IndiaPost_05-06-2011 by Ghanshyam Bisht

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Dr Kalam wins over Chicago with charm Details on page 10

Meera visits MIT, Harvard to focus on education Details on page 7

VOL 16, No. 869

May 6, 2011

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Periodical Postage

U.S. ENVOY TO INDIA ROEMER RESIGNS

NEW DELHI: US Ambassador Timothy Roemer has Roemer, who was nominated by US President Barack announced his resignation from the key diplomatic post Obama in May 2009, is expected to leave by June. citing personal commitments. "Ambassador Roemer's departure is 54-year-old Roemer, a political ap- US loses out on for personal, professional and family pointee, said he has accomplished all of considerations," the US embassy said India fighters deal in a statement here. the strategic objectives set two years ago and he wants to go back home to Details on page 6 Details on page 6 look after his family.

Arizona bid to remove Balbir's name as martyr Details on page 21

Jesse Jackson praises role of AAPI Details on page 7

Islamic center sues Township over mosque Details on page 6

‘Big fish left untouched by CBI in 2G case’

IADO helps Pawar campaign chest swell

Details on page 36

Details on page 12

Tibet exile govt illegal, says China

End to entry/exit registration welcomed

Details on page 8

Details on page 44

US charges four more LeT men over 26/11

VHPA mourns the passing of Sathya Sai Baba

Details on page 8 Details on page 9

Indian Americans hold key posts at NBC Universal Details on page 35

INDIA POST SURVEY survey@indiapost.com This week’s question

Roemer tenure was good for India, US ties? Last week’s result

Atmosphere is building up in India against corruption? YES 63%

NO 37%

BOWING TO BABA: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi pay their last respects to Sathya Sai Baba inside Prashanthi Nilayamat Puttaparthi village, some 200 kms north of Bangalore, on April 26. (Details on page 9)

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 24-25 Classifieds ------------------------- 47

Doc to install defibrillators at temples

Community Post -------------- 10-21 Date Book -------------------------- 23 Edit Page --------------------------- 49

SRIREKHA CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

dian temples across the Tri-State area. An automated external defibrillator is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) that can lead to a cardiac arrest in a patient and is able to treat them through the application of electrical therapy which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm.

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

Details on page 40

HealthScience Post --------- 40-43 Horoscope ------------------------- 28 Immigration Post ------------- 44-46 Life Style ----------------------- 34-35 Philosophy ------------------------- 48 Publisherís Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate ------------------------ 38 TechBiz Post ------------------- 36-37 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 29-31

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May 6, 2011

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e're not going to be able to solve our problems if we get distracted by sideshows and carnival barkers," President Obama said to birthers last week, while - calling it "silly" - he buckled under political pressure to officially release his original birth certificate. Though I'm glad he came out with that blessed certificate just so we can move on without having to watch Donald Trump "barking" into our homes through the news channels every day, I'm pained that the President is forced to play this ridiculous game when there are serious issues to attend to. Election campaigns are fundamentally boring. You go through the same clichéd speeches about the same old issues; bickering candidates; exaggerated propaganda; the pseudo-nationalist fervor that the candidates try to arouse in people making even an economic recession seem like a terrorist attack or an alien war; and the churning of issues without solutions that leave you long after the elections are over, the same place where you were a year ago or four years ago, for that matter. And so, I'd guess 'sideshows' such as those we witnessed of Sarah Palin during the 2008 election cycle and now of Donald Trump, make for comic relief and remind us that no matter how important, there is no point in taking candidates seriously. I feel sorry for the GOPers who are so hard up for a worthy Obama challenger that they are clinging onto a loose-mouthed billionaire and reality TV star, who is far removed from the reality of life on main street; but I'd feel even more sorry for us Americans if we have to go through the entire election cycle listening to Trumpisms. I am not sure if the footage and column space the drama-loving media has been giving Trump is helping him any because every time he opens his mouth, he embarrasses himself with his baseless attacks on President Obama. While it's also a reflection on the media's deteriorating standards, I hope Americans can see where politics in this country is going without having it to be explained on a blackboard.

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Roti round Deepika Padukone was embarrassed when she couldn't make a roti for a cooking scene in YRF’s "Aarakshan"

Cover Story: Roemer resigns US Ambassador Timothy Roemer has announced his resignation from the key diplomatic post citing personal commitments.

Community: Kalam in Chicago

Former Indian President Dr Abdul Kalam paid a visit to Chicago at the invitation of Indo American Center (IAC).

Health: Cardiologist’s gesture Dr. Samin Sharma has undertaken to install at his personal cost automated external defibrillators in 25 Indian temples.

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Travel: Gangtok Rich flora, beautiful people and the serene Buddhist monasteries provide tranquility from the humdrum of modern life.

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US envoy to India Roemer resigns NEW DELHI: US Ambassador Timothy Roemer has announced his resignation from the key diplomatic post citing personal commitments. 54-year-old Roemer, a political appointee, said he has accomplished all of the strategic objectives set two years ago and he wants to go back home to look after his family. Roemer, who was nominated by US President Barack Obama in May 2009, is expected to leave by June. "Ambassador Roemer's departure is for personal, professional and family considerations," the US embassy said in a statement here. "When I accepted the job two years ago, I told President Barack Obama that I will serve for two years, but that family considerations would be the front and centre after that," Roemer said. Roemer said that the US-India relationship is on a "positive historic trajectory" towards a global partnership. "The horizons of our relationship truly no limits," he said. The US envoy said his two sons will be leaving for college in the next 14 months and he would like his parents and in-laws to spend more time with his children. Noting that he came as a diplo-

mat and was leaving feeling part of a family, he said, "For me and for my entire family the two years have been a time of incredible experiences, warm friendship, meaningful partnership". "The US-India relationship what my friend President Obama calls the defining partnership of the 21st century - has progressed to the global stage. I am very proud to have led the team responsible

Timothy Roemer

for deepening and broadening the strategic partnership of this critical bilateral relationship, which is one of the cornerstones of our foreign policy. "The US India relationship is on a positive historic trajectory to-

wards a global partnership that is changing the way our two nations create economic opportunity for our citizens, educating the leaders of tomorrow, and ensuring safe and secure communities," he said. Roemer said the Indo-US relationship has been further strengthened by the landmark 2009 visit and White House dinner honoring Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the history making trip by President Obama to India in 2010. President Obama committed America's support to India for a permanent UN Security Council seat and removed nine Indian companies from the entities list. "We have entered into a strategic dialogue on Afghanistan and a new joint economic partnership for capacity building," he said. Roemer said he was proud to have worked with the Indian government to sign the Counter-terrorism Cooperation Initiative providing groundbreaking joint USIndia work on mega-city policing, forensic lab training, intelligence sharing, and sharing best government-wide practices. He noted that during his tenure, the US-India defense partnership expanded exponentially. The sale of C130J aircraft and the pending sale of C-17s strengthen the strategic partner-

Islamic center sues Township for not allowing mosque India Post News Service

NEW JERSEY: The Al Falah Center in Bridgewater, New Jersey brought a suit against Bridgewater Township (NJ), seeking to compel the town to allow the Center to renovate and expand its existing structure into a mosque and community center. The Center's plans to move forward with plans to renovate an existing building so it could be used as a mosque and community center were derailed recently when the Township altered its zoning laws, transforming the applicable zoning for the proposed mosque property to prohibit rather than permit development of a house of worship. The complaint, which was filed in federal district court in New Jersey, alleges that the new zoning ordinance prevents members of the Muslim community from freely exercising their religion and discriminates against them on the basis of religion. The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund

(AALDEF), which is representing the Al Falah Center, said in a release that after a years-long search to find a suitable location to establish a mosque and Islamic community center, Muslims from Bridgewater and surrounding

The complaint, which was filed in federal district court in New Jersey, alleges that the new zoning ordinance prevents members of the Muslim community from freely exercising their religion and discriminates against them on the basis of religion communities finally identified an ideal location - a former banquet hall in Bridgewater. For months

the Al Falah Center worked with township officials to develop a suitable plan to renovate the building, which was located in a zone permitting houses of worship, into a mosque to serve the surrounding area as a house of worship, day care, religious school, and community center. But then, alleges AALDEF, following an anti-Muslim internet campaign, hundreds of people showed up to protest the mosque project at a Planning Board meeting to consider the proposal, and the Township suddenly changed course. "Rather than approve the Al Falah Center's plan as required by existing zoning laws, Bridgewater illegally rushed through a change to its zoning rules," AALDEF says. "The Township cited supposed traffic concerns; but the Township's own documents and actions, as detailed in the complaint, show that these concerns were not real and were not the reason for the zoning changes." Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 9

ship between the two countries, demonstrated the enduring commitment to sharing the world's best technology with India. "Our defense partnership offers economic benefits for both India and the United States and significant job creation in both countries," he said. Roemer said the joint commitment to conserve and protect the

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;India has opened the doors of its schools, communities, and hearts to my family. We will leave with full and grateful hearts for the many wonderful people who have welcomed us. We came here as diplomats and we leave feeling part of a family,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he added resources of the planet as global partners was evident in the concerted efforts made to identify and highlight practical, affordable green technologies.

"As Ambassador, I had the chance to travel with my family to all corners of this incredible and beautiful country. Whether I was playing basketball with Muslim girls in Lucknow, seeing the majestic tiger in Ranthambore, or observing the "aarti" on the banks of the mighty Ganga in Varanasi, I personally viewed how common values and common interests bind our two great democracies together more strongly every day," he said. The diplomat went on to quote Mahatma Gandhi who said, "A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people". "India has opened the doors of its schools, communities, and hearts to my family. We will leave with full and grateful hearts for the many wonderful people who have welcomed us. "We came here as diplomats and we leave feeling part of a family," he added. Prior to his nomination as Ambassador to India, Roemer was President of the Center for National Policy (CNP) in Washington, DC a moderate think-tank dedicated to finding bipartisan solutions to America's most important national security challenges. -PTI

US disappointed over IAF deal, but respects process NEW DELHI: With its fighters losing out in the bid for India's multi-billion dollar deal, the US has said it was "deeply disappointed" over it but was "respectful" of the procurement process. In a statement in New Delhi, Ambassador Timothy Roemer said he had been assured at the highest levels in the Indian government that the procurement process for the fighters "has been and will be transparent and fair". He said the US looked forward to continuing to grow and develop defence partnership with India. "The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi was informed that two aircraft offered by the U.S. Government through the Foreign Military Sales process were not selected for procurement by the Indian Ministry of Defence," the statement said. "We are reviewing the documents received from the Government of India and are respectful of the procurement process. We are, however, deeply disappointed by this news," Mr.

Roemer said. He was commenting on the rejection of Boeing's F-18 and Lockheed-Martin's F-16 fighters by India in the bid for multi-billion dollar Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) deal in which Eurofighter and French plane Rafale have been shortlisted. Mr. Roemer said he was "extremely confident" that the Boeing F-18IN and LockheedMartin F-16IN would provide the Indian Air Force an "unbeatable platform with proven technologies at a competitive price." He said he had been personally assured at the highest levels of the Indian government that the "procurement process for this aircraft has been and will be transparent and fair." Remaining convinced that the U.S. offers its defence partners around the globe the world's most advanced and reliable technology, the envoy said, "We look forward to continuing to grow and develop our defence partnership with India."-PTI

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Jesse Jackson praises role of Indian American physicians India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Rep. Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., (D-Illinois) commended the services of Indian-American physicians in making the US healthier and stronger. The eight-term Congressman, who addressed the two-day spring governing body meeting of American Association of Physicians of Indian origin (AAPI) last week, said he was proud to attend the AAPI meetings. He commended the selfless services rendered by physicians of Indian origin." There are several eminent physicians treating the underserved areas including many in my district and their cause and dedication are noteworthy." He referred to India's superb value system, excellence in education and distribution of knowledge and wisdom that makes the nation one of the superpowers. Rep. Jackson currently sits on the House Appropriations Committee, serving as the 4th most senior Democrat on the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; the Vice-Chair, or second most senior Democrat on the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs; and a member of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies. Referring to the inspiration he had drawn from the life of Mahatma Gandhi, he said "Mohandas Gandhi philosophy lifted my view of religion to a higher level of humanity." In an emotional yet inspirational speech, he said Gandhi's values and vision led to the success of Civil Rights Movement. He made a strong pitch for believing in our strengths. "If we can believe, we can achieve. I do believe that Tort

Reform will happen". He promised to work closely with the Indian community especially the AAPI and informed that he would dedicate a staff in his legislative office to liaison with AAPI to help further its pro-patients agenda like increase in residency slots. The Congressman was appreciative of the leadership role played by AAPI President Dr Ajeet R. Singhvi. The Congressman stayed till late night, mingled with physicians and danced to the tune of

Jesse Jackson

Bollywood singer Babul Supriyo. Dr. Singhvi honored Jesse Jackson Jr. along with the three past AAPI Presidents -Dr. Roshan Lal (1986-87), Dr. Gopal Lalmalani, (1994-95) who was recently elected as Mayor of Oak Brook and Dr. Satya P. Ahuja (19992000). Dr. Pawan Rattan introduced Congressman Jackson to the audience. The meeting was held in Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Chicago where AAPI headquarters is located. It witnessed Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs, non CME courses and leadership development seminars for young physicians. Dinner cruise and mid-night gala added fun to the hectic day-long ses-

sions and above all, the meeting hosted by IAMA, reaffirmed the unity in the ranks and file of the largest Indian-American professional organization in the US. All 10 present Board of Trustees, seven executive officers, six regional directors and all the three AAPI past presidents from the region, attended the function. The governing body approved proposal for nominating a patron member for $100 if the physician is nominated by an existing patron member of AAPI. The offer for dual membership (AAPI and affiliate chapters) was also extended until June 2012. AAPI governing body also approved the establishment of Health India Think Tank which was a culmination of discussion with Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Dinesh Trivedi at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in New Delhi. American Association of Obstetrics and Gynecologists of Indian Origin (AAGOI), a sub-specialty group, was formed at the meeting with Dr. Pawan Rattan as its President, Dr. Udita Jahagirdar as Vice President and Dr Eva Mahapatra as Secretary. The next convention will be held in New York in June, 2011, and the following year it will be held at Long Beach, California. The meeting approved subsequent conventions in Chicago in 2013 and San Antonio in 2014. Dr. Sunita Kanumury, President Elect, Dr. Narendra Kumar, Vice President, Dr. Jayesh Shah, Secretary, Ravi Jahagirdar, Treasurer, Dr. Vinod Shah, Past President, Priya Kundra, President YPS and Mamta Singhvi, President MSRF, Dr Ajay Lodha, New York convention chair, Dr Shashi Shah, president of AAPI Charitable Foundation and Dr Kishen Agarwal, chair of Legislative Committee of AAPI attended the meeting.

Gilani asks Karzai to dump US and ally with China WASHINGTON: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has asked Afghan President Hamid Karzai to dump United States and instead align with China for help in striking a peace deal with Taliban and rebuilding the economy, a media report has claimed. "The pitch was made at an April 16 meeting in Kabul by Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani,

who bluntly told Afghan President Hamid Karzai that the Americans had failed them both," the Wall Street Journal reported quoting senior Afghan officials familiar with the meeting. "Karzai should forget about allowing a long-term US military presence in his country," Gilani said, according to the Afghan officials. The Journal reported that

Pakistan's bid to cut the US out of Afghanistan's future is the clearest sign to date that, as the nearly 10-year war's endgame begins, tensions between Washington and Islamabad threaten to scuttle America's prospects of ending the conflict on its own terms. The report was immediately denied by Pakistani Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani.-PTI

Meera visits MIT, Harvard to boost education collaboration India Post News Service

NEW YORK: With a view to strengthen Indo-US relations through education, India's Ambassador to US Meera Shankar visited Boston April 20-22 where she met with the heads of MIT and Harvard University. At MIT, Ambassador Shankar met the President of MIT, Dr. Susan Hockfield; briefed her on education being a key focus area in India-US relations and invited MIT to partner with Indian institutions. Dr Hockfield was positive about MIT's ongoing cooperation with the IITs in Kanpur and Chennai, BITS Pilani, IIM Kolkata and IFMR Chennai and expressed the desire to expand collaboration with Indian institutions, particularly in areas of innovation and research. Ambassador Shankar also addressed the MIT India Forum on India's achievements and challenges as India moves toward greater socio-economic development and scientific and technological advancement. Ambassador Shankar also met the President of Harvard University, Dr. Drew Faust and discussed prospects of closer collaboration between Harvard and Indian universities and research centers. Dr. Faust expressed satisfaction at Harvard's active engagement with several universities in India, citing examples of JNU, BHU, Jadhavpur University, Indian School of Business in Hyderabad and universities in Manipal and Puducherry. Dr. Faust

Ambassador Shankar also met the President of Harvard University, Dr. Drew Faust and discussed prospects of closer collaboration between Harvard and Indian universities and research centers added that she keenly looked forward to her visit to India and hoped that the visit would lead to more institutional linkages and joint projects with India. Ambassador Shankar invited high level participation from MIT and Harvard University at the India-US Education Summit being scheduled to be held in Washington, DC in June this year. At the Harvard Kennedy School, Ambassador Shankar delivered a speech on "India-US Relations in an Asia Pacific Century" that was attended by senior faculty, scholars and students. She said that the

centre of gravity of global challenges and opportunities is shifting rapidly to the Asia-Pacific region and that India and the US are today more aware of each other's Asia Pacific identities, which has brought the two countries closer. Ambassador Shankar said that the traditional fragmentation of Asia into distinct and often mutually exclusive regions is losing its

While in Boston, Ambassador Shankar also called on the Governor of Massachusetts Dewal Patrick. The two discussed opportunities for collaboration between India and enterprises meaning because of the increasingly global nature of the challenges of today, many of which, such as terrorism, nuclear proliferation, energy security, piracy and cyber threats emanate from Asia, especially from India's extended neighborhood. India's growing trade and economic engagement with Asia (54% of India's exports go to Asia), a vibrant Indian Diaspora, particularly in West Asia, Singapore and Malaysia, importance of the Indian Ocean region for India's security and economic development, Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with South Korea, Singapore and Japan and a Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Partnership with the ASEAN countries are some of the indicators of India's larger interests in Asia, she pointed out. While in Boston, Ambassador Shankar also called on the Governor of Massachusetts Dewal Patrick. The two discussed opportunities for collaboration between India and enterprises in Massachusetts in the areas of biotechnology, wind, solar and other renewable forms of energy, robotics etc. Governor Patrick said he was deeply impressed by India's economic growth and development and that he was optimistic of greater collaboration between Indian companies and technology firms of Massachusetts. He informed Ambassador Shankar of his intention to lead a high-level trade and technology mission from Massachusetts to India, possibly early next year. Ambassador assured all possible assistance for the mission.

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US charges four more LeT men over 26/11 CHICAGO: One 'Major Iqbal', believed to be a Pakistan Army officer, is among four more Pakistani conspirators charged by US prosecutors with carrying out the 2008 Mumbai terror attack at the behest of Lashkar-e-Taiba. In a second superseding indictment filed by the federal prosecutors before a court here, the other three were identified as Sajid Mir, Mazhar Iqbal and Abu Qahafa. Besides, the indictment mentioned an unnamed individual "Lashkar Member D." All are residents of Pakistan. 'Major Iqbal', who has been named by the US prosecutors, is believed to be a Pakistan Army officer. A dossier India handed over to Pakistan in February, 2010 had named two Pakistan Army officers -- 'Major Iqbal' and 'Major Samir Ali' -- for their suspected involvement in the Mumbai attacks. The dossier was handed over during the Indo-Pak Foreign Secretary-level talks on February 25, 2010 in New Delhi. It is believed that the role of 'Major Iqbal' emerged in the interrogation by the FBI of US terror suspect David Headley, arrested in Chicago in October, 2009 in connection with the Mumbai attack. The four men identified were previously mentioned but not named in the indictments that charged Pakistani-American David Coleman Headley and PakistaniCanadian Tahawwur Rana in connection with the Mumbai attacks which killed 166 people, including six Americans.

Sajid Mir was associated with LeT and supervised others linked with the outfit. He served as a "handler" for Headley, who has confessed to his involvement in Mumbai attacks, and others who were directed to carry out actions relating to planning, preparing for and carrying out the terrorist strikes on behalf of LeT. While Abu Qahafa was an associate with LeT who trained others in combat techniques for use in terrorist attacks; Mazhar Iqbal

The court documents showed that in February 2009, one Abdur Rehman Hashmim Syed took Headley to meet LeT terrorist Ilyas Kashmiri in Waziristan region of Pakistan and 'Lashkar Member D' were LeT commanders. An individual known as 'Major Iqbal' participated in planning and funding attacks carried out by LeT in Mumbai, federal prosecutors said. It is said According to the indictment, Sajid Mir, Abu Qahafa and Mazhar Iqbal conspired with each other, Headley, 'Lashkar Member D' and others known and unknown to the grand jury, to deliver, place, dis-

charge and detonate explosives and other lethal devices in, into and against places of public use, state and government facilities, public transportation systems and infrastructure facilities in India. They acted with the intent to cause death and serious bodily injury, and with the intent to cause extensive destruction of such places and facilities and where such destruction would likely result in major economic loss. The indictment noted that the David Headley was a national of the United States, from where he was arrested. The court documents showed that in February 2009, one Abdur Rehman Hashmim Syed took Headley to meet LeT terrorist Ilyas Kashmiri in Waziristan region of Pakistan. During the meeting, Kashmiri indicated that he had reviewed Copenhagen videotapes made by Headley and suggested that they consider using a truck bomb to attack a Danish newspaper for publishing cartoons of Prophet Mohammad. Kashmiri also indicated that he could provide manpower for the operation and that the participation of Lashkar was not necessary. Headley, the federal prosecutors, said was associated with LeT and attended its training camps in Pakistan which began in or around February 2002, August 2002, April 2003, August 2003 and December 2003. he assisted senior LeT men in planning and preparing for terrorist attacks.-PTI

Tibet exile govt illegal, says China BEIJING: China has attacked the Tibetan government-in-exile as "illegal" following the election of a new prime minister to take over the organization's political duties from the ageing Dalai Lama. "The so-called Tibetan government-in-exile is an illegal political organization established by the Dalai Lama to engage in independence and separatist activities," foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters. "No country in the world recognizes it," he said, when asked to comment on the election of Lobsang Sangay. Tibetan exiles elected the 43year-old Harvard academic as their new prime minister after the Dalai Lama, 75, said he would give up his political duties but continue to be a spiritual leader. Sangay, an international law

expert, easily beat two other candidates for the post, securing 55 percent of the vote, the government-in-exile said on Wednesday from its base in Dharamshala. China last month accused the Dalai Lama of playing "tricks" on the world after the Buddhist monk announced plans to step down as political head of the exiled Tibetan government.

Sangay's village rejoices DARJEELING: The sleepy hamlet of Lamhatta off Darjeeling town is happy after its now-famous resident Lobsang Sangay got elected as the Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. The remote village, where Sangay was born and raised, is however holding the celebration till assembly elections are over,

Sangay's friend Sonam Chopy Norbu told PTI. Sangay had his primary education at the Central School at Sonada near Lamhatta and did his plus 2 from St. Joseph College in Darjeeling before moving to Delhi University to do his LLB. After graduation, he went to the Harvard Law School for further studies. At present, except for Sangay's grandfather, none other in the family lives at the village. However, they occasionally visit the village where a good number of Tibetans reside and the villagers are anxiously waiting for one of those 'rare' visits to celebrate. 43-year-old Sangay polled 55 per cent votes out of 49189, defeating his nearest rival Tethong Tenzin Namgyal by 8,646 votes, according to the results. -PTI

Obama turns Videographer India Post News Service

In this April 21, 2011 photograph released by the White House, President Barack Obama jokingly pretends to tape White House Videographer Arun Chaudhary backstage before a town hall meeting at ElectraTherm, Inc. in Reno, Nevada. The picture made it to the 'Photo of the Day' on the official White House website.

future president in video and stills. He and his team set a new standard in documenting history, delivering crucial images to the public from the road in real time. Before joining the Obama team, Chaudhary worked in fiction film in New York as a writer, director, location sound recordist, postproduction sound designer, and film critic. For five years, he was part of the NYU Graduate Film Department.

Indian American Chaudhary, it may be said, has a rather enviable job documenting American history as the Official White House videographer, who travels extensively with President Obama capturing public events and behindthe-scenes moments. Chaudhary was a key member of Barack Obama's New Media team during the 2008 presidential campaign. As the New Media Road Director, Chaudhary oversaw the team responsible for capturing the day-to-day life of the

In a profile on Chaudhary the New York Times had in the past said Chaudhary, who is the first person to hold the job, travels with the President on roughly two-thirds of his trips, documenting the behind-the-scenes occasions and public theatrics. "Arun's a very cool guy, though I have to tell him to get a haircut every once in a while," Obama was quoted as saying by NYT. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Duncan Fletcher is India's new cricket coach MUMBAI: Duncan Fletcher has been appointed India's cricket coach to replace the highly successful Gary Kirsten, ending weeks of suspense on who will take over the high-profile job. The 62year-old former Zimbabwe captain, who coached England from 1999 to 2007 with mixed results, has been appointed for two years. The decision to appoint Fletcher, whose name was doing

the rounds as a possible successor to Kirsten, was taken at the BCCI's Working Committee meeting here. The announcement came as a surprise as the BCCI had given no indication that it would name the coach. "Duncan Fletcher has been appointed as Coach of the Indian cricket team for two years," BCCI secretary N Srinivasan said in a release issued here.-PTI

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VHPA mourns the passing of Sathya Sai Baba India Post News Service

Devotees controlled by Police officials and volunteers try to catch drinking water packets as they wait to pay their last respects to Sathya Sai Baba outside Prashanthi Nilayam at Puttaparthi village, some 200 kms north of Bangalore, on April 26

Satya Sai trustees deny differences PUTTAPARTHI: Seeking to put up a united front, trustees of the Sri Satya Sai Central Trust have asserted there was no difference of opinion among them and said the new chairman of the Trust would be elected very soon. "Election of chairman may happen next week when the Trustees and Council of Management will meet. There is no will of the Baba as far as we know nor did he have his successor in mind," the trustees said at their maiden press conference at the Satya Sai Indoor Stadium here.

The trustees said there was no difference of opinion among them. Speaking on behalf of the Trustees and the Council of Management, former chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry Venu Srinivasan said, "The traditions that Baba established in various practices have been crystallized. The glorious traditions...We will follow in letter and spirit and maintain the same values. "Both the Central and the AP governments have assured that they would not interfere with the Trust activities," Srinivasan said.

Maintaining that the value of Trust properties was "hugely exaggerated" by the media, Srinivasan and another Trustee Naganand said the value was always subjective. "The Trust properties are for a specific purpose. Every single piece of land owned by the Trust is for charitable purposes and the properties are not available for sale or commercial exploitation," they said. Sathya Sai Baba died on April 24 after fighting illness for nearly a month caused by multi-organ failure. -PTI

Economic reforms have changed India's outlook: Blake WASHINGTON: A top US official has really stepped into that space in a very sigsaid the economic reforms initiated by Prime nificant way, in partnership with the United Minister Manmohan Singh in 1991, when States in part, Blake said. he was Finance Minister, has changed "You really see now that India wants to India's entire outlook, as a result of which play a global role and wants to exert its the United States wants to partner India on very positive influence around the world. a range of global issues. That's one of the most important new dy"I think the reforms have had a profound namics that's taking place I think in the early effect on India. part of this century," he said. Not just economically, "That's why President but in terms of India's enObama wants to partner with tire outlook," Assistant SecIndia, precisely that India retary of State for South wants to work with us, it and Central Asia Robert wants to be a responsible Blake told Knowledge @ member of the international Wharton in an interview. community, has the re"When I first arrived in sources to do so and it has India, India was still slightly the will to attack some of the inward-looking but was just really tough issues like gloRobert Blake beginning to change. I bal governance issues and think as a result of the ecoclimate change and non-pronomic reforms, growth began to generate liferation and to work in tandem with the resources and those resources gave the In- United States to do that," he said. dian government and Indian society the "That is a very, very important developwherewithal to expand their strategic hori- ment for the United States and that's why zons and to expand their strategic ambi- President Obama says that India's going to tions," he said. be a defining partnership of ours in the 21st India in the last seven or eight years has Century," he said. -PTI

opment besides support of sadhus (saints) and Vedic scholars. He created high tech multifacility hospitals, systems that supplied clean water to over 750 villages, and universities & institutions that give free higher education. Sathya Sai Baba had a special affection for the cause of Hindu Unity and cherished a dream for a grand temple of Lord Sri Ram at His birthplace in Ayodhya, in In-

NEW YORK: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) has extended its condolences to the millions of devotees worldwide, on the passing away of Sathya Sai Baba and believes that it a great loss to the human race. The spiritual leader left his earthly body at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, i n his Southern Indian hometown of Puttaparthiat at the age ‘Sathya Sai Baba was an of 85 on April 24. embodiment of spiritual wisThe VHPA said in a statement that Sathya dom, discipline and compasSai Baba was an em- sion - a shining star for entire bodiment of spiritual humanity. He will be rememwisdom, discipline and compassion - a shining bered as one of the greatest star for entire humanity. spiritual masters from the land He will be remembered of India in the modern times’ as one of the greatest spiritual masters from the land of India in the modern dia, the VHPA said. He stood with times who rekindled the highest Vishwa Hindu Parishad, India, in ideals of Hindu way of life and its movement against the destrucVedic culture. His message of tion of Ram Sethu (called Adam's Sanantana Dharma shall continue Bridge by the British) which is to reverberate through millions of seen as one of Hinduism's holiest his devotees in more than 139 sites. He was very keen that temples, Ashrams and other countries around the world. Sathya Sai Baba's far-reaching Hindu religious institutions must charitable works encompassed not be acquired by the governchildren's education, medicine and ments as they belong to the Deirural development, temple devel- ties and devotees.

Islamic center sues Township for not allowing mosque Cont’d from page 6

over the expansion of the famed Sri Venkateswara Temple in Bridgewater. In The complaint alleges that in changing 2009, the Hindu Temple overcame resisthe law to exclude the mosque Bridgewater tance from Bridgewater residents and won violated the Al Falah Center's federal con- a five-year battle with the Bridgewater stitutional rights under the First Amend- zoning board to expand its 28,300-squarement and the Equal Protection Clause of foot cultural center. the Fourteenth Amendment as well as the With neighbors fearing an increase in corresponding protections of New Jersey's noise, traffic and flooding, the township Constitution. A number denied the Temple expanof federal and state sion three times, twice in statutory claims are With neighbors fearing 2005 and once in 2006. also alleged in the com- an increase in noise, Eventually, however, plaint, including mulauthorities of the 1,200tiple violations of the traffic and flooding, member temple filed state Religious Land Use and the township denied and federal lawsuits Institutionalized Peragainst Bridgewater that the Temple expansion were withdrawn when the sons Act of 2000. Al Falah is repre- three times, twice in zoning board approved a sented by Archer & plan. 2005 and once in 2006 scaled-back Greiner, the Asian The Al Falah Center, American Legal Deon its website says it fense and Education Fund, the Brennan chose Bridgewater to build is new mosque Center for Justice, and its pro bono part- since Bridgewater "is a community that ner Arnold & Porter, LLP which is lead welcomes a rich variety of faith traditions counsel. - it is already home to seventeen Christian The mosque controversy comes on the churches, a convent, a Jewish synagogue, heels of another fight in the recent past, two Hindu temples, and one Sikh temple."

Desi News Indian Dance Festival wins great appreciation ANITA NAG & SHUBHA BASKAR

COMMUNITY

Arizona bid to remove Balbir's name from 9/11 memorial

ACROSS AMERICA

Details on page 22

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May 6, 2011

Dr Kalam wins over Chicagoans with charm and tips RAMESH SOPARAWALA & NISHA SUTARIA

Details on page 14

Children's film festival a big success SURESH SHAH

Fund raising dinner at Hindu Temple

Dr Kalam being greeted by IAC officials, CG Tomar and others

CHICAGO: Greek philosopher Plato once said that if philosophers were made kings, the world would be a better place to live in. "Philosophers [must] become kings…or those now called kings [must]…genuinely and adequately philosophize," he said. If one were to choose a ruler in the present world epitomizing Plato's thoughts, former Indian President Dr Abdul Kalam would easily top the list. Dr Kalam paid a visit to Chicago last week at the invitation of Indo American Center (IAC). The underlying message

he gave during the three days of crowded meets - from IAC to Fermilab, University of Chicago to University of Illinois and Council

Dr Kalam arriving at IAC

level was the sin qua non for global peace, prosperity and harmony, The scientist turned philoso-

Dr Kalam's messages of righteousness and giving to the society resonated during his visit to Chicago beginning with his address to the gathering of seniors and newsmen on Global Affairs to the Indian Consulate - was that imparting of righteous values at the family-

pher felt that the threat of global terrorism could be nipped at the family level, the rampant corrup-

tion in India also could be eradicated if children had ethnical upbringing and even poverty globally could be abolished with righteousness all around. Dr Kalam's messages of righteousness and giving to the society resonated during his visit to Chicago beginning with his address to the gathering of seniors and newsmen at the Indo American Center on Saturday, April 23. He was talking on the topic of "Creating a Better World."

SURI SWAMY

CHICAGO: The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago (HTGC) has scheduled its semi-annual fund raising dinner on Saturday May 7. This will be the first of two fund raising dinners that the temple organizes every year and the theme of this program is aptly called "Bhoori Virala Danam" meaning "please donate generously". The event will start with the social hour at 6 p.m followed by the main program at 7 p.m. After the invocation by temple priests and opening remarks, there will be two dance items as part of the evening's entertainment - one is a Kathak number performed by Anila Sinha Foundation followed by a Bharatanatyam dance. Details on page 18

Meeting university students

IACís Jay Luthra welcoming Dr Kalam

Contíd on page 20

May 6, 2011

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Strive to be unique, Kalam tells youth SURESH SHAH

BARTLETT: Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India, visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett, Illinois on Sunday April 24. He was the keynote speaker at a youth conference, titled "Today's Youth, Tomorrow's Leaders." Dr Payal Patel, a physician and Akshar Patel, member of the Skills USA organization, welcomed Dr Kalam. Traditional greetings from Sadhu Vivekmurtidas, the head Swami of the Mandir, and the leadership of BAPS Midwest followed.

Dr Kalam interacting with children

Kalam at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

‘When you look up in the Mandir you see these light bulbs," said Dr Kalam, "Who do you think of when you look at a bulb? Thomas Alva Edison. He is remembered for creating the light bulb and in the same way we should be known for something. We should all strive to be unique’ Dr Kalam addressing the Youth Conference

Hundreds of little children seated in the Mandir sang Vedic prayers as Dr Kalam paid respects to the murtis by offering flowers. The children spoke of their aspirations and how coming to the Mandir has helped them create goals that they wanted to accomplish in their lives. When one child said he wanted to be a doctor, Dr Kalam asked him why he had this dream. He responded by saying he wanted to help people. "When you look up in the Mandir you see these light bulbs," said Dr Kalam, "Who do you think of when you look at a bulb? Thomas Alva Edison. He is remembered for creating the light bulb and in the same way we should be known for something. We should all strive to be unique." Dr Kalam was then welcomed by over 1500 delegates of the youth conference as he entered the main assembly. State Senator John Millner, State Representative Randy Ramey and Bartlett Village President Michael Kelly were also in attendance addressing the youth gathering. Reflecting upon personal life stories, the local leaders addressed the assembly on youth leadership.

Sadhu Vivekmurtidas welcoming Dr Kalam

In his keynote speech, Dr Kalam spoke on the power of the youth and the promise they hold

as the world's future. The former president inspired the youth to serve their family, their commu-

nity, their nation, and humanity as a whole by working hard in their education and career goals

while making sure to selflessly give back to society. He engaged the audience, making them take several oaths, which ensured that the youths present take the necessary steps in creating a better future for all. Dr Kalam mentioned the problems in today's society, including education, poverty and hunger. He requested that each individual at the conference make it a mission to spread literacy throughout their lives and challenged them to teach five people to read. "I am convinced that the youth power, if properly directed and led, could bring about transformational changes in humanity for its progress, meeting its challenge and bringing peace and prosperity," Dr Kalam addressed. Contíd on page 13

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Dr Kalam advocates Common Market for South Asia JODH SINGH RAWAT & RAMESH SOPARAWALA

Dr Kalam mingles with guests at the Consulate

CHICAGO: The Indian Consulate Chicago hosted a dinner in honor of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the former president of India and an acclaimed scientist on April 25 at the Consulate office in Chicago. At 8.45 pm, Dr Kalam arrived at the consulate and was welcomed by Consulate General along with her staff and prominent members of Indian community who were invited at the occasion. After a brief introduction, Dr Kalam was requested to address the audience. The former president gave detailed information on how the Government of India was trying to uplift the rural areas and the people below the poverty line through PURA (Providing Urban amenities in Rural Areas). He also threw light on how science and technology is adding to these projects. He was keen to specify to the people of Chicago about the role of the Indian Government in

PURA. He urged the people to be part of it and support it to help the country of their origin. In an answer to one of the questions he advised that NRIs must first contribute to the country where they reside. Their first priority should be the land where their

dreams and promises were fulfilled. There were many questions about corruption, black money, the dangerous use of pesticides, and his best and worst moments at Rashtrapati Bhawan etc. One of the questions well taken by the President was about the common

market in South Asia to defuse the mounting tension in the region. The President quickly replied that he was once confronted by a Pakistani student while speaking about India's development through science and technology by asking if Dr Kalam's efforts will benefit both the countries or only India? Dr Kalam's answer to the question of South Asian Common market was that the European countries have a history of fighting and hatred for thousands of years but now, since the formation of European common market they are happy and are helping each other. If they can do it why can't we? Quite possible not impossible, he observed. Dr Kalam took interest in all the questions especially science & technology and explained how this can help India's progress in strengthening the common man and as a country itself. Dinner was followed by a photo session around 9.30 pm. Overall it was an event of lot of information about progress through science & technology in India.

Salient features of his speech: Three important events: First one is the successful launch of polar satellite launch vehicle on the 20th April 2011, placing three satellites in polar orbit one is India's high-tech remote sensing satellite, second-one is a scientific satellite from Singapore, and the third is a youth satellite developed jointly by India and Russia. All the satellites are doing

European countries have a history of fighting and hatred for thousands of years but now, since the formation of European common market they are happy and are helping each other. If they can do it why can't we? Quite possible not impossible, he observed very well. The second event is, India has become world champion in limited over one-day cricket. The entire nation has proudly celebrated the unique position India has achieved. The country has achieved the top most position in the world in all three major dimensions of cricket - Tests, one day cricket and the 20:20 matches. The entire team needs appreciation. ContĂd on page 20

Dr Kalam being welcomed at the Consulate by Consul General Mukta Tomar, Consul Vishwas and others

IADO helps Pawar campaign chest swell SURENDRA ULLAL

CHICAGO: A front ranking political body of Indian Americans in Chicagoland, the Indo American Democratic Organization (IADO) held a fundraiser-cum-reception for the first ever Asian American Alderman Ameya Pawar at Holiday Inn in Skokie recently. The event was attended by over 100 members, guests and invitees, including Raja Krishnamoorthi, former, Deputy Illinois State Treasurer, Jesal Patel, Board of Trustee to Lincolnwood, prominent businessmen and community activists. It helped enrich the Alderman campaign chest by about $1,20,000, according to Dr. Ram Gajjela, former IADO chief. Welcoming the guests and Alderman Ameya, IADO president

Harendra Mangrola presented compliments of all IADO members and the Indian community to Pawar for his singular achievement in getting elected from a constituency that has relatively small Indian population. He said in his address that "a lot of City employees feel empowered, a lot of young people feel inspired and others are proud with Pawar's presence in City council." Mangrola also asked Pawar to support the Indian community and to take Indian voice to City Council. He pitched for inclusion of Indians in his Advisory team. Congratulating Pawar and Ram Emanuel, Dr Ram Gajjela, IADO executive director and past President raised his expectation with

Alderman Ameya Pawar

IADO President Harendra Mangrola

the first elected Indian candidate and with IADO-endorsed mayor Emanuel. He said that Indian community is growing stronger politically and economically and urged Emanuel to recognize the strength of this community. He also pitched for

meting out even treatment to minority businessmen, including Asian Indians, in getting City deals and contracts. He felt that excepting in a few areas like construction and road building, many businessmen from the Asian group feel left out.

IADO Trustee and Past President Dr Ram Gajjela

Giving a brief about IADO history he said, victory of first Indian American is a big accomplishment and asked everyone to rejoice the moment and urged community to work for such achievements. ContĂd on page 15

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Moneydart expands in Chicagoland, sets goals for Midwest RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Headed by ebullient Prabhakar Patel, the Chicago based facility of Moneydart Global Services, is set for a fast expansion. An associate company of UAE Exchange Center LLC and a leading exchange house on the global scene, Moneydart had a start in Chicagoland with a facility in a southwest suburb Naperville in 2008 and it soon branched out to mini-India Town on Devon Avenue in Chicago in 2009. Buoyed by the response that it had

evoked from the public at large, the Midwest region head Prabhakar Patel with the backing of the management team in USA in New Jersey, decided to move

An associate company of UAE Exchange Center LLC and a leading exchange house on the global scene, Moneydart had a start in Chicagoland with a facility in a southwest suburb Naperville in 2008 to a north side suburb of Chicago Hoffman Estate, to serve the clients better and faster. On Friday April 22, Mayor Wil-

Strive to be unique, Kalam tells youth

Children greet Dr Kalam at BAPS ContĂd from page 11

Sadhu Amrutnandandas, in charge of BAPS North American Youth Activities, ended the conference by emphasizing the importance of individual spirituality as a necessity to sustain leadership qualities by sharing examples from the life of the spiritual leader of BAPS, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Dr Kalam has had a long lasting relationship with the BAPS community and Pramukh Swami Maharaj, having attended many events while serving as President of India, including the opening of the Akshardham Cultural Complex in New Delhi. Dr Kalam also visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandirs in London, UK as well as Toronto, Canada during his previous international visits. The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a worldwide socio-spiritual organization in Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, is dedicated to community service, peace and harmony. Motivated by Hindu prin-

liam McLeod declared open the Hoffman Estate facility on Golf Road in the presence of close to 100 guests and invitees which included former Illinois State Trea-

ciples, BAPS strives to care for the world by caring for societies, families and individuals. Through a number of social and spiritual activities, BAPS endeavors to produce better citizens of tomorrow who have a high esteem for their

Dr Kalam has had a long lasting relationship with the BAPS community and Pramukh Swami Maharaj, having attended many events while serving as President of India roots, their rich Hindu culture. Its 3,300 international centers support these activities of character-building. Under the guidance and leadership of His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, BAPS aspires to build a community that is morally, ethically and spiritually pure, and free of addictions.

surer Raja Krishna Moorthy, Hoffman Estate Chambers of Commerce executive Director Cheri Sisson, Schaumburg Hoffman Es-

Moneydart launched in Hoffman Estate. Seen in the picture Mayor William McLeod cutting the ribbon. On his left is Midwest region's head Prabhakar Patel. Both are flanked by the Moneydart staff and guest Kasi Paturi.

tate Planning council member Kasi Paturi, Moneydart Executives Kartikanath Kandakatla and Sumit

Parbhakar, Moneydart staff members and local business interests. ContĂd on page 16

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Indian Dance Festival wins great appreciation ANITA NAG & SHUBHA BASKAR

ST LOUIS: The Third St. Louis Indian Dance Festival hosted by Soorya Performing Arts at the Clayton High School Auditorium from April 15 to 17 created a wholesome appreciation of the rich Indian dance traditions and a better understanding of the same. The festival presented 23 different dance teams by 134 artists coming from different cities of USA and India. It was enjoyed by more than 1400 art lovers across three evenings. The Indian dance styles date back to several centuries and vary in classical dance and folk dance forms. The assortment of dancers in the exceptionally well organized dance festival revealed the essence of dance intelligence. All these dances provide not only entertainment, but also reflect a deeper philosophical meaning of life. The festival was started off by Kris Weiser Dalton a devoted student and an upcoming performer of Bharathanatyam. She had her initial training in Ballet and Jazz in the New York area. She presented traditional Bharathanatyam pieces such as Pushpanjali, Asaindadum and Tillana. Kris's participation represented the interest of the mainstream American population in learning an Indian art form and her performance was very well received by the local American population. Then Pallavi Chandak, a local Bollywood/folk dancer presented folk dances from her students Archana Reddy and others. Mohini attam Dancer Lakshmi Kurup from New York, presented Natyamanjari, which portrayed the role of an annoyed heroine, who is astonished to see her beloved in her house after a long interval. Her presentation had subtlety and refinement at the same time. The classical performances were interspersed with folk dances such as the vibrant Bhangra performed by youngsters such as Gajan, Suyash, Anjana and friends, who rocked the auditorium with thunderous claps. Later there was a collaboration of two styles, also referred to as 'Jugalbandhi' with Kathak (a north Indian classical Dance form) and Bharathanatyam (A south Indian Classical dance form), performed by Lakshmi Shriram (from Kentucky) and Ashwini Gogate(from North Carolina), exhibiting the vibrant movement and vocabulary. Aditi Bandhopadhyay's Odissi was an unimaginably amazing dance with storytelling from the epics such

Impressive Bharathanatyam by Abhinaya Dance Company, San Jose, CA

as the Ramayana. On the second day, Sneha Bagavandoss of Case Nritya, a student organization of classical dances in Case Western University, Ohio, presented Kavyanjali and Tirukkural. Akshata Sridhar's presentation was slow, yet elegant and she showed to be a promising dancer. Soorya Performing team presented Bhavayami, a famous piece depicting Ramayana. It was well balanced, and showed lots of promise of becoming a great dance sequence. Shalini, Sumi, Annuja and Amudha impressed everyone with their Abhinaya skills.

presented a romantic nostalgia of Krishna & Radha. Abhinaya Dance Company (from San Jose) stole the heart of the audience with their impeccable dance movements and astonishing choreography of Guru Mythili Kumar. Rasika Kumar performed extraordinarily. Natya Dance Theater (from Chicago) presented "Shivam" and proved itself one of the best teams of the country. Guru Roopa Shyamasundar from Detroit deserved kudos for presenting a wonderful dance drama - "Desh" - based on the history of India. Charlotte Moraga (from San Francisco, CA) who was honored with

Aditi Bhattacharya, originally from Kolkatta, presents Odissi representing Mudra, Columbia, MO

Mrs. Seema Kasthuri's melodious voice added charm to mesmerizing presentation of Ramayana, one of the great epics of India, which was choreographed by Guru Prasanna Kasthuri, who also played drums (mridangam) for the show. Another highlight of Saturday was an enchanting Odissi dance by Sreyashi Dance Team and the harmonious dance of twin sisters Ishika and Kritika with another talented dancer, Ananya Kar. The abhinaya composition of Guru Sreyashi Dey - "Manini" - deserves a greater appreciation as it portrayed the excellence and experience of Guru Sreyashi and

The festival was started off by Kris Weiser Dalton a devoted student and an upcoming performer of Bharathanatyam. She had her initial training in Ballet and Jazz in the New York area

the title "Gem of Dances" presented flawless Kathak performance and made her Guru Chitresh Das very proud. On the third evening, Guru Sujatha Srinivasan, a veteran dance Guru from Cleveland, Ohio, presented "Annamacharya Padanirjanamu". She presented famous compositions of Annamaiah such as Parama Purusha, Alarulu Kuriyaga and Dolayam. She was at ease with both Nritta and Abhinaya. Guru Hema Sharma, who also performed that evening with her students, received an award for her service to Indian performing arts in Kansas City area. The Wash-

Pallavi, an Odissi dance number presented by Guru Sreyashi and students

ington University students from St. Louis also presented an exceptional performance of Bhangra which kept everyone on the edge of their seats. The dance collaborations of the final days, particularly the performance of Modern, Jazz by University of North Texas with Prathibha Natesan was engaging as the mannerism with which it brought together two very different cultures is a feat that is frequently attempted but very rarely performed with such excellence. So also the Indian modern danc-

classical dance repertoire. His dance included his past works related to Upanishads and Bhagavatham. His major dance number, "Bali Moksha" was very crisp and elegant in the Sanchari Bhava. His performance was filled with a neat Nritta and sparkling Abhinaya. His rhythmic footwork in Kathak was hypnotizing and his selection of items was exceptional. The host organization, Soorya Performing Arts felicitated Guru Hema Rajagopalan (Chicago, IL) and Guru Mythili Kumar (San

Bharathanatyam-Kathak Jugalbandhi by Lakshmi Sriram and Ashwini Gogate

Guru Prasanna Kasthuri prostrates to Goddess Durga in his dance production "Reflections"

Aditi Bhattacharya, originally from Kolkatta, presents Odissi representing Mudra, Columbia, MO

ing by Anjali Tata, alumni of UCLA, with Prof. Patrick Suzeau, head of Dance Department of Kansas University. Sunanda Nair presented a beautiful Mohiniattam and was honored with the title "Abhinaya Shikhamani" by another mohiniattam danseuse, Ms Smitha Rajan. Pallavi Prativadi, who visited from India, gave a marvelous Kuchipudi (South Indian Classical Dance Style) performance. Guru Prasanna Kasthuri, the main person behind St. Louis Indian Dance Festival, performed the final dance of the festival. He presented "Reflections" from his

Jose, CA) with Life Time Achievement Award, recognizing the three decades of service of these artists in USA towards promoting Indian classical and performing arts. Legendary Sitar player Ustad Imrath Khan honored these artists. St. Louis Indian Dance Festival is a unique dance festival, which has its footing in the past, but embraces the future with innovations. Art patrons have rightly said that "the St. Louis Indian Dance Festival is here to stay and promises to continue to bring the richness of the varied performing arts time and again to St. Louis".

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Yoga in White House activities lauded Over 100 participate in MFC Health Fair SURI SWAMI

HIMALI BHARUCHA

Dr Dayal Meshri

Sohan Joshi

Rajan Zed

CHICAGO: The move by White House for including yoga in "133rd White House Easter Egg Roll" held in the South Lawn of White House in Washington DC on April 25 has met with huge favorable response from Indian Americans across the country. A "Yoga Garden" is one of the "highlights" of the event. "Come enjoy a session of yoga from professional instructors", the official White House Blog says about the Yoga Garden and adds: "Kids will be able to relax and learn yoga moves in the Yoga Garden". Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, is among the first to welcome this move and so are Sohan Joshi, a former head of Federation of Indian Associations in Chicago, Ashwin Patel of St. Louis, Dr. Ashok Jain of Detroit, Dr Dayal Meshri of Arkansas and Sudhir Vyas of New Jersey. Rajan said in a statement in Nevada that although introduced and nourished by Hinduism, yoga was a world heritage to be shared by all. Joshi mentioned that Yoga has proved to have huge beneficial impact on physical health.

Sudhir Vyas asserted that combined with meditation, it will help mental health as well. Yoga is traced to Indus Valley civilization and was one of the six systems of orthodox Hindu philosophy. According to Patanjali, who codified it in Yoga Sutra, yoga

prove posture, breathe deeply, and get rid of stress. About 30,000 people from all over USA are participating in this event, which besides traditional Easter egg hunt and egg roll also includes live music, storytelling, instructional dance party, obstacle course, basketball and tennis, arts and crafts workshop, kids' kitchen, etc., for which 205,739 tickets were requested through the online public lottery. Children will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of basketball and tennis from professional athletes on the President's court. Almost 60 volunteer face painters are participating in this event to be held from 7:30 am to 6:20 pm. The Easter Egg Roll is a White House tradition dating back to 1878 and President Rutherford B. Hayes, but there are records of informal egg rolling events as early as Abraham Lincoln's administration. The First Lady is the official host of the White House Easter Egg Roll. Easter, the Feast of the Resurrection of Christ, is one of the greatest and oldest feasts of Christianity.

The Easter Egg Roll is a White House tradition dating back to 1878 and President Rutherford B. Hayes, but there are records of informal egg rolling events as early as Abraham Lincoln's administration is a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical. According to National Institutes of Health, Yoga may help one to feel more relaxed, be more flexible, im-

IADO helps Pawar campaign chest swell ContĂd from page 12

Jitendra Digwagankar, who was instrumental behind the success of Pawar, shared his initial experience and reaction of Indian community towards Pawar. Pawar in his remarks thanked the community and his supporters, and dwelt on the salient features of his election campaign that primarily was fought with a shoestring budget and door-to-door personal level campaign by him and his supporters. He then shared his vision to make things better for all Chicagoans especially his constituents in 47th ward. He also asked young Indian Americans to show interest in politics and in City Council Administration. The event was compeered by

Shajan Kuriakose and Radha Patel. Kuriakose briefed everyone with IADO past, present and future perspectives. Patel gave detail account of Emanuel and Pawar

He shared his vision to make things better for all Chicagoans especially his constituents in 47th ward challenges and scopes and urged them to pay attention towards the Indian community. The event concluded with dinner served by Holiday Inn.

Mrs. Santosh Kumar, the CFO and the Executive Director of MAFS, Dr. Manoher Jethani, a board certified physician, MFC and Pramod Kumar, the CFO, MAFS

CHICAGO: For the health and well being of the elderly, Metropolitan Family Clinic hosted a free, well organized health fair at MAFS Naperville site recently. Over a hundred people participated in this event. Health screenings on diabetes, to monitor blood glucose level, Cholesterol, to measure HDL & LDL levels with lipid profile, bone density, to check for osteoporosis, breast and cervical to detect cancer; Bariatric testing for geriatric care and pulse oximetry testing to monitor the stability of oxygen & pulse rate were offered to the participants. The doctors team was led by Dr. Manoher Jethani, a board certified physician for over 35 years, specializing in Emergency, Bariatric and Anti-aging medicine. Pramod and Mrs. Santosh Kumar, the CFO and the Executive Director of MAFS respectively, announced much needed health services for everyone including but not limited to open-access scheduling for appointments to be

made within 24 hours which can help avoid waiting for Emergency room visits and hospital admission and medical services at a low reasonable cost if one does not have insurance. MFC has community open hours from 9am to 3pm Tuesday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1p.m. on Saturdays, at 1032 E. Ogden Avenue in Naperville. They encouraged all participants to take advantage of the benefits MFC has to offer. In addition to above, Manmohan Sharma a nutritionist, a training director, MAFS and an author of four books, namely Defeating Diabetes with nutrition, High BP tamed without medicine, Turning off Cancer with food, Alzheimer - new hope, presented an educational workshop on Diabetes. He emphasized three important factors which can help diabetes patients, namely, reduce fat from everyday diet, eat whole foods, and walk everyday whenever possible. ContĂd on page 17

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Children's film festival a big success SURESH SHAH

N R N Gowda and Darshan Bhatt lighting the lamp along with children

CHICAGO: The first ever Indian Children's film festival in America, SILPIX Children's Film Festival 2011 held recently at Elgin Community College in Elgin, a north side Chicago suburb, met with a big response. The event organized and presented by SILPIX Entertainment, Inc USA & Children's India, was also supported by Children's Films Society, India. Twenty-seven movies in eight different languages were screened. All these had subtitles in English. A short film made in US was also screened. The actor in leading role in this short move, Darshan Bhatt, a Chicago native, was present at the festival. The festival was inaugurated by N. R. N. Gowda, Film Producer & Director from India. SILPIX Splendor - a Cultural Program was also arranged as a part of the ceremonies at the festival. Dance and song performances were given by youth members belonging to local cultural organiza-

tions Punjabi Cultural Association, Telugu Association of Greater Chicago, Bengali Association of Greater Chicago and few dance schools Mudra Dance Academy, Bollywood Rhythms and Aananda Dance Theater. Girish Ramamurthy, President of SILPIX Entertainment promised

A group of organizers

came true with this festival. Professor David Tarleton of Columbia College Chicago and Hidayat Khan, representing the city of Elgin also spoke at the SILPIX Splendor event. SILPIX honored two of the festival's Diamond Sponsors - Enopi & Vasanti Bhatt - REMAXX realtor.

Volunteers & organizers: Top row: Kokila N Gowda, NRN Gowda, Swaroop Raj Gowda, Triveni Rao, Anupama Mangalavedhe, Arun Murthy, Satish Gopinath, Shreenivasa Rao, Nitin Sarode, Gurudutt Ramamurthy, Venkatesh Munivenkata and Anitha Dasappa

cago and Elgin Community College. The topics included (i) Becoming a DIY filmmaker, (ii) Writing Short Films, (iii) Editing, (iv) Directing and (v) Introduction to Acting, Voice Movement, Auditioning, the business of acting and stage combat.

There were vendors at the location selling variety of food and other promotional items and also providing information about health, real estate, educational and insurance services. Representatives from ASHA for Education

There was also a seminar where NRN Gowda talked and answered many questions about making movies in India. Those attending liked the workshops very much A section of the crowd

to strive to make the film making dreams of the younger generation come true. NRN Gowda said that his dream to showcase award winning Indian children's films in USA

SILPIX had also arranged special workshops at the festival in the area of film making. Workshops were conducted by professors from Columbia College Chi-

There was also a seminar where NRN Gowda talked and answered many questions about making movies in India. Those attending liked the workshops very much.

were also present. The two day festival was well attended and all those who attended enjoyed watching many movies shown in five different theaters.

Moneydart expands in Chicagoland, sets goals for Midwest ContĂd from page 13

Mayor Mcleod in his brief address welcomed Moneydart decision to come to burgeoning village of Hoffman Estate and assured all possible help to make it a successful business venture that would prompt many others also to come to his village. Offering congratulations on behalf of all the members of Hoffman Estate Chambers of Commerce, Cheri Sisson said that it was a wise move on the part of Moneydart management to come to her town and felt that it would meet with a great success, Prabhakar Patel, the Midwest region executive of the company, welcomed the guests and briefly dwelt on the progress made in the past three years of the company operations. He was confident that the management decision to come to North side suburb of Hoffman Estate would help it serve the com-

munity better. He introduced his associates Satish Parbhakar, Kartiknath and the Hoffman Estate facility head Riddhi Raval. In a talk to India Post, he said that the Moneydart management has chalked out a plan of expansion for Midwest and in a very foreseeable future - probably early 2012 - would have facilities in Cincinnati-OH, Indianapolis- IN and Milwaukee WI. "This is all being undertaken to make Moneydart a front ranking global money exchange house offering service with a smile to its customers in our part of the world," he said. Moneydart is the trademark service name for Moneydart Global Services Inc., incorporated in New York State. Since inception in 2000, its commitment has been to provide transparent and smart service to customers, helping them realize full value for their money. Moneydart services are avail-

Sumit Parbhakar (Head business Development Americas), Promoth Manghat (Vice President Global Operations), Sudhir Kumar Shetty (COO-Global Operations), Shanil Ganjoo (Manager Branch Operations & Customer Care), Prabhakar patel (Manager Business Development Chicago), Ajit Paul (Regional Head Americas) & Srikar Beeravally (Assistant Manager)

able in New Jersey and Illinois through direct branches and over 100 retail agent locations. In over 35 states, its services are available through a network of partner establishments. Moneydart services are available worldwide across 90 countries

through a strategic alliance with UAE Exchange - a leading currency exchange house based in United Arab Emirates. At Moneydart, the customer is given utmost priority. The business runs on efficient support systems using state-of-the-art technologies.

Processes are fully automated and an in-house technology team ensures self-sufficiency in software development and support. The company's portfolio includes technology-backed services and there are comfort-level enhancers in branches for customers.

May 6, 2011

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Priya sisters' concert enthralls Chicago Over 100 participate in MFC Health Fair NAND KAPOOR

Manmohan Sharma, a nutritionist, a training director, MAFS and participants who are interested in learning about diabetes. ContĂd from page 15

Priya sisters at Balaji Temple

CHICAGO: Commencing the 25th anniversary cultural celebrations, Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple, Aurora, IL, hosted the famed duo Priya Sisters in Carnatic Classical Vocal rendition of 'Annamacharya Sankeerthanavali' on Sunday April 24 at the Veluchamy auditorium. The auditorium was packed with

Srikanth Venkataraman on violin and Neyveli Skandasubramanian on mridangam. The raagalapana and tani avartanam presented by them was a thrill that made the audience sit and enjoy every bit of it. Even the light classical lullaby of Annamayya's Jo Achyutananda was a pleasure to listen to. The concert of Haripriya and

The fact that none in the well-packed auditorium moved out even while the tani avartanam was on explains how good the concert was. Every raga they rendered and shared was itself a sumptuous essay worth remembering music lovers. The fact that none in the wellpacked auditorium moved out even while the tani avartanam was on explains how good the concert was. Every raga they rendered and shared was itself a sumptuous essay worth remembering. They were ably supported by

Shanmukhapriya was reminiscent of the bani of their teachers, Radha and Jayalakshmi. 'Jayalakshmi varalakshmi' rendered in a rare ragam Lalitha was delivered beautifully. The main piece of the evening was "Anu renu paripurna" in ragam Shanmukhapriya. Haripriya's alap was expansive and

glided through the octaves exquisitely. Violinist Srikanth Venkataraman played neatly. Between the sisters, they constructed a stream of kalpanaswaras and beautified this long kriti. The Tani by mridangam artiste Neyveli Skandasubramanian was electrifying. Priya sisters excelled in rendering the kritis of Annamacharya. "Amma Amma Alamelumanga Nachiyar Amma" (Bhairavi), 'Indariki Abhayambu ichu cheyi' and ' jagaDapu janavula jaajara' were sung by the artistes with much enthusiasm. Priya sisters rendered few Vemana Padyalu much to audience's delight. As a tribute to the spiritual Guru Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba the sisters sang few bhajans towards the end of the concert which were thoroughly appreciated by the audience. The Chairman of Balaji Temple, Sri Ramaraja Yalavarthy, and trustee Dr N.S.Rao honored the artists and praised the cultural committee and the artists for all their efforts.

Keeping in mind the individual differences, everyone was offered different solutions to overcome their own particular health problems related to Diabetes. This health fair was a grand success. Both health screening

and education were greatly beneficial to the participants. All persons went home with practical preventive measures that they can incorporate in their daily lives as well as with a better understanding of the medical treatments available for their own health conditions or diseases.

Blood draw for health screening

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Fund raising dinner at Hindu Temple SURI SWAMY

Indian Americans mourn Sathya Sai Baba RAMESH SOPARAWALA

A performance by Anila Sinha Foundation student

evening's entertainment - one is a Kathak number performed by Anila Sinha Foundation followed by a Bharatanatyam dance performance by the Kripa Bhaskaran and students of Natyarpana Dance School, Milwaukee.

The cost of all three projects is estimated to exceed $100,000. HTGC President Prasanna Reddy and finance committee chair Lakshman Agadi appealed to all devotees to attend this dinner and donate generously to make this event a grand success of this program is aptly called "Bhoori Virala Danam" meaning "please donate generously". The event will start with the social hour at 6 p.m followed by the main program at 7 p.m. After the invocation by temple priests and opening remarks, there will be two dance items as part of the

As the guests start to enjoy the sumptuous dinner served in banquet style, the musical extravaganza "Sur Dhaaraa" by Suranjali group will begin. This is a Bollywood style music program with Suresh Israni's group accompanied by Hitesh Master and his "Orchestra SaReGaMa".

A classical Bharat Natyam dance (file photos)

Bhima Reddy, a past president of the temple, said that funds are mainly needed for "Sri Rama Gharbhalayam roof and wall repairs", "Ramalaya Mahamantapam lighting renovation" and "Renovation and painting of Rama temple exterior". The cost of all three projects is estimated to exceed $100,000. HTGC President Prasanna Reddy and finance committee chair Lakshman Agadi appealed to all devotees to attend this dinner and donate generously to make this event a grand success.

Pak singer Munni Begum concert on May 21 A Q SIDDIQUI

CHICAGO: The Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association of Greater Chicago (AMUAA-GC) has announced hosting a grand musical evening featuring the famous Pakistani Geet and Ghazal singer Munni Begum on Saturday May 21 at the College of Lake County's Grayslake Campus, Building C Auditorium in Grayslake, a north side Chicago suburb. The program, organized for the exclusive benefit of education of girls living in economically disadvantaged communities in India, will begin at 7 p.m. sharp; gates will open at 6.30 p.m. All proceeds will go towards girls education projects.

Munni Begum

Munni Begum was born in Murshidabad, West Bengal, India. Her parents migrated to Pakistan in the early 1950s. She began her career as a singer in Karachi in 1970s and released her first album of ghazals in 1976. It became a smash hit and broke all previous records. As for Munni Begum's hit ghazals, the list is nearly endless. Some of these are: Jhoom barabar jhoom sharabi; Har qadam zehmatein; Tumhare sheher ka mausam bada suhana lage; Ek Bar Muskura Do; Awaargi Mein Had Se Guzar Jaana Chahiye; Dil Ko Hale Karar Mein Dekha; Idhar zindagi ka janaza uthe ga bhujhi hoi shama ka dhuaan hun Mareez e mohabbat unhi ka fasana.

CHICAGO: Indian Americans in around the world. Chicagoland joined many across Sathya Sai Baba's far-reaching the country and back home in In- charitable works encompassed dia in children's mourning education, the passmedicine, ing away rural deof a great velopspiritual m e n t , guru, Sri temple deSathya Sai velopBaba, in ment behis home sides supt o w n port of Puttaparthi sadhus on Sun(saints) day, April and Vedic 24 at the scholars. age of 85. A l l S r i through Sathya Sai his life Sai OrganizaBaba tiretion, a four lessly decade served the old body poor, the of Sathya needy and Sri Sathya Sai Baba Sai devothe ill. His tees in Chicagoland, has been contribution to the spread of holding Satsang and Bharjan- healthy way of life is immense Kirtan session for the past week by any standard as he helped here at Ramada Inn in Glendale creating high tech multi-facility Heights. Vinod Gandhi, one of the hospitals and systems that supmost active members, said, "We plied clean water to over 750 vilwill continue to spread the Sai lages. Equally impressive was Baba's message of love and ser- his help in promoting modern vice to humanity all the time." education among masses with The organization has 1100 mem- the setting up of universities and bers and has been rendering yeoman services in the Chicagoland area. Balaji cultural event had a small rendition of devotional songs by Priya sisters in praise of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. All those present at the Nand Kapoor Madhu Patel Priya sisters concert thorinstitutions that gave free higher oughly appreciated them. Madhu Patel, the founder education. He was steadfast in his oppoPresident of NRI Press Club in Chicago, said that Sai Baba was sition to the destruction of Ram an embodiment of spiritual wis- Sethu (called Adam's Bridge by dom, discipline and service to the British). He was very keen humanity. Rajnikant Bharucha, that Ashrams and other religious one of the devotees in Des institutions must be freed from Plaines, said that he will be re- government acquisition as they membered as one of the greatest belonged to the deities and spiritual masters who rekindled devotees. Besides Indian Americans, his the highest ideals of Indian way of life and Vedic culture. Nand hundreds of non-Indian devotees Kapoor, a former head of Asso- and many other social religious ciation of Indians in American, organizations like VHP have exobserved that message of tended their deepest condolences Sanatana Dharma will continue to the millions of devotees worldto reverberate across the globe wide on the passing away of Sai and through millions of his devo- Baba. They believe it to be a great tees in more than 139 countries loss to the human race.

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Jathedar Sri Akal Takht visits Atlanta & Chicago

In Chicago with Baba Daljeet Singh

JS BEDI India Post News Service

ATLANTA: It was indeed a special Vaisakhi for the Atlanta sangat this year. Gracing their Vaisakhi celebrations was Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar Sri Akal Takht, Amritsar. He was accompanied by Giani Ranjit Singh, Head Granthi Gurdwara Sri Sis Ganj Sahib Delhi and Ambassador of the Sikh Dharma Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa. The visiting luminaries joined the Atlanta sangat to celebrate Vaisakhi at Gurdwara Sadh Sangat

of Georgia as guests of S. Inder Paul Singh who also manages the Gurdwara. Giani Gurbachan Singh inaugurated the newly installed Nishan Sahib and the new langar hall and the recently renovated extension of the main structure. All three visitors addressed the sangat and emphasized on the importance of educating children in Sikh ethos and values so that they can pass the baton to the next generation and thus ensure that our culture, language and way of life does not disappear in this great melting pot called America.

Sikh delegation with TSA officials in Chicago

All three visitors addressed the sangat and emphasized on the importance of educating children in Sikh ethos and values so that they can pass the baton to the next generation and thus ensure that our culture, language and way of life does not disappear

There was a small procession and the three guests were among the Panj Pyaras there. Turban issue discussed CHICAGO: Arriving in Chicago early April 18, Giani Gurbachan Singh and Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa were joined by Head Granthi Takht Sri Hazoor Sahib, Giani Partap Singh. This is the first time that the Chicago Sangat received a dignitary representing Takht Sri Hazoor Sahib. Here they were hosted by Baba Daljit Singh Ji. Later that morning Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa and Giani

Gubachan Singh had a meeting with O'Hare Airport TSA manager and his team for discussions on the turban issue. Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh interpreted for the Akal Takth Jathedar. There have been many incidents where Sikh travelers have been humiliated at security checks and the TSA has forced them to remove their turbans. The TSA manager and his team assured the Akal Takht Jathedar that his staff will be educated on Sikhs and Sikhi and Sikh travelers will be treated with dignity and not made to remove their turbans.

Jalaram Mandir in Chicagoland set for expansion SURI SWAMY

CHICAGO: Shree Jalaram Mandir in Hoffman Estates, a northwest Chicago suburb, is expanding. It will include extending the existing building to expand the garbh-gruh (altar) area towards west, which will be topped by three domes; a porte-cochere entryway, 69 new parking spaces, etc., which has reportedly been approved by the Hoffman Estates Village Board and is expected to be completed in the course of next few months. The Mandir might propose a larger expansion to the north side in future, according to Yogesh Thakkar, a spokesman. Dedicated to Jalaram Bapa, renowned saint of Virpur (Gujarat, India), this temple, also known as Virpur Dham of America, was originally a church when it was purchased by Shree Jalaram Mandir Organization registered in 2006. After transformation into a Mandir, it was inaugurated in 2008. Its weekly events include Shiv Abhishek, Bhajan, Hanumanji Abhishek, Sunderkand Path, Satsang; while it conducts three aartis dailyMangla Aarti, Shangar Aarti and

Sandhya Aarti. During the remaining part of the current year, it will organize Satnarayan Samhu Katha, Gurupurnima, Shivpuran Katha, Independence Day Ceremony, Janmashtami, Ganesh Choth, Srva Pitru Sradh, Navratri Mahotsav, Mataji Havan, Dashera, Sharad Purnima, Dhan

tips, positive thinking, improving social skills, etc. It also conducts various free cultural-spiritual activities for youth and senior citizens. Madhusudan Thakkar, Hasmukh Thakkar, and Yogesh Thakkar are Chairman, Vice Chairman and General Secretary respectively of

It will include extending the existing building to expand the garbh-gruh (altar) area towards west, which will be topped by three domes; a porte-cochere entryway, 69 new parking spaces, etc., which has reportedly been approved by the Hoffman Estates Village Board Teras-Dhan Puja, Kali ChaudaSundarkand Path, Diwali & Annakut, Nutan Varsh, Jalaram Jayanti and Tulsi Vivah. The Mandir currently offers classes in Bharat Natyam, Gujarati, music, tabla, yoga, resume-career, mathematics, culture, musical keyboard; and plans to offer instruction in interview

the Trust Board; while Chirayu Parikh, Bhupendra Thakkar, and Vipul Thakkar are President, Vice President and General Secretary respectively of the Executive Board. "To spread the message of love, peace and humanity", is the mission of the Shree Jalaram Mandir, Yogesth Thakkaar

pointed out. Virpur style boondi, ganthiya and khichadi are served as prasad every Thursday and Sunday.

Virpur is a small village about 52 kilometers from Rajkot where saint Shree Jalaram Bapa (17991881) was born.

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Dr Kalam wins over Chicagoans with charm and tips to discriminate between right and wrong * Empowerment of women is a must for the betterment of society and they should be given a higher percentage of seats in the Parliament * If the European nations could bury 150 years of wars and differences, why not India and Pakistan

Hearty send off at O Hare Airport. ContĂd from page 10

Govind Limbachia, Seniors Program Assistant, offered a traditional Indian welcome and observed that "Dr Kalam is a great teacher showing the world what the next step forward is and how to take it." Dr Kalam was taken round the center and was briefed about the Center's activities by Executive Director Jay Luthra and Sher Rajput. He lavished wholesome praise at the various educational and recreational activities under-

taken at the Center, especially its learning programs for children and seniors. He witnessed the unique "mission of sharing knowledge" which he had never seen before. In response to a question from IAC President Prem Balani, he said "Keep doing what you're doing, keep giving to the society, and you will continue to succeed and further the growth of the community." In his brief address and during the question answer sessions that followed he observed that: *Corruption in India could be eradicated if children were taught

"What we need today is a number of creative leaders who collectively enrich the planet and the human condition," he explained. Additionally, he recognized the Illinois high schools students that were winners of the essay contest that was held in his honor: Maya Holay, Vinod Punyani, Shivankar Raghu, Sathvika Ashokkumar, and Shivam Malik

end 60 years of skirmishes * India is set to be a global power in the next one decade * Nuclear energy is among the cleanest and needs to be tapped. Dr Kalam was at Oakbrook Marriott addressing 500 guests. The event was hosted by IAC. In his introductory remarks, IAC Executive Director Jay Luthra stated, "Dr. Kalam has already visited the Center, but many of you

Dr Kalam at Fermilab

have not - I would like to encourage all of you to come visit the Center at your convenience to see its programs and services in action." During his address, Dr Kalam took up the important question of how to build "happy, prosperous, and peaceful societies across the globe" as related to education, spirituality, and economic development. He spoke of the potential that is found in "integrated global cooperation," particularly in the two of the largest democracies of the world, India and the US, who "have much potential to be harnessed for the welfare of the entire humanity." Dr Kalam emphasized the importance of youth playing a pivotal role in the advancement of nations worldwide. "What we need today is a number of creative leaders who collectively enrich the planet and the human condition," he explained. Additionally, he recognized the Illinois high schools students that were winners of the es-

say contest that was held in his honor: Maya Holay, Vinod Punyani, Shivankar Raghu, Sathvika Ashokkumar, and Shivam Malik. Dr Kalam engaged in question and answer sessions during which he emphasized the need to give "What can I give?" in terms of contributing knowledge and kindness free of cost to community members. Secondly, he felt all people should be cognizant of: "Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in character. When there is beauty in character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world." Dr Kalam visited Fermilab, University of Chicago, and University of Illinois the next day and addressed a well attended meeting at Chicago Council on Global Affairs in Chicago Downtown. He ended his three days sojourn to Chicago attending a dinner reception.

Dr Kalam advocates Common Market for South Asia ContĂd from page 12

Over the years, many veterans have contributed to this prominent position in world cricket. Of course, Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni comes out clearly with the leadership quality that "when a problem occurs, you become the captain of the problem, defeat the problem and succeed". The third event is, the GDP growth in India, coming back to over 8% due to the intensive progress made in automobile sector, pharmacy, IT and small-scale industries and even in agriculture. This year there is a record production of about 235 million tonnes of food-grains. Of course, we have associated problems, particularly in the area of corruption where a number of movements have started. These are just three ex-

amples from the huge development accomplishments of India. What is the message from these? They represent a vision followed by well-structured programs and missions and sustained through a chain of dedicated creative leaders. Vision 2020 Based on various inputs from Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), the Indian government announced the vision statement that India will become a developed nation by 2020. Such a statement is very rare, since every government in India is elected only for a period of five years and thinking of over 20 years time frame by the Parliament and the government is a fresh breeze. Dr Kalam said, "Now let me present the current ambience of India as a nation.

Indian economy was growing at an average of 9% per annum till 2008. Later, Indian economy was

India's performance in automobile, IT sector, Pharma, small scale industries and the infrastructure has brought a new dimension to the Indian economy affected due to global economic turbulence, nevertheless it grew at 6.75% in 2009 (IMF figure) and is expected to grow at 8-8.5% in the

current year. I was asking myself, what type of innovation is needed to enrich world economies in the present circumstances. I had discussions, on this subject, with many experts including those from the Indian Institute of Management. It came to light that the Indian economy was less affected due to the world financial crisis. This is due to: i) The liberalization process in India has its checks and balances consistent with the unique social requirements of the country. (ii) The Indian banking system has always been conservative which has prevented the crisis (iii) The Indian psyche is generally savings-oriented and living within means is part of the mind set. (iv) The purchasing power of 400 million people of Indians. These four reasons have re-

duced the effect of global turbulence in the Indian economy. Now we have fully recovered. The industry is poised to grow at 9% and beyond from this year onwards. India's performance in automobile, IT sector, Pharma, small scale industries and the infrastructure has brought a new dimension to the Indian economy. At the domestic level, India is focusing on bringing sustainable development through rural and urban infrastructure, quality education, healthcare, environmental up-gradation, bringing vibrancy in the public institutions for better and enhanced delivery of essential public services on time, reforming the financial system for better global integration. A proactive regulatory system is on the way for transforming India into a global player before 2020.

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Arizona bid to remove Balbir's name from 9/11 memorial India Post News Service

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer is signing a bill to remove Balbir Singh Sodhi's name from the state's 9/11 memorial and sell his memorial plaque as scrap metal. Arizona Representative John Kavanagh introduced the bill because Sodhi "was not

colleagues to deny the fact that Mr. Sodhi's murder was a consequence of 9/11, is completely unfounded, unacceptable, and shows a complete failure in leadership." Saldef has implored the Sikh American community to take action against letting Arizona rewrite history and trivialize the first hate crime in the wake of 9/11. It has urged

Saldef has implored the Sikh American community to take action against letting Arizona rewrite history and trivialize the first hate crime in the wake of 9/11. It has urged the community members and others to sign the petition urging Gov. Brewer to veto this insensitive and offensive bill a 9/11 victim." In fact, Mr. Kavanagh believes the tragic hate crime was unconnected to 9/11. In a statement, Saldef said it was outraged at the disrespect the Arizona state legislature has shown Mr. Sodhi's memory, family, and the Sikh American community. "The efforts by Mr. Kavanaugh and his

the community members and others to sign the petition urging Gov. Brewer to veto this insensitive and offensive bill. It said, "As we mark the ten year anniversary of Mr. Sodhi's death, this is a blow to the Sikh American community as a whole. We should not allow the voice of victims of hate to be silenced."

Pasadena museum exhibiting Hindu sculptures India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: Prestigious Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena (California, USA) is currently exhibiting 11th century sandstone Vishnu in its "Ancient Sculpture from the Hindu-Buddhist World" exhibition, which will continue till August one. This exhibition examines the connoisseurship and conservation involved in identifying and preserving these ancient objects. It explores how the place of origin and date of an object can be determined by the rendering of drapery pleats, hairstyles and ornaments of iconic statuary from South and Southeast Asia dating from the 3rd through 13th centuries, according to Museum announcement. These works include study objects from India, Thailand, Cambodia and Afghanistan. Applauding Norton Simon Museum for exhibiting Hindu focused art, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) said that art had a long and rich tradition in Hinduism and ancient Sanskrit literature talked about religious paintings of deities on wood or cloth. Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged major art museums of the world, including Musee du Louvre and Musee d'Orsay of Paris, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Los Angeles Getty Center, Uffizi Gallery of Florence (Italy), Art Institute of Chicago, Tate Modern of London, Prado

Museum of Madrid, National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, etc., to frequently organize Hindu art focused exhibitions, thus sharing the rich Hindu art heritage with the rest of the world. The Norton Simon Museum, with his-

This exhibition examines the connoisseurship and conservation involved in identifying and preserving these ancient objects. It explores how the place of origin and date of an object can be determined by the rendering of drapery pleats, hairstyles and ornaments of iconic statuary from South and Southeast Asia dating from the 3rd through 13th centuries tory going back to 1922, is known around the world as one of the most remarkable private art collections ever assembled, including a stellar collection of South and Southeast Asian art spanning 2,000 years. The Museum houses over 12,000 objects.

BalbirĂs brother with his photograph

22 India Post

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May 6, 2011

Datebook

May 6, 2011

India Post

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NEW YORK

ILLINOIS

Upcoming

Thurs May 5

Fri May 6

• The Big Brown Comedy Hour

• Indo-American Festival of Performing Arts - Sarovar 2011

Venue: Broadway Comedy Club, 318 W. 53rd Street, (off 8th Ave), New York Time: 8pm Contact: 917-607-4047

Tues May 10

Venue: Varner Hall, Oakland University, 2200 N Squirrel Rd, Rochester, MI 48309, Michigan Time: 5:30pm to 9pm Contact: 734-495-3569

• India's World

Fri May 13

Venue: The New School, Tishman Auditorium, 66 West 12th Street, New York Time: 8pm Contact: 212-229-5776 x3

• Zindagi Trust Charity Gala and Concert Venue: Belvedere Banquets, 1170 Devon St., Elk Grove Village, Illinois Time: 6:30pm Contact: 630-929-3592

Fri May 20 • Athirudram-2011 Venue: Sanatan Dharma Temple, 15311 Pioneer Blvd, Norwalk, CA Time: 7am Contact: 714-759-2511

Sat May 14 • The Festival of Colors Venue: Naperville Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 500 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville, Illinois Time: 11am to 4pm Contact: 630-355-5468

NEW JERSEY

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Sun May 8

Thu May 5

• Musik Waves Presents EK Sham Maa Ke Naam

• Fund raising Volleyball tournament

Venue: Holiday Inn, Edison Hotel, 3050 Woodbridge Ave, Edison, New Jersey Time: 7pm Contact: 732-277-6687

Fri May 13 Desi Girls Bring Sheela Ki Javeni At MunniBar Venue: Chatney Manor, 3793 Route 1 South, South Brunswick, New Jersey Time: 7pm Contact: 732-754-6414

WASHINGTON DC

Upcoming Fri May 20 • Athirudram-2011 Venue: Sanatan Dharma Temple, 15311 Pioneer Blvd, Norwalk, California Time: 7am Contact: 714-759-2511

Mon July 4 • Rathyatra, Festival of India Venue: National Mall (in front of Air & Space Museum), Washington, DC Time: 10:30am to 9pm Contact: 301-299-2100

Fri April 29 • Musical Evening With Manoj Mishra & Group @ Baltimore Venue: Greater Baltimore Temple, 2909 Bloom Road, Finksburg, Maryland Time: 7pm Contact: (202) 247-7434

Venue: Ponderosa Park, Sunnyvale, CA Time: 8am to 5pm

Sat May 7 • Masters Of Indian Music: Shahid Parvez & Tarun Bhattacharya Venue: Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Suite 3800, Clarice Smith Center, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, Maryland, CA Time: 7pm to 11pm Contact: 410-747-3950

Sun May 8 • Swarabhishek: Pt. Shaunak Abhisheki Venue: Jain Temple Auditorium, 722 S. Main St., Milpitas, California Time: 3pm Contact: 408-243-9110

Sat Nov 12 • Hello Namaste Salaam Satsriakal Masti Venue: Chandni Restaurant, 5748 Mowry School Rd, Balentine Plaza, across Hilton Hotel, Newark, CA 94560 Time: 7pm Contact: 510-299-1138

Fri May 13 • Tiecon 2011 Venue: Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, California Contact: 408-567-0700

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Upcoming Sun May 8 • Yanni in Concert May 8th, 2011 at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE Venue: Nokia Theatre LA Live, 777 Chick Hearn Court, Los Angeles, California Time: 8pm Contact: 323-930-7158

Sun May 8 • Punjabi Community Center Proudly Presents: Vaisakhi Cultural Program-2011 Venue: LA Mirada Theatre, 14900, La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada, CA 90638 Time: 1pm to 6pm Contact: 714-282-7574 & 949-859-3654 Highlights: A cultural events such as Vaisakhi cultural program is one of the premiere events organized by PCC. Come join the lively energetic form of music and dance and show your support to PCC.

Sat May 7 • A Nostalgic evening of your favorite greet film songs ghazals and latest hits Venue: The heritage forum, 201 E Broadway Ave, Anaheim, California Time: 5pm to 6:30pm Contact: 949-552-0907

Sat May 28 • Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Live in Los Angeles Venue: Terrace Theater, 300 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, California Time: 7pm Contact: 510-610-0750

Sun July 17 Sat May 14 • Community Day: Art of India

• Indian Cruise to Mexico from Long Beach

Venue: San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S. Market, San Jose, California Time: 11am to 5pm Contact: 408-271-6840

Venue: Carnival Splendor, 231 Windsor Way, Long Beach, California Time: 4:30pm Contact: 858-925-7806

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Mit Jaaye Ghum: Dum Maaro Dum 2 Char Baj Gayi : F.A.L.T.U 3 Teri Justaju (Saaware): Shor In The City 4 Jiyein Kyun: Dum Maaro Dum

India Post

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insel Town hottie Deepika Padukone has taken her relationship with her "good friend" Siddharth Mallya a step ahead. The dimpled beauty, who has been spotted with the business tycoon Vijay Mallay's handsome son in almost every social gathering was seen kissing her alleged beau in full public view. The duo, which was cheering for their IPL team Royal Chal-

May 6, 2011 lengers Bangalore celebrated their team's win by hugging each other tight and kissing. RCB won against Shah Rukh Khan's Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. And more recently, again in Delhi when the RCB beat the Delhi Daredevils. And surprisingly, the one standing next to them while they were cozying up was senior Mallya.

KISS AND TELL

5 Saibo: Shor In The City 6 Maine Yeh Kab Socha Tha: Game 7 Ringa Ringa Roses: Yeh Dooriyan 8 Tum Bin Yeh Dil Ghabraye: Zokkomon 9 Dilli Ke Deewane: Hair Is Falling 10 Chalo Dilli: Chalo Dilli

eepika Padukone was embarrassed when she couldn't make a roti for a cooking scene in "Aarakshan", while her co-star Saif Ali Khan was amused and said it reminded him of a scene in "Kaalia" where Amitabh Bachchan helped Parveen Babi to make an egg. While breezing through one of the most difficult scenes with the formidable Big B in "Aarakshan", Deepika froze when she had to make perfectly rounded rotis. Apparently she asked director Prakash Jha to change the menu, but he was adamant - rotis it would be for the actress. "I was so embarrassed, I can totally cook, but roti is a challenge. As with life, the simplest of things some times get to be a hardest to master," said Deepika. Not knowing that the sequence involved her 'actually' making a roti, she was completely lost on being presented with loose flour, with the whole unit waiting for her to do the action.

Roti round

Bollywood

May 6, 2011

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MALLIKA'S

MOMENT

fter playing the 'yes-yes, no-no' game for quite sometime now, actor Kalki Koechlin has tied the knot with her filmmaker-fiancĂŠ Anurag Kashyap. The location was Ooty, which happens to be Kalki's hometown. Her parents have a farmhouse there and she had grown up in the hill-station after the family shifted from Puducherry (Kalki's birthplace). Only 40 of their close friends were invited. It was a full South Indian wedding. A reception for the family and friends was held the same night. The couple, is planning to throw a big bash in Mumbai once they return to the city. Kalki and Anurag have just bought a new house in Versova, which is quite close to where Anurag and Kalki are living. They were very particular that they move into their new home after they get married. This is Anurag's second marriage. He was previously married to his college sweetheart Aarti Bajaj and has a daughter, Aaliya, with her.

OOTY WEDDING

ollywood siren Mallika Sherawat was in the company of US President Barack Obama recently. The actress was invited for tea with Barack Obama during his campaign stop in the heart of Hollywood. Apparently, Obama has shown interest in Mallika's upcoming Hollywood film Love, Barack or Politics of Love in which she plays Aretha Gupta, an ardent Obama supporter. The actress is learnt to have invited the American president to the premiere of Love, Barack, which is set in the days leading up to the presidential elections of 2008. Mallika is over-the-moon since the meeting, as its been a dream of hers to meet the US President since his election and her work on the new film, where she learned a lot about the man himself and US politics. The film is about love in the time of elections and is likely to release soon.

ONE UP ON SHEILA T

he last time Katrina Kaif shook her legs to an item number, it ended up becoming a national anthem of sorts. Yes 'Sheila Ki Jawani' track from Farah Khan's Tees Maar Khan which had Kat looking her sexiest best. Now the buzz is that in her forthcoming film YRF's Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Katrina is all set to outshine her last effort by performing the 'baap' of all item songs. The song is a full-on tapori number and will have Katrina dancing at a roadside dhaba. Sohail Sen has composed the music while ace choreographer Bosco will be making Kat dance to his tunes. It will be interesting to see if this item number manages to surpass the mass hysteria created by "Sheila" or "Munni."

26 India Post

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May 6, 2011

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India Post 27

Horoscope

28 India Post

May 6, 2011

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Your Weekly Future by Pandit Parashar MAY 06TH - MAY 12TH ARIES (MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20)

TAURUS (APRIL 21 TO MAY 20)

ombination of five planets in your sign will help you in many ways. All attempts will be successful and you will hit your goals easily. Trip will be rewarding. You may hit some kind of goldmine this week. Efforts made in the past will reap rich rewards now. Some of you may also get the final commitment from other side.

ind will be restless as you may start loosing control over many things. You may call a trusted person to seek advice and how to deal with situation. You may start to see some cracks in a partnership or relationship also. It will be better to stay calm and wait for the right moment to express your demands to boss at work.

GEMINI (MAY 21 TO JUNE 20)

CANCER (JUNE 21 TO JULY 22)

ive planets in house of gains will bring you the opportunity of life time on a silver platter. Your faith in religion will get stronger and you will visit a holy place with family. You will gain an edge over your opponents and may win a small litigation also. Some of you may start another venture with some like minded people.

LEO (JULY 23 TO AUGUST 22)

oncentration of five planet in house of luck will bring much awaited boost in life. There will be some dramatic change in career to your advantage. Some of you may launch a big project this week. It will a very favorable week for people working as broker in any field. Plans for move or relocation will become a reality.

ransit of five planets in tenth will be very fruitful. Dream opportunity will be offered on easy and your terms. Property related headache will come to an end and all suspense will be over. Do not forget to try your hands at lottery this week.

VIRGO (AUGUST 23 TO SEPTEMBER 22)

hings will come to almost an standstill. You will be calling overseas more frequently this week. You will be successful in recovering some money from insurance too. A child will need more time and attention. Money wise you will continue to do fine. Some of you will be looking for another job and will be ready to relocate.

LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 23 TO OCTOBER 22)

SCORPIO (OCTOBER 23 TO NOVEMBER 22)

ou will need to be more tough in order to deal with strong opponents and study little more for the competitive exam. Interview will go well and you should receive the offer quickly. Some of you will be going on a trip soon to attend to some important business. Your expenses and liability will reduce a lot from now and on.

o not get emotional and do not stretch your limits. Planets will help you a lot but it will be still better to play it safe when it comes to making big investment or buying big ticket items. You will spend an evening with successful and well known people. There will be some change in your earlier travel plans.

SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 22)

CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 19)

ransit of five planets in fifth is very lucky. Opportunity will be some kind of windfall. Few of your long cherished desires will get fulfilled. Relationship will become permanent too. You may receive clearance from a government office also. A female could be instrumental in your success.

f you play your cards right, you will not only get the deal but at a very reasonable price. There will be some interesting changes in career for lots of people. Some of you will be taking a trip to an interesting place but for business purpose only. You may be in market to change one of your vehicle with newer model.

AQUARIUS (JANUARY 20 TO FEBRUARY 18)

PISCES (FEBRUARY 19 TO MARCH 20)

esults will come rather quick this week. This is the right time to approach boss or a government agency and seek favors. It is going to be a very favorable week for people in sales or in the field of communications. Financially you will do lot better from now and on and will start to see saving account grow pretty soon.

Pandit Parashar, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations. He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com

nitially things will look bad but quickly turn beneficial for you only. You may buy some high tech item for personal use. Road blocks in way of promotion will get out of your way. Spouse will be working too hard and may complain about aches and pains in the body. A big refund can also come during the week.

925-833-7170 website: www.parashar.com

29 India Post

ll good things in life come in small packets and Gangtok is a good illustration. Be it the rich flora, the beautiful people, or the serene Buddhist monasteries, this small town, occupies an important position in the itinerary of tourists in search of tranquility from the humdrum of modern life. The eastern state of Sikkim lies couched between the borders of Nepal and Bhutan. Gangtok became the capital of the state in the 19th century and lies to the south of the district of East Sikkim. It is a hilly town

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and spreads down the western side of a long ridge flanking the Ranipul River. The entire Kanchenjunga range can be viewed from the town and, in fact, it is worshipped as a local deity. It is at a distance of 721 km from Calcutta, 584 km from Patna, 140 km from Darjeeling and 589 km from Guwahati. The town experiences a lot of rainfall throughout the year and temperatures are mild. Best time to visit is October to March Tourist attractions: One of the oft-visited sites of Gangtok is the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. It was built in 1958 and

May 6, 2011

is a research center for Mahayana Buddhism and Tibetan culture. Besides being a museum of traditional and old artifacts, one can also buy Buddhist religious books and other objects of craft. Nearby is a gompa for young lamas. The Tsuk-La-Khang or Royal Chapel is the main place of worship and assembly for the Buddhists and is huge repertoire of religious relics. It is open during the Losar festival. Another important monastery is the Enchey Gompa and is worth a visit during the festival season of January to February. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 30

Travel & Hospitality Post

India Post

May 6, 2011

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Wi-Fi zone launched in Gulmarg ski resort SRINAGAR: World famous Gulmarg ski resort has been connected to the outer world through a dedicated Wi-Fi zone which would provide internet connectivity at a high speed. "Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) and Gulmarg Development Authority in collaboration with Directorate of Information Technology and Support System (IT&SS), University of Kashmir and Department of Tourism, have installed internet facility through Wi-Fi at Gulmarg Ski resort," an official spokesman said here. He said the project spread over more than five square kms covers the whole area of Gulmarg bowl, including Kongdoori and Apharwat hill-tops. The project was conceived, designed and implemented by the Network Design Team from IT&SS, University of Kashmir with bandwidth being provided by Software Technology Park of India (STPI). The Directorate of IT&SS completed the project in a record time of four months. The efforts of the team were applauded by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who tested the WiFi broadband connectivity, the spokesman said. The KU-Gulmarg Wi-Fi network is considered as one of the highest Wi-Fi zones in the world at an altitude of 4,120 meters above sea-level, he said. The devices have been designed with lightening protectors which can withstand temperatures as low as minus 40 deg C and heavy snow-storms. -PTI

New pilgrim circuits for attracting tourists NEW DELHI: In an initiative aimed at creating more tourist hubs, the Tourism Ministry is mulling creating new pilgrim circuits involving those related to Jain, Buddhist, Sikh and Sufi sites in the country. "There is a requirement of creating new tourist circuits in an integrated way to attract more tourists. So we are finalizing plans for creation of four pilgrim circuits in the country," a senior Tourism Ministry official said. The circuits will not only increase footfalls in the pilgrim sites but also attract foreign visitors, the official said. The Ministry is in discussion with railway and civil aviation ministries and state governments for creating the necessary infrastructure to connect pilgrim sites. "Our effort is to facilitate the movement of tourists with the better infrastructure facilities and we are discussing the matter with the authorities concerned for creation of the network for the purpose," the official said. The ministry is in the process of identifying the sites to be connected for transportation purposes. Currently, there is a special train for Buddhist sites. According to the plan, similar special trains, buses and other mode of transport can be planned for other pilgrim sites. "Besides special train or bus, there is a requirement for creating the infrastructure for the last mile connectivity to these sites," the official said. Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai has

maintained that the foreign tourist arrivals in India is just 0.5 per cent and it needs to be increased to one per cent at least in the coming years. Over 5.5 million foreign tourists visited India in 2010, 5.17 million in 2009 and 5.28 million in 2008. "Efforts are on to identify new tourist destinations to attract more foreign visitors and creation of pilgrim circuits is for the same purpose," the official said.

"There is a requirement of creating new tourist circuits in an integrated way to attract more tourists. So we are finalizing plans for creation of four pilgrim circuits in the country," a senior Tourism Ministry official said Besides construction of wayside amenities, strategies for promoting inter-state domestic tourism, utilization of funds, initiatives to achieve sustainable tourism growth and implementation of safe and honorable tourism in the states are being planned to promote tourism. -PTI

JK govt orders facelift of roads SRINAGAR: At the onset of tourist season in the Valley, the Jammu and Kashmir government has directed officers to give a facelift to the roads damaged by snow and incessant rains recently and asked them to expedite all the developmental works. "The officers have to gear up their units at lower level across the Valley particularly in Srinagar as tourist influx is increasing and the roads in Srinagar city should be improved and given a better facelift," Rural Development Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar said. He impressed upon the officers to speed up the work on all the ongoing and new works to be taken up in the summer capital. "In view of the improved weather conditions, all concerned officers have to make optimum use of the weather as tourist season has already set in the Valley," Sagar said addressing a high level meeting of provincial level officers at the winter secretariat. The Minister made it clear to the officers that availability of funds shall not be made any excuse as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has issued directions in all the meetings that no department would be starved for funds. "The road connectivity is of the highest priority as Kashmir is full of natural beauty and remains always full of tourists," he said. -PTI

Gangtok: Rich flora, beautiful people & view of Kanchenjunga

Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 29

Adjacent to the Namgyal Institute is the Orchid Sanctuary, which is the home of some 500 varieties of orchids. There is a larger orchid sanctuary called Orchidarium, off the main road to Rangpo. Near White Hall, there is a Flower Exhibition Center and seasonal flowers, bonsai and orchids are a delight to the eyes. From April to June and September to November, one can come here.

Places around Located at a distance of 24 km from Gangtok is Rumtek Gompa, which is a rich monastery and abode of the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. It is a very famous site and devotees often flock to it throughout the year. Located at a distance of 35 km towards the northeast of Gangtok is the Tsongo or Changu Lake. Special permits are required to visit this picturesque locale. Fairs & festivals: Several festivals are celebrated in Gangtok

There is a larger orchid sanctuary called Orchidarium, off the main road to Rangpo. Near White Hall, there is a Flower Exhibition Center and seasonal flowers, bonsai and orchids are a delight to the eyes

and its adjoining areas. The Buddhist festival of Bumchu is held in the Tashiding Gompa during January. The festival of Chaam is held in Enchey Gompa during January-February and is marked by dancing. Kagyat Dance is a mask dance held every month at Gangtok, Pemayangtse and Phodong. Losar marks the Tibetan New Year and is celebrated during February-March at Pemayangtse and Rumtek. Tse Chu is a Buddhist dance held in May at Rumtek. Saga Dawa, held

in Gangtok during May, and Drukpa Teshi, celebrated statewide during July, mark Buddha's first teaching. Phang Lhabsol is a mask dance celebrated statewide during August. Dasain, celebrated statewide during September-October, is marked by gift swapping and animal sacrifice. How to reach: Road - The busiest route in and out of Sikkim is the road between Gangtok and Siliguri, also the nearest airport and railway station.

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Travel & Hospitality Post

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Maharashtra tourism draws flak from CAG MUMBAI: Pulling up the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation for "failing" to develop tourist facilities, the CAG has noted that the number of foreigners visiting the state has dropped and those availing its infrastructural facilities were negligible. Being the state's public undertaking in the tourism sector, MTDC should have made great strides in developing tourist facilities, a CAG report said. However, it has neither identified critical/nodal areas for effecting micro level planning to augment tourism nor evolved clear milestones which were overall or destination specific for development of tourism in the state, it said. The report observed that the number of foreign tourists availing the MTDC's infrastructural facilities was negligible. Though the tourists visiting the state indicated an increasing trend during the period 2005-06 to 200910, the arrival of foreign tourists in the state was less than 10 per cent of the total number of tourists visiting the state. Similarly, the number of foreign tourists who availed MTDC facili-

ties was negligible, the report said. In 2005-06, the number of foreigners who visited the state was 4,678 which dropped to 2,008 in 2009-10, it said. The CAG report said even

The report said the Centre, with the consent of the state government, had appointed A C Neilsen as consultant for collecting tourist survey statistics in 2008. However, it was noticed that the consultant had furnished only the data related to number of tourists who had arrived in the state though the tourism policy was formulated in 2006 with a 23 point action plan to be implemented in the next five years with a long term vision for 2025, the company had not prepared a concrete corporate plan or five years action plan keeping in

view the requirements of the policy. According to the CAG, MTDC had no system of collecting tourist statistics. The report said the Centre, with the consent of the state government, had appointed A C Neilsen as consultant for collecting tourist survey statistics in 2008. However, it was noticed that the consultant had furnished only the data related to number of tourists who had arrived in the state. MTDC did not insist on other details necessary for analyzing the scope for further tourism development, it added. No structured mechanism for collecting tourist statistics was developed in the state by the MTDC even after expiry of the first four years of open rationalizing of the tourism policy, the report stated. According to the tourist data available with the CAG, out of the 137.18 lakh foreign tourists who visited India in 2010 only 19.99 lakh came to Maharashtra. "This was just 7.77 per cent of the total tourist inflow," the report added. The report said that the total tourist inflow in 2009-10 in the state had seen an increase of 13.83 per cent over the previous year. -PTI

US-Saudi Open Skies Agreement WASHINGTON: The US and Saudi Arabia have entered into an Open Skies Agreement that will liberalize their bilateral aviation relationship. "This agreement strengthens and expands our already strong trade and tourism links with Saudi Arabia, and will benefit American and Saudi Arabian businesses and travelers," the State Department said in a statement. It will expand air service and encourage vigorous price competition by airlines, while safeguarding aviation safety and security, the statement said. "The Agreement, which will be applied on the basis of comity and reciprocity pending its entry into

force, will liberalize our bilateral aviation relationship," it said.

Open Skies agreements between the US and other countries expand international passenger and cargo flights by eliminating government interference The US has the aviation agreement with over 100 partners from every region of the world and at

every level of economic development. India had signed the agreement in 2005. Open Skies agreements between the US and other countries expand international passenger and cargo flights by eliminating government interference in commercial airline decisions about routes, capacity and pricing. This allows carriers to provide more affordable, convenient and efficient air service to consumers, promoting increased travel and trade and spurring high-quality job opportunity and economic growth. Open Skies policy rejects the outmoded practice of highly restrictive air services agreements protecting flag carriers. -PTI

Over 1 lakh historical documents digitized in J-K JAMMU: Over one lakh historical documents and records kept in Jammu and Kashmir repositories have been digitized, a minister said here. "Over 1 lakh historical documents and records lying in these repositories have been digitized, so far, and rest is being also digitised in a phased manner in Jammu and Kash-

mir", Minister for Tourism and Culture N R Jora said at a function in the state Archives Department here. "Archives are the lifeline of our past, present and future that needs to be preserved at all costs for future generation," he said. The minister said effective steps have been initiated to digitize historical documents and

records in three archives repositories of Srinagar, Jammu and Ladakh. Referring to the steps being taken up by the government to restore and protect state's heritage sites, he said 38 monuments have been declared as protected and conservation of these structures is being taken up in a phased manner. -PTI

Japan travel is safe, says UN tourism body MADRID: There is no reason to avoid travel to and from Japan as radiation levels at the country's airports and ports are "well within safe limits", the UN World Tourism Organization said here. Emergency crews have struggled to prevent a catastrophic meltdown at the Fukushima plant in northeastern Japan since a massive earthquake and tsunami struck on March 11, leading many foreign governments to urge their citizens to stay away from the country. Just 352,800 foreigners arrived in Japan in March, 50.3 per cent fewer than the same month in 2010 and the largest decline ever recorded, according to the Japan National Tourism Board. But the Madrid-based UN World Tourism Organization said the "current situation poses no risk to travel to and from Japan." "Radiation monitoring around airports and seaports in Japan continues to confirm that levels remain well within safe limits from a health perspective," it said in a statement. "In addition, monitoring of passengers, crew and cargo from Japan carried out to date in other countries, in accordance with their national policy, does not suggest

any health or safety risk." A total 8.6 million people traveled to Japan last year, marking a healthy rebound from the 6.8 million in 2009 when the swine flu pandemic and global economic downturn curbed international

The Madrid-based UN World Tourism Organization said the "current situation poses no risk to travel to and from Japan." "Radiation monitoring around airports and seaports in Japan continues to confirm that levels remain well within safe limits travel. The March 11 disaster was the worst to hit Japan since World War II, and is now known to have killed 13,456 people, with another 14,851 still missing. (AFP)

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India Post News Service

NEW YORK: "God comes to the hungry in the form of food," said the 'Father of India' Mahatma Gandhi. It is this philosophy which has compelled Chef Vikas Khanna to explore the symbiotic intersection of food and religion in his documentary series 'Holy Kitchens'. "At any given time somewhere on Earth, people are gathering to share food in the name of God. This is spiritual sustenance, meant to bring us closer together and closer to the Creator," says Khanna. "This is the story of Holy Kitchens." "Karma to Nirvana," the second installment in the series which focuses specifically on Hinduism, Lord Krishna's spiritual practices, and the principles of Karma and Nirvana as set forth in the Bhagavad-Gita, will premiere at the New York Indian Film Festival on May 7, in Tribeca Cinemas. The film features interviews with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Arun Gandhi, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Shaunaka Rishi Das, Aroon Shivdasani, Lynn McGuire, Scott Carney and Anju Bhargava. It is written and narrated by Andrew BlackmoreDobbyn, directed by Anubhav Bhardwaj, and co-directed by Francisco Aguila. "Karma to Nir-

vana" is a Junoon Hospitality presentation. Vikas Khanna's journey in the documentary takes one right into the soup kitchens of Amma, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi's ashram in Kerala, where Amma blesses thousands of people daily with motherly hugs and serves them meals with her own hands. "We have to help the hungry as best we can," says Amma. "We have to see that feeding the hungry is no less than the worship of God."

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Subsequently, the documentary highlights the magnanimous charity work of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Delhi and other parts of the world. Their "Food for All" programs feed hundreds of thousands of hungry children and adults, and Khanna personally cooks in the ISKCON kitchens in London, as a way for him to give back. ISKCON's mid-day meal program in India provides free meals to children in schools, thereby helping them get an education and ensuring a brighter future for them, as well as for India. "True Business," the first film in the Holy Kitchens series focused on the Sikh religion and how its temples provide free food through its kitchens, known as "langars," to everyone who comes, regardless of their beliefs. Next year's film is titled "The

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Vikas Khanna has received rave reviews for his cooking in The New York Times and many other publications. His current restaurant work includes Junoon Restaurant, the Café at the Rubin Museum of Art, and Flavors and Feasts Catering

Moon of Eïd" and will explore Ramadan in the Islamic faith from the Middle East to Europe and across the world. "Our aim is to make people aware of this commonality of the world's religious traditions and to illuminate the differences in a way that will engender mutual tolerance and respect," says Khanna. "Taken together, these films are our offering to the dialog that is meant to create more peace and harmony in the world." Vikas Khanna has received rave reviews for his cooking in The New York Times and many other publications. His current restaurant work includes Junoon Restaurant, the Café at the Rubin Museum of Art, and Flavors and Feasts Catering. He has authored several books including "The Spice Story of India" and "Modern Indian Cooking." His next book, "Flavors First," will be published in 2011 by

May 6, 2011

Lake Isle Press. His following book is titled "Return to the Rivers: A Culinary Pilgrimage

Through the Himalayas" with a foreword by The Dalai Lama.

May 6, 2011

India Post

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Indian Americans hold key posts at NBC Universal India Post News Service

NEW YORK: In a major move by an Indian American in the mainstream media industry, Salil Mehta has been promoted to a newly created position of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of entertainment major NBCUniversal's Entertainment and Digital Networks and Integrated Media Division. Prior to the April 19 announcement, Mehta served for the past three years, as President, Business Operations, Strategy and Development for NBCUniversal, where he was responsible for the company's strategic agenda, business development, and digital initiatives. He also was a key player in NBCUniversal's integration with Comcast. "Salil spent nearly a year leading the integration efforts between NBCUniversal and Comcast, so I had the chance to work with him closely," said Steve Burke, NBCUniversal Chief Executive Officer. "Salil is an expert problem solver and a great executive. I am pleased that he'll be focusing his talents on one of the most important areas of our business." In his new role, Mehta will oversee all day-to-day operations, finance, legal and business affairs, business development and strategic planning for E&DN/IM's entire

portfolio which includes Telemundo, mun2, Bravo Media, Oxygen Media and Style and the digital properties iVillage, DailyCandy, Swirl and Fandango. He also will have direct oversight of our partially-owned cable networks Sprout, ExerciseTV and TVOne. Mehta will work directly with each of the entertainment and digital brand leaders to help architect growth strategies for their

sales leaders. Lauren Zalaznick, Chairman of the division to whom Mehta will report, said: "Salil has been an incredible asset to NBCUniversal over the past three years, a proven performer whose insight, integrity and expertise has been invaluable to our company's growth. With direct operational and strategic planning experience, he is a

Salil Mehta

Mehta will work directly with each of the entertainment and digital brand leaders to help architect growth strategies for their businesses. He is also charged with the mandate to further drive revenue across the entire E&DN/IM division, working directly with both the advertising and distribution sales leaders

businesses. He is also charged with the mandate to further drive revenue across the entire E&DN/IM division, working directly with both the advertising and distribution

great collaborator and someone who understands how to take each of our team's businesses to the next level of success." At NBCUniversal, Mehta managed ne-

NY Indian Film Fest partners with three film schools India Post News Service

NEW YORK: With its mission to help foster a new generation of filmmakers, the 11th annual New York Indian Film Festival has announced three partnerships with prestigious film schools in New York and India that will allow directors to have their stories reach a wider platform. The oldest festival for Indian cinema in the United States will partner with awardwinning filmmaker Subhash Ghai's Whistling Woods International; The Department of Cinema Studies at Tisch, NYU; and the New York Film Academy. Organized by the IndoAmerican Arts Council (IAAC), the festival will run from May 4-8 in Manhattan. Whistling Woods International in Mumbai, an institute for film, television, animation, and media arts, awards the top short films from its film students each year. These award-winning shorts will now travel to New York and screen at NYIFF each year allowing emerging filmmakers to reach audiences and industry professionals in the US. This year's line-up includes Incerto, Flip, Punha, Daily Soap, Kalapaani, and Uss Paar. "I am thrilled about the association between the Mukta Arts group and the 11th annual New York Indian Film Festival," says Subhash Ghai, founder and chairman of Whistling Woods. "In continuing our goals of proliferation of Indian cinematic culture, we are excited about the films we are presenting at the festival - both

Noukadubi and the WWI award-winning short films," he adds. "With Noukadubi, we have a masterpiece penned by a legend (Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore) and directed by veteran triple-National Award winner (Rituparno Ghosh) while at the other end we have first films made by the graduates of WWI in 2010. These graduates will be part of India's next generation of film-

For the last two years, NYIFF has teamed up with the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University with students of Professor Karl Bardosh creating oneminute cell phone films on themes at the film festival makers and have commenced their filmmaking journey with these films. I am extremely happy to see the quality of their work. We hope that the audience at the 11th annual New York Indian Film Festival enjoys both Noukadubi & the WWI student short films. I look forward to a long association for myself, Mukta Arts & Whistling Woods with the festival. We hope we are able to send award-winning WWI shorts to the festival every year and that they are en-

joyed by the audience." For the last two years, NYIFF has teamed up with the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University with students of Professor Karl Bardosh creating oneminute cell phone films on themes at the film festival. This program will continue for a third year and Richard Allen, Professor of Cinema Studies at Tisch School of the Arts, will once again host post-screening discussions with key filmmakers during the fiveday festival. Allen states, "The Department of Cinema Studies at Tisch, NYU, again looks forward to collaborating with the NYIFF in its cutting edge program of screenings and events which brings the best of the New Indian Cinema to New York City by staging a series of in-depth discussions with key directors and actors in the industry." In addition, the New York Film Academy has offered a one-week scholarship valued at $1,575 for film study to an emerging filmmaker whose work will be screened at the film festival. "The New York Film Academy is proud to associate with the New York Indian Film Festival; we share a deep passion for film," remarks NYFA's Jack Newman. "The New York Film Academy has designed its programs on the philosophy of 'learning by doing'. In addition, it is our belief that a top-quality education in filmmaking, and acting should be accessible to anyone with the drive, passion and ambition to make films."

gotiations for NBCUniversal's purchase of The Weather Channel; played a key role the creation of A&E Television Networks, a merger of A&E and Lifetime in which NBCUniversal has an interest; as well as the sale of the company's Sundance Channel unit to Rainbow Media Holdings. Prior to joining NBCUniversal, Mehta served as Executive Vice President of ESPN Enterprises Inc., with operating responsibilities for all of ESPN's non-broadcasting businesses including new media, broadband, mobile, publishing and consumer product businesses. Before that, Mehta was Executive Vice President, Corporate Business Development and Strategic Planning for the Walt Disney Company. Mehta joined Disney in 1994. Mehta received his M.B.A. in finance from the Wharton School, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations from Brown University, and, as a Fulbright Scholar, studied international political economy at the Delhi School of Economics. NBCUniversal's Entertainment & Digital Networks and Integrated Media division is comprised of the some of the industry's leading television and digital brands which include Telemundo, mun2, Bravo Media, Oxygen Media, Style, Sprout, ExerciseTV, TV One, iVillage, DailyCandy, Swirl, and Fandango. Additionally, the group includes Integrated Strategic Marketing, which spearheads the company-wide initiatives Green is Universal, Healthy at NBCUniversal, Hispanics at NBCUniversal and Women at NBCUniversal. Yet another Indian American making a Disney to NBC Universal move is Reena Singh. The former Director of Development at The Disney Channel was stolen away by NBC to serve as Vice President of Development and Current Programming at NBCU's Universal Cable Productions, which creates content for Syfy, USA and other key NBCU networks. UCP's programs include Law & Order/ Criminal Intent, Psych, and summer hits such as Royal Pains. Prior Roles include serving as a producer at ABC Network News and work with Conde Nast's Bon Appetit before attending the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Commenting on these high profile moves, Rajan Shah, Co-Founder, Board Member of SAMMA - South Asians in Media, Marketing and Entertainment said it was great news. "Having NBC Universal place their most prized TV and digital brands such as Bravo, Hispanic-targeted channel Telemundo, movie site Fandango and fashion/lifestyle platform DailyCandy in Salil's hands is a huge vote of confidence in Salil's future at NBC and a major step forward for South Asians in the US Media industry." "Salil's promotion by NBC Universal is another sign of the growing clout of South Asians in the US media & entertainment industry - not just in front of the camera, but critically, behind the camera in the rooms where decisions are made," Shah said. "Reena is another example of South Asians succeeding not only on camera, but in determining what programs we watch."

Tech News Indian N-power push to slow down: US WASHINGTON: Indian efforts to boost energy production by pushing for civilian nuclear power in a big way is likely to slow down in the aftermath of the nuclear accident at the quake-stricken Fukushima reactor in Japan, a top US official has said. "I think there probably realistically will be a little bit of a slowdown, but I agree with what the (Indian) Prime Minister said, that this is still very much in India's interest to proceed with these projects and it is likely to do so," Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake told the Knowledge @ Wharton in an interview. "What's most important from our perspective is that the two governments have done almost all that we need to do to allow the companies to then make the decisions about whether they want to go forward with this or not," he said. -PTI

UK offers hydro power expertise to Himachal SHIMLA: The UK based International Hydro Power Association has offered its expertise in harnessing the entire identified hydro potential of Himachal, Chief Minister P K Dhumal said. Dhumal met a high delegation led by Rafaat Abdel Malek, President of the Association. He informed the delegation that the State had identified 23,000 MW hydel potential of which only 25 percent had so far been exploited and a number of projects were under execution to harness 17,000 MW by the end of 12th Plan. -PTI

Bangladesh says Yunus's Grameen 'flouting' rules DHAKA: A Bangladeshi probe has accused Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus of turning his pioneering microfinance bank into a "massive conglomerate" in violation of its own rules, the probe head said. The investigation into Grameen Bank cleared the bank of misusing Norwegian aid and of charging excessive interest on loans, the finance minister announced. But the chief investigator said the probe also found a "largescale trend in flouting of rules and regulations in the management of the bank". -PTI

TechBiz 36 India Post

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May 6, 2011

Over 800 FM radio stations soon: Soni NEW DELHI: Over 800 more FM radio stations would be made available when the FM phase-III is rolled out shortly, while 31 new satellite TV channels are awaiting the government's approval, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said here. "In the broadcast sector, 653 satellite channels had been granted permission till date and 31 are awaiting permission, while the FM PhaseIII to be rolled out shortly will ensure availability of 806 radio stations across 283 cities," she said. Soni was addressing the inaugural session of 'International Colloquium on Freedom of Expression & Human Rights' organized by the Press Council of India here. She said during the period of global recession, the print industry in India grew at a rate of 6.2 per cent despite the downward growth conditions world wide in the media industry. -PTI

Big fish left untouched by CBI in 2G case, court told NEW DELHI: The NGO which brought the 2G spectrum case to the Supreme Court, has alleged that "big fish" like Reliance Telecom Chairman Anil Ambani, Essar's CEO Prashant Ruia and Tatas' who are real beneficiaries have been left out of CBI chargesheets. The NGO, Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL), told the apex court that Shahid Usman Balwa-promoted Swan Telecom and Loop Telecom were the front companies for RCom and Essar Group respectively while Tatas' benefited from funding Tamil Nadu-based NGO whose Director was DMK MP Kanimozhi. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the NGO, said RCom, which was ineligible for the 2G licence, had financed Swan Telecom and its chairman Anil Ambani, who

has 50 per cent stake in the company, has been untouched by CBI despite being the real beneficiary. "The real beneficiary is Anil Ambani, who holds majority stake

prising justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly. A short note of the submission placed before the bench said investigation has gone cold over the

Shahid Usman Balwa-promoted Swan Telecom and Loop Telecom were the front companies for RCom and Essar Group respectively and is Chairman of the group companies. CBI has tried to shield him and has only chargesheeted the employees," he told a bench com-

involvement of Prashant Ruia in the scam. "Petitioners have learnt that while CBI might be following the

case of Loop Telecom which made huge benefits, the investigation has gone cold over the involvement of Prashant Ruia and his family members who, through a complex web of transactions, set up Loop Telecom to defraud and cheat the government for award of 2G spectrum and licenses," the submission placed before the bench said. He also raised the issue of Tata Teleservice which benefited in grant of Unified Access Service License (UASL) for its dual technology as Tatas' had funded the NGO run by Kanimozhi but CBI was not moving against them. -PTI

India is emerging global power: Doha Bank CEO India Post News Service

NEW YORK: India and China will shadow the rapid development of other Asian neighbors with growth continuing for decades, and the buying power of the Indian and Chinese also increasing to almost match that of consumers in the US and European Union combined, according to R. Seetharaman, Chief Executive Officer of Doha Bank in Qatar. India will become one of the most sustainable economies in the future and by 2030 Asia's economy mainly encompassing India and China will be larger than that of the US and European Union combined, he said, addressing the Indian American media on the sidelines of Business & Investment in Qatar Forum in New York recently. Seetharaman said the world has seen the recovery from emerging economies, mainly India and China had contributed to the global recovery from the current crisis. Indian economy expected to grow at around 9 percent in 2011-12 and India's inflation till Feb 2011 of 8.31

Doha Bank CEO R Seetharaman at the Qatar Forum

percent and food price inflation of 10.05 percent till March 2011 made India's current account deficit is

2011 with advanced economies projected to experience around 2.5 percent growth while emerging

India will persevere with implementing financial sector reforms to support rapid and inclusive growth in the real economy, and also to increase systemic stability in the financial sector close to 3.5 per cent of its GDP. He said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects the world growth at 4.4 percent for

and developing economies including Middle East region projected to grow around 6.5 percent. The G-20 countries predicted

that India will be one of the 10 largest members in IMF and its rank in the IMF will improve to the eighth position from the current 11th in terms of quota. India - US trade increased by 30 percent in 2010 over 2009 to $49 Billion. Deals worth $10 billion signed by US companies with India will create over 50,000 jobs in the US. This made the UN estimate that India would contribute fully a quarter of addition to world's workforce over next 10 years, Seetharaman said India has sound and well regulated financial sector that was resilient to the crisis. India will persevere with implementing financial sector reforms to support rapid and inclusive growth in the real economy, and also to increase systemic stability in the financial sector. Some of the major sectors in India that have immense potential are Infrastructure, agriculture and food processing, Information technology and education. Investment in physical infrastructure is expected go up to $1,000 Billion over the 12th Five year plan of 2012 2013 to 2016 - 2017. ContĂd on page 37

TechBiz Post

May 6, 2011

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Obama seeks to end tax subsidies for oil companies WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has urged Congressional leadership to take immediate action to eliminate unwarranted tax breaks for the oil and gas industry and to use those dollars to invest in clean energy and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. Obama shot off a letter to the Congressional leadership in this regard after the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, John Boehner, expressed openness to eliminating these tax subsidies for the oil and gas industry. High oil and gasoline prices are weighing on the minds and pocketbooks of every American family, Obama said adding that while the economy has begun to recover, with 1.8 million private sector jobs created over the last 13 months, too many Americans are still struggling to find a job or simply just to pay the bills. "The recent steep increase in gas prices, driven by increased global demand and compounded by unrest and supply disruptions in the Middle East, has only added to those struggles. "If sustained, these high prices have the potential to slow down the pace of our economy's growth at precisely the moment when we need to be accelerating it," Obama said. "While there is no silver bullet to address rising gas prices in the short term, there are steps that could be taken to ensure the

American people don't fall victim to skyrocketing gas prices" over the long term, he said. "One of those steps is to eliminate unwarranted tax breaks to the oil and gas in-

prices provide more than enough profit motive to invest in domestic exploration and production without special tax breaks. "As we work together to reduce our deficits, we simply can't afford these wasteful

Observing that the political system has for too long avoided and ignored this important step and hoping that Congressmen can come together in a bipartisan manner to get it done, Obama said they need to get to work immediately US President Barack Obama

dustry and invest that revenue into clean energy to reduce our dependence on foreign oil," he said. The outdated tax laws currently provide the oil and gas industry more than USD 4 billion per year in subsidies, even though oil prices are high and the industry is projected to report outsized profits this quarter, Obama said. "In fact, in the past, CEOs of the major oil companies made it clear that high oil

subsidies and that is why I proposed to eliminate them in my FY'11 and FY'12 Budgets," he said. Observing that the political system has for too long avoided and ignored this important step and hoping that Congressmen can come together in a bipartisan manner to get it done, Obama said they need to get to work immediately on the longer term goal of reducing the country's dependence on foreign oil and America's vulnerability to the

price fluctuations this dependence creates. . "Without a comprehensive energy strategy for the future, we will stay stuck in the same old pattern of heated political rhetoric when prices rise and apathy and neglect when they fall again," Obama said. Obama said he recently laid out his approach in a comprehensive blueprint for a secure energy future, which included safe and responsible production of domestic oil and gas resources and doubling fuel efficiency in the transportation sector, while investing in everything from wind and solar energy to biofuels and natural gas. "None of you will agree with every aspect of this strategy. But I am confident that in many areas, we can work together to help show the American people that we can make progress on an energy policy that creates jobs and makes our country more secure," he said. The US President hoped the Congressional leaders could all agree that instead of continuing to subsidies yesterday's energy sources, the US needs to invest in tomorrow's. "We need to invest in a 21st century clean energy economy that will keep America competitive. In the long term, that's the answer. That's the key to helping families avoid pain at the pump and reducing our dependence on foreign oil," Obama said. -PTI

Outsourcing hot issue near polls, India trade balanced: Blake WASHINGTON: With political parties in the United States gradually entering election mode, a top Obama Administration official has acknowledged that "outsourcing" could be one of the campaign issues, but unlike the past, the positive aspect is that trade with India is balanced. "Outsourcing is always a hot button issue around elections, particularly when unemployment is high. People naturally take a look at these kinds of things," Assistant Secretary of State for South

and Central Asia Robert Blake told Knowledge @ Wharton in an interview. "But the point I would make about our economic relations with India is that they're increasingly balanced. The kind of offshoring... that is taking place, is an economic reality around the world now and all companies have plants in China and in India to basically be able to avail themselves of whatever the opportunities are in those countries. "Every country has slightly different opportunities and advan-

tages to offer," he said. So a big company like GE is going to have research centers all over the world to capitalize on and because of the Internet, they can bring all their scientists and engineers together in one big web and pool that knowledge and those ideas and to create something really interesting, he observed. "That's what's happening. I think that that's the competitive edge that every company needs and that's true of India, too. India's doing exactly the same thing in

India is emerging global power: Doha Bank CEO ContĂd from page 36

In India, the share of private structure in infrastructure investment has moved up from 2.2 percent of GDP in 2007-08 to 2.6 percent of GDP in 2009-10 and is expected to touch 3.3 percent of GDP by 2011-12. Foreign investment receives encouragement with the budget increasing foreign institutional investment (FII) limit in corporate infrastructure bonds by $20 billion to $40 billion and also FIIs will also be allowed to invest in mutual fund schemes and will lead to lot more integration of markets.

According to Seetharaman discussions are also underway to further liberalize the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy. Government has cut many import duties and excise duties to curb inflation. Bank licenses are planned to be issued for new private sector players. Budget proposes speeding up of various financial sector reforms. Plans are there to create Rs 100 crore equity funds for micro finance companies. Seetharaman was in New York as part of Qatari delegation to participate in the two-day Business & Investment in Qatar Forum last week at Waldorf Astoria Hotel ad-

dressed by Qatar Prime Minister Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al-Thani and Chairman & CEO, Exxon Mobil Corporation, USA Rex Tillerson. Economic Advisor in The Amiri Diwan Dr. Ibrahim Al Ibrahim; Executive Board Member, Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar Dr. Hussain Al Abdullah and Executive Chairman, Qatar Science and Technology Park Dr. Tidu Maini were some of the dignitaries who spoke at the conference attended by over 600 top International and Arab bankers, economists and business professionals from the US and the Gulf region.

reverse. The Infosys' of the world and Tata and others are setting up their own centers in Iowa and Michigan and places like that," he said. "That's the point I always make to American audiences... yes, some of this is happening, but this is part of keeping these companies in business and secondly, the Indians are doing the same in reverse. "A lot of new Indian investment is coming in and the pace is quite dramatic. It's a 50 per cent increase every single year. So we're going

to see a lot more of this coming over time. That's a very good thing for us," Blake said. Referring to tourism, he said one of the really interesting manifestations of the rise of the middle class in India has been that 650,000 Indians visited the United States last year. "That itself represented a 20 per cent increase from the year before and they are now the 10th largest source of foreign travelers into the United States, which is a very good thing. -PTI

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Realty Tidbits

Integrated township planned in Amritsar

Real Estate

eal estate-centric foreign direct investment (FDI) funds South Asian Real Estate (Sare) and Punjab-based Impact Projects would invest Rs 250 crore to develop an integrated township in Amritsar. The township would be spread over 104 acres and comprise of low rise towers, independent villas and other amenities security, health care, education, transport, communication and entertainment. Besides Amritsar, Sare is looking at Mullanpur, Mohali, near Jalandhar or Ludhiana in Punjab and Panchkula in Haryana for real estate projects through joint ventures. Speaking to Business Standard, Sare Chief Operating Officer Vineet Relia said, "The real estate boom is no longer limited to the larger metropolises of India, but has now permeated to the burgeoning smaller towns and cities. Amritsar is one of the most promising destinations for real estate development in Punjab and northern India. Keeping in mind, we have joined hands with Punjabbased Impact Projects to launch 'Crescent ParC'- an integrated township spread in an area of 104 acres in Amritsar. It is targeted towards the middle income group in Punjab."

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ising realty rates may have resulted in a sharp decline in property sales, but it has led to a growth in rental value in Mumbai and other metropolitan cities in the country. Mumbai and the outskirts of the city has seen an 11% growth in rental value in the past year, according to a study conducted by private real estate portal, 99acres.com. The figure for Bangalore, Pune and Delhi has shot up by 13%, 11% and 9% respectively.

SBI ends teaser home loan scheme

tate Bank of India (SBI) has discontinued its teaser home loan scheme. The interest rates offered on its home loans will now be replaced by floating interest rate schemes, which are comparable with those offered by other commercial banks and housing finance companies. All loans from May 1 will attract an interest rate of 9.5-10.25 per cent, depending on the loan amount. Loans up to Rs 30 lakh will be available at 9.5 per cent (one percentage point above their base rate). Loans in the Rs 30-75 lakh bracket will be charged 9.75 per cent (125 basis points above the base rate). And, those above Rs 75 lakh will be charged 10.25 per cent (175 basis points above the base rate). However, these rates would move in line with the changes in the bank's base rate that is reviewed every quarter. Earlier, the Reserve Bank of In-

dia had asked banks to stop giving teaser loan rates, since it believed such loans impacted the asset quality of the bank's home loan portfolio. Teaser loans offered advances at a comparatively lower rate of interest for the first few

ation overseas. Indian companies established 24 per cent more FDI projects overseas in 2010, making India the ninth largest investor by number of

years, after which rates were reset at higher rates. SBI was the last one to discontinue such special loans. Under its SBI Easy Home Loan

18th place in 2009 to 10th place in 2010 by number of jobs created overseas. Indian companies accelerated investment overseas across different industries, with the big-

Indian firms created 43 per cent more jobs overseas, moving the country from 18th place in 2009 to 10th place in 2010 by number of jobs created overseas projects in 2010. Indian firms created 43 per cent more jobs overseas, moving the country from

and SBI Advantage Home Loan products, one could get loans for 8-8.75 per cent in the first three years. After the third year, the rates would get reset at the then current floating rate structure. At 8.75 per cent, a 20-year-old loan on Rs

The good news is that for those who have already availed SBI's teaser home loans and are still in the initial three years, the old rates remain applicable

24% more Indian FDI projects overseas ndian, South Korean, Japanese and Chinese companies were among the fastest growing investors overseas in 2010, according to the FDI Intelligence report. The overall ranking of the world's leading locations for FDI remained unchanged in 2010 in terms of number of greenfield FDI projects attracted, with US at the top followed by China, UK, India and Germany. Chinese firms also increased the number of jobs created overseas by 10 per cent and capital investment by 2.5 per cent in 2010. China ranked eighth in the world by capital investment and job cre-

May 6, 2011

11% hike observed in Mumbai rentals

gest growth in the business services, metals, software and IT, and leisure and entertainment sectors. Indian companies expanded fastest in the UK, but the US and Gulf states also attracted increased FDI, the report said. South Korean FDI projects overseas increased by 12.5 per cent, with capital investment up by 36 per cent and job creation up by 50 per cent in 2010. South Korea moved up the rankings to be the sixth largest global investor overseas in 2010 in capital investment and the fifth biggest creator of overseas jobs. The fastest growth by South Korea's firms overseas was in the electronics, automotive and plastics sectors.

30 lakh would come to Rs 884 a lakh. At 9.5 per cent, you would now be paying Rs 932 a lakh. The good news is that for those who have already availed SBI's

teaser home loans and are still in the initial three years, the old rates remain applicable. The new rates will only apply to new applicants. Among the housing finance companies, LIC Housing Finance still offers a fixed interest rate of 9.9-10 per cent for the first five years and, thereafter, the then prevailing rates are applicable. But a quick calculation on apnaloan.com showed that the average rate for a 20-year period still works out in SBI's favor. The average rate for SBI was 9.5 per cent, while that for LIC Housing was 10.5 per cent for the same period. SBI has also said there would be no prepayment penalty on home loans. The bank used to charge customers a two per cent penalty on prepaying the home loan. It will also introduce a graded processing fee, which it will increase according to the loan amount.

Bangalore witnessing robust space demand

angalore is likely to witness a robust demand in commercial and retail space in the present calendar year on the back of higher economic activity. According to a study of real estate research firm Jones Lang LaSalle India, the city is likely to absorb about 7.1 million sq ft of office space by 2011 against a supply of 7 million sq ft in this period. "A majority of the expected absorption is likely to take place in the secondary and Whitefield micro-markets," Abishek Kiran Gupta, head-research and REIS, JLLM said. In the meantime, the office market has witnessed a total transaction of 2.77 million sq ft in the first quarter of CY10, which is 7.36 per cent higher than the previous quarter. The total net absorption in the city was 958,091 sq ft, of which the central business district (CBD) and others accounted for 18 per cent of the absorption during this period. Some of the key transactions during this period are Math Works leasing a 10,076 sq ft on Ulsoor Road, Impetus Leasing 20,000 sq ft on the Outer Ring

Road among others. In the rental space, the average rent for office space in the CBD increased to Rs 78 per sq ft from Rs 76 sq ft in the first quarter of CY10. Similarly, the retail space is expected to see a momentum during the present calendar year. "Demand is expected to gain momentum and the total absorption in 2011 is likely to be about 2.31 million sq ft against a supply of 3.3 million sq ft," the report said. However, the report said vacancy rate was expected to rise from 5.8 per cent in 2010 to 16.4 per cent in 2011. According to JLLM, the retail market absorbed 200,000 sq ft of retail mall space during the first quarter of CY11. 'The high streets of Indiranagar, Koramangala, Whitefield, BEL Road and Old Madras Road accounted for 277,995 sq ft of the leasing activity indicating a surge in demand in retail space," the report said. Vacancy has also fallen to 5.5 per cent in the first quarter from 5.8 per cent in the last quarter. Some of the deals during this period are Pantaloons leasing 20,000 sq ft, Costa Coffee leasing

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Health

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Harmful bacteria in Playboy grotto sickened scores LOS ANGELES: Health officials say the bacteria that causes Legionnaire's disease was found in the grotto of the Playboy Mansion, a whirlpool hot tub famed for steamy escapades. Scores of people who attended a fundraiser there in February reported becoming ill afterwards. Through a Public Records Act request, the Los Angeles Times obtained a report presented by local health officials at a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conference in Atlanta. Officials contacted 439 attendees, and found that 123 had experienced fevers and one other symptom, with 69 falling ill on the same day, Feb. 5. Legionnaires' disease can cause pneumonia, with symptoms that include headache, cough and shortness of breath. Playboy has said that they cooperated with the investigation. -AP

Part-time officials get full-time perks

SAN JOSE, Calif.: Hundreds of part-time elected officials in the San Francisco Bay area receive full-time health care benefits at taxpayer expense, according to a newspaper group's report. The Bay Area News Group said that 61 percent of small cities and 47 percent of school districts in its survey provided full-time health care benefits last year to its elected leaders, many of whom only attend meetings once or twice a month. By contrast, one in four private employers offers health benefits to part-time employees, according to an annual survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation. -AP

VA defends limited Ohio infection testing DAYTON, Ohio: The Department of Veterans' Affairs is standing by its decision to limit the number of dental patients tested for infections after treatment in a southwest Ohio medical center. The VA has offered to screen 535 patients who received invasive procedures over an 18-year period from a dentist who allegedly failed to change gloves or sterilize instruments at the Dayton VA Medical Center. The department released a statement following a task force's call for broader testing. -AP

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Oregon's health exchange grant in danger Details on page 42

Renowned cardiologist to install defibrillators at temples SRIREKHA CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Renowned interventional cardiologist, Dr. Samin Sharma, who holds the American record for the highest number of complex coronary interventions performed annually, has now set out on a different mission to give back to his community. He has undertaken to install at his personal cost, automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in at least 25 Indian temples across the Tri-State area. An automated external defibrillator is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) that can lead to a cardiac arrest in a patient and is able to treat them through the application of electrical therapy which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm. These devices can be used by lay responders or bystanders successfully with little or no training at all. The AEDs are already mandated to be installed at most

crowded public areas such as airports, train stations, big malls; and many schools too have installed them. Explaining the need for installing these devices at Indian temples, Dr. Sharma indicates that that is where the community gathers in large numbers, besides of

An automated external defibrillator is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) that can lead to a cardiac arrest in a patient course the high prevalence of heart diseases in the community. "For us (Indian Americans) temples are where all young and old people congregate, so they are a great place to keep these defibrillators.

The seriousness of the issue is obvious in the single instance of the Ganesh Temple in Flushing, NY. "The Flushing Temple authorities call for an ambulance or 911 almost twice a month for such an emergency," Dr. Sharma informs. "Not that all them die, but even if 10 people use the device

Dr. Samin Sharma

at the temple when needed, at least two or three lives can be saved." According to Dr. Sharma until about a decade ago the only way to attend to such emergencies was CPR besides calling 911.

Thanks to technological advances, he says even the defibrillators available have become smaller, sleeker, cheaper and extremely user friendly. "The cost used to be high earlier about $25,000 each," Dr. Sharma explains. "But now the latest models cost only $5,000." "These machines are so convenient to be use that people can even keep one at home if they have a high risk patient in the family," Dr. Sharma says. "The more important thing is that anybody can use it; all you have to do is check the pulse, attach the device to the chest and operate it. There won't be any scars or marks on the skin." The most important point, however, is that in at least 10 percent of the cases, the patient will wake up and walk away. There are about 45 temples in the Tri-State area and Dr. Sharma says he has found about 25 of them to be busiest. "Right now I have five AEDs ready to be installed and will be up and working within a week. My goal is to install one AED is all 25 temples by the end of this year." Cont’d on page 41

Nebraska community helps man battling cancer LINCOLN, NEB.: On a nosenumbing morning in April, a community gathered to give back to the giver. Neighbors and friends and Harley-riding buddies, children and grandchildren and city council members (past and present) stood in front of the grand white house on Washington Street that William Carver calls home. ``We're here to say a big thank you to our friend,'' said a bundled-up Cathy Beecham, who organized the gathering. William stood nearby as the past Near South Neighborhood Association president thanked him for his volunteer work, as the city's Stronger Safer Neighborhoods coordinator Jon

Carlson praised him for cleaning up graffiti, as City Councilman Jonathan Cook presented him a framed certificate and as the crowd clapped and hollered. Later they would eat cupcakes

He was looking for an old house. She was looking for a big house. The year was 1993. And William and Coralee Carver with five kids between them spent six

There wasn't a for-sale sign in the yard, and the house was a five-plex, but the woman who answered the door liked what the Carvers had to say: They wanted to move in and make it a home and warm up with coffee, grab paintbrushes and erase graffiti in William's honor. And William would tell them he was humbled, in the new voice he was just learning to use.

months looking and looking and then looking some more. Then one Sunday, William had an idea: Let's take a drive. Let's look for houses we like, whether there's a for sale sign in the yard

or not. William is telling this story recently, talking slowly and with a slight stammer - eight months after being diagnosed with Stage 4 tongue cancer, sitting in the living room of the house. There wasn't a for-sale sign in the yard, and the house was a five-plex, but the woman who answered the door liked what the Carvers had to say: They wanted to move in and make it a home. They wanted to be part of the neighborhood. Pretty soon, they were. William tore out walls and tore up carpet and they hired a contractor to make five apartments into one house. -AP

May 6, 2011

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AAPI holds Convention curtain raiser at Consulate India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The idea of setting up an exclusive medical school for Indian-origin students in the US was mooted and hailed by a gathering of reputed Indian American physicians who gathered at the Indian Consulate in New York City for a curtain raiser on the 29th Annual Convention of the Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) to be held June 22-26 at New York's Hilton Hotel. Setting the tone of the event, Dr. Krishan Kumar, Co-Chair of the Convention said Indian American physicians are wealthy enough and should come together to set up a state-of-the-art medical school in the US for Indians similar to those run by the Jewish community. Stating that AAPI represents at least 100,000 Indian origin physicians in the US, Dr. Krishan Kumar said considering the total Indian American population was only 0.6 percent of the total American population, it was creditable that almost 8% of the total American physicians were of Indian origin. Extending his full support to the convention, Consul General

all received good education, so it is payback time," he said. AAPI President Dr. Ajit Singhvi said the annual AAPI convention was not just an event for contin-

the focus this year was on increasing membership and the organization has succeeded in getting on board 1300 patron members, registering a 25% growth in

Co-Chair of the Convention said Indian American physicians are wealthy enough and should come together to set up a state-of-the-art medical school in the US for Indians similar to those run by the Jewish community Prabhu Dayal said Indian American physicians should also consider setting up a state-of-the-art medical school back in India too. "Medical education in India is highly subsidized and you have

ued medical education (CME) for members and attendees, for entertainment and networking, but it was also for introspection. Giving an overview of AAPI activities during the year, Dr. Singhvi said

membership in just one year. The focus, he said, was especially on enrolling young physicians of Indian origin. Dr. Singhvi also pointed out to loud applause that very soon one

out of every five medical graduates in the US would be of Indian origin. As an organization, AAPI conducts training programs for new physicians and existing members too on how to conduct their practice, how to lobby their respective local lawmakers and how not to get into trouble with the law. For the first time, Dr. Singhvi informed, AAPI has now got its own accreditation for conducting CME programs. The AAPI Governing Body has also recently established a Health Think Tank in India, he informed.

Chair of the Convention, Long Island-based Dr. Ajay Lodha said the four-day event will have a host of exciting programs including musical entertainment, standup comedy, and other special activities for the younger attendees. In conclusion, the Convention Chairs expressed confidence on organizing a successful convention thanks to the support extended by the Consul General and expressed gratitude for the presence and support of representatives of various non-medical community organizations in the TriState area.

Renowned cardiologist to install defibrillators at temples Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 40

Renowned the world over, Dr. Sharma also takes credit for the highest angioplasty success rate in New York State. He is currently Director of Interventional Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. In 1998, Dr. Sharma founded the Live Symposium of Complex Coronary Cases (CCC Symposium), where he remains a course director and which is attended by over 400 delegates annually. On the community front, he is the Vice-President of the Rajasthan Development Foundation in India and serves on the Cardiac Advisory Board of New York State, which advises the New York Department of Health and the

Governor's office on heart care in New York hospitals. Dr. Samin K. Sharma performs over 1500 complex coronary interventions annually (the highest in the country) while achieving an extremely low complication rate. According to New York State Department of Health reports, he has the highest angioplasty success rate (lowest mortality less than 0.1 percent) for an interventional cardiologist in the state since 1994. Under Dr. Sharma's leadership, Mount Sinai Heart has become one of the best and busiest centers in New York. In addition to coronary interventions, Dr. Sharma specializes in the non-surgical treatment of mitral and aortic stenosis (balloon valvuloplasty).

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Oregon's health exchange grant in danger SALEM, Ore.: Republican opposition to the federal health care overhaul is endangering a $48 million grant from the federal government to help Oregon implement a health insurance exchange, Democratic lawmakers say. The budget committee has set a deadline to schedule a hearing on a bill that would allow the state to formally apply for the money, but Republicans and Democrats had not agreed to let that happen. Oregon's Medicaid system was one of seven in the U.S. to get federal funding to create the computer infrastructure to power insurance exchanges that could be models for other states. An exchange would help connect individuals and small businesses with health insurance and help people determine whether they qualify for federal subsidies under the health care overhaul signed last year by President Barack Obama. Democrats blame Republicans on the Ways and Means Committee for tying up money for the project because they oppose the federal law - a charge that Republicans deny. "I think the only reason it would be rejected is political," said Rep. Peter Buckley, an Ashland Democrat who serves as one of three co-chairmen of the committee, which oversees the budget. "I'm cautiously optimistic that reasonable minds will prevail," Buckley said. Republicans say they're concerned about the state's record of managing complex information technology projects, including a recent struggle to create a statewide radio network for public safety agencies. The project has been criticized as mismanaged and

over budget. Rep. Dennis Richardson, a Central Point Republican who is the budget committee's only GOP leader, said opposition to the

An exchange would help connect individuals and small businesses with health insurance and help people determine whether they qualify for federal subsidies under the health care overhaul health care overhaul had nothing to do with the hang-up over accepting money. "We're evaluating federal grant money with the same care as if it was Oregon General Fund money since it's all taxpayer dollars," Richardson said. "We want to make sure that (the state) has the ability to manage a $48 million IT project with a reasonable expectation for success." The state Senate voted 24-5 to create an exchange, sending SB 99 to the House. That bill is silent about accepting the federal grant dollars and is not dependent on them. If Oregon declines the grant but still creates an exchange, the state would have to modify computer systems created elsewhere and would not have a hand in developing a system that will eventually be replicated in all 50 states - although the startup costs would still be paid by the federal government. It's not clear how much money that could be.

"It's a real opportunity for Oregon to shine here, to have our IT community step up and develop a program that can be a model for the state and the country," said Sen. Alan Bates, D-Ashland, a physician and proponent of accepting the federal money. The federal health care overhaul requires all states to create an exchange or allow the federal government to do it for them. Proponents of a state-specific exchange say Oregon should have an approach tailored to its specific needs rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all exchange designed in Washington. Efforts to create an Oregon exchange are an outgrowth of a 2009 state law requiring state officials to develop a plan for creating an insurance exchange. The disputed federal grant would pay for the exchange's computer infrastructure, including complex programming to ac-

curately calculate an individual's insurance cost and determine whether they qualify for federal tax credits or for Medicaid, which provides health coverage

Proponents of a statespecific exchange say Oregon should have an approach tailored to its specific needs rather than relying on a one-sizefits-all exchange designed in Washington to people with low income. In Oklahoma, concerns among Republicans that an exchange would help implement the federal health care overhaul led GOP Gov.

Mary Fallin to reject her state's $55 million federal grant. Oregon's exchange bill passed over the opposition of consumer groups including the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group, labor unions, AARP and the Oregon Nurses Association. Opponents have said they're disappointed that the bill would prohibit the exchange from negotiating for lower rates and would allow health industry executives to serve on the governing board, among other issues. Proponents say the bill would lower health care costs by reducing the ranks of the uninsured. They say it only allows two of nine board members to be employed in the health industry and requires people with conflicts of interest to abstain from voting. The House is likely to change the bill to address some of the critics' concerns. -AP

Cigarettes costly habit for W.Va. smokers CHARLESTON, W.Va.: West Virginia health officials are hoping sticker shock will get smokers to give up their nicotine habit. A new study says the average West Virginia smoker consumes a pack and a half a day and could spend nearly $119,000 on cigarettes over the next 30 years.

``We know that this is a horrible addiction. It's the hardest addiction in the world to break,'' said Bruce Adkins, director of the state Division of Tobacco Prevention. ``But one of the things that we know that drives people to quit is the cost, especially in today's health and economic en-

extra $600 to $1,000, he said, ``and hopefully they'll be able to spend the money they spent on cigarettes on better foods, medicines they need or health care.'' A 2009 report from the Division of Tobacco Prevention estimated 3,785 West Virginians die annually from smoking-related

A new study says the average West Virginia smoker consumes a pack and a half a day and could spend nearly $119,000 on cigarettes over the next 30 years

The average smoker spent about $31,000 on cigarettes between 1980 and 2009, according to the study by the state Health Statistics Center. Since 1980, the average priceper-pack has grown from 64 cents to $3.70 in 2009. If that trend continues, the study says, a pack of cigarettes could cost more than $14 by 2039. At 11/2 packs a day, that would be more than $8,100 a year.

vironment.'' West Virginia has the nation's second-highest rate of adult smoking at almost 26 percent. In 2009 alone, those smokers bought about 210 million packs. The study doesn't factor in the estimated 23,400 people under 18 who also smoke. Cutting the cost of cigarettes from a family budget could improve not only the smoker's health, Adkins said, but also the economy. Families could have an

illnesses and the state racks up about $1.3 billion in related health care costs, mostly through Medicaid. ``People of lower economic status and people of lower education definitely smoke and use tobacco at a higher rate,'' Adkins said. ``If we could get half of the people on Medicaid to quit using tobacco, then we probably could keep a lot of people healthier and off the Medicaid books by this one particular intervention.'' -AP

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Neb. nutritionists blame economy for 'food deserts' LINCOLN, Neb.: Supporters of a Ne- areas. An amendment to her bill, scheduled braska bill intended to increase access to for second-round debate this week, would healthy, affordable food argue that the glo- reduce the total available tax credit each bal recession had worsened the problem. year to $200,000, down from the $350,000 Health advocates and nutritionists said she had proposed. shortages of healthy food options have Council has argued that her legislation plagued low-income areas of Omaha and would extend more healthy eating options parts of rural Nebraska for years. to both urban and rural regions in so-called University of Ne"food deserts" that lack braska Lincoln nutrition easy access. specialist Wanda Critics worry the bill Critics worry the bill Koszewski said recent could create unintended rising gas prices have lim- could create uninconsequences for estabited the distances families lished grocery stores, can travel for healthy of- tended consewhich operate in a highly ferings. She said busicompetitive industry ness closures and tighter quences for estabwith slim margins. In earfamily budgets have conlier debate, some lawmaktributed as well, forcing lished grocery stores ers said market forces some shoppers to would create healthy choose cheaper but less food options for customhealthy food. ers if a demand existed. "Parents sometimes have to make tough Kathy Siefken, executive director of the decisions in today's economy, where you Nebraska Grocery Industry Association, have to look at nutrition versus price," said shoppers in Omaha have to travel no Koszewski said. "It's not that they want further than three miles anywhere to reach feed them unhealthy food. It's that they a full-service grocery store. have to choose between food, or no food." Siefken said her group was neutral on the Omaha Sen. Brenda Council has intro- bill because its membership was split. But duced legislation this session that would she said government support for programs offer tax credits and encourage private fund- in convenience stores or other small groing for grocery stores, farmers markets and cery operations could draw business away community gardens that serve low-access from more sustainable businesses. -AP

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In Brief 450 march on anniversary of Ariz. immigration law PHOENIX: About 450 immigrant rights advocates marched in downtown Phoenix to mark the first anniversary of Arizona's immigration enforcement law. Politicians and rank-and-file advocates at the rally denounced the law known as SB1070 and shouted slogans such as "SB1070 - We will not comply." There was a little shouting between opponents of the law and some of the 10 counter-protesters, but the event remained peaceful. The march started at Cesar Chavez Plaza and ended at the state Capitol. A federal judge had blocked enforcement of the law's most controversial sections, but allowed other parts to take effect. -AP

8 NY counties join fingerprint program BUFFALO, NY: Federal immigration authorities have signed on eight more New York counties to the Secure Communities program. The 21/2-year-old program red flags potential criminal illegal immigrants by running the fingerprints of people arrested by state or local authorities against federal government databases. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say that Chautauqua, Niagara, Livingston, Ontario, Otsego, Seneca, Steuben and Yates counties are now part of the program. From now on, when someone's booked there for a crime, their fingerprints will be sent not only to the Justice Department to check for criminal history, but to Homeland Security's biometric system to check against immigration law enforcement records.-AP

WA postpones budget vote on transportation OLYMPIA, Wash.: A planned vote on a proposed state transportation budget for the next two years was sidetracked when a Republican state senator tried to tack on an amendment aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from obtaining driver's licenses. The Senate met to discuss the $8.9 billion budget approved by House lawmakers last month. Senate leaders had hoped to vote on an amendment combining various aspects of the original House and Senate budget proposals into one compromise plan. -AP

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Popular cop in Alaska is illegal immigrant Details on page 46

Obama, advocates discuss immigration law overhaul WASHINGTON: Under pressure from advocates and the 2012 re-election calendar, President Barack Obama has enlisted a diverse group of elected officials and religious, business, labor, civil rights leaders and law enforcers to help build support for a longstalled overhaul of the nation's immigration laws. Obama is making a new attempt to fulfill his campaign pledge to enact broad changes early in his term. But his failure there has angered some Hispanics and immigrants' advocates, voters who helped elect him in 2008 and whom he'll need at the polls again next year. A White House meeting with a group of about 70 people led to no breakthroughs on the way forward, just a call to action. "The president asked the group to commit to moving forward to keep the debate about this issue alive, to keep it alive in the sense

that it can get before Congress, where the ultimate resolution of it will have to be obtained," said Bill Bratton, the former police chief in Los Angeles and New York City. "The idea being to go out into our various communities and to speak about the issue." Obama pledged to continue

participants to take a public and active role to lead a constructive and civil debate on the need to fix the broken immigration system," the White House said. "He stressed that in order to successfully tackle this issue they must bring the debate to communities around the country and involve

‘He stressed that in order to successfully tackle this issue they must bring the debate to communities around the country and involve many sectors of American society’ working to get Democrats and Republicans to agree on changes and said he'd lead a "civil debate" on the issue in the months ahead, the White House said in a statement. He also said success won't happen if he alone is leading the debate. "The president urged meeting

many sectors of American society in insisting that Congress act to create a system that meets our nation's needs for the 21st century and that upholds America's history as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants." The meeting was an attempt by the White House to demonstrate

far-reaching support for immigration overhaul and to include voices often not heard in the debate, such as San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg. Castro told The Associated Press afterward in an interview that Obama pledged to spend as much time on this issue as he spends on the deficit and health care. The meeting also came ahead of Obama's visit to Los Angeles to raise money for his re-election campaign. The government forced a record 393,000 illegal immigrants to leave the country last year. Others at the meeting said Obama acknowledged that the enforcement and deportations are affecting families, but was clear that he would take no action that could be seen as usurping Congress' role and authority. Cont’d on page 45

Advocacy groups welcome end to entry/exit registration India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Several South Asian American civil rights activists have welcomed the decision by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to modify the National Security Entry Exist Registration System (NSEERS). In a statement issued April 27, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) and The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), along with the Arab American Institute (AAI), the National Immigration Forum (NIF) and the Rights Working Group (RWG), said it welcomes the decision by the Secretary, DHS to modify the National Security Entry Exit Registration System (NSEERS). According to DHS through a notice published in the Federal Register, effective April 28, nationals and citizens of countries currently subject to NSEERS are no longer required to register.

According to SAALT, the NSEERS program was a counterproductive response in the wake of September 11, 2001, and required certain non-immigrants to register at ports of entry and local immigration offices; this process entailed fingerprints, photographs and lengthy questioning.

NSEERS revealed it to be a system that was a clear example of profiling: discriminatory, arbitrary, and, as DHS itself has stated, an ineffective national security measure, SAALT said. DHS has notified key stakeholders about the delisting of countries from the NSEERS regu-

The specific parameters of NSEERS revealed it to be a system that was a clear example of profiling: discriminatory, arbitrary One controversial aspect of the NSEERS program was a "domestic call-in" component that solicited registrations from more than 80,000 males who were inside the United States on temporary visas from predominantly Arab, South Asian, or Muslim-majority countries. The specific parameters of

lations, and suggested that individuals residing in the US and facing removal or a denial of immigration benefits because of NSEERS will be addressed on a case-bycase basis. The activist groups said they look forward to working with DHS to ensure that favorable discretion is exercised toward individuals

facing immigration consequences because of an NSEERS-related issue. It is critical that DHS view this rule as a starting point for granting relief retroactively for those affected by NSEERS, the statement said, adding, "Ultimately, these groups believe that NSEERS must be repealed in its entirety." "SAALT has been advocating for an end to NSEERS since the program was instituted in late 2002. We believe that the program targeted individuals for differential treatment under the immigration system simply because of their country of origin and religion. While this is an important step forward, we hope that other government agencies and Congress will move forward to eliminate all forms of profiling through internal guidance as well as laws such as the End Racial Profiling Act," commented Deepa Iyer, Executive Director of SAALT.

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May 6, 2011

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Congresswoman says Immigration officials lied

USCIS plans new rules for H-1B petitioners CYRUS D. MEHTA

SAN JOSE, Calif.: A Northern California congresswoman has accused federal immigrations officials of lying when they said counties and states could opt out of a program that checks the immigration status of people arrested and booked into local jails. Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren of San Jose called for an investigation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials following a review by her office of internal correspondence about the Secure Communities program. That correspondence recently released by the Department of Homeland Security in response to a Freedom of Information lawsuit shows the Obama administration gave communities no choice but to participate in the program after some refused. Santa Clara County, where San Jose is the county seat, and San Francisco were among the communities that sought to opt out of Secure Communities. Additionally, ICE officials continued discussing whether the program was voluntary even after telling Congress and law enforcement agencies that participation wasn't required, according to the documents. ``It is inescapable that the (Department of Homeland Security) was not honest with the local governments or with me," Lofgren told the Los Angeles Times. ``You can't have a government department essentially lying to local government and to members of Congress. This is not OK.'' -AP

he Department of Homeland Secu rity has proposed to amend its regu lations on petitions filed on behalf of H-1B workers subject to annual numerical limitations or exempt from numerical limitations by virtue of having earned a U.S. master's or higher degree. The rule proposes to require employers seeking to petition for H-1B cap-subject workers to first file electronic registrations with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) during a designated registration period. USCIS estimated that the proposed rule could save U.S. businesses more than $23 million over the next 10 years by minimizing administrative burdens and related expenses. The agency said the registration system would save employers the effort and expense of filing H-1B petitions, as well as labor condition applications, for workers who would be unable to obtain visas under the statutory cap. USCIS estimated that the registration process would take 30 minutes to complete. Under the proposed rule, if USCIS anticipates that the H-1B cap will not be reached by the first day upon which H-1B petitions may be filed for a particular fiscal year, USCIS would notify all registered employers that they are eligible to file H-1B petitions on behalf of the beneficiaries named in the selected registrations. USCIS would continue to accept and select registrations until the H-1B cap is reached. On the other hand, if USCIS anticipates that the H-1B cap will be reached by the

first day upon which H-1B petitions may be filed for a particular fiscal year, USCIS would close the registration before such date and randomly select a sufficient number of timely filed registrations to meet the applicable cap. USCIS proposes to allow only those petitioners whose registrations are randomly selected to file H-1B petitions for the capsubject prospective worker named in the registration. USCIS would create a waitlist containing some or all of the remaining reg-

USCIS proposes to allow only those petitioners whose registrations are randomly selected to file H-1B petitions for the cap-subject prospective worker named in the registration. USCIS would create a waitlist containing some or all of the remaining registrations istrations, based on USCIS statistical estimates of how many more registrations may be needed to fill the caps should the initial pool of selected registrations fall short. USCIS would notify the employers of those registrations placed on the waitlist when and if they are eligible to file an H-1B petition. Employers whose registrations

Obama, advocates discuss immigration law overhaul Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 44

Immigrant advocates have been pressing for a number of administrative changes, such as granting hardship waivers to the undocumented parents of American-born children so the adults can continue living in the U.S. with their children. Obama is feeling pressure from the Latino community, including harsh criticism from the Spanishlanguage media, and others to fix what he has said on numerous occasions is a broken immigration system. Hispanics helped elect Obama in 2008. He won 67 percent of the burgeoning Latino vote, more than double the 31 percent garnered by Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain. But Obama's hopes of matching or even topping that performance when he stands for re-election next year could be complicated by failure to deliver on a major promise to an important Democratic constituency. Illinois Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez, who helped rally His-

panic voters to support Obama during the 2008 campaign, told a Chicago crowd over the weekend that he wasn't sure he could back Obama next year if the president did not step up on immigration. Recently, 22 Senate Democrats also sent Obama a letter asking him to delay deportations of younger

Legislation known as the DREAM Act that would help such immigrants eventually qualify for citizenship failed in the last Congress illegal immigrants who were brought to the U.S. by their parents. Legislation known as the DREAM Act that would help such immigrants eventually qualify for citizenship failed in the last Congress. Obama insists that he is com-

mitted to overhauling the system. But he also argues that he can't make headway without Republican support. He does not have enough Democratic votes in the Senate to muscle any legislation through and Republicans control the House. He has called for a broad policy that emphasizes border security, crack downs on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants and requiring illegal immigrants to acknowledge that they broke the law, pay back taxes and penalties, and learn English before they can begin the process of qualifying for legal status and eventual citizenship. -AP

were neither randomly selected to file petitions nor placed on the waitlist would receive notification that they were not selected to file petitions in that fiscal year. USCIS said it anticipates that this new process "will reduce administrative burdens and associated costs on employers who currently must spend significant time and resources compiling the petition and supporting documentation for each potential beneficiary without certainty that the statutory cap has not been reached." The proposed mandatory registration process also "will alleviate administrative burdens on USCIS service centers that process H-1B petitions," the agency said. Written comments must be submitted by May 2, 2011. This means that the final rule will not take effect until the 2012 H-1B filing season.

E-Verify self check

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) launched "E-Verify Self Check" on March 21. The voluntary service enables individuals to check their own employment eligibility status at no charge. USCIS is releasing E-Verify Self Check in phases, with the first phase accessible only to users who maintain an address and are physically located in Arizona, Idaho, Colorado, Mississippi, Virginia, or the District of Columbia. * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com

Immigration Post

India Post

May 6, 2011

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Popular cop in Alaska is illegal immigrant ANCHORAGE, Alaska: For years, the man known as Rafael Espinoza was widely respected as an exemplary police officer who was popular among his peers in Alaska's largest city. All that ended last week when authorities discovered he was really Mexican national Rafael MoraLopez, who was in the U.S. illegally and stole another man's identity, officials charged. ``His reputation here is one of a hard-working officer, one who was very professional,'' Anchorage Police Chief Mark Mew said at a news conference announcing Mora-Lopez's arrest. ``The problem, obviously, is he is not Rafael Espinoza.'' Soon after the announcement, Mora-Lopez appeared in U.S. District Court in Anchorage and pleaded not guilty to a charge of passport fraud, which carries a maximum 10year sentence. At his arraignment, Mora-Lopez told a federal magistrate he is 47, even though officials listed his age as 51. His attorney, Alan Dayan, declined to comment to The Associated Press. Federal agents processing a renewal request for his passport discovered the alleged fraud. He was arrested after authorities searched his home and found documents confirming his true identity, officials said. Mora-Lopez had been em-

ployed as an Anchorage police officer since 2005 under the assumed name. Police and federal prosecutors said he doesn't have a criminal record. ``We have no evidence that this individual had at the time been anything other than a good police

There are no immediate plans to file state charges. ``At this time, we have no reason to believe, from what we know so far, that this gentleman or this officer's good work for APD has in any way been compromised or questioned,'' Skidmore said officer,'' Karen Loeffler, U.S. Attorney in Alaska said. The real Rafael Espinoza is a U.S. citizen who lives outside Alaska. Officials said it's too soon to gauge implications of the case, such as any fallout over MoraLopez's court testimony in past criminal trials. Authorities released limited details, saying the case

was still unfolding. Mew said the department conducted a pre-employment criminal background check on Mora-Lopez and he also passed a polygraph test. A national fingerprint check also turned up empty. The arrest was a ``bitter pill to swallow'' for many in the police department, Mew said. There are no immediate plans to file state charges, said John Skidmore, a state attorney. He and other officials stressed that the case was still under investigation. ``At this time, we have no reason to believe, from what we know so far, that this gentleman or this officer's good work for APD has in any way been compromised or questioned,'' Skidmore said. U.S. Magistrate John D. Roberts set bond at $50,000, and ordered Mora-Lopez to home-confinement and electronic monitoring. His defense attorney told the magistrate that Mora-Lopez has a wife and child in Alaska and has close ties to Anchorage, where he has lived since the late 1980s. ``He's not going anywhere,'' Dayan said. The passport fraud case is similar to one involving a Mexican national who took the identity of a dead cousin who was a U.S. citizen in order to become a Milwaukee police officer. Oscar AyalaCornejo was deported to Mexico in 2007. -AP

Immigrant advocates hold Good Friday march

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NEWARK, NJ: Advocacy groups in New Jersey observed Good Friday with a protest march that concluded a six-week Lenten campaign to raise awareness of immigrant rights issues. About 60 members of faithbased organizations, immigrant rights groups and immigrant families gathered at the Hall of Records in Newark and marched through the city to a local church. Along the way, they conducted a "Way of the Cross" ceremony - which commemorates Jesus' final hours - with prayers that likened Jesus' suffering to the modern day struggles of immigrants. "Jesus suffered and died because he spoke out for justice," said Rev. Joyce Antila Phipps, a pastor at Old First Church in Bound Brook and head of the immigrant rights group Casa Esperanza. "Our lord was somebody who stood up for everybody, no matter where they came from."

The event marked the conclusion of a statewide campaign called ``Lament, Compassion, Solidarity & Conversion'' that organizers said was meant to focus on

About 60 members of faith-based organizations, immigrant rights groups and immigrant families gathered at the Hall of Records in Newark and marched through the city to a local church "recognizing the human value of immigrants." It featured six weeks of events aimed at raising awareness of what the groups see as problems in current U.S. immigra-

tion policy. They want to push for immigration reform policies that center around keeping immigrant families intact. The campaign began on Ash Wednesday in March with participants walking more than 10 miles from Liberty State Park to the Elizabeth Detention Center. The groups, including Pax Christi, Casa Esperanza, Wind of the Spirit and the United Day Laborers of Passaic, among others, have also been objecting to plans for a new immigrant detention facility that will likely be built in Essex County. They claim the federal immigration detention system is inhumane and disruptive to families. A service agreement for the facility has not been finalized, but Essex County officials have proposed expanding the existing Essex County Correctional Facility to accommodate the additional immigrant detainees. -AP

May 6, 2011

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Philosophy

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ife and religion are one. All that you do to maintain your life, your everyday work and play, all your attempts to earn a living, should be done with sincerity, love and devotion, with a firm conviction that true living means virtually perfecting one's spiritual existence in tune with the universe. To bring about this synthesis, religious culture should be made as natural and easy as taking our food and drink when we are hungry and thirsty. With earnestness, love and goodwill carry out life's everyday duties and try to elevate yourself step by step. In all human activities let there be a live contact with the Divine and you will not have to leave off anything. Your work will then be done well and you will be on the right track to find the Master. Just as a mother nourishes her child with all possible care and affection and makes him grow up into a healthy boy and a handsome youth, so you will find the subtle touches of the Divine Mother shaping your inner life and making you reach your full height and stature. Whatever work you have to do, do it with a singleness of purpose, with all the simplicity, contentment and joy you are capable

SWAMI VENKATESHANANDA

eople may ask: "What is my relationship to the Kundalini?" Perhaps they would do better to ask: "What does the Kundalini have to do with the individual?" These two are different questions, because the "individual" and "me" are different also. If one has an accident in which there is much brain damage, there is no "me" left, but only an "individual." This difference is enormous. The "individual" is "indivisible duality", something which cannot be divided. The 'me' is division itself! The spiral, because of its consentience with a certain consciousness, sankalpa, functions as an individual. The Kundalini energy is not my energy. There is no such thing as "my Kundalini." The Kundalini has nothing to do with my being, it's purely of being! The notion of "free will" has nothing to do with the Kundalini. You cannot take a certain yoga posture, and will the Kundalini energy to rise. The ego-sense, with all its comrades are the obstructions, or veils, that make the Kundalini apparently dormant. You've no doubt heard some-

of. Thus only will you be able to reap the best fruit of work. In fullness of time, the dry leaves of life will naturally drop off and new ones shoot forth. Just as there is a definite timetable for work at school, office or the shop, so should we set apart for divine contemplation a few minutes out of the twenty-four hours of every day, preferably in the morning and evening. One must make a fixed resolve that this little time shall be dedicated to

You will feel the flow of the mysterious Divine Grace feeding all your thoughts and giving you new strength. You get a pension or bonus after years of hard work, so that you need no longer earn your livelihood. In the spiritual realm the reward for good, sincere and selfless work is even far greater and can be obtained more easily. Your earthly pension expires with your life, but the divine pension continues long, long after

Lose yourself altogether when bowing down to God with a singleminded devotion and you will obtain joy and power in proportion. At least morning and evening at the appointed time, lay down your body, mind and life before Him in salutation and surrender, and think of Him just a little. There are two kinds of panamas: Offering to Him your whole body and mind with all thoughts, desires, sense-impressions, love, affection, devotion,

Set apart a few minutes for divine contemplation

There is something good in all seeming failures. You are not to see that now. Time will reveal it. Be patient.

Anandamayi Ma

In all human activities let there be a live contact with the Divine and you will not have to leave off anything. Your work will then be done well

God throughout life. During this period no worldly activity should be allowed. A fixed time for prayer or meditation must be allotted to all the members of the family including the servants. If this practice is continued for long, divine contemplation will become a part of your nature. Once the habit is established, the future course of your life will be made quite easy.

death. Those who amass money, store it up in a hidden chamber of their house, add to this store what they can save from time to time, and keep a constant watch over their treasure. So also reserve a little corner of your mind and heart for God and always steal an opportunity to add to your stock in the shape of the invocation of His name or some pious work or divine thought.

just like emptying the contents of a full pitcher to its last drop. The other way is like scattering facepowder through the minute holes of a powder-box: the major portion of your thoughts and desires is kept back in a hidden chamber of your mind, and only a little dust is allowed to escape. The 115th birth anniversary of Anandamayi Ma was observed on April 30

one talk about the "dormant Kundalini" or the "sleeping Kundalini." The Kundalini can never be asleep! Energy can be static, but never asleep. It's not even possible, not even hypothetically. To suggest, for example, that light is ever dormant would be absurd. Light can be eclipsed, or, one may not be able to see it with the naked

for its own completion, and the apparent individual consciousness assumes: "I am looking to find completion!", but, unfortunately, moves farther and farther away from completion all the time. And as it goes on spiraling, however, there is, at the same time, a constant pull towards the center. Take the simple analogy of a

the mountain might hold the water for some time. However, sooner or later, the sun will warm up that snow, and it is bound to melt. It will start to dribble down the mountain, drop by drop, slowly becoming a stream, and it will eventually find its way back to its source. The Kundalini spiral is like the water from the lake. Despite its erratic movement, there is a constant

-Swami Sivananda To listen to some devout people, one would imagine that God never laughs. -Sri Aurobindo Life finds its purpose and fulfillment in the expansion of happiness. -Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Although you may spend your life killing, You will not exhaust all your foes. But if you quell your own anger, your real enemy

Kundalini can be static, but never asleep

will be slain. -Nagarjuna

The ego-sense, with all its comrades are the ob-

You need not aspire for

structions, or veils, that make the Kundalini

or get any new state. Get

apparently dormant

rid of your present thoughts, that is all.

Swami Venkateshananda

eye for one reason or another, but is not capable of being dormant. In the same way, the Kundalini, by virtue of its definition as cosmic energy, cosmically manifests in infinite ways and in infinite places, can never become dormant. When the Kundalini energy misses the first full circle, it becomes lost. The individual assumes: "I am lost." The Kundalini begins to look

lake. A lake is made up of water. The lake water evaporates from the lake, and goes up into the air. If, for example, the weather is suitable and the vapor becomes rain, it comes back to the lake immediately, and the circle is completed without any problem. On the other hand, if the vapor gets carried to a nearby mountain, and conditions turn it into snow,

pull towards the center that will eventually bring it back to its point of origin. It is one of the most vital messages of yoga. Namely, that there is no such thing as eternal damnation. It may take you one hundred years; it may take you one hundred lifetimes, but having left the source, the constant pull towards the center will bring you back.

-Ramana Maharshi A religion that takes no account of practical affairs and does not help to solve them is no religion. -Mohandas Gandhi

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Engaging the Pakistani military: India's gains ARUN SAHGAL

he London Times report on secret parleys between the Indian Prime Minister's special non-official interlocutor and Gen. Pervez Kayani has created a buzz in New Delhi. It holds immense significance coming in the backdrop of the Prime Minister's statement that if he manages to improve relations with Pakistan during his tenure he will consider his job done. The report carries an innuendo that the process is being driven by the Americans, who are keen to see an improvement in Indo-Pak rela-

strikes against Haqqani and other groups taking shelter in North Waziristan. This has seriously alienated the Pakistani Army domestically which is seen as succumbing to US pressure. The issue has been further harmed by the Davis incident that indicated CIA launching operations beyond the terms of mandated ground rules between the CIA and ISI. The ISI chief's recent visit to Washington, which was inexplicably cut short, also demonstrates that things have not been fully resolved. In addition, President Hamid Karzai has stepped up his recon-

Pak Army Chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani addressing troops

tions. Meanwhile, one can also witness a growing bonhomie in Indo-Pak relations. First, the initiation of the home secretary level dialogue in the wake of Pakistan's willingness to bring the 26/11 culprits to justice is a positive step, where the only problem remaining is the capacity gap (which has so far precluded even the attackers of former President Musharraf being brought to book). Second, the reported sale of finished petroleum products to Pakistan during the forthcoming commerce secretaries' talks also bodes well. Thus seen from New Delhi's perspective there has been a sea change for the better in Indo-Pakistan relations post the cricket diplomacy and the palpable upswing in the mood in New Delhi cannot be faulted. However, it is imperative to take cognizance of what exactly is happening in this part of the world and what is driving these initiatives at present. The Americans are set to begin withdrawing their forces from Afghanistan starting July 2011. This will happen concurrently with the growing Taliban violence towards coalition forces, UN workers as well as soft targets like the civilians and Afghan security forces. From the US perspective, security situation is not at all comfortable and is in fact deteriorating. Second, with increased concerns over growing Taliban violence, the US has stepped up cross border

ciliation and reintegration efforts by opening up negotiations directly with Taliban and reportedly midwifed by Pakistan with tacit support of the beleaguered Americans. Even more interesting is the fact that President Karzai has opened substantive negotiations with Pakistani military leadership based on an assumption that taking Pakistan on board will be crucial for long term stability in the region. The question then is what has all this to do with Kayani-India dialogue; the relevance lies in the

The US can provide a platform for meaningful dialogue to address Kayani's India centric concerns through direct reassurances from the Indian interlocutors, which will indicate a genuine Indian desire to improve relations significant American support. The US can provide a platform for meaningful dialogue to address Kayani's India centric concerns through direct reassurances from the Indian interlocutors, which will indicate a genuine Indian desire to improve relations. If the above scenario is realized it might create a win-win situation

for Pakistan. On the one hand, it will get reassurances from the highest levels in India, which it can use to carry the dialogue process forward and even leverage to seek settlement of outstanding disputes on favorable terms. For instance, in the short term on Siachen and Sir Creek and in the long run on Jammu & Kashmir. Second, this will once again ensure emergence of Pakistan as the key factor in resolution of the Afghan imbroglio leaving India with little clout to shape political or security discourse in Afghanistan. It will also firmly bring the role and significance of Pakistani Military into political calculations of the Indo-Pak discourse. From the Indian perspective, a dialogue with Kayani implies a direct interlocution with the centre of political and military power in Pakistan, and hence, if any conclusions or understanding is reached it will ensure a degree of regional stability. While no new ground appears to have been broken despite the momentum forward, the big issue for India is 'peace at what cost.' Allowing a Pakistani veto in Afghanistan will seriously compromise India's strategic concerns. Second, a Pakistan-centric Afghanistan would impact India's linkages with Central Asia, unless Pakistan can be convin ced of greater economic benefits or it is bypassed by improving relations with Iran. At present, economic bargaining with Pakistan appears difficult because of its close ties with China. Moreover, China's growing strategic concerns both in Afghanistan and Pakistan will not allow any rapprochement between India and Pakistan at the cost of its own advantage. In that case what are the tangible gains? The first and foremost gain from an improved dialogue will be perceptible in the summer of 2011 in J&K. If the cross border push to worsen the atmosphere is restrained then there might be some perceptible movement. Second, lowering of tensions will provide greater development focus and an opportunity to improve economic and political relations between the two countries. Third, even with regards to Afghanistan, India needs to push for improvement in relations by taking both Pakistan and Iran into confidence. In sum, a dialogue with the Pakistani military will facilitate building positive bilateral atmospherics. The writer is Consultant, IPCS

India Post Public mood P

eople in the giant Delhi stadium booed when Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the organizing committee, spoke at the Commonwealth Games ceremonies last year. They had already pronounced him guilty of corruption. It has taken the Government-appointed CBI six months to do so legally. It is satisfying to some extent that the arm of the law has reached the top. But it has also given rise to an uncomfortable question. Would Kalmadi have been arrested had it not been for public pressure in the form of the Anna Hazare-led civil society movement? Similar is the sentiment in the much more sensitive chargesheeting of Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi in the 2G scam case. It is alleged that as coowner of family's Kalaignar TV, she received over Rs 200 crore transferred from the accused firm DB Group. While the Congress party has distanced itself from Kalmadi, even removing him from the party; it cannot distance itself from the DMK on whose support its government survives at the Center. It is a tight-rope walk. If the Congress doesn't act against the known accomplices of A. Raja, the former telecom minister arrested for the 2G scam, the simmering public anger could anoint the whole Congress outfit as guilty and punish it at the hustings. But if it does take action, it will annoy the TN ruling party patriarch Karunanidhi who might withdraw his party's support thus endangering the very existence of the Congress-led UPA-II. If there is cynicism in the public about these actions, there is precedent for it. Whenever the influential people have been arrested in the past, they were found to easily obtain bail and after some time it was discovered that no strong case had been made out against them leaving the courts no choice but to release them. In the absence of a watertight case, it is feared this could happen again in the present scams being investigated by the CBI. Kalmadi and Kanimozhi could be released on bail and after sometime might even go scot-free because of the CBI case being riddled with loopholes. If there is hope for better preparation by the CBI this time it is because of the anti-corruption crusade being continued by social activist Anna Hazare and the unprecedented support he has found from the public and more notably, on the modern networking forum, the Internet. It is unfortunate that in spite of these actions against the VIPs, the government of UPA-II doesn't inspire confidence. It is as if the government has been forced to act against its nature in these high profile cases and would like to carry on as before. It has not made any attempt to inform the public on its stand and on why it was not complicit and that it should not be considered as having created the environment for scams to thrive. It seems content to name scapegoats, distance itself from them and carry on as before. Such tactics may have succeeded in the past but the atmosphere has changed today. The public is not only more aware of the murky goings on within the government, it has acquired confidence that something can be done about it and that public vigilance and protests have begun to pay dividends. One aspect of the corruption cases which is escaping attention is that industrial houses and private companies are fully complicit in this deal-fixing with government functionaries. It is the mood of the public which has led five CEOs of involved companies to jail and they have also been denied bail. In previous such cases it would have been easy for industrial bosses to obtain bail. Shall we say the worm is turning!

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