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VOL 20, No. 1074
April 17, 2015
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BIG BREAKTHROUGH ON FRENCH JETS India to buy 36 Rafales in fly-away condition
International Hindi Center to be set up in U.S.
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IFFD presents New-Gen Designers
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India's GDP growth to reach 8 pc by 2017
survey@indiapost.com This week’s question
Modi has changed the image of India? Last week’s result
Can the issue of ‘abducted’ kids be resolved by US? YES 34%
NO 66%
Guinness certify Swami's music therapy
India tops in remittances with USD 70 billion
SC gives Center 8 weeks on NRI voting rights
INDIA POST SURVEY
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Meshris' big gift to Tulsa varsity research
CONTENTS WINNING THE WEST: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Joint Walk About at
Bollywood ---------------------- 30-31
the Hannover Messe, in Germany on April 13. (Right) With French President Francois Hollande before a meeting in Paris earlier in the week.
Classifieds ------------------------- 48
PARIS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended his successful visit to France with the two nations elevating their strategic ties to a new level as they agreed on a deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets and decided to move ahead with the log-jammed Jaitapur nuclear project. With 'Make-in-India' being the theme, the two sides signed about 20 pacts, covering areas like civil nuclear energy, urban development, railways and space. During the three-day stay here, France pledged 2 billion Euros for sustainable development in India as the Prime Minister invited investments and technology from
this country. Modi also visited the manufacturing facility of aircraft manufacturer Airbus which announced its decision to enhance outsourcing in India from 400 million Euros to 2 billion Euros over the next five years. It also expressed keen interest in manufacturing in India by participating in the 'Make-in-India' program. Modi and Hollande, who held detailed discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral relations, pledged to push two-day investments and trade.
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Community Post -------------- 16-26 Date Book -------------------------- 47 Edit Page --------------------------- 54 HealthScience Post --------- 32-35 Horoscope ------------------------- 49 Immigration Post ------------- 44-45 Life Style ----------------------- 50-52 Philosophy ------------------------- 53 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 36-37 TechBiz Post ------------------- 13-15 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 40-43
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hey say to know how healthy the economy of any nation is, just look at the number of cars on its roads. In the case of India, it would seem the economy is not only healthy but also quite wealthy considering its luxury car market has grown eight fold in the last seven odd years. Ever since the world realized the "mool mantra" of the Narendra Modi government's "economic growth", the media, both Indian domestic as well as western, has been running a series of highly positive stories that talk of India's new found riches. Earlier this month, Forbes actually ran a story headlined: "Look how rich India's become under new Prime Minister Modi". The story is a running paean to the Modi Magic, and how India has been showered with good fortune since he took on the job of prime minister. And Prime Minister Modi is proving that indeed he meant business when he gave out the slogan of "Make in India," promising global investors that India can offer higher returns on investments than any other country in the world. Riding on his promise, foreign investors have pumped in Rs. 111,333 crore (sorry, but I will leave it to you all to convert that to dollars) into the Indian equities market. Another way to measure the flow of money is the rise in India's forex reserves to over $341 billion. And it is this bullishness on Modi that is making the Indian government richer, and in turn India richer, the Forbes story goes. On a recent visit to India I saw a face of India - one that was hitherto invisible, but is now starkly visible as you walk or drive around the cities - the face of the millions of people who were once below the poverty line but have now been pushed into a new class of economically-enabled, where the earlier middle class has now moved to a zone of consumers with disposable incomes. I would like to believe that the big money is finally trickling down to the bottom, but does it really, ever, in any part of the world. There is hope.
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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Glam & stylish Priyanka looks glamorous in Zoya Akhar's 'Dil Dhadakne Do' - very stylish in white pants, tank top and a yellow hat
Cover Story: Rafale deal PM Narendra Modi ended his successful visit to France with a deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets in fly-away condition
Community: Gift to Tulsa Dr Meshri and his son Sanjay Meshri have announced an initial gift of $37,715 for Tulsa University science & research
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Life style: New designers Indian Federation For Fashion Development recently presented several new designers at the India Runaway Week
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Big breakthrough on French jets India to buy 36 Rafales in fly-away condition PARIS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended his successful visit to France with the two nations elevating their strategic ties to a new level as they
Modi in France agreed on a deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets and decided to move ahead with the log-jammed Jaitapur nuclear project. With 'Make-in-India' being the theme, the two sides signed about 20 pacts, covering areas like civil nuclear energy, urban development, railways and space. During the three-day stay here, France pledged 2 billion Euros for sustainable development in India as the Prime Minister invited investments and technology from this country. Modi also visited the manufacturing facility of aircraft manufacturer Airbus which announced its decision to enhance outsourcing in India from 400 million Euros to 2 billion Euros over the next five years. It also expressed keen interest in manufacturing in India by par-
ticipating in the 'Make-in-India' program. Modi and Hollande, who held detailed discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral relations, pledged to push two-day investments and trade. After his talks with Hollande, the Prime Minister said he was confident that the strategic partnership will go to a new height. The Indian decision to buy 36 Rafale fighter aircraft in fly-way condition "as quickly as possible" marks bypassing of the logjammed deal for supply of 126 aircraft. For this, an inter-governmental agreement will be signed under "separate terms and conditions" which will be discussed by officials. "The two leaders agreed to conclude an Inter-Governmental Agreement for supply of the aircraft on terms that would be better than that conveyed as part of a separate process underway," a Joint Statement said. "The delivery would be in timeframe that would be compatible with the operational requirement
of IAF and the aircraft and associated systems and weapons would be delivered on the same configuration as had been tested and approved by Indian Air Force and with a longer maintenance responsibility by France," it added. The Jaitapur project, where
India had selected Rafale for the deal in 2012, but the final contract is yet to be signed. While 18 jets were to be bought off the shelf, 108 are supposed to be manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The main issue concerns the pricing,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of France, Francois Hollande at Joint Press statement, in Paris on April 10
French company Areva is to set up six nuclear reactors with total power generation capacity of about 10,000 MW, stuck for long because of differences over the cost of electricity to be generated.
which is basically the production cost in India, and Dassault's reluctance to stand guarantee for the 108 fighters to be built by state-run HAL. "It's a welcome breakthrough.
Airbus to increase outsourcing in India TOULOUSE, France: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a boost to his 'Make in India' initiative when aircraft manufacturer Airbus disclosed plans to raise its Indian outsourcing to USD 2 bil-
Laying a wreath at the martyr's memorial, the Prime Minister spent about 50 minutes as several Indians gathered raised 'Vande Matram' slogans. Accompanied by French For-
India already takes a centre-stage role in our international activities and we want to even increase its contribution to our products," said Airbus Group CEO Tom Enders, who received the Indian leader.
Narendra Modi visiting the Airbus Facility, in Toulouse, France on April 11
lion and its keenness to manufacture in India. On day-two of his France visit, Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the World War I memorial in the northern city of Lille to pay homage to 10,000 Indian soldiers who died fighting Germany alongside France in the war between 1914-18.
eign Minister Laurent Fabius, Modi arrived here in Air India One and went straight to the facility of Airbus, one of the two major global manufacturers of aircraft and too a tour of the plant. "We are honored to host Prime Minister Modi in Toulouse and convey to him our desire to forge a stronger industrial bond with India.
The global defense community was concerned with the eightyear-long bidding process," said Amber Dubey, partner and India head of aerospace and defense at global consultancy KPMG. "The cancellation of the Avro replacement deal wherein Tata-
"We support Prime Minister Modi's 'Make in India' call and (we) are ready to manufacture in India, for India and the world," he added. MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted, "500 per cent increase in 5 years. @Airbus to PM @narendramodi: Indian outsourcing to increase from USD 400 mil to USD 2 billion."
In India, Airbus Group already operates two engineering centers -one focused on civil aviation and the other one defense - besides a research and technology (R&T) centre which together employ over 400 highly qualified people. The group's senior representative conveyed their decision to expand these centers so that they can take on comprehensive design responsibilities for future Airbus group programs. Prime Minister Modi was given a tour of the Airbus A380 final assembly line. Currently, four A380 flights serve India daily. "Much larger markets are waiting to be tapped, the potential for A380 to help Indian carriers win greater multinational market share with a flagship aircraft is enormous," an Airbus press release said. The group is willing to set up final assembly lines and establish supply chains and related infrastructure for military transport aircraft and helicopters in India, the press release said. After the tour of the memorial accompanied by French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Dian, Modi wrote his thoughts in the visitors' book hailing the sacrifice of the Indian soldiers.-PTI
Airbus were the sole bidder had dented sentiments. Doubling the order for off-the-shelf Rafale fighter jets from 18 to 36 is a positive gesture from India," Dubey said. "It might be a great relief and morale booster for the French government, Dassault and their partners. The goodwill created can be used to settle the pending issues in a win-win manner. The Indian government may also expect a reciprocal gesture from the French government on their 'Make in India' initiative beyond just the Rafale deal," Dubey said. Fastest growing economy Inviting French investors, Modi said, "There is no bigger market than India. It is also the fastest growing economy since the last six months. Various rating agencies like World Bank and Moody's have said in one voice that India is the fastest growing nation." "It is rare to find a country with a market, with the government determined on development and demographic dividend. Investors are usually worried about the security of intellectual property (IP). Only democracies like India can guarantee that," Modi said. Addressing the CEO forum, Hollande said: "We are ready to allocate through French companies •2 billion to support India's sustainable development." He said France will partner India in urban development of infrastructure such as railways and defense and nuclear sector.-PTI & agencies
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French biz push for clear, transparent rules PARIS: Citing "problems" faced during the "pre-Modi period", French business leaders have pushed for clear, transparent and stable rules as they evinced interest in investing in India and decided to set up with Indian companies five task forces in specific areas. The problems were highlighted
business is done. But it all was pre-Modi period," said Paul Hermelin, the head of French side of the CEO forum. He underlined that for investments, a company needs "clear, transparency of rules. It needs stable rules." Heterogenity is another area posing difficulty for foreign investors, said Hermelin,
ried in an excellent manner". Dhruv Sawhney, Chairman of Triveni Engineering and Industries, who represented the Indian side in the CEO Forum, said there is "new excitement" among the French companies about the new government
France to help with semi-high speed rail PARIS: France will partner India in a study for upgrading the speed on Delhi-Chandigarh rail line to 200 km per hour and help in re-development of Ambala a n d Ludhiana railway stations. France will also help in development of Smart Cities in India to be identified by the host government. These were among the outcomes of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's talks with French President Francois Hollande here. The two sides signed a Railway protocol which seeks to establish cooperation between Indian and French Railways for semi-high speed rail and station renovation. Under the protocol, Indian Railways and French National Railways (SNCF) will co-finance an execution study by SNCF for a semi-high speed project on upgradation of the DelhiChandigarh line to 200 kms per
Modi in France
hour and re-development of Ambala and Ludhiana railway stations in Punjab. The Shatabdi Express between Chandigarh and New Delhi is the fastest train on the route and currently runs at an average speed of 79.80 kmph. "The Leaders look forward to cooperating in areas such as modernization of the Railways and in high speed and semi-high speed rail projects, in urban transportation and in roads..," said a Joint Statement issued after the talks. France also expressed interest in collaborating with India for development of Smart Cities from among the list of cities to be identified by the Government of India, the Statement said. Accordingly, it was agreed to include Smart City cooperation as an area of technical cooperation under the October 2012 MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Sustainable Urban Development between the two countries.-PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Round Table Meeting with the French CEOs on Infrastructure, in Paris on April 10
during a meeting Indian and French CEOs had with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande here. The meeting saw French companies expressing keen interest in investing in India and participate in 'Make-in-India' program. "India has a problem the way
Chairman and CEO of Capgemini Group of France. He said he was not wishing for any new reforms in India but only "10 emblematic programs which could be implemented to demonstrate that projects can be completed." Hermelin said there needs to be a new relationship where "contracts are respected" and "car-
in India. At the meeting, the CEO Forum decided to set up five task forces on specific issues like defense and aerospace, green energy and waste management. The task forces will be formalized in one and a half month and report will be prepared in a few months later, he said.-PTI
'3.5 lakh have given up subsidised LPGs' PARIS: Around 3.5 lakh well-off people have given up subsidised LPGs, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, noting that the money saved on this will be diverted to those who still use wood for cooking. Addressing a congregation of Non-resident Indian (NRIs) here, he recalled that he had casually wondered over a week ago why well-off people do not surrender subsidised LPG. "Responding to this, two lakh people voluntarily surrendered subsidised LPG within a week," he said, adding this encouraged him. "By Thursday last, 3.5 lakh people had surrendered
subsidised LPG," Modi said. The money saved will not go to the government treasury but it will be given to those who still use
change. "Cutting of jungles will continue till people continue cooking using wood," he said. Referring to Jandhan scheme,
Modi at the World War I Memorial, in Neuve-Chapelle, France on April 11
Modi at the Community Reception in Paris on April 11
wood for cooking. "We will transfer this subsidy," he added. This will also help address the problem of climate
the Prime Minister said it was introduced to ensure that the poorest people get a bank account each.-PTI
With former President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, in Paris on April 11
April 17, 2015
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Modi invites global partnership in manufacturing HANNOVER: India has a huge potential to become a global manufacturing hub, Indian Prime
Minister Narendra Modi said here as he invited the whole world to partner with the fastest growing
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing at the Joint Inauguration of the India Pavilion at the Hannover Messe, in Germany on April 13. German Chancellor, Angela Merkel is also seen
economy in this endeavor. "The entire world is looking at India. Demography, democracy and demand are attracting the world to India," Modi said as he along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel inaugurated the 'India Pavilion' at the Hannover Messe, the world's largest industrial fair. India is the partner country at the fair. "Not only Germany, the whole world is looking at India," Modi said. "Low-cost manufacturing, efficient governance and no-defect manufacturing makes India a global engine in the manufacturing centre," he said, adding there is a huge potential of India becoming a manufacturing hub.
Huge potential of becoming a manufacturing hub BERLIN: Linking India's economic progress to national "selfrespect", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here the country has huge potential of becoming a manufacturing hub and asked the Indian professionals in Germany to act as a "bridge" between the two countries. He said India has the potential to achieve tremendous growth and it should become a "giver"
was a need for partnership between the two countries to make India a hub of manufacturing. "There is a huge potential for India to become a manufacturing hub," he said. In this context, Modi said India has low-cost skilled manpower, the demographic dividend and there should be 'zero-defect' in the products and even in packaging as "credibility" matters the
help," referring to teargas canisters got from abroad. "I have to change this mindset that we ourselves can't do. For me, growth is not only economic goal but a matter of self-respect," Modi said. Addressing the Indian professionals working here, the Prime Minister said they should show "enthusiasm" and "become a bridge between India and Ger-
The Prime Minister invited the whole world to come to India and increase their partnership with the country and make use of the opportunities India offer to scale new heights of success. "All kinds of rating agencies of the world are saying India is the fastest growing economy," he said. Merkel said she was impressed with what India is showcasing at the fair. "India is a country with a lot of young people, people who want jobs, want to see their country developed and evolved," she said. "We think India has a future when you consider democracy, innovation capacity and prosperity. Your country (India) is a very
good example that this is easily possible," the German leader said. Merkel said Germany is trying to forge a very close partnership with India. "I think Hannover fair would allow us to turn a new chapter in our relationship. Let me assure you that Germany stands ready to develop this partnership," she
Modi in Germany said. After inaugurating the India pavilion, the Prime Minister took a tour of Indian stalls and the rest of the venue. He also offered tea and snacks to the German Chancellor at the 'India Pavilion'. -PTI
Rational framework for land acquisition assured HANNOVER: Under attack over Land Ordinance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the government was instituting a "rational framework" for acquisition of land, without causing
Hannover Fair. He did not elaborate, but was clearly sending out a message to the business community that land acquisition would not be a problem. "We are creating a predict-
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing at the Opening Ceremony of the Hannover Messe, in Hannover, Germany on April 12
Narendra Modi addressing at the Community Reception, at Berlin, in Germany on April 13
than being a "taker". "There is a big demand of time that India becomes a manufacturing hub. If we lose this opportunity, we will regret later," Modi told NRIs while addressing a reception hosted in his honor here. He noted Germany's excellence in manufacturing and said there
most. He linked India's economic progress to national "self-respect" and wondered why items cannot be manufactured in India itself rather than being imported. While talking about imports, he said in a lighter vein, "even for crying, Indians needs foreign
many to help realize our objective of making India a manufacturing hub...It will be a win-win situation for both the countries." He promised to provide a conducive environment for it while noting that the government has already opened up sectors like defense and railways to FDI.-PTI
distress to farmers and other landowners. "We are instituting a rational framework for acquisition of land without causing distress to farmers and other landowners," he said here while wooing global investors to India during his address at the inauguration of
able and transparent environment approval process that will protect our natural heritage...With transparency and speed, we have resumed long-stalled projects and allocation of resources. This is adding new momentum to our economy," the Prime Minister said.-PTI
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Netaji's kin seeks declassification 'India will set Climate of secret files Change agenda' BERLIN: Amid a row over reported snooping of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's family decades back, his grand nephew met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here and claimed to have got an assurance that his demand for declassification of all secret files related to the freedom fighter would be
Ambassador to Germany Vijay Gokhale. Surya later said he had urged the Prime Minister that the papers should be declassified immediately as he was shocked at the recent reports that the government of Jawaharlal Nehru had "spied" upon Netaji's family.
Modi meeting Surya Bose, Grand Nephew of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, at Berlin, in Germany on April 13
looked into. Surya Kumar Bose met Modi and sought declassification of all secret files related to Netaji. The meeting took place after Surya Kumar attended a reception hosted in Modi's honor by India's
Asked about Modi's response, he said the Prime Minister assured that he would look into the matter right away as he too felt that the "truth should come out." Surya attacked the Nehru government, saying it was "shocking"
that a government of independent India had spied upon Netaji's family. "The government should get the truth out," he said. Surya said there should an investigative commission to go into the matter to bring out the truth. "The government also should stop spreading lies that only nonviolence had led to the Independence as it could not be won without the contribution of Subhas Bose," his nephew said. Asked about the earlier Commissions of inquiry, he said, "The first two were totally bogus." He said the Mukherjee Commission had done more but it did not have investigative powers. Surya had earlier said, "Subhas Bose did not belong just to his direct family. He had himself said that the whole country is his family. I do not think it's just the duty of the family to raise this issue (of declassification of Netaji files)." In an RTI reply, the Prime Minister's Office has refused to declassify secret files relating to Netaji arguing that the "disclosure would prejudicially affect relations with foreign countries".PTI
BERLIN: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has slammed developed nations for questioning India over global warming despite it having the lowest per capita emission of gases and asserted that India will set the agenda for the Climate Change conference to be held in France in September. "I am surprised that the world is scolding us even though our per capita gas emission is the lowest...," he said while addressing a reception for the Indian community here. Underlining that preservation of nature was in the customs and tradition of Indians which they have done for ages, Modi said, "The whole world is posing questions to us. Those who have destroyed climate are asking questions to us. If anybody has served the nature, it is Indians." He asserted that India is "not answerable to the world" and will tell them that "you destroyed nature".
Modi in Germany
Underlining that India should lead the way to deal with climate change, the Prime Minister said, "India will set the agenda for the upcoming Conference of Parties (COP)" meeting to be held in Paris in September. Referring to India's traditional practices and traditions, Modi said it is the only country which has served the nature the most as Indians even treat even river as mother and worship trees. "Treating the nature well comes naturally for Indians and they (developed nations) are teaching us," he said. The Prime Minster said the solutions to the "crisis" on account of global warming are in India's traditions and customs. "We should go out with confidence," he said, asking the Indian diaspora to contribute in this regard. At the same time, he said India also wants solutions to the global problem of climate change. In this regard, he spoke about his government's initiatives to tap clean and renewable energy for generating 175 Gigawatts of electricity from it.-PTI
PM meets top German business leaders HANNOVER: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met top German business leaders here and told them about steps being taken by his government to ensure the ease of doing business in India. The Prime Minister outlined the steps at a roundtable where the business leaders shared their views on how to improve the ease
of doing business in the country. Modi, who reached this northern German city from Paris, held the roundtable meet with CEOs from leading German companies like Daimler, Bombardier, Voith and Metro AG, on the first day of his three-day visit to Germany. About 15 CEOs attended the meet followed by one-on-one
meetings with Modi. The Prime Minister told them he has already taken steps to ensure doing business and has identified around 80-90 things in this regard, sources said. Giving an assurance to them, he said he was personally monitoring implementation of these steps.-PTI Modi interacting with the people, on his arrival at Berlin, in Germany on April 13
Secularism cannot be 'shaken' due to language
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Round Table Meeting with the German CEOs, in Hannover, Germany on April 12
BERLIN: Against the backdrop of a row over Sanskrit replacing German in government run schools in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India's secularism is not so weak that it will be "shaken" because of a language and there was need for having "self-confidence". Addressing a reception for the Indian community here, Modi referred to a time decades ago when German radio used to have news
bulletin in Sanskrit. "In India, there was no news bulletin in Sanskrit at that time because perhaps it was thought that secularism would be endangered," the Prime Minister said. Modi did not elaborate but his veiled comments assume significance as these came months after a row over replacing of German as third language in government-run Kendirya Vidyalaya schools with Sanskrit.-PTI
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Couple donates $1 mn to Arizona University HOUSTON: An Indian-American couple has donated USD one million for the construction of a cancer services facility at the University of Arizona. The couple, Dr Ram, an orthopedic surgeon, and Meera Krishna made the donation in memory of Meera's sister, Mandira Jalajakshi, who was a physician practicing in England when she passed away in 2012. The donation will go towards the construction of the UA Cancer Center at St Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center outpatient facility that would offer comprehensive cancer services, including infusion, radiation oncology, diagnostic imaging, endoscopic radiology, a prevention center,
clinical lab space and several specialized cancer clinics. The five-story, 2,20,000 square-foot facility - a partnership between the varsity and St Joseph's Hospital - is currently under construction in downtown Phoenix and expected to open in September. The couple, whose two daughters graduated from the UA, said they wanted to give back to the school their children attended, and support UA medical education and research. "I was very impressed with President Hart's vision, and we wanted to give back. Education and research in the medical field are very important to us," a press stateL-R: Dr. Joe G. N. "Skip" Garcia, University of Arizona senior vice president for health sciences; Regent Dr. Ram Krishna; University of Arizona president Ann Weaver Hart; Dr. Meera Krishna; Sunita Krishna, daughter of Ram and Meera Krishna; and Dr. Andrew Kraft, director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center, seen at an event in Phoenix to celebrate the Krishnas’ $1 million gift. (photos courtesy of University of Arizona)
ment quoted Ram as saying. In recognition of the Krishnas' gift, a space in the new center will bear the name of the late Jalajakshi.-PTI
International Hindi Centre to be set up in U.S. NEW YORK: With a view to promote Hindi as a world language, plans are underway to establish a 'Hindi Centre' near here that will serve as an academic and cultural hub and facilitate exchange programs between Indian and American universities. Consul General Ambassador Dnyaneshwar Mulay assured the Indian government's support for the 'International Hindi Center' to academicians, business professionals, public officials and community leaders gathered for the 2nd International Hindi Conference at Rutgers University campus in New Jersey last week. The center will serve as "vibrant hub" of academic and cultural activities focused on promoting Hindi as a world language, said Ashok Ojha, Managing Trustee of the Hindi Sangam Foundation, which organized the conference. A resolution to set up the Hindi centre was adopted unanimously by the delegates at the three-day conference, chaired by Mulay. Assuring his support to raise funds for the center, Mulay said, "Hindi Center will become a reality soon where all educational activities regarding Hindi learning including exchange programs and joint projects with India based institutions and universities will take place under one roof." Presenting a blueprint of the centre, Hindi Sangam Foundation official Ved Chaudhary estimated that about USD 4 million would be required to set up an independent facility for the center in Central New Jersey, where Rutgers is located.-PTI
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SC gives Center 8 weeks on NRI voting rights NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has said that it cannot order legislature to make or amend a law within a particular time frame and granted eight weeks time to the Centre to effect changes in statutes for extending voting rights to NRIs through postal ballots. However, the Election Commission, which found it feasible to give voting rights to NRIs, did not favor extending same benefit to migrants in the country. "Scheme of the Representation of People Act is that a person can be enrolled only at the place
Asian countries. It said the external voting could be held by setting up polling booths at diplomatic missions, or by postal, proxy or electronic voting. Earlier, the Centre had told the apex court that the EC's recommendation to extend voting rights to NRIs through postal ballots have been accepted in letter and spirit and now the law has to be changed accordingly. Earlier, the court had sought the poll panel's response on a similar plea seeking voting rights of migrants who have left their constituencies for jobs.
In the report, the committee has said it is of the view that e-postal ballot, where blank postal ballot is transferred electronically to NRIs and returned by post, can be employed after validation of the process and pilot implementation in one or two constituencies where he is ordinarily resident, the question of any person migrating to a different place from his native place, enrolling himself in the electoral roll of his native place does not arise," the poll panel said in an affidavit. During hearing here, Additional Solicitor General P L Narasimha, appearing for the Centre, sought some more time for making changes in the statue for extending voting rights to Non Resident Indians (NRIs), saying that certain amendments are required to be carried out and the Law Ministry is working on them after considering the recommendations of the poll panel on the issue. "We believe in the statement of the Additional Solicitor General...We cannot ask the legislature to finish it in a time frame," a bench comprising Chief Justice H L Dattu and Justice Arun Mishra said, adding, "In case of difficulty, you (Centre) can come back to us". Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for one of the petitioners, sought early amendment in the law and said that in Kerala, 70 per cent persons are NRIs and they be given this right as they contribute so much to the country. The court is hearing a batch of petitions filed by Nagender Chindam, who is the Chairman of London-based Pravasi Bharat organization and other NRIs including Shamsheer VP on the issue. The PILs have said that 114 countries have adopted external voting and among them are 20
The poll panel, in its recent affidavit, opposed it and said that persons, migrating from their native places, cease to be residents of that place and they cannot cast vote in elections in that constituency. A person would not become a voter of his native place just because of owning a house there and migrants must register themselves at the place where they reside, it said. "Such person has to get himself enrolled in the electoral roll of the new place where he is ordinarily resident and he can then vote in such new place," it said. "A person shall not be deemed
to be ordinarily resident in a constituency on the ground only that he owns or is in possession of a dwelling house therein. The qualification for being resident at a given place is not fulfilled merely because a person owns a house at that place," the affidavit said. On November 14 last year, the court had asked the Centre to make its stand clear on the EC's proposal for allowing NRIs to cast their votes through proxy voting and e-ballots in polls in India. The apex court had granted time to the government to respond to the proposal prepared by a 12member committee led by Vinod Zutshi, Deputy Election Commissioner, for 'Exploring Feasibility of Alternative Options for Voting by Overseas Electors'. In the report, the committee has said it is of the view that e-postal ballot, where blank postal ballot is transferred electronically to NRIs and returned by post, can be employed after validation of the process and pilot implementation in one or two constituencies. The report further said the process can be scaled up for Parliamentary elections, if found feasible, practicable and meeting the objectives of free and fair polls. The committee comprising officials from the EC, Law Ministry and MEA had gathered opinion from all sections before submitting a report to the apex court. The poll panel had contended that the move to allow NRIs to use proxy voting on the lines of defense personnel and e-ballot facility will require changes in the law and a legislative framework. -PTI
India tops in remittances, receives USD 70 billion WASHINGTON: The World "Israel and India have shown Bank has said India continues to how macro liquidity crises can be be the leading nation in remit- managed by tapping into the tances pulling in USD 70 billion wealth of Diaspora communities. from its global migrant workforce Mexican migrants have boosted in 2014. the construction sector. Tajikistan World Bank's study of remit- manages to nearly double its contance, the money workers and pro- sumption by using remittance fessionals working in foreign money. Migrants and remittances lands send back to their native are clearly major players in today's countries, attributed this mainly global economy," Basu said. to weak economic growth in EuIn line with the expected glorope, deterioration of the Russian bal economic recovery next year, economy and the depreciation of the global flows of remittances are the euro and ruble. expected to accelerate by 4.1 perRemittances to the developing cent in 2016, to reach an estimated world are expected to reach USD USD6 10 billion, rising to USD 636 440 billion in 2015, an increase of billion in 2017. 0.9 per cent over the previous year. Global remittances, including those to high income ‘Israel and India have countries, are projected shown how macro liquidity to grow by 0.4 per cent to USD 586 billion. crises can be managed by United States, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Rus- tapping into the wealth of sia and the United Arab Diaspora communities’ Emirates (UAE) remained the top five migrant destination countries and apart from India, China, Remittance flows to developPhilippines, Mexico and Nigeria ing countries are expected to reare the top five remittance recipi- cover in 2016 to reach USD 459 ent countries, in terms of value of billion, rising to USD 479 billion remittances, the report said. in 2017, the World Bank said. "Total remittances in 2014 The global average cost of reached USD 583 billion. This is sending USD 200 held steady at 8 more than double the ODA in the per cent of the value of the transworld. India received USD 70 bil- action, as of the last quarter of lion, China USD 64 billion, the 2014. Philippines USD 28 billion. With Despite its potential to lower new thinking these mega flows costs, the use of mobile technolcan be leveraged to finance de- ogy in cross-border transactions velopment and infrastructure remains limited, due to the regulaprojects," said Kaushik Basu, tory burden related to combating World Bank Chief Economist and money laundering and terrorism Senior Vice President. financing, the report said. -PTI
India's GDP growth to reach 8 pc by 2017 WASHINGTON: The World Bank has predicted a GDP growth rate of 8 per cent for India by 2017 and said that a strong expansion in the country, coupled with favorable oil prices, would accelerate the economic growth in South Asia. In India, GDP growth is expected to accelerate to 7.5 per cent in fiscal year 2015/16. It could reach 8 per cent in FY 2017/18, on the back of significant acceleration of investment growth to 12 per cent during FY 2016-FY 2018, the bank said in its semi-annual report. The country is attempting to shift from consumption to investment-led growth, at a time when China is undergoing the opposite
transition, it said. The bank's twice-a-year South Asia Economic Focus report projected steady increase in regional growth from 7 per cent in 2015 to 7.6 per cent by 2017 on grounds of strong consumption and increasing investment. G i v e n India's weight in regional Gross Domestic Product, the projections reflect to a large extent India's expected growth acceleration, driven by business-oriented reforms and
improved investor sentiment. The decline in oil prices has been reflected in the domestic prices of oil products to different extents across the region. The pass-through exceeded 50 per cent for most oil products in Pakistan, but was nil in Bangladesh, it said. To g e t h e r with favorable food prices, cheaper oil has contributed to a rapid deceleration of inflation. South Asia went from having the highest inflation rate among de-
veloping regions to having the lowest in barely one year. In March 2013, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the region had increased by 7.3 per cent year-onyear compared to 1.4 per cent in March 2015, the report said. "The biggest oil price dividend to be cashed in by South Asia is one yet to be earned, but it is not one that will automatically transit through government or consumer accounts," said World Bank South Asia Chief Economist Martin Rama. "Cheap oil gives the opportunity to rationalize energy prices, reducing the fiscal burden from subsidies and contributing to environmental sustainability," he said.-PTI
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Guinness recognizes Swami's music therapy JAGAN BUKKARAJI
SYDNEY: At a time when ailments are pervasive with cures sought from increasingly strong medications, Dr Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swami, pontiff of the Avadhoota Datta Peetham of Mysore, India, led the largest music therapy lesson at a single location on April 6 at the iconic Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia, for the well-being of not just the participants, but also those suffering around the world. The music therapy session was officially declared as the world's largest music therapy lesson at a single location by the Guinness World Records. The Guinness World Records had earlier also recognized Swamiji for leading a four hour marathon 'most people chanting
such sessions. Leading the effort, Swamiji explained the synergistic role of music in improving the outcome of cure for chronic ailments, when complemented with medical treatment. Swamiji also explained the intricate relationship between nerves, sound vibrations, human organs, and the impact of music in the related nerve centers. At this world record event, Swamiji was accompanied by world-renowned violinist Dr L. Subramaniam, percussionists Sri Ramadasu on tabla and V Suresh on Ghatam along with the Celestial Message Troupe consisting of Vidwan Jaitra Varanasi on Violin, Vidwan Mani Narasimham on Keyboard, and Vidwan Shankar Ramesh on Mrudangam.
Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swami being presented with World Record Plaque in Sydney
from a single location' - for world peace - on January 3 in Tenali in the State of Andhra Pradesh, India. Consul General of India in Sydney Sunjay Sudhir witnessed the event, and presented his compliments to Swamiji for the wonderful music therapy session, and relayed his hope for many more
Swamiji has honed his healing music over several decades and his scientific approach to music therapy has benefited millions of people directly and indirectly through many such music therapy lessons. The therapy process applies to individuals as well as groups through both active and
passive therapy. The techniques include receptive listening, active singing, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, mu-
Swamiji is world renowned for His Healing and Meditation music and has conducted hundreds of music concerts all over the
Ragini Nada Yoga.' Based in Mysore, Swamiji has established many ashrams to spread the message of peace
Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swami performing with percussionists
sic performance and learning through music. According to Swamiji, the benefits of music therapy include relief from pain and discomfort, reduction of stress, improved coping, strengthened immune system, self-empowerment during treatment, strengthened family bonds, continued developmental growth, improved patient and family satisfaction, and spiritual upliftment. In addition, Swamiji's healing music is utilized in a number of Intensive Care Units at numerous hospitals. As such, preliminary experiments to study the influence of Swamiji's music on Tamilnadu State police personnel showed improved behavior with plaintiffs, reduced job-related stress, and an improvement in their overall sense of well-being. When Swamiji's music was played in prisons, an improvement in convicts' behavior with co-habitants and better social consciousness was observed.
world in some of the most prestigious venues, including the Lincoln Center in New York City, USA, The Esplanade in Singapore and Royal Albert Hall in London, UK. Swamiji's Nada Yoga Research
around the world. Swamiji supports a multitude of social projects to help the downtrodden, including hospitals and schools in India to help the poor and needy, and homes for the aged. People
Swamiji's Nada Yoga Research Center in Mysore, India, is a state of the art center which provides the experience of individualized healing sessions in a precisely calibrated environment with computer controlled piped music Center in Mysore, India, is a state of the art center which provides the experience of individualized healing sessions in a precisely calibrated environment with computer controlled piped music. A comprehensive compilation on Swamiji's approach to music and music therapy explaining the various facets of Swamiji's concept and therapy process has been published in the name of 'Raga
around the world have received immense benefit from physical healing to spiritual guidance through His music therapy sessions. Recognizing Sri Swamiji's international stature, the US government has granted special Ovisa status to Him to travel and perform throughout the USA. Swamiji's work often appears in newspapers and periodicals around the globe.
India should bid for Olympics to inspire people: Spitz SHANGHAI: Nine-time Olympic champion swimmer Mark Spitz feels India needs to bid for the Summer Games to inspire their
people to take up sport and become a sporting nation. Spitz, who won seven gold medals at the 1972 Summer Olym-
pics in Munich, said there is lack of competition in India and also socio-economic factors have stopped the country in producing more Olympians. "I don't think it is the economics; it is the lack of competitive level. In America, there is tremendous competitive environment in the colleges and it enhances the abilities of athletes," said Spitz during an interaction with Indian media a day ahead of the Laureus World Sports Award. "We see people from Australia and England coming to America but it is not an exclusive thing. India can also outsource if they choose to but I think in India it is
a cultural thing. There are other pics and inspire people and things in the socio-economic change the mindset. But you can't arena which becomes more impor- change the hundreds of years of tant than becoming an athlete. traditions," he added. There is family Interestingly, traditions, reliIndia are exploring gious traditions, the possibility of etc which sacrihosting the Olymfices the imporpics and Prime tance of athletics Minister Narendra a little bit. Modi and Interna"I don't know tional Olympic of any magic Committee presiwand but I think dent Thomas Bach Mark Spitz India you need to are scheduled to change because meet later this you have a zillion people and you month in New Delhi to discuss the could have 100,000 great Olympi- nation's likely bid for the 2024 ans, unless you bid for the Olym- Games.-PTI
Tech News Ramdev promoting Yoga & Ayurveda in Australia MELBOURNE: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has said he is keen to promote Yoga and Ayurveda in Australia by setting up a centre as he met leaders and businessmen seeking support. "Australia is a very good nation and we want to promote practice of Yoga and Ayurveda here," Ramdev, who was on his maiden four-day visit to the country, told PTI. Ramdev was felicitated by a group of Indo-Australian leaders and businessmen of Whyndam Vale suburb who extended support and assistance to set up a Yoga centre in the area. "These businessmen and leaders would be giving us a plan and we will look at it here. We want to take India's name at the top and whatever we can do to promote Yoga and Ayurveda, we will do that," he said.-PTI
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Three Indian-Americans among biggest philanthropists WASHINGTON: Three IndianAmericans are among 50 biggest philanthropists of 2015, that includes top business honchos like Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The list compiled by American
worthy and inspiring givers," says the magazine of people on its 'T&C 50: The Biggest Philanthropists of 2015' list. Saujani, 39, is the founder of 'Girls Who Code', a three- year-old nonprofit that teaches computer skills to girls from low-income
'Smart glass' changes color & produces electricity WASHINGTON: Researchers have developed a new type of color-changing glass that can produce enough electricity to charge a smartphone. Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology said that many types of glass are subjected to rain and wind, so they sought to find a way to coat a window that would take advantage of triboelectrics - capturing the energy in static electricity that occurs when two materials meet. They came up with a two layer solution, one layer to capture the energy in raindrops, the other to do the same for wind. The first layer contains nanogenerators that capture the positively charged energy in water droplets, which comes from rubbing against the air on the way down from clouds. The second layer holds two charged plastic sheets with tiny springs between them; as wind pressure increases on the glass, the plastic sheets are pushed closer together, creating an electric current, 'phys.org' reported. Together the two layers result in a glass that is initially clear, but then develops a blue tint - they also generated as much as 130 milliwatts of electricity per square meter of glass, which the researchers said, is enough to charge a smartphone. The team suggests that such types of glass could be used with wireless networks because it is not based on a separate power source.-PTI
Country CEO and Managing Director of Renault Sumit Sawhney (L) and Rafael Treguer, VP Sales & Marketing during the launch of the new car Lodgy in Chennai on April 13
Adarsh Alphons
lifestyle 'Town and Country Magazine' figures New York-based Adarsh Alphons, Reshma Saujani and Shaila Ittycheria, all under 40 years of age. "These are the men and women whose serious dollars, bold ideas, and old-fashioned hard work have made them the year's most note-
communities to close technology's gender-gap. "This is more than just a program. It's a movement", said Saujani, who was also among four Indian-American entrepreneurs on a recent list of the 40 most talented and dynamic professionals under the age of 40 in New York
City. Meanwhile, 30-year-old Alphons founded 'ProjectArt' to unleash the creative power in each child and change the way the world views arts education, because for him, art saves lives. His 'Grand Plan' is to help troubled New York City students via ProjectArt, which provides free art classes at public libraries in all five boroughs. It does this by public awareness and programs. Using its unique library-partnerships model, it helps youth express their artistic visions, set goals and display their art in celebrated art galleries in New York City, all at no cost to the students. Expelled from school when he was just seven-years-old for drawing in every class, Alphons - son of former Indian bureaucrat K J Alphons - was painting portraits for Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela and the Pope by the time he was 15 - all
because one art teacher perceived his passion for art and believed in him, according to information on his website. Ittycheria, 31, co-founded 'Enstitute' that bypasses college by placing its students in paid tech apprenticeships. Her 'Grand Plan'
Reshma Saujani
is to educate the digitally inclined and debt-averse. The list also includes Zuckerberg's wife Priscilla Chan, former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, and actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Emma Watson.-PTI
Sebi moves US court on Sahara jet sale NEW YORK: In a new twist to the high profile Sebi-Sahara case, the Indian capital markets regulator has approached a US court with a USD 12-million claim on proceeds from sale of a corporate jet owned by a Sahara Group firm. The court has rejected the demand for now, saying that Sebi could not "properly file a claim prior to the Bar Date and in accordance with the terms of the Court's order". The Indianapolis court is looking into disbursement of money collected from the aircraft sale that was triggered by litigation. It ruled however that the court-appointed receiver can initiate wire transfers from the escrow account to SebiSahara Refund Account after being satisfied with the validity of
the demands. This bank account was created after a Supreme Court order in August 2012 for refund to bondholders of two Sahara group firms, which were asked to submit over Rs 24,000 crore with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for making repayments to investors. While Sahara claims to have already made over 95 per cent of repayments directly, this has been disputed by Sebi and the group chief Subrata Roy has been in jail for more than a year. The present case in the US relates to an Airbus Corporate Jet, a
green aircraft purchased by Sahara group's Hospitality Business Limited (HBL) from Airbus SA in De-
Subrata Roy
cember 2012. HBL then entered into a Cabin Completion Agreement (CCA) with US-based Comlux America for
USD 31 million. Comlux is a leading player in providing aircraft management and design services for VIP customers. However, due to liquidity issues faced by Sahara, after being asked to deposit funds with Sebi, the payment timelines could not be met and delays started to occur, due to which Comlux could not progress with the cabin work of the aircraft. As a result, HBL was asked to pay damages worth an estimated USD 6 million to Comlux. While HBL paid USD 3.795 million, the balance amount remained outstanding. Later in June 2014, Comlux's attorneys filed a case in the Indianapolis court and sought sale of the aircraft.-PTI
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UN meet endorses India's Xiaomi sells 2.11 mn phones in 12 hours black money concerns DOHA: In a major push towards recovering black money stashed in safe havens abroad, a UN conference here endorsed India's suggestions on promoting global cooperation in fighting the menace of money laundering, international terrorism and cyber crime. The 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice was held here and a Doha Declaration was adopted during the high-level segment of the meeting. Following up on G20's endorsement of concerns raised by it regarding black money, India put immense importance on the acceptance of a statement that will facilitate the eventual confiscation of "money and other assets that have not been accounted for and that are found in safe havens" and succeeded in getting adopted measures that can help achieve the goal. A clause in the declaration prominently took care of the concern that the Indian government has been emphasizing recently at all possible forums. The declaration agreed to "strengthen or, as appropriate, adopt procedures to more effectively prevent and counter moneylaundering and enhance measures for the identification, tracing,
freezing, seizure and recovery of the proceeds of crime, including money and other assets that have not been accounted for and that are found in safe havens..." Sources close to the discussion said this major clause was included in the Doha declaration at New Delhi's insistence. Minister of Law and Justice D V Sadanad Gowda, who is leading a high-level delegation to the Congress, told PTI that "our government has placed a bill in the parliament regarding black money and success in achieving this would require cooperation from the international community and especially countries where such money has
been hidden". "The Doha declaration covers all related issues. Increased globalization and emergence of new technologies have necessitated greater cooperation among nations. Terror operations in countries are controlled from other parts of the world and the menace can be effectively tackled only if the world community comes together in the fight to control it," Gowda said. India has also played an important role in getting strong references in the declaration on the issue of terrorism, including foreign terrorist fighters in several paras of the draft. -PTI
Air Pegasus begins commercial operations BENGALURU/NEW DELHI: Air Pegasus has commenced its commercial operations with flight services to
Hubballi and Thiruvananthapuram from its base in Bengaluru, becoming the second regional air operator after Air Costa.
Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju launched the operations of the airline promoted by ground handling services provider Decor Aviation. "The new routes with a regional focus will help local business and boost tourism, opening up potentials in both business and leisure travel," said Raju, who was on board the inaugural flight of the newly-launched airline. The company plans to have five ATR aircraft in South India by December and would increase it to 20, Air Pegasus Managing Director Shyson Thomas told reporters. He said that connecting to the country's IT capital, the newly launched flights will boost the economies of these two towns by simplifying the travel options for both in-bound and out-bound passengers. "We aim to be the truly regional airline brand with more connectivity in existing regions which are undeserved and to connect nonconnected sectors," he said. The regional carrier plans to invest Rs 100 crore through a mix of internal resources and debt in expansion.-PTI
BEIJING: China's smartphone giant Xiaomi says it has set a new Guinness World Record for mobile phone sales by selling 2.11 million handsets in a 12-hour flash sale held to celebrate its fifth anniversary. The half-day bonanza, which brought in 2.08 billion yuan (USD 335 million) from sales of handsets and other accessories broke the previous record held by Alibaba's Tmall, which sold 1.89 million handsets on Singles' Day in November dur-
PricewaterhouseCoopers, he said. Xiaomi easily broke their record from the same event last year, which saw them selling 1.3 million smartphones. Mobile phones and other accessories sold during the 12- hour event were discounted from Xiaomi's already famously low prices. Lei said the company was focused on making smartphones, televisions, rout-
ing a 24-hour event. "Good news: Xiaomi just set a new Guinness World Record, selling 2.11 million mobile phones in 24 hours," chief executive Lei Jun posted on Sina Weibo - the Chinese equivalent of Twitter - shortly after the event. "This is beyond my imagination," the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post quoted Lei as telling reporters at the company's headquarters here. The new record has been certified by the official Guinness World Records and examined by auditor
ers and other products sold on its website. In 2014, Xiaomi sold 61 million smartphones and had revenue of 74.3 billion yuan, becoming the world's number three smartphone player and China's top smartphone brand, overtaking Apple and Samsung. The company was valued at USD 45 billion in a December funding round that drew investors ranging from Singapore's sovereign wealth fund to a private capital firm backed by Alibaba Group co-founder Jack Ma.-PTI
Renault to venture into used car biz in India NEW DELHI: French car major Renault plans to venture into used car business in India in the second half of this year as it looks to strengthen its position in the country, where it aims to have 5 per cent market share by the end of 2016. Besides, the company which sells six models in the country including sports utility vehicle Duster and recently introduced Multi-Purpose-Vehicle (MPV) Lodgy, aims to double its sales in the current year to around 1 lakh units. "We plan to start the used car business in the second half of the year. It is important to be ready for growth in future. We need to give a right platform for customers to sell their used cars," Renault India Country CEO and MD Sumit Sawhney said.
The company is currently testing internally the used car format on a pilot basis before launching it on a full scale during the second half of the year, he added. Elaborating on the sales target, Sawhney said the company aims to double its sales by the end of the current year, riding on the company's plans to enter into volume segments like MPV and small car verticals. "We are trying to get into segments where we have not been present earlier. With Lodgy we are getting into fast growing MPV segment and later in the year we also plan to launch a sub Rs 4 lakh car in the country," Sawhney said. The company, which sold around 45,000 units last year, currently has a market share of just over 2 per cent in the country. -PTI
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Gujarat govt launches industrial tourism AHMEDABAD: In a first of its kind initiative in the country, government of the western Indian state of Gujarat is promoting a tour package covering major industrial installations which have earned global acclaim for the state. Some of the major attractions of this recently launched tour package include a visit to Tata Nano plant in Sanand, Pipavav port near Amreli, Alang ship breaking yard in Bhavnagar and Amul Dairy in Anand. The package, called Industrial Tour of Gujarat, has been offered by city-based Akshar Travels Pvt Ltd, official partner of state-run tourism agency Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL), which is promoting the tour on its website. According to Manish Sharma, Managing Director of Akshar Travels, this unique tour package, which is first of its kind in the country, is aimed at showcasing the industrial development of Gujarat. "After the recent Vibrant Summit, people from all over the world have developed curiosity to find out more about Gujarat's achievements in the industrial sector, as it
is now termed as the upcoming industrial hub of India. Thus, we have proposed this idea of industrial tour, which was accepted by
of industries flourishing in the state. Thus, we have launched this tour for those wanting to know more about Gujarat's develop-
Tata Nano plant in Sanand
the state government," said Sharma. In his view, such tours are common in China and Germany, which are considered as industrial majors. "Though Gujarat is a leader in industrial development, people are still unaware about the actual scale
ment," said Sharma. As per the itinerary of this tour package, tourists can select the places from various options which include visit to Sanand based Tata Nano plant, Morbi-based ceramic industry as well as Asia's biggest Ajanta clock factory.
Aviation minister bats for lower taxes BENGALURU: Pitching for lower taxes to boost civil aviation, Union Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju has said states which responded positively to the Center's request in this regard have witnessed a spurt in the sector. "We are requesting the state governments to bolster the aviation activity in the country by becoming aviation friendly... Taxes are required, but taxing to death is not required," he told reporters here at the flagging off of the citybased Air Pegasus' maiden flight to Hubballi and Thiruvananthpuram. Raju said the Centre had written to all chief ministers requesting them to be aviation-friendly and bring down taxes on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF). Raju said ATF accounted for "40 and above per cent of an airline's total operations costs." He said the states which responded to the Center's call have seen a spurt in aviation activities there. "Some states have come forward. Those states which have come forward, there have been a spurt of aviation activities there," he added. On the proposed aircraft Main-
Tourists can also opt for a visit to Reliance Refinery in Jamnagar, Tata Chemicals factory in Mithapur, ship breaking yard in
tenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) depot near Nagpur in Maharashtra, Raju said there were inordinate delays in getting the project started. "I do agree MRO has taken a
Ashok Gajapathi Raju
long time. Inordinate delays have happened. There are impediments like service taxes," he said. The aviation ministry was requesting the Finance Ministry to remove MRO activity from service tax for a period of at least ten years, Raju said. "We are trying to do something, otherwise these things will never happen," he said.
The Minister said MRO activity was a big opportunity and can result in business worth million of dollars. "As of now many planes which fly in Indian skies fly to places like Sri Lanka, Dubai and Singapore just for repair, and we see it an opportunity of about 700 million dollars business that can be conducted within India," he said. The MRO depot is a joint venture between Boeing and Air India and it was conceived in 2004-05, but construction work started only in 2011. The Boeing MRO project is billed as the most modern project in Asia, which could save huge amounts of foreign exchange and also time for airlines. He also said the government wanted to extend its "Make In India" policy to "Repair in India" which would help generate employments for domestic engineers.-PTI
Alang, Pipavav port, Asian Paints plant in Ankleshwar, Arvind Mills in Ahmedabad, Amul Dairy in Anand and many more such destinations. "We also take tourists to salt pans near Okha. Those interested in cotton are taken to Kadi in
Mehsana, which has the highest number of cotton gins in Asia. Our package also includes visits to world-famous diamond industry as well as textiles industry in Surat and plastic industry in Hazira," said Sharma. TCGL provides all the necessary support in organizing these tours. "We co-ordinate with these industries as well as other departments to procure permissions. We also provide administrative and marketing support to such tour packages, which are aimed at showcasing Gujarat's industrial development," said PRO of TCGL Khyati Nayak. According to Sharma, the tour packages can be customized as per the needs of the tourists and costs up to Rs 20,000 for a fiveday trip to specific destinations. "This tour packages are well received by entrepreneurs and students of professional courses. We are also getting good response from foreign delegates of China, Germany and Singapore, who are keen to find out more about Gujarat's industrial growth and opportunities lying for them in this state," added Sharma.-PTI
India should not let telecos charge more: NYT NEW YORK: Amid the raging debate over net neutrality in India, a leading daily here has said India's policy makers should not allow telecom companies to charge users extra fees for internet services as such a move can hurt consumers and affect start-up Internet businesses. "One of the main reasons the Internet has been so successful is that people have generally been able to use it how they wish. "The worst thing policy makers could do to the network would be to allow telecom companies to mess with that," the editorial 'Global Threats to Net Neutrality' in the New York Times said. The editorial cited the example of the European Council, which adopted a proposal that would allow telecommunications companies to charge Internet businesses like Netflix and Google fees to deliver their videos and other content to users faster than could smaller companies that cannot afford to pay for preferential treatment. It said India's telecommunica-
tions regulator has also asked for comments on whether it should adopt a provision similar to what Europe is considering. The regulator also asked if telecom companies should be able to charge users extra fees for services like YouTube, WhatsApp and Skype on top of the fees people already pay for access to
the Internet. "These proposals would hurt consumers because access to some services would cost more money. They would also hurt smaller Internet businesses that could not afford to pay fees to get preferential access," it said. In India, Internet activists have organized a campaign against the regulator's proposal that appears to be having some impact.-PTI
Desi News Gujarati Samaj celebrates Spring Festival ASHWIN PATEL
ST LOUIS: The Gujarati Samaj of St. Louis, MO., set up in 1984 with the aim of preserving Gujarati culture in the community, celebrated Spring Festival with great bonhomie at the Mahatma Gandhi Center on Saturday April 4, which also happened to be Hanuman Jayanti day The four-hour program started with light Gujarati food provided by board members and the Youth Club members. More than 400 people attended the celebration.
COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA
16 India Post
‘Women are inherently empowered’ India Post News Service
SUNNYVALE, CA: Shantakka, the head of Rashtra Sevika Samiti, who was here on the first leg of her visit to the United States of America, rejects the notion that somebody needs to empower women. She declares, "Women are inherently empowered. What is needed is to realize and recognize this". She was addressing the Indian women leaders of Silicon Valley at a dinner organized as part of International Women's Day celebrations. Details on page 22
Devansh excels at County Science & Engineering Fair
India Post News Service
CHICAGO: A Pakistan born but India raised scientist Dr Dayal Meshri, who won laurels in academic and non-academic fields for his success, has been inclined to contribute his for mite to the society by announcing hefty donations time and again to educational institutions and social organizations. One of the recent recipients of his donations is the University of Tulsa. Dr Meshri and his son Sanjay Meshri have announced an initial gift of $37,715 towards the Meshri Family Vestibules and the Indu Meshri Students Common. The Meshris have committed $500,000 to sponsor this project at the University. Commending this wholesome gesture of the Meshris, University President Dr Steadman Upham said that TU's interna-
tional reputation as a powerhouse in the fields of engineering and the sciences continues to grow and it continues to enjoy strong
novators of tomorrow who are studying at TU today." Earlier, Meshris had announced a substantial donation
Sanjay Meshri and Dr Dayal Meshri
Dr Steadman Upham
prospects "thanks to your abiding friendship." He added that the University appreciates "your continued investment in the in-
to the University of Idaho for its multimillion dollar Research and Innovation Center Project. In a communication to Dr Dayal
CHICAGO: The bid by Raja Krishnamoorthi to seek Congressional seat from Illinois District-8 has begun getting boost and big momentum with many prominent Democrats - both Americans and Indian Americans - lining up be-
tions to protect working families and shares my commitment to help people in our community achieve the American Dream," said Kotowski, a Democrat whose state legislative district includes parts of the 8th Congressional District
government. He successfully passed legislation to protect taxpayers through the posting of government contracts on the Internet, and he sponsored landmark legislation to create new penalties for officials convicted of
CORRIGENDUM n our April 10 issue on Hanuman Mandir we mentioned that the 22ft idol of Hanuman Ji was uncovered for Darshan. We stand corrected as Dr Chandra Khurana has pointed out: "We did not expose Hanuman Ji idol to prevent any possible damage to it." -Editor
Meshri, Chuck Stable, the Idaho University President, said, "It is so inspiring when we receive a leadership-level gift from a generous donor that allows us to provide new opportunities to our University community. Your gift supporting the Integrated Research and Innovation Center is just that." Three years ago, Dr Meshri had announced a hefty donation of $50,000 for renovating and updating kitchen facility at Indo American Center in Chicago. The IAC management set up a life size statute of Indu Meshri commemorating this gift from Dr Dayal Meshri. Dr Meshri has been active in the welfare of Sindhi community many of whose members had migrated penniless from Pakistan after partition. Recently he was one of the prime sponsors for the international convention on Sindhi in Singapore.
SURENDRA ULLAL
Details on page 23
I
Details on page 24
Sen. Kotowski & local Democrats back Raja
India Post News Service
FREMONT, CA: On Saturday, March 28, Devansh Vaid, an Indian American student just completing his junior year at Deer Valley High School (DVHS) in Antioch, California, received a third-place award for a project he and a classmate submitted to the Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair (CCCSEF).
April 17, 2015
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Meshris' big gift to Tulsa University to boost science & research RAMESH SOPARAWALA
Details on page 19
Divine Vastu tips for peace and prosperity: Part-I
Dan Kotowski and Raja Krishnamoorthi
hind him offering support to his candidacy. State Senator Dan Kotowski (D28th District) and dozens of local Democratic leaders and activists have announced their support of Raja Krishnamoorthi's candidacy to replace Rep. Tammy Duckworth in Congress. "Raja offers meaningful solu-
of Illinois. Kotowski's district includes Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Mount Prospect, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Roselle and Schaumburg. Kotowski has worked to bring a new era of reform, transparency and accountability to Illinois state
public corruption. "I am honored to have Sen. Kotowski's support," Krishnamoorthi said. "He is a tireless advocate for working families throughout much of the 8th Congressional District." Krishnamoorthi, 41 has also got big support from many local Democrats and organizations in-
cluding Ken Christy, President of Illinois Letter Carriers, Frank Avila, Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, Mike Alvarez, Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District .S. Ambassador Marge Benton, former Ambassador to UNESCO John Rogers, Chairman of President's Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans, State Senator Bill Marovitz, retired, Committeeman, IL Democratic Party Al Prochaska, Northwest Suburban Teachers, former President Ted Mason, Committeeman, Elk Grove Township Democrats; Pat Powers, Vice President, Elk Grove Township Democrats, Esther Carrera, Cont’d on page 19
April 17, 2015
Community Across America
India Post 17
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Punjabi culture showcased at Rangla Punjab SURENDRA ULLAL
CHICAGO: The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) held its flagship annual event "Rangla Punjab 2015" to celebrate Vaisakhi festival on Saturday April 4 at Meadows Club Banquet Hall in Rolling Meadows with more than 200 participants rendering 22 spectacular variety acts in a talent show attended by more than 1000. Dr Bhupinder Singh Saini of Advanced Pain Management Clinics in Wisconsin was the Grand Sponsor and Balwinder Nick Singh was the Chief Guest. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a candidate for IL8 Congressional district accompanied by Matt Flamm, Democratic Committeeman of Greater Palatine Area, addressed the audience and lauded PCS' work. The program divided in four segments included dazzling performances of Bhangra and Gidha dances, delightful Punjabi songs and melodious music by local and guest artists from Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan. Artists of all ages, teenage boys and girls, college students, and adults dressed in a variety of Punjabi colorful costumes performed their best on stage. University of Illinois at Chicago "UIC Bhangra" rendered a breathtaking performance. The Gidha dance moves by the ladies
PCS officials with Grand Sponsor Dr Bhupinder Singh Saini in the middle and Chief Guest Nick Balvinder Singh at "Rangla Punjab 2015." Rajinder Singh Mago with Sunil Shah, an awardee, kneeling down in front row. -Pics Asian Media USA
novelty merchandise in the Club's lobby. Posters of Sikh soldiers in World Wars I and II were also displayed in the lobby. PCS Vice President Gurmit Singh Dhillon welcomed the audience. The program
Sikh children from Gurdwara in Palatine singing a prayer "Shabad"
from "Milwaukee Gidha" Team and "Shaunkanna Chicago Diyan" were nostalgic reminders of rural Punjab and won the hearts of the audience with their fast beat music, stellar acts and colorful costumes. There were many other excellent Bhangra, Gidha, and dance items presented by the local community children and adult artists. It was really a festival of Punjabi culture and a delightful treat. Several vendors had set up shop to sell
opened with singing of a prayer "shabad" by a group of young children from Palatine Gurdwara Gurmat School. The variety program divided in four segments was emceed by Jaslin Kaur Nanua & Amanjeet Kaur Sandhu; Ranjit Singh Bains & Ajay Bhangu; Mona Bhalla; Guru Dhaliwal & Thakar Singh Basati. Rajinder Singh Mago also conducted the awards and recognition ceremonies in cooperation with Sunny Kular and Mohinderjit Singh Saini.
(L-R) Matt Flamm, Greater Palatine Democrats Committeeman, Laddi Singh, who ran for IL State Representative, Raja Krishnamoorthi US Congress candidate; Guru Swamy and Rajinder Singh Mago
A variety of Punjabi songs delighted the audience. Kanchan ji a versatile singer rendered a melodious song "Tere Larh Laghiyaan;" Pratibha Jairath, sang "Main Tenu Samjhavaan Ki;" Mahijit Singh Virdi sang "Apna Sangeet;" Mona Bhalla & daughters moved the audience with their energy, passion with the song "Chittiyaan Kalaayiyaan;" Parina Mehrotra sang
"Sannu Nehar Wale Pul te Bula Ke;" Mandeep Singh Saini sang "Patiala Song;" Sanjeev Vij sang"Jatt Yamla Pagla Diwana;" Tara Multani sang his own album song "Kabaddi." P.C.S. also recognized its Board of Governors and Board of Advisors. Cont’d on page 19
Community Across America
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April 17, 2015
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Mahaviri Jayanti celebrated at Hindu temple GEETHA PATIL
CHICAGO: Members of the Jain Community of Lake County celebrated Mahavir Jayanti (birthday) on Saturday, April 11 at Hindu Mandir of Lake County with great religious fervor. Lord Mahavir was the 24th Tiranthankar from the line of Adinath in Jainism. Mahavir Mahila Mandal of Bartlett, IL led by Rashmi Shah and Sudha Shah started Mahavir Abhishekam with sponsor families at 1:30pm. Mahila Mandal ladies sang many devotional songs and danced with full devotion in front of Mahavir. More than 150 devotees enjoyed Lord Mahavir Abhishekam and remembered Bhagwan Mahavir's message of truth, nonviolence and compassion that shows an enlightened path for happiness and progress of humanity. Mangalarati of Lord Mahavir was followed by cultural programs organized by Vasu Choksi. Mouthwatering Prasadam, which was sponsored by Vidya and Sanjay Nahar, was served to all the devotees. Mandir's dedicated volunteers and popular singer Mrs Vasu Choksi sang Stavans
Jain community members attending the celebration with Shubha addressing
and anchored the whole celebration very well. This event of Birth anniversary of Mahavir was organized by Umesh and Vasu Choksi and Nitish Shah. Mandir's priests Pt. Ganesh Ji and Pt. Yogesh Pandya gave vote of thanks to all the Jain devotees for making this event a grand success. They said in their Ashirvachan that the life and teachings of Lord Mahavir inspire us to abjure violence in thoughts, words, and deeds and to always adhere to the path of ahimsa (non-violence).
Volunteer Appreciation Day at Swaminarayan Temple
Male Singer Mehul Rami, Vasu Choksi & Puja Saha
A THAKKAR
Sunil Shah completes 20 years with New York Life India Post News Service
Coordinator Arvindbhai Thakkar explaining the activities of the clinics as MC Vivek Brahmbhatt looks on. (Right) A section of the audience
ITASCA: Midwest Swaminarayan Temple organized a drama - Ladina Latka ane Jasuna Zatka" - on Friday April 10 to appreciate the selfless services of volunteers for the ongoing medical and eye clinic activities. The program was attended by more than
700 devotees. Everyone enjoyed the delicious Katiavadi dinner prepared by the kitchen volunteers and the superb drama with superstar actors Paresh Bhatt, Samir Rajda, Mousami Tondwalkar, Mangesh Salvi and their group.
CHICAGO: A front ranking community activist, Sunil Shah has added one more feather in his cap of achievements completing 20 years with New York Life on the same day that his wedding anniversary falls April 15. He has proved to be one of the very successful New York Life Insurance Company
Chicago. The FIA among other things had the most successful Holi Mela where hundreds of Indian Americans and non-Indians participated with lot of enthusiasm and fervor. He has dedicated his life in serving his clients and community. At the same token his wife, Rita Shah, as a housewife, matched steps in assisting Shah in all his endeavors. A versatile singer being blessed with a beautiful voice, she
Cont’d on page 20
Sunil Shah recognized at Rangla Punjab
Sunil Shah at United Punjabis Milan
agents having started his career on April 15, 1990. At the community level, one can find him at all the places lending a supporting hand whether it happens to be a church, a temple, a gurudwara or a mosque. Quite recently, he was awarded a recognition plaque by Punjabi Cultural Society during its annual Vaisakhi celebrations wherein Sunil greeted all those present in chaste Punjabi. He is also Founder President of FIA,
Chief Guest at Jain Temple in Bartlett Sunil Shah seen distributing prize to a student
has performed with renowned Bollywood and local singers for several fundraising events. They have two very promising sons Swapnil and Sahaj Shah. Swapnil, who looks forward to a promising career in the law field, got engaged to Morgan Smith in Mumbai last year. Sahaj Shah alias DJ MR.SHAW has carved out a name and fame as DJ having won the B-96 International Contest last year. He is studying in Columbia College and expanding his career further in music production.
Community Across America
April 17, 2015
India Post 19
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Gujarati Samaj celebrates Spring Festival ASHWIN PATEL
ST LOUIS: The Gujarati Samaj of St. Louis, MO., set up in 1984 with the aim of preserving Gujarati culture in the community, celebrated Spring Festival with great bonhomie at the Mahatma Gandhi Center on Saturday April 4, which
also happened to be Hanuman Jayanti day The four-hour program started with light Gujarati food provided by board members and the Youth Club members. More than 400 people attended the celebration.
The cultural program commenced with the singing of American and Indian national anthems. It was followed by a prayer and Hanuman Chalisa. Jitendra Prabhu, president of Gujarati Samaj, welcomed the gathering.
Main highlights consisted of 26 different items performed by members, children, juniors and seniors, who dressed up in different costumes pertaining to spring. They represented the culture of all parts of Gujarat. The program was filled with folk dances, Gujarati Raas, Bollywood songs, classical songs, Bollywood remix songs, comic skits and drama. The purpose of the program was to encourage large participation, celebrate the spring festival and to provide a platform for Gujaratis to mingle with each other and also with those from other ethnic communities. End of last year Gujarati Samaj members and Hindu Temple of St.
Louis members made history by signing an agreement that would not only keep the torch of culture burning but grow even brighter in the future. On that day, the Samaj presented a check of $250,000 to the Hindu Temple to begin construction of the new building adjacent to the temple. The documents reflecting the good faith of both the parties and for a bright future to next few generations. The 2015 Board of Directors are - President: Jitendra Prabhu, Vice President: Mahendra R.Patel, Secretary: Mahendra Patel, Treasurer: Jayesh Desai, Members: Tejas Bhakta, Nilesh Patel, Chirag Shah, Dharmendra Patel and Jayesh.
Gujarati Samaj girls presenting delightful music
Punjabi culture showcased at Rangla Punjab Bhupinder Singh Saini was hon- pants. ored with a plaque for his continThe upcoming P.C.S. organized P.C.S. Board of Directors for ued moral 2015, are Amritpal Singh Sangha and financial (Hon. Chairman), Vick Singh support to (President), Gurmit Singh Dhillon PCS (Vice President), Bikram Singh PCS PresiChohan (Executive Secretary), dent Vick Surinder Singh Palia (Finance Sec- S i n g h retary), Manjeet Singh Bhalla thanked the (Sports Director), Parvinder Singh participants, Nanua (Youth Director), c o o r d i n a Gagandeep Singh Multani and tors, sponRaibrinder Singh Ghotra (Inter- sors, voluncommunity Directors). teers, the Outgoing PCS president community Children's Bhangra team "Kaum Punjab Di" Pardeep Singh Deol was awarded members and a plaque for his excellent services the audience during his term. Outgoing PCS for their support. events are: "Punjabi Youth GraduChairman Dr Hargurmukhpal A delicious VIP dinner and ation & Scholarship Night" dinSingh was similarly honored. Dr. sandwiches were served to partici- ner and party on June 14 at Viceroy of India Banquets in Lombard, IL. All the Punjabi graduates are requested to register with PCS. The "Rangla Punjab 2015" participants will also be honored. "P.C.S. Sports Festival" is slated on July 26 at Falcon Park, Palatine, IL. The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago is an all volunteer not-for-profit community service organization devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, language, performing arts, education, good citizenship, healthy life style, and sports in the metropolitan "Shaunkanna Chicago Diyan" Gidha dance team performing Chicago area and beyond. Cont’d from page 17
A group of active members of the Gujarati Samaj
State Sen. Kotowski & local Democrats back Raja Cont’d from page 16
Secretary, Elk Grove Township Democrats, att Flamm, Committeeman, Palatine Township Democrats; Sue Walton, Former Committeeman, Palatine Township Democrats; Mike Cudzik, Committeeman, Schaumburg Township Democrats; Laddi Singh, Former Candidate for State Rep. 54th District; Tim Burns, Elk Grove Village Library Board Trustee; Lynne Kelley, Elk Grove Township Democrats Precinct Captain 41; Sunil Bhare, Member-elect, School Board District 59; Thakar Basati, Greater Palatine Area Democrats Board Member; Julie Sass, Elk Grove Township Democrats Precinct Captain 17; Rob Nesvacil, Committeeman, Wheel-
ing Township Democrats; Kathleen Sances, Fmr Committeman, Wheeling Township Dems; Wendy Warden, Past Chair, 8th District Democrats and Independents; Patricia P. Johnson, Carol Stream Library Trustee; Moon Khan, DuPage County Precinct Captain, Former York Trustee; Nick Scipione, Schaumburg Township Library Trustee; Bob Frankel, Schaumburg Township Library Trustee; Mike Murray, Schaumburg Democrats, Board member; David S. McArtin, Command Master Chief, U.S. Navy; Retired Steve Giles, DuPage County Democratic Activist; Nasir Jahangir, DuPage County Democratic Activist and Laurel Bault, Kane County Democratic Activist.
20 India Post
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April 17, 2015
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Idaho proclamation mentions 1st Hindu invocation March 3, 2015 the historical first Hindu invocation in the Idaho State Senate was read by Rajan Zed, President of the Universal Society of Hinduism,…" It further states: "…Zed's initiatives to bring various religious communities together throughout the world so that they can live in peace and mutual trust and enrich themselves through dialogue should be honored…"
India Post News Service
IDAHO: Governor C. L. "Butch" Otter has issued a proclamation declaring April 1 as the "Rajan Zed day" mentioning "historical first Hindu invocation in the Idaho State Senate" of March 3. Three Idaho State Senators refused to attend this Hindu invocation and one of them allegedly stated in a media interview: "Hindu is a false faith with false gods". The proclamation, issued in Lenore, Idaho, and carrying the Seal of the State of Idaho and signatures of Governor C. L. "Butch" Otter and Secretary of State Lawrence Denney, says: "…on
Rajan Zed (middle) with Governor C. L. "Butch" Otter (left) and Lieutenant Governor Brad Little (right) before opening the Idaho Senate with its first Hindu prayer on March 3
Volunteer Appreciation Day at Swaminarayan Temple Cont’d from page 18
Midwest Swaminarayan Temple is a pioneer organization in providing medical services to uninsured patients since the last twelve years. Thousands of patients have taken the benefit of the clinic which provides free doctors' consultation, laboratory tests and medicines. It is interesting to note that 85 percent of patients use this service on an ongoing basis. The clinic helps them with regu-
Manish Brahmbhatt, Dr Bhupendra Patel, Dr Yogesh Parikh, Dr Kishor Rana, Dr Pranav Patel, Dr Umesh Goswami, Dr Hiten Patel and Dr Praful Gandhi. The pharmacy group led by Registered Pharmacist Arti Thakkar and includes Registered Pharmacists Kunal Patel, Tejas Patel, Ghanshyam Patel and Trusha Patel. Pharmacy volunteers are Dan Patel, Rita Patel, Nilam Patel and Abhi Bhimani. The laboratory Group is led by
creasing, she was joined by another devoted optometrist Dr Neal Thakrar. Even with the eye clinic working twice a month, the backlog is great and the plan is to have Dr Jasraj Shrinivasan to help and have the eye clinic three times a month. The patients are provided free eye glasses as recommended by the doctors. Premal Kumar Patel helps in coordinating the glasses with the laboratory in a very efficient and timely manner. Volun-
Volunteers being recognized (L to R) Hasit Patel, pharmacy lead Arti Thakkar, Dr Yogesh Shah, MC Vivek Brahmbhatt, laboratory lead Ashwinbhai Majmudar, clinic coordinator Arvindbhai Thakkar, Dr Umesh Goswami and Dr Manish Brahmbhatt
lar check ups and medications adjusted as required by the doctors. The temple has also been lucky to have the services of specialists like heart surgeon Dr Shirish Shah, Orthopedic surgeon Dr Ankur Chhadia and well known dentist Dr Neeta Patel. The chief guest at the program was Ashok Punjabi of Chicago Imports. Certificates of appreciation were awarded to the volunteers by Jagdishbhai Patel and Ghanshyambhai Patel. The award recipient volunteers were Dr
Ashwinbhai Majmudar and supported by Daya Bhimani, Chhaya Shah, Komal Patel and Sushma Bhatt. The clinic administration includes Chintan Thakkar as the lead, Hasit Patel, Nisargi Thakkar and Haribhai Thakker. Another first by the temple was the start of eye clinic in February 2012. The temple management helped buy expensive eye checking equipment and Dr Grishma Patel was the first optometrist to start examining eye patients. As the number of patients kept in-
teers for eye clinic are Nisargi Thakkar, Arvindbhai Thakkar and Ashwinbhai Majmudar. Here again, the clinic is fortunate to have the help of well known eye surgeon Dr Parag Majmudar as needed. Both the clinics are coordinated by Arvindbhai Thakkar and Ashwibhai Majmudar with help and guidance of the temple management. Master of Ceremony of the program was Vivek Brahmabhatt and photography was by Vasantbhai Trivedi.
The proclamation also points out: "…it is important to honor Zed's leadership role in attempting to help the helpless…" It adds: "…Zed works tirelessly to uplift about 15 million Roma (Gypsies) people of Europe who live in apartheid conditions by frequently speaking about their maltreatment, issues and concerns; and urging other religious leaders to do the same…"
Yoga recommended for sound sleep India Post News Service
CHICAGO: Restless nights can make falling asleep feel impossible, but a few simple yoga poses before bed could improve the quality of your zzz's. There are a variety of health benefits to practicing yoga, says Victoria Jackson, yoga instructor at Advocate Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center in Downers Grove, Ill. Those include increased flexibility, deepened lung capacity, increased movement of joints, and released stress, anxiety and depression. "Getting the recommended amount of sleep strengthens the immune system, increases vitality, improves clarity of thought, releases stress, and controls weight management," she says. Dana Santas, creator of Radius Yoga Conditioning, recommends a yoga routine involving stretching, breathing and meditative methods, which can help restore the body. The poses also help relieve tensions built up during the day, and lengthening and realigning these areas through these poses can prevent waking in the night from stiffness, aches and pains. • Functional squat - Begin standing with your feet hip-distance wide, then extend your arms in front of you. Breathe out and sit back into a deep squat. Take three long breaths in the squat position. If you have trouble squatting or finding balance, hold on to something secure for support. • Warrior one with side bend From a standing position, step back with your right foot and bend your left knee parallel to your
ankle. Keep the back leg straight. Place your left hand on your left hip, then as you inhale, reach your right arm up over your head and bend to the left. Let your breath out and hold the position. Breathe in while returning your arm to your side. Repeat the other side. • Supine bent-knee twist - Lay on your back, place a pillow under your head if you like, and extend your legs and place your arms at your sides. Hug your left knee to your chest, then breathe in as you keep the right hand on the knee and extend the left arm toward the left. Let your breath out while gently bringing your left knee across your body to the right. Take two deep breaths, then come out of the pose and repeat with the right knee. • Diaphragmatic breathing and
Yoga for good sleep
backward-count meditation - You can place a pillow under your head or under your knees for comfort. Lay on your back with your eyes closed. Breathe in through your nose, focus on how the lower ribs expand outward. As you breathe out, focus on how the lower ribs descend. Try lengthening your breaths by inhaling with a fivesecond count, exhaling with a five count, and pause for two counts after each exhalation. Performing the six-minute yoga activity before hitting the pillow can help create a perfect groundwork for not only getting to sleep faster, but also to help you stay asleep all night long.
Community Across America
April 17, 2015
India Post 21
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Islam speaks for its virtues A.Q. SIDDIQUI
I
n the current situation when anti-Islamic forces have combined for "mission maligning Islam," many of its virtues are silently adopted or accepted by non-Muslims all over the world. What good Muslims could have done to reflect the true spirit of Islam - a model character and modest conduct as envisaged and repeatedly advised by last Messenger of God Muhammad (pbuh), the faith itself is unfolding before nonMuslims in a salient prodigy. If you earn respect as a Muslim, then truly you have succeeded defining the spirit of Islam for the mankind. I am not expressing hollow sentimentality for my own faith but only reacting to trends as evident in these pictures. I could not resist taking picture of this Sale stand in Costco stores in Chicago. While many Muslim girls and women consider wearing a Dupatta (a single piece of cloth covering the bosoms), new fashion trends among non-Muslims are adopting it as a modest wear to keep the beauty and dignity of a woman. What is prescribed for Muslim women in Islam for modesty in wear is becoming a fashion among non-Muslims. I worked for Air India for a long time and happened to handle Hajj flights departing from Mumbai and Hyderabad airports. I still remember many Hindus coming to airport and giving money to Hajj pilgrims and requesting them to distribute it as alms in Makkah. Why would they do that? It was a respect earned by the symbolic devotion of pilgrims leaving for Hajj. Have you been through Mumbai's new airport recently? Mumbai's new airport is a
Mumbai airport
class of its own among world airports. In fact it can be included among the few best world airports now. If you visit any washroom in Mumbai's new airport, you will see a separate room for "Wadhu". The room has a shower and facility for Muslims to do ablution as required before prayers. Hats off to my Hindu brothers who thought about it. I have visited Lahore airport and I saw many travelers doing ablution on a conventional wash basin! I was reminded of this "Wadhu" room exclusive facility for Muslims in Mumbai airport. The social media is fast becoming a tool linking diverse thoughts and cultures. A Hindu friend posted a picture on Facebook of a very old couple helping each other and advised youngsters to respect and obey parents when they are old. Immediately a comment was posted that it was the command of God first in Ten Commandments that "obey your parents" and repeated in Holy Quran more elaborately to respect and obey parents and take care of them when they are old. The goodness is like a light in the dark-
Costco showcasing Duppata
ness of ignorance. A good character is like light that shines all the time guiding others. A good Muslim is one who earns respect for being a good person in society. Remember the old saying of famous philosopher George Bernard Shaw who said, "Islam is the best religion, Muslims are worst followers". Today, Muslims need to ponder over why did he say so many years ago and the truth is, it is a fact even till this day. Your comments? Please email sidakl@yahoo.com. A.Q. Siddiqui is a freelance writer who has his own travel firm
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April 17, 2015
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Women are inherently empowered: Shantakka India Post News Service
SUNNYVALE, CA: Shantakka, the head of Rashtra Sevika Samiti, who was here on the first leg of her visit to the United States of America, rejects the notion that somebody needs to emp o w e r women. She declares, "Women are inherently empowered. What is needed is to realize and recognize this". She was addressing the Indian women leaders of Silicon Valley at a dinner organized as part of International Women's Day celebrations. Rasthra Sevika Samiti, an all women's voluntary organization, of which she is the current head, has over 6050 chapters in India
and runs over 810 service projects including primary health-care centers, rehabilitation centers, hostels for under-privileged children and self help groups, many of them in far off rural and tribal areas. She held discussions and spoke at different events in the San Francisco Bay Area including at the San Jose State University. She met with the leaders of local non-profit organizations working in the field of women and child development; had dinner with women leaders of Silicon Valley and attended a public event organized by the Indian community. She also interacted with second generation Hindu teenagers born and brought up in America. Her visit to the USA was organized by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, USA. Speaking at the public event organized by the Indian community, she stressed on retaining the Hindu identity among Diaspora families. She said it was essential for Hindu families to raise their children with Hindu values of
Seva (service). The Hindu principle of "Seeing god in everything" can be taught to children only if they are encouraged to volunteer and serve the needy. She
called upon Indians living in America to bring fame to both India, their "Dharma Bhoomi" as well as America, their "Karma Bhoomi" through their actions and their contributions to different fields they work in. She said that courageous and selfless women leaders like
Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Ahilyabai Holkar and Jija Mata were role models for Indian women. Indian culture could withstand foreign aggression and colonial rule because women played a pivotal role
in protecting, propagating and carrying it forward through generations. She said that her organization was working towards organizing women in India and inspiring them to be leaders and agents of change in the society. A brief introduction of Shantakka Rashtra Sevika Samiti, an all women organization, was founded in India in 1936, to instill the values of nationalism and character in women. Since then it has grown to every nook and corner of India with over 6050 chapters in the country and over a hundred and fifty thousand dedicated members of all ages and walks of life. Over the last 80 years, it has strived to inspire Indian women to be the agents of change and wellbeing, and to work selflessly for society in different spheres of life. Today, it runs over 810 service projects across India including primary healthcare centers, rehabilitation centers, hostels for under-privileged children and self help groups, many of them in far off rural and tribal areas. It has been specially lauded for its rehabilitation efforts during calamities like earthquake, cloud bursting, Tsunami etc. Shantakka was born and brought up in Bangalore,
Karnataka. In 1995, after years of working as a teacher, she decided to dedicate her full-time to the mission of Rashtra Sevika Samiti. In her different capacities she has led and inspired numerous women
dents, that worked on the ground, round the clock for many days, to sort decaying dead bodies and provide medical facilities, food, clothing and rehabilitation to the survivors.
leaders and also initiatives like 'Medhavini Mandali' - a forum for women intellectuals, free hostels for girls across India and 'Kutumb Parivar' -
Recently she led an initiative named DISHA with an endeavor to create a platform for young women in India for providing support and guidance and engaging
an initiative to strengthen families. Notably, in 2001, when the Southern Indian coast of Tamil Nadu was hit by the devastating Tsunami, Shantakka led a team of 20 women, mostly college stu-
them in community service. She has traveled extensively across India and countries like USA, Guyana and Trinidad and guided leaders, community workers and families.
Domestic violence outreach comes to Fremont India Post News Service
FREMONT, CA: SAVE's(Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments) collaborative efforts with peer organizations MUA - Mujeres Unidas y Activas (Oakland and San Francisco) - and Maitri (San Jose) will begin the week of April 20th. Made possible by a $275,000 Blue Shield California Foundation grant, this two-year effort will bring culturally-specific free programs and services to two underserved populations in Southern Alameda County - South Asian and Latina domestic vio-
lence victims. All services will be held at The Empowerment Center at SAVE at 1900 Mowry Avenue, Suite 201, in Fremont. For Spanish-speaking victims,
Mujeres Unidas y Activas (MUA) advocates will be available to provide individual support, referrals, and other assistance every Monday from 1 to 5 pm beginning April 20th. Every Tuesday beginning April 21st, a free Spanishlanguage support group will meet from 10 am to 1 pm. Free on-site child care and refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact MUA's Oakland office at (510) 261-3398. For South Asian victims of abuse, Maitri will offer free sup-
port groups, individual advocate services, and a series of workshops. Maitri will provide separate support groups for those who
speak Hindi and Bangla. The Hindi-language group meeting will be from 3:30-5 pm every first and third Friday beginning April 17th. Cont’d on page 25
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Enthralling Sitar recital by Habib Khan & disciples
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he musical strains of Pandit Habib Khan's sitar accompanied by the percussion sounds of Pandit Swapan Chowdhury's tabla dominated the afternoon performance at Cubberly Theater, Palo Alto last Sunday. The duo brought to life the nuances of raag Kirwani, before the stage was opened up to Khan Sahab's shaagirds (students) of the Saraswati Temple and Gurukul showcasing their talents. Both parts of the performance had their unique offerings which entertained and enthralled
the audience. The sitar seems like an extension of Khan Sahab's persona in the way he unites with his muse and delivers stellar renditions. Raag Kirwani is said to be most suited for instrumental playing, and is one of the lesser played ones in public. Khan Sahab took his time to introduce the audience to the color, nature and beauty of this raag and set the mood with his dexterous use of the notes in the opening aalap. The jod aalap and the jhaala aalap that followed this first of the sequence picked up the rhythm, without the use of the tabla, displaying simply the pure beauty of the raag. The wilambit and madhya laya brought out the gat with the accompaniment of maestro Swapan Chowdhury's energetic tabla. The jhaala of course
ARCHANA ASTHANA
was the extremely fast and delicate rhythmic progression that demonstrated the on stage lively and light hearted jugalbandi, engaging the audience and players alike. Pandit Swapan Chowdhury, currently the director of percussions at the Ali Akbar College of Music at San Rafael, has been a recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy award, and did full justice to his role on stage, enriching the recital. Khan Sahab's vision to groom and train his shaagirds to mastery was evident as he lovingly sang
out the names of each performer and invited them to join him on the stage. After the orchestra of twelve sitarists and three tabla
The sitar seems like an extension of Khan Sahab's persona in the way he unites with his muse and delivers stellar renditions. Raag Kirwani is said to be most suited for instrumental playing, and is one of the lesser played ones in public.
players was assembled, Khan Sahab took on the role of the conductor and one of the tabla players. Raag Purya Dhanashwari had been composed and especially arranged by him, using the play of chords and taal to demonstrate the expertise of his students. The senior students, Vinita Kumar and Dr David Grey performed center stage and encouraged and motivated the younger performers to deliver their best. The youngest orchestra member, 10-year-old Fareed impressed with his percussion skills on the tabla, as did the 11
year old Isha on the dexterity of her sitar playing. The symphonic unity of the orchestra was testament to the commitment of Khan Sahab's disciples to the vision of the Gurukul, and the tireless hours they must have worked for the classical treat they presented. In today's hectic pace of life, music offers comfort for the soul and brings a serenity that soothes the mind, body and soul. As actively engaged listeners in the audience, it is not hard to imagine what an enriching and rewarding experience it must have been for each of the artists. As the organizer, Madhu Ranganathan put it, these moments represent "blessed opportunities" in more ways than one, and for all concerned: the guru, shaagird, and the appreciative audience.
Devansh excels at County Science and Engineering Fair India Post News Service
FREMONT, CA: On Saturday, March 28, Devansh Vaid, an Indian American student just com-
pleting his junior year at Deer Valley High School (DVHS) in Antioch, California, received a third-place award for a project he and a classmate submitted to the Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair (CCCSEF). CCCSEF, in its eleventh year, is an Intel-affiliated event. Winners advance to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The prestigious competition, which is the largest high school scientific research event in the world, brings together more than 1,500 students from about 70 countries and territories to compete for college scholarships, including one for $75,000. For their science project, Devansh and his classmate undertook a study entitled, "Simple Calculus: The Transformation of an Oxymoron into a Reality." One of 262 projects entered in the com-
petition, Devansh and his lab partner, who are both taking AP Calculus AB this year, created a new Calculus notation for basic principles, such as limits, derivatives,
and integrals that have visual connections to the logical concepts that they are taken from. As Devansh explained, "We tackled the problem of making calculus easier, more aesthetically pleasing, and more approachable. We wanted to simplify the hard-
est things about Calculus and we found that it was the transition from logic to mathematics that made it so daunting. A lot of time, with traditional notation, things get lost in translation, and success is dependent on the student's analysis of that translation rather than comprehending the problem." Cont’d on page 25
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Divine Vastu tips for peace and prosperity: Part-I
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he following are some general guidelines to design and construct an ideal place, which will lead to prosperity, protection and peaceful environment. It is essential to understand and interpret these ground rules and then apply.
• A clutter free environment is the key to health, wealth, peace, prosperity, success and for good relations in one's life. • The main door of the house should be larger than the other doors entering the house. It is best
that a house has two entrances. The exit door should be smaller than the entrance, and it should have only one shutter. If there are two external doors for the house, they should not be set in a straight line. • When one enters the house, there should not be a wall in front of the entrance. • A shadow should not fall on the main door. The main door of the house should not be below ground. Main door should be neither in the center of the house nor in the extreme corners. • The main door should not
Rewa Kumar
be situated across from the main door of another house. The entrance doors of two houses should
not be exactly opposing one another. Neither should two houses share a common entrance. • It is considered auspicious if the entrance to the property and the main door of the house are on the same side. It is not considered good if the main door to the house is on the opposite side to the entrance of the property. • There should not be an underground water body, septic tank, or canal under the main entrance. There should not be any abandoned, wrecked buildings in front of the main entrance. Avoid having trash disposals, streetlight pole or boulders in front of the main gate or door. • It is good to decorate the entrance of the house with pictures or statues of God. Inauspicious pictures should not be on the door. Doors should have thresholds. Shoes should not be kept in front of the door, but to the side. The door should not be slanted, sliding, or circular. • Balconies should be planned towards the East and North and should be definitely avoided in the South and West. If balconies in the South and West cannot be avoided, then larger balconies must be provided towards the North and East. Care should be taken while providing balconies so that a cut or truncation is not created in the NorthEast corner. • The kitchen should be ideally situated in the South-East corner of the house and as an alternative in certain cases, may be in the North-West corner, but in both cases, the cooking platform should be arranged to facilitate cooking while facing East only. • The kitchen should not be directly in front of the main door. • The Kitchen should never be in the North-East corner and it should also be avoided in the SouthWest too, as both locations will create problems with respect to the health and finance of the inmates. • Mirrors, sinks, wash-basins and taps should preferably be along the North-East walls and they should not be any leakage from taps. • Rooms in the West and East can be used for dining. The appetite can be stimulated in the dining hall by having the walls painted in light pink or orange. A rectangular dining table is the most preferred. In the dining room, while
eating, one should sit facing East or West. • Grains and other food can be stored in the North-West sector. Oil, butter, ghee, milk and other oily liquids can be stored in the South-East of the North-West room. • Penthouses, if built, should be in the South-West corner of the terrace leaving an open space in the North and East. • The prayer room should be planned in such a way that it is placed either in the North-East corner or in the central portion ('Brahmasthana') of the house. • The pictures of the God should touch the wall on the East side in the prayer room facing West; inmates should perform their prayers facing East for better concentration and devotion. • No garbage should be
thrown or dumped in the NorthEast corner of the building or plot and the North-East should always be kept free and clean. • Heavy equipments such as the grinder, fridge, etc, should be placed towards the South and West walls in the kitchen. Even in the storeroom, racks should be built on the South and West walls. • Water flowing should flow West to East or South to North and ultimately flow out from the North-East corner of the house or plot. Water fountain in North to East is very good. • The North-East, North and East walls should be decorated with photo frames, mirrors, and paintings of Gods and with wallpaper with natural scenery; whereas the West, South and South-West walls can be decorated with scenery in a dull or matte finish. • The South wall can be used for hanging pictures of departed souls. • Pictures of living beings may be hung on the Eastern wall. • The master bedroom should be in the South-West corner, while other bedrooms can be in the Central-South and Central-West directions. • A bedroom in the NorthWest is also recommended but should be used as a guest room or only for unmarried daughters. Bedrooms should be avoided in the South-East corner. Cont’d on page 26
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Janyaa simplifies science & math in India India Post news Service
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ow would you like your child to be taught? Do you want your child to learn from experience? Or memorize from books? Being in a country like USA, your children are exposed to practical learning at a very young age. Janyaa is a S T E M based 501c (3) nonprofit organization that is striving to provide similar experience to children in India using very simple experiments for Science and Math. Einstein once said, "If you can't
explain it simply, you don't understand it well". Janyaa believes in this principle strongly and hence they design all their experiments to be explained easily. What is center of gravity? What is Archimedes principle? How is sound transmitted? What is LCM and HCF? What is cumulative fre-
quency? All these concepts are explained with simple material so
that children can replicate them at home. Center of gravity is explained with a fork or a ruler balancing on your finger, few nails balancing on another nail. Sound transmission is taught with 2 small bottles tied together with a thread. Children can replicate this at home with 2 match boxes. LCM is explained with number board and buttons. Janyaa's experiments are provided to schools in 3 boxes where all the experiments use very simple material that is easily available anywhere. This enables the child to practice with them without any fear of breaking them. And all this for less than $1 per child per year. Students say they are able to write in the exams in their own words. This in itself is a huge achievement for the organization. Parents say watching their children's increased interest in studies, they are happy to send their children to school.
Devansh excels at County Science and Engineering Fair Cont’d from page 23
The idea for their project was born when Devansh saw how many of his classmates struggled with the Calculus course. He said, "Nobody will deny that Calculus is difficult, but I saw no reason why that great, and almost magical, thing couldn't be simpler." Math League competition The science fair award is just one in a growing list of impressive academic accomplishments for Devansh. Earlier in the year, he garnered a thirdplace finish in the California Math League competition. He was recently elected Vice President of the newly formed Robotics Club at his school, and is helping to write a curriculum for a new robotics class to be implemented there. Devansh, a young man with a keen intellect and an already impressive resume, is quick to laud his parents for their support and encouragement in helping him achieve so much at such a young age. His father, Dr Pramod Vaid, is well-known in the local community as an educator and businessman, and for his work on the county library commission. His mother, Madhu Vaid, has been a teacher for 25 years.
In an interview conducted earlier this month, Devansh spoke at length about how his parents have inspired, supported, and encouraged him. Besides instilling in him a strong work ethic, Devansh said that, since he was very young, his parents gave him more advanced mathematics and English lessons
before he was taught the concepts they covered in the classroom. "It paid off immensely," he said. "I was able to skip first grade after only a few weeks. My parents' constant push toward my academic success helped drive my sense of curiosity, and continually propelled me to new heights." Beyond his academic achievements, Devansh strives to put his learning to good use. Concern for others, just as it inspired his science fair project, has prompted him in other undertakings, as well. "My father grew up in Rajasthan,"
said Devansh, "a state in India that is blanketed by sandy deserts and is barren, and therefore lacking in many resources." According to the young man, this lack of resources makes life difficult for those abiding in the region. Devansh related that his father confided in him at one point that he hoped to open a school in India for underprivileged youth when he retired. "We both saw the power of education," he said, "and I dedicated myself to this crusade. We go to India every year and, since the ninth grade, I have been teaching children English and Mathematics in the rural areas of Rajasthan." He added, "I also spend a lot of my free time exploring the vast and diverse nation and getting in touch with my cultural roots." With another year at DVHS before he graduates, Devansh plans to continue striving for excellence. "I do what I do because I love knowledge," he said. "In the words of Talib Kweli, 'Knowledge itself is like life after death.' That being said, I pursue as much knowledge as I can while trying to put that knowledge to good use. In doing so, I feel that I am honoring not only that idea, but my parents, who have been such an inspiration to me."
Janyaa - meaning 'life' in Sanskrit - is dedicated to enrich lives of students to build a better life
for themselves and for their communities. Over a span of 6 years they have reached 608 schools benefiting over 130,000 students
in 12 states of India - Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha, Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Rajasthan and West Bengal. Janyaa is organizing 'An evening with Science and Magic' - a fundraising Gala on Saturday May 9 at ICC Milpitas. To support the organization in achieving their goal you can visit www.janyaa.org or email info@janyaa.org.
Domestic violence outreach comes to Fremont Cont’d from page 22
The Bangla-language support group will meet every second and fourth Friday from 1 to 2:30 pm beginning April 24th. Free on-site childcare and refreshments will be available for those participating in Maitri support groups. Maitri will also offer individual support services in Hindi and Punjabi every Thursday from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm beginning April 16th. Individuals will be seen on a walk-in basis with advocates providing crisis support, referrals, and assistance with food, clothing, and
SAVE, Maitri, and MUA are excited for the opportunity to collaboratively address the needs of underserved populations in our community and are grateful for the generosity of the Blue Shield California Foundation.
National Sexual Assault Awareness Month The month of April has been designated as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It is a nationwide effort to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it. Sexual violence can and does happen within intimate partner Additionally, Maitri advorelationships. With an cates will launch a series of estimated 1 in 5 legal workshops beginning women experiencing sexual assault in their Tuesday, April 21st with a lifetime, more than half presentation on immigration of female victims report that they were issues for domestic vioraped by an intimate lence survivors. partner. Please join SAVE's more. Free on-site childcare will be mission to strengthen every inavailable. dividual and family it serves with Additionally, Maitri advocates the knowledge and support will launch a series of legal work- needed to end the cycle of abuse shops beginning Tuesday, April and build healthier lives. 21st with a presentation on immiTo find out more about how gration issues for domestic vio- you can make a difference, visit lence survivors. The workshop will SAVE's website at www.savebe presented in Hindi and Punjabi. dv.org or call Tina Fernandez at Call (888) 862-4874 for more infor- (510) 574-2250 ext. 106. There are mation. Childcare will not be avail- many ways you can support vicable for the workshop series. tims and community safety. And Help with transportation costs remember, if you or someone you is available to individuals who par- know is experiencing abuse, SAVE ticipate in support group or indi- is here to help. Our 24-hour vidual advocate services. MUA cli- Hotline is (510) 794-6055. Trained ents should contact (510) 261-3398. SAVE advocates are available day For Maitri, call (888) 862-4874. and night to support you.
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Self oriented or Life oriented living?
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lease read, digest, discuss, churn and let the under standing go deep. Do not read it superficially. By living a superficial life, we have destroyed life. Please reflect on the statement that one can be "self-oriented," "other-oriented" or "Life oriented." Self-oriented persons are those whose life revolves only on self (ego). Such a self-centered person's thinking, feeling and expectations are oriented towards the benefit that will accrue to the self. It appears natural, but it is foolish. If one observes deeply, one will find that such a person is self-centered. This results in one being trapped in oneself, which creates a separate self. Then, one will be in conflict with the other which creates isolation and leads to suffering. Thereafter, one tries to seek escape from this pain through pleasure and fulfillment of one's dreams. If one looks at the life of Duryodhana in Mahabharata, one can see this very clearly.
SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA
People whose life is spent by living for the "other" are "Otheroriented" persons. Such "otheroriented" persons have to observe what one is losing or lost. Such persons spend the whole life in trying to please the other, in seeking some form of appreciation from the other. They are very conscious of what the "other" person says or feels about themselves. Bheeshma, in the Mahabharata, was a typical example of this style. His whole life was dedicated to Hastinapur, etc. Otheroriented living is also not a healthy or wise living. What I am teaching, based on my deep understanding of the scriptures, is to lead "life-oriented" living. Give importance to life. Life includes both "oneself" and "others". Hence, I called my first workshop as LIFE program. There is life in the flowers, in the trees, in the
ants, in the flora and fauna. Learn to be sensitive to this. A "life-oriented" person will lead a life which is all-pervading and hence will never be trapped in life. Such a person will explore how to add life to years rather than years to your life. To make this happen,
Swami Sukhabodhanad
one has to be sensitive and not sentimental. Sentimental is reacting to life and sensitive is experiencing the richness of life. Look into your life and audit your life. My whole teaching aims at spreading essence of Gita. Some-
one asked me "What is the essence of my teaching?" I told that person that the essence of my teaching follows the footsteps of Lord Krishna and comprises (a) education (b) motivation and (c) lakshya- i.e., fulfilling goal. What is education? Education is learning. Learning is not just getting words. Verbal knowledge is a superficial way of knowing. It is conceptual knowledge. You should know the distinction between "knowledge and clarity". Your knowledge should have clarity and not just words. Clarity should lead you to experience. Then, it becomes existential knowing, which is education. If your knowledge does not lead to clarity and finally end in the experience, then you have missed the bus. Look and search for the processes of how to lead your life from knowledge to clarity and then to experience. Learning to go forward from knowledge to clarity is education. Your education should be motivational. It should bring out the best in the other. You should in-
spire the other, even though it is not their experience. Lastly, let me elaborate on "Lakshya" - the "fulfilling goal". If your goal is future oriented, then your dream is more important than what is happening now. Your future is more important than the now. An indifferent attitude to the "Now" creeps in and all importance is given to the future. But the true fulfilling goal is not future-oriented but "source-oriented". Inquire from where you are sourcing your life. Go deep in the "now". Look into your life. As a diver goes deep into the water, go deep into yourself. Then, you will discover an "abiding mind". If not, your mind will be "scattered mind". Only in an "abiding mind" you can see the richness of life. A "running or scattered mind" is away from the "now" i.e. life. Living life now fully is a fulfilling Goal. I am giving my heart through these words, please handle with care. Please visit www.swamisukhabodhananda.org.
Divine Vastu tips for peace and prosperity: Part-I Cont’d from page 24
• It is preferable to have children's rooms in the West or North. Children should have their study desks in the North or East of the room and they should face East while studying. • One should sleep with one's head pointing towards the South. Children, however, can sleep with their heads pointing towards the West. No one should sleep with his or her head in the North. • The bedroom can be painted in light to deep blues to induce sleep. • Green is advised for study rooms to promote intelligence. Sandal/ yellow is advised for the prayer room. • The living room should be located in the North or East sectors of the house. • Heavy chandeliers or fancy lamps should not be located in the geometrical center of the rooms. They may be placed slightly towards the West or South of the room. • TVs and computers should ideally be placed in the South-East corner of the living room or study room. They should not be placed in the North-East corner or SouthWest corner. • Telephones can be placed in the South-East or North-West cor-
ner but not in the South-West or North-East. • Living rooms can be painted in white, yellow, light pink, light blue or green. Grey, red and black are to be avoided. • Always keep the center of the room, building and plot, free from any loads, weights, pillars, columns, beams, water bodies, etc. • It is preferable to have the staircase towards the South, West or South-West of the building but it may be in the South-East or North-West, depending on other parameters. Staircases should be avoided in the North-East, North and the East. • Circular/spiral staircases are generally to be avoided. The number of steps in a staircase should be odd, including the landing step, and they should rise from East to West or from North to South. • It is better to make sure that the steps are by the South and West walls, and that it should be constructed in such a way that the movement is in a clockwise direction while going upwards, that is from the ground to the higher floors. This collectible article on Vastu Shastra is provided by Rewa Kumar of Divine Vastu Consultations and Research Center (TO BE CONTINUED)
April 17, 2015
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TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS
1 Jeena Jeena : Badlapur 2 Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan : Roy 3 Jee Karda: Badlapur 4 Khamoshiyan : Khamoshiyan 5 Sooraj Dooba Hai : Roy www.indiapost.com
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April 17, 2015
6 Tu Hai Ki Nahi : Roy 7 Judai : Badlapur 8 Tu Har Lamha : Khamoshiyan 9 Chhil Gaye Naina : NH10 10 Dard Karaara : Dum Laga Ke Haisha
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riyanka Chopra looks glamorous in Zoya Akhar's 'Dil Dhadakne Do' - very stylish in white pants, tank top and a yellow hat with baggage ready to take off for a memorable gateway with her family. In the film, Priyanka Chopra plays an entrepreneur, Ayesha Mehra who had troubled married life with husband Rahul Bose. Priyanka Chopra happened to meet Farhan Akhtar in the cruise and love blossomed between them. Priyanka plays Ranveer Singh's sister and Shefali Shah and Anil Kapoor's daughter. The film also stars Anushka Sharma as Ranveer's ladylove. Earlier, Ranveer Singh's chic look and Anil Kapoor's funky look was unveiled.
B "I am well trained in hip-hop, dancehall, belly dance and contemporary style. I grew up watching videos of Madhuri Dixit dancing in films�
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ick' proved to be a record breaker last year. Salman Khan fans are to get yet another powerful kick. An actress has been roped in for an item song in 'Kick 2'. As a source reports to the media, "Nora has been signed on for an item song in 'Kick 2'. The song will be shot soon in a specially erected set here." Nora Fatehi is a model and actress who was born in Canada. Her career took flight with the Bollywood film 'Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans' released last year. Then she did an item song in the 2015 Tamil action thriller 'Temper'. The actress says, "I am well trained in hip-hop, dancehall, belly dance and contemporary style. I grew up watching videos of Madhuri Dixit dancing in films and the best thing I learnt from her is it's the facial expressions that are crucial to add grace to the performance." The cast and crew had been to Switzerland for the shooting of songs. Interestingly, the story has been written by none other than Salman. A source says, "Salman had a story in mind and Sajid too liked it. The film has been named 'Devil.'
ollywood seems to be quite in terested in biopic nowadays. From the hit ones like 'Mary Kom' to the most awaited ones like 'M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story', filmmakers are exploring interesting personalities. But one upcoming biopic might be the one to be the best one ever. It would be based on Narendra Modi and it is Paresh Rawal who would be taking up this challenging job! Sensing how excited people would be, Paresh has shared a lot about this venture. He tells the media, "I will start shooting the Narendra Modi biopic from August. It's a massive responsibility being an actor to portray a leader of such great stature. He knows that I am playing him in his biopic." The actor says that a lot of hard work is needed to enact this very special role. The producer of the film, Mitesh Patel, has met Narendra Modi who said if I release the film, it's fine and if I can't, even that's fine.
Bollywood
April 17, 2015
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o actor from Pakistan in recent years has made the kind of impact that Fawad Khan made with Khoobsurat. For this Fawad cannot thank the Khoobsurat producers Anil and Rhea Kapoor enough. Says a source, "Fawad is suddenly a hot proposition in Bollywood. Every major production house is wooing him. He has agreed to do Karan Johar's Kapoor And Sons to be directed by Shakun Batra, and Farhan Akhtar's production Mr Chaloo to be directed by Reema Kagti." In Mr Chaloo Fawad would be paired with Priyanka Chopra. Fawad's role was originally offered to Saif Ali Khan who backed out due to monetary differences. Shahid Kapoor was under negotiation after Saif. But he didn't want to do a role rejected by Saif.
In Mr Chaloo Fawad would be paired with Priyanka Chopra. Fawad's role was originally offered to Saif Ali Khan who backed out due to monetary differences
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fter Kaanchi, Subhash Ghai may be away from producing films in Bollywood, but the 'showman' has been concentrating on other projects. While he is busy with his film school Whistling Woods, now he has fulfilled yet another dream by starting a meditation center titled Gurukul. Moreover, Subhash Ghai has also got Vidya Balan on board to be the face of Gurukul. Stating that Vidya is the only 'non-cosmetic actress' in the industry, Ghai mentioned how the actress immediately gave a nod when he approached her. Also, she decided to be the face of it to learn more about meditation. Elaborating on the concept of Gurukul, Ghai maintained that actors looking for peace and serenity can visit his meditation centre wherein they can relax and enjoy the benefits of nature instead opting for detox treatments abroad. He clarified that Gurukul will not promote any religion as it a concept solely resting on spirituality.
Stating that Vidya is the only 'noncosmetic actress' in the industry, Ghai mentioned how the actress immediately gave a nod when he approached her
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ctress Huma Qureshi is known for experimenting with her roles across genres. While her last film Badlapur tasted tremendous success, her next film will be completely different. She will play the female lead in the Indian version of the American horror film Oculus alongside her real life brother Saqib Saleem. The sibling duo, who will portray their brother-sister bond in the film, however confess that their relationship in real life is completely different. Saqib adds that though the two have fought as kids, they grew up to be best friends and look out for each other now. On the other hand, elaborating on the role, Saqib mentioned that he will play the brother who spent his childhood in jail and hence hates his sister who has had a pampered life, staying at home and even has a boyfriend. Directed by Prawal Raman, the film will also have two children playing the kids - Huma and Saqib and just like Oculus, the remake too will switch between past and the present.
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„ Health
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Ex-mental health providers to pay $3M damages ALBANY, N.Y.: A federal judge has approved a $3 million settlement between patients and a former mental health facility in Putnam County. The class-action suit filed in 2007 alleged patients were illegally restrained, assaulted, punished and isolated by SLS Residential staff, while the facility falsely advertised compassionate care and effective treatment and received up to $900 a day from individual patients' insurers. The Office of Mental health says the facility lost its license for restraining residents contrary to state directives and restricting their rights to see visitors and communicate. Michael Sussman, attorney for the patients, says 177 people treated from 2004 to 2006 have received about $10,000 each. Attorney Paul Callan, representing SLS, says his clients admit no wrongdoing in the financial settlement by their insurers and say they treated many satisfied patients.-AP
„ Ministry plans regulation of clinical trials NEW DELHI: A proposal to regulate clinical trials and to treat medical devices as separate from drugs and cosmetics, has been vetted by the Health ministry as it seeks to strengthen the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The proposal has now been sent for inter-ministerial consultation after which it will be tabled in Rajya Sabha, a senior Health Ministry official said. "There have been incidents of mishaps during clinical trials in the past and also there are increased health risks involved. The regulatory norms will ensure ethical conducting of clinical trials in the country and prescribes penal provisions for its violations that include imprisonment of maximum 10 years and penalty of up to Rs 30 lakh," the official said. "It will provide high degree of transparency as to the manner in which clinical trials are to be conducted and consequences of violating the processes, procedures and protocol," said the official. As per the proposed amendments, there has to be mandatory accreditation of sites where clinical trials are to be conducted and the investigators along with the ethics committee which supervises the trial, are required to have accreditation. -PTI
Health Science
Cooking may have helped humans evolve chins
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Details on Page 34
Houston scientist hatches plan to prevent next Ebola HOUSTON: Haunted by the public health community's failure to prevent or contain Ebola, a top Houston expert is spearheading a government-sponsored effort to prepare North Africa and the Middle East so that the region doesn't spawn the next infectious disease epidemic. Dr Peter Hotez, named a U.S. science envoy in December, fears the next virulent outbreak of a neglected tropical disease or emerging infection could strike ISIS-occupied territories in Syria, Iraq, Yemen or Libya, all of which fit the historical mold for such a disaster. He is working to identify institutions in the region that could send scientists to train in Houston, then ramp up back at home to produce vaccines in time to prevent an epidemic. ``We can't wait for catastrophic epidemics to happen and only then start making vaccines,'' Hotez, an infectious disease specialist at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, tells the Houston Chronicle. ``We need to start anticipating the next threat.''
It's widely agreed that the public health community waited too long on Ebola, which devastated the West Africa countries of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea in
late last year. Hotez later this month will travel to Saudi Arabia, where he'll meet with government and health officials and assess the country's
Dr. Peter Hotez, president of the Sabin Vaccine Institute and founding dean of the School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, poses for a portrait in the institute's lab in Houston. Dr. Hotez is a U.S. science envoy.
2014, killing more than 10,000. The West had the technology to produce Ebola vaccine candidates as long as a decade ago, but major pharmaceutical companies didn't pick any up for a clinical trial until
viability as a partner on the project. He spent a week in February on a similar fact-finding trip in Morocco and plans to go to Qatar last. The Qatar trip isn't scheduled but likely will be in the
summer, he said. Those are Hotez's three candidate countries. Hotez proposed the plan to the U.S. State Department when it appointed him science envoy, a post designed to promote the nation's commitment to science and technology as ``engines of diplomacy.'' The State Department is funding his trips through Hotez's yearlong term, but beyond that the project's financial support is unclear. Hotez, however, said he'll continue working on the project after his term ends. The proactive strategy seems appropriate following the recent disclosure that the World Health Organization held off on declaring an Ebola emergency because the action could have angered the countries involved. Documents obtained by The Associated Press in March showed that top officials at the United Nation's health agency were informed how dire the situation was despite their public claims that they had little information. Cont'd on Page 35
New antibody can suppress HIV infection WASHINGTON: The first clinical trial of an experimental antibody therapy for HIV has shown that it can dramatically reduce the amount of virus present in a patient's blood, scientists say. Researchers in a study conducted in Michel Nussenzweig's Laboratory of Molecular Immunology at Rockefeller University found that administration of a potent antibody, called 3BNC117, can catch HIV off guard and reduce viral loads. HIV antibodies previously tested in humans had shown disappointing results. 3BNC117 belongs to a new generation of broadly neutralizing antibodies that potently fight a wide range of HIV strains. "What's special about these antibodies is that they have activity against over 80 per cent of
HIV strains and they are extremely potent," said Marina Caskey, assistant professor of clinical inves-
the CD4 binding site of the HIV envelope, and the CD4 receptor is the primary site of attachment
Clinical trial of an experimental antibody therapy for HIV has shown that it can dramatically reduce the amount of virus present in a patient's blood.
tigation in the Nussenzweig lab and co-first author of the study. The antibody 3BN117, which was originally isolated by Johannes Scheid in the Nussenzweig laboratory, targets
of HIV to host cells, 3BNC117 shows activity against 195 out of 237 HIV strains. In the new study, uninfected and HIV-infected individuals were intravenously given a single dose
of the antibody and monitored for 56 days. At the highest dosage level tested in the study, 30 milligrams per kilogram of weight, all eight infected individuals treated showed up to 300-fold decreases in the amount of virus measured in their blood, with most reaching their lowest viral load one week after treatment. The drop in viral load depended on the individual's starting viral load and also the sensitivity of their particular strains of HIV to the antibody. This is the first time that the new generation of HIV antibodies has been tested in humans. Not only was a single dose of 3BN117 well tolerated and effective in temporarily reducing viral loads, in some individuals it remained active in the body for a long time. -PTI
April 17, 2015
Health Science Post
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Climate change is harming Americans' health: Obama WASHINGTON: Global warming isn't just affecting the weather, it's harming Americans' health, President Barack Obama said as he announced steps government and businesses will take to better understand and deal with the problem. Obama said hazards of the changing climate include wildfires sending more pollution into the air, allergy seasons growing longer and rising cases of insect-borne diseases. "We've got to do better in protecting our vulnerable families," Obama said, adding that, ultimately, all families are affected. "You can't cordon yourself off from air," Obama said. Speaking at Howard University Medical School, he announced commitments from Google, Microsoft and others to help the nation's health system prepare for a warmer, more erratic climate.
Wa r n ing of the perils to the planet has gotten the president only so far; polls consistently show the public is skeptical that the s t e p s Obama has taken to curb polluPresident Barack Obama speaks at Howard University in Washington Obama tion are visited the university’s medical center to discuss the impact of climate change on worth the public health and steps his administration is taking to reduce the health impacts of cost to the climate change on communities. economy. So Obama is aiming to put a spotlight on ways that climate change will have real impacts on the body, like more asthma attacks, allergic reactions, heat-related deaths and injuries from extreme weather. Obama said spending on health such as preventing asthma can save more money JOHANNESBURG: Drug-resistant tu- who recalls the "really, really happy day" than it costs, as well as alleviate pain and berculosis is a major health challenge across when her first bedaquiline patient was de- suffering. much of Africa, but a new medicine being clared tuberculosis-free in November last pioneered in South Africa could be a break- year. through after decades of frustration. South Africa has one of the worst tuberBedaquiline is being made available to culosis epidemics in the world, with more 3,000 people suffering side effects of the than 1,000 cases per 100,000 people and the usual drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment, department of health describing the rise of or who have developed complete drug re- drug-resistant tuberculosis as a "major sistance. public health problem." The early signs are encouraging, doc"We want to get 3,000 patients on tors say, though bedaquiline hasn't yet bedaquiline this year, and plans are in place been tested in large-scale clinical trials. to scale up," said Norbert Ndjeka, South The new drug - one of the first new tu- Africa's director of the drug-resistant tuberberculosis antibiotics released in 40 years - culosis program. was first given to 217 South African pa"The drugs are already in a number of our tients as part of an early access program. facilities. Definitely these drugs will reach the patients." The treatment is also being used in Russia and has received conditional guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO). But clinical trials aren't concluded, and the drug can be prohibitively expensive factors that have limited its distribution. Ndjeka said South Former tuberculosis affected patient Ashley McQuire receives his Africa was paying apmedication from a nurse in the tubercolosis ward of Tshepong proximately USD 1,000 Hospital in Klerksdorp per six-month course Jennifer Hughes, a 36-year-old British of bedaquiline, which can run a hefty price doctor in Cape Town, said she has seen tag of up to 30,000 in developed countries. the benefits. Globally, drug-resistant tuberculosis Already, word has spread at Hughes's cases are growing so fast that last year the clinic in Khayelitsha, a poor township, and WHO warned that rates were at "crisis levpeople are coming from all over the city els." requesting the new drug, developed by USTuberculosis, a contagious bacterial inbased pharmaceutical company Janssen. fection of the lungs, is one of the world's "Everyone has heard that this is where most deadly diseases, killing 1.5 million you get better treatment," said Hughes, people in 2013. -AFP
New TB drug offers hope in South Africa
Top US health official Surgeon General Vivek Murthy noted that people suffering from an increase in asthma-attack triggers lost time at work and school. Murthy, a doctor, said the problem was especially personal for him because he's seen so many patients struggle to breathe and his own uncle died of a severe asthma attack. Microsoft's research arm will develop a prototype for drones that can collect large quantities of mosquitoes, then digitally analyze their genes and pathogens. The goal is to create a system that could provide early warnings about infectious diseases that could break out if climate change worsens. Google has promised to donate 10 million hours of advanced computing time on new tools, including risk maps and early warnings for things like wildfires and oil flares using the Google Earth Engine platform, the White House said. Google's camera cars that gather photos for its "Street View" function will start measuring methane emissions and natural gas leaks in some cities this year. The Obama administration also announced a series of modest steps it will take to boost preparedness, such as expanding access to data to predict and minimize the health effects from climate change.-AP
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Aliens are probably enormous & weigh over 300 kgs! LONDON: Aliens, if they exist, would be much larger than humans, weighing over a massive 300 kilograms, a cosmologist in Spain has calculated. Fergus Simpson, a scientist at the University of Barcelona, has estimated that the average weight of intelligent extraterrestrials would exceed 300 kilograms. The argument relies on a mathematical model that assumes organisms on other planets obey the same laws of conservation of energy that we see here on Earth - namely, that larger animals need more resources and expend more
energy, and thus are less abundant. There are many small ants, for example, but far fewer whales or elephants. Thus, throughout the universe, as is the case on Earth, there are likely more small animals than large ones, said Simpson. Since the number of planets inhabited by relatively small animals would outnumber the amount of worlds where large ones predominate, it is most likely that we find ourselves on a planet with relatively small animals - and are ourselves probably one of
the smaller intelligent beings, Simpson added. Simpson said that a certain
The argument relies on a mathematical model that assumes organisms on other planets obey the same laws of conservation of energy that we see here on Earth
minimum size is probably necessary for intelligent life, and he used the range of body sizes found in animals on Earth to come up with the most probable distribution of organisms on other planets, 'Newsweek' reported. Seth Shostak, a researcher at the SETI Institute, said the study reminded him of previous work he had done suggesting that any extraterrestrials we might eventually find would be on the larger side since bigger animals live longer, and an organism with a longer lifespan might be more likely to develop the kind of tech-
nology necessary for making contact with humans. Shostak said the research is "interesting" but cautioned that there is no concrete data to work with. He also said that while humans are not the Earth's biggest organisms it is their thumbs and upright stance - not their body mass - that has allowed their intelligence to blossom. "Polar bears are large but do not write great literature and build radio towers and a lot of that is probably because they are walking around on all fours," Shostak said.-PTI
Cooking may have helped humans evolve chins LONDON: Scientists may have solved the mystery of why humans are the only animals to have chins - and it all comes down to the invention of cooking. A number of different explanations have been put forward for the apparently useless bony projection, including the idea that it helps humans attract a mate. Now, a new research at the University of Florida suggests the chin began to emerge as a consequence of major changes six million years earlier. The arrival of cooking and softer food meant humans no longer needed big teeth and powerful jaws, and over the next two
million years both got smaller and the chin was born, 'The Independent' reported. Researchers led by anthropolo-
gist Dr James Pampush collected chin data from over 100 primate species and compared it with historical data.
PNB MetLife forays into health insurance MUMBAI: Private insurer PNB MetLife India Insurance has announced its foray into health segment with the launch of MetLife Major Illness Premium Back Cover.
The plan returns all the premiums paid in case there is no claim from the policy holder during the policy term and upon survival,
PNB MetLife said in a statement. The plan also provides the policy holder with a lump sum amount on diagnoses of any critical illness covered by the policy, so that the family has adequate
funds to meet the unplanned medical expenses, it added. "MetLife Major Illness Premium Back Cover is the only prod-
uct in the market which returns all the premiums paid at the end of the policy term in case of no claim and provides cover against 35 critical illnesses," PNB MetLife Managing Director and CEO Tarun Chugh said. The claim process is simpler without the involvement of a third party administrator, he said, adding that the plan would help a family cover unplanned medical expenses over and above the hospitalization cost. The plan provides coverage against 35 critical illnesses, return of premium on maturity in case of survival and no claim made during the policy term, guaranteed lump sum payout in case diagnosis of any of the critical illnesses and term of 10 years with an entry age of 18-55 years.-PTI
Computer modeling traced the shifting orientation of the front of the jaw and the rate at which the chin evolved. The study suggests the chin is what is known as a spandrel an evolutionary by-product of another event. In this case, the event could well be the advent of cooking. "It (the event) had to have occurred between six million to 200,000 years ago - six million years ago is the timing of the split between humans and chimpanzees," said Pampush. "My guess is that it happened around two million years ago when there was a jump in
brain size. We had a soft diet, and we no longer needed big teeth. "Around two million years ago there were a lot of changes to the 'human-like' animals. Homo erectus had a larger body size, much larger brains, was probably cooking and there's a good chance they were using clothing," said Pampush. The changes which ultimately lead to the chin are directly related to cooking, and indirectly related to larger brains and bodies, Pampush added. The study was published in the Journal of Human Evolution.PTI
More chemotherapy centers for Mumbai MUMBAI: Maharashtra Health Minister Deepak Sawant has said that Mumbai will have additional chemotherapy centers and a shelter home for the relatives of cancer patients admitted at the Tata Memorial Hospital. "The government has planned two more chemotherapy centers - one at Cama and Albless Hospital and another in Mumbai suburbs. A cancer research centre would also be established at the Gokuldas Tejpal Hospital," Sawant said in the Legislative Assembly in a reply to a debate initiated by BJP legislator Ashish Shelar. Shelar expressed concern over the rise in cases of cancer due to tobacco consumption and pointed out that the Tata Memorial Hospital was the only facility in the entire state for cancer treatment.
The minister said that the government was also planning to set up cancer hospitals in Marathwada, Vidarbha and North Maharashtra. He also added that the government would come up with
The government was also planning to set up cancer hospitals in Marathwada, Vidarbha and North Maharashtra. legislation in the monsoon session for punishing spitting in public places. The offenders would have to perform social service by way of punishment, he added. -PTI
April 17, 2015
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Sun experiences seasonal changes: study WASHINGTON: The Sun undergoes a type of seasonal variability with its activity waxing and waning over the course of nearly two years, according to a new study which could lead to better prediction of space weather events. The seasonal changes affect the peaks and valleys in the approximately 11-year solar cycle, sometimes amplifying and sometimes weakening the solar storms that can buffet Earth's atmosphere, said researchers led by the US National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). The quasi-annual variations appear to be driven by changes in the bands of strong magnetic fields in each solar hemisphere, researchers said. "What we're looking at here is a massive driver of solar storms," said Scott McIntosh, lead author of the new study and director of NCAR's High Altitude Ob-
servatory. "By better understanding how these activity bands form in the Sun and cause seasonal instabilities, there's the potential to greatly improve forecasts of space weather
Houston scientist hatches plan to prevent next Ebola Cont'd from Page 32
Hotez's plan targets ``countries of strategic importance,'' potential allies against ISIS and the spread of disease. ``One reason people admire America is the power of our research institutions,'' said Hotez, dean of Baylor's National School of Tropical Medicine and director of the Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Center for Vaccine Development. ``People come from around the world to study at Harvard, Stanford, Baylor, but we haven't exploited that advantage as much as we could. We need to put science diplomacy out there as part of U.S. foreign policy.''
Hotez thinks the ISIS-occupied territories are vulnerable to an infectious disease outbreak because they share the conditions that historically have preceded such events Hotez thinks the ISIS-occupied territories are vulnerable to an infectious disease outbreak because they share the conditions that historically have preceded such events - poverty, conflict and human migration. Because of those post-war conditions in West Africa, he said, experts could have predicted last year's Ebola outbreak. They had two previous lessons from which to learn, said Hotez. In the 1970s, African sleeping sickness killed 500,000 people following war in Angola, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Then, in the `80s and `90s, a leukemia-like disease known as leishmaniasis killed 100,000 people fol-
lowing civil war in the Sudan. A breakdown in the health care infrastructure and people fleeing conflict preceded the outbreaks, both caused by parasites. The task is complicated by the uncertainty of what disease threat might emerge in North Africa and the Middle East, necessitating the capacity to produce numerous vaccines. Hotez said he worries most about leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, MERS, dengue fever and alkhurma hemorrhagic fever, diseases for which there are no licensed vaccines; and tuberculosis, for which the only vaccine, BCG, offers at best modest protection. For other regional threats, polio, measles, rabies and hepatitis A and B, vaccines are available but underused. UNICEF is working to get them to refugees fleeing conflict. The three candidate countries all meet Hotez's fundamental criteria for project participation: political stability; acceptable science, biotechnology and pharmaceutical capabilities; the will to make the project happen; and regional as well as national interests. He said Morocco's vulnerability to an outbreak - it is close to the three Ebolainfected countries and has daily flights to and from each - gives it particular motivation to partner in the project. No country has emerged as a front-runner, said Hotez. He said institutions could be selected from any or more than one of the countries. Under the program, scientists from selected institutions would spend time at the Sabin Institute, whose vaccines for hookworm and schistosomiasis are in early-stage human trials; its vaccines for Chagas, leishmaniasis and SARS are still in lab development and production. A three-year program, similar to the one Hotez envisions for the Middle East and North Africa, already brings Malaysian scientists to Sabin for training. -AP
events," McIntosh said. The overlapping bands are fuelled by the rotation of the Sun's deep interior. As the bands move within the Sun's northern and southern hemispheres, activity rises to a peak over a period of about 11 months and then begins to wane. T h e quasi-annual variations can be likened to regions on Earth that have two seasons, such as a rainy season and a dry season, McIntosh said. The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, can help lead to better predictions of massive geomagnetic storms in Earth's outer atmosphere that sometimes disrupt satellite operations, communications, power grids, and other technologies. The new study is one of a series of pa-
pers by the research team that examines the influence of the magnetic bands on several interrelated cycles of solar magnetism. In a paper last year in Astrophysical Journal, the authors characterized the approximately 11-year sunspot cycle in terms of two overlapping parallel bands of opposite magnetic polarity that slowly migrate over almost 22 years from high solar latitudes toward the equator, where they meet and terminate. McIntosh and his co-authors detected the twisted, ring-shaped bands by drawing on a host of NASA satellites and groundbased observatories that gather information on the structure of the Sun and the nature of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These observations revealed the bands in the form of fluctuations in the density of magnetic fuel that rose from the solar interior through a transition region known as the tachocline and on to the surface, where they correlated with changes in flares and CMEs. In the new paper, the authors concluded that the migrating bands produce seasonal variations in solar activity that are as strong as the more familiar 11-year counterpart. These variations take place separately in both the northern and southern hemispheres.-PTI
Realty Tidbits
TDI ties up with Snapdeal to sell flats online NEW DELHI: Realty firm TDI Infracorp has tied-up with online market place Snapdeal to sell flats in its township at Kundli, Haryana, and would offer 1 per cent discount to potential home buyers. Initially, TDI will offer 60 flats on the Snapdeal platform in the Rs 34-65 lakh price range. With e-commerce business rapidly growing in India, country's largest realty firm DLF had tied up with Snapdeal last month. Before that, Tata Housing had tied up with Google, Snapdeal, and Housing.com, while Puravankara had joined hands with Google and realty portal 99 acres.com. Godrej Properties, too, had tied up with Snapdeal to offer online booking of its projects. "TDI Infracorp has entered into an exclusive partnership with Snapdeal to sell its property range in Kundli," the company said in a statement. Under this partnership, TDI said it would sell 2-3 bedroom apartments on Snapdeal from its two group housing projects in its township 'LakeGrove' at Kundli. TDI COO Nitesh Kumar said: "We are living in digital era and this is the most economical way to reach our potential consumer especially the youth. -PTI
Kauai residents' suit over GMO farm dust HONOLULU: There are southwest Kauai residents who can't enjoy simple things in their homes, such as just sitting on a couch to relax, without first wiping off dust that blows from nearby fields where genetically modified crops are tested, an attorney representing a group of them told a jury. The group of Waimea residents are suing seed company DuPont Pioneer, saying the pesticide-laden dust not only affects their quality of life, it diminishes property values, harms the environment and is unhealthy. A judge, however, granted a defense motion to exclude evidence or arguments regarding health and environmental issues. The motion argued that it's a property-damage case and that plaintiffs haven't said they suffered any injuries. The lawsuit was first filed in state court in 2011, before Kauai and other Hawaii counties attempted to regulate genetically modified organisms, known as GMOs, in response to citizen concerns. The lawsuit was later transferred to federal court in Honolulu. -AP
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Home, condo sales up but at lower prices HARTFORD, Conn.: A real estate research group says single-family home and condo sales in Connecticut jumped in February, but at lower prices. The Warren Group said that sales of 1,352 homes were up nearly 14 percent, compared with 1,188 in February 2014. It was the strongest sales for February since 2008. The median price of a single-family home fell by nearly 5 percent in February, to $224,750 compared with $236,000 a year ago. It was the second consecutive month the median price of a home has declined. -AP
Ask a Designer to decorate your house with spring pastels
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fter a long winter, the pas tel colors of spring look pretty appealing right now. Cheerful pastel pinks, yellows, greens and blues can seriously brighten up a room. Decorating with these potentially too-sweet shades can be tricky, but worth it. ``Pastels get a bad rap for being super-girly, sometimes being kind of `80s, and for even skewing babyish. But they don't have to be any of those things if you apply them in fresh ways,'' says designer Brian Patrick Flynn, founder of Flynnside Out Productions. ``Pastels are like Sandra Bullock or a little black dress. They are always going to be in fashion and will remain classic for the masses. I say, use pastels however, whenever, and just be sure to put your own spin on them.'' Here, Flynn and two other interior designers - Betsy Burnham of Burnham Design in Los Angeles and Toronto-based designer Meredith Heron - offer advice on making spring pastels work in
your home. CONSIDER YOUR LIGHT The natural light in a room impacts how a pastel color actually
to offer a yellower light. ``My rule of thumb is to avoid the pastels that correspond to the direction of the light,'' she says. ``So no pinks in a western-facing
Pink is a bold choice for the sofas in this family room designed by Burnham Design, but they are kept from overwhelming the space through the use of white, gray and brown tones, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
appears, says Heron. East-facing windows bring a cool, blue light during the day, while west-facing windows bring in a redder light in the afternoon and at sunset. Heron says south-facing windows tend
room or they will look like something out of an antacid commercial.'' Likewise, avoid pastel yellow in a south-facing room and blue in an east-facing one.
SHOP CAUTIOUSLY The names of paint swatches can tell you a lot. ``If something has `baby' in front of it - baby blue, baby pink - be careful,'' says Burnham. You're safer ``if you see `pale blue.' The interpretation can be all kinds of things, from periwinkle to a gray-blue.'' If you're drawn to a true baby pink or baby blue on a swatch, consider going with a slight variation on it. Often, on one paintswatch card you'll find four or five variations on the same color, some very saturated and others with more gray mixed in. Consider picking one of the grayer, less saturated shades. It's useful to look through design magazines for inspiration, but Burnham notes that what looks great in a photo might not in real life. That's especially true if the photo depicts a ``show house'' designed to highlight a designer's talent, rather than a home that people actually live in. Cont’d on page 37
NYC housing needs to help homeless, too NEW YORK: The homeless should have a bigger place in New York City's ambitious affordable housing push, advocates say arguing that two issues often viewed separately need to be tackled in tandem. Housing costs have hit a breaking point for a growing number of New Yorkers while homelessness has reached levels not seen in decades. The city and state have made some strides, but advocates and some politicians want government to set aside more apartments for homeless people, boost rent subsidies and convert some apartments being used as homeless shelters into permanent housing. ``The best way to deal with homelessness is to provide someone with a home,'' Public Advocate Letitia James said.
In response, the city and state administrations said they've made deep commitments to housing and fighting homelessness. Mayor Bill de Blasio has pledged to create or preserve 200,000 affordable homes over the next decade, and his administration has launched new
cates' recommendations, while noting that the newly enacted state budget includes $900 million for housing and additional homelessness programs over the next several years. More than 1 million New York City households now spend more
While homelessness has many causes, housing affordability has become ``the core issue here,'' said Patrick Markee of the Coalition for the Homeless, among the groups behind the recommendations. rent subsidies for homeless families. ``The administration is taking aggressive steps to confront this crisis,'' spokeswoman Ishanee Parikh said. Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office said officials will review the advo-
than 30 percent of their income - a widely accepted affordability threshold - on rent and utilities, a number that rose about 10 percent from 2007 to 2012, according to New York University's Furman Center, a real estate think tank. Around 600,000 households pay
more than half their income. Meanwhile, the number of people in homeless shelters per night topped 50,000 in 2012 for the first time since the 1980s. According to a recent daily count, 57,089 people sought shelter. While homelessness has many causes, housing affordability has become ``the core issue here,'' said Patrick Markee of the Coalition for the Homeless, among the groups behind the recommendations. Reginald Brown said he lost his Brooklyn apartment in 2011 because he couldn't afford his rent: 70 percent of his roughly $1,200-a-month disability payment, under the terms of a housing assistance program at the time. Even with food stamps and some other benefits, the remaining roughly $12 a day wasn't enough. Cont’d on page 37
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Durst indicted on Louisiana York County might let 'tiny home' stay firearm charges NEW ORLEANS: Millionaire real estate heir Robert Durst has been indicted on the two weapons charges that have kept him in New Orleans even though his lawyers say he wants to go to Los Angeles as soon as possible to face a murder charge there.
arm and an illegal drug: 5 ounces of marijuana, said Assistant District Attorney Chris Bowman, spokesman for the district attorney. The indictment listed 15 aliases - two variations of his name, and others including Dorthy Ciner, the name Durst was living under while
Robert Durst
Durst, the son of a wealthy New York real estate family, has had multiple run-ins with the law over his nearly 72 years. He was arrested in New Orleans on the eve of the finale of a six-part HBO documentary called ``The Jinx'' about his ties to two deaths and the disappearance of his first wife in 1982. A grand jury charged Durst with possession of a firearm by a felon and with possession of both a fire-
posing as a deaf mute in Texas, and Morris Black, the 71-year-old neighbor he killed and dismembered there, winning acquittal on a murder charge by arguing self-defense. Also listed was Everette Ward, the name under which he registered at the J.W. Marriott in New Orleans, according to court testimony. Durst's attorneys have said the weapons arrest was illegal, partly because FBI agents searched
Durst's hotel room before his arrest and without a search warrant. The weapons arrest has kept Durst in New Orleans even though he has waived extradition to Los Angeles, where he's charged in the December 2000 death of his longtime friend Susan Berman. Attorney Billy Gibbens told Magistrate Harry Cantrell that Durst would be willing to pay the transportation costs to get him to California. Until his indictment, Durst had been arrested but not formally charged in connection with the .38-caliber revolver authorities say was found in his room at the J.W. Marriott, where he was staying under an assumed name. According to court testimony, an FBI agent recognized Durst in a New Orleans hotel March 14 and escorted him to his hotel room. Durst was arrested early March 15 on the Los Angeles warrant and arrested separately on the weapons charges the next day. Durst's lawyers say the arrest in New Orleans was timed to coincide with the final episode of ``The Jinx,'' which also described the disappearance of his wife, Kathleen, in 1982 from New York; the Los Angeles shooting of Berman, 55, in 2000; and Black's death in 2001.-AP
Ask a Designer to decorate your house with spring pastels Cont’d from page 36
A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY ``One pastel is really great,'' Burnham says. ``It stands out and shines on its own.'' But the effect is lost when you bring in additional pastels; you don't want the room to feel like a basket of Easter eggs. If you're having trouble choosing just one shade, Flynn suggests blue: ``Robin's egg blue is probably the most iconic pastel used for interiors,'' he says. ``Believe it or not, robin's egg is almost like a neutral. It works with almost any color in the spectrum. I like putting a transitional spin on it by layering it upon itself in different shades and tints. It creates a classic, timeless look that's applicable to all ages, styles and both genders.'' Once you've chosen your pastel, it's safest to bring the color in gently through an accent piece, such as a lampshade or artwork. Or paint your walls a white or gray
shade that has just a dash of your favorite pastel mixed in. ``I always warn clients that pastel shades can get about 20 percent brighter when you paint them on a wall, so opting for something that appears to be a white with a
The safest way to layer a pastel is by mixing in neutral colors like taupe, Burnham says, and organic materials like natural wood. hint of color is often your best bet,'' says Heron. ``I think people often choose colors that are too literal _ too bright, too saturated, when just a dash will do you. If you want to dabble in pastels, start with a grayed series and then ease your way into something a bit brighter.
Layers are always the key.'' The safest way to layer a pastel is by mixing in neutral colors like taupe, Burnham says, and organic materials like natural wood. DON'T FORGET THE EDGE In spaces where Flynn uses pastels, he says, ``I'm all about adding a ton of edgy elements to make the overall look fresh and anything but sweet. My biggest tip is to balance the Easter tones with street art or modern furnishings, which create excellent tension between the soft sweetness and whatever elements are used to give it more of a masculine, urban or fresh edge.'' Heron often does the same, using animal prints, say, or art deco furniture to ``include some bold statement.'' Her goal: ``to inject a little bit of `ugly' into a room, to keep it from being overly saccharine. ... Ugly makes a room look and feel lived in, like it has evolved over time.''-AP
NEWPORT NEWS, Va.: York County officials are trying to figure out whether the ``tiny home'' that they wanted to force out of a mobile home community in the upper part of the county can remain under Virginia building codes. ``We are, in good faith, trying to see what we can do,'' County Attorney James Barnett said recently. If the 415-square-foot structure meets state building codes, the York County Board of Supervisors could consider amending the county's zoning ordinance to allow that type of structure in mobile home communities or other parts of the county, said interim County Administrator Mark Carter. York County officials recently sent a letter to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development to determine whether the tiny home owned by Tom Rogers, 75, and Karen Rogers, 66, in Bruton Park meets any Virginia building codes. The county had initially filed an appeal asking a circuit court judge to
overturn the Zoning Board of Appeals' decision that granted the couple a variance so they could stay in their home after they got a notice from the county requiring them to vacate the property. Karen Rogers said the county is asking for the Department of Housing and Community Development's opinion to ``get rid of us.'' ``If the Board of Supervisors wanted to help us, they would retract their appeal,'' she said. Barnett said the county is not pushing the appeal forward but can't ignore its zoning ordinance. ``The ordinance says you have to have manufactured homes in mobile-home parks,'' Barnett said. ``That was put into the ordinance with some forethought, and she is saying just ignore it.'' ``No one is out to get them,'' said Supervisor George Hrichak. ``We are trying to work with them as much as possible to see if we can make this work. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen overnight.'' AP
NYC housing needs to help homeless, too Cont’d from page 36
``It's not that I don't know how to manage money,'' he said. But ``you have to have money to manage.'' Brown said he spent about three months in a shelter before getting into supportive housing, or housing coupled with social services. Now he is on apartmenthunting for his own place, thanks to a 2014 change in state law that will limit his rent to 30 percent of his disability income. Among the advocates' recommendations were: • Setting aside for the home-
less 10 percent of the affordable housing in de Blasio's 10-year plan and at least 2,500 of the New York City Housing Authority's over 175,000 existing apartments. The authority says its goal is to rent 1,250 apartments to homeless families this year. De Blasio's plan includes some new supportive housing. • Turning homeless shelter ``cluster sites'' - apartments in buildings that also house private tenants - into permanent housing for homeless people. De Blasio's administration has de-emphasized cluster sites but hasn't abandoned them. -AP
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40 India Post
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mbodiment of natural beauty, Leh, picturesquely nestled by Karakoram and Hima layan ranges, is the headquarters of Leh District in Jammu and Kashmir. Perfectly located on the banks of the renowned Indus River with all its majesty and amazing sceneries, Leh valley attracts tourists from all over the world to its lap all through the year. The major part of the Leh city is covered by ancient Buddhist monuments, mosques dating back to 16th and 17th centuries and a nine storied palace Sengge Namgyal constructed in Tibetan architectural style.
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Leh is the land of Lamas, the Buddhist monks and is mainly populated by Buddhists and Hindus. Leh houses numerous Buddhist monuments, monasteries and study centers; Shanti Stupa and Sankar Gompa are some of them. Leh has grown to be a trade centre in Central Asia, with many trading opportunities for the motivated and dedicated young traders and achievers. Shopping is an experience in Leh. One can spot many traders in the city selling spectacular Tibetan motifs and jewellery, winter woolen clothes and decorated world famous carpets.
Visiting Leh-Ladakh with kids Mesmerizing Leh can be inhospitable for kids and tourists should be wary of all the conditions that they need to take care of before planning a trip with kids. It is advisable for tourists to not take children below the age of 5 years, as they may face acclimatization issues. For tourists, the best route is Manali-Leh as it takes lesser time and allows tourists to enjoy some of the most mesmerizing sceneries on their Kashmir tour packages. Leh & Ladakh - Precautions and Measures Cont’d on page 42
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India to rename its e-visa Asia's largest Tulip garden opens in Srinagar scheme as 'Visa Online' NEW DELHI: With some international visitors misconstruing government's muchtouted tourism initiative 'Visa on Arrival' (VoA) to be a scheme which guarantees visa on landing, the Tourism Ministry has decided to rename it to 'Visa Online' in an effort to end the confusion. The Tourism Ministry has approached the Union Home Ministry for the purpose, ministry officials said. "There is a question about the terminology on whether it is e-visa or visa on arrival. I think this issue should be addressed in a different manner. "We declared it as Visa on Arrival. (But) Basically it is Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)," Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said while briefing reporters on the sidelines of the launch of 'Visit Kerala 2015'. The e-Visa facility is available to visitors from about 44 countries. Applicants from the eligible countries can apply online minimum four days in advance of the date of arrival. However, since it was promoted as 'Visa on Arrival', some international visitors misunderstood the scheme and assumed that
they will receive their visas on landing. Since they hadn't applied in advance, they had to return back home. Tourism Secretary Lalit K Panwar said that the issue of VoA has been taken up with the Home Ministry. "We have taken up the issue with the Home Ministry. Now, we will be calling it as Visa Online. If you call Visa Online, there will be no confusion because you will get visa online in your inbox. So, we can call it
as Visa Online (ETA)," he said. Meanwhile, on the proposed new National Tourism Policy, Sharma said the new policy, to be unveiled on May 15, will focus on issues such as generation of employment for youth and empowerment of women. Stressing that steps are being taken for security of foreign tourists in India, the minister appealed to the media not to "glorify mishappenings."-PTI
FAA approves combining American, US Airways FORT WORTH, Texas: American Airlines is marking a merger milestone and US Airways is one step closer toward extinction. The Federal Aviation Administration has granted the two airlines the authority to op-
erate as a single carrier. The FAA decision means that American Airlines Group Inc. can combine work forces, websites and reservations systems starting this fall, but passengers won't notice much difference right away. Eventually the US Airways name will disappear and its planes will be repainted in American's colors and logo. The company has already combined the two frequent-flier programs. The company, formed by a December 2013 merger, is marking the FAA decision with a celebration at its headquarters in Fort Worth. -AP
Braj Mahotsav postponed to April 25 MATHURA: Mathura MP Hema Malini has postponed two-day 'Braj Mahotsav' to April 25-26 from previously scheduled April 11-12 to promote tourism and the city's rich cultural heritage. Malini performed formal puja at the program venue, Vrindavan Chandrodaya temple, to speed up the preparations. She instructed designers to develop a set on the concept of 'Brijgram' here while reviewing the preparations for the Mahotsav. Earlier, she distributed relief fund cheques among local farmers. The district administration told her that compensation would be provided to all the farm-
ers, who suffered crop losses.-PTI
Hema Malini
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed inaugurated Asia's largest Tulip garden situated on the banks of Dal Lake here for public viewing. This year around ten lakh tulips have been planted in the garden, spread over an area of 15 hectares. "This year around ten lakh tulip flowers will be in bloom comprising 53 varieties," an official of the Floriculture Department said. The department has planted the tulip bulbs in a phased manner so that the flowers remain in the garden for a month or more. "The average life span of the tulip flower is three to four weeks but heavy rains or too much of heat can destroy them. This year, we have planted the bulbs in a phased manner to increase their longevity. That way there will be tulips in the garden for the whole month or even more," he said. The official said the department has imported three lakh fresh bulbs from Holland this season.
"Some 3.3 lakh bulbs and more than 36 quintals of seeds have been grown from the previous stock. In addition to tulips, more than 70,000 bulbs will be in bloom during this season," he said. In addition to the tulips, the other flowers grown in the garden include Hyacinths, Narcissus, Daffodils, Muscuria and Iris.
The opening of the garden, in the foothills of Zabarwan Range, marks the beginning of a new tourism season in Kashmir Valley. Formerly known as Siraj Bagh, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip garden was opened in 2008 by the then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. The idea of the garden was conceived to advance the tourism season in the Valley by two months.-PTI
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www.indiapost.com Cont’d from page 40
For tourists traveling directly by air to Leh, acclimatization to the high altitude may take time, around 48 hours, for even adults. To counter, please drink as well as carry plenty of water. It is advisable to carry Diomax and Disprin as a backup. Alcohol and tobacco should be completely avoided, as the low level of oxygen makes it very difficult to come out of a hangover and you don't want to lose the sightseeing time, sitting in a hotel. Alcohol and coffee should also be avoided if you are in Leh on a trekking expedition. Tea, which is available in plenty, can be consumed. Breathlessness due to l o w
level of oxygen is common, so one should carry energy bars to keep boosting the system. Power cuts are very frequent in Leh and Ladakh and tourists are advised to good stock of batteries. Carry your own water bottles and make sure that you use only double boiled water for drinking. Mineral water too is not sold to avoid the menace of plastic garbage. Many shops sell double boiled water. Don't miss carrying a sanitizer as hygiene can be a concern in Leh and Ladakh. Plastic is banned in Leh and Ladakh, so instead use biodegradable bags. Take permission before taking a photograph of any local. During trekking do not litter the area and while touring a national park, make sure that you do not disturb the animals. Feasting of the eyes is assured with the imposing pristine beauty of the snow capped Himalayan ranges in the backdrop. Tourists throng this place during the month of August when the annual tourist festival is conducted. Adventurous tourists are invited to take
up trekking in the challenging undulated Himalayan terrains. Many tourist attractions are nearby, Jama Masjid - the ancient historical mosque built during the Mughal Dynasty and the summer palace Shey of Ladakhi kings with a massive Buddha statue are among them. This is a place not to be missed by any traveling enthusiast. Tourist attractions General Zorawar's Fort: General Zorawar's Fort or commonly known as Riasi Fort, is an ancient fort known for preserving the private wealth of the Dogra rulers of Jammu. This age old ancient monument, presently in ruins, stands above the Leh Palace and the Namgyal Tsemo Gompa. Hall of Fame: This glorious mu-
General Zorawar's Fort
seum is located on the SpitukKargil road, approximately 4 km from Leh city. It was built in memory of the brave soldiers who lost their lives in Indo-Pakistan war. Maintained by the Indian Army, the museum showcases seized arms and amenities of Pakistani Army, pictures and biographies of brave soldiers. Leh Palace: Leh Palace, an imposing and captivating marvelous structure, rises from the edge of a hill overlooking the Leh town, the well-known capital of Ladakh, and stretches out towards the indigo sky. Built in 17th century, this ninestorey monument was a residential place for the King Singge Namgyal. Shanti Stupa: Shanti Stupa, literally means peace (Shanti) pillar (Stupa) established by a 'Peace Sect' of Japanese Buddhists, is situated above Changspa in Leh District of Jammu and Kashmir. It can be easily reached from Fort road. The Stupa was opened in 1985 by Dalai Lama with the inten-
Mountain Biking in Leh
LEH
Land of Lamas amid picturesque Himalayas
tion of spreading Buddhist ideology. This is a place which tells the world the need for peace and harmony among its population. Stok Palace: A short distance across the Indus River, near Leh (14 km) stands the Stok Palace, a major tourist attraction in Leh. Built in 1825 AD by King Tsespal Tondup Namgyal, it is a striking palace where the ancient and modern
established by Lama Dugpa Dorje, a famous Lama in Buddhist monarchy, the monastery houses marvelous collection of ancient thankas, especially some in the form of mandalas. Pathar Sahib Gurdwara: Set on the Leh-Kargil road, around 23 km from Leh, Pathar Sahib Gurdwara invites many tourists and pilgrims. Built in 1517, it serves as evidence of Guru Nanak's visit to Ladakh. According to legend, a meditating Guru Nanak was attacked Shanti Stupa by a wicked demon by pushing a huge boulder from the hilltop.
ists. The snow covered Himalayan trekking terrains poses mild to very tough challenges to trekkers. The experienced trekkers get the chances of highly challenging and breathtaking trekking trails in mountain ranges surrounding Leh. Best time to visit Leh is one among the two districts of Ladakh. The weather is extremely cold and harsh during winters, thus causing frost bites. The best time to visit Leh is from June to September. How to reach By Train: Jammu is the nearest railway station, which is about 734 km from Leh. Since Leh does not have railMatho Monastery
architectures meet making it a beautiful home. The palace is reachable by jeeps or through shared taxis. Karma Dupgyud Choeling Monastery: Situated about 9 km from Leh, is one of the Dharma centers Karma Dupgyud Choeling Monastery. This world known Buddhist Monastery is run by the Karmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhists. Karmapa stands for "the embodiment of all the activities of the Buddha" or "the one who carries out Buddha-activity". There are seventeen Karmapas as of today. Matho Monastery: Matho Monastery, with the history of five hundred years and the only monastery under the Saskya monastic Establishment in Leh, is located 26 km from the city on the beautiful Indus River valley. Believed to be
Sankar Gompa: Located just 3 km from Leh city is the eye-catching monastery Sankar Gompa. Known for its excellent architecture, the Gompa houses an impressive representation of Avalokitesvara complete with 1000 arms and 1000 heads. Adventure Mountain Biking: Leh is a preferred destination for mountain biking offering daring mountain bikers the second highest motorable road in the world. The adventure in mountain biking from Leh lies in the most hostile terrains. The entire road of about 485 km between Leh and Manali gives an opportunity to the challenging mountain bikers to cut across the majestic Himalayan ranges through four mountains passes. For daring mountain bikers LehManali highway is spectacular road while enjoying the picturesque landscapes. Trekking: Leh, a paradise for trekkers, is attracted by many nature lovers and adventurous tour-
way station, train travel is not possible. Tourists will either have to take a bus or hire a cab both of which will take approximately two days to reach Leh. Tourists can also hire a bus from Manali (453 km). However, the Manali-Leh road is open only from mid-June to midOctober, due to weather conditions. By Air: Different airline services provide regular services from Leh to Delhi and Srinagar and the tickets are moderately priced. Jet Airways operate 6 flights a week from Delhi and 1 flight in a week from Srinagar. Major cities in and abroad can be reached through Delhi. By Bus: JKSRTC provide service from Srinagar to Leh (700 km) which takes two days and HRTC provide service from Manali to Leh (474 km), which takes about 20 hours or two days if you halt in between. Jeep services are also available.
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New policy being formulated Virgin America flights to Hawaii from Nov to increase tourism NEW DELHI: The government is formulating a new policy to "substantially increase" India's share in global tourism from its current figure of 0.64 per cent. The new tourism policy should help boost the growth of tourism so that its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the economy also goes up from the present 6.8 per cent, Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said while addressing a meeting held for formulating the new National Tourism Policy, 2015. The meeting was attended by the representatives of state governments and the Union Territories as part of the consultation process with the stakeholders here. Sharma said the new tourism policy should become the instrument for substantially increasing India's share in global tourist arrivals beyond the current share of 0.64 percent. He said the tourism potential of the country is yet to be fully exploited. "We must promote the rich cultural heritage of the country through the medium of tourism." Referring to Prime Minister
Narendra Modi's Brand India promotion at global platforms, he said "It is due to his efforts that the practice of yoga got recognition throughout the world. We should take up such similar initiatives." The tourism policy should contribute to economy, promote cultural heritage, generate employment, should be pro-poor and also include women empowerment, the Minister explained. The representatives of State and UTs also put forward their suggestions and expressed their concerns related to their respective regions. They demanded tax incentives across the tourism-related products and services, connectivity for remote areas, single window clearance and equitable treatment for the less developed regions of the country.
Demand for printing a national calendar of festivals throughout the country, promotion of the local traditions of particular regions and preservation of water bodies
among others, were also discussed during the meeting. The representatives of northeastern states stressed the need for connectivity, mobile network connectivity, roadside amenities and lifting of travel restrictions for foreigners.-PTI
Envoy urges more India-Israel direct flights CHENNAI: Making a pitch for developing the tourism industry, Israeli Ambassador to India Dabuek Carmon has said it was important to increase the number of direct flights between the two countries. "To develop tourism, it is im-
Carmon said after calling on Chief Minister O Panneerselvam at the Secretariat here. After making a visit to the Nemmeli Desalination plant situated near here in which an Israelbased company had provided the technology, Carmon said greater
Dabuek Carmon
portant to increase the number of direct flights from India to Israel," he said. Israel was keen on extended partnership with the country, especially in the Southern region,
co-operation was possible between the two countries in water treatment sector. Extending his invitation to the Global Investors Meet scheduled to be held here in May,
Panneerselvam expressed the hope that Israel would accept it and be a Partner-Nation for the two-day event. Some areas that could be possible for strengthening trade relations include pharmaceuticals, agriculture, IT, telecommunication and security related products, he said. Stating that Tamil Nadu was covered under the Indo-Israel Bilateral agreement for cooperation in agriculture, he said, "India-Israel Centers of Excellence for cooperation in agriculture are being set up, including two centers in Tamil Nadu - at Reddiarchatram in Dindigul district and Thally in Krishnagiri district." Tamil Nadu has also benefited from Israeli expertise and technology in the area of horticulture mechanization, protected cultivation, orchard and canopy management, nursery management and post-harvest management, he said. Israeli drip irrigation technologies and products are now widely used in the state, an official release, quoted him as saying.-PTI
SAN FRANCISCO: Virgin America is adding Hawaii to its map with flights from San Francisco starting in November. The airline said it will fly daily from San Francisco to Honolulu beginning Nov. 2 and to Kahului beginning Dec. 3. United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Hawaiian Airlines already fly to Honolulu from San Francisco, and Alaska Airlines flies there from San Jose and Oakland, California. Southwest Airlines has long considered flying to Hawaii, although it has not announced any service. Virgin America CEO David Cush said in an interview that Hawaii was ``the big glaring hole'' in his airline's network from San Francisco. While Virgin will face several rivals to Hawaii, Cush said routes
between New York's Kennedy Airport and both San Francisco and Los Angeles are even more competitive, ``and we do just fine against five competitors in each of those.'' He expects Hawaii flying
to be profitable in about a year. Virgin America Inc. still needs approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for the long overwater flights using 149-passenger Airbus A320 jets. The airline flies to 21 destinations on the U.S. mainland and Mexico, with its biggest markets in San Francisco and Los Angeles.-AP
Bus getaways from NYC, Long Island ALBANY, N.Y.: State tourism officials are sponsoring bus getaways this spring and summer from New York City and Long Island for both daylong and overnight outings. The so-called ``I Love New York Bus'' service will send motor coaches up the Hudson Valley and out to Long Island's Southampton beach, with overnight trips to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, the thoroughbred races in Saratoga Springs and to Niagara Falls.
The service that began with 14 fall and winter outings is intended to add opportunities for tourism in the state while helping the economy and employment in related businesses. Reservations are recommended. Walk-ons can buy tickets if space permits. Pickups and drop-offs in Manhattan are at 44th Street and 3rd Avenue. Buses are operated by Southampton-based Hampton Jitney.-AP
'Tourism has huge potential to create jobs' NEW DELHI: Travel and tourism sector has huge potential to create thousands of jobs and push the economic growth of the country, a top government official has said. "India needs to focus on travel and tourism. It has the best multiplier effect as far as job creation is concerned. And therefore it (government) needs to focus on travel and tourism with huge vigor and
energy," Secretary in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) Amitabh Kant said. He was addressing the eleventh hotel investment conferenceSouth Asia 2015 here. "There is huge potential in terms of growth. Currently, it contributes about 6.8 per cent in the GDP but has the potential to (increase the share to) almost 9 per cent of the GDP," he said. -PTI
In Brief Authorities hinder migrant protest: Mexican activist MEXICO CITY: About 200 Central American migrants who were planning to take part in a traditional ``Viacrucis'' protest have been hemmed in by Mexican immigration checkpoints and threats to detain them, an activist has said. For several years, migrants have carried wooden crosses in protest marches around Easter week to illustrate their suffering at the hands of criminals and corrupt police. But the Rev. Alejandro Solalinde, who runs a shelter for migrants, said authorities threatened to arrest on human-trafficking charges the owners of buses rented to take the protesters from the town of Ixtepec in Oaxaca State to the capital. He said the protesters had planned to leave for Mexico City. Almost 200 other migrants have also piled up at the shelter in Ixtepec because they are afraid of being detained at immigration checkpoints set up near the town, leaving Solalinde and his volunteers to feed and house about 420 people. He called the situation ``critical.'' ``I've never seen a city under siege like this,'' Solalinde said. -AP
„ 2 drown, 200 held in illegal immigration bid CAIRO: At least two people drowned and 200 others were arrested in Egypt when they were trying to illegally immigrate to Italy by a boat. One of the persons who drowned was a Somali woman and the other was a man from Eritrea. They were trying to cross to Italy through the Borlos Lake via the Mediterranean Sea. Five others suffered minor injuries and are getting treated at a hospital, a medical officer said. A security source said that about 300 people from different nationalities, including six Egyptians, were trying to cross over to Italy in a boat. The Egyptian Coast Guard has arrested about 200 of them. The rescue team, who have pulled out the two bodies, is still searching for the missing people. Hundreds of Egyptians, in search of better work opportunities, have been caught in illegal immigration attempts to migrate to Italy over the past few years. A number of them have drowned in the process.-PTI
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From poor immigrant to Arizona's 1st Hispanic governor Details on page 45
White House criticizes ruling on Obama's immigration action HOUSTON: A federal judge has wrongly prevented ``lawful, commonsense policies'' from taking effect by blocking President Barack Obama's executive action that seeks to shield millions of immigrants from deportation, the White House has said. The administration released a statement criticizing U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen's decision to keep a temporary hold on the president's policies. The U.S. Department of Justice had asked Hanen to lift the stay, but the Texas judge refused in a ruling. Hanen initially granted a preliminary injunction on Feb. 16 at the request of 26 states that oppose Obama's action. The states, led by Texas, filed a lawsuit challenging the order. Hanen's latest ruling upholds the status quo: The Obama administration is temporarily barred from implementing policies that would allow as many as five million people in the U.S. illegally to remain. The Justice Department had already appealed to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans to lift Hanen's injunction. The appeals court was scheduled to hear arguments April 17. In his order, Hanen said the government hasn't ``shown any credible reason for why this Directive necessitates immediate implementation.''
The 26-state coalition is suing to overturn Obama's executive action, arguing that it is unconstitutional and would force them to invest more in law enforcement, health care and education.
legations that the U.S. government had misled him about the implementation of part of the immigration plan. The first of Obama's orders - to expand a program that protects
Justice Department attorneys have argued that keeping the temporary hold harms ``the interests of the public and of third parties who will be deprived of significant law enforcement and humanitarian benefits of prompt implementation'' of the president's immigration action. Obama announced the executive orders in November, saying a lack of action by Congress forced him to make sweeping changes to immigration rules on his own. Before ruling on the injunction, Hanen said he first wanted to hear from federal prosecutors about al-
young immigrants from deportation if they were brought to the U.S. illegally as children - had been set to take effect Feb. 18. The other major part would extend deportation protections to parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents who have been in the country for several years. That provision was slated to begin on May 19. Hanen issued his initial injunction believing that neither of those orders had taken effect. About a month later, the Justice Department confirmed that more than 108,000 people had already received three-year reprieves from
deportation and work permits, but DOJ attorneys insisted the moves were made under 2012 guidelines that weren't blocked by the injunction. The DOJ apologized for any confusion, but Hanen seemed unconvinced during a hearing last month and threatened to sanction the attorneys. He wrote that while the federal government had been ``misleading'' on the subject, he would not immediately apply sanctions against the government, saying to do so would not be ``in the interests of justice or in the best interest of this country'' because the issue was of national importance and the outcome will affect millions of people. ``The parties' arguments should be decided on their relative merits according to the law, not clouded by outside allegations that may or may not bear on the ultimate issues in this lawsuit,'' Hanen wrote. In a separate order Hanen, told the government it has until April 21 to file to the court and plaintiffs detailed information about its March advisory about the 108,000 three-year reprieves. The order asks the government to produce ``any and all drafts'' of the advisory, including information on when each draft was written, edited or revised. Hanen also asked for a list of each person who knew about the advisory.-AP
'H-1B visa system needs to be fixed' WASHINGTON: With the announcement that both the 65,000 and 20,000 H-1B visa caps for fiscal year 2016 have been reached, a top business body in the US has made a renewed call for Congress to fix the immigration system that keeps US companies from hiring the top world talent they need. "Congress cannot claim it's too hard to allow top world talent to contribute to America when other countries have figured out how to do it for their own economies," said Business
Roundtable (BRT), an association of CEOs of leading US companies which works to promote public
the BRT Immigration Committee. "How many more H-1B caps do we have to reach before
US employment-based immigration policies are "mostly unfavorable" to economic growth, while many of its competitor nations have adopted more favorable policies policy and American economy. "The problem is simply lack of action in Washington," said Greg Brown, chairman and CEO of Motorola Solutions, and Chair of
policymakers fix the system?" Brown said. The outdated H-1B visa system was one of the factors in a new BRT analysis that put the US ninth
out of 10 advanced economies in terms of employment-based immigration policies, a media statement said. "State of Immigration: How the United States Stacks Up in the Global Talent Competition" revealed that US employmentbased immigration policies are "mostly unfavorable" to economic growth, while many of its competitor nations have adopted more favorable policies across the board. Cont'd on Page 45
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Illegal immigration a big worry: India CEC NEW DELHI: Terming illegal immigration as a major worry, Chief Election Commissioner H S Brahma has said India is perhaps the only country in the world to allow foreigners to come and settle here without permission or paperwork. Brahma, who demits office on April 18, said physical structures or fencing cannot be a barrier to prevent human beings from crossing border. "So, unless the people behind the barbed wires, that is the administration, whichever government is there, the vigilance by the local people, unless they are resilient and are sure what is happening around them (the problem cannot be solved)," Bramha said, adding that almost all states in the northeast face this problem. He said the most important lesson learnt from the policy of fencing is that we must educate and motivate every Indian living along the border to ensure that there is no one who migrates, infiltrates.
"And that is a fact. How can vast number of people come to your country? I have worked with the Government of India for over 40 years. Nowhere in the world I have seen a single nation, big or large, allow foreigners to come
H S Brahma
and settle in the country without permission or any kind of paperwork," he said. Speaking at the launch of a movie on infiltration in Assam,
Brahma recalled his stint as Joint Secretary (Border Management) from 2003 to 2007, saying the international boundary with Bangladesh was one of the most daunting tasks because of its terrain. He said it is the longest international border of India spreading across 18,000 km. "One of the biggest mandates was to ensure that no illegal immigration takes place through our borders. That's why we built the fence. 80 per cent of the work was done by me between 2003 to 2007. But infiltration continues. Physical structure (fencing) cannot be a barrier to prevent human beings to prevent infiltration," he said. Responding to a question on preparation of electoral rolls in Assam ahead of 2016 Assembly elections, Bramha said while preparing the rolls, citizenship, the most crucial criteria, is taken into consideration after verification. "We will definitely verify before we finalize the electoral rolls. This is the stand we have been taking," he said. -PTI
From poor immigrant to Arizona's 1st Hispanic governor PHOENIX: Raul Hector Castro Americans willing to work for interview. first noticed discrimination on his them. He was the embodiment of Castro's success in politics was way to school in a dusty Arizona the American dream, a self-made unlikely for a Mexican-American border town. man who left a life as a hobo to in the 1970s. Why, he wondered, did the make an improbable career in the Arizona's Hispanic community white kids ride on a bus while he law, politics and diplomacy. was sizeable but not active in poliand his friends from Mexico had It's a message he'd deliver to tics. Despite deep nerves, many to walk? And later: voted for the first time Why were Hispanics when they cast a ballot always working as lafor Castro, he said. borers, not in offices ``From then on they or carrying the mail? became more engaged, Castro would they became active parstare down discrimiticipants, they became nation and overcome part of the state,'' he reextreme poverty on called. his way to becoming Castro's races for Arizona's only Hisgovernor were two of the panic governor and closest in state history. a respected AmeriHe lost to Republican can diplomat. Jack Williams in 1970 by After nearly a 1.5 percentage points. century of blazing He fared better four Raul Hector Castro, former governor of Arizona and former trails, Castro has years later, defeating ReU.S. ambassador to El Salvador and Argentina, talks during a died in his sleep. He publican Russ Williams news conference in Bisbee, Ariz. was 98. by less than 1 percentUndeterred by the legions of young audiences well into his 90s. age point. school principals who wouldn't ``I like to motivate them and Castro, a Democrat, was govmake him a teacher or the law say, `Look, this is the land where ernor for 21/2 years before resignschool dean who didn't want to anyone can accomplish whatever ing when President Jimmy Carter admit him, Castro spoke adoringly they want to accomplish,'' Castro appointed him ambassador to Arof the opportunities afforded to told The Associated Press in a 2010 gentina. -AP
'H-1B visa system needs to be fixed' Cont'd from Page 44
In addition to insufficient H1B visa numbers, the BRT report found other challenges for the US immigration system include low annual limits on employmentbased green cards, high denial rates for intra-company transfers and a lack of visas for both immigrant entrepreneurs and yearround lower-skilled workers. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on April 1, started receiving H-1B petitions for the fiscal year 2016 beginning October 1, 2015. It received more than the allocated quota of 65,000 H-IB visas in the first five days, and the successful applicants would be decided trough a draw of lots. FWD.us, comprising a diverse
group of leading innovators, entrepreneurs, job creators, and business owners from the tech community, have launched a petition urging the Congress to fix broken immigration system in particular the H-1B system. According to a Brookings research, high-skilled foreign workers are concentrated in a small number of places. Half of all approved H-1B petitions nationwide went to only nine metropolitan areas, and one-quarter went to just three: New York, Dallas, and San Jose - home of Silicon Valley. New York, with over 29,000 approvals, had by far the highest number. Dallas and San Jose had almost 20,000 and 16,000 approvals, respectively. -PTI
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Datebook
April 17, 2015
NEW JERSEY Upcoming Sat, Apr 18 • Shobanas Krishna, A Musical In English Venue: Montgomery High School, 1016 Route 601,, Skillman, NJ 08558 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 973-760-6762
Sun, Apr 19 • India Fair 2015 Venue: NJ Convention & Expo Center, 97,Sunfield Ave, Raritan Center, NJ 08837 Time: 11:00 am Contact: 609-937-2800
Fri, May 1 • Madhura Delights Presents Girls night out ! Venue: RASOI III, 620 Geoges Road, Manmouth JN, NJ 08852 Time : 7:00 pm
NEW YORK Upcoming Sat, Apr 25 • Hamari Devrani Fame Paresh Bhatt & Samir Rajda Venue: Hindu Auditorium, 143-09 Holly Ave, Flushing, NY 11355 Time : 7:30 pm Contact: 516-336-9042
Sun, May 3 • Kailash Kher Venue: The Town Hall, 123 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036 Time : 6:00 pm Contact: 917-409-7262
Thu, May 9 • Ranjeet Rajwada Prince Of Ghazal Venue: Hindu Auditorium, 143-09 Holly Ave, Flushing, NY 11355 Time: 7:30 pm Contact: 347-989-6104
India Post 47
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
CHICAGO
Upcoming
Upcoming
Fri, Apr 17 • Carnatic Concert By Sudha
Fri, Apr 17 • IFFER - International Night
Raghunathan Venue: India Community Center, 525 Los Coches St, Milpitas, CA 95035 Time: 7:30 pm Contact: 510 796 5252
Sat, Apr 18 • Ohlone College Health & Wellness Dept. 3rd Annual World Tai Chi & Qigong Day Venue: Ohlone College Newark Center 39399 Cherry Street Newark, CA 94560 Time: 9:30am-3:30pm Contact: www.ohlone.edu/go/taichi
Apr 23- 25 • Ohlone College Dept. of Theatre & Dance Presents: Soul House Venue: Smith Center at Ohlone College 43600 Mission Boulevard Fremont, CA 94539 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: www.smithcenter.com
Sat, Apr 25 • Konark Bhangima Venue: California State University, East Bay, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd, Hayward, CA 94542 Time : 3:00 pm
Fri, May 1 • Bollywood Club Party Venue: Agenda Lounge, 399 South 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95113, USA, San Jose, CA 95113 Time: 10:00 pm
Venue: Golden Peacock Banquets, 24989 Santa Clara St, Hayward, CA 94544 Time: 7:30 pm Contact: 650-921-2846
Sat, Apr 25 • Marathi Movie- Coffee Ani Barach Kahi Venue: Serra Theaters, 200 Serra Way, Milpitas, CA 95035 Time: 1:00 pm Contact: 650-248-7804
ATLANTA Upcoming
ILLINOIS Upcoming 1st and 3rd Sunday of Month • Chicago Children's Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes Venue: Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60192 (Next to Nissan Dealership) Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807
Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105
Mondays and Fridays
Fri, Apr 24 • Ranjeeet Rajwada Live in Atlanta
• Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Where: Metropolitan Asian Family Services
Venue: The Palace Restaurant, 6131 Peachtree Pkwy, Norcross, GA 30092 Time: 6:30 pm
Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105
Sat, Apr 26 • CMA Walkathon 2015 - for CORD Venue: Settles Bridge Park, 380 Johnson Rd, Suwanee, GA 30024 Time: 9:00 am Contact: 678-428-4718
Mon, Aug 31 • MITHAS 2014 Membership Venue: Wong Auditorium, MIT, 70 Memorial Dr, Cambridge, MA 02142 Time: 07:00 pm Contact: 857-205-9731
Swami Ishatmananda • Bhagavad Gita: Philosophy of life Venue: Public Library-95th Street 3015 Cedar Glade Rd Naperville IL 60564 Time: 1st friday of every month 7-8 pm Contact: 630-637-0662
• India Eternal: From the Vedic Age to the Present Venue: Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago 10915 N. Main Street Glendale Heights, IL 60139 Time: 10:00 pm Contact: 630-655-8822
India Post
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April 17, 2015
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Horoscope
April 17, 2015
India Post
49
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Your Weekly Future by Pandit Parashar April 17th - April 23rd 2015 (March 21 to April 20)
Y
ou will be getting ready for an upcoming event. Week very favorable for all financial matters. Business will pick up all of a sudden. You may travel to a nice place with family this week. New venture will turn profitable from day one. You may receive few annoying phone calls at home. Money will go on buying things for close family members.
(April 21 to May 20)
P
eople will expect you to react. Control your irritations and keep just smiling and you will be surprised to see the outcome. You will help spouse give final touch to many important things in and outside home. You may take family to a social event also. Money will go on good reasons. A vehicle may need minor repairs this week.
(May 21 to June 20)
D
ivine help and blessings of elders will help you resolve a tricky situation in life. Outcome will be nothing less than a turning point and some kind of jackpot. Your decisions will show maturity and far farsightedness. have meals on time this week. You will extend a helping hand to spouse also. You will attend a big party with family.
(June 21 to July 22)
O
pportunity will come on a silver platter. Do not waste your time in taking the decision or will loose it. Some one too close will try to irritate and test your patience. Try sitting by water and mind will clear up and you will find easy solutions. You may visit few old friends or close relatives. Bank balance will grow rapidly.
(July 23 to August 22)
(November 23 to December 22)
G
ambling instincts will continue to pay off in big way. You will not hesitate even for a second to take chances. Legal issues will be decided favorably. Bachelors will be introduced to some one in close circle, a person known for long. Things will keep getting better at work or in business. Just keep an eye on new subordinate.
(August 23 to September 22)
Y
ou should be extra careful when it comes to money and avoid making any big commitments way beyond your limits. Some of you may be desperately looking for a change in career. Expense towards a child will increase temporarily. You may be touch with an experienced person for advise. You may need to have your eye sight checked.
(September 23 to October 22)
Y
ou will be spending money on buying some expensive items for family and friends. Children will continue to do well. You may be looking for some partners for your new venture and may contact few old friends. Any business trip you take this week will bring instant rewards. Blessings from an older person will be really helpful.
(October 23 to November 22)
D
on't be surprised if you find additional money in your pockets. If you are not careful, you will end up adding few more pounds to your weight. You will have lots of fun with family and friends this week. Keep working on your plans and keep looking for ideal partners. Stay away from bidding on a totally run down property this week.
PANDIT PARASHAR, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations. He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com
Y
ou may need little help in making the right choice. You will be spending lots of money on family. News you had been waiting for, will be communicated in a dramatic way. You may drop the idea of going to a party on last minute. Money wise you will continue to stay in safe zone. A long distance journey may take final shape.
(December 22 to January 19)
I
t will be another relaxing week. You may go out with family and do some serious shopping. Sign for anticipated Changes in career will start to become visible. You may also dispose off some stocks recently purchased and pocket the profit. Some one close will send valuable and nice gifts. Some money will go towards taxes.
(January 20 to February 18)
G
et together will be a grand success. Your hospitality will be appreciated by every one. Things will keep improving at work as new associate will deliver more than expected. An older family member may need extra medical attention. Some of you may replace one of your vehicle with a newer model. Expenses will hardly hurt.
(February 19 to March 20)
Y
ou will recover the money you deserved after little negotiations. You may slowly start getting ready for an upcoming trip. Boss may call you in early week to discuss an important project. You may also visit few close relatives with family. Offer will come but you may drop your idea of making any change in career at this point.
510-886-4370 www.parashar.com
50 India Post
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April 17, 2015
KRISHAN SHARMA India Post News Service
NEW DELHI: Keeping up with their trend to nurture fresh fashion talent, Indian Federation For Fashion Development (IFFD) recently presented several new designers at the India Runaway Week Season 4. This season the selection of the New-Gen & Budding designers were made from 250+ submissions. IFFD chose these designers on the basis of some key criteria that included quality, innovation, marketability, and ability to legitimately take their business to the next level. "The increased number of entries along with the continued growth of the India Runway Week reaffirms the platform's stature in terms of relevance and reach in the Indian fashion market" Said Kiran Kheva, Fashion Director, IFFD. Most stunning amongst them stood Designer Shalini Gupta with her new collection of Kaaisha Studio - a blend of tradition with contemporary design. Avinash Pathania, Founder, said "IFFD has nurtured fresh fashion talent over three seasons of India Runway Week and provided them with an opportunity to showcase their creativity. Each season the designers have been mentored by IFFD and we expect them to grow to their fullest potential while maintaining their individuality." Shalini Gupta's creations boast of both contempo-
Shalni Gupta
on ramp with models
rary and traditional crafting techniques that make each product extremely unique coupled with a 'forever' shelf life to the discerning eyes of all ages. Every garment reflects the centuries old rich Indian tradition of art and craftsmanship that is passed down from generation to generation. Each piece has been embellished with traditional decorative motifs and emblems, such as crystals, pearls, zardosi and patch work, and intricate threading techniques, such as Mukesh embroidery. Shalini blends this traditional artistry with modern cuts and draping, to create striking sui generis outfits, such as saree gowns and Indo-Western fusion dresses. The Rainbow Collection is a dramatic palette of imagery, rapturous to the senses. The Madhubani Collection is based on miniature paintings drawn by awardwinning artists and given a contemporary touch of fusion with embellishments of pitta dabka, nakkshi and Swarovski crystal work. The beauty of the brand lies in its ability to provide garments for many an occasion. Be it a digitally printed sari for an evening out, a medium heavy suit for a day function or a heavy lehenga for the bride's big day, Kaaisha Studio has it all covered. Whether you are looking for something individualistic for an outdoor event, party, get together or wedding, Kaaisha offers something for all occasions. She told India Post that her designs were especially customized to the growing demand of NRI clientele in US.
India Post 51
April 17, 2015 www.indiapost.com
Four Colors best film; Kalki best actress India Post News Service
IFFLA Awards
LOS ANGELES, CA: The 13th annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) concluded on Sunday evening (April 12) with a red carpet and gala fete that featured the U.S. premiere of Nagesh Kukunoor's gorgeous tale Dhanak
premieres, seven North American premieres, two U.S. premieres, and 10 Los Angeles premieres. The films hailed from six different countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Cuba, and of course India, and featured
(Rainbow) and the presentation of the festival's Grand Jury and Audience Choice Awards. This year the festival showcased 25 film features, documentaries, and shorts at ArcLight Hollywood, home of IFFLA since its inception, including four world
10 different languages, from Hindi to Marathi, to German to Bengali. Four Colors (Chauranga), directed by Bikas Mishra, took home the Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature, with Best Actress honors going to Kalki Koechlin for Margarita, With A Straw, and
Shweta Tripathi for Haraamkhor in rected by Leena Pendharker. An Film Festival Lisa Ogdie, and a tie. The Best Actor prize, also a honorable mention was given to Heather Morris Washington, tie, was awarded to the young The Rabbit (Khargosh), directed Manager of the Emerging Writers stars of The Crow's Egg, brothers by Sudarshan Suresh. Fellowship at Universal Pictures. J. Vignesh and Ramesh. A special The jury hailed Dandekar jury mention was made for the Makes A Sandwich "for immedi- GRAND JURY AWARDS stunning cinematography of La- ately immersing us in the playful Best Feature: Four Colors bor Of Love. About Four Colors (Chauranga), the narrative jury stated: "The jury appreciated the way the film sensitively introduces the audience into a world of caste divided rural India that many of us are not familiar with. Inspired by a real life incident, it develops portraits of credible, insightfully drawn and diverse characters that, as Renoir said, 'all have their reasons'." The Grand Jury Prize for Best Short was presented to Dandekar From Left to Right: Pratyusha Gupta (Safar), Shweta Tripathi (Haraamkhor), Bikas Makes A Sandwich, diMishra (Four Colors), Christina Marouda (IFFLA), Jasmine Jaisinghani (IFFLA), Leena
With Padma honor, Big B feels honored & humbled NEW DELHI: Amitabh Bachchan and 49 others were honored with the prestigious Padma Award. The megastar received the award from President Pranab Mukherjee at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Amitabh Bachchan received the Padma Vibhushan award in the attendance of top dignitaries of the country and family members. Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP patriarch L K Advani and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were present at the function. Veteran actor Dilip Kumar who was also conferred with the award could not attend the ceremony due to his poor health. Big B received the award amidst cheer and claps. Son Abhishek, daughter-in-law Aishwarya, wife Jaya and daugh-
ter Shweta Nanda, her son Agastye and daughter Navya Naveli also graced the family's proud moment. The 72-year-old was dressed in a black bandhgala suit. Others who received Padma awards along with Amitabh
Bachchan were senior lawyer K K Venugopal, Dharmadhikari of Karnataka's Shri Manjunatha Swamy temple Dharmasthala Veerendra Heggade, 12-time na-
tional award winning filmmaker Jahnu Barua, Canada-born mathematician Manjul Bhargava, internationally acclaimed computer scientist Vijay Bhatkar, spiritual guru Swami Satyamitranand Giri, constitutional expert Subhash C Kashyap, Niti Ayog member Vivek Debroy and eminent endocrinologist Ambrish Mithal. Post the award ceremony, Amitabh said he was honored and humbled to receive the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second highest civilian award. "Honored and humbled, the Padma Vibhushan! Words fail me to acknowledge the love and affection of the people that brought me here," Bachchan later tweeted. Amitabh Bachchan was previously awarded the Padma Shri in 1984 and the Padma Bhushan in 2001.-PTI
Pendharker (Dandekar Makes A Sandwich), and Isaac Hagy (Tomorrow We Disappear)
world of this complex and layered character, delivered with an impressive comedic sensibility." The 2015 narrative film jurors were: director Sean Baker, actor/ producer Abhay Deol, long time member and frequent board director of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Yoram Kahana; author and film curator Berenice Reynaud and Ravi Mehta, Executive Vice President of Physical Production for Warner Bros Pictures. Judging the short films were star of NBC's hit show "Community" Danny Pudi, producer and Outfest Director of Programming Lucy Mukerjee-Brown, Shorts Programmer at Sundance
(Chauranga), Best Actor (tie): J. Vignesh and Ramesh for The Crow's Egg Best Actress (tie): Kalki Koechlin for Margarita, With A Straw and Shweta Tripathi for Haraamkhor Feature Honorable Mention for Cinematography: Labor Of Love Best Short Film: Dandekar Makes A Sandwich Short Film Honorable Mention: The Rabbit (Khargosh) AUDIENCE AWARDS Best Feature: The Crow's Egg Best Documentary: Tomorrow We Disappear Best Short: Journey (Safar)
52 India Post
April 17, 2015 www.indiapost.com
5 facts about White House state dinners WASHINGTON: Guess who's coming to dinner at the White House? Not as many people as you might expect. President Barack Obama has held the fewest number of state dinners since Harry Truman occupied the Oval Office 70 years ago. Obama held seven state dinners during his first six years in office. At least two more are planned for this year. Truman held office for nearly eight years and hosted six state dinners, according to the White House Historical Association. A state visit is the highest diplomatic honor the U.S. reserves for a country, typically an ally. It includes a state dinner where the two countries publicly celebrate their relationship. Some things to know about White House state dinners: WHAT DOES THE WHITE HOUSE SAY ABOUT OBAMA'S RECORD? It says Obama's overall level of engagement with foreign counterparts and the different ways he interacts with them are considered more important than the number of state dinners penciled on his calendar. White House spokesman Patrick Ventrell says a state dinner is one
diplomatic tool at the president's disposal, but it isn't the only one. Obama has met hundreds of times with his counterparts and
parts by telephone videoconference.
and
WHICH PRESIDENTS HELD THE MOST STATE DINNERS?
among other guests. Ronald Reagan had the second-highest number, a total of 52 state dinners during two full terms in office. Richard M. Nixon was third, with 42 dinners during an Oval Office tenure that was cut short when he resigned in 1974 over his role in the Watergate scandal.
WHICH NATIONS WERE I N V I T E D MOST OFTEN? The United Kingdom. It has been honored President Barack Obama, center, offers a toast on stage to French President Francois Hollande with 20 state at the State Dinner on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Obama has held the dinners, most fewest number of state dinners since Harry S. Truman, who left office 62 years ago. recently in 2012. Fifteen dinother foreign officials in settings Lyndon B. Johnson held 54 ners have been held for Italy, as formal as the Oval Office and state dinners in the five years most recently in 2008 under as casual as a Hawaiian golf and two months that he held of- George W. Bush. course. fice in the 1960s, according to the Israel has been the guest of He huddles with them on White House association. honor at 14 state dinners, its last stops abroad and has conferred Guests of honor at Johnson's appearance coming in 1999. with others on outings to Ameri- dinners included the Shah and America's oldest ally, France, can restaurants, sporting events the Prime Minister of Iran, and has been honored just nine and tourism destinations. Obama the president of Upper Volta, times, including last year. also consults with his counter- since renamed Burkina Faso,
AFRICA ANYONE? African countries have been the guest of every president on the White House association's list, except for Truman and Obama. George W. Bush was the last president to hold a state dinner for an African country: Kenya and Ghana. The countries of Ethiopia, Tunisia, Liberia and Egypt were frequent guests at one time. But Obama, who plans a July visit to his father's birthplace of Kenya, has not held a state dinner for an individual African head of state. In August 2014, he held an unusual group dinner for dozens of African dignitaries who participated in a Washington leadership summit. WHO'S NEXT IN THE BUFFET LINE? Japan and China will be honored this year. The White House has announced an April 28 visit and state dinner by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected later in the year. Obama's previous state dinners were for India, Mexico, China, Germany, South Korea, Britain and France.-AP
Traditional farm, ranch breeds decline
M
any traditional livestock and poultry breeds are disappearing, victims of an emphasis on higher production. Preservationists say today's farmers are concentrating too much on developing larger eggs, more milk and leaner meat, and bringing them to market as quickly as possible. The new emphasis ``reduces the life expectancy and quality of life for the animal, and introduces a whole host of complications that must be combated with antibiotics, artificial insemination and questionable husbandry methods,'' said Ryan Walker, a spokesman for The Livestock Conservancy in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Safeguarding ``heritage breeds'' protects genetic qualities that are important to our food system, he said. Traits forever lost would include culinary quality, structural integrity, parasite resistance, the ability to forage or free range, and easier birthing, among others.
The Livestock Conservancy conducts a census of American livestock breeds every 10 years, and of all breeds on its Conservation Priority List each year. The most endangered breeds on its list include livestock with fewer than 200 animals registered per year in the United States. ``While this is the threshold for this category, some breeds, like the Choctaw hog, have only around 100 animals left in the entire world,'' Walker said. ``Many of our heritage breed farm animals are far more endangered than the giant panda, Siberian tiger and black rhino.'' Animals and birds on the conservation priority list include breeds of donkeys, cattle, goats, horses, pigs, rabbits, sheep, chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese. They include the Morgan riding horse, a compact breed known for its versatility; Clydesdales - the familiar draft horses in Budweiser beer commercials; and Texas longhorn cattle, of West-
ern movie fame. The Texas longhorn are being lost to crossbreed-
horsepower for farmers pulling implements and equipment
Royal Palm turkey on a farm near New Market, Va. This attractive, smallersized turkey is on The Livestock Conservancy's Watch List, meaning it has an estimated global population of less than 10,000. The conservancy is a Pittsboro, N.C., based organization working to safeguard the genetic qualities of many traditional livestock and poultry breeds fading from farmyards in North America
ing with other cattle. ``Most of our draft horse breeds, including Clydesdales, have lost their jobs as a source of
around the farm,'' Walker said. Cathy and Jon Payne raise American Guinea Hogs, Gulf Coast Native sheep, American
and Silver Fox rabbits and a poultry assortment on their Broad River Pastures farm near Elberton, Georgia. All are on the Livestock Conservancy endangered list. Cathy Payne said some of those breeds ``came over in the 1500s on Spanish ships. I have a lot more interest in breeds that have been here for a while and have adapted to the area. They bring a genetic diversity that's resistant to disease.'' You don't have to be a large landowner to help. Even city dwellers can get involved by buying heritage breed products at farmer's markets, sharing information about heritage breeds, or working to get local laws enacted that allow these birds and animals to be raised in the community, Walker said. ``We have members in New York City who raise rooftop chickens, yet we have other members who live in rural suburbs who can't legally keep a few hens to provide fresh eggs to feed their family,'' he said. -AP
Philosophy
April 17, 2015
India Post 53
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T
he consciousness, in order to manifest itself, must have a form. And the form is the body, and the body is made up of the essence of the five elements, constituting the sustenance for the consciousness. Without sustenance in the form of the body, whichever body it may be - that of a worm, an insect or a human being - consciousness could not sustain itself; it is the food essence which sustains consciousness. If the various form of manifestation are merely the expression of universal consciousness, why is there the feeling of individuality in different form? Why should each form consider itself a separate one? As soon as that which is the unicity manifests itself, the very manifestation signifies duality. Manifestation means there has to be a subject and an object. Manifestation in space-time means divisibility. And it is the very nature of consciousness that as soon as it manifests itself, there are the opposites - evil/good, large/small, etc. From the moment the manifestation takes place, duality is its very nature and this must express itself. As soon as there is this manifestation, there is the question of duality, even in the five elements: the air, fire and water are themselves opposites. So the manifestation itself means duality. ROY DOPSON
T
ruth is absolutely Self-evident and therefore impossible to believe in. Belief necessarily implies uncertainty. Uncertainty is inherent within belief. Does one need believe that they exist? Directly experiencing one's own existence, what is there to believe? Only concepts can be believed. Beliefs are only concepts. A dog chasing its tail. When doubt, confusion, uncertainty, anxiety arise, enquire: "Does this doubt, confusion, uncertainty, anxiety, exist apart from the thought that arose with it?" Once it is realized that doubt, confusion, uncertainty, anxiety, is the thought, the Path is revealed. The Path (to Liberation from suffering) is one step. The OneStep Path is the single movement from thought to Being. It is also the movement from delusion to Truth, illusion to Reality, ego to Self, separation to Unity. Actually finding is the end of seeking. Perhaps You have been so accustomed to seeking that You don't even realize that You are terrified of the actuality of the end of the seeking. How many "spiritual" books have You read? If You have agreed with them, then why are You
If I say that I am ill, what does it means really? For the sake of communication, one uses the word "I." But strictly speaking, I have nothing to do with the form. The illness is on that because of which the form is made and is felt in the consciousness. And I am really neither the form nor the consciousness, which manifests itself in the form. But for the sake of communication, one says "I am ill," "I am worse," "I have grown weak" or "I have grown stronger," but that is merely an expression of the change in the
The conditioning which has taken place on that consciousness right from the beginning is the basis of the language of that particular from. Therefore, there are innumerable forms and any number of languages. Now there is a very subtle point and analogy regarding the ordinary language which we know and the spiritual language which we do not yet know. That to which one has been conditioned right from the beginning, that language does not need any special effort for anyone to learn. He or she gets used
natural. In the unmanifest Absolute, there is no consciousness at all consciousness of existence. So only when there is this universal consciousness manifesting itself in the various forms, and these forms possess the life force and are subject to the three gunas, can each form act through the life force according to the combination of these gunas. Each form acts according to its own nature. It is only when identification takes place, and I begin to think that I am acting, although it is only the combi-
The manifestation itself means duality Without sustenance in the form of the body,
FROM THE BIBLE Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
whichever body it may be - that of a worm,
-Hebrews 12:3
an insect or a human being - consciousBut even if you should
ness could not sustain itself
suffer for righteousness'
Nisargadatta Maharaj
essence of the form. But growing weaker or stronger, undergoing illness or otherwise, has nothing to do with "I" as such. There are innumerable languages, not only among human beings but also among forms of being other than the human being. But that one which the language is based - that is, the mind and the consciousness - does not change.
to it from early childhood, from the earliest conditioning. How? Through constant and consistent association. Similarly, if one has this constant and consistent association with the jnanis, then that language which the jnani speaks and which would normally not be understood by people, will gradually be remembered and understood and become
nation of three gunas that acts, that I assume quite unnecessarily the responsibilities and consequences of those actions, which properly are not mine at all. Excerpted from 'The Experience Of Nothingness' edited by Robert Powell. The 118th birth anniversary of Nisargadatta Maharaj will be observed on April 17.
still reading/seeking? If You are completely honest, You will have to concede that You continue to read/seek simply to keep the mind in operation. Words lead to more words. Mind leads to more mind. If You sincerely wish a conclusion to the search, You must be willing to conclude mind. When in thought, notice the thought process and the subsequent movement of emotion. Then
the appearance of separation arises. All conceptual models that appear to be distinct systems, all relate to the One. With the realization that all thought is metaphor, that which is Being represented is experienced directly. Such is transcendence from all duality, even death. "This is happening" is absolutely undeniable and therefore, Ultimate Truth. An effective way to delve deeper
type of relative revelation, then the assumption would be that Ultimate Truth points to the Ultimate Revelation; the Ultimate Reality, which will be the conclusion/transcendence of all questing/questions, and an end to all suffering. At a deeper level one would realize that Ultimate Truth is pointing to the "This" that is happening. The word "This" instantly brings one's attention to their im-
sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled -Peter 3:14 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. -Philippians 4:13 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. -John 3:16
Are you terrified of actuality at the end of seeking?
For to set the mind on the
At a deeper level one would realize that Ulti-
and peace.
flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life
mate Truth is pointing to the "This" that is hap-
-Romans 8:6
pening. The word "This" instantly brings one's attention to their immediate experience notice the passing of the thought and emotions. Ask: "What is more Real, that which arises and passes, or that from which all arises from and passes to? Do I arise and pass, or am I that from which all arises and passes?" To then witness the passing of the question itself is to experience the answer. You are the answer. There is One Reality, from which
into it is to try to disprove it by finding any type of fault or incompleteness within it. Welcome back. If you have found "This is happening" to be absolutely undeniable, then it must be Ultimate Truth. There is no way around it. And if it is Ultimate Truth, it must be pointing to something important. If all relative truths point to some
Trust in the Lord with all Roy Dopson
mediate experience. So could it be that the undifferentiated "This" that is one's own experience, is Ultimate Reality? Excerpted from 'The One Step Path.' Roy Dopson fights wildfires in Saskatchewan, Canada in the summer; he winters in Nova Scotia. His satguru is Ramana Maharshi.
your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
sure yourself FIRST. Call Sahanis, (Arish, Priya or Shiv) for your Insurance needs 718- 271- 0453. Serving for last 35 yrs
-Proverbs 3:5-5
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April 17, 2015
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Why 'Global Zero' is less of an illusion
S
ince August 1945 when two nuclear weapons destroyed the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and unimaginable horrors visited over 199,000 of its inhabitants, the world has lived with the implicit fear of widespread annihilation. During the Cold War that rapidly shadowed the mass killings of World War II, the two power blocs, the US and the then-USSR, in 'Strangelove-esque' logic, amassed over 70,000 nuclear warheads, with the fatal knowledge that the use of a nuclear weapon would set into motion an uncontrollable chain reaction. All the while, irrational, and often outlandish, doctrines of intent-to-use were hatched in the opaque corridors of power in Washington and Kremlin. 'Nuclear mysticism' of the period embraced Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), hair trigger arsenals, Launch on Warning (LoW), warfighting with nuclear weapons, and the idea of flexible response encompassing the prolific use of
have endorsed Global Zero. The plan envisages achieving a Global Zero accord by 2023 and complete nuclear disarmament by 2030. Implementation visualizes a four-phased action plan. Phase 1 proposed a bilateral treaty between the US and Russia to reduce arsenals to 1000 warheads each. Phase 2 conceives a further reduction of arsenals by the US and Russia to 500 warheads each, while a multilateral framework called for all other nuclear weapon nations to freeze their stockpiles until 2018 and enjoins them to put in place verifiable safeguards and enforcement systems to prevent diversion of fissile material towards weapon production. Phase 3 requires these nations to negotiate a Global Zero accord by 2023 for the proportional reduction of all nuclear arsenals to the zero level. The final Phase is reduction to zero and the continuation of the verification, safeguard and enforcement systems. Till recently, the problem with the entire scheme was lack of clar-
Central to the concept is to check the spread of nuclear weapons and associated technologies, account for and secure all fissile material, eradicate the threat of nuclear terrorism and abolish nuclear weapons tactical nuclear weapons, almost as if the resultant escalation could be controlled. Influenced by these very dangerously opposing concepts, the idea was that deterrence would prevail and strategic stability would be the outcome. The Cold War, in a debilitating conclusion, saw the break up of the Soviet bloc, emergence of a multi-polar world, proliferation of nuclear weapons, emergence of a clandestine nuclear black market and the rise of Islamist radicalism; the aggregate of it all was strategic uncertainty. In this wobbly milieu, in 2008, an international movement was launched with the improbable purpose of eliminating all nuclear weapons. Central to the concept is to check the spread of nuclear weapons and associated technologies, account for and secure all fissile material, eradicate the threat of nuclear terrorism and abolish nuclear weapons. Most world leaders including those of the US, Russia, China, Europe and India,
India Post
VICE ADMIRAL (RETD) VIJAY SHANKAR
ity of what measures would be needed to be put in place in order to establish a multilateral structure that addresses immediate nuclear risks. These immediate nuclear risks are presented by nations adopting a posture of intent to use nuclear weapons first; absence of transparency in strategic underpinnings; development and deployment of tactical nuclear weapons and its corollary of decentralizing control; and lastly the hazards of terrorists gaining access to nuclear weapons. During a meeting of the Global Zero Commission in Athens from 30-31 March, 2015, a draft report was presented; and its aim was to reduce the risks of deliberate or unintended use of nuclear weapons through the instrument of establishing a multilateral norm that de-alerts nuclear forces. Refreshingly encouraging was a suggested paradigm shift from intention-to-use to that of intent-toavoid the use of nuclear weapons.
Addressing the Commission, as one of the Indian participants, this author underscored that the nation's nuclear posture was founded on its declared policy of No First Use (NFU), which formed the basis of operationalising the arsenal. Intrinsic to its nuclear orientation was the separation of the custodian of nuclear weapons from controller, achieved not just in word, but by robust technological systems supported by stringent procedures and redundancies at every stage. Central to control was supremacy of polity. In this framework, there was no room for conflict between operational goals and strategic policy. On matters of hair-trigger state of alert of nuclear forces with intent-to-use, this author suggested that de-alerting of nuclear forces without a commitment to the NFU did not in any way assuage the situation since there were no apparent restraints to reverse transition from the de-alerted to the alert stage. The Indian and Chinese NFU posture provided a first step towards stability and the final goal of disarmament. On tactical nuclear weapons, this author was unequivocal on India's stand of being unwilling to distinguish between tactical and strategic nuclear weapons on grounds that control of escalation was not possible once the weapon was used. This author noted that the hazards of non-state actors gaining access to nuclear weapons was a real danger, primarily because jihadists are an integral part of Pakistan's military strategy, making subversion of their nuclear establishment an existential threat. The narrative was rounded of by this author by re-emphasizing that de-alerting of nuclear forces was a natural hand-maiden of a policy of No First Use of these weapons. Despite the doubts expressed by the Russian participants over the credibility of the NFU, the traction that the twin ideas of de-alerting and NFU generated amongst the Commission was surprising. Equally surprising were the Japanese reservations of how such a policy would affect extended deterrence; perhaps this was more on account of the inability to see a time when the need for nuclear deterrent forces would be a thing of the past. The writer is former Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command of India and Distinguished Fellow IPCS
Defense preparedness
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he NDA government led by Narendra Modi has inherited poor defense preparedness from the previous UPA government. According to one analysis, the 1.2-million-strong Indian army remains handicapped by severe equipment shortages, obsolete hardware and restricted night-fighting capability. India's air defense is said to be 97 per cent obsolete, the Army lacks the equipment it needs and its entire tank fleet is deprived of critical ammunition to defeat enemy tanks. The infantry severely lacks night fighting capabilities. Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha had expressed concerns about the continuing delays in the acquisition of fighter aircraft which have left the air force with an increasingly ageing fleet. Analysts say the IAF is staring at long-term shortage of fighter aircraft even with its current plans for acquisition, with at least 10 squadrons expected to go out of service by the year 2032, leading to a shortage of around 200 fighter aircraft. It is in this context one has to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to do an outright purchase of 36 Rafale fighters from France during his recent visit there. The deal involved cutting through the red tape, which included everything from offset rules to pricing. Abandoning the 'Make in India' mantra for 36 planes, Modi was able to get a better price from France because they are a direct G2G buy and do not involve technology transfer. Secondly, there was also no question of going back to the drawing board to re-issue the RFP (Request for Proposal) which would have added to the delay and could attract unnecessary criticism, political opposition and allegations of corruption. Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar has come out strongly in defense of the Rafale fighter jet deal. "India has finally broken the ice over the deal which has been pending for the last 17 years," he claimed. He added that the Rafale fighters in fly-away condition would be inducted into the Air Force in two years. Parrikar said the direct announcement of purchase of 36 Rafael aircraft by PM Modi in France was a result of the earlier negotiations going into a 'vortex.' "Negotiations under the existing 'Request for Proposal (RFP) had gone into a loop with no solution in sight." Parrikar indicated that the government was ready to scrap the current project under negotiation for 126 Medium Multi Role Combat aircraft (MMRCA) while specifying that any Rafael purchases in future would be thorough direct negotiations with the government and not the manufacturers. If Indian defense has been reduced to such a state that fighter jets have to be acquired off the shelf, the reason is that India's previous Defense Minister AK Antony almost stopped ordering equipment for fear of kickbacks and bribery. True the Indian defense establishment had been riddled with corruption but instead of reforming the involved bureaucracy, Antony jeopardized India's security by stopping arms purchases and not manufacturing them indigenously. Narendra Modi promises to change all that and has declared that timely, cost-effective and corruption-free purchase of defense weapons and other equipment was critical for the military. "The ideal situation is an efficient procurement system leading to timely and cost-effective procurement of quality defense equipment, done in a transparent manner," Modi said recently. Prioritizing military modernization, the PM dedicated the largest indigenously built guided-missile destroyer in August, and vowed to boost defenses so "no one dares to cast an evil glance at India." The Modi government has also removed bottlenecks on procurement from defense manufacturers affected by graft allegations. Purchases from six foreign companies, including Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc (RR/) and two local businesses that earlier faced curbs are now permitted. Five other foreign companies - Finmeccanica SpA (FNC), Singapore Technologies Kinetics Ltd., Israel Military Industries Ltd., The Corporation Zashchita and Rheinmetall Air Defense AG - will also now be able to conduct business in India. All this shows that the NDA under Modi now means business in defense matters also.
April 17, 2015
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