsoukaris, field office director for ICE in Newark, said the focus of the sweep was illegal immigrants with criminal records. But additional focus was put on those who were ordered deported but didn't leave the country and people who were deported but returned illegally.

For the convicted criminals, the ICE sweep was aided by a

fingerprint-sharing database used by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, Tsoukaris said.

In New Jersey, the most arrests were in Essex County with 21, followed by Hudson County with 16 and Middlesex County with 13.

Among those arrested was a 31year-old Waldwick resident from China who had been convicted of kidnapping, extortion and racketeering. -AP

PRADEEP ROY-SINGH B.A. LL.B. M.B.A. J.D. Attorney-at-Law

Former Assistant State s Attorney

Civil & Criminal Litigation Felonies, Misdemeanors, Inc DUI 1 Personal Injury, Business, Divorce etc.

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2335 W. Devon Ave., Suite 204, Tel: 773-381-1820 Chicago, IL 60659

38

Immigration Post

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April 13, 2012

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What the Third Circuit missed in Vera and Bradley Cont’d from page 36

The procedures regarding determinations of inadmissibility and deportability under the VWP are set forth in the regulations at 8 C.F.R. § 217.4(a)-(b), available online from the Government Printing Office. The provision regarding "Determinations of inadmissibility" at 8 C.F.R. § 217.4(a) addresses the procedure by which "[a]n alien who applies for admission under [INA § 217], who is determined . . . not to be eligible for admission under that section or to be inadmissible to the United States . . . will be refused admission into the United States and removed." 8 C.F.R. § 217.4(a)(1).

Relevant here, 8 C.F.R. § 217.4(a) (3) provides that "Refusal of admission under paragraph (a) (1) of this section shall not constitute removal for purposes of the Act." With regard to those admitted under the VWP, on the other hand, 8 C.F.R. § 217.4(b) (1) lays out the procedures for summary deportation of "[a]n alien who has been admitted to the United States under [the VWP] who is determined by an immigration officer to be deportable from the United States under one or more of the grounds of deportability listed in section 237 of the Act." The immediately following paragraph, 8 C.F.R. § 217.4(b)(2), makes clear that "Removal by the district director under paragraph (b)(1) of this section is equivalent in all respects and has the same consequences as removal after proceedings conducted under section 240 of the Act." The key distinction between an initial refusal of admission under 8 C.F.R. § 217.4(a) and a later summary

deportation under 8 C.F.R. § 217.4(b), then, is that the former "shall not constitute removal for purposes of" the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), but the latter has the same consequences as removal after fullfledged removal proceedings under INA section 240, 8 U.S.C. § 1229a.

This distinction is important because removal under the INA has long-term consequences.

Most notably, one who has been removed is inadmissible under section 212(a)(9)(A) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(9)(A), for a period of time varying between five years and indefinitely, depending on the circumstances of removal.

In the ordinary course, when a removal order is issued after proceedings that were not initiated upon the arrival of the person removed, and there is no question of a second removal or an aggravated felony conviction, the period of inadmissibility is ten years pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(9)(A)(ii)(I).

One who wishes to seek readmission before this period has lapsed must obtain special consent to reapply for admission, pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a) (9) (A) (iii). Such permission to reapply for admission can be sought from USCIS by filing an application on Form I-212, but will be granted only in the exercise of discretion and not automatically.

Summary refusal of admission to a VWP applicant, under 8 C.F.R. § 217.4(a), is not an order of removal for purposes of the INA according to 8 C.F.R. § 217.4(a) (3), and thus does not lead to a requirement that the refused applicant seek special permission to reapply for admission. Summary removal of a VWP

applicant subsequent to admission under 8 C.F.R. § 217.4(b), on the other hand, has the same consequences as removal following ordinary removal proceedings according to 8 C.F.R. § 217.4(b) (2), which is to say that it will lead to at least a ten-year bar on readmission under 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a) (9) (A) (ii) (I) absent special, discretionary permission to reapply.

Thus, it was incorrect for the Third Circuit to say in Bradley and again in Vera that "Had Bradley known the contents of the waiver

Had Ms. Vera been refused admission when she came to the United States as a minor because she refused to sign the VWP waiver or was found unable to understand it, she would not have faced any bar and refused to sign, he would be in the same position as he is now subject to summary removal without a hearing" and thus unable to obtain status based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen. Bradley, 603 F.3d at 241; Vera, slip op. at 20.

The summary removal without a hearing that Mr. Bradley and Ms. Vera would have faced at the time of their initial applications for admission, if they had refused to sign the VWP waiver based on a true understanding of what it meant, carried no collateral consequence of future inadmissibil-

Married gay couples sue for immigration rights NEW YORK: Immigration advocates have filed a lawsuit on behalf of several married gay couples, alleging a federal law violates their constitutional rights by preventing them from sponsoring their spouses for green cards.

The complaint, which challenges the federal Defense of Marriage Act, was filed in federal court in Brooklyn by Immigration Equality, an advocacy group. Each of the five couples named as plaintiffs is struggling to obtain U.S. citizenship for a foreign-born spouse.

The 1996 law, known as DOMA, prevents the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages and denies federal benefits to married gay couples. The federal government does not recognize lesbian

and gay couples for immigration purposes, and several of the couples have been denied green cards. ``The families in today's lawsuit meet every qualification for immigration benefits, with the sole exception that they happen to be lesbian or gay,'' Rachel Tiven, executive director of Immigration Equality, said in a statement.

All of the plaintiffs were married in states that have sanctioned gay marriage. If the couples were heterosexual, the government would recognize the foreign spouse as an immediate relative of the U.S. citizen, paving the way for citizenship, advocates say.

The lawsuit claims DOMA violates their constitutional right to equal protection.

The lawsuit was filed against Attorney General Eric Holder; Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services director Alejandro Mayorkas; Robert M. Cowan, director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services National Benefits Center; and Daniel Renaud, director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Vermont Service Center.

Plaintiffs Heather Morgan and Maria del Mar Verdugo, who live in New York City and were married last year, said their plans for the future are in limbo as they await the status of their green card application for Verdugo, who is from Madrid. But they know it's unlikely to be approved. -AP

ity to the United States. The summary removal that they faced after admission, on the other hand, carried a penalty of inadmissibility for 10 years.

Had Ms. Vera been refused admission when she came to the United States as a minor because she refused to sign the VWP waiver or was found unable to understand it, she would not have faced any bar on readmission to the United States.

Now, however, she will, if removed under 8 C.F.R. § 217.4(b), be inadmissible under INA § 212(a) (9) (A) for a period of ten years.

That alone would constitute the prejudice that the Third Circuit claimed was absent.

Ms. Vera will also, if she is removed, likely be inadmissible for ten years under INA § 212(a)(9)(B), given her unlawful presence subsequent to admission, which she and Mr. Bradley would not have accrued if they had been refused admission because of refusal to sign a waiver-and which, even after they had accrued it, would not have precluded her or Mr. Bradley from adjusting status under INA § 245(a) based on a petition by a U.S. citizen immediate relative (such as a spouse) in the absence of the order of removal under 8 C.F.R. § 217.4(b) that is at issue here, so that there is indeed prejudice in this regard as well from subjecting Ms. Vera and Mr. Bradley to the strictures of the summary removal process despite the asserted lack of a knowing and voluntary waiver of rights by either of them.

The Third Circuit's suggestion that there was no prejudice in Vera and Bradley appears to have been based on the assumption that re-

fusal of VWP admission under 8 C.F.R. § 217.4(a) and subsequent summary deportation under 8 C.F.R. § 217.4(b) are legally identical procedures with identical consequences, but this is not the case.

With this erroneous argument out of the way, the Third Circuit's ruling in Vera appears to rest solely on the notion that a twelve-yearold girl must be presumed to have executed a knowing, voluntary, and meaningful waiver of her due process rights with regard to future removal from the United States simply because the governing statute and regulations indicate that the government ought to have required such a waiver prior to allowing her to enter the United States.

That is a slender reed indeed, as discussed in a recent posting on the AILA Slip Opinion Blog. The Second Circuit's decision in Galluzzo v.

Holder, which the Third Circuit in Vera declined to follow and which held that a VWP entrant's due process rights would have been violated (if prejudice were shown) when he was subjected to summary removal without any actual waiver, is significantly more convincing on that subject, and should be followed by other courts in the future.

Indeed, it would make sense for even the Third Circuit, in the event of future panel or en banc reconsideration of Vera (or en banc reconsideration of its precedential value in a future case), to follow Galluzzo once the prejudice to someone in Ms. Vera's situation has been explained.

* Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com

Chairman questions bills on immigration, abortion JACKSON, Miss.: Immigrationenforcement and abortion-regulation bills face tough scrutiny under a deadline in a Mississippi Senate committee.

Senate Judiciary B Committee Chairman Hob Bryan, D-Amory, said that he has concerns about the immigration and abortion bills, which have been among the most widely discussed at the Capitol this year.

Bryan said the immigration measure, House Bill 488, could intrude into the responsibilities of local law-enforcement agencies. ``It appears that this particular bill deals almost exclusively with the state of Mississippi instructing policemen and sheriff's deputies how they're to act when they arrest somebody,'' Bryan said at a

forum sponsored by the Capitol press corps and Mississippi State University's Stennis Institute of Government.

The immigration-enforcement bill is supported by Republican Gov. Phil Bryant, the Mississippi Tea Party and the Mississippi Federation for Immigration Reform.

It's opposed by sheriffs, police chiefs, city and county elected officials and several agriculture and business groups, including the influential Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation.

Even if the immigration and abortion bills fail in the Senate Judiciary B Committee, Republican Rep. Andy Gipson of Braxton is trying to keep the issues alive by inserting them into other Senate bills that have gone to the House. -AP

Horoscope

April 13, 2012

India Post 39

www.indiapost.com

Your Weekly Future

by Pandit Parashar

APRIL 13TH - APRIL 19TH (November 23 to December 22)

(March 21 to April 20)

I

C

t will be another favorable and fortunate week. Combination of Sun and Jupiter in your sign can open new doors. News will come as a pleasant surprise. There is also a chance of some kind of financial jackpot as Venus occupies second house. Things will keep improving at work and most of your plans will come through.

ombination of Jupiter and Sun in fifth is lucky. Your image in society will take off and most of your plans will be successful.

Chance of an addition in the family are too strong. A child will be accepted to college of his choice. You may make some money through stocks also. Trying playing lottery this week.

(April 21 to May 20)

(December 22 to January 19)

S

ome of you will be traveling long distance for business purpose.

Strong Venus in first will keep you cheerful and help overcome many obstacles. You may replace some items in the house also.

One of your major competition may decide to close down or move away. Have more patience with life or another business partner.

S

ome of you will be traveling in direction East for some business purpose. You will meet your professional goals and finish the project well before deadline. People applying for a change will be called for second interview. You will continue to use over the counter medications for problems that keeps coming back every year.

(May 21 to June 20)

(January 20 to February 18)

Y

R

ou may put your needs aside and help a needy friend or sibling.

It will be lot easy to get anything done from a government agency this time. Spouse may complain about some aches and pain in the body. People in business will find new vendors who are not only reasonable but efficient too. Bank balance will keep growing.

esponse will come in positive for all important mail you send out. You will gain friendship of an important person. Some one will give a very good idea and even offer partnership in a venture. You should just go ahead and grab the opportunity. You may be in touch with a government agency for some important work.

(February 19 to March 20)

(June 21 to July 22)

Y

V

ou may be writing a big check to a government agency this week.

Value of your stocks will appreciate and it will be better to dispose them off for the time being. You may be traveling to a nearby town to visit some old friend with family. Opportunity you have been looking for in career is still a few weeks away.

alue of your stocks will appreciate considerably and you may even win some money in lottery. A big refund will finally show up in mail or in bank account. You may be able to finally dispose off a property also. Venus in eleventh will bring you close to an interesting person. You may try to cut down on hot and spicy food.

(July 23 to August 22)

P

lanets are in perfect order to help you out achieve your goals easily. Business will pick up suddenly and the order could be larger than previously negotiated. For people working, a dream assignment or promotion in on the horizon. Planets will bring self confidence back and you will buy some expensive item for spouse.

2012 will be better and brighter for Katrina

(August 23 to September 22)

L

ady luck is with you this week. Money wise things will brighten up from now and on. You will take few courageous actions and the results will be instant and positive. Legal matters can also take a favorable turn and a government agency giving you run around for quite some time will accept your appeal and give clearance.

(September 23 to October 22)

P

eople will try to take undue advantage of your generosity. Money wise you will do better but the expenses will not leave you alone this week. Commitments made in the past will keep draining you out.

It will be a better week for people connected with real estate or food business. An important person will be added to network.

(October 23 to November 22)

P

lanets in sixth will help those looking for a change in career this week. Your tough attitude will be enough to scare people trying to create problem at work. Bachelors will have better luck and will be introduced to a nice person by another friend. People prone to litigation should be extra careful this week.

K

atrina Kaif, the gorgeous Cancerian currently seems to possess a golden touch because whatever she touches turn into gold.

Whether she plays a serious character in

Pandit Parashar, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations. He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com

Rajneeti or portrays a chirpy, fun-loving persona with a 'who-cares' attitude in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, she does it with elan. Such is her screen presence and star power that everything clicks at the boxoffice. Even when she decides to gyrate her hips to a particular 'Sheila Ki Jawaani', the crowd watches in awe and applauses her 'thumkas'.

Katrina's ruling number is 7. Her lucky days are Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The planet Neptune makes her highly imaginative. She is an easygoing and optimistic person. She is generous, emotional and sensitive at heart. She loves taking care of her family, and, being a Cancerian woman she will be fit perfectly into the role of a homemaker.

The year 2012 will be better and brighter for Katrina. She will delight audiences with her movies and her fans will offer her their love and support. She will want to spend more time with her family and her personal relationships will improve. The upcoming months will bring in many positive changes and Katrina will have lady luck on her side all through the year.

925-833-7170

website: www.parashar.com

Health

Line

Blacks have trouble clearing cervical cancer virus CHICAGO: New research might help explain why black women are so much more likely than whites to develop and die from cervical cancer.

The research finds that blacks seem to have more trouble clearing HPV, the virus that causes the disease.

Researchers have long thought that less access to health care in the U.S. makes blacks more vulnerable to cervical cancer. But the new study suggests that there might also be a biological reason.

Doctors say that if other research confirms that finding, the HPV vaccine would become even more important for black women.

The vaccine is recommended for all girls starting at age 11. -AP

Kan. saw abortions decline 6.2 percent last year TOPEKA, Kan.: Fewer abortions were performed in Kansas in 2011, marking the fifth consecutive year the numbers have dropped.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports that about 7,800 abortions in Kansas were reported by doctors, or 6.2 percent less than the nearly 8,400 abortions performed in 2010.

The figure for last year also is 30 percent lower than the nearly 11,300 abortions performed in 2006.

Abortion opponents attribute the decline to anti-abortion laws enacted last year and suggest women are responding to information about pregnancy and abortion posted by KDHE online. -AP

Unions spar over school worker health care changes OLYMPIA, Wash.: A measure intended to streamline health insurance for Washington's public school employees has proved to be among the most opaque and contentious issues taken up by the Legislature this year.

The proposed new system, which is still on the table in the ongoing budget negotiations, would be run by the state's Health Care Authority.

The Authority conducted a study last year on how much the new system would cost, but didn't get necessary data about the current system from the school districts, insurers and the teachers' union. -AP

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April 13, 2012

Long use of any hormones poses cancer risk CHICAGO: New research suggests that long-term use of any type of hormones to ease menopause symptoms can raise a women's risk of breast cancer. -AP

Scientists uncover clue to preventing rare genetic disease India Post News Service

NEW JERSEY: Rutgers scientists think they have found a way to prevent and possibly reverse the most debilitating symptoms of a rare, progressive childhood degenerative disease that leaves children with slurred speech, unable to walk, and in a wheelchair before they reach adolescence.

In the online edition of Nature Medicine, Karl Herrup, chair of the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience in the School of Arts and Sciences provides new information on why this genetic disease attacks the cerebellum - a part of the brain that controls movement coordination, equilibrium, and muscle tone - and other regions of the brain.

Using mouse and human brain tissue studies, Herrup and his colleagues at Rutgers found that in the brain tissue of young adults who died from axtaxia-telangiectasia, or A-T disease, a protein known as HDAC4 was in the wrong place. HDAC4 is known to regulate bone and muscle development, but it is also found in the nerve cells of the brain.

The protein that is defective in A-T, they discovered, plays a critical role in keeping HDAC4 from ending up in the nucleus of the nerve cell instead of in the cytoplasm where it belongs. In a properly work-

Karl Herrup

"We can never replace cells that are lost," said Herrup. "But what these mouse studies indicate is that we can take the cells that remain in the brains of these children and make them work better ing nerve cell, the HDAC4 in the cytoplasm helps to prevent nerve cell degeneration; however, in the brain tissue of young adults who had died from A-T disease, the protein was in the nucleus where it attacked the histones - the small proteins that coat and protect the DNA. "What we have found is a double-edged sword," said

Herrup. "While the HDAC4 protein protected a neuron's function when it was in the cytoplasm, it was lethal in the nucleus."

Neurological degeneration is not the only life-threatening effect associated with this genetic disease. A-T disease - which occurs in an estimated 1 in 40,000 births causes the immune system to break

down and leaves children extremely susceptible to cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma. There is no known cure and most die in their teens or early 20s. According to the AT Children's Project, many of those who die at a young age might not have been properly diagnosed, which may, in fact, make the disease even more common.

Herrup says although this discovery does not address all of the related medical conditions associated with the disease, saving existing brain cells - even those that are close to death - and restoring life-altering neurological functions would make a tremendous improvement in the lives of these children.

"We can never replace cells that are lost," said Herrup. "But what these mouse studies indicate is that we can take the cells that remain in the brains of these children and make them work better.

This could improve the quality of life for these kids by unimaginable amounts."

Additionally, Herrup says, the research might provide insight into other neurodegenerative diseases. "If this is found to be true, then the work we've done on this rare disease of childhood may have a much wider application in helping to treat other diseases of the nervous system, even those that affect the elderly, like Alzheimer's," he said.

WHO urges attention to health of the ageing India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: Approximately 142 million people or 8% of the population of WHO's South-East Asia Region are above the age of 60 years. The number of aged people will double by 2025 and triple by 2050 compared to 2000.

The average life expectancy in most countries in the Region will be above 75 years by 2050. On World Health Day, 7 April, WHO draws global attention to ageing and health to highlight ageing as a rapidly emerging priority that most countries in the Region have yet to address adequately.

National policies to promote healthy ageing exist in Bangladesh, DPR Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

There is an urgent need to focus attention on issues such as economic effects of ageing on

health care system; ways of ensuring independence in old age, quality of life; striking a balance between the role of family and the State in providing care to older people who need assistance; humanitarian crises and older population, and health

problems of elderly females and very old persons.

"Older women outnumber and outlive older men. Gender discrimination and widowhood has a considerable impact on health of elderly women" said Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang, WHO's Regional Director for South-East Asia.

"Poor nutrition in the womb leads to disease in adulthood. Preventing diseases through immunization, good nutrition, and healthy lifestyles will result in an elderly population that is a rich resource for families, communities and nations" he added.

Cont’d on page 41

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WHO urges attention to health of the ageing Cont'd from page 40

Smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet, sedentary lifestyles and exposure to toxic substances at work also influence health outcomes in old age. With nuclear families replacing joint families and large rural-to-urban migrations, the old and the infirm are often left at home.

These changing patterns of society are now affecting the care of the old and very old persons at home. Healthy ageing requires a significant paradigm shift in providing care to the elderly.

Age-friendly primary health care minimizes the consequences of noncommunicable or chronic diseases by early detection, prevention, quality of care and by providing long-term palliative care for those with advanced disease.

Such interventions need to be supplemented by affordable longterm care for those who can no longer retain their independence.

Several countries in the Region have introduced age-friendly policies and plans of action. For instance, Indonesia's law to help the elderly population access basic

social and health care services. In Sri Lanka, the National Council for Elders and the National Secretariat for the Elders, which operate under the Ministry of Social Services, are dedicated to serve the elderly. As part of this initiative, the Elders' Maintenance Board can initiate action against children

Thailand has also adopted a holistic approach to provide social, health and economic security to its senior citizens. This approach has contributed to Thailand's success in providing long term care to seniors through family, community and institutionalbased interventions.

India enacted the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act in 2007 to provide legal strength to old age care and ensure that family members take care of their older relatives. Thailand has also adopted a holistic approach to provide healthcare or relatives in case of neglect of the elderly. The national authorities are also taking steps to regulate and register 'old-age homes' in Sri Lanka.

India enacted the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act in 2007 to provide legal strength to old age care and ensure that family members take care of their older relatives.

TIP OF THE WEEK

Building an age-friendly society needs actions from sectors other than health such as education, employment, labor, finance, social security, transportation, justice, housing and rural-urban development. On World Health Day, WHO is urging policy-makers and partners to pay urgent attention to ageing and health.

Fight tummy troubles with fish

I

ndigestion, irritable bowel syn drome, inflammatory bowel diseases...if your belly always seems to be in an uproar, try munching 18 ounces of fish weekly to ease your misery.

Repeated studies show that the fatty acids in fish, called EPA and DHA, can significantly reduce intestinal inflammation, cramping and belly pain and, in some cases, provide as much relief as corticoster-

oids and other prescription meds.

"EPA and DHA are powerful, natural, side effect-free anti-inflammatories, that can dramatically improve the function of the entire gastrointestinal tract," explains biological chemist Barry Sears, Ph.D., president of the Inflammation Research Foundation in Marblehead, MA. For best results, look for oily fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, trout and herring.

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FDA: tobacco companies must report chemicals WASHINGTON: Tobacco companies will be required to report the levels of dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes, chew and other products under the latest rules designed to tighten regulation of the tobacco industry.

The preliminary guidance issued by the Food and Drug Administration marks the first time tobacco makers would be required to report quantities of 20 chemicals associated with cancer, lung disease and other health problems. The FDA will release the information in a consumer-friendly format by next April. ``Cigarettes are the only mass-consumed product in this country for which consumers don't know what's in them, until now,'' said Dr. Lawrence Deyton, director of FDA's tobacco cen-

ter, in an interview with the Associated Press.

Ammonia, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde are among the ingredients or byproducts

the coming year. The agency will take comments on the guidance until June 4. There is no deadline for when the documents will become final.

Some tobacco companies have alternatives like snus - small pouches like tea bags that users stick between the cheek and gum and dissolving tobacco - finely milled tobacco shaped into orbs, sticks and strips.

But they are not explicitly marketed as less risky than cigarettes of tobacco that are subject to the new rule.

Regulators have identified more than 93 harmful or potentially harmful chemicals in tobacco products, though the agency is only focusing on 20 for

A law enacted in 2009 gave the FDA authority to regulate a number of aspects of tobacco marketing and manufacturing, though the agency cannot ban nicotine.

FDA also gained authority to set standards on levels of harmful in-

US reviews research risks amid bird-flu debate WASHINGTON: The Obama administration is ordering a government-wide review of scientific research that could raise biosecurity concerns in the wake of fierce controversy over some man-made strains of the deadly bird flu.

The policy tightens oversight of high-stakes research involving dangerous germs, work that could bring a big payoff but which also could cause harm if the research ever is misused.

The new U.S. policy doesn't mean there's anything wrong with doing this kind of research, including recent experiments in Wisconsin and the Netherlands that created easier-to-spread versions of the bird flu. ``These were important experiments to perform,'' stressed Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health, which is posting the new policy on its biosecurity website.

The policy lays out steps to help scientists and government agencies determine which projects raise particular concerns about biosecurity and how to ensure that risks from the research are carefully managed from the start.

The policy comes as biosecurity advisers to the government began a meeting to reconsider whether the public ever should hear the full details of those bird-flu experiments.

Bird flu only occasionally sickens people, mostly after close contact with infected poultry, but it can be deadly when it does. Sci-

Dr. Anthony Fauci

The policy tightens oversight of highstakes research involving dangerous germs, work that could bring a big payoff but which also could cause harm if the research ever is misused entists long have feared it might mutate to spread more easily and thus spark a pandemic. Two NIHfunded labs were studying how that might happen when they created strains of this H5N1 virus that some mammals ferrets can spread by coughing or sneezing.

The work triggered international debate when the U.S. government urged that details be kept

secret so would-be terrorists couldn't copy the strains, and critics worried that a lab accident might allow the viruses to escape.

But flu experts meeting at the World Health Organization disagreed, saying the research should be published eventually.

The researchers have said the airborne virus didn't actually kill the ferrets and that publishing their findings would help other scientists monitor bird flu's evolution in the wild as well as test vaccines and treatments.

The government will consider the biosecurity advisers' recommendations as it decides next steps.

Fauci said in an interview that the bird flu experiments were conducted under very strict safety protocols.

The new biosecurity policy probably wouldn't have prevented the big debate over what to do with the results, but its call for regular reviews might have offered advance warning about the coming dilemma, he said. Instead, the scientific community was caught by surprise.

There already are strict government rules on how to handle certain germs that might be of interest to bioterrorists, but Fauci said the new policy makes clear steps for assessing and managing risks with such research. He predicted dilemmas like the bird-flu research would be rare.

The NIH has completed its own biosecurity review and found fewer than 10 projects that met the criteria for further risk management, he said. -AP

gredients in tobacco products, though the agency is not yet using that power.

The same law lets the agency approve new tobacco products that could be marketed as safer than what's currently for sale.

In separate guidance, the FDA laid out the scientific studies it will require before any company can market a so-called modified-risk tobacco product.

Companies must submit extensive testing data on health risks for users and non-users, behavior changes and consumer understanding of marketing materials for new products. ``The law sets a high standard to make sure that tobacco products marketed to reduce risk actually reduce risk,'' Deyton said.

The FDA's handling of modified-risk products has been highly

anticipated by both the public health community and bigger tobacco companies, which are looking for new products to sell as they face declining cigarette demand due to tax increases, health concerns, smoking bans and social stigma.

Some tobacco companies have alternatives like snus - small pouches like tea bags that users stick between the cheek and gum - and dissolving tobacco - finely milled tobacco shaped into orbs, sticks and strips. But they are not explicitly marketed as less risky than cigarettes.

The FDA is required to respond to a company's application within a year of its submission and acceptance. FDA officials would not comment on how many applications have been submitted to date. -AP

Plans for Ore. health overhaul about to be clearer SALEM, Ore.: The Oregon Legislature has bought into Gov. John Kitzhaber's ideas for redesigning the state's health care system for low-income patients. Now, it's about to become plain how many Oregon doctors, hospitals and other care providers are ready to put his vision into practice.

Organizations that want a piece of the redesigned Oregon Health Plan must declare their intentions to the state now or miss their chance until next year.

Letters to state health officials will reveal which care providers are planning to participate, what areas of the state they want to cover and how quickly they're hoping to get their plans off the ground.

They don't have to provide many details just yet, but their initial documents will show whether some areas of the state will sit out the changes for now, or if multiple groups will be competing to cover the same patients.

The Legislature signed off last month on a plan to create regional ``coordinated care organizations'' responsible for patients on the Oregon Health Plan, the state's version of Medicaid, a health plan for low-income patients funded by the state and federal governments.

The coordinated care organizations will be charged with integrating mental health and medical care, which are currently fractured into separate systems with minimal communications. The CCOs will be paid a fixed price for each patient, rather than a fee for each service they provide.

Kitzhaber and other propo-

nents hope the model will create financial incentives to invest in preventive care, community health workers and other ways to keep patients healthy and away from expensive emergency rooms.

They're especially interested in improving the management of chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma to reduce hospitalizations. Opponents worry the government will have too much control over health care.

The plan envisions a significant restructuring of the health industry that, in some cases, changes

The plan envisions a significant restructuring of the health industry that, in some cases, changes the business model for care providers the business model for care providers or encourages longtime competitors to work together. The documents, set to be released publicly, are likely to show how health companies are lining up in the delicate dance, and also could expose any fissures between them. ``It is an important milestone in creating the coordinated care organizations to better serve the state,'' said Patty Wentz, a spokeswoman for the Oregon Health Authority. ``It's also going to be important to the local communities, to see who is working to become a coordinated care organization.'' -AP

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Vt. routinely violates law on moving mentally ill MONTPELIER, Vt.: Mentally ill Vermonters who are involuntarily put in state care are still mostly being moved from place to place in shackles, seven years after the state decreed that they should be transported with ``the least restrictive means necessary,'' according to documents and interviews.

A very small percentage of patients are combative or are deemed to present a threat of violence, psychologists, sheriffs and others said. But about two-thirds of patients being moved by sheriffs or police are in handcuffs and ankle chains, data compiled by the state Department of Mental Health show.

Some patients end up being shackled for nearly three hours as they are moved from hospital emergency rooms in St. Albans or Newport to the Brattleboro Retreat in southeastern Vermont, a private psychiatric hospital the state has been relying on more since flooding from Tropical Storm Irene forced the closing of the Vermont State Hospital in Waterbury in August. ``It would seem as though we've made virtually no progress on this issue ... or, worse yet, that we've regressed substantially,'' Jeff McKee, director of psychiatric services at the Rutland Regional Medical Center, wrote in an email.

A retired doctor told of her 26-year-old son, who suffers from schizophrenia and has been shackled on several occasions when being taken to psychiatric treatment even though he was not threatening violence, she said. ``I just can't even describe the horror of it, the cruelty,'' said Dr. Ruth Grant of Waltham. ``They've never come close to using the least restrictive means available on my son,'' Grant said.

Deputy Mental Health Commissioner Mary Moulton acknowledged the mental health

system was not living up to the terms of the law, passed in 2003 and updated in 2005. ``We're late, but we're here and we're going to do something about it,'' she said.

Since Irene, a task force has been studying issues connected with transporting the mentally ill, and Moulton said her goal is to see, within a year, at least 60 percent of Vermont's transports of mental health patients done without law enforcement involvement or the use of restraints.

Some patients end up being shackled for nearly three hours as they are moved from hospital emergency rooms in St. Albans or Newport to the Brattleboro Retreat in southeastern Vermont, a private psychiatric hospital the state has been relying on more since flooding from Tropical Storm Irene forced the closing of the Vermont State Hospital in Waterbury in August The issue is yet another setback for Vermont's mental health system, which is in the midst of a top-to-bottom shake-up. Built in the 1890s and widely seen as antiquated, the state hospital was closed for good after the flood. It lost its federal certification a decade ago, costing the state $8 million to $12 million a year in federal money used to care for patients.

In the past five years, about three-quarters of involuntarily committed patients were transported around by sheriffs or police.

Others were taken by ambulance or in vehicles driven by hospital or mental health workers. From 2007 through 2009, an average of 65 percent of the patients was transported in restraints. In 2010 it crept up to 69 percent and last year to 72 percent.

One patient, Marla Simpson, said in an interview that she was suffering from insomnia in 2003 and hadn't slept in four days

Rare strain of hand, foot, mouth disease in Reno RENO, Nev.: Health officials say they've identified a rare, more severe strain of hand, foot and mouth disease in Washoe County that's appeared in only three other places in the country, but they say the outbreak has now been contained.

Thirty cases of Coxsackievirus were identified in the Truckee Meadows. Since November, 38 cases turned up in Alabama, seven appeared in California and Connecticut reported one. ``It may confuse both the doctors doing the diagnosing, and the health departments,'' said Dr. Joe Iser, district health officers for the Washoe County Health District. His team's findings on the outbreak have been published in a national journal produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ``This brings it to their attention,'' he said.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is common, especially in children under the age of five. The illness typically brings a low fever, rash, and sores on the hands, feet and mouth.

when she asked a mental health crisis worker to be taken from her home in Randolph to the Central Vermont Medical Center, which has a psychiatric unit. Instead, she was taken to the Gifford Medical Center in Randolph, which does not have a psychiatric unit.

She was held overnight and asked to return home in the morning to find a ride to central Vermont. She said in an email that a police officer threw her against a wall and

The new strain, which showed up in January, causes heavier rashes in those areas, plus sores on the knees, elbows, arms, legs, buttocks and genital areas. Health officials gathered samples and had them analyzed by a laboratory, which confirmed the rare strain.

It's previously been identified in European and Asian countries and has only recently made its way to the U.S. There's no known cure for the virus, but it's mild and usually goes away within a few days or a week. The biggest problems arise when children scratch their sores, opening themselves up to a secondary infection.

Iser said epidemiologists had been trying to identify how the virus made its way to Reno perhaps from someone who visited family in another part of the country that's experienced an outbreak. But they've hit a dead end on the trail.

The virus can be prevented by washing hands often, especially after changing diapers or using the restroom, and by disinfecting toys. -AP

handcuffed her. ``I don't think it should be allowed,'' Simpson, 39, said in an interview.

Both Windham County Sheriff Keith Clark and Orleans County Sheriff Kirk Martin said that getting a ride with their deputies means being in shackles.

Patients are being transported by sheriffs in most cases mainly because that's how it's been done historically, several people involved in the mental health system said. Some said there's reluctance

among ambulance crews to move the patients because crews worry about the safety of moving people who are being committed involuntarily. ``If you call us, it means you're asking for the most secure kind of transport,'' Clark said. He said he would prefer that the Department of Mental Health have its own personnel do the transports. ``When it comes right down to it, we should not be in the mental health transport business.''

There are also financial issues: A ride with a sheriff is cheaper than one in an ambulance. And Jim Finger, president of the Vermont Ambulance Association, said some ambulance services balk at long-distance transports of patients covered by Medicaid because reimbursements from that government health insurance program are too low to cover the ambulance crew's costs.

But traveling by ambulance is better for the patient's mental health, McKee said. ``If it's not treated like a criminal thing, they respond differently,'' he said. ``If the police are walking in and jangling shackles it's just a whole different level of conversation. It just escalates the situation.''

Such transportation is not without its own challenges.

Patients often are brought first by family members, police or community mental health workers to emergency rooms, where, if they are deemed in need of inpatient care, they often wait until a bed opens up in a psychiatric unit somewhere in the state. -AP

„

Realty Tidbits

Godrej launches residential project in Nagpur

Real Estate

R

eal estate firm Godrej Properties has launched a premium residential project offering residential apartments and penthouses in Nagpur.

Godrej Properties, the Mumbaibased real estate arm of Godrej Group, will develop approximately 2 million sq ft of residential space as part of this project.

"This project will offer 2, 3 and 4 BHK Vastu compliant luxury apartments and penthouses ranging from 1,321 sq ft to 5,900 sq ft," the company said in a statement. -PTI

„ Unitech launches Gardens Galleria in Noida NEW DELHI: Unitech, integrated developer of large scale real estate projects has announced the launch of Gardens Galleria in Noida.It is part of Unitech's 147 acres entertainment cum retail destination in Noida, a Unitech release said. Gardens Galleria is spread over 8.36 acres of land.

"Unitech has already developed another 4 million square feet of retail space in cities such as Kochi, Gurgaon, Bangalore, Lucknow, Mohali, Bhopal. -PTI

„ CAG says Orissa misused law to acquire land BHUBANESWAR: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has unearthed a land scam in Orissa where the state government acquired land for industrial houses like Vedanta and Posco by reportedly misusing existing provisions of the Land Acquisition Act. The CAG also found that the companies were not using the land for which they were allotted and instead, hoarding land whose market value ran into thousands of crores.

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ASK buys 49% stake in Godrej project

T

he private equity firm ASK Property Investment Advisors has bought 49% stake in Godrej Properties' Chembur project.

Godrej had earlier entered into a tripartite agreement with Kamla Landmarc Property Leasing and Finance Private Limited (Kamla) and 18 societies to undertake a residential redevelopment project in Sahakar Nagar, Chembur, Mumbai.

American Real Estate aims to remove 'distressed' tag from properties SURENDRA ULLAL

CHICAGO: Launched only this year in January, American Real Estate has started the year off by achieving $20 million in listings within the first 90 days its operation.

"Our firm provides business solutions for owners of hotels, shopping centers, office buildings, and valuable commercial properties on a local and global scale. One of our aims is to remove the "distressed" tag from properties in order for normal market forces to operate. This cleans up assets, compromises liens, and settles foreclosures lawsuits for our clients to obtain a clear title," said Hasan Merchant, CEO of the company.

Talking to news media at Udupi Restaurant on Devon Avenue in Chicago, he said that sales of distressed properties are picking up, which he believed would raise transaction volume for this year.

American Real Estate estimates there are 598 distressed commercial properties valued at $7.6 billion in the Chicago area alone. The region ranks 34th among the U.S. metro areas in the level of distressed commercial property. More local commercial property owners fell behind on loan payments in the first quarter, a trend expected to continue into next year as low occupancies and rentals push more landlords into financial difficulty.

Hasan Merchant was accompanied by important members of his staff including Katherine Chmielewska, Ana Plonski and Amelia Miller. He placed before the media many projects envisaged

Hasan Merchant (second from left) with Dr Sheri Merchant and staff members

by him and on the anvil.

He said, "Commercial mortgage refinancing is also incredibly relevant in our business in the year 2012 due to there being over one trillion dollars of commercial debt that is imminently seeking a new home. We plan on making our

2010 and we think we will continue to see capital flow into Chicago.

Many land owners and constrction loans have run into trouble because developers haven't sold enough condominiums or houses to pay off their lenders and have diminished reserve

Hasan has successfully handled real estate and corporate financing transactions in excess of $250 million in the Chicago land area commercial mortgage services known and scaled up in the coming year. Sales of commercial properties in Chicago jumped in 2011 for a second straight year; more investors are returning for the market, improving the economic outlook.

"Recovery started very early in

accounts that are set up to fund interest payments."

The firm's experience in federal and state litigation, bankruptcy and adversary proceedings, commercial real estate, chancery foreclosure, and appellate procedure fosters CEO Hasan Merchant's vision for the company in achiev-

ing American Real Estate's mission of growth. Hasan has successfully handled real estate and corporate financing transactions in excess of $250 million in the Chicago land area. Innovative thinker with broad-based expertise in operations, finance and business development; Hasan has the ability to envision and create successful outcomes in complex situations.

With a staff of eight professionals from real estate, marketing, accounting, and law, American Real Estate is planning to help clients with acquisitions, mortgage financing, or liquidating their assets. "We are a company with a philosophy that's centered on not only making sound business decisions, but also personally and professionally finding ways to contribute to the well being of society," Merchant added.

Developers may strike if realty woes persist: CREDAI MUMBAI: Concerned over the problems faced by realtors and home buyers, Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Association of India (CREDAI) said it may go on a nationwide developers strike to sensitize the policymakers if realty woes persist.

The association has also decided to send an 'SOS' to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and seek an appointment to meet him to discuss the need for speedy reforms in the sector.

"In our next governing council body

meeting, we will decide to call for a day's strike to draw the government's attention to the problems being faced by the industry. We may have to go on an indefinite strike if the problems affecting the developers and home buyers are not addressed," CREDAI national president Lalit Kumar Jain said in a statement here.

Clarifying that the developer community was not against any government or a political party, Jain said, "Our aim is to get all the problems resolved, so that developers can play an effective role in the housing for all

mission planned by the government".

The sector contributes close to 7 per cent (or around Rs 140,000 crore) to the GDP, he said, adding, "But we are still facing suffocation due to various administrative delays on various counts. All our appeals for speedy action are falling on deaf ears."

As per the current projections, there is a shortage of 270 lakh dwellings and by 2025, shelter will be of a matter of a huge concern for nearly 50 crore people, he said.

"Instead of facilitating the industry to function without any hurdles, the govern-

ment is enforcing policies like compulsory reservation of 20 per cent of the developed property for affordable housing. It is unfair to burden the majority 80 per cent buyers with additional cost," Jain said.

Real estate is a capital and labor-intensive industry which supports over 200 other industries like steel, cement and other construction material, he said, adding, "Therefore, reforms will have a cascading effect leading to the doubling of the GDP, employment for a crore of people, apart from proving a million white collar jobs." -PTI

Real Estate Post

April 13, 2012

India Post

45

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Raheja plans Rs 1,000 cr investment on new township NEW DELHI: Raheja Developers is planning to build an integrated township at Sohna near Gurgaon that could entail an investment of about Rs 1,000 crore over the next three years.

The project, which is yet to get the final regulatory approval, is planned over an area of 108 acres that will be expandable up to 250 acres.

"We have submitted the LoI (Letter of Intent) to develop the township in 108 acres.

We are hopeful of getting the final approval very shortly and will launch the project within next 15 days," Raheja Developers Chairman and MD Navin M Raheja told PTI. The company has also applied for approvals to expand the township into a total area of 250 acres, he added.

When asked about investment that may go into the project, Raheja said, "We have not made the final outlay, but any such

project of this size will require to put in about Rs 1,000 crore on development."

The company will invest the amount through internal accruals, he added.

At present, the company is finalizing the

years," he said.

Last week, Raheja Developers had said it will invest about Rs 300 crore in a group housing project at Dharuhera in Haryana over the next 4-5 years.

At present, Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Civic Centre is the tallest building in Delhi that has 28 storeys with a height of 112 meters. The company had also formed a joint venture with Dubai-based Arabtec Construction to build real estate projects in India design plan of the project, Raheja said.

"We are working on the design. We are planning to offer around 800 housing units in the township that will comprise independent flats, group housing, villas and plots.

It is likely to be completed in the next three

The project, Oma, will house 640 apartments and will be one of the tallest buildings in the area with 40 storeys, the company had claimed.

The sizes of the flats will vary between 550 sq ft and 4,500 sq ft. The company will

Rezidor, Bestech tie up to open 49 hotels NEW DELHI: Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has announced a partnership with Gurgaon-based Bestech Hospitalities Pvt Ltd to open 49 hotels under mid-scale brand 'Park Inn' in North and Central India by 2024.

The two companies will also jointly invest USD 42 million (over Rs 210 crore) in the first two hotels that will be operational in Gurgaon and Mohali in the next three years.

"India's growing middle class will spur domestic travel demand in the mid-scale segment. To cater to this demand we have decided to open 49 Park Inn hotels here in partnership with Bestech," Carlson CEO and President Hubert Joly told PTI. On plans to invest with USD 42 million for the first two hotels jointly with Bestech, he said: "It is unusual for us to invest in real estate. We are doing this because India is a very strategic market for us."

The global hospitality firm has

already announced plans to operate 100 hotels across brands in India by 2015.

"The 49 hotels that we are planning with Bestech is in addition to the 100 already announced," he said.

Currently, Carlson operates 127 hotels under Park Inn brand in 33 countries across the world and 65 more are in the pipeline. An ideal Park Inn hotel in India would have an inventory of 200 rooms, he added Carlson currently operates 52 hotels in India under different brands such as Radisson, Radisson BLU, Park Plaza and Country Inn and Suites.

Commenting on the brand Park Inn Joly said:" It is a full service mid-scale concept designed for Gen Y. It is priced in the USD 80100 (per night) bracket."

Currently, Carlson operates 127 hotels under Park Inn brand in 33 countries across the world and 65 more are in the pipeline.

An ideal Park Inn hotel in India would have an inventory of 200 rooms, he added.

Bestech Hospitalities already owns five hotel properties that are operated by Carlson.

"For developing the planned 49 properties we are ready to rope in other strategic partners," Bestech Hospitalities MD Dharmendra Bhandari said.

India currently contributes 5 per cent to Carlson's global revenues and 20 per cent of the upcoming hotels' pipeline, Joly said.

"By 2015 India will contribute 7 per cent to Carlson's global revenues," he said, adding the idea is to push the group's key brands in the country. -PTI

HC rejects Lanco's petition over land ownership HYDERABAD: In a setback to Lanco group which was developing Rs 7,200 crore real estate project here, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has refused to entertain a petition over the ownership of land on which the project was coming up saying the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Wakf tribunal.

A division bench comprising justices V V S Rao and R Kanta Rao dismissed the petition filed by Lanco Hills Technology Park, a Lanco group company, on the ground that the issue whether a particular piece of land is Wakf

land or not, cannot be decided by the High Court as it squarely falls within the jurisdiction of Wakf Tribunal.

Earlier, the Wakf Tribunal had refrained Lanco from selling the apartments being built on the said land following objection raised by Wakf Board, following which Lanco moved the high court.

The State Government had sold 1,654.32 acres of land belonging to Dargah Hazrath Hussain Shah Wali in Manikonda village to many corporates including Microsoft, Emaar Infosys, Wipro and Lanco.

But it was not clear whether the

court's observation would impact all the corporates as they did not want to comment saying they were yet to see the court's order.

Lanco had proposed to build about 30 million sq ft of built up space including residential area, IT towers, malls and hotels. -PTI When contacted, a spokesperson of Lanco said they were surprised by the court decision and may approach the Supreme Court.

"We are surprised. We will explore all legal options including knocking the doors of Supreme Court," the Lanco official said. -PTI

offer the apartments at a price ranging from Rs 17.5 lakh to over Rs 1 crore, he said.

Last year, Raheja Developers had announced plans to build 'Raheja Phoenix' that comprises a 54-story tower with a helipad for about Rs 300 crore, which it claimed will be the tallest housing project in the National Capital.

At present, Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Civic Centre is the tallest building in Delhi that has 28 storeys with a height of 112 meters. The company had also formed a joint venture with Dubai-based Arabtec Construction to build real estate projects in India and awarded contracts worth Rs 1,020 crore to the JV firm for three housing projects.

The JV will develop the housing project 'Raheja Revanta' with 56 storeys (195 meter) in Gurgaon comprising 1,200 units. It will later build the 'Raheja Phoenix'. -PTI

Bengal Land Reforms Bill passed KOLKATA: A bill facilitating relaxation of urban land ceiling laws in setting up industry in West Bengal has been passed in the state assembly by 252-46 votes despite Opposition by Left Front members.

In the absence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is also in-charge of the Land and Land Reforms department, in the House, the West Bengal Land Reforms (Amendment) Bill 2012 was introduced by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee for discussion.

Immediately after it was moved in the Assembly, Leader of Opposition Surya Kanta Mishra said such an important bill required a detailed discussion before passage in a hurry and demanded that it be referred to a select committee of the House.

It would be unwise to pass such an important bill after a 90-minute discussion, he said.

Mishra said that the Bill was moved earlier in 2006 when it was sent to a Select Committee and was

subsequently withdrawn.

In his reply, the minister said that the LF Bill of 2006 and the Bill they moved now were different in context and intention.

The government was against forcible acquisition of land and was committed to protect the farmers as well as to brighten the prospect of industrialization in the state, he said.

Describing the bill as "sensitive", Chatterjee said that the government was not against industry and that enough land was available for setting up of industry.

Chatterjee alleged that the erstwhile state government went for forcible acquisition of land starting from Singur to Nandigram putting farmers at party cadres' gun point.

The passing of the bill would facilitate relaxation of urban land ceiling laws in some cases for setting up industry.

The state government would also be able to take back land allotted to a person for setting up any unit, if the land remained unutilized for three years.

46

Datebook

India Post

April 13, 2012

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NEW YORK

NEW JERSEY

Upcoming

Upcoming

Sat April 14

Sat April 14

• Jaswinder Singh Live: A Ghazal Concert

• Baisakhi Mela

Venue: Hindu Temple Auditorium, NY, 14309 Holly Avenue, NEw York 11355 Time: 7:30pm Contact: 732-798-0056

Sun April 22 • Pandit Jasraj: Masters of Indian Music Venue: Peter Norton Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway@95th street, New York Time: 7pm Contact: 212-545-7536

Sat April 28 • Pankaj Udhas in New York Venue: Colden Auditorium, Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, New York Time: 8pm Contact: 732-277-6687

Venue: Garden State Expo Ctr, 50 Atrium Drive, Somerset, New Jersey Time: 10am Contact: 732-763-0118

Sat April 28 • Vishu Festival 2012 Venue: Crossroads North Middle School Auditorium, 635 Georges Road, Monmouth Juction New Jersey Time: 3pm Contact: 732-333-3952

Sun April 21 • India Fair 2012 Venue: NJ Convention & Expo Center, 97 Sunfield Ave, Raritan Center, Edison, NJ Time: 11am Contact: 609-240-2350

ILLINOIS

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Upcoming

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Upcoming Thurs April 19

Sun April 15

Fri April 13

• Health Fair

ï Giddha & Bollywood Bhangra

• Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Ohlone College

Venue: Shree Jalaram Mandir of Chicago Time: 2pm Contact: 847-490-5252 Highlights: Aurvadic clinic first Sunday of the month No medicine provided only free consulting.

Venue: Mayuri Indian Cuisine, 2230 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA95050 Time: 7:30pm Contact: 408-400-0629

Venue: Ohlone College, 43600 Mission Boulevard, Fremont, CA Time: 1:30pm Contact: 510-659-6269

Thurs April 26 • Apna Ghar will be holding 4th Annual Taste for life Gala Venue: River East Art Center, 435 E. Illinois Street, Chicago, IL Time: 6pm to 10pm Contact: 773-334-0173 X 226 Highlights: A Live Chooking challenge with three Chicago Chefs: Hiran Patel, Martin Cabrera and Suzy Singh.

Sat April 28 • Vaisakhi 2012 Venue: TAFT High School, 6530 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, Il Time: 7pm Contact: 224-388-9393

WASHINGTON DC

Upcoming Sat April 21 • Yamandu Costa, Classical Guitarist Venue: 8000 York Road, Towson MD, Baltimore, WDC Time: 8pm Contact: 443-296-2247

Sun April 22 • Vedika Sangha: Open Participation Ayurveda Forum Venue: Vedika Global, Inc. 5950 Doyle St, Studio 2, Emeryville, CA 94608 Time: 2pm to 5pm Contact: 877-708-3342

Sat April 21 ï Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Live In Concert Venue: SJSU Event Center, 290 South 7th Street, San Jose, CA95192 Time: 8pm Contact: 209-604-2543

Sat April 28 ï Kailash Kher Kailasa Venue: Chabot College Performing Arts Center, 25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA94545 Time: 8pm Contact: 510-509-1990

Mon May 14 ï Amjad Sabriís Qawwali Program Venue: India Community Center, ICC, 525 Los Coches St. Milpitas, CA Time: 9pm Contact: 510-754-0129

Sun April 29 • Priyadarshini Govind (Bharathanatyam Dance)

Sat July 14

Venue: Kresge Auditorium, MIT, 48 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA Time: 4pm Contact: 857-205-9731

Venue: Lake Elizabeth Park, 4000 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont, CA Time: 10am Contact: 510-713-2686

ï Summer Picnic

Fri April 20 • Tadasana Festival Venue: The Tadasana Village 2600 Barnard Way, Santa Monica, CA Time: 8am Contact: 415-533-4052

Sat April 28 • Javed Ali in Concert Venue: Palace Theater, 61 Atlantic St. Stamford, CT 06901 Time: 8pm Contact: 203-325-4466

Sat April 28 • Kailash Kher Live in Concert Venue: Chabot College performing Art Center, 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward, CA Contact: 510-453-1521 Highlights: Winner to winn Greet and Dinner with Kailash Kher

Sat May 5 • Vaisakhi 2012 Celebration Venue: Birminghuam Charter High School, 17000, Haynes Street, Van Nuys, CA Time: 3pm Contact: 818-835-3374

Sun June 10 • Songs & Dances from Vibrant Gujarat Venue: Palace Theater, Stamford Time: 8pm Contact: 203-322-9862 Highlights: Gujarat, the Land the Legends: Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Vikram Sarabhai, Jamshedji Tata and visionary Dhirubhi Ambani go down in history.

But, Gujarat also stands for its literary tradition in the form of folk songs, narratives and theater.

April 13, 2012

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Philosophy

India Post

April 13, 2012

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H

anuman symbolically stands for pure devotion, complete surrender and absence of ego or the lower self.

His character tells us what we can do in our lives by becoming pure devotees of God, aligning ourselves with the forces of good, helping the weak, with self control unconditional faith and total surrender.

As a prominent warrior of the monkey race, he symbolically represents the lower or animal (Neanderthal) nature in man, which when refined and transformed becomes stabilized in God and serves the divine total surrender, just as it happened in case of Hanuman.

As the son of Vayu, he represents symbolically the subtle bodies, namely the breath body, the mental body and the intelligence body. The breath body is responsible for the movement of life energy or prana in our bodies.

It is especially strong in people who lead ethically clean and celibate lives, performing austerities, for which Anjaneya was particularly famous.

The mental body is made up of the thought currents that float in our chitta or consciousness. It is responsible for our imagination, astral travel and dream experiences.

The intelligence body is made up of buddhi or discretionary intelligence, which is considered one of the highest tattvas or prin-

ciples of Nature. Our buddhi is said to be a direct reflection of divine intelligence. It is responsible for our decision making ability, rational thinking and conscience.

As an epitome of virtue and supernatural prowess, Hanuman represents all these abilities. Here we will examine the symbolic significance of Hanuman as the mental body representing the human mind and its various quali-

ties and powers.

The mind is fickle (like a monkey) and jumps from place to place, going after things, engaging itself in innumerable activities that disturb the peace of the place.

The mind, like Hanuman can also travel where it wants to. It can fly in the air, cross the continents and the worlds in an instant with the speed of thought and reach any one and anything it wants to mentally.

It can also expand or contracts itself at will (again like Hanuman).

the divine cause helping the lower self (Sita) and the Soul (Rama) to come together and become united.

By killing all the evil thoughts with its determination, it also lays a firm foundation for the kingdom of God (Ramarajya) to become established in the body. Hanuman is thus symbolically the mind principle ever absorbed in the contemplation of God and totally surrendered to Him. As "Hanuman", he is also the one without any doubt (anuman) as to the existence of Rama (God). As

As Bajarangbali, he is strong in both devotion and physical strength. He is an ocean of virtues and friend of the pure hearted.

He loves the ascetic qualities in man because only those who are detached and mentally free from the luxuries of life and desires of their bodies can truly concentrate on the divine and attain Him. He is a perfect example of true devotion and complete surrender.

Hanuman Jayanti will be celebrated on April 6

G

unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit."

Many Christian churches celebrate Good Friday with a subdued service, usually in the evening, in which Christ's death is remembered with solemn hymns, prayers of thanksgiving, a message centered on Christ suffering for our sakes,

begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter Sunday.

The length of the Lenten fast was established in the 4th century as 46 days (40 days, not counting Sundays). During Lent, participants eat sparingly or give up a particular food or habit. It's not uncommon for people to give up smoking during Lent, or to swear

oped a much more "sacramental" value.

Many Catholics believe that giving something up for Lent is a way to attain God's blessing. But the Bible teaches that grace cannot be earned; grace is "the gift of righteousness" (Romans 5:17).

Also, Jesus taught that fasting should be done discreetly:

ood Friday is the Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday. It is celebrated traditionally as the day on which Jesus was crucified.

The Bible does not instruct Christians to remember Christ's death by honoring a certain day.

The Bible gives freedom in these matters, however. Romans 14:5 tells us, "One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind."

Rather than remembering Christ's death on a certain day, once a year, the Bible instructs us to remember Christ's death by observing the Lord's Supper. First Corinthians 11:24-26 declares, "...do this in remembrance of me...for whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

Why is Good Friday referred to as "good"? What the Jewish authorities and Romans did to Jesus was definitely not good. However, the results of Christ's death are very good! Romans 5:8; "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." First Peter 3:18 tells us, "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the

So long as it remains under the control of pure animal passions and the activities of the senses, it remains unstable and mischievous, causing a lot of the disturbance in the world of the individual.

But once it surrenders to the inner self and becomes devoted to it completely and unconditionally, it assumes miraculous powers and performs stupendous feats like Hanuman, working for

anjaniputra, he is the one who comes accidentally into this world, but by his efforts ascends to the greater heights of spiritual evolution.

As Vayuputra he is the breath body in us and can help the lower self (Sita) that is lost to ignorance to reunite with its true companion, the inner soul (Rama).

As Veeranjaneya, he is the source of courage and confidence for many a timid heart.

Hanuman is mind principle lost in God contemplation

Lord Hanuman

Once it surrenders to the inner self and becomes devoted to it completely and unconditionally, it assumes miraculous powers and performs stupendous feats like Hanuman

Results of Christ's death are good; hence Good Friday Rather than remembering Christ's death on a certain day, once a year, the Bible instructs us to remember Christ's death by observing the Lord's Supper and observance of the Lord's Supper. Whether or not Christians choose to "celebrate" Good Friday, the events of that day are ever on the minds of Christians because the death of Christ on the cross is the paramount event of Christian faith.

Lent - Season of repentance Lent is a period of fasting, moderation, and self-denial traditionally observed by Catholics and some Protestant denominations. It

off watching television or eating candy or telling lies. It's six weeks of self-discipline.

Lent began as a way for Catholics to remind themselves of the value of repentance. The austerity of the Lenten season was seen as similar to how people in the Old Testament fasted and repented in sackcloth and ashes.

However, over the centuries Lenten observances have devel-

Jesus Christ

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen" (Matthew 6:16-18).

Service is the highest spiritual discipline.

Prayer and meditation, or knowledge of scripture and Vedanta (holy scriptures of India), cannot help you reach the goal as quickly as service can. Service has a double effect, it extinguishes the ego and gives bliss.

-Sathya Sai Baba There is neither this world nor the world beyond nor happiness for the one who doubts.

-Bhagavad Gita I don't want anybody to stand between the individual and existence. No prayer, no priest -- you alone are enough to face the sunrise.

-Acharya Rajneesh What you think is also action and it will have an effect. Don't allow bad thoughts to germinate in your brain and mind.

Swami Chinmayananda When we turn the mind inwards, God manifests as the inner consciousness.

Ramana Maharshi All separation, every kind of estrangement and alienation is false.

All is one.

Nisargadatta Maharaj

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BRICS Summit highlighted significance of China TILAK JHA

F

or China, the fourth edition of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit in New Delhi has been another opportunity for promoting at least two crucial foreign policy objectives: The first is economic: China's influence and interest in the global economy and international financial institutions and, the second, geopolitics: greater weight for China in international institutions using multilateralism as a strategy.

On the economic front, the most significant announcement of the BRICS Summit 2012 has been the proposal for a new Development Bank modeled on the World Bank for pooling in mutual resources.

The other crucial development on economic front has been the agreement on extending credit facilities in local currencies and on letters of credit facility.

Two factors make Beijing the most important stakeholder in any BRICS financial arrangement.

First, China is the world's second largest economy and is almost half of the entire BRICS economy. Second, the existing global financial architecture dominated by the West leaves Beijing without its desired say in institutions like the World Bank (WB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Getting BRICS countries to work together will give each of them, particularly Beijing, greater leverage in pressurizing the West to redress the demand for reforming such institutions.

However, acute differences remain among BRICS countries in the economic domain regarding market-economy status (especially of China), trade imbalances (especially between India-China with US$ 27 billion in China's favor) and China-Russia (heavy dependence of Russian exports on China for energy products), an undervalued Renminbi and low bilateral investments.

Also, all the five BRICS countries are critically dependent on the West for markets, funds and technologies, and in India's case, arms (interestingly to balance the military threat mainly from China). For China, its dependence on exports is deeper unlike other BRICS countries.

This also explains why even as the New Delhi BRICS Summit called for a merit-based selection of IMF and WB Presidents, and vowed its support to a developing country candidate for the post, BRICS countries could not come together on voting for Nige-

rian Okonjo-Iweala even as a symbolic move.

Lack of bilateral strategic trust especially between India and China is also bound to spill over, at least in intangible terms, in the setting up of such a bank. China has a long border dispute with India and it claims parts of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

In June 2009 China successfully mobilized support to block an Asian Development Bank loan meant for development projects in Arunachal Pradesh.

However, India is too important to be ignored. India-China trade is the largest among China's bilateral trade with other BRICS countries and is highly in China's favor. According to 2010 IMF figures, in terms of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), India ranks fourth globally.

Russia and Brazil are the 6th and 7th largest economies respectively in PPP terms. India is also one of the very few countries which will have a huge youth bulge and a buoyant economy fueling

Despite the fact that there are fundamental differences among BRICS countries due to different political systems, and at times conflicting international obligations and domestic pressures; there remains the possibility of taking BRICS to a much higher level consumption and growth for the next four decades.

Under the guiding theme of 'BRICS Partnership for Global Stability, Security and Prosperity', the member countries agreed to coordinate their stands in the Middle East, Arab-Israeli Conflict and North Africa. The BRICS joint statement stand regarding Syria and Iran is nearly in line with the Chinese position on the issue.

The summit declaration called for "an immediate end to all violence and violations of human rights in Syria" and "a Syrian-led inclusive political process."

On Iran, it said that the situation "cannot be allowed to escalate into conflict." The assertion comes amid Western pressure to cut crude oil imports from Iran as

part of the sanctions. China and India are the biggest buyers of Iran's crude oil. The BRICS declaration said that they are not bound by unilateral sanctions on Iran.

The BRICS countries, however, have not always had a common stand regarding either Syria or Iran even after the formation of BRICS. India voted along with Russia and China in 2009 in favor of a resolution at the IAEA on referring the Iran nuclear program to the UNSC. On Syria, India, Brazil and South Africa abstained from voting in favor of the Western resolution in October 2011, but India and South Africa voted for another Western resolution on Syria in February 2012. Both the resolutions were vetoed by China and Russia. At best, the voting decisions were due to other considerations rather than a reflection/violation of commitment to adopt a common BRICS strategy. Nevertheless, the commitment marks a positive sign for China.

In the case of Afghanistan, China's concerns are common with Russia and India. All three countries want stability in Afghanistan and understand the inevitability of regional and international cooperation to combat terrorism there.

But Beijing which shares a long border with Afghanistan and good relations with Pakistan, an inevitable player in Afghanistan, is the most reticent about being creative and engaging India and China.

China and Russia have called for a comprehensive reform of the UN, including the Security Council, but have been reluctant to support UNSC membership of India, Brazil or South Africa.

There can be no doubt that settling the above differences and disputes can take BRICS countries to deeper economic inter-linkages and higher levels of cooperation and coordination, and in turn, a greater say in international institutions.

Despite the fact that there are fundamental differences among BRICS countries due to different political systems, and at times conflicting international obligations and domestic pressures; there remains the possibility of taking BRICS to a much higher level of cooperation than where it stands now. The question that BRICS countries especially China need to ponder is how high the stakes are because of such restrained coordination and how long they are prepared to pay for it.

The writer is MPhil Candiate, JNU. Courtesy IPCS

India Post Great survivor

L

ike the smile of Mona Lisa, there is need to decipher the ever-present grin on the face of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. Keeping in mind the minefield that is Pakistani politics, the eight years that he spent in jails, the number of cases against him, the powerful army and the resurgent judiciary set against him, he should not have survived in the position that he holds today. Nor is he a darling of the people like the Bhuttos. The jokes against him on the internet are plenty and he is famously known as Mr 10 percent, a reputation he acquired as the wheelingdealing spouse during the prime ministership of his wife, Benazir. He is considered soft on India, a position not likely to win you laurels in Pakistan. He inaugurated his presidentship with politically risky statements like trade should be priority with India and disputes like Kashmir should be put in the backburner. At one particularly indiscreet moment he said that "We are all like Indians." Lately with the "Memogate" scandal, the Army as well as the judiciary have been after his blood. The Supreme Court also wants corruption cases against him reopened which were withdrawn in a deal with previous President Musharraf.

Considering all that has been stacked against him in a politically fragile state, even a gambler would not have bet on the survival of Zardari. Perhaps it is providence which is providing him the long rope. To reaffirm this faith he has wangled a visit to India's premier Muslim shrine in Ajmer, to pray for assistance during this difficult time in his life. Or, the wily strategist that he is, is it a move designed to scale up a notch his hand of friendship with India? It is unthinkable to surmise that the purpose of his visit is not political. At a time when India and Pakistan are moving towards a more responsible trade relationship, the presence of the prime mover of this strategy in New Delhi and Ajmer can only boost the speculation that the mood is moving towards better Indo-Pak trade relations. A straw in the wind was the recent visit of the Pakistani commerce minister of India. He stunned his Indian counterpart, Anand Sharma, by suggesting that Pakistan be given the same concessions in trade as India was giving to Bangladesh. Much is being made in India of the bounty that the US has announced on the arrest of Lashkar-e-Toiba chief Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the Mumbai attacks of 2008. The US knew about his activities and hand in the Mumbai carnage all along. Why this announcement now? It is all a part of the shadow boxing between Pakistan and the US ever since the raid that took out Osama bin Laden. Pakistan has withdrawn the facility of passage to NATO men and material through Pakistan on their way to replenish the US troops in Afghanistan. The US has just upped its ante in its battle to secure the passage for NATO troops. Hafez Saeed is a side story to that battle. So the celebration in India is a little premature. Because Pakistan is not expected to put Saeed back in jail or put any pressure on him. He does the dirty work for Pakistan by keeping up the noise about Kashmir and occasionally embarrass and inconvenience India by sending jihadis to do their little terror acts on the neighboring soil.

That however doesn't take away from the main story of Pakistan vis a vis India, that working behind the scenes President Zardari has been able to make Pakistanis see that the benefits of trade are more than the benefits of terrorism.

50 India Post

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April 13, 2012

April 13, 2012

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52 India Post

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April 13, 2012