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Mahakumbh Abhishekam at Sunnyvale Details on page 17

VOL 18, No. 976

May 31, 2013

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Periodical Postage

INDIA, CHINA AGREE ON BORDER PEACE

Eesha Khare

Indian American teen invents 20second charger Details on page 8

Now an Indian owner for NBA franchise Details on page 10

More Hindus migrating to the US than ever

Gadar Hero portrait unveiled at SF Consulate

Details on page 44

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Canada trying to lure Silicon Valley workers

Nirupama Rao has talks with Ed Royce Details on page 10

Dara Singh's son Vindoo arrested in spot-fixing Details on page 7

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

Did Chinese incursion in Ladakh affect the talks?

Last week’s result

Will ties with Pak improve after Sharif victory?

YES 71%

NO 29%

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CONTENTS FRIENDSHIP FACADE : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang wave to media prior to a

Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29

meeting at Hydrabad house in New Delhi on May 20

Classifieds ------------------------- 50

NEW DELHI: Taking stock of "lessons learnt" from the recent stand off in Ladakh after a Chinese incursion there, India and China have decided on further measures for maintaining peace and tranquility along their border.

This was disclosed after discussions on "mutual interest and concern" between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang, who met here for the second time, covering a wide range of issues including boundary dispute, trans-border rivers and trade deficit.

Addressing a joint press meet, the two leaders acknowledged their talks had been "candid" and "frank", a diplo-

matic euphemism for their forthright discussions.

Noting that they "took stock of lessons learnt from the recent incident in the Western Sector, when existing mechanisms proved their worth", Singh announced, "We have tasked our Special Representatives to consider further measures that may be needed to maintain peace and tranquility along the border.

"We agreed that our Special Representatives will meet soon to continue discussions, seeking early agreement on a framework for a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable boundary settlement."

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

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Community Post -------------- 16-26 Date Book -------------------------- 36 Edit Page --------------------------- 54 HealthScience Post --------- 32-35 Horoscope ------------------------- 52 Immigration Post ------------- 44-47 Life Style ----------------------- 48-50 Philosophy ------------------------- 53 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 30-31 TechBiz Post ------------------- 12-14 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 40-43

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ndian software technology companies seem to be fighting a losing battle against the Gang of Eight. Unfortunately it's not a common extortionist gang that the companies can take criminal action against. This eight member gang is the US Senate group that has come up with the "killer" immigration bill that will for all practical purposes gut the H1B visa program.

The new bill requires employers to: Pay higher wages to most H-1B employees than to US workers; advertise the job for at least 30 days in a Department of Labor online database; offer the job to any "equally or better qualified" American who applies; not displace any of their US employees for a six-month window surrounding the H-1B visa application unless they can show that they have not decreased the number of workers in the same "job zone" for the past year; and follow even stricter regulations if more than 15 percent of their workforce uses the program.

Higher wages than prevailing wages paid to American workers might seem unfair besides the ridiculously high processing fee for H1B visas.

India Inc., along with the US-India Business Council has been on an overdrive trying to lobby Congress to go easy on the provisions of the bill that directly affect Indian tech companies.

Making an argument against the bill, the USIBC had earlier pointed to a 2012 McKinsey report which found that by 2020 there will be 1.5 million more openings requiring a bachelor's degree in the US work force than there are candidates for jobs; even doubling the number of H1-B visas does little to allow leading US companies to fill the thousands of STEM positions open today; these jobs are high-wage positions that support vital operations in the financial services, retail, health care and services industries that are not able to be filled from the domestic labor pool.

Whatever the arguments, for or against, personally I have always been skeptical about the H1B visa program, especially considering the way many Indian employers misused it. If you ask me, I think it is best to scrap it than mutilate it further or even salvage it.

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Friends for life Ranbir Kapoor says Deepika and “I will remain friends for a very long time. I will be her children's godfather.”

Cover Story: Peace on border PM Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang have decided to maintain peace and tranquility on border.

Community: Startup visas Candidate for California's 17th congressional district Ro Khanna calls for increase in STEM graduate & startup visas

Immigration: More Hindus migrating The number of Hindus migrating to the US every year has more than doubled in the last one decade

Life Style: Hindi experience Invited to open the Cannes Film Festival, Big B made the experience special by addressing the audience in Hindi.

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US business groups have called on lawmakers to support increase in H-1B visas & provide green cards to entrepreneurs

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Travel: Mahabaleshwar Nestling in the curvaceous mountain ranges of the Western Ghats is the cool misty resort of Mahabaleshwar

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India, China agree on border peace NEW DELHI: Taking stock of "lessons learnt" from the recent stand off in Ladakh after a Chinese incursion there, India and China have decided on further measures for maintaining peace and tranquility along their border.

This was disclosed after discussions on "mutual interest and concern" between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang, who met here for the second time, covering a wide range of issues including boundary dispute, trans-border rivers and trade deficit.

Addressing a joint press meet, the two leaders acknowledged their talks had been "candid" and "frank", a diplomatic euphemism for their forthright discussions.

Noting that they "took stock of lessons learnt from the recent incident in the Western Sector, when existing mechanisms proved their worth", Singh announced, "We have tasked our Special Representatives to consider further measures that may be needed to maintain peace and tranquility along the border.

"We agreed that our Special Representatives will meet soon to continue discussions, seeking early agreement on a framework for a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable boundary settlement."

The talks come nearly a month after the 19-km-deep incursion by the Chinese troops in Depsang valley in Ladakh which was resolved only recently.

On his part, Li, while admitting that there were "some problems" between the two countries, said, "Both sides believe that, with regard to the boundary question, one that is leftover by history, the two sides have over time established the principles on this question.

"In the meantime, we have worked together to maintain tranquility and peace on the border," the Chinese Premier said, adding, "We need to confront various issues with a broad mind and conduct dialogue on those issues in a mature and sensible way.

"We need to appropriately handle our cooperation by maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas and on the transborder river issues."

Prime Minister Singh in his statement said that, "Premier Li and I have had wide-ranging and candid discussions covering all matters of mutual interest and concern".

Areas of convergence Singh said he was delighted that there are so many areas of convergence between them and on which there is a great deal of

meeting of minds.

"Most importantly, we agreed that the relationship between our two countries is of growing significance and essential for our peaceful development and sustained economic growth, as well

borders. While seeking an early resolution of the boundary question, Premier Li and I agreed that this must continue to be preserved," he said.

"I also reiterated to Premier Li India's concerns about the effects

operation on trans-border rivers.

It would also be useful for India and China to collaborate on a better understanding of the stresses of the shared Himalayan ecosystem, he said.

"I shared with Premier Li my

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Li Keqiang, at the joint press conference, in New Delhi on May 20

as for stability and prosperity in our region and the world," he said.

Noting that India and China are two civilization neighbors and have lived in peace through the ages, he said, "We have had our differences..., but over the last 25 years, we have steadily built a mutually beneficial relationship".

"The basis for continued growth and expansion of our ties is peace and tranquility on our

on lower riparian of activities in the upper reaches of our shared rivers," Singh said, in an apparent reference to China building dams on Brahmaputra River.

Singh said the mandate of the Expert Level Mechanism should be expanded to include information sharing on upstream development projects on these rivers.

He said he was glad that both sides have agreed to expand co-

view that the rise of China and India is good for the world and that the world has enough space to accommodate the growth aspirations of both our peoples.

"To make this a reality, it is important to build understanding between our two peoples. We agreed that both sides must work to strengthen greater trust and confidence, which, in turn, will permit much larger co-operation,"

Eight treaties on trade, water resources NEW DELHI: Weeks after the flare-up on the border issue, India and China have sought to further improve their bilateral relations and firmed up eight agreements to enhance cooperation in a range of areas including trade, culture and water resources.

The agreements were signed after delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang.

To enhance trade, both the sides decided to set up three working groups under the Joint Economic Group. The three groups are Services Trade Promotion Working Group, Economic And Trade Planning Cooperation Group and Trade Statistical Analysis Group.

The pact for setting up of the working groups was signed by

Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and his Chinese counterpart Gao Hucheng.

In 2012, bilateral trade between

China will provide information of water level, discharge and rainfall twice a day from June 1st to October 15th each year in respect of three hydrological stations on the mainstream Brahmaputra River the two countries was USD 66 billion, a decline from over the USD 74 billion mark in 2011. The two

countries have set a target of USD 100 billion by 2015 for bilateral trade.

As per an agreement signed

by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, China will make further improvements to the existing facilities for Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims including providing them with wireless sets and local SIM cards.

The Kailash Mansrovar Yatra will be conducted every year from May to September.

Another pact was signed between the two sides under which China will provide information of water level, discharge and rainfall twice a day from June 1st to October 15th each year in respect of three hydrological stations on the mainstream Brahmaputra River.-PTI

Singh said.

Singh said economic cooperation constitutes a very important part of bilateral relationship and the growth potential of the two economies "can provide the engine for greater cooperation".

"There are many ongoing areas of co-operation that we will carry forward...I conveyed to Premier Li our concerns about the trade deficit and sought increased market access to China for our exports and investments.

"I also invited increased Chinese involvement in the vast opportunities in our infrastructure and manufacturing sectors," he said.

Singh underlined that the rapid development of both economies has opened up new opportunities for economic cooperation bilaterally, in the region and globally, which the bilateral Strategic Economic Dialogue will identify and explore.

"We have also discussed the possibility of infrastructure development to link India's North Eastern region with Bangladesh, Myanmar, China and other countries in the South East Asian region.

"Premier Li and I also used the opportunity to review the rapidly evolving global political and economic situation and resolved to strengthen our strategic communication and dialogue on these issues.

"We also agreed that we have a shared interest in an open multilateral trading system and in combating protectionism," Singh said.

India and China firmed up eight agreements to enhance cooperation in a range of areas including trade, culture and water resources.

Before concluding his statement, Singh said it was a "pleasure" to welcome Li. "I am sure that his leadership will go a long way in strengthening the relationship between our two countries and extending it to new frontiers.

"I look forward to seeing him again very soon and I have also accepted his gracious invitation to visit China at the earliest opportunity," he said.

Earlier in the day, Li had said peace and regional stability cannot be a reality without strategic mutual trust between China and India.

"The purpose of my current visit to India is three fold - to increase mutual trust, to intensify cooperation and to face the future," he said. After inspecting a guard of honor at Rashtrapati Bhavan, he hoped that the two sides would increase strategic mutual trust.-PTI

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China offers free trade pact, more market access NEW DELHI: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has offered to initiate talks for a free trade agreement with India and said the world's second biggest economy was willing to give more market access to Indian products to bridge widening trade deficit.

Addressing the Indian business community here, he emphasized on the need for enhance bilateral trade and investments between the two nations.

"We also understand India's concerns of trade deficit. China is also willing to provide facilitation to India's products to access Chinese markets.

"I am confident that we have the ability to mitigate the trade imbalance between our two counties and China never has any intention to seek trade surplus and only a dynamic trade balance is a sustainable trade relations," Li said.

While India's export to China stood at only USD 13.52 billion in 2012-13, its imports from that country aggregated USD 54.3 billion, leaving a trade deficit of USD 40.78 billion during the last fiscal.

Both the sides have aimed at taking the two-way trade to USD

100 billion by 2015.

At different fora the government and the domestic industry have flagged concerns over the ballooning trade imbalance with China and have demanded greater market access for Indian products like pharmaceuticals, IT and agriculture.

‘I am confident that we have the ability to mitigate the trade imbalance between our two counties and China never has any intention to seek trade surplus and only a dynamic trade balance’ "We need to reduce trade imbalance. Our two-way trade is less than USD 70 billion and we need to enhance the dynamics of trade balance," Li said.

Although Li expressed willingness to launch negotiations for a

free trade agreement, Indian industry is wary of any such move due to the competitive disadvantage and high trade gap with the neighboring country.

"China is willing to launch negotiations on a China-India regional trading arrangement," the Chinese Premier said.

On the issue, former Ficci President R V Kanoria said that before initiating any such talks with China, the government should address domestic problems like high transaction cost. "Before starting any kind of negotiations with China on FTA, Indian government should address domestic problems like high transaction cost, land problems and implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST)," Kanoria said.

Apex exporters body FIEO said that if Chinese companies invest in India in manufacturing sector, "we can substantially reduce our dependence on Chinese imports".

On investments, Li said that his government supports Chinese enterprises to increase investments in India and expand trade in services.

"China and India are huge mar-

kets with great potential...Our industrial structure are highly complimentary. India has a competitive edge in IT, software and biomedicines, while China is seeing rapid expansion in machinery, textiles and emerging industries," he added.

The two countries had com-

The top five items of imports from China are electrical machinery; mechanical machinery; project goods. Also, in the past few years, imports of power and telecommunication equipment have seen a huge surge pleted a joint study in March 2005, when India's trade deficit with China was USD 1.5 billion, to examine the potential benefits of greater trade and economic cooperation.

The joint study group in its re-

port had recommended that the governments appoint a joint task force (JTF) to study in detail the feasibility and benefits of a possible China-India regional trading arrangement, and also give recommendations on the contours of such a pact.

The JTF subsequently finalized its draft report covering trade in goods, trade in services, bilateral investment, trade facilitation and economic cooperation.

However, the proposal was kept on back burner due to the strong opposition by Indian industry which feared dumping and flooding of Indian markets by Chinese firms.

The top five items of imports from China are electrical machinery; mechanical machinery; project goods; chemicals and iron and steel. Also, in the past few years, imports of power and telecommunication equipment have seen a huge surge.

India's exports to China comprised largely ores, cotton, chemicals and raw materials. China accounts for a fifth of India's total trade deficit of USD 190.9 billion with the world.-PTI

Greater cooperation to address China would do nothing to harm India's interests: Li trade imbalance NEW DELHI: Targeting USD 100 billion in bilateral commerce by 2015, India and China have agreed to take steps for addressing the issue of trade imbalance through greater cooperation in areas like pharmaceutical and IT. A joint statement issued after the meeting of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said: "While striving to realize the trade turnover target of USD 100 billion by 2015, the two countries agreed to take measures to address the issue of the trade imbalance.

"These include cooperation on pharmaceutical supervision including registration, stronger links between Chinese enterprises and Indian IT industry, and completion of phytosanitary negotiations on agro-products."

While India's export to China were only USD 13.52 billion in 2012-13, its imports from that country aggregated to USD 54.3 billion, leaving a trade deficit of USD 40.78 billion.

The two sides have agreed to strengthen cooperation between their financial regulators and to support banking institutions in setting up representative offices, branches or subsidiaries and carrying out business activities.

They agreed to "promote cooperation between their financial institutions to provide funding for bilateral economic cooperation projects", it added.

statement said that the Prime Ministers of both the countries look forward to the recommendations of the forum to further enhance bilateral trade and invest-

Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Li Keqiang calls on the President, Pranab Mukherjee, at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Further, India and China expressed willingness to carry out cooperation on establishing industrial zones so as to provide platforms for cluster-type development of enterprises of the two countries.

On the first meeting of the India-China CEO's Forum, the

ment.

Considering the rapid changes in the world economic situation, it said the two sides tasked the Strategic Economic Dialogue mechanism to consider issues of macro economic coordination and to suggest possible responses by the two countries.-PTI

NEW DELHI: Visiting Chinese based on a high degree of trust Prime Minister Li Keqiang called and understanding with a strong on President Pranab Mukherjee intersection of common interand said that China views India ests." as an important bilateral partner He emphasized that the two and it would do nothing to harm countries should be sensitive to New Delhi's interests.

"China sees India as a strategic partner and Terming India-China relabelieves there is great tionship as one of the most potential for improved bilateral relations. It important in 21st century, would do nothing to Mukherjee said, "Our vision harm India's interests," according to a for India-China relations is Rashtrapati Bhavan of a truly good neighborly spokesperson.

Mukherjee ex- relationship that is based on pressed happiness over a high degree of trust and the fact that India is the understanding with a first country Li is visiting after assuming of- strong intersection of fice and said it reflected common interests." the importance attached to India-China relations by the Premier. each other's concerns and there According to the President, is need to build trust as well as the trans-border rivers should expand shared interests. unite rather than divide the two As the President bid farewell people, the spokesperson said. to the visiting Premier, he preTerming India-China relation- sented him books on Mahatma ship as one of the most impor- Gandhi and Rashtrapati Bhavan. tant in 21st century, Mukherjee Li, while receiving these, told said, "Our vision for India-China Mukherjee that he would also relations is of a truly good present him with books whenever neighborly relationship that is he came to Beijing.-PTI

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Aam Aadmi Party Convention attracts many NRIs JODH SINGH RAWAT

CHICAGO: About 300 Indians from 20 cities in the US gathered t in Chicago for a day long convention organized by US supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)

cause. Kejriwal exuded optimism about India's future and believed that the AAP could be the catalyst that can bring change in the country by redefining the rules of

"I traveled today to listen directly from the leaders of AAP about the party's vision and how I could contribute to the party's goals" said Rashmi Srivastav, an

Addressing audiences, Dr Kumar Vishwas, Munish Raizada MD, Chicago convention Organizer, national executive member and eminent political scientist Prof Yogendra Yadav.-Pics Asian Media USA

that seeks to overhaul Indian political scene making it more transparent and oriented toward the good of the common man Members of the Aam Aadmi Party national executive Arvind Kejriwal, Yogendra Yadav and Kumar Vishwas, who is also a noted poet, were the keynote speakers.

The morning began with a vigorous speech by Dr Kumar Vishwas, who combined poetry and prose with good effect to enthrall the audience. His verses emphasized the need for otherwise indifferent but educated citizens and well-wishers of India to

politics. He further stressed on the importance of decentralization in governance which would empower the "Aam Aadmi", or the common man.

The third session was led by AAP national executive member and eminent political scientist Prof Yogendra Yadav. He eloquently put forth the "Idea of India" as a diverse yet well-functioning democracy that has not only survived but thrived since independence, silencing critics and skeptics from around the world. However, he also noted that the polity has failed to take the key ideals of democracy to the

AAP supporter who traveled from Dallas. An excited Somu Kumar, who came from Washington DC, said "I am very motivated after listening to Arvind Kejriwal and Yogendra Yadav. I am planning to devote my weekends to AAP to help them with the Delhi assembly elections."

Dr Munish Raizada, a member of organizing committee of AAP Convention in Chicago declared that "such a convention would be an annual event and the next convention would be in New Jersey, where AAP already has a strong supporter base". He gave a clarion call to the NRI community to support the political revolution happening in India through AAP. The afternoon concluded with the audience singing the National Anthem.

The convention was followed by volunteer workshop Aam Adami Party volunteers and executive committee members (attended by 75 AAP contribute to democracy through grassroots and that India needed Volunteers) where Yogendra political participation. He also a new vision that is all inclusive. Yadav explained the workings of used the occasion to recite his lat- AAP, said Yadav, is committed to the Party in India, and the group est couplet titled "Tiranga" that begin this transformation to par- identified focus areas for how he has coined reflecting on the ticipatory democracy by being NRIs who are AAP volunteers can current political situation in India. truly democratic in its own set-up, contribute to the party, especially Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP's taking measures such as eliminat- keeping the upcoming assembly national convener, addressed the ing the concept of a high com- elections in Delhi and 2014 Gengathering live from the AAP mand, ensuring a bottom-up ap- eral Elections.

Headquarters in Ghaziabad, near proach in candidate selection, Aam Aadmi Party AAP (USA) Delhi. He spoke about AAP's role transparency in its finances and is a group comprising members, in India's growth and the role that appointing an independent om- volunteers and supporters of the NRIs can play in furthering this budsman.

Aam Aadmi Party in India.

'India, China to cooperate on Afghanistan despite Pak' BEIJING: Despite differences joint naval exercise with the US on the role of Pakistan, India and and Japan off the US-adminisChina will find ways to cooperate tered Pacific island of Guam. on terrorism concerns in Afghani- These prove that both China and stan after US troops leave the war- India are eyeing long-term develtorn country next year, a state-run opment and showing restraint Chinese daily said here. over potential mistrust," the article "It is expected that China and said.

India will find ways to cooperate "In 2011, when former US secover this issue despite their dis- retary of state Hillary Clinton crepancies on Pakistan, China's urged New Delhi to go beyond its long-time partner but India's bit- "Look East" policy and play "a ter rival," an article on state-run Global Times' website said on the sec- China for the first time held ond day of Chinese Pre- talks with India recently on mier Li Keqiang's visit the approach to be taken to India.

The article came as towards dealing with Li is scheduled to visit Islamabad after this Afghanistan after the three-day India tour.

China for the first US troop withdrawal time held talks with India recently on the approach to more assertive" role in the Asiabe taken towards dealing with Pacific region, her remarks were Afghanistan after the US troop interpreted as wooing India to withdrawal next year keeping in contain China," it said. mind mutual concerns over likely "But Indian diplomats have return of Taliban and al-Qaeda. been keeping a cool head toward Significantly, the article also China. They hope to cooperate said India can also serve as a bal- with China through the framework ance of the US' "pivot to Asia" of regional institutions such as strategy which China says is BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation aimed at containing it.

Organization and the South Asian "Last month, India suddenly Association for Regional Coopwithdrew from the planning of a eration," it said. -PTI

Border issue absent from comments circulated in China BEIJING: Even though the bor"To stress on practical coopder stand off in Ladakh figured eration for common development prominently during the talks be- between India and China will detween Prime Minister Manmohan liver benefits to peoples of the two Singh and Premier Li Keqiang in countries as well as peace, stabilNew Delhi, the issue was con- ity and prosperity of the region spicuously missing from the Chi- and beyond", Hong quoted Li as nese leader's remarks circulated by saying. the Foreign Ministry here.

Referring to recent meeting "I want this visit to show the world that Li said China and India are China-India political mutual trust is being important neighbors to each strengthened, their other and two most practical cooperation populous emerging market has been expanded, economies and their their common interests far outweigh their dis- relations have strategic pute and differences", significance Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei quoted Pre- between Singh and Chinese Presimier Li as saying in his talks with dent Xi Jinping at Durban on the Prime Minister Singh. sidelines of the BRICS and his Hong was replying to a ques- own telephone conversation with tion on Singh-Li talks held during Singh after he took over as Prea dinner meeting in New Delhi. mier, Li said leaders of the two Li said China and India are im- countries have a broad consenportant neighbors to each other sus on pushing their relations to and two most populous emerging a new high and opening a new market economies and their rela- chapter for the development of tions have strategic significance. their ties.-PTI

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Indian American teen invents 20-second charger WASHINGTON: An 18-year-old IndianAmerican girl has invented a super-capacitor device that could potentially charge your cellphone in less than 20 seconds.

Eesha Khare, from Saratoga, California, was awarded the Young Scientist Award by the Intel Foundation after developing the tiny device that fits inside mobile phone batteries that could allow them to charge within 20-30 seconds.

The so-called super-capacitor, a gizmo that can pack a lot of energy into a tiny space, charges quickly and holds its charge for a long time, NBC News reported.

Khare has been awarded USD 50,000 for developing the tiny device. She has also attracted the attention of tech giant Google for her potentially revolutionary invention.

According to Khare, her device can last for 10,000 charge-recharge cycles, compared with 1,000 cycles for conventional rechargeable batteries.

"My cellphone battery always dies," she said when asked about what inspired her to work on the energy-storage technology.

Super-capacitors allowed her to focus on her interest in nanochemistry "really working at the nanoscale to make signifi-

Eesha Khare

cant advances in many different fields."

The gadget has so far only been tested on an LED light, but the good news is that it has a good chance of working successfully in other devices, like mobile phones, the report said.

Khare sees it fitting inside cellphones

and the other portable electronic devices proliferating in today's world.

"It is also flexible, so it can be used in rollup displays and clothing and fabric. It has a lot of different applications and advantages over batteries in that sense," Khare added. -PTI

May 31, 2013

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Dara Singh's son Vindoo arrested in spot-fixing scandal MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Vindoo Randhawa, son of late wrestler-actor Dara Singh, has been arrested in connection with the IPL spot-fixing scandal, a Mumbai Crime Branch official said.

"Vindoo was questioned after he was found to be in contact with the bookies and

Vindoo Dara Singh being produced at a local court in Mumbai on May 21 after his arrest in IPL spot fixing scandal

His arrest is the first from Bollywood in connection with the latest scandal to hit Indian cricket. It is not yet known if he was a link between IPL players and the bookies subsequently arrested," the official told PTI. 49-year-old Vindoo, winner of reality television show Bigg Boss season 3, was on many occasions spotted watching IPL matches and attending post-match parties.

His arrest is the first from Bollywood in connection with the latest scandal to hit Indian cricket. It is not yet known if he was a link between IPL players and the bookies or was just into betting.

The Crime Branch, which is also probing the scandal apart from Special Cell of Delhi Police, had questioned a casting director who sent photographs of models to S Sreesanth and summoned a Telugu film producer having business links with the tainted India pacer.

The move came amid suspicion that honey traps could have been laid to lure

cricketers into spot-fixing IPL matches.

The Special Cell of Delhi police had arrested Sreesanth, his Rajasthan Royals teammates - Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan -and Jiju on May 15 night for alleg-

edly indulging in spot-fixing in at least three IPL matches.

Apart from electronic devices, including a laptop, Rs 72,000 cash, data card and diaries with entries in English and Malayalam,

which appeared to be in Sreesanth's handwriting, were also seized.

Sreesanth's laptop had dozens of photographs of models e-mailed to him by the casting director. -PTI

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Nirupama Rao discusses Indo-US ties with Ed Royce India Post News Service

WASHINGTON: Ahead of the India-US Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi later this summer, Indian Ambassador to the US Nirupama Rao has met a key Re-

publican lawmaker, who drives the party's foreign policy in the House of Representatives.

In her meeting with Ed Royce, the Chairman of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rao discussed current develop-

Ambassador Nirupama Rao with Chairman Ed Royce of House Foreign Affairs Committee

Lawmakers call for Indo-US cooperation on homeland security WASHINGTON: Ahead of the "Over the past five years, the India-US Strategic Dialogue, a bi- US and India have increased our partisan group of over a dozen mutual efforts at protecting our influential lawmakers from the respective homelands, including powerful Congressional India in areas such as information sharCaucus has called for better Ameri- ing, sharing of data related to tercan co-operation and support to rorism and urgent threats and inNew Delhi on homeland security vestigation of currency counterand counter-terrorism issues. feiting," the lawmakers noted.

Appreciating the co-operation "As our two democracies meet between India and the US after the to build upon our existing relation2008 Mumbai terrorist attack, the ship and forge stronger ties, we group of lawmakers, led by the Congressional India Caucus Co-Chairs ‘US and India share Joseph Crowley and common interests in Peter J Roskam, have called for expanding confronting extremism and this to new areas of international terrorism, and transportation security, training, technology common values in cooperation and com- defending the democracies munication. from attack’ There exists a strong bi-partisan support in this regard, the Congressmen said firmly believe the time is ripe to in a letter to Janet Napolitano, further strengthen homeland seHomeland Security Secretary. curity cooperation," the ConA copy of the letter to gressmen said.

Napolitano was released to the The US and India share compress. mon interests in confronting ex"While the importance of this tremism and international terrorcooperation came into greater fo- ism, and common values in decus after the 2008 Mumbai at- fending the democracies from attacks, we believe that cooperation tack, the Congressmen said. should be expanded as broadly as Union Home Minister Sushil possible, including in areas of Kumar Shinde has arrived here to transportation security, training, lead a high-powered Indian deltechnology cooperation and com- egation for the annual India-US munications," the letter said.

Strategic Dialogue.-PTI

ments in India-US relations.

They expressed optimism at the ever deepening engagement between the two countries across a wide spectrum, including in areas such as economy, education and energy, bringing direct benefits to millions in both countries, an embassy statement said here.

"They also exchanged views on the emerging developments in South Asia, and agreed to remain closely engaged on issues of common interest and concern," said the statement.

Royce, the former Co-Chair of the Congressional India Caucus, has been a strong supporter for India-US partnership.

Earlier, Rao met Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Robert Blake, at the State Department.

The meeting was in preparation of the upcoming strategic dialogue.

US welcomes India's assistance to Afghanistan WASHINGTON: The US has welcomed India's generous bilateral assistance to Afghanistan but remained non-committal on reports about Kabul seeking supply of military equipment from New Delhi.

"We welcome efforts by Afghanistan's neighbors and other regional actors to promote Afghanistan's stability and economic development," State Department spokesperson Patrick Ve n t r e l l Patrick Ventrell told reporters.

He was responding to questions on the India visit of Afghan President Hamid Karzai during which according to media reports he is expected to seek military supplies for Afghanistan's armed forces.

"We continue to welcome India's generous bilateral assistance program with Afghanistan, its leadership on private sector investment there, its leadership promoting regional economic integration and linkages. I don't have anything for you on a military relationship," Ventrell said. PTI

Arunima first Indian amputee to scale Mt Everest KATHMANDU: Arunima Sinha, a former national level volleyball player who had lost her right leg after being thrown off a moving train by some hoodlums, has created history by becoming the first Indian amputee to conquer Mount Everest.

25-year-old Sinha reached the summit of the highest peak in the world at 10.55 am on May 21 as a member of the Eco Everest Expedition from the Tata Group, an official of the Tourism Ministry of Nepal said.

Sinha, a resident of Ambedkar Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, was pushed out of the general compartment of Padmawati Express for resisting a chain-snatching attempt by some criminals, while traveling from Lucknow to Delhi on April 12, 2011.

She was hit by a passing train and was seriously injured.

She was hospitalized with serious leg and pelvic injuries and in a bid to save her life, doctors had to amputate her left leg below the knee.

In an interview to an Indian TV channel before leaving for her ex-

pedition, Sinha recollected how she had decided to get her life back right in the hospital when she was recovering.

"At that time everyone was worried for me. I then realized I had to do something in my life so that people stop looking at me with pity. I read about people scaling the Mt Everest. I spoke to my older brother and my coach who only encouraged me," she had told NDTV. Arunima joined the Tata Steel

Arunima Sinha

Adventure Foundation (TSAF) camp in Uttarkashi last year, where she was trained by Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to conquer Mt Everest.-PTI

Now an Indian owner for NBA franchise NEW YORK: A group based in Sacramento, California and headed by an Indian called Vivek Ranadive, has agreed to an offer to buy NBA side Sacramento Kings.

This comes a day after NBA owners rejected Sacramento Kings' move to Seattle which prompted the Maloof brothers, owners of the franchise, to sell the basketball side to Ranadive.

Ranadive, who is a software billionaire, will purchase 65 percent of the Kings from the Maloof family in a deal, ESPN reported.

The 65 percent purchase of the Kings from the Maloof family will

be for a reported fee of approximately USD 348 million. The Kings' total valuation in the sale is USD 535 million, an NBA record.

The Maloofs, who have owned the team since 1998, had hoped to sell the stake to a group of Seattle businessmen that was offering USD 406 million for their shares. The family later proposed keeping controlling interest of the team but selling off a 20 percent stake to the Seattle group.

But with the league's owners supporting Ranadive and the team remaining in California, the Maloofs had to drop the idea. PTI

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Karzai seeks help in healthcare & skill building centers India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: In an exclusive interaction with a group of CII CEOs , visiting Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai called for Indian investment in prominent sectors including Healthcare, Agri business, Telecom and Capacity Building. He briefed the Indian investors on emerging business opportunities in Afghanistan and take advantage of the business friendly regime and investment climate.

He highlighted that agriculture is a priority sector in Afghanistan and provides basic means of livelihood in Afghanistan, generating 36% of the country's GDP and supporting 85% of the total population. He apprised the Indian Industry of international export potential for Afghan agricultural products and invited Indian companies to import dry fruits and fruits as India is a big market for Afghanistan. He also briefed members on the increased scope and collaboration in new farming techniques, setting food processing unit and agriculture machinery for improved agriculture produce in Afghanistan.

Mr Rakesh Bharti Mittal,

President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee awarding the LPU’s 1st Honorary Doctorate Degree to the President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Mr. Hamid Karzai, at the 3rd Convocation of Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab on May 20,

Chairman, CII Development Initiatives Council and Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Bharti Enterprises Ltd briefed on the developments in telecom and ag-

ricultural sector in India and highlighted the potential for collaboration in agriculture sector especially in farming techniques and food processing between India

Oklahoma tornado kills 91

A

t least 91 people were killed, 20 of them children, as a massive tornado ripped through parts of Oklahoma City and its suburbs in the US, flattening homes and businesses and severely damaging a hospital

wrought the most damage appeared in the suburb of Moore.

The New York Times cited Amy Elliott, spokesperson for the Oklahoma City medical examiner, as saying that at least 91 people had died. Officials said the toll was

Teachers carry children away from Briarwood Elementary school after a tornado destroyed the school in south Oklahoma City

and two elementary schools.

Emergency crews and volunteers worked through the early morning hours on May 21 in a frantic search for survivors of the tornado which appeared to have

likely to climb. Hospitals reported at least 145 people injured, 70 of them children.

The risk of tornadoes throughout the region remained high, according to the National

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Centre in Norman.

Firefighters, police, National Guard members and volunteers worked by flashlight overnight and into Tuesday morning, crawling across piles of debris in a determined search for survivors and victims, CNN reported.

Air National Guard members brought in thermal imaging equipment to aid in the search. Over 100 people had been pulled from the rubble alive since Monday afternoon, the state Highway Patrol said.

Authorities asked news crews to move their satellite trucks from the scene because the idling engines were making it difficult for rescuers to listen to the faint sounds of survivors beneath the rubble.

More than 40,000 customers remained without power, according to an Oklahoma City utility spokesman.

The tornado was estimated to be at least two miles wide at one point as it moved through Moore, in the southern part of Oklahoma City metropolitan area, CNN affiliate KFOR reported.-AP

and Afghanistan.

In healthcare sector, President Karzai appreciated the developments in Indian healthcare sector and invited Indian hospitals

to set up facilities in Afghanistan. He said that Afghan patients have to travel to India for medical treatment especially the cardiac patients.

Mr Malvinder Mohan Singh, Chairman, CII Services Council and Executive Chairman, Fortis Healthcare briefed President Karzai on the various facilities being offered by the Indian hospitals and offered to set up similar facilities in Afghanistan, enhance capacity for Afghan doctors and talent building in Afghanistan in view of the shortage of trained doctors, practitioners and nurses in Afghanistan.

Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII apprised President Karzai on CII initiatives in enhancing India-Afghanistan economic cooperation and future plans in promoting Indian Investment in Afghanistan through sending sectoral delegations, organizing Investment promotion road shows in India and Capacity Building through Training the Trainer programs for Skill Building. He also stressed on setting up of India-Afghanistan CEOs Forum for strengthening and promoting investment and trade relations.

Union slams US Senate immigration reform bill WASHINGTON: A union of is left with immigration as one of federal immigration officers has its remaining second term prioricriticized an immigration reform bill ties. currently under consideration in Under Obama's presidency, the US Senate. "the culture at USCIS encourages In an open letter, the union rep- all applications to be approved, resenting US Citizenship and Im- discouraging proper investigation migration Services (USCIS) em- into red flags and discouraging ployees said the measure "will the denial of any applications," damage public safety and national security and should be opposed The union representing US by lawmakers."

A Senate committee Citizenship and Immigration recently began consid- Services (USCIS) employees eration of the vast immigration reform bill said the measure "will dambacked by President age public safety and naBarack Obama, which would lead to legal sta- tional security and should tus for millions of be opposed by lawmakers." people in the country without papers.

The process could last weeks the union alleged. "USCIS has before moving to a second stage been turned into an 'approval maon the Senate floor, where Demo- chine.'" crats hold a slender majority. The The union also said it was not Republican-controlled House of consulted by the so-called biparRepresentatives would then take tisan Gang of Eight senators who up the legislation. Its prospects, drafted the bill, echoing an arguhowever, remain uncertain. ment made by another union repAfter its resounding failure to resenting US Immigration and win passage of gun control legis- Customs Enforcement (ICE) worklation, the Obama administration ers.. -AFP

Tech News Philippines Bank partners with Infosys solution BANGALORE: Infosys has announced Robinsons Bank, a growing commercial bank in the Philippines, has selected Infosys Finacle as its transformation partner to support its branch network expansion and business growth.

With the new technology transformation program, Robinsons Bank will consolidate and connect the multiple existing systems in use at the bank and aim to reduce cost of operations across all its branches, Infosys Finacle Global Head M Haragopal said in a statement here.

"Finacle is already collaborating with nine banks in The Philippines to accelerate their transformation and growth. And we hope to bring all that experience into Robinsons bank to help them run their operations efficiently and build a progressive bank for tomorrow," he said.

Finacle will address key challenges including the need for effective localization of the solution and offer best-in- class user support while bringing down the high cost of implementation and hardware upgrades, Haragopal said. -PTI

India examining report on Walmart lobbying NEW DELHI: The Corporate Affairs Ministry has said it is examining the report of the government- appointed panel that probed Walmart's lobbying activities with US lawmakers to enter the Indian market.

"We are examining the report," Corporate Affairs Minister Sachin Pilot said here.

The one-man committee, headed by former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Mukul Mudgal, had submitted the report to Pilot on May 18.

The Ministry would look into the committee's report and make recommendations before sending it to Parliament, Pilot said on the sidelines of a Competition Commission of India event.

Set up in January this year, the panel looked into "whether Walmart undertook any activities in India in contravention of any Indian law", and any other matter relevant to this issue.

There was political uproar following media reports about Walmart's lobbying among the US lawmakers since 2008 for facilitating its entry into the Indian market. The government in December, 2012 had assured Parliament to get the matter probed by a retired judge.-PTI

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang interacts with the TATA Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry and TCS CEO and Managing Director N Chandrashekharan during his visit to the TCS facility in Mumbai on May 21

Two leading US business groups call for increase in H1B visas WASHINGTON: With an impending comprehensive immigration reform, two leading US business groups have called on lawmakers to support an increase in H-1B visas and providing green cards to entrepreneurs who create jobs so as to keep attracting the "best and brightest".

In a joint letter to US lawmakers, Long Island Association (LIA) and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG), two leading business organizations in New York and California respectively, urged them to ensure that highly skilled immigrants are able to legally enter the US, stay here and help drive the country's innovation economy.

The two business organizations said that they support providing green cards to entrepreneurs who create US jobs, advance STEM (Science, Technol-

ogy, Engineering and Math) degree graduates from US universities and expand the H-1B cap, establish a market-based H-1B escalator so that the cap can adjust to the demands of the economy.

They also sought exemption of

support new visa fees for STEM education.

"The pillars of the Long Island and Silicon Valley regions are our prospering innovation economies.

It is imperative that major reform legislation is passed this year or

"The pillars of the Long Island and Silicon Valley regions are our prospering innovation economies. It is imperative that major reform legislation is passed this year or otherwise we will continue to lose our economic competitiveness in attracting and retaining the best and brightest" US advanced degree graduates, as well as foreign advanced STEM degree graduates with US work experience, from the green card cap; streamlining of applications, expand visa opportunities for temporary seasonal workers and

IOC develops tech to make diesel from plants NEW DELHI: State-owned In- diesel in the country and ensurdian Oil Corp (IOC) has said it has ing ready acceptance of the fuel developed technology that will by the automobile industry". help advance the use of non-edDuring the development of this ible oil extracted from plants like process technology, IOC has also Jatropha (bio-diesel) in auto fuels. developed a process for de-metal"IOC has successfully devel- lization and de-gumming of vegoped and commercialized a tech- etable oils. nology to co-process non-edible De-metallation of oils is a prevegetable oil in the existing Diesel Hydrotreating (DHDT) This is first time in India, and units of a petroleum re- possibly the first in the world, finery to make bio-diesel," the company said when Jatropha oil has been in a statement. used for co-processing in a This is first time in petroleum refinery India, and possibly the first in the world, when Jatropha oil has been used for co- requisite for co- processing since processing in a petroleum refinery. metals are poisonous for the cataThis technology for co-pro- lyst in the DHDT unit. cessing of Jatropha oil has been During the trial, the diesel cetdeveloped by the R&D Centre of ane number improved by 2 units, IOC located at Faridabad. sulphur content reduced and the The company termed this as a inlet temperature of the reactor "major technological break- could also be reduced by 100 dethrough that can be a game grees Celcius with resultant enchanger for advancing use of bio- ergy savings. -PTI

otherwise we will continue to lose our economic competitiveness in attracting and retaining the best and brightest," the letter said.

"Thus, the federal government must encourage the arrival of more high-tech workers who can

travel to and work in the US. Many of the principal users of visas to secure skilled talent are our leading research and educational facilities, which are integral components of our economy," the two business organizations said in the letter.

"They need access to immigrants with specialized skills, which in turn will also create jobs and increase economic growth," they said.

"In addition, Congress needs to also consider streamlining applications and expanding visa opportunities for temporary seasonal workers. Long Island's East End and many of California's communities rely heavily on foreign workers during our busy agricultural and tourist seasons. Our farmers, restaurants and hotels depend on immigrants to meet their employment needs," the letter said. -PTI

Yahoo! to acquire Tumblr for USD 1.1 billion NEW YORK: Internet firm Yahoo! has said it will acquire blogging site Tumblr for USD 1.1 billion in an all cash deal, a move which is expected to help it regain its glory and help increase the number of visitors to more than a billion in a month.

The deal to acquire Tumblr, which claims more than 300 million visitors in a month and 120,000 signups every day, is expected to be completed in the second half of 2013.

"The combination of Tumblr+Yahoo! is expected to grow Yahoo!'s audience by 50 per cent to more than a billion monthly visitors and to grow traffic by approximately 20 per cent," Yahoo! said in a statement.

Tumblr will be operated as a separate business and David Karp will remain CEO. The product, service and brand will continue to be defined and developed separately,

it added.

"Total consideration is approximately USD 1.1 billion, substantially all of which is payable in cash.

The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the second

half of the year," Yahoo! said.

Acquisition of Tumblr will help the struggling Internet major add more users to its network and also aid in expanding its advertising business.-PTI

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Anil Ambani for boosting Rupee-RMB-Dollar trade NEW DELHI: Billionaire industrialist Anil Ambani has said business leaders from India and China should enhance Rupee-RMB-Dollar trade for furthering co-operation between the two nations.

RMB is the abridged form of Chinese Renminbi, called the "the people's currency" and is the primary unit of Yuan.

Presiding over the first IndoChina CEOs Forum here, Ambani made an "impassioned plea" to expand the Rupee-RMB-Dollar trade to reach the initial limit of USD one billion set by the Reserve Bank of India.

"The Rupee-RMB-Dollar trade limit was set in 2012 and even as we speak, no trade under this mecha-

nism has taken place," he said.

Ambani urged participants to seize the opportunity and use business-to-business contacts to enhance trade co-operation be-

tween the two countries.

Seeking equity funding by Chinese companies in Indian firms, he said given China's experience in providing life cover to its people,

He said given China's experience in providing life cover to its people, there was a need to get more Chinese firms in India's insurance sector Anil Ambani

China's ZTE looking at Indian telecom market for growth BEIJING: China's second largest telecom gear maker, ZTE, is looking at the Indian market for growth this year as it look to recover last year's USD 400 million losses.

In 2012, ZTE India posted a small rate of growth, realizing revenues of USD 700 million, around

year.

Top Executives of the both Huawei, Chinas number one Telecom major along with ZTE were reportedly accompanying Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang, on his current tour of India, as part of his big business delegation.

Xu Dejun, CEO of the Indian

ZTE and Huawei accounted for around 30 percent of India's smartphone market in the first quarter of 2013, up from 13.2 percent a year ago, the China Daily write up said.

Another way for ZTE to revitalize growth is to further localize, Xu said. half the USD 1.5 billion it received in 2009, a write up in the state run China Daily titled "ZTE banks Indian telecom market" said.

ZTE suffered a loss of USD 400 last year and showed signs of recovery this year with 35.9 percent increase in net profits in the first quarter of this year boosted by gains from selling assets late last

there was a need to get more Chinese firms in India's insurance sector.

Ambani also suggested film shootings in each other's coun-

arm of the ZTE, said he is re-evaluating India's telecom market and has decided to shift focus from telecom equipment to smartphones, which now account for around 10 percent of ZTE's sales in India.

Xu wants to raise that to 30 percent within a few years.

In three years, he added, ZTE

hoped to be among the top three smartphone makers in India.

To achieve the goal, ZTE unveiled five new smartphone models last week and announced a partnership with local company Calyx Telecommunications to distribute smartphones in India.

The move came after Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, which made USD 2 billion profit internationally, launched two new smartphone models in India last month.

ZTE and Huawei accounted for around 30 percent of India's smartphone market in the first quarter of 2013, up from 13.2 percent a year ago, the China Daily write up said.

Another way for ZTE to revitalize growth is to further localize, Xu said.

"We want ZTE India to be an Indian company, not the Indian branch of a Chinese company," Xu said.

Xu was promoted in February to oversee ZTE's entire business in India after working for more than nine years in the country.

Regulatory uncertainties combined with "scandals", including one over the allocation of telecom bandwidth, has dampened growth in India, it said.

In July 2012, for example, India lost 20.5 million mobile phone users, the first time India experienced a decline in mobile phone users.

ZTE, has 23 offices throughout India and 85 percent of its 1,500 staff are hired locally and a third of the management positions are filled by Indians.

ZTE plans to further raise its level of localization and promote more locals to management positions, the write-up said. -PTI

try to promote travel and tourism on both sides.

He said opportunities for learning the Chinese language in schools, colleges should be made use of and suggested Chinese universities market themselves in India just the way American, European and Australian universities do.

"This would force Indians to learn Chinese and go a long way in boosting people-to-people contacts," he added.

Captains of 20 large Indian and Chinese companies from sectors such as manufacturing, energy and resources, finance, high-tech and culture industry were present during the meeting. -PTI

Indian team wins biz venture competition in South Africa JOHANNESBURG: An Indian and a Nigerian team have won a trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland next year, after being declared the winners of the India-Africa Business Venture Competition.

Four teams from India, two from Nigeria and one each from South Africa and Kenya made their presentations before a grand jury comprising of accomplished professionals from Africa and India for the award, sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Each team was tasked with developing innovative ways to benefit communities at large.

The winning team from India, 'Team Life Catalyst Technologies of India', represented by Sagar Laygude from IIT Madras, aims to make innovative products

based on advancements in biotechnology.

They focused on blood glucose monitoring for the Indian diabetic population through a simple-to-use low-cost blood glucose sensor called the 'Rubellite Glucose Sensor'.

The other winning team presented a plan to sell Nigeria's most affordable, culturally suitable, healthy livestock products that can potentially improve the health conditions of underprivileged sections of the Nigerian population.

They have developed a unique alternative source of feeds by using mango seeds, which enables them to produce livestock products at a cost 40 to 60 per cent cheaper than that from farms using regular feed.-PTI

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Central Bank basks in profits & improved performance DIANA GABRIEL India Post News Service

MUMBAI: Central Bank of India has emerged strong after posting a net profit of Rs 69 crores bettering its last quarter performance and outstripping by huge margin the same for the last year 2012 This premiere public sector financial institution had posted a loss of Rs 105 crore in the same quarter last fiscal while the net profit for the immediately preceding December quarter stood at Rs 180 crore. Net profit in FY13 almost doubled to Rs 1,015 crore compared with Rs 533 crore in FY12.

Net interest income (difference between interest earned and expended) increased 25 per cent to Rs 153 crore. During the quarter, contributing to the profits were lower provisions of Rs 445 crore that declined by about half from Rs 859 crore in the year-ago quarter.

As on March 31, 2013, the bank's total advances rose by 16 per cent driven by robust growth

M.V. Tanksale, Chairman & Managing Director, Central Bank of India, addressing the Press to announce the financial results for the year ended March 2013 at Mumbai. On his right Malay Mukherjee and to his left R.K. Goyal, Executive Directors of the Bank were present at the Press Meet

in retail and agriculture loans, while corporate loan growth remaining flat during the year.

Total deposits grew 15 per cent.

"We expect the deposits and advances growth to be bottomdriven at around 18 per cent in FY14," said M.V. Tanksale, Chairman and Managing Director. How-

ever, the higher deposit cost had made a small dentin in net interest margins (NIM) annually which declined to 2.67 per cent from 2.75 per cent in FY12.

"NIM will be better going forwards as costs of deposits are likely to come down. NIM is expected to be in the 2.75 to 3 per

Indians more willing to share personal info than others MUMBAI: Even as cases of financial fraud are dotting cyber space across the world, Indians seem more forthcoming in giving out their personal information for personalized services and simplification of finance management

than their global counterparts, a study by Cisco has said.

According to the Cisco report, 72 per cent of respondents from India said they would provide more personal information to simplify management of finances compared to 56 per cent participants agreeing globally.

The study, conducted in early 2013, aimed at finding out how and

when consumers want to engage with their banks across multiple channels for activities ranging from account monitoring to acquiring financial advice.

The survey included 1,514 consumers and 405 bank profession-

als across 10 countries - Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, the UK and the US. However, Indian respondents are also concerned about security of their accounts, as 92 per cent of them indicated they wanted foolproof security against identity theft as part of more personalized financial services.

About 95 per cent said they wanted advice to increase their savings, 89 per cent requested more financial education, and 72 per cent wanted an assessment of their financial status as compared to other clients as part of the personalized offerings.

"Technology is driving all sectors including banking and financial services. As indicated by our findings, consumers today are willing to exchange private information for more personalized services," Cisco Director (Business Development) Shashank Luthra told PTI. However, the crucial factor here will be to offer these services in a secure environment to ensure that customer gets the best service without any of his personal data being compromised with, he added.

Recently, security breaches at two Indian payment card processing companies in a USD 45-million global ATM heist sent ripples through the IT security world.

Data from Reserve Bank of India indicate 8,322 cases of cyber frauds were reported in 2012 amounting to Rs 52.7 crore. -PTI

cent range," Tanksale said. Gross non-performing loans (NPA) ratio declined marginally to Rs 4.80 per cent, while net NPA ratio declined to 2.90 per cent.

The board recommended a dividend of Rs 2.50 per share in FY13.

CBI is a tech savvy institution providing online services like internet

banking, online share trading, tax payments and bill payments.

Performance Highlights Total Business of the Bank increased to Rs.4,02,272 crore as on 31st March 2013 compared to Rs.3,46,898 crore as at March 2012, registering y-o-y growth of 15.96%.

Total Deposits grew by 15.22 % on Y-o-Y to Rs.2,26,038 crore from Rs. 1,96,173 crore in March 2012 CASA Deposits increased to Rs.73,581 crore as of March 2013 compared to Rs.65,275 crore as of March 2012, registering Y-o-Y growth of 12.72%.

Gross Advances of the Bank grew by Rs.25,509 crore i.e. to Rs.1,76,234 crore in March 2013 from Rs.1,50,725 crore in March 2012, registering a Y-o-Y growth of 16.92%.

Bank recorded Net Profit of Rs.1015 crore as on March 31, 2013, as compared to Rs.533 crore as on March 31, 2012, registering y-o-y impressive growth of 90.43%.

Rs 577-cr tax demand notice on Infosys NEW DELHI: Income Tax department has slapped a fresh Rs 577-crore tax demand notice on Infosys for 2009-10 assessment year, adding to the tax woes of India's second largest IT firm.

The Bangalore-based software services exporter said that it is in process of seeking legal recourse against the fresh tax demand notice.

The IT major is already contesting additional Income Tax demands of about Rs 1,175 crore (USD 214 million) for four fiscal years beginning 2005.

Infosys, which is also a US-listed company, in a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had said: "The company has received the assessment order from the Income tax authorities for fiscal 2009 on May 2, 2013 along with a demand order for an amount of USD 106 million."

Meanwhile, an Infosys spokesperson told PTI: "We have received the assessment order for the assessment year 2009-10 demanding a net tax of Rs 577 crore."

"The assessment followed the order of the assessment year 200708 and 2008-09 that did not allow

tax benefits on income from onsite software development revenue from SEZ, disregarding the latest clarification issued by the CBDT in a circular on January 17.

"Infosys is in the process of filing an appeal before the Commissioner of Income Tax," the spokes-

person added.

In the SEC filing, Infosys added, "As the company is contesting this position like earlier years, the appellate authority would be approached within the time limit prescribed under the relevant law."

Infosys is already facing tax demands worth USD 214 million for fiscal 2005 to fiscal 2008 "mainly on account of disallowance of a portion of the deduction claimed by the company under Section 10A of the Income Tax Act". -PTI

May 31, 2013

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India Post 15

Desi News PHO's Punjabi Youth Festival on July 13 SURENDRA ULLAL

CHICAGO: The Punjabi Heritage Organization of Chicago (PHO) has slated its Punjabi Youth Festival for Saturday, July 13 at 7 pm at Des Plaines Theatre, in Des Plaines, a north side suburb of Chicago.

The event is free for all and PHO has gone the extra mile to invite every body to come and enjoy the summer break with Punjabi Heritage Organization's first ever Punjabi Youth Festival. The event will be "a night full of cultural performances by many local talents.

A night full of Bhangra, Gidha and much more. This night is dedicated entirely to the "youngsters" of the community. A night to celebrate local Punjabi talent and an effort to empower the young generation, and provide them a platform to prove their leadership skill," according to a PHO release.

PHO is also hosting for the first time Mr & Ms Punjab cultural pageant. The Mr & Ms Punjab Pageant is a platform for guys and girls to showcase their knowledge and love of Punjabi culture!

The last date for participation is June 16.

Etihad Airways recognizes travel agents with awards A.Q. SIDDIQUI India Post News Service

CHICAGO: In a formal luncheon event held here at Vermilion Restaurant downtown, Etihad Airways invited Midwest consolidators for its maiden award ceremony in Chicago.

Etihad Airways has successfully completed four years of operations to Chicago transporting passengers to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Middle East and many other destinations worldwide. The Airline has recently been voted by travelers as the best and Number One choice in a media survey conducted at O'Hare airport.

Details on page 22

Dhake Industries boosting trade ties with Brazil Details on page 27

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

16 India Post

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Kripaluji made deepest scriptural truths accessible to all

May 31, 2013

Details on page 20

Ro calls for increase in STEM graduate & startup visas India Post News Service

FREMONT, CA: Manufacturing expert and candidate for California's 17th congressional district Ro Khanna has called upon lawmakers to increase advanced STEM graduate and startup visas to meet demands for our workforce, and create jobs and businesses here in America.

In a statement on the immigration reform proposal recently introduced by the Senate's bipartisan Gang of Eight, Ro Khanna said, "Our immigration system is broken and is failing at most of the things it is supposed to do - protect our borders, provide an orderly and effective system for legal immigration, and to maintain America's rich tradition as a nation of immigrants that attracts hard working, talented, freedomloving people to our shores.

"That's the dream that brought my family to America, and thousands like them, and that's a dream we must always keep alive," he emphasized.

Ro however regretted that like so many other things, "immigration has fallen victim to partisan squabbling and gridlock."

He said, "Modernizing our immigration system to reflect the opportunities and challenges of a globalized 21st century economy has long been a top priority of

aged that the proposal recently released by a bi-partisan group of Senators includes provisions designed to address these concerns.

"As Congress considers this

Ro Khanna

mine and I agree we need to have a comprehensive solution that includes strengthening our borders, providing a clear pathway to citizenship for Dreamers who are already here, and improving the federal process overall. I am encour-

historic opportunity, I strongly urge foremost consideration of some of the most pressing immigration issues facing Bay Area residents and the innovators of Silicon Valley.

"First, lawmakers should work

to increase advanced STEM graduate and startup visas to meet demands for our workforce, and create jobs and businesses here in America.

"In addition, as our economy continues to recover, it is critically important that we increase the number of H-1B visas that are available to companies. It has been well documented that recruiting H-1B immigrants has a multiplier effect that leads to the creation of more middle class jobs here at home.

"While we need to make sure we are preparing our workforce with the skills necessary for the global economy, we must be open to attracting the best and brightest from around the world.

"Congress should also take action to address a significant issue with the current proposal, which would eliminate sibling visas and reduce the number of visas available to married, adult children. This restriction would reverse long-standing policy and hurt Bay Area residents who want to unite with their extended families here in America.

Cont’d on page 19

Gadar Hero portrait unveiled at SF Consulate RITU MAHESHWARI India Post News Service

SAN FRANCISCO, CA: Consul General of India, Mr. N. Parthasarathi unveiled a portrait of Gadar Hero 'Kartar Singh Sarabha' at the Consulate General of India, San Francisco on 17 May. As part of centenary celebrations of Gadar movement, Kartar Singh Sarabha's sacrifices and contributions were recounted and remembered.

Kartar Singh Sarabha left a promising education at Berkley University to join the Gadar movement and went to India to fight for freedom.

He was considered the leading revolutionary and Bhagat Singh regarded him as his guru. The British captured him along with other free-

dom fighters and declared him as the most dangerous person. He was hanged in central jail of Lahore on 16 November 1915 at the young age of 19 years.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. N. Parthasarathi stated that unveiling the portrait of Kartar Singh Sarabha demonstrated the significance of Gadar Movement. Gadar was a secular and a unifying movement that brought people from different walks of life together. Today, the need of the hour for the community leaders is to work together and strengthen Indian Diaspora and more importantly, to pass on the legacy of the freedom movement to the younger generation.

Cont’d on page 19

May 31, 2013

Community Across America

India Post 17

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Sunnyvale Temple performs Maha Kumbabishekam

Mr.Vijay Thapar, Mr. Raj Bhanot, Ms. Raj Bhanot

Ms. Naranji Patel, Mr. Naranji Patel

VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

SUNNYVALE, CA: The Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, in the heart of Bay Area, catering to the religious and community needs of thousands of Sillicon Valley Indians, performed its Mahakumba Abhishekam on May 12.

The temple was started way back in April 1993 on a 3.15 acre

Dr. Romesh Japra, Mr. Raj Bhanot, Ms. Raj Bhanot, Mr.Vijay Thapar

Mr. Raj Bhanot, Mr. Goel, Dr. Japra, Ms. Geeta Parthasarathy, Dr. Raj Salwan

Mr. Hitesh Patel and family

land providing all amenities and facilities for holding religious, social and cultural gatherings. During early part of 2012 the temple Board of Trustee's decided to rebuild the temple. The ground breaking ceremony was performed on March 23, 2012.

The temple team members went to India and hand picked the Vigrahas for the new temple under the guidance of religious

leaders and priests. In all 32 new Vigrahas, first of their kind in Bay Area, were installed on May 12, at the new temple complex. The new complex has a temple covering with a seating capacity of over 998 people, community hall accommodating 1200 people, hall for senior citizens' meditation, library, kitchen.

Cont’d on page 18

Community Across America

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May 31, 2013

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Sunnyvale Temple performs Maha Kumbabishekam Cont’d from page 17

Mr. Prasad Mangina, Mr. Parthasarathy, Ms. Geetha Parthasarathy, Mr. Goel, Ms.Vijaya Aasuri, Mr. Ramesh Konda

Mr. Raj Bhanot

Mr. S. Ve. Sekar, Vijaya Aasuri

Mr. Raj Bhanot, Mr. Naranji Patel, Mr. Hitesh Patel

During the five day program spread from May 8 - May 12, various homas and pujas were performed. Ganapati pooja, Kalasa Sthapana, Ganapati homam, Jala adhivaasam, Rudra homam, Ksheera adhivaasam, Chandi homam, Navagraya, Sudharasana homam, Vigraha Prana pratishtha, Netra Unmeelanam, Maha Kumbha abhishekam, Maha mangala aarthi and Shanti Kalyanam were performed by Pandit Kambhampati Bala, Krishna Sharma, Pandit Srinivas Sastry Lanka, Pandit Ram Murti Sharma, Pandit Bhargava Sarma Marthi.

Amidst religious fervor, the holy 'kudams' containing the waters were taken from the 'yagasalai' and poured on the 'kalasams' of the shrine. A large number of devotees offered prayers all through the five days of grand celebration.

Musical concerts were performed by Padma Vibhushan Sri Dr M. Bala Murali Krishna on May 11 and by "Ghazal Samrat" Anup Jalota on May 12. Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna enthralled the crowd with his divine compositions.

He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honor, for his contribution towards Indian Art. He was made Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government in 2005. Dr Balamurali Krishna's passion for innovation in Carnatic music mesmerized the audience during the two-hour concert. The venue was totally packed with over 1000 people.

The temple Board of Trustees Raj Bhanot, Naranji Patel, Balwant

Mr. Balamurali Krishna and team

Raj Bhanot, Mr. Hitesh Patel, Devotee, Mr. Narangi Patel

Birla, Hitesh Patel thanked the devotees for their contribution on raising funds for the construction, volunteers for their timeless effort and generous support of grand sponsors such as India cash and

carry, Swagat India cuisine, Nut n spice and New India bazaar who were instrumental in the project.

The board appealed for the community at large to donate generously and help the community.

Brahmakumari Ashram team, Mr. Prasad Mangina, Ms. Anu Natarajan, Mr. Jayaram Komati, Mr. Raj Bhanot, Mr. Goel, Mr. Parthasarathy, Senate majority leader Ellen Corbett

Community Across America

May 31, 2013

India Post 19

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An evening dedicated to Bhajans by Anup Jalota RITU MAHESHWARI India Post News Service

SUNNYVALE, CA: Bay Area residents were treated to a melodious evening of devotional songs and bhajans by Bhajan Samrat Anup Jalota. As grand finale to five day Maha Kumbabhishekam organized by Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, Anup Jalota gave a scintillating performance to a packed hall.

He sang all his famous Bhajans and Ghazals for music lovers who couldn't have enough of his Bhajans. Everyone was immersed in hit Bhajans which included aisi lagi re lagan, main nahi makhan khayo, rang de chunariya, jag me sundarhai do naam, and chadariya jhini re jhini.

Anup Jalota was supported by

Anup Jalota performing on stage

Ritu Maheshwari interviewing Padma Shri Anup Jalota

expert musicians Ravi on Tabla, Bashir on Banjo and Bobby on Guitar.

Ritu Maheshwari talked briefly

to Anup Jalota at the event.

Q: How do you feel coming to Bay Area?

A: It is always a great feeling to

come to Bay Area. I especially like the people here as they are music lovers and very knowledgeable about music. They enjoy music a lot more than others. I enjoy Bay area and come here often. I look forward to continuing my visits and programs here.

Q: Over the years have you seen any change in listener preferences?

A: I find people keen to enjoy good music. In fact, with television getting entrenched in our daily lives, more and more people are getting attracted towards music Q: Do you find any difference be-

tween your fans in Indian and here in US? A: I find fans engrossed in music both in India as well as here.

However, listeners in US make concerts a lot more personal, as they know that these are special appearances.

Q: You have sung many Bhajans and Ghazals. What is the key to your success?

A: Be it Ghazals or Bhajans, richness of poetry is key to mes-

merizing people. If lyrics are good, people will enjoy the music, be it bhajan or ghazal.

Q: What is your message to music aspirants of Bay area?

A: You are very lucky that you live in this area. Many great musicians have institutions here that you can use to learn. Focus on classical music if you want to stay relevant longer. While many fads come and go, classical music will sustain you for long time.

Gadar Hero portrait unveiled at SF Consulate Cont’d from page 16

Rajesh Verma, President, FIA, said that Gadar centennial celebration will be a prominent theme at this year's 21st Festival of India and Parade to be held on August 17 and 18. This festival is organized every year by FIA and is the biggest festival organized by the Indian community in Bay area.

Mr. C.S. Judge, Chairman, Gadar Foundation said it is a

proud moment to have Kartar Singh's portrait in the Consulate General office as it will go a long way in recognizing the efforts of Gadar heroes. During the centennial celebrations, there are many events planned at Consulate General and around Bay area to highlight the Gadar movement.

Other community leaders attending the event included Dalwinder Dhoot, C.S. Judge, Gurjatinder Randhawa and N.P. Hundal.

Ro calls for increase in STEM graduate & startup visas Cont’d from page 16

Bhajan Samrat Anup Jalota being honored by Raj Bhanot of Sunnyvale Temple

"Finally, any immigration reform must include equal rights for same-sex, bi-national couples the proposal only allows heterosexual couples to sponsor their spouses.

"I am encouraged by the progress to date and I join the families and businesses of California s 17th district in calling

for a way forward on immigration reform. The particular importance of this issue to the Silicon Valley region places a heavy responsibility on our representatives to be a constructive part of the bi-partisan process, while also vigorously advocating for the best possible resolution of reforms that will have a profound effect on our economy," Ro concluded.

20 India Post

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Kripaluji made deepest scriptural truths accessible to all

M

ankind has wit nessed the descension of en lightened personalities who appeared on this earth to dispel the ignorance depraving societies. They illumined the world with their knowledge and guided people towards perfecting their lives.

Such divine personalities lead exemplary lives, full of loving devotion and selfless service to God. They work tirelessly with only one motivation in mind; welfare of mankind.

Jagadguru Shri Kripaluji Maharaj, the fifth original Jagadguru appeared in the year 1922 on the auspicious full moon night of SharatPoornima, at Mangarh, a small village near the city of Allahabad.

He was conferred the title of 'Jagadguru' (Spiritual Master of the world), by Kashi Vidvat Parishad at the young age of 34

SWAMI MUKUNDANANDA

years. He is the only saint who has been honoured with the highest place among all Vedic Saints and scholars of this age.

'Maharajji' as He is lovingly called by His devotees, observed that people were misguided and totally ignorant about the actual essence of the scriptures and true form of devotional practice.

He did not only bring a spiritual revolution in the world through His divine teachings, He is the Supreme exponent of Sanatana Dharma (Eternal Vedic Religion) and His reconciliation of all philosophies is unique.

The Kashi Vidvat Hindu Parishat honoured Him with the special title of 'Jagadguruttam' (Supreme among Jagadgurus) and declared Him as 'Bhaktiyograsavatara' (Descension of Divine Love and Bliss). Shree Maharajji makes no

Swami Mukundananda

California leaders recognized at APIA Heritage Gala India Post News Service

SACRAMENTO, CA: Several hundred community members, industry leaders, and elected officials gathered at the Sacramento Convention Center to honor Asian & Pacific Islander American (APIA) trailblazers during the APIA Heritage Month Gala.

This event will support the work of the newly formed Asian & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus (APILC) Foundation, which will promote and support the history, culture, and heritage of APIAs. The APILC Foundation is committed to increasing the civic engagement and participation of the APIA community.

"According to the Asian & Pacific American Legal Center, registered Asian American voters increased 51% from 2000 to 2008," stated Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cuptertino), Board Chair for the APILC Foundation.

"This illustrates the APIA community's tremendous interest about the future of our economy, education, and healthcare. The APILC Foundation will lead in engaging these communities on these policy issues that affect every aspect of their lives."

The APIA Heritage Month Gala recognized several leaders for their contributions to the community and beyond. The honorees included Speaker of the Assembly John A. PĂŠrez, Leadership & Vision Award; Former Director of UCSB Women's Center Sharon Hoshida, Excellence in Public Ser-

of times we find that that this community can sometimes be ignored," stated Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara), Board Secretary for the Asian & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus (APILC) Foundation. "Recognizing these leaders allows us an opportunity to celebrate these

distinction of caste, creed, colour or race. With His infinite love and compassion He gathers all into the purity of His Divine embrace.

Question: What does the title of Jagadguru mean, and is it equivalent to Pope in Hinduism?

Who awards the title? Please give some information about it.

Swami Mukundananda: Divine personalities who displayed unparalleled mastery over all Vedic scriptures and who brought about a spiritual revolution in the minds of people by their unique explanation of Vedic knowledge, have traditionally been conferred the title of Jagadguru, or Spiritual Master of the world.

The title has been awarded to saints who either defeated in scriptural debate all the great scholars of their era, or were acclaimed by scholars as possessing supreme mastery of the Vedic scriptures.

In the past 5000 years of the present age of Kali, five person-

alities have been recognized as original Jagadgurus: 1.

Jagadguru Shankaracharya: He came to the earth planet about 2000 years ago. He re-established the greatness of Vedic Sanatan Dharma in India.

His philosophy is known as Advait-vada or Non-dualism. He established four seats, called Maths, for the propagation of Vedic religion.

2. Jagadguru Nimbarkacharya: He appeared in the world shortly after Shankaracharya. He propounded the philosophy of Dwait-Advait-vada or Dualistic Non-dualism, which states that the soul and God have perfect oneness and yet perfect duality. He emphasized devotion to Radha Krishna.

3.

Jagadguru Ramanujacharya: He appeared on this earth planet about 1,000 years ago. His philosophy is known as VishishtAdvait-vada, or Qualified Nondualism.

Cont’d on page 21

SIPA-Janyaa contest to enhance rural education India Post News Service

vice; U.S. Olympic Double Gold Medalist Sammy Lee, Excellence in Sports; California Supreme Court Associate Justice Goodwin Liu, Excellence in Law; California Labor Federation Legislative Director Angie Wei, Excellence in Labor; and UC Hastings Chancellor and Dean Frank Wu, Excellence in Education.

"While APIAs have a rich and vibrant history in California, a lot

individuals for their accomplishments, as well as put a face to the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States."

Pamela Wu, former weekend anchorwomen for the NBC affiliate in the Sacramento area, served as Master of Ceremonies of the events. Members of the California Asian & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus presented the awards to the honorees.

MILPITAS, CA: The Silicon Valley Indian Professionals Association (SIPA) in partnership with Janyaa has organized a contest called 'Janyaa Masterminds Contest' to educate and enhance the learning experience for rural students in India.

This contest will take place on June 15 in John Sinnott Elementary School, Milpitas.

All you need to do is make an experiment using simple materials at home that will help children in

rural India develop knowledge, skill and self-confidence which is needed to succeed in school.

If you are up for the challenge, enroll at www.sipa.org and find out more about the contest. The last date to register for the mind contest is 2nd June.

Janyaa is a 501c3 non-profit with a mission to empower the education of the rural kids in India.

Sipa's mission is to create the most powerful network of professionals in the Silicon Valley who make influential marks in the common goodness of the world.

Community Across America

May 31, 2013

India Post 21

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An evening of enchanting Nadhaswaram VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

Shirdi Sai Parivaar which started with a small group of Sai devotees in 2002 has now grown to serve over thousands of Saibandhus all over the Bay area. The 40,000 sq.ft. mandir was inaugurated on June 20, 2010 and houses Sai Baba's statue measuring 5ft. 6in.

The temple consists of main hall, Dwarakamayi, Chavadi, dining hall, multipurpose auditorium, reading room, library, youth room, yoga room, kids' corner, several different class rooms and office rooms.

Shirdi Sai Parivaar activities include weekly prayer meetings with bhajans, events to commemorate the significance of Sai Baba's philosophy and life history, charitable events benefitting the local community.

Shridi Sai Parivaar had organized an enchanting Nadhaswaram con-

P. Natarajan, Kasim, Babu, Nallakumar

Kasim and Babu

cert on May 18 by Nadhaswara Nadhamani Kasim and Babu Brothers, grandsons of the late Nadhaswaram Sangeetha Kalanidhi Sheikh Chinna Moulana.

In South Indian Hindu culture, the

Nadaswaram is considered to be auspicious, and it is a key musical instrument played in almost all Hindu weddings and temples of the South Indian tradition.

The instrument is accompanied

by a pair of drums called thavil.

Kasim and Babu have been learning Nadhawaram from the age of 8, under the tutelage of Late Sangeetha Kalanidhi Shiekh Chinna Moulana and have been honored and appointed as the "Asthana Vidhwans" of Sri Sharada Peetham of Sringeri Math, Thirumala Thirupathi devastanam, KanchiKamakoti Mutt.

Kasim-Babu brothers have visited countries like Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Russia, Germany, France, U.A.E, Finland, Malaysia and earned accolade in their concerts.

"We are from a very big music tradition from Andhra Pradesh; our tradition is about 300 years old, a very great and ancient tradition," Kasim tells us with pride.

About 40 years ago, the music was mostly used traditionally in Temples and celebrations such as

weddings. But nowadays, it's more common that people go and listen to the music in concert halls.

Kasim and Babu have played together all over the world since 1992 and have received many honors and awards. Kasim and Babu's children are now carrying on the

objective of imparting Nadhaswaram training to younger generation. They have established a trust in memory of their Guru and grandfather, the "Dr. Chinna Moulana Memorial Trust".

The prime objective of the trust is to globalize the importance of Nadhaswaram Music. The Trust is rendering a noble service by presenting Nadhaswaram instruments to deserving students and senior indigent artists of the Nadhaswaram fraternity. They impart free training for higher level courses in Nadhaswaram, where they teach on the intricate nuances of different ragas.

"Music is essential in life, it can change the world and it has changed the world", says Kasim.

The concert was over 4 hours and was enjoyed by over 300 devotees. They started with the Guru Vandhana, followed by Rangapura vihara, Endhano mahanubhava, Venkatachala nilayam, Thiruppavai pasurum "Ongi ulagalandha". The unique part of the concert was the rendition of Dasavathara ragamalika composed by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal with ten ragas and 6 sections. The rhythmic accompaniment on the thavil by P.Natarajan

The unique part of the concert was the rendition of Dasavathara ragamalika composed

by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal with ten ragas and 6 sections. The rhythmic accompaniment on the thavil by P.Natarajan and R.Nalakumar was of a high order family tradition. Kasim and Babu run a musical school namely "Saradha Nadhaswara Sangeetha Ashram" founded by Dr Sheik Chinna Moulana, with the main

and R.Nalakumar was of a high order. To their brilliant accompaniment the brothers mesmerized the audience with their melodic renderings of various krithis.

Kripaluji made deepest scriptural truths accessible to all Cont’d from page 20

He put great emphasis on surrender to God, and established the proper system of worship in temples throughout India.

4.

Jagadguru Madhvacharya: He descended about 700 years ago, and was the vigorous propagator of Dvait-vada or the philosophy of Dualism. He stressed that the attainment of the personal form of God is the goal of all the souls, and that God, Maya and the soul are always separate entities.

In the past, the title was not awarded by any formal body; rather, it was informally conferred on the saints by the unanimous acclaim of the Vedic scholars of

the times. The formal conferring by a body occurred only in the case of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj.

Q: Kripaluji Maharaj is said to be the fifth 'original' Jagadguru.

How is He different from other Jagadgurus of present day?

SM: The four original Jagadgurus established their Maths, or seats, in multiple places for the purpose of propagating their teachings. They seated their senior disciples as the heads of each of these Maths. These disciples also began calling themselves "jagadguru". Later, when others took their place, they too took on the title for themselves.

With the passage of time, other

followers of that tradition began establishing newer Maths on their own accord and became selfstyled jagadgurus. That is why we see the present phenomenon

Kripaluji Maharaj became the fifth original Jagadguru after a gap of 700 years, in a historical event which happened in Kashi, the glorious city of God Shiva, in January 1957

where there is a proliferation of jagadgurus. However, the original Jagadgurus were only four.

Kripaluji Maharaj became the fifth original Jagadguru after a gap of 700 years, in a historical event which happened in Kashi, the glorious city of God Shiva, in January 1957, after he gave a profound series of lectures at the invitation of the Kashi Vidvat Parishad, a body of 500 of the topmost Vedic scholars of India.

Shree Maharajji spoke for ten days revealing the secrets of the Hindu scriptures. He reconciled the apparent contradictions between the various scriptures, and the differences between the views of the previous Jagadgurus, to re-

veal the true path to God-realization for the welfare of all humankind, and relevant to the present times.

With profound admiration, the scholars accepted that his knowledge was deeper than the combined knowledge of all 500 of them put together. They unanimously acclaimed him as Jagadguru, the Spiritual Master of the world.

They added that he was "Jagadguruttam," or Supreme amongst all Jagadgurus. Among the various accolades that they showered upon him was "BhaktiYog Rasavatar," or the personification of the Bliss of Divine Love.

Cont’d on page 23

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Etihad Airways recognizes travel agents with awards

Travel agents and consolidators recognized for their performance by Etihad Airways in Chicago

A.Q. SIDDIQUI India Post News Service

CHICAGO: In a formal luncheon event held here at Vermilion Restaurant downtown, Etihad Airways invited Midwest consolidators for its maiden award ceremony in Chicago.

Etihad Airways has successfully completed four years of operations to Chicago transporting passengers to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Middle

East and many other destinations worldwide. The Airline has recently been voted by travelers as the best and Number One choice in a media survey conducted at O'Hare airport.

Denise Harvill, Etihad Airways Vice President Central USA, together with Patrick Dunne, National Accounts Manager, inaugurated the event. Etihad Airways Chicago team members, Mohammad Anwar, Manali Vitkar, Sandra Dekoj and Murielle Achkar

welcomed the guests. Denise Harvill thanked the loyal travel agents for joining the event and remarked that the award ceremony was organized to recognize and appreciate the support of travel agents.

As Etihad Airways completes four years in Chicago, the daily non-stop service will soon be upgraded with new Boeing 777-300 modern version aircraft, she said.

Patrick Dunne who had specially flown from New York for the event,

also thanked the supporting agents.

Denise Harvill and Mohammad Anwar jointly presented the awards to select consolidators for sales performance for 2012.

Skybird Travel, Air Tours, Krisbi Travel, Evia Travel, Imperial Travel, RK Travel, Aero Travel, Pleasant Travel, Skylink and Riya Travel were among the recipients' of the awards.

The owners and staff members of the award winning agency were

invited to podium. Among the winners were Umesh Patel and Masood Akram of Skybird Travel, Mafat Patel of Air Tours, Birju Bhagat of Krisbi, Faizan and Syeeda of Evia Travel, Rizwan of RK Travel, Asghar Ali of Aero Travel, Raj of Skylink, Prince of Imperial Travel and Shahbaz from Pleasant Travel.

As the event concluded, Anwar, Manali and Sandra congratulated the agents for the sales performance awards.

Lasyam celebrates anniversary with enthralling Kuchipudi Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: Lasyam School of Kuchipudi Dance celebrated its 13th Anniversary with showcase performances at Balaji Temple auditorium in Aurora on Saturday, May 11.

This year's theme was "Bhajagovindam" - a devotional prayer by Adi Shankara in the melodious tune of MS Subbulakshmi.

Senior disciples of Lasyam, Divya Jasthi, Supriya Bhuvanagiri and Srinidhi Angara with guest artist

Pranav Perepa as Adi Shankara mesmerized the audience. Dance director Hema Yaddanapudi unveiled for the first time in Chicagoland this choreography in Kuchipudi style.

The evening showcased fifteen items introducing an array of 35 extremely talented disciples of Lasyam School. Young artists aged 6-8 performed slokas, mudras, jatis and steps to the chanting of their Guru - a year's worth of their learning that brought an aura of pure joy and Tarangam by ManoLasya and Thillana performance

Kuchipudi dance performance on Bhajgovindam and Vishwapuram

awe to the audience.

The event paid rich tribute through Sri Annamacharya Keerthanas with scintillating performance to the tunes of Adivo Alladivo, Bramha Kadigina Padamu and Narayanathe Namo Namo. And traditional items Jatiswaram, Dasavathara sabdam, Brundavananilaye and Lingastakam.

The highlight of the evening was Tarangam by ManoLasya Perepa. She held the audience spellbound with her unparalleled expression, grace and perfection of pure dance. She rendered

"Jatis" while dancing on the edges of a brass plate with consummate skill and divine charm.

The program ended with the finale "Thillana" performed by Divya Jasthi, Srinidhi Angara, Kavya Koneru, Supriya Bhuvanagiri, Preetha Raj and Vinitha Raj. Hema Yaddanapudi presented trophies and awards to all the disciples and presented vote of thanks dedicating the evening's glorious performance to her mother and Kuchipudi Guru. The program concluded with the traditional "Mangalam."

May 31, 2013

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Kripaluji made deepest scriptural truths accessible to all Cont’d from page 21

Q: Please give some information about the inspiring life of Jagadguru Kripaluji Maharaj.

SM: Maharajji is the eternally liberated saint who descended upon the earth from the divine abode of God, with only one mission in His mind, to uplift the humankind. He spent his childhood in youthful fun, playing games and frolicking with his young friends. But at the same time, he would display intense gravity and excel effortlessly in his studies.

Then at the age of fourteen, he left the village and attended

of the Universe. The very same manifestation of Mahabhav love was last seen in Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, about 500 years ago. Maharajji emerged from the forest after two years to begin his mission of revealing the glories of the path of Divine Love to the world.

He then started conducting satsangs, congregational spiritual programs, that brought about a Bhakti revolution in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in the 1940s and 50s. He would lead devotional chantings imbued with intense devotion, which would continue throughout the night. These kirtans, which he

Maharajji is the eternally liberated saint who descended upon the earth from the divine abode of God, with only one mission in His mind, to uplift the humankind. He spent his childhood in youthful fun, playing games and frolicking with his young friends. But at the same time, he would display intense gravity and excel effortlessly in his studies three universities, in Kashi, Chitrakoot and Indore. There he covered a whole series of courses in the space of just two-and-a-half years.

At the young age of sixteen, he suddenly gave up his studies and entered the dense forests of Chitrakoot. There he spent his time absorbed in intense of love for Radha Krishna. Often he would lose all external consciousness, and go without eating and drinking for many days at a stretch.

For long periods, he would remain in Mahabhav, the highest stage of devotion that manifests in Radha Rani, the Divine Mother

wrote himself, have been compared by scholars with those of Meerabai, Soordas, Tulsidas, and Ras Khan. Shree Maharajji's Divine kirtans have secured a place for themselves in the hearts of devotees across the globe.

After accepting the title of Jagadguru, Kripaluji Maharaj travelled throughout India for fourteen years. He would deliver month-long discourses in each city, unravelling the mysteries of the scriptures before tens of thousands of people who would throng his lectures.

Shree Maharajji's lectures tantalized the masses with humour, worldly examples, practical in-

structions and playful chastisement, much to the delight of the crowd. It was a unique experience as he made the deepest scriptural truths accessible to everyone in the simplest language.

It is Shree Maharajji's vision that every soul should get a chance to practice Bhakti or devotion in its simplest form, so that the soul may attain its true goal of God-realization.

In order to help people around the world in their quest towards this goal, Shree Maharaj Ji has trained devotee preachers and sent them to different parts of the globe. He has also created huge ashrams, to provide facilities for devotees who wish to practically apply the teachings in their lives.

Q: Please tell us about Shri Maharajji's wife 'Ammaji', who is very dear to all the devotees.

SM: Our Divine Mother, Shree Maharajji's wife, whom we devotees lovingly called Amma, ended her manifest leelas in the material realm, and went back to the Divine Abode of Radha Krishna on 12th March, 2009.

Amma had descended to assist Shree Maharajji in his mission of distributing Divine love of Radha Krishna to evolved souls on this planet. She was born on Diwali day in the year 1925, in a small village called Leelapur, about 100 kilometers from Mangarh.

Her father was a great Sanskrit scholar and devotee. She was married to Maharajji in her childhood itself, in accordance with the tradition of child marriage prevalent in Uttar Pradesh at that time.

In her youth, she stayed mostly in Mangarh, while Maharajji would go on preaching tours for eleven months in a year.

As the satsang grew and thousands of satsangis became a part

of the mission, she showered her love on them, and helped them in their devotion to Shree Maharajji.

While Maharajji, as the perfect Spiritual Master, was often as hard as a thunderbolt, Amma was the soft, forgiving, patient and caring mother, whose love could always be counted upon. While Maharajji maintained an externally strict profile, Amma provided the gentle human touch that gave so much strength to the devotees in their arduous journey to God-realization.

Amma's life was always one of sacrifice for her Divine Beloved.

His happiness was her only consideration throughout her life, and

erously as she did during her lifetime.

Swami Mukundananda is a world renowned spiritual teacher from India, and is the senior disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj and founder of JK Yog. He has received his degrees in engineering from world renowned institutes in India, IIT and IIM. He has inspired people all over the world on the path of spirituality, holistic health, yoga, meditation, service to society and God realization. This year, Swamiji will be conducting weeklong programs in 30+ cities of USA from April onwards. For more

After accepting the title of Jagadguru, Kripaluji Maharaj travelled throughout India for fourteen years. He would deliver monthlong discourses in each city, unravelling the mysteries of the scriptures before tens of thousands of people who would throng his lectures. Shree Maharajji's lectures tantalized the masses with humour & worldly examples she sacrificed her all for it. She was thus the epitome of purity, and of selfless devotion to her Divine husband. When we pray to her to bestow on us true love for our Guru and God, we know that she will always be there to respond to our entreaties, as gen-

information visit: http:// www.jkyog.org/ or contact: secretary@jkyog.org To attend Swamiji's Yoga, Meditation and Spiritual Discourses in USA, see the schedule for your city: www.jkyog.org/ 2013

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ISA celebrates 7th annual Sunderkand Mahayagya SURI SWAMI

CHICAGO: The International Society for Spiritual Advancement (ISSA) recently celebrated its 7th Annual 108 Sunderkand Mahayagya on April 20 at Chinmaya Mission (Badri) in WillowBrook, a north side suburb of Chicago.

More than 400 devotees coming from all over Chicagoland, Washington DC, Maryland, Iowa, Wisconsin, Virginia, and India attended this auspicious event and

recited the holy Sunderkand from Sant Tulsidas's Shri Ramcharit Manas, simultaneously in unison, led by Shri Ramanand Ji (Dr Rama S. Dwivedi).

The Mahayagya ceremony commenced with Hari Naam Sankirtan by Shri Girish Bhatt, which was followed by Bhajans

by Anjana Savsani and Raj Angad Gurtatta. One of the highlights of the program was the offering of Chappan Bhog (56 food offerings)

to the Lord, by the ISSA members and devotees from all parts of the country.

Maneesha Sharma and Namrata Patel welcomed all the devotees and distinguished guests - Swami Sharanananda Ji, GuruJi Shri Jaychandra Raj (a renowned Indian astrologer) and Dr Pradheep Kumar Chhalliyil.

The Mahayagya started with the lighting of ceremonial lamp.

This was followed by Swasti

Swami Sharanananda Ji addressing the Yagya gathering

Vachan and ahwaan (invocation) thanked all the guests for making ceremony. The recitation of the it a very transcendental and memoSunderkand was led by Shri rable event. A special recognition Ramanand Ji. Shri Hanuman Chalisa Path was recited by children The recitation of the of members of ISSA. The bhajans were con- Sunderkand was led by Shri cluded with a blissful Ramanand Ji. Shri "dekho yeh bhakta aaya Hanuman Chalisa Path was mohan tere mandir mein, and param dhan radha" recited by children of sung by Ramshraddha members of ISSA Das and everyone in the temple was dancing in ecstasy. was given to all the volunteers for On behalf of ISSA Inderjeet their hard work. All guests were Gurtatta, Chief Coordinator, offered Vaishnav Prasadam.

Devotees throng Sunderkand Mahayagya celebrations

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St Louis Bal Vihar Utsav a big success RAJ IYER & ASHWIN PATEL

Bal Vihar participants

ST LOUIS: Over 150 children between 5 and 12 years of age recently participated in a colorful entertainment program - UTSAV hosted by the Bal Vihar of St. Louis.

The event was attended by over 600 people, including local dignitaries and elected public officials, at Clayton High School.

Among the high profile elected officials present were Missouri Senator Maria Nadal-Chappelle, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, representative from the office of Claire McCaskill, United States Senator from Missouri. Also present were a number of sponsors, well known members of the Indian community in St. Louis and Bal Vihar families.

The event opened with a wel-

come address from Dr Sudhir Brahmbhatt, founder and president of Bal Vihar. He spoke about the organization's journey of over 20 years sharing highlights defining its stands today.

The children were dressed in beautiful costumes and parents and guests didn't want to be left behind making the view at Utsav very colorful and vibrant.

Actual Utsav started with homage to India and the freedom fighters followed by series of programs that walked the audiences through the beauty of India including its beaches, flowers, monsoon, various festivals and passion for sports. Also at display was a fusion event of Bhajan and Yoga that was much admired.

The culmination was an act

from Bal Vihar Youth Group in collaboration with Gitana Group stu-

Curtains on Utsav came down with one final song - "Jai Ho" where all

everyone in the audience capped the successful saga.

Young ones show their passion for sports

dents. The skit demystified cultural stereotypes and carried the concept of "Same Difference".

participants from Bal Vihar and Gitana were on stage dancing to the tunes. A standing ovation from

Bal Vihar Gitana joint performance

Through support from parents, local community and sponsors at large, Bal Vihar is looking forward to finding a permanent home for its school in two years. Utsav was one such stop in the fund raising efforts of the organization.

Center for Indian Cultural Education - Bal Vihar - has helped groom a breed of multi-cultural global leaders of next generation that have been shaped by the best of the cultures from east and west.

The ultimate goal is "to throw the light of cultural knowledge on every child, to make every child an outstanding citizen and to spread the song of peace and harmony around the world."

Telugus in St Louis celebrate Ugadi ASHWIN PATEL

ST LOUIS: The Telugu Association of St Louis (TAS), Missouri celebrated Ugadi Vedukalu last month in a spectacular way at Logan College, Chesterfield, MO. More than 1250 people attended the event. There were wide range of cultural programs performed by local talent and also performances by Tollywood singers and mimicry artists.

Dressed in attires reflecting Telugu culture and tradition, artists presented programs which drew huge applause from the audience. Stage decoration, audio visuals and great theme to reflect Hindu mythology were the highlights of the event. Huge cutouts

Telugu Association members and trophy winners

of Ganesh, and mango twigs and birds on the stage created Ugadi festive mood for the audience.

There was a thirty-minute cultural program by local talent followed by singing by Tollywood and MAA TV Super Singers Sri Krishna, Geetha Madhuri and Sai Shivani.

Mimicry performance by "Mimicry" Ramesh entertained the audience.

President Dr Ramamohan Reddy Paduru reminded everyone of the marvelous successes of the past TAS events and laid out TAS's next two years plans to get involved in social service programs, especially to engage youth in the social activities.

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Telugus in St Louis celebrate Ugadi

Readers Write... www.indiapost.com

Draconian measures to control media

Cont’d from page 25

T

Vice-President Dr Rama Krishna Gondi and Secretary Kishore Janga played a key role in conducting the event successfully. Treasurer Muralikrishna Puttagunta managed member enrollments and reception area while Cultural Secretary Srikanth Saraswathula coordinated the cultural events. The participants were awarded TAS trophies. Authentic South Indian dinner left the taste buds of everyone satisfied.

Dance prayer performance by local artists

he Justice Department's admission of its seizure of home and cellphone records of almost 100 Associated Press re porters is the most significant intrusion of freedom of the press in decades and sends a chilling effect on the future of our fragile democracy. Reporters and whistle blowers will now be loath to challenge the excesses or misdeeds of the Obama Administration lest they encounter a blowback and find themselves clothed in orange jumpsuits and ankle shackles - all in the name of protecting national security. Many governments in the world jail dissidents under the same banner.

This follows other draconian measures crafted to silence whistleblowers, the Espionage Act which could eviscerate an independent free press, the FISA Amendment Act, which allows for warrantless wiretapping, the National Defense Authorization Act, which permits stripping American citizens of due process and jailing them to indefinite detention.

Remember, the Espionage Act was used against Daniel Ellsberg in the Pentagon Papers which revealed years of government deceit in perpetuating the disastrous Vietnam War which sent thousands of Americans and millions of Vietnamese to an early death. America has a long history of conducting a massive PR war on its people to shield it from embarrassing decisions. The recent web of deceit perpetrated by the Bush Administration on bogus claims of WMDs in Iraq should be stark reminder.

If the media - our government watchdogs are hampered in their independent role we are doomed as a democracy.

Jagjit Singh Los Altos, CA

May 31, 2013

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Dhake Industries boosting trade ties with Brazil India Post News Service

DETRORIT, MI: A high ranking nine-member business delegation led by Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has just returned from a six day investment mission to Brazil.

It is expected to pave the way for improved trade relationship between the two sides besides providing new job-creating investments opportunities for Michigan, according to Arjun Dhake, a member delegate.

Calley and the nine-member team had a series of meetings with prospective partners, distributors and buyers to increase export opportunities from Michigan to Brazil. In addition to one-on-one matchmaking appointments, the group also got customized market research, market entry strategy and business service support.

The mission sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corp came back on May 18 charged with lot of optimism on boosting trade with Brazil Arjun Dhake, Vice President of Business Development Dhake Industries that has already some presence in Brazil, was the only delegate of Indian origin and he exuded confidence that his company would gain immensely from this visit.

Holding a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan, Arjun had his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business. He is the second generation Indian involved in the management and operations of Dhake Industries The delegation took part in an-

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, third from left, led a trade delegation to Brazil with representatives from nine Michigan companies that included Mr Arjun Dhake (third from right), representing Dhake Industries

nouncing the Michigan Brazil Center located in S達o Paulo that had a soft launch in 2012. The office will serve several purposes for the state and Michigan businesses, including attracting foreign direct investment and export trade development between Michigan and Brazil. Delegates also met with leaders from the Federation of Industries from the State of S達o Paulo (FIESP), representing 132 industry trade organizations catering to more than 150,000 companies.

Brazil, the largest country in South America, is home to a highly diversified and industrialized economy that offers enormous growth opportunities for Michigan businesses. Dhake Industries was

established in 1979 and is a leading supplier of specialty coatings for engineered plastics.

Dhake's Engineering, Research,

Quality Assurance and Application Laboratories are all located in Plymouth. It built its reputation in the Auto industry by strictly fol-

lowing certain criteria like customer satisfaction, superior quality of products, excellent service and top of the line R & D.

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Sapna Mera Toota: Nautanki Saala 2 Mera Mann Kehne Laga: Nautanki Saala 3 Taki Taki: Himmatwala 4 Aaja Meri Jaan: I Love NY 5 Judaai Unplugged: I Love NY 28 India Post

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R

anbir Kapoor says he has really got to know Deepika, his co-star with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. "We were very new in Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008). We were also in a relationship during that time, so it was different. In YJHD, we came together as professionals, both of us having spent five years in the industry. I haven't been so intimidated by a co-star as much as I have been with Deepika, especially since I know her so well. She has surprised me as an actor with the kind of hard work that she puts in. I am proud of her.

"Deepika and I have always been friends. It's not that we keep in touch often, but whenever I have to reach out to her or vice versa, there is no sense of awkwardness. We are so caught up with our assignments and the people we work with that our

DEEPIKA AND I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FRIENDS. IT'S NOT THAT WE KEEP IN TOUCH OFTEN, BUT WHENEVER I HAVE TO REACH OUT TO HER OR VICE VERSA, THERE IS NO SENSE OF AWKWARDNESS lives centre around them. But Deepika and I will remain friends for a very long time. I will be her children's godfather; I will play with them and all of that. We have that kind of relationship.

"I also think it is nice to work with your ex; it's special.

Especially in a job like acting, where you have to constantly expose yourself as a person, you know each other so well that you are comfortable. There is no sense of trying to hide oneself or put a facade."

May 31, 2013 6 Aake Tere Kareeb: Ammaa Ki Boli 7 Kaali Kaali: Aake Tere Kareeb 8 Meethi Boliyaan: Kai Po Che! 9 Yaaram: Ek Thi Daayan 10 Manjha: Kai Po Che!

R

umors have been floating that Priyanka Chopra is throwing her weight around on the sets of Gunday. It was said that she was making her co-stars (Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer) hear it loud and clear that she is the one who was the experienced lot around.

Well, as it always happens in instances like these, the ones who were said to be the disgruntled ones have a different story to tell.

"This is all coming out of thin air and nothing like that actually took place on location and in such sinister manner during the shoot of Gunday," says a source, "Whenever there is a much hyped film in the making with good stakes involved, rumors of all kinds start floating around. This is just one of them. Priyanka is too dignified an actor to be actually throwing tantrums or have starry airs around her."

Arjun has come out in open. "Such loose talk is simply weird. Nothing like that ever happened with Priyanka. She has been a star for so many years and no tantrums have ever come into picture. She is too big to be indulging in such behavior."

Bollywood

May 31, 2013

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PRIYA ANJALI RAI

SHAUKEEN REMAKE S

BOLLYWOOD IS CALLING ME...VERY VERY EXCITED! FEELS AMAZING TO GET A CHANCE TO GO TO INDIA AND MEET MY INDIAN FANS. EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT I’LL BE PLAYING THE LEAD ROLE IN INDIA’S FIRST 4D STEREOSCOPIC FEATURE FILM

C

lose on the heels of Sunny Leone’s success, yet another international porn star of Indian origin is set to make her Bollywood debut.

Sultry Indo-American adult movie actress Priya Anjali Rai will flaunt her sexy curves in a yet untitled film.

“Bollywood is calling me...Very very excited! Feels amazing to get a chance to go to India and meet my Indian fans. Excited to announce that I’ll be playing the lead role in India’s first 4D stereoscopic feature film,” Priya, 35, recently tweeted.

The film will be directed by Asokan PK. Priya has a central role in what is reportedly a heroine-centric film. Quite expectedly, she will have a lot of steamy

scenes that let her highlight her sensuous image. She, however, insists there are no nude scenes.

She has been a popular adult star in the West and earlier this year had a starring role in a horror film, Isis Rising: Curse Of The Lady Mummy. She played a sexy supernatural antagonist in the film. Priya was born in Delhi before moving to the US, when she was two years old, when an American couple adopted her. The Arizona-based porn star pursued a course in marketing at Arizona State University.

Her career in showbiz started off as a stripper in nightclubs before she made her debut in the porn industry.

haukeen, the 1980 Basu Chatterjee comic film about three old men lusting after a girl next-door, is all set to be remade by Rumi Jaffery. Interestingly, Akshay Kumar has been roped in to play the character of Mithun Chakraborty.

While the female lead originally played by Rati Agnihotri will be essayed by Nargis Fakhri.

Though in the original, Mithun’s part was a small role, the remake will apparently change the part to fit in Akshay.

Further reports suggest that Akshay has not charged his usual fee for this film as it is not a full length role, but he will have a stake in the film.

The three old actor roles have gone to Anupam Kher, Annu Kapoor and Paresh Rawal.

Realty Tidbits

Land for Delhi Metro to be 40 times dearer NEW DELHI: Delhi government will now charge Delhi Metro up to 30-40 times more for selling its DUSIB land to DMRC for construction of its Phase-III line. In its latest decision, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board has decided to sell its land to DMRC as per circle rates. The decision has been approved in principle by DUSIB at a meeting. The board is chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. The decision will also be applicable on the properties sold to Delhi Health Services.

The new policy would increase the cost of land in Category A areas 35 to 40 times. For now, DUSIB has decided to implement it in 12 projects of which four projects belong to DMRC. In the first case, a 5,286 sqm land (Category D) in Rajouri Garden, west Delhi, that was earlier available at Rs 2.45 crore will now cost Rs 56.23 crore.

IKEA's challenge will be land acquisition NEW DELHI: Land acquisition will be a major hurdle for Swedish furniture retailer IKEA to set up its stores in India and it may have to even depend on public auction by government, according to real estate consultants.

The company, which has received nod from the government for its plans to invest Rs 10,500 crore earlier this month, may also have to tweak their business model for India considering the constraints for right space, consultants added.

"Land acquisition is a difficult and challenging proposition in India... The company may acquire land in two ways - through public auction by the government or directly purchasing it from owners," Jones Lang LaSalle India Managing Director (Retail Services) Pankaj Renjhen told PTI. IKEA India Chief Executive Officer Juvencio Maeztu is reported to have said that company will acquire land for opening stores, which will be spread across three lakh sq ft and is well-connected by highway and metro train.-PTI

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RBI as single regulator for home loans suggested KOLKATA: The State Bank of India has suggested that the Reserve Bank of India should be the regulator for all home loans provided by banks or housing finance companies.

"I see no justification for having a separate regulator for home loans. Perhaps the regulations of objective would be better served with RBI itself becoming the sole regulator for all loans including home loans," State Bank of India chairman, Pratip Chaudhuri said on the sidelines of the ICC banking summit here. -PTI

Kitchen remodeling entails patience & preparation MARCIE GEFFNER

I

t's no secret to Realtors that fabulous kitchens sell homes.

Improve the room used primarily for food preparation, and the entire house will feel homier to residents, guests and prospective buyers alike.

The appeal of a modern kitchen is so powerful that Robert Criner, president of Criner Remodeling, a home remodeling company in Newport News, Va., says homeowners should consider remodeling an outdated or dysfunctional kitchen regardless of how long they intend to keep the home.

"A lot of people think they aren't going to sell for two or three years," Criner says. "Then they realize right before they decide to sell: I have to put a facelift on the kitchen. Why not do it now, and enjoy it for three or four years, and then it's modernized and ready to sell when you get to that point?"

Open space The first step in a major kitchen remodeling project should be an inspection by a structural engineer, says Gary Henley, president of Henley Homes, a home remod-

eling company in Liberty Hill, Texas.

Some homeowners are tempted to dive right in, tearing out walls themselves to save time, but Henley says proper investigative work upfront is crucial to ensure the remodeling work is structur-

custom cabinets takes about four weeks to get built from the time you put them in production. You can buy off-the-shelf cabinetry, but it probably won't fit the space the way the homeowners want it to fit."

Work triangle

ally sound.

Patience is required as well.

"You see these programs that do a kitchen in three days," Henley says. "People in the real world know that's not practical. A set of

The so-called work triangle that connects the sink, refrigerator and stove is a time-honored principle of kitchen design. The traditional school of thought aims to minimize steps along the sides of the tri-

angle to save time during meal preparation.

Not everyone thinks a small triangle is a must, but the concept is worth considering, especially if a big kitchen is envisioned, says Jim Bateman, owner of Bateman Custom Construction, a home remodeling company in Fairfax, Va. "Some people want a really large kitchen, and they lose sight of that triangle. You have to wear a pedometer and keep track of how many miles you walk. It's not as functional," he says.

A second principle involves what builders call "landing" areas, or zones near the points of the triangle.

"If you want to open the refrigerator and you have things in your hands, what do you do with them?" Bateman asks. "Do you try to hold them and open the door?

No. Generally, you have a landing zone behind you on an island or to the right or left. If someone designs a refrigerator without a landing zone nearby, they're not doing their customer justice."

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Can I get a fair deal on vacant land?

STEVE MCLINDEN

Dear Real Estate Adviser, I'd like to buy a home in a nearby town but I can't find what I want in my price range.

So I'm exploring the idea of building a home, though I'm told the community is "built out" as far as subdivisions go. I see random lots for sale, but I hesitate to buy without knowing more. Realtors only want to sell

existing homes, it seems. Who can help me find a fair deal on vacant land?

- D. Adams Dear D., First off, you should know it's very unlikely you can buy a vacant lot and build a home on it for what you'd pay for an existing home. But if price isn't a big issue, by all means proceed. As you'll

see, though, the process might be a bit more involved than you think.

As you've discovered, not all agents have the desire or background to help you locate and negotiate the purchase of a vacant lot for a "build-to-suit." Contact the main real estate agencies in the area and ask if they employ any experienced land/lot agents. You'll want one who's done at least a half-

dozen or so such deals in recent years and is familiar with local land issues. Since the seller is probably going to pay the commission, there's typically no reason you shouldn't use an agent, though some will ask for a flat fee because they'd net so little compensation otherwise.

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Huda ropes in NGO to address Can I get a fair deal water shortage on vacant land?

W

ith water shortage wors ening with each pass ing day in the Millennium City, the Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda) has roped in an NGO to find a permanent solution.

At present the city is struggling to meet water shortage, fast depletion of groundwater level and conventional mode of sewage treatment. The authority is all set to tie up with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a Delhi-based research organization, which lobbies for and communicates the urgency of sustainable and equitable development. A crucial meeting between Huda officials and CSE executives was held here.

In the meeting, scarcity of water and fast depletion of the groundwater level were discussed.

"We held a meeting with the CSE officials and are going to work in cooperation to improve the water system. Our main focus is to check groundwater depletion and revive dried water bodies," said

Praveen Kumar, the Huda administrator.

As per the settlement, the CSE is supposed to set up a rain centre (RC) at Sector 29 and for the first time Gurgaon will have a full-fledged CSE office that will work in cooperation with local officials managing groundwater preservation.

The Huda will provide CSE with

information like number of water bodies, length of storm-water drains, methods of functioning of its two sewage treatment plants (STPs) and a geo-satellite image of the Huda sectors. "We visited the site at Sector 29, where an aquarium compound with office building is lying vacant. We are satisfied with the site. We will again meet the Huda officials shortly," said Nitya Jacob, program director of water, CSE. The RC will be a database of all information related to rainwater harvesting system, sewage treatment and revival of dried waterbodies. "We are supposed to help in rainwater harvesting and treating waste water in non-conventional ways so the water can be re-used for purpose other than drinking," added Jacob.

Kitchen remodeling entails patience & preparation Cont’d from page 49

A landing area near a microwave oven or other frequently used appliance can be useful.

Smart design Inadequate countertop space vies with inconvenient cupboards among the reasons why people dislike their kitchens, so smart storage can be a big plus when remodeling a kitchen.

"Today, we're putting a lot more time and energy into a better design and more functional kitchen with better storage, more accessible storage and less wasted space," Criner says.

That dark bottom-corner cupboard that can't be reached without contortionist training? It's history.

A well-designed kitchen should accommodate people of average height and size for resale purposes, but can also be made more

functional for people who are taller, shorter or wider, according to Criner, who says he's 6 feet 4 inches tall.

"The cabinets in my house go all the way to the ceiling. They're 42 inches, as opposed to 32 inches.

I get to use the upper shelf. My wife does not. So things that rarely get used are up there," he says.

Another option is drawers, which Criner says can now be deeper, 100 percent accessible, positioned at comfortable heights and built to accommodate a dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave oven or food warmer. Got an electric mixer? That can be stored on a shelf that pops up to the right height when it's needed.

One last point not to overlook is lighting, which Criner says should include task lighting over food-preparation areas as well as overhead lighting. Task lighting is especially helpful for older people,

who may have weaker eyesight.

LEDs can save energy and won't melt chocolate chips stored on the countertop.

Kitchen remodel return on investment The appeal of a remodeled kitchen is apparent, yet homeowners shouldn't overlook the fact that few remodeling projects, kitchens included, return their full value upon resale, according to Remodeling magazine's

"Today, we're putting a lot more time and energy into a better design and more functional kitchen with better storage, more accessible storage and less wasted space annual Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report.

The latest national report found the average major midrange kitchen remodel cost $53,931 and returned $37,139, or 68.9 percent, at resale. A minor midrange kitchen remodel cost $18,527, on average, and returned $13,977, or 75.4 percent, of the cost. A major upscale kitchen remodel was less justified as an investment, costing an average of $107,406 and returning just $64,113, or 59.7 percent, when the house was resold.-Courtesy Bankrate.com

wise, you'll be dealing with the power company, water company, In the meantime, you can do a gas company and phone company little homework by checking for expensive work. websites for available area lots Pay cash, if you can. Major (select "land" and then "past banks are a little shy about handsales"). Local builders, both ing out small land loans because conventional and custom, should there's no house to serve as colhave their own lot availability in- lateral. A credit union or savings formation, too. Such efforts should and loan might be a better option. at least give you a ballpark idea of You might also try talking with a pricing. Then, mortgage broker the following because brokers tasks await you. Pay cash, if you can. aren't tied to one Match the Major banks are a particular lender. home design and Ask about footprint to the little shy about hand- builder mortexisting neighgages, land loans ing out small land borhood as best and combined as possible. A loans because land construction 3,000-squareloans. If you do foot home in a there's no house to want to finance neighborhood serve as collateral. A through a conof mostly 1,200ventional lender, s q u a r e - f o o t credit union or savyou'll likely have homes will have ings and loan might to pay for a lender diminished reappraisal. sale potential. be a better option.

Get your new Realize, too, that property surthere may be a good reason no one veyed. This is another good idea has bought a specific lot, such as so you (and your neighbors) will flooding, title or legal issues, or an be clear on boundary lines. The odd shape. The best way to get longer a property sits vacant, the the most thorough background on greater the tendency for neighbors a lot is to employ a reputable title to appropriate little slices of it for insurance company. their own uses such as gardens Determine the utility status of and swingsets. Besides, a previthe lot. Ideally, it will have such ous survey may have been inacan infrastructure installed. Other- curate.-Courtesy Bankrate.com Cont’d from page 49

Delhi to get tout-free, seamless property registration system NEW DELHI: In a major revamp of existing property registration system, Delhi Government will put in place a transparent mechanism by end of the year under which people will be able to access hassle-free services in all 13 subregistrar offices without any jurisdictional issue.

The aim of the ambitious project - first of its kind in the country - is to offer people a tout-free and seamless property registration experience through a highly secured online platform, which will replace the six-decade-old current system.

Under the new mechanism, people from any area of the city will be able to get their properties registered in any one of the 13 subregistrar offices and they will even be able to check genuineness of the properties as well as ownership details and past transactions.

Admitting that there was corruption in the existing system, Urban Development and Revenue Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely

said the government is determined to rid it of lacunae and the new mechanism will offer "great relief" to people who often faced lot of hardships in getting their properties registered.

As per existing system, people can get their properties registered based on jurisdiction of the subregistrar office.

"It will be a major systemic change. We are working hard to out in place a transparent system under which people will be offered a hassle-free experience. The touts will not have any place in the new system," Lovely told PTI. He said all the 13 sub-registrar offices will be linked through an online portal through which people will also be able to check ownership details and past transaction of properties.

The online portal will have an online fee calculator besides having details about stamp duties and other required documents for property registration. -PTI

„ Health

Line

Salmonella outbreak from NC hotel sickens 51 FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.: Health officials are worried cases from a salmonella outbreak traced to a Fayetteville hotel may spread nationwide.

Already, 51 people who ate since May 1 at the Holiday Inn Bordeaux's banquet facilities along with its cafe and sports bar have been sickened with five of them becoming ill enough to be hospitalized, health officials said.

The hotel is along Interstate 95, meaning victims of the illness could be anywhere, State Health Director Laura Gerald told The Fayetteville Observer.

"Because this facility is along a major interstate, we are broadening our notification to try to reach anyone who may be affected by the outbreak,'' Gerald said.

Investigators have not determined which food was contaminated. The bacteria also could spread through cross contamination of glassware, silverware or other foods, said Buck Wilson, director of the Cumberland County Department of Public Health. ``It requires an extensive investigation,'' Wilson said. ``It's possible that you never narrow it down to a specific source.''

The county health department has sent workers to the hotel every day since the initial report came in to make sure restaurant staff are taking precautions to make sure there are no more outbreaks. The staff at the hotel also has taken extra food safety classes, Wilson said. -AP

„ Thousands attend Race for the Cure in Detroit DETROIT: Thousands turned out for the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at Comerica Park in Detroit.

The event raised funds in the fight against breast cancer. It featured a 5K run/walk and a onemile walk.

The Komen race honors those who have fought breast cancer as well as their families and friends.

Attendees gathered near the Detroit Tigers' ballpark downtown in a sea of pink. The color represents breast cancer awareness.

Mayor Dave Bing was on hand and said he's ``going to support this until we win the fight.''

The Susan G. Komen organization was founded by Nancy Brinker in 1982 in memory of her sister, who died of the disease, and it grew to be the nation's largest-breast cancer charity. -AP

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Darker skin also prone to skin cancer Details on Page 35

GOP hopes IRS scandal will snag health care law WASHINGTON: Political scandals have strange ways of causing collateral damage, and Republicans are hoping the furor over federal tax enforcers singling out conservative groups will ensnare their biggest target: President Barack Obama's health care law.

There is a link, but it may only be coincidence. No one appears to have connected the dots factually, and it's unclear whether they will.

The Internal Revenue Service has a major role in carrying out the health care law, because financial assistance to help the uninsured afford coverage will be funneled through the tax system. At the same time, the IRS is also responsible for penalties on individuals and employers who fail to comply with the law's requirements.

But the really tantalizing connection is that a former head of the office that subjected tea-party groups seeking tax exemptions to

tougher scrutiny is now running the tax agency's division in charge of implementing the health care law.

That official apparently switched roles before internal alarm bells went off about the problem. But feed all that into

IRS official who oversaw the operation that's under scrutiny for targeting conservatives is now in charge of the IRS's Obamacare office. You can't make this stuff up.''

Earlier, debating the latest GOP bill to try to repeal the health care

The head of the IRS health care office, Sarah Hall Ingram, was in charge of the tax exempt division when agents first started improperly targeting conservative groups over their applications for tax-exempt status today's frenzied world of online speculation, and red-meat associations are irresistible.

In his GOP radio and Internet address, Maryland Rep. Andy Harris tried to make the connection. ``If we've learned anything this week, it's that the IRS needs less power, not more,'' Harris said. ``As matter of fact, it turns out that the

law, Rep. Michele Bachmann, RMinn., also reached for a link. Citing the IRS role in administering the law, she said: ``Under Obamacare, the average American will pay more, they'll get less, and now they have to worry that their government may punish them because of their beliefs.''

Nonsense, says Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., ranking Democrat

on the Ways and Means Committee, which oversees the IRS. ``There really isn't a tie,'' said Levin. ``This is another effort by the Republicans to essentially try to score political points.''

The head of the IRS health care office, Sarah Hall Ingram, was in charge of the tax exempt division when agents first started improperly targeting conservative groups over their applications for tax-exempt status. The fallout has already led to the ouster of acting IRS Commissioner Steven Miller, followed by the announcement that the current head of the division will retire.

But the IRS said Ingram was re-assigned to help the agency implement the health care law in December 2010, about six months before a Treasury inspector general's report said her subordinate, the director of exempt organizations, learned about the targeting.

Cont'd on Page 34

Scientists create early-stage embryos from skin cells

I

n a long-awaited break through in human cloning, scientists have successfully turned human skin cells into early-stage embryos that can be used to create specialized tissue cells for transplant operations.

The achievement, which comes 17 years after the birth of Dolly the sheep, represents a major turning point in human cloning research which could now lead to new tissue-transplant operations for a range of debilitating disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, heart disease and spinal cord injuries.

Researchers who made the advance emphasized that the work is designed to produce replacement tissue for transplant operations from a patient's own skin cells, rather than to improve the chances of so-called "reproductive cloning".

Other scientists believe the

achievement inevitably brings the prospect of cloned babies a step nearer, The Independent reported.

The technique used by the team led by Shoukhrat Mitalipov, a senior scientist at Oregon Na-

tional Primate Research Center (ONPRC), is a variation of the commonly used method called somatic cell nuclear transfer, or SCNT. It involves transplanting the nucleus of one cell, containing an

individual's DNA, into an egg cell that has had its genetic material removed. The unfertilized egg cell then develops and eventually produces stem cells.

The important technical advances by the team enabled the cloned human embryos to survive to the 150cell stage, known as a blastocyst, when embryonic stem cells can be extracted for growing in the laboratory into specialized tissue cells, such as nerve cells or cardiac muscle.

"A thorough examination of the stem cells derived through this technique demonstrated their ability to convert just like normal embryonic stem cells, into several different cell types, including

nerve cells, liver cells and heart cells," Mitalipov said in a statement.

"Furthermore, because these reprogrammed cells can be generated with nuclear genetic material from a patient, there is no concern of transplant rejection," Mitalipov said.

The research was directly aimed at generating embryonic stem cells for treating serious disorders from a patient's skin cells, and not at improving the chances of producing cloned babies, Mitalipov added.

"This is not our focus, nor do we believe our findings might be used by others to advance the possibility of human reproductive cloning," he said.

The breakthrough may also raise serious ethical concerns about the creation of human embryos for medical purposes.

The study was published in the journal Cell.

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Asthma treatment is not costly

W

RAHUL KUMAR DWIVEDI

hen there are evidence-based methods to control asthma effec tively, then why is the disease burden growing over the past 30 years, particularly in the low- and middle- income countries? This fact is stated clearly in the Global Asthma Report 2011 published by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) and

International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC).

There is no doubt that much more needs to be done to effectively control asthma at

all levels. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects 235 million people worldwide.

This lifelong condition affects people of all ages, but increasingly more children are getting diagnosed with asthma.

Although the exact causes of the disease are not known, but risk factors vary from genetics and allergies to tobacco smoke and air pollution. Dr BP Singh a noted specialist of respiratory diseases and asthma management told CNS, "Our clinic is a center for respiratory disease.

In normal population, we are seeing around 53 per cent of patients with airways-related diseases, out of which 27 per cent are patients with asthma and rest are those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). So, I can say that 27-28 patients are being treated here every day for asthma".

Asthma is not curable but can be treated and managed with existing medicines and therapies There is a clear lack of understanding and scientific knowledge about care, treatment and management of asthma among the masses as a result of which more and more people are either getting hospitalized or dying of it every year.

Doctor couple making film on becoming parents in 40s NEW DELHI: A doctor couple, who became parents to twins in their late 40s after successfully overcoming all age and health issues, have decided to make a movie based on their experience.

It was a difficult decision for Dr Ashok Sharma, who lost his teenage daughter due to Bronchial Asthma - a disease he is an

The doctor couple is now proud parents to twin boys, who are almost six months old."There were many complications faced by my wife. But we overcame all difficulties and were bestowed upon by twins," said Sharma, an MD (Internal Medicine) expert in treating - to convince his pathologist wife to become a mother again at the age of 47.

"We lost our daughter due to Bronchial Asthma. Though, it is a curable disease but I failed to save her. It was a shock for

us to lose her. After consulting many colleagues, we decided to become parents again," said 50-year-old Sharma, who is practicing in Delhi.

The doctor couple is now proud parents to twin boys, who are almost six months old.

"There were many complications faced by my wife. But we overcame all difficulties and were bestowed upon by twins," said Sharma, an MD (Internal Medicine).

The couple have now decided to make a movie on becoming parents in late 40s and to explain the "unbelievable reasons and circumstances" behind their decision.

"Bollywood actors Jackie Shroff and Rati Agnihotri have already signed the proposed Hindi movie titled 'Tumhe Aana Padega Duniya Me Dobara'. The touching movie is based on true events," he said.

Ashok is now a frequent flyer to Mumbai to decide the cast and crew and complete other formalities related to the film.

"I am getting a lot of moral support from people, especially those associated with Bollywood as the proposed movie is based on a social issue. I plan to complete this film by this year end," he said. -PTI

Cont'd on Page 35

Depression tied to early death in cancer survivors NEW YORK: Depressed cancer survivors are twice as likely to die prematurely than those who do not suffer from depression, a new study has warned.

Floortje Mols and colleagues, from Tilburg University in The Netherlands, ex-

amined whether depressive symptoms observed between one and ten years after cancer diagnosis were linked to an increased risk of premature death two to three years later.

Their work focused on survivors of endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer, lymphoma or multiple myeloma, where little

work looking at this potential link has been done to date.

They analyzed data collected from several large population-based surveys in 2008 and 2009. A total of 3,080 cancer survivors completed questionnaires to identify symptoms of depression.

The authors found that depressive symptoms increased the risk of death: clinically high levels of depressive symptoms were more common in those who died than in those who survived.

Overall, after controlling for treatment, type of cancer, co-morbidity, and metastasis, one-to-ten-year cancer survivors with depression were twice as likely to have died early.

"Paying attention to the recognition and treatment of depressive symptoms in this patient group is key. The next step is to investigate the possible mechanisms that might explain the association between depressive symptoms and death from cancer," researchers said. -PTI

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Amendments add money for Nevada mental health CARSON CITY, Nev.: Legislative money committees approved $6.4 million for new mental health programs to fund a home visit pilot program, community interaction services and more beds for mentally ill inmates at a northern Nevada psychiatric hospital.

The late budget amendments proposed by Gov. Brian Sandoval will be paid for by a one-time infusion of $21 million in tobacco settlement money. They were approved during a joint meeting of the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means committees.

About $1.4 million will be used to re-establish a second Program for Assertive Community Treatment Team in southern Nevada that was eliminated in previous budget cuts. Another $2 million will create a mental health home visit program and $3 million will be used to add 10 beds to Lake's Crossing in the Reno-Sparks area that serves criminal defendants and inmates.

Budget Director Jeff Mohlenkamp said the new beds at Lake's Crossing are intended to

cut down wait times and avoid federal litigation or possible sanctions stemming from a 2005 lawsuit and ultimate settlement over mental health evaluations of inmates.

A federal appeals court determined inmates should not spend more than seven to 10 days in jail

The Mental Health Home Visiting program is designed to assist people recently released from outpatient or inpatient facilities and their families waiting for an evaluation ordered by a court, but current wait times are 30-60 days.

Lake's Crossing is licensed for 66 beds. The budget amendment will allow conversion of a wing at the nearby Dini Townsend Hospital to house in-custody pa-

tients. Dini Townsend already has a 10-bed medium security annex.

In southern Nevada, restoring a second, 10-member PACT team will help mental health patients who are living in the community and have frequent encounters with law enforcement. Teams provide intense services and oversight to help patients stay on medication and treatment programs.

Typically people are assigned to a PACT team for six months but they can remain in the program for up to two years.

The Mental Health Home Visiting program is designed to assist people recently released from outpatient or in-patient facilities and their families. Clinicians will visit the homes to help alleviate any possible dangers such as weapons. Funding will be split between northern and southern Nevada.

Mohlenkamp said the governor will introduce another bill seeking $1.4 million to add 10 long-term care beds at a now closed facility next to the Rawson Neal Psychiatric Hospital in Las Vegas. -AP

GOP hopes IRS scandal will snag health care law Cont'd from Page 32

``There isn't any evidence that Sarah Ingram had any inkling of the problems,'' said Levin. In contrast, Levin continued, ousted commissioner Miller failed to adequately inform Congress after he learned.

At a congressional hearing on the IRS scandal, Miller was grilled

by Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio, about Ingram's shift to running the IRS health care office.

Tiberi: ``Why would you promote somebody to that position who was in charge of the exempt organization division, which certainly has had some controversy over the last couple years, under an investigation?

Miller: ``Because she's a superb civil servant, sir.''

Tiberi: ``So she had nothing to do with this?''

Miller: ``I wouldn't imagine so.''

GOP lawmakers are smart to be looking for a connection, said Tom Davis, a former Republican congressman from Virginia, but must be careful not to overplay their hand.

The health care law ``is 50-50

with the public on a good day,'' said Davis. ``You put that together with the IRS and it's combustible.

For Republicans, I think they need to go a little slower and get some facts in.'' ``I don't think it's just a couple of underlings, but they don't have any smoking gun yet,'' he added.

The IRS handles four major components of the health care law.

The most important one is determining if individual Americans are entitled to new tax credits to help pay private insurance premiums.

Though it plays a crucial role in carrying out the health care law, the IRS is part of the back-office operation. IRS agents won't be setting up health insurance markets, and they won't have a say in which health plans people get to pick or what doctors they see.

However, agency officials will determine who is eligible for financial assistance under the law and who must pay penalties.

The reason the IRS is involved in what's essentially a social program is that lawmakers crafted the financial subsidies available under the health law as tax credits.

The agency already administers another major social program, the earned income tax credit, which long ago surpassed welfare as the main source of government assistance for low-income families.

The IRS handles four major components of the health care law.

The most important one is determining if individual Americans are entitled to new tax credits to help pay private insurance premiums.

It's a complex calculation.

Keyed to income on a sliding scale, the credits are available starting in 2014 to households making up to four times the federal poverty level, or about $94,000 for a family of four. Individuals or families are eligible if they don't have affordable coverage on the job. But if you understate your income to get a bigger credit, you'll owe more taxes next year. -AP

Coffee may lower risk of liver disease WASHINGTON: Regular consumption of coffee is associated with a reduced risk of developing a type of autoimmune liver disease, a new study has found.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an inflammatory disease of the bile ducts that results in inflammation and subsequent fibrosis that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure and biliary cancer.

"While rare, PSC has extremely detrimental effects," said study

author Craig Lammert, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist.

"We're always looking for ways to mitigate risk, and our first-time finding points to a novel environmental factor that also might help us to determine the cause of this and other devastating autoim-

mune diseases," Lammert said.

The study examined a large group of US patients with PSC and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and a group of healthy patients.

Data showed that coffee consumption was associated with reduced risk of PSC, but not PBC. PSC patients were much likelier not to consume coffee than healthy patients were.

The PSC patients also spent nearly 20 per cent less of their time regularly drinking coffee than the control.

The study suggests PSC and PBC differ more than originally thought, Konstantinos Lazaridis, a Mayo Clinic hepatologist and senior study author said.

"Moving forward, we can look at what this finding might tell us about the causes of these diseases and how to better treat them," Lazaridis added.

The findings were presented at the Digestive Disease Week 2013 conference in Orlando, Florida. -PTI

Asthma treatment is not costly Cont'd from Page 33

Dr BP Singh said "many people think that the treatment therapy which is available is very costly and unaffordable but this is not usually true: This information needs to be spread among the people living with asthma that the treatment is very inexpensive in comparison to the disabilities associated with asthma. In a country like India, inhaling is the best therapy because it directly reaches to the lungs and almost free of the side effects as the drug does not get absorbed in systemic circulation".

Dr Nils E Billo, Executive Director of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) said: "The suffering and waste of resources caused by not managing asthma effectively are much greater than the cost of effective action." We do need measures and effective interventions and implement it collectively for creating awareness among the communities about proper management of asthma and factors that trigger asthma "at-

tack" such as having exposure to cold or exposure to tobacco smoke.

There are many environmental risk factors also which cause asthma "attacks" such as inhaled allergens like dust mites, animal fur, pollen, mould and inhaled irritants like cigarette tobacco smoke, cooking fumes, vehicle exhaust, cosmetics, aerosol sprays, among others.

In a country like India, inhaling is the best therapy because it directly reaches to the lungs CNS believes that no one should die of asthma because the disease is treatable and manageable with available therapy and medicine with which a person can lead a normal life. Experiences have shown that when smoke-free policies were implemented there was a drop in asthma-related hospitalization.-CNS

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Missouri Gov Nixon, GOP Darker skin also prone to clash over Medicaid skin cancer JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.: Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon began his second term with ambitions to expand Medicaid coverage, cap campaign contributions and lengthen the school year. But those priorities ran into a wall of opposition from the largest Republican legislative majority since the Civil War. Lawmakers had soundly defeated Nixon's plan to expand Medicaid coverage to 260,000 adults by using almost $900 million from the federal government. Nixon had dubbed the expansion as the ``smart'' and ``right thing to do.''

But Republicans rejected Nixon's plans from the start and argued the state could not afford the expansion if the federal government reneged on its promise to fund 100 percent of the cost for the first three years and 90 percent after 2022. ``Hundreds of thousands of working

interest in tackling the issue this year. ``Expanding Medicaid to the tune of putting a billion new dollars into a system that I think is really troubled was never on our agenda. I feel that the governor dragged us into that agenda after the election on something he did not run on,'' said House Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka.

Nixon announced his support for Medicaid expansion on Nov. 29 and began a public campaign trying to pressure Republicans into backing his plan. He held 32 press conferences across the state and met with House and Senate Republicans behind closed doors.

But during the governor's final push for Medicaid expansion, Republicans diverted their attention to a full-scale investigation into his administration over new drivers' license procedures that required applicants' personal documents to be scanned into a state computer system.

During the governor's final push Lawmakers were concerned for Medicaid expansion, Republi- the scanned documents, including birth certificates and concans diverted their attention to a cealed weapons permits, could full-scale investigation into his be shared with the federal government. Although administraadministration over new drivers' tion officials denied that the license procedures scanned copies would be shared, Republicans learned through Missourians will needlessly go without their investigation that a list of Missouri health coverage, and the dollars that Misgun-permit holders had twice been compiled souri taxpayers sent to Washington will be for the Missouri State Highway Patrol to spent in other states instead,'' Nixon said be shared with a federal agent in the Social after the Legislature adjourned.

Security Administration.

House leaders wanted to use the MedThe situation came to a head during icaid debate as an opportunity to instill Nixon's final public Medicaid expansion ``market-based'' changes to the existing prorally on April 16 inside the Capitol rotunda. gram while expanding coverage to fewer That morning he announced the Revenue adults than envisioned under President Department would no longer scan gun perBarack Obama's health care law. But those mits but would continue scanning other efforts stalled after the Senate showed little documents. -AP

Tom Brokaw speaks at Mayo Clinic commencement ROCHESTER, Minn.: Former news anchor Tom Brokaw told Mayo Clinic students at their commencement ceremony to make money but not to forget to make a difference.

The 73-year-old journalist, who hosted NBC Nightly News for 22 years, also became the first recipient of an honorary degree from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.

The South Dakota native joined Mayo Clinic's Board of Trustees in 2008. He's also developed three documentaries about health care in America.

He urged the graduates to hold compassionate dialogue with patients, while also improving transparency with regard to medical bills.

Brokaw acknowledged that those goals might prove difficult due to the overall uncertainty regarding the Affordable Care

Tom Brokaw

Act but encouraged them to tackle what's become a ``radioactive issue'' within the political world. -AP

NEW YORK: People with darker skin are also vulnerable to the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by the Sun and indoor tanning beds, a new study has warned.

Researchers said that fair skinned people are known to be at higher risk for

skin cancer and other problems associated with too much exposure to the Sun, but they are not alone.

"Darker skin has more pigment-making cells, which provide some inherent protection against UV rays, but not enough," said Adam Friedman, director of dermatologic research, Division of Dermatology, Montefiore Medical Center.

"This unique biological difference means harmful effects of UV exposure occur more slowly in people of color, but UV rays are still damaging and can cause cos-

metic problems and serious conditions like skin cancer," Friedman said.

While skin cancer is rarer in people of color, it does occur and can be extremely serious when diagnosis is delayed.

For example, melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is 20 times more common in whites than in African Americans, but people with darker skin are at greater risk of late diagnosis with advanced, thicker melanomas and lower survival rates.

"I advise all my patients to routinely check their own skin for any changes in appearance and to see a dermatologist annually for a full body exam," Friedman said.

Friedman also said traditional sunscreens, especially those containing mineral-based agents like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, do not blend well when used on darker skin and can leave a white, chalky appearance.

He advised people should use SPF 30 broad-spectrum sunscreen products that contain either "micronised" or "nanosised" particles of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide because they blend well into the skin and are highly effective at blocking UV radiation. -PTI

Datebook

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NEW JERSEY

NEW YORK

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

ILLINOIS

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Sat Jun 1 • Hemant Kulkarni's Svar Sangam Music school presents Sangeet Varsha Venue: Durga Mandir, 4240 New Jersey 27, Princeton, NJ 08540 Time: 9:00 am Contact: 7329951281

Sun Jun 2 • Ekal 2013 Musical Concert With Sanjeevani

Fri Jun 7 • An Evening Of Indian Classical Music Indradeep Ghosh Venue: Tibet House, 22 W 15th St, NY 10011 Time: 7:30 pm Contact: 917-626-1470

Sun, Jun 9 • Tagore's Legacy in the 21st Century

Venue: Performing Arts Center, 2600 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, NJ 08818 Time: 4:00 pm Contact: 732-599-4892

Venue: Producers Club, Grand Theatre, 358 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036 Time: 1:00 pm Contact: 201-204-6980

Sat, jun 8

Sat Jun 15

• Paresh Rawal in Double Roll - Dear Father (In Hindi) Venue: George Hess School Complex, 700 Babcock Rd, Hamilton Township, NJ 08330 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 3479796104

• Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan live in New York Venue: Nassau Coliseum, 1156 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale, NY 11553 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 646-452-3424

Fri, June 7 • Ramayana Venue: Mexican Heritage Theater, 1700 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95116 Time: 7pm Contact: 408-847-2717

Sat, jun 1 • Democracy 101 - Political Education and Kids & Youth Panel Venue: IND TV Studio , 372 Turquoise Street Milpitas, CA 95035 Time: 2-4pm Contact: 510 378 0698 Ajay Bhutoria bhutoria.ajay@gmail.com

Fri, June 7 • Shubha Mudgal in Concert

Sun, Jun 9

Venue: India Community Center, 525 Los Coches St, Milpitas, CA 95035 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 408-934-1130

Venue:Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Time: 7:00pm Contact: 404-502-8846

• Shankar Ehsaan Loy Live

• J K Yog Satsang and Bal Mukund Hindi Classes are held every 2nd and 4rth Sunday of Month Chicago Satsang Information: J K Yog, Chicago - Swami Mukundananda Venue: Clarion Inn/Waterford Banquets, Board Room, 933 South Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, IL 60126 Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807 Website: www.jkyog.org

Sat, June 8 • Carry On Vaisakhi

Sun, Jun 9

Venue: San Jose Civic Auditorium, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose, CA 95113 Time: 7:30 pm Contact: 209-604-2543

• Shankar Ehsaan Loy Live Concert In LA

1st and 3rd Sunday of Month • Chicago Children's

Venue: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Time: 6:00pm Contact: 404-502-8846

Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes

May 12th through June 9th • Salma Arastu's Spiritual paintings Venue: CSE Gallery (in the Compassion Building, first floor) 1146 University Avenue San Jose, CA 95126

Sat, June 22 • Elements - Crossing

ATLANTA Upcoming Sun, Jun 2 • Vasundhara Exotic Jewellers Presents Designer Show Venue: Holiday Inn Express Hotel, 765 Hammond Dr, Atlanta, GA 30328 Time: 1:00pm Contact: 8455530873

Boundaries

Fri, Jun 7

Venue: Woodside Performing Arts Center, 199 Churchill Ave, Woodside, CA 94062 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 408-982-7266

• Disco Deewane Nite !! Retro Bollywood Party

Sun, Jun 23 • Anantha: Infinite Possibilities Venue: Sophia B. Clarke Theater, 1100 N Grand Ave, Walnut, CA 91789 Time: 5:00 pm Contact: 909-630-8558

Venue: Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60192 (Next to Nissan Dealership) Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807 Website: www.jkyog.org/bal-mukund

Sat, June 13 • Vibrations- Global Fusion Musical Experience Of A Life Time At Chicago Symphony Orchestra Hall

Venue: Ashiana banquet hall, 5675 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Norcross, GA 30071 Time: 9:00 pm Contact: 404-246-3256

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40 India Post

M

ahabaleshwar derives its name from the presiding deity "Mahabali" whose shrine at the old Mahabaleshwar Temple is a major attraction for worshippers and tourists.

Nestling in the curvaceous mountain ranges of the Western Ghats of Maharashtra are the cool misty resorts of Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani. Away from the crowds and noise of the city, these twin resorts are an ideal holiday destination.

Several little known but charming hill resorts nestle shyly in these mountains. They seem to belong to the colonial era when people traveled up to these resorts to escape the heat of the plains. Many of them still retain some of the old world charm and make an ideal holiday destination.

Among the hill resorts of the state, Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani are very popular. Tucked away in the Satara district, they are best approached from Pune. Spared the com-

www.indiapost.com mercialization that has affected the hill resorts of north and south India, the two resorts offer a clean, calm and thoroughly refreshing alternative.

And, perhaps the only place in the country which of-

OVERLOOKING THE KRISHNA AND KOYNA VALLEYS, MAHABALESHWAR, AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1372 METERS OPENS UP A WHOLE WORLD OF PICTURESQUE DELIGHT. WITH AN AIR OF UNSPOILT BEAUTY, IT IS A PARADISE FOR NATURE EXPLORERS AND PEACE LOVERS, AS ALSO FOR FILMMAKERS AND PRODUCERS

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

May 31, 2013 fers myriad activities - boating, fishing, horse riding, trekking and playing golf on the gorgeous nine-hole golf course built on the edge of a cliff!

Overlooking the Krishna and Koyna valleys, Mahabaleshwar, at an altitude of 1372 meters opens up a whole world of picturesque delight. With an air of unspoilt beauty, it is a paradise for nature explorers and peace lovers, as also for filmmakers and producers.

The summer capital of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency, Mahabaleshwar retains its quintessential charm, despite the increasing crowds that visit the town. Numerous majestic mansions built during the days of the British, still stand as monuments of the Raj. Best time to visit: Best time to visit Mahabaleshwar is October to June and best time to visit Panchgani is September to May. Cont’d on page 42

Travel & Hospitality Post

May 31, 2013

India Post 41

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Small town Indians flavor of summer for Swiss tourism NEW DELHI: As summer holidays beckon, Switzerland is wooing first time Indian travelers from smaller cities and towns offering the experience of snow clad mountains like Titlis and Jungfraujoch.

country's tourism, is looking beyond the affluent Indians from metros, as it looks to increase the number of tourists by moving to tier II and III towns to tap the potential there.

Switzerland

Switzerland Tourism, responsible for promotion of the

"For us the feedback from our partners in the travel trade are in-

dicators of where we get clients.

And from there we hear that sales in Tier II and II are going very strong. A good sign for yet another great travel season for India's number one destination in Europe: Switzerland," Switzerland Tourism India Director Stephan A Heuberger told PTI in an e-mailed interview.

Explaining the reason for the strong focus on smaller cities, he said based on study of market research data, tier II and III will have Switzerland on the radar soon, "and so we started to be present there early".

Heuberger said Switzerland Tourism will offer different kinds of packages depending on tourist profiles.

For instance, for first time travelers, who have not spent time in Switzerland, "touching the snow on the unique mountains like Titlis and Jungfraujoch" would be an experience and "clearly, they travel in guided groups".

On the other hand, younger,

educated and experienced may tour on FIT (free independent travelers) basis allowing them to experience travel with public transport, which allows them to hop on hop off anywhere they want.

For first time travelers, who have not spent time in Switzerland, "touching the snow on the unique mountains like Titlis and Jungfraujoch" would be an experience "For these clients, we must ensure a wide range of individual programs to be available in the market place," Heuberger said.

He, however, added that Switzerland Tourism is not shifting fo-

cus from tier I and metro cities.

"Keeping the pace in Tier I and adding an add-on pace for tier II and III is necessary," Heuberger said.

Besides, in order to woo more tourists from India, it has also added meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) and Incentive travel to its offers while continuing to focus on the leisure area.

"More and more niche marketing can be introduced in mainly tier I cities. Soft adventures, for which Switzerland may have the most developed offers, are being more and more looked for by our young, dynamic clientele from mega cities," he added.

Switzerland is looking for a 8 per cent growth in overnight visitors from India during this year from 5,50,000 in 2012. For 2013, Switzerland Tourism is focusing on 'Living Traditions', showcasing the customs and way of life that reflects Switzerland. - PTI

42 India Post

Travel & Hospitality Post

May 31, 2013

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Remote locales top choice of adventure tourists NEW DELHI: Retreating to a remote location, natural environment or wilderness or exploring an upcoming tourism destination with limited infrastructure are the preferred choices of Indian adven-

ture travelers.

Sports or physical activitybased holiday was the third preference, a recent survey on evolving trends and preferences of the Indian traveler has found.

Most popular adventure activi-

ties among Indians ranged from

camping and para-gliding to bungee jumping, sky diving and scuba diving, the Adventure Travel Survey conducted by travel portal TripAdvisor said.

Asked about what kind of holiday experiences they considered as adventure travel, about 77 per cent respondents said a retreat to a natural environment or remote location or wilderness qualified as adventure travel for them.

About 44 per cent believed that exploring an upcoming tourist destination with limited infrastructure would be an adventurous holiday while 36 per cent said a sports or physical activity-based holiday was adventure for them, the study said.

Asked about the primary reasons for love about adventure activities, a majority of the respon-

dents - about 58 per cent - said it was their love for varied life experiences.

About 35 per cent agreed it was a sense of achievement or accomplishment and same percentage of Indians cited thrill, excitement and a sense of risk as the reason that

Rs 25,000 or more, which is not different from what one may pay for the sport at Aamby Valley in Maharashtra.

The survey also found lack of faith in Indian operators or instructors organizing risky adventure activities.

Friends emerged as the 'first and foremost choice' as companions for adventure travel, with 72 per cent respondents choosing them over their spouses, who were the next preference with 47 per cent drew them to adventurous activities.

About 47 per cent said they preplanned their adventure activities, while 37 per cent agreed that such activities are spontaneous decisions when they are on holidays.

Interestingly, friends emerged as the 'first and foremost choice' as companions for adventure travel, with 72 per cent respondents choosing them over their spouses, who were the next preference with 47 per cent respondents wanting to pursue adventure activities with their better halves.

With adventure travel coming at a heavy price, high cost is a deterrent for many travelers. About 60 per cent respondents said they had changed their mind and backed out of an adventure activity as it was too expensive.

A hot air balloon ride in Masai Mara, Serengeti in Kenya or Luxor, Egypt may cost up to Rs 20,000 or more.

For the same experience in Jaipur and Ranthambore, one has to shell out Rs 10,000 for an hour in the skies.

Similarly, skydiving in Dubai may leave your wallet lighter by

Around 51 per cent respondents clearly refused to indulge in adventure activities which involved an element of risk, either in India or even managed by Indian instructors in a foreign country.

The top two reasons travelers seem to think of India and Indian operators as unsafe bets for such activities were poor quality or maintenance of equipment and overall low standards of safety.

"The Adventure Travel Survey clearly demonstrates the Indian traveler's enthusiasm to add a dose of adventure to their holidays.

"About 53 per cent of survey respondents claimed to be planning a holiday with the primary purpose of participating in an adventure activity or sport within the next six months," said Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager, TripAdvisor India.

The top five destinations travelers said they would consider for adventure activities in India are Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Leh and Ladakh, Rishikesh in Uttarakhand and Andaman and Nicobar islands, while New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Switzerland and Spain were preferred as international destinations. -PTI

New adventure tour opening in NC mountains SALUDA, N.C.: A new adventure tour is opening in the North Carolina mountains.

Green River Adventures gives visitors a grand tour of the Green River Gorge near Saluda through nine zip lines, two sky bridges and three rappels.

Co-owner Tim Bell says the tour takes about 21/2 hours and heads down 1,100 feet into the gorge. The platforms for the descent are built into trees, and nine of them give stunning views of the gorge, including a look all the way over Lake Lure

Co-owner Tim Bell says the tour takes about 21/2 hours and heads down 1,100 feet into the gorge and to Grandfather Mountain on a clear day.

The zip line opened with a ceremony that included an 83-yearold woman taking a ride down the line. -AP

Travel & Hospitality Post

May 31, 2013

India Post

43

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Mauritius woos Bollywood with heavy discounts PORT LOUIS: Showcasing its scenic natural beauty comprising beaches, mountains and plains coupled with modern architecture, Mauritius has launched a 30 per cent expense refund scheme for film producers looking to shoot their films here in this island nation.

The government representatives are particularly targeting the film makers from India, given the historic connect between the two

countries and also the popularity of Indian films here in the country.

Under the scheme, the film makers would get 30 per cent refund on all the expenses incurred for shooting of their projects in Mauritius. Besides movies, TV serials and commercials would also be eligible for this rebate.

A few big names like Yashraj Films have already agreed to shoot their upcoming films here once they get the right script to be shot

Mauritius

in this country and more are likely to join in, the officials from the government's investment promotion agency, the Board of Investment, said.

Besides, three films are ready to begin shooting under the new rebate scheme. These include one Indian venture, a Punjabi film, they added.

The Mauritius government had presented its vision for a film industry in its 2012 Budget, wherein provision was made for the development of Mauritius as a filmmaking destination for film-shooting, animation and post-production activities.

Consequently in February 2012, the government

launched a Pilot Rebate Scheme at 25 per cent of Qualifying Production Expenditures (QPEs) with the objective to attract both local and international film producers in Mauritius.

These QPEs include transport, accommodation, local manpower, catering, the renting of equipment and location in Mauritius.

With a view to attract further foreign film producers and to differentiate with other film producing locations in the region, the government has now increased the rebate from 25 per cent to 30 per cent on qualified production expenditures in its national budget 2013.

The high-end TV commercials and documentaries would also be eligible for the scheme. To be eligible for the scheme, the film company should be either registered in Mauritius or, alternately, a film

production firm can use the services of a locally registered producer. However, shareholding can be 100 per cent foreign.

The first Indian film shot in Mauritius was Sanjay Khan's "Chandi Sona" way back in 1970s, while the recent Bollywood movies shot here include Go Goa Gone, FALTU, Chasme Baddoor, Break Ke Baad, Josh, No Entry, Kidnap, Phir Se, Kya Yehi Pyar Hai and Sorry Bhai. Besides, blockbusters like 'Souten' in 1980s, Amitabh Bachhan-starrer Hum and Karan Johar's 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hein' in late 90s were also shot here.

Indian movies are very popular in Mauritius, which is often referred to as 'Mini India' given vast similarities in the culture and the people of Indian origin comprising of a huge majority of this small country's population of about 1.3 million people. -PTI

Boating, fishing, horse riding, trekking & golf Cont'd from Page 39

Tourist attractions: Lingmala Waterfalls present an enthralling sight of cascading water as it scatters from atop a steep cliff into thin silver streaks, often encircled by rainbow colors. The other water falls - Chairman and Dhobi, are popular with picnickers. The former can be reached by the Carviali Road. Dhobi waterfall is on a bridle path connecting Petit Road with Old Mahabaleshwar Road. A boat ride on the tranquil, crystal-clear waters of Lake Vena entices one. The cool whispers of the surroundings add to the serenity of the landscape.

Mahabaleshwar's 30 exotic viewpoints provide one with a spectacular access to the ultimate in fascinating landscapes. Most of the points derive their names from some former British dignitary and are situated in the 10-kilometer radius of the bazaar in Mahabaleshwar. Some points can be reached by motorable roads, whereas other can be reached on foot Wilson Point is the nearest and the highest point in Mahabaleshwar. It is a vast bare rock with three observation towers erected at different spots. It is a major attraction for tourists as it offers a beautiful view of sunrise.

Babington Point, two kilometers from the bazaar offers a beautiful view of the Koyna Valley and Chinaman's Waterfall. Helen's Point is about a kilometer's ride from here by the Blue Valley Road.

It takes one into the midst of the valley and gives an enchanting view of tiny fields and neat little huts.

Bombay Point is one of the earliest known points in Mahabaleshwar. Every evening visitors rush to the peak to get a spectacular view of the sunset.

From the peak, one can also see Pratapgarh and Makrandgarh at their best.

Connaught Peak and Hunter

Dhobi waterfall

Point are situated off the Old Mahabaleshwar Road. Connaught Peak is the second highest peak of these hills. It offers a panoramic view of the Vena Lake and Krishna Valley. It was first known as Mount Olympia, and was a favorite spot for riders. The Duke of Connaught was so enchanted by its majestic view that he could not resist associating his name with the spot.

Hence in 1880, Mount Olympia became Connaught Peak.

From here one can see Old Mahabaleshwar and Elphinston Point to the north; Pandavgad and Krishna Valley to the east. Hunter's point approached from Old Mahabaleshwar Road gives a picturesque view of the Koyna Valley.

On the way to Arthur's Seat one comes across Elphinston, Marjorie

and Savitri Points and also Castle Rock. The cliffs at these points rise from the Konkan Valley, which are some 500 meters below the level of the Koyna Valley. The ravine between these points is the rise of Savitri River which rushes down 700 meters straight from here.

Favorite picnic spot, Elphinston Point, named after the Governor of Bombay, Sir Elphinston, was discovered by Dr Murray in 1830.

Arthur's Point, named after Arthur Malet, is Mahabaleshwar's most famous point overlooking the densely forested valley. It is interesting from this point, to watch a straw hat or a handkerchief, tossed down, sailing attractively in the air like a spread-out parachute!

While going to Arthur's Seat, one comes across a small stream called the Tiger Spring. Till this day people believe that tigers and panthers frequent this place to quench their thirst.

Lodwick Point is named after a General who reached this point in 1824. He was the first European to set foot on the Mahabaleshwar hills. A monument at the top of the promontory has been erected in his memory. Beyond Lodwick Point is the extreme end of the mountain range known as Elephant's Head.

It is only 12 feet to the Koyna Valley below. From Lodwick's point, the overhanging cliff looks like an elephant's head and trunk, and hence the name.

Kate's point on the Mahabaleshwar-Pune Road gives a commanding view of the Krishna Valley. Near Kate's point is the Echo Point, which, true to its name,

echoes the words of the speaker.

How to reach Air - Pune is the nearest airport both for Mahabaleshwar (120 km and Panchgani (98 km) Rail - For Mahabaleshwar, the

nearest railhead is Wathar (62 km) but Pune (120 km) is the convenient railhead.

Road - From Bombay via Pune, Mahabaleshwar is 290 km and via Mahad it is 247 km.

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In Brief Ecuador smashes India-to-US smuggling ring QUITO: A ring that smuggled immigrants from India and Sri Lanka into the US through Ecuador has been broken with the arrest of six people, Ecuadoran authorities said.

Three Indian nationals and two members of Ecuador's immigration police were among the six people arrested in the port city of Guayaquil, where the smuggling network operated, officials said.

"They brought in nationals from India and Sri Lanka, and arranged refuge for them in various hotels," said Guayaquil police chief General Patricio Pazmino.

Deputy Interior Minister Xavier Cordoba said the smugglers charged USD 5,000 per person.

After entering Ecuador illegally, the migrants were sent to Central America and from there to the United States.

Police, who said the arrests were made following a two-month investigation, seized documents, laptop computers and nearly USD 100,000 in cash. -AFP

Australia passes controversial immigration law MELBOURNE: Australian senate has adopted a controversial amendment to the 'Migration Act', allowing people who arrive by boat to be processed at offshore facilities on Nauru and Papua New Guinea's Manus Island.

The move is aimed at discouraging asylum-seekers showing up on Australia's shore illegally through sea route.

Mainland Australia will now be out of the migration zone and all asylum-seekers who arrive anywhere in Australia will be eligible to be sent offshore, according to Australian Associated Press report.

The amendment was passed with the support of the ruling coalition.

The amendment was introduced by the former John Howardled government tried in 2006, and has been criticized by the Greens party, which called it "a stain on national character".

Greens leader Christine Milne said, "The nation was horrified that a prime minister would seek to wipe Australia off the map. This legislation that we are debating here today is stain on our national character."

She recalled former Prime Minister Howard's failed attempt to pass the amendment in 2006. Australia was contravening the United Nation's refugee convention by discriminating against asylum seekers based on their mode of arrival, she said. -AP

Immigration 44

India Post

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May 31, 2013

H-1B & L-1 visa provisions: Workable or unworkable?

Details on page 47

More Hindus migrating to the US than ever before WASHINGTON: The number of Hindus migrating to the US every year has more than doubled in the last one decade, with an overwhelming majority of them coming from India, a new study says.

An average of about 30,000 Hindus were admitted each year in the 1990s, by contrast, the US admitted an estimated 70,000 Hindu immigrants in 2012, the prestigious Pew Research Center said in its latest report on religious affiliation of immigrants.

According to the report, the great majority of Hindu immigrants come from India and neighboring countries with significant Hindu populations, such as Nepal and Bhutan.

The share coming from the Caribbean (or "West Indies") has decreased significantly, dropping from an estimated 16 per cent of all Hindu immigrants to the US in 1992 to five per cent in 2012, it said.

While Christians continue to make up a majority of legal immigrants to the US, the estimated share of new legal permanent residents who are Christian declined from 68 per cent in 1992 to 61 per cent in 2012.

Over the same period, the estimated share of green card recipients who belong to religious minorities rose from approximately one-in-five (19 per cent) to onein-four (25 per cent).

"This includes growing shares

of Muslims (five per cent in 1992, 10 per cent in 2012) and Hindus (three per cent in 1992, seven per cent in 2012).

per year," the report said.

Notably the US government does not keep track of the religion of new permanent residents.

The estimated share of legal Muslim immigrants entering the US each year has roughly doubled, from about five per cent of legal immigrants in 1992 to about ten per cent in 2012 "The share of Buddhists, however, is slightly smaller (seven per cent in 1992, six per cent in 2012), while the portion of legal immigrants who are religiously unaffiliated (atheist, agnostic or nothing in particular) has remained relatively stable, at about 14 per cent

As a result, the figures on religious affiliation in this report are estimates produced by combining government statistics on the birthplaces of new green card recipients over the period between 1992 and 2012 with the best available US survey data on the religious

self-identification of new immigrants from each major country of origin, Pew said.

Over the past two decades, the US has admitted an estimated 12.7 million Christian immigrants.

The second-largest religious category among legal immigrants is the unaffiliated, which includes atheists, agnostics and people who do not identify with any particular religion.

In recent years, the share of immigrants who have no religious affiliation has held fairly stable, at about 14 per cent. Since 1992, the US has admitted an estimated 2.8 million religiously unaffiliated immigrants, it said.

Over the same period, the estimated share of legal Muslim immigrants entering the US each year has roughly doubled, from about five per cent of legal immigrants in 1992 to about ten per cent in 2012.

Since 1992, the US has admitted an estimated total of about 1.7 million Muslim immigrants.

Hindu immigrants also have increased in number over the past 20 years, rising from about 3 per cent of new permanent residents in 1992 to seven per cent in 2012.

In that span, the US has admitted nearly a million Hindu immigrants, according to the Pew Research Center's estimate, the report said.

Cont'd on Page 46

Canada trying to lure Silicon Valley workers SAN JOSE, CA: The Canadian government is trying to lure Silicon Valley tech workers who are frustrated by US visa policies, just as Congress wrestles with a long-sought overhaul of America's immigration system.

Canada's minister of citizenship, immigration and multiculturalism arrived in the San Francisco Bay area for a four-day visit aimed at snapping up talent for his country's hightech economy by offering

Silicon Valley workers

startup entrepreneurs a new visa.

The San Jose Mercury News reported that a billboard sporting a giant red maple leaf went up off Highway 101 on the road to Silicon Valley, part of a Canadian ad campaign encouraging tech workers to head north.

The new ``startup visa'' will grant permanent residency to entrepreneurs who can start a business in Canada and raise enough venture capital. -AP

May 31, 2013

Immigration Post

India Post

45

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4 GOP candidates denounce immigration bill ATHENS, Ga.: The four Georgia Republicans running for U.S. Senate say they are united in opposing a comprehensive immigration reform bill, because it doesn't do enough for border security.

U.S. Reps. Paul Broun of Athens, Phil Gingrey of Marietta and Jack Kingston of Savannah, along with former Secretary of State Karen Handel, spoke at an event sponsored by the Georgia Republican Assembly as the GOP gathered for the second day of its state convention. The sign of unity came on a day when the state's top elected official, Gov. Nathan Deal, urged the four ``to be nice to each other'' with a reference to a legendary feud. ``Competitive primaries may be exciting and energizing but we in Georgia cannot become the Hatfields and McCoys of Georgia, killing off our own before they even get out of the primary,'' Deal said. ``It's important to win the primary but it's even more important to win the general election.''

It was a message that Deal's wife, Sandra, delivered at a convention breakfast and the four candidates appeared to embrace - at least on the issue of proposed immigration reform. The bill pending in the Senate calls for funds to increase border security but candidates said the first step should be enforcing existing law. ``We absolutely must deal with it but we don't need any new laws,'' Broun said. ``The solution is to

needed at one time but it is n o t needed anymore.''

During the convention, delegates heard from a number of speakers, including Republican strategist Karl Rove, who rallied the crowd in opposition to Presid e n t Barack Obama and national Democrats.

State tea Senator Johnny Isakson speaks during the first day of the party acGeorgia Republican Party 2013 State Convention at The Classic Center, May 17 tivists had earlier exthe current proposal was too simi- pressed unhappiness with Rove's lar to a 2007 immigration bill that appearance, passing out stickers ultimately failed. warning of ``Republicans in name ``We are about to have deja vu only.'' In the end, Rove received a all over again,'' Handel said. ``Only warm welcome and applause afin Washington could the same ter he finished his remarks. failed policies be put forward as ``Our goal as Republicans is `reform.' We need to secure the to help restore the American dream, borders now before we do any- to make it real and vital in the lives thing else.'' of every single American,'' Rove Kingston also called for the said. ``And we have got to get candidates that reflect the diver``Competitive primaries may be exciting and sity of our country.''

Also, Republicans elected John energizing but we in Georgia cannot bePadgett as their new state chair. come the Hatfields and McCoys of Georgia, Padgett is a business owner and killing off our own before they even get out of longtime party activist who most served as party secretary. the primary,'' Deal said. ``It's important to win recently During an all-day session, all the primary but it's even more important to four Senate candidates made speeches. Broun emphasized his win the general election.'' commitment to ending what he secure the borders, both north and end of automatic citizenship for called ``out of control spending.'' south.'' those born in the United States.

Gingrey touted his conservative ``We absolutely are going to be ``When you come to America ideals, advocating for ``limited fedopposed and stand strong against as a visitor and if you have a child, eral government and strong local any amnesty,'' Gingrey said. ``My that child should not automati- government.'' Kingston talked idea about solving this problem is cally be an American citizen,'' about his roots across Georgia and to enforce the laws that are cur- Kingston said. ``We are one of his belief that government is rently on the books.'' the few nations left that still have ``there to serve the people and not Gingrey and Handel both said that relic on the books. It was the other way around.''

Handel, who just announced her candidacy the day before, was added at the last minute. She immediately sought to distinguish herself from the other three congressmen. ``I am running for United States Senate because we need less Washington in Washington,'' she said.

During his speech, Deal began to make his case for re-election in 2014. So far, he has not drawn any GOP primary challengers, although Dalton Mayor David Pennington has said he's weighing a bid.

The governor said he has decreased the size of state government and balanced the budget while keeping the state's AAA bond rating. He also talked about how minorities are a fast-growing population in Georgia, and

encouraged his fellow Republicans to make it a priority to reach out to them. Later in his speech, he talked about the strain on resources that has resulted in a ``disproportionately larger share'' of refugees sent to Georgia by the federal government. ``We are not cold-hearted. We are very compassionate,'' Deal said. ``We're willing to do our fair share but you just can't dump these large numbers of these communities without having significant consequences that are probably unintended but should have been anticipated.''

He ended his remarks emphasizing unity. ``Let's remember that we have to remain strong, that we have to remain united and work diligently to expand our base,'' Deal said. -AP

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May 31, 2013

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Problems surface over Arizona's immigration law PHOENIX: The immigration debate in Arizona reached a boiling point in 2007 when the state passed a groundbreaking law targeting those often blamed with fueling America's border woes: Employers who hire immigrants living in the U.S. illegally.

The law marked a bold step by a state into an area that had long been the domain of the federal government. It also represented a key moment in the immigration battles that continue today as

court on illegal hiring allegations, while several hundred employees who are living in the U.S. illegally have been arrested under a section of the law that made it a felony to use fake or stolen IDs to get jobs.

While the law has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court and hailed as a tool for states to confront illegal immigration, it has faced several problems.

Hundreds of immigrant workers arrested under the law have spent

Hundreds of immigrant workers arrested under the law have spent months in jail on ID theft charges, while only two businesses -a sandwich shop and now-defunct amusement park - had their business licenses suspended for several days.

Congress mulls a proposed overhaul of the immigration system.

But an examination of the law

by The Associated Press found that it has done little to crack down on problematic employers. Only three of the state's 147,000 employers have been brought to civil

months in jail on ID theft charges, while only two businesses - a sandwich shop and now-defunct amusement park - had their business licenses suspended for several days. The case against the third business, a custom furniture maker, is still pending.

Indian jailed for human trafficking in US WASHINGTON: An Indian has United States, according to court been sentenced to three years of documents. imprisonment in the US on charges In support of the conspiracy, of trafficking immigrants from In- Thakkar and others recruited indidia into the country. viduals in India who were willing Kaushik Jayantibhai Thakkar, to pay up to USD 60,000 to be 33, along with Brazilian national smuggled into the US. Fabiano Augusto Amorim were For their smuggling operations, sentenced to serve 36 months in Thakkar, Amorim and their associprison for their roles in smuggling ates used a network of co-conundocumented migrants to the US spirators in South America, Cenfor private financial gain, Acting tral America, the Caribbean and the Assistant US Attorney General United States, including the state Mythili Raman said.

In addition to their prison terms, Thakkar For their smuggling operaand Amorim were sen- tions, Thakkar, Amorim and tenced to serve two their associates used a netyears of supervised release, as per the order work of co-conspirators in of the US District South America, Central Judge Ewing Werlein in America, the Caribbean and Southern District of the United States Texas.

On December 2, 2012, and January 4, 2013, respec- of Texas. tively, Thakkar and Amorim each Using this network, they and pleaded guilty to one count of con- their co-conspirators transported spiracy to bring undocumented groups of undocumented mimigrants into the US for profit and grants from locations within India to one count of unlawfully bring- through South America, Central ing two undocumented migrants America and the Caribbean and into the United States for profit. then into the US by various They worked together and with means, including by air travel, auother co-conspirators to smuggle tomobiles, water craft and foot, the individuals from India into the Justice Department said. -PTI

A high legal standard for proving violations by businesses and a lack of subpoena power in getting employment records are almost insurmountable barriers to making cases against employers.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office is the only police agency in the state that has raided businesses in enforcement of the employment law. It has arrested hundreds of workers in 72 business raids since 2008. The office has since been accused by the U.S. Justice Department of discriminating against Latino workers, allegations the sheriff denies.

Despite the small number of cases against employers, the county prosecutor's office in metropolitan Phoenix has spent $4.5 million since 2008 investigating businesses suspected of hiring workers who aren't in the country legally and to pursue criminal ID theft cases against employees.

Nearly a third of the money - $1.4 million - was given by the prosecutor's office to Arpaio's agency to investigate such cases.

Backers contend the enforcement numbers tell only a piece of the story. They say the law has

Infosys' visarelated costs jump over 50% MUMBAI: Stricter norms and higher rejection rate of work permits have pushed up the visa-related cost of country's second largest software services company, Infosys by more than 50 per cent to Rs 308 crore in 2012-13 fiscal.

According to Infosys' Annual Report 2012-13, the company's overseas travel expenses included visa charges of Rs 308 crore for year 2012-13.

Compared to visa charges of Rs 202 crore in 2011-12, the cost of work permits for the company has gone up by 52.4 per cent, the report said.

Difficult visa norms are adversely impacting the operating margins of the Indian IT players, who get close to 80 per cent of their revenues from the US and Europe.

With increase in rejection rates, companies often apply for more number of visas, pushing their visa-related costs higher, the annual report said.

The overseas travel expenses for Infosys was also higher at about 2.7 per cent (or about Rs 992 crore) of its total revenue of Rs 36,765 crore for the fiscal 2012-13, compared to 2.2 per cent (over Rs 687 crore) in the year ended March 31, 2012. -PTI

helped combat identity theft and prompted immigrants living in the country illegally to leave Arizona.

They also believe that the fear of business raids has caused employers to follow the rules. ``We are never going to get 100 percent compliance, but we have made a difference,'' said former Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce, the driving force behind the employment law and the state's 2010 immigration law that requires police officers, while en-

have been arrested on charges of using forged documents or stolen identities to get jobs at businesses raided by Arpaio's office since 2008. An unknown number of additional ID theft arrests were made by other police agencies, which don't raid businesses in enforcing the law but make cases when people complain that their identity has been stolen.

Lawyers for immigrants accused of ID theft say their clients used fake or stolen identities to

Immigrants desperate to earn money to support their families often plead guilty to felony charges to get out of jail, walking away with time-served but often facing deportation and unable to ever again enter the U.S. legally, their lawyers said. forcing other laws, to question people's immigration status if they are suspected of being in the country illegally.

The number of immigrants living in Arizona without permission to be in the U.S. declined by 200,000 from 2008 to January 2011, when the total estimated number stood at 360,000, according to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security report. While the law's backers say the decrease shows the state's immigration laws are working, other factors contributed to immigrants leaving the state, such a construction industry that hemorrhaged jobs during that period.

Democratic state Sen. Steve Gallardo of Phoenix, an opponent of the law, said the imbalance in the number of cases against employers versus workers is a reflection of legislators who wanted to appear tough on illegal immigration but gave employers plenty of wiggle room.

More than 500 immigrants who weren't authorized to be in the U.S.

get jobs, not to rack up debt under another person's name. Their clients spend months in jail without the chance of getting a bond set, because a voter-approved law denies bail to people who aren't in the country legally and are charged with serious felonies, such as murder, sexual assault and aggravated identity theft.

Immigrants desperate to earn money to support their families often plead guilty to felony charges to get out of jail, walking away with time-served but often facing deportation and unable to ever again enter the U.S. legally, their lawyers said.

The law's backers say illegal immigrants who steal identities to get jobs are still committing a crime.

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, the top prosecutor for the state's most populous county, said identity theft victims may get a letter saying they owe back taxes for jobs they've never held, could have problems getting loans and face hassle in untangling the mess. -AP

More Hindus migrating to the US than ever before Cont'd from Page 44

By contrast, the annual share of Buddhist immigrants has dipped somewhat, going from an estimated 7 per cent of legal immigrants in 1992 (near the end of a wave of refugees from Southeast Asia that began during the Vietnam War) to about four per cent annually a decade ago and about six per cent in 2012.

Over the past two decades, the US has admitted an estimated total of about 1 million

Buddhist immigrants - approximately the same as the number of Hindus.

"The estimated share of immigrants of all other religious groups, including Jews, Sikhs and adherents of Chinese folk religions, has remained relatively stable over the past 20 years, at roughly three per cent of new permanent residents.

Since 1992, the US has admitted an estimated 600,000 immigrants who belong to these groups," the report said. -PTI

Immigration Post

May 31, 2013

India Post

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H-1B & L-1 visa provisions: Workable or unworkable?

GARY ENDELMAN & CYRUS D. MEHTA

T

he Senate Immigration Bill, S. 744, entitled the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (BSEOIMA) has been applauded by immigration advocates for bringing much needed changes to the broken immigration system.

Although the bill does not have everything that everyone wants, S. 744 offers a pathway to legalization for the 10 million undocumented, a new W visa to allow for future flows of lower skilled immigrants and attempts to clear up the backlogs in the employment and family preferences.

It also reforms the existing system in many ways by removing the 1 year bars to seeking asylum, creating a startup visa for entrepreneurs, clarifying a contentious provision under the Child Status Protection Act, providing greater discretion to both Immigration and Judges to terminate removal proceedings, among many other beneficial provisions.

Unfortunately, the H-1B visa, and accompanying L-1 visa proposals in BSEOIMA have not been received with the same jubilation as other parts of S. 744. The main concern on everyone's mind is how the bill would deal with the shortage of H-1B visa numbers.

For FY14, which commences on October 1, the H-1B cap was reached on April 5, 2013. S. 744 increases the H-1B cap undoubtedly, but this increase is accompanied by changes to the H-1B and L visa programs, which may make it more difficult to obtain H1B and L visas quickly. A nonimmigrant visa ought to provide a quick pathway for a much needed worker to be employed in the US. This BSEOIMA fails to do.

tions" when compared to the previous year.

Moreover, BSEOIMA will also increase the Master's cap from 20,000 to 25,000, but this new cap will only be applicable to those who have graduated from universities with advanced degrees in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields.

This would be a significant improvement from what we have today, which is a paltry 65,000 H-1B visas plus 20,000 for advanced degree holders, which under current law is not restricted to only STEM degree holders.

The Society of Human Resource Management found in a recent national survey that 2/3 (66%) of employers hiring full-time staff experienced difficulty in recruiting scientists, engineers, and cutting-edge technical experts, an increase from 52% in 2011. Until this gap between demand and supply is closed, the US economy cannot reach its true potential.

The current H-1B base cap dates back to 1990 when the American economy was only 1/3 its current size and when the importance of STEM talent was nowhere as evident as it is today.

Our H-1B policy predates the full impact of the Internet and the transition to a knowledge based economy. While we welcome the concept of an H-1B cap escalator, it is overly complex and its lack of precision will not accurately predict or reflect the actual and everrising demand for world-class expertise.

For this reason, Congress would be well-served to adopt the methodology set forth in the bipartisan Immigration Innovation (ISquared) Act (S. 169) which simply and elegantly links H-1B annual

Unfortunately, the H-1B visa, and accompanying L-1 visa proposals in BSEOIMA have not been received with the same jubilation as other parts of S. 744. The main concern on everyone's mind is how the bill would deal with the shortage of H-1B visa numbers.

BSEOIMA increases the H-1B ceiling to 110,000, which could go all the way up to 180,000. However, any increase or decrease in H-1B visa numbers cannot be more than 10,000 visas from the previous year.

The market based adjustments from year to year, according to the succinct BAL summary, will be based on the number of H-1B visa petitions in excess of the cap and the average number of unemployed persons in "management, professional and related occupa-

adjustments to how fast the H cap had been reached that same year.

Unfortunately, in exchange for an increase in H-1B visas to 110,000, with further adjustments based on a market based adjustment formula, BSEOIMA imposes significant restrictions to accessing the H-1B visa for all employers, as well as L-1 visas for some employers, which will adversely affect corporate immigration practice.

Unlike the 4 level wage system we have today, BSEOIMA will re-

place it with 3 wage levels, and all non-DOL wage surveys must be specifically sanctioned by DOL. The new Level 1 wage shall be the mean of the lowest two thirds of wages surveyed but can't be less

The Society of Human Resource Management found in a recent national survey that 2/3 (66%) of employers hiring fulltime staff experienced difficulty in recruiting scientists, engineers, and cutting-edge technical experts, an increase from 52% in 2011 than 80% of the mean of the wages surveyed.

This is clearly wage inflation with a vengeance. Dependent employers will only be able to pay new Level 2 wages, which is the mean of all wages. The third level shall be the mean of the highest two thirds of wages surveyed.

All employers will have to now attest that they have recruited for the position before filing an H-1B petition via an internet posting for 30 days, including advising where applicants can apply for the job.

Dependent employers will have to undergo additional recruitment steps.

The employer must offer a job (not just decline to hire the H-1B beneficiary) to any US worker who applies and who is "equally or better qualified." One can imagine how this will be interpreted by the DOL when an employer takes the top graduate of Wharton in a Bachelor's program and turns down a U.S. applicant with an MBA from the University of Podunk.

Or, a law firm employer offers a position to a JD from a national law school over someone with comparable grades and achievements from a local law school. Will an employer dare to take the chance that might not be viewed as legitimate by the DOL? There is more. The period within which an H-1B complaint can be brought against the H-1B employer is lengthened from 12 to 24 months, even when DOL itself complains or when the source remains anonymous.

This can also encourage malicious complaints from restrictionist organizations, and is bound to result in many more H-1B investigations especially when the bill

authorizes annual H-1B compliance audits for any employer with more than 100 employees if more than 15% are in H-1B status.

The advertisement must contain all requirements including the higher than market wage salary.

The compelling rationale for all this is the obvious desire to discourage H1B sponsorship by making it more expensive, more invasive, and less concerned with protection of business norms.

Non-dependent employers will also be subject to the non-displacement attestations, which until now have only been applicable to dependent employers or willful violators. Employers will need to attest that they have and will not displace a US worker within the 90 day period before and after filing an H-1B visa petition, but they will not be subject to such a non-displacement attestation if the number of US workers employed in the same O*Net job zone as the H-1B worker have not decreased during the past one year ending on the date of the filing of the labor certification application.

Dependent employers will be subject to a longer non-displacement period of 180 days, and they will not be able to take advantage of the non-reduction of workforce in the same job zone exception available to non-dependent employers.

We saw when similar recruitment and non-displacement attestations were imposed on certain financial institutions and other entities that were bailed out by the US government under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) that they stopped using the H-1B visa program and even rescinded offers to foreign MBAs who were graduating from top

readily embraced by American companies, and provides efficiency by allowing companies to utilize skilled IT resources whenever needed. Consumers benefit, and it also allows companies to hire US workers higher up in the food chain.

The definition of "Dependent Employer" will remain the same: 1) Employer with 25 or fewer full time employees who hire more than 7 H-1B nonimmigrants; 2) Employer with at least 26 but not more than 50 full time employees who hire more than 12 H-1B nonimmigrants; 3) Employer with at least 51 full time employees who hire at least 15% of H-1B nonimmigrants.

Moreover, BSEOIMA seeks to ultimately bar a category of so called "super dependent" H-1B or L-1 employers by FY 2017 from filing new H or L petitions if more than 50% of their workforce are in H-1B or L status and hire 50 or more employees. For the first time, there will be a restriction on L employment too as a result.

There is a sliding scale for this over the next few years: (1) if the employer employs 50 or more employees, and there is no distinction between full or part-time, the number of H-1B and L-1B, but not L1A, employees together cannot exceed 75 % of the total number of employees for FY 2015; (2) 65 %of total number of employees for FY 2016 and (3) 50% of total number of employees after FY 2016 which starts on October 1, 2017 . This does not apply to universities or non-profit research centers.

The filing fees for the H-1B and L go way up in a clear effort to discourage such visa sponsorship. For FY 2014-FY 2024, the H1B and L filing fee will be $5000 for an employer that employs 50+

We saw when similar recruitment and non-displacement attestations were imposed on certain financial institutions and other entities that were bailed out by the US government under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) that they stopped using the H-1B visa program business schools.

BSEOIMA seems to abhor the notion of "outplacement" of H-1B workers and L-1 workers, even while assigning workers to third party client sites is part of the business model of certain industries such as IT consulting. Dependent employers may not "place, outsource, lease, or otherwise contract for services or placement of an H-1B nonimmigrant employee."

A non-dependent employer must pay $500 if "outplacing" an H-1B worker. This model has been

employees in the USA if more than 30% but less than 50% of such employees are in H or L status.

From FY 2014-FY 2017, the filing fee goes up to $10,000 per H-1B or L petition if the employer employs 50+ employees, again no distinction between full or part time, if more than 50% but less than 75% of such employees are in H1B or L status.

To be continued * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com

48

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I

t was a historic moment for Amitabh Bachchan to be invited to open the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival with his 'The Great Gatsby' co-star Leonardo DiCaprio. Big B made the experience more special by addressing the audience in his mother tongue, Hindi. "Truly a historic moment for me, but immensely historic and honorable for the Indian film industry, a fraternity that I am and shall always be most proud of," Amitabh posted on his blog.

The Cannes extravaganza celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema this year, and Amitabh was there also for the premiere of his Hollywood debut movie "The Great Gatsby". The 70-year-old veteran was truly delighted at the importance given to him at the fest.

It was an emotional experience, he shared

May 31, 2013

on Twitter. "The honor and respect meted out by Cannes, incredible. Announcing suddenly for Leonardo DiCaprio and myself to open the festival. With the entire world film fraternity at Cannes, applauding and welcoming our presence, treating us like royalty ... it's emotional.

"For a complete alien in the midst of Cannes to be acknowledged, is the proudest moment for me as an Indian. Acknowledging Cannes in recognizing 100 years of Indian cinema, it was absolutely imperative for me to address, in my mother tongue," posted Big B. He shared how the director of Cannes (was) delighted to hear the music of the Hindi language spoken as it brought in the universality of the occasion.

Indian films shine at Cannes CANNES: India's prominence at the ongoing 66th Cannes Film Festival could be gauged not just by the star turn outs but also films getting rave reviews from major trade publications.

'Dabba', 'Bombay Talkies', 'Monsoon Shootout', 'Ugly' are films that have tried to make the global audience realize that contemporary Indian films have much more to offer than the regular song-anddance-sequences and receive praise from The Hollywood Reporter, Variety among others.

Director Amit Kumar's 'Monsoon Shootout' had a midnight screening at the

The Guardian said, "It's an entertaining popcorn-movie with a twist, for which commercial success is on the cards. There should be space for pictures like it in Cannes."

ongoing 12-day fest. The film starring Nawazuddin Siddique and Tannishtha Chatterjee is set against the backdrop of corruption in the police force in Mumbai and has garnered positive reviews.

The Hollywood Reporter praised the film as being 'a colorful Indian cops and gangsters tale that gets a successful makeover as an international art film.'

"Though the idea of Dirty Harry meeting Sliding Doors may sound abstract, writerdirector Amit Kumar pulls it off gracefully, without losing the sense of heightened drama that earned the film a Midnight Movie slot in Cannes," it said.

The Guardian said, "It's an entertaining popcorn-movie with a twist, for which commercial success is on the cards. There should be space for pictures like it in Cannes."

Ritesh Batra's debut film 'Dabba' (The Lunchbox) starring Irrfan Khan and Siddique, also received unanimous praise from critics.

Variety said that the film is 'an indie Indian film with the crossover appeal of Monsoon Wedding.' "Ritesh Batra's debut is sure to be gobbled up by audience-friendly fests before heading into niche cinemas," it

Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar and Karan Johar

added.

Screen International appreciated the effort of first time director Batra, saying, "A wistful, elegant love story played out across

the streets of Mumbai, 'The Lunchbox' is an unexpectedly aromatic charmer from first-time filmmaker Ritesh Batra."

Cont’d on page 49

May 31, 2013

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49

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Miss India-Canada to be crowned Aug 17 presented to runner-ups.

The Miss India-Canada Event is unique in many ways. Contestants are judged on their Indian Costume, Evening Gown, Talent, and their ability to speak in public. The show is focused on Indian arts and culture and at the same time blending into the Canadian mosaic.

Some of the past winners - Kamal Sidhu, Ruby Bhatia, Gita Bali, Rishma Malik, Poonam Chhibber, Melissa Bhagat, and Komila (Kim) Jagtiani - have appeared on the covers of many leading magazines and newspapers in Canada, India, and other countries. The winner of the first Miss India-Canada pageant, Kamal Sidhu, starred in the lead role with Jackie Shroff in "Aar Ya Paar".

India Post News Service

TORONTO: The 23rd Annual Miss India-Canada Event will be held on Saturday, August 17 at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel in Toronto. The Miss India-Canada event has become very popular and a well-known event in Canada. With the continuous support from the business community and the positive feedback from contestants and their parents, the Miss India-Canada event continues to grow by leaps and bounds each year. The show is proudly supported by several corporate and community business.

The prestigious title carries with it numerous prizes courtesy of show sponsors. Included are a cash scholarship of $1,000; round trip ticket to India; hotel accommodation; cell phone; laptop, jewellery set and many more prizes. Several prizes will also be

Miss India-Canada 2001, Neelam Verma, was crowned Miss Canadian Universe. She represented Canada in the Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico and was selected amongst the Top 10 in the world. Rishma Malik, Miss India-Canada 1996 starred in Deepa Mehta's "Bollywood Hollywood" movie. Sangeeta Virmani, Miss India-Canada 2003 met the Honorable Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.

Last year, Parul Sharma, Miss India-Canada 2004 sang the Canadian and US national anthems before a sold out Toronto Raptors NBA basketball game. The reigning Miss India-Canada, Mallika Kapur recently took a trip to India and was interviewed by various print and television media.

Entries for the Miss IndiaCanada Event will be accepted until Friday, June 28.

Indian films shine at Cannes Cont’d from page 48

'Bombay Talkies', directed by four top filmmakers - Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar and Karan Johar -

was a crowd-pleaser back home and had its gala screening at Cannes in honor of India being this year's guest country at the festival.

Screen International praised the film and said, "A consistent charmer, the Indian omnibus Bombay Talkies is vibrant and colorful, that rare portmanteau film where the whole is more than the sum of its likeable parts.

"The film could spark some interest in international markets thanks to its

easy humor and omnibus novelty. More likely, this delightful movie could prove a calling card for its young directors," it added.

Kashyap has been honored with the Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French government for his efforts in the promotion of Indian cinema across the globe.

His latest directorial venture 'Ugly' that was screened at Cannes received mixed reviews with majority of the critics panning the film.

'Ugly' is a kidnap drama starring Ronit Roy and Tejaswini Kolhapure in lead roles.

However, the Hollywood Reporter was clearly disappointed

with Kashyap's film especially after seeing his magnum opus 'Gangs of Wasseypur' here last year.

"Did the jaw-dropping creative inventiveness of 'Gangs of Wasseypur' set the bar impossibly high for prolific Indian director-producer-screenwriter Anurag Kashyap? 'Ugly', his follow-up, will come as a major disappointment for fans of the marathon Godfather epic that set Cannes's Directors Fortnight ablaze last year," it read.

-PTI

50 India Post

May 31, 2013 www.indiapost.com

'Light, flavorful' Japanese cuisine attracts foodies ABHINAV ANAND

Scrumptious delicacies from Japan seem to be picking up a fan following in the capital and elsewhere with people getting more inventive and health conscious apart from availability of greater options of meals at budget prices,

say food experts.

"Japanese cuisine has become popular option nowadays as people are becoming more inventive. They keep on looking for new and more healthy options in food.

People normally like Japanese food very much as it is very light, fresh and flavorful", says Rajesh Khanna, Food and Beverage Head

at the Metropolitan Hotel, which claims to run one of the oldest Japanese food chain 'Sakura' in the country.

"Japanese dishes are mainly cooked by steaming, grilling and frying and the food is generally fla-

vored with soy sauce or miso paste. Kaizen Okonomiyaki, Ginmutsu Saikyoyaki, Miso Chashumen, Sashimi Moriawase are some of the general dishes that are readily available but extremely popular, says Khanna.

The dishes Sakura offers are rich in variety with special dishes including 'Sushi', 'Sashimi',

'Tempura', different kind of donburies and different kind of 'Bentou' which says Khanna is "equally popular among our customers".

A number of second-rung restaurants are also offering quality Japanese food at budget prices.

Very recently, a famous Singaporebased Japanese food chain 'Sakae Sushi' which runs around 200 restaurants worldwide made its foray into the country in collaboration with the logistics major TCI group.

"Japanese cuisines were a food meant for the wealthy here because only a very few Japanese food restaurants were operating from five star hotels like ITC Maurya, Oberai, Taj etc where typically a dish would start at Rs 4000 to Rs 5000 and go upwards," says Chandrima Aggarwal, CEO, TCI Apex Pal Hospitability.

"There are many independent restaurants but they fail to keep the quality intact. We are aiming to provide the same quality as that of those five star restaurants but at a much lower cost. Our fare starts with around 1500-1800 per dish," says Aggarwal.

Aggarwal says the company

plans to reach out to the mass market i.e. the middle class by providing highly economical world class Japanese and Pan-Asian cuisines.

The first restaurant under the chain has recently opened as a

A characteristic of traditional Japanese food is the sparing use of meat (mammal meat), oils and fats, and dairy products. pilot project in a mall in South Delhi and the chain plans to open more outlets as per demand, says Aggarwal.

Both the TCI group and 'Sakae Sushi' are public listed companies in NSE and Singapore Stock Exchange respectively.

"Sakae Sushi is well-known throughout Asia for its premium food served in an innovative, fun and engaging setting, all at afford-

able prices.

"In addition to serving the fresh, healthy and delicious food as can be expected from our kitchen, the speed and ease in which our customers can have their food served via the conveyor belt is also signature of our business" says Lilian Foo, Executive Vice President, Sakae Sushi.

"Use of (inedible) tree leaves and branches as decor is also characteristic of Japanese cuisine.

Maple leaves are often floated on water to exude coolness, sprigs of nandina are popularly used. The haran (Aspidistra) and sasa bamboo leaves were often cut into shapes, and placed underneath or used as separators, points out a food expert from Mumbai who previously worked as a chef at Wasabi, Taj Mahal hotel.

A characteristic of traditional Japanese food is the sparing use of meat (mammal meat), oils and fats, and dairy products.

"Use of soy sauce, miso, and umeboshi makes them high in salt content, although low-sodium versions were available nowadays", he said. -PTI

'Murder 3 has changed my life' My mother, a friend for life: Sasheh Aagha

A

diti Rao Hydari, who gave up her girl-next-door im age for her sensual avatar in Murder 3 claims that success has changed her life, but she will always try to do different things. Excerpts from

an interview: How has life changed after the success of Murder 3?

I am happy and it feels great.

I think for an actor to get success it's a good feeling. There is always something more to the good feeling. I don't have a film background so I should be thankful to people for their support. I get lot of offers but the challenge is the insight to pick the right project.

How do you select a film?

I go by my instinct.

It's important for me to like the script and I

Aditi Rao Hydari

see whether people will be able to understand the story. I am getting lot of offers, but I see whether I enjoy reading and watching a film then only I accept it.

The Bhatts are all praise for you. How does it feel?

I have blessings of Bhatt sahib and they have made stars. They are responsible for creating people. That gives lot of encouragement to work even more.

What matters to you critical acclaim or box office?

You want people to watch films and critical acclaim gets you happiness. I want to be known as a memorable actress.

How do you think the situation for women has changed in Bollywood?

I am not an industry person, but it's still a male dominated industry. People are realizing the importance of stories. It's about story telling and not about male or women. People understand that women stories interest audience as there is so much in their life.

What do you think works for you in the industry?

I can be positive and have good aura. People see how you behave. I say what I want, but I am not insensitive.

B

ollywood actress Sasheh Aagha says her mother, veteran actress Salma Aagha, is like a friend to her, and that she often guides her in career decisions.

"She is very supportive. She always guides me. She is like a friend in my life...She has always been there for me...(and she is) very protective," Sasheh, who has made her Bollywood debut with " Aurangzeb", said in an interview.

"I do consult her. She always asks me if I am comfortable carrying it (the role). I like it when she says these things because it gives you (me) a clear picture of things," she said.

Sasheh admits the pressure increases when one comes from a film family.

"I think when you belong to a film family, people notice you more. But they will pick you up only if you have the talent. If I am her (my mother Salma's) daughter, and if I didn't have it in me, I won't have got this film," she said.

Her future plan is to try and essay different roles on screen.

"I want to do different kinds of looks and characters. I never want to repeat stuff. It has to keep changing," she said.

Sasheh is well aware of the competitive nature of the film industry. But she has a positive attitude towards it.

Sasheh Aagha

May 31, 2013

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Notice is hereby given that sealed competitive bids will be accepted in the office of the GSA-Purchasing Department, County of Alameda, 1401 Lakeside Drive, Suite 907, Oakland, CA 94612 NETWORKING BIDDERS CONFERENCES for RFQ #901124 Photo and Print Shop Equipment Leasing & Support North County–Tuesday, June 4, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at General Services Agency, Conference Room 222, 1401 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, CA South County–Wednesday, June 5, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at Public Works Agency, 4825 Gleason Drive, Room 405, Dublin, CA Responses Due by 2:00 pm on June 28, 2013 County Contact: John Butchart (510) 208-9602 or via email: john.butchart@acgov.org Attendance at Networking Conference is Non-mandatory.

Specifications regarding the above may be obtained at the Alameda County GSA Current Contracting Opportunities Internet website at www.acgov.org.

5/31/13 CNS-2486193#

Notice is hereby given that sealed competitive bids will be accepted in the office of the GSA-Purchasing Department, County of Alameda, 1401 Lakeside Drive, Suite 907, Oakland, CA 94612 NETWORKING BIDDERS CONFERENCES for RFQ #901095 Armed Guard Services-400 Broadway, Oakland South County – Monday, June 10, 2013 at 2:00 PM, Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Avenue, Chabot Room, Castro Valley, CA and North County – Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 10:00 AM, General Services Agency, Room 222, 1401 Lakeside Dr., Oakland, CA Responses Due by 2:00 pm on July 18, 2013 County Contact: Nicholas Roberts at (510) 208-9616 or via email: nicholas.roberts@acgov.org Attendance at Networking Conference is Non-mandatory.

Specifications regarding the above may be obtained at the Alameda County GSA Current Contracting Opportunities Internet website at www.acgov.org.

5/31/13 CNS-2486878#

Notice is hereby given that sealed competitive bids will be accepted in the office of the GSA-Purchasing Department, County of Alameda, 1401 Lakeside Drive, Suite 907, Oakland, CA 94612 NETWORKING BIDDERS CONFERENCES RFQ #901121 Elevator Maintenance and Repair North County-Tuesday, June 4, 2013, 10:00 a.m. – General Services Agency, 1401 Lakeside Drive, Room 1107, 11th Floor, Oakland, CA South County-Thursday, June 6, 2013, 2:00 p.m. – Public Works Agency, 4825 Gleason Drive, Room 405, Dublin, CA Response Due by 2:00 p.m. on July 18, 2013. County Contact: Evelyn Benzon (510) 2089622 or via email: evelyn.benzon@acgov.org Attendance at Networking Conference is Non-mandatory. Information regarding the above may be obtained at the Alameda County Current Contracting Opportunities Internet website at www.acgov.org 5/31/13 CNS-2487440#

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Horoscope

52 India Post

May 31, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Your Weekly Future

by Pandit Parashar

MAY 31 ST - JUNE 6 TH 2013 (March 21 to April 20)

Y

ou will breathe a sigh of relief after making final payment on old bills. Expenses will stay under controls from now and on and soon you will start to see money in saving accounts. You will get more busy and will have to spend extra hours at work. A short pleasure trip is in the air. Spouse may complain of some aches and pain in joints.

(July 23 to August 22)

F

inally you will see the light at the end of tunnel. Professional goals will become visible and within reach. Assurance coming via mail. Some of you may take over another running business this week.

New contract will benefit you for long time. Some one tall and with fair complexion will be helpful. Property deal can also get finalized.

(April 21 to May 20)

O

pportunity will come by itself. Take your time and try to make the right choice or have a second opinion before you make the final commitment. New contract will have long term financial benefits. You may take family out to a nice place for dinner this week.

You will continue to gain edge over business opponents and in legal matters.

(August 23 to September 22)

T

hough there is no immediate danger but you will start little uncomfortable at existing place of work and start looking around for a better opportunity. Some of you will be getting ready to travel long distance for few weeks. Some money could go towards legal fee. Bachelors will be introduced to another professional through a common friend.

(May 21 to June 20)

A

nd suddenly you will find your self in driving seat one more time.

This time you will aim high and go for the long term gains. Three benefic in your sign will help you make the right choices in all aspects of life. You may also do some work in or around your home.

Right time to launch the new project in association with people living far away.

(September 23 to October 22)

R

unning around will not go waste and you will be suitably rewarded. You will successfully negotiate and recover money from an insurance company. It may take you few more weeks to recover and fully cure from an health issue that keep popping up every year.

A property deal could get delayed because of some last minute requirements.

(June 21 to July 22)

Y

ou may be asked for more or re submit some paper work. Some of you will be slowly getting ready for an upcoming overseas trip.

Money stuck for long time will be finally released. You will gain friendship of a very influential person this week. Things will get more relaxed at work and in near future you will be promoted to next level.

(October 23 to November 22)

Y

ou will receive some valuable gifts from some one close. You will continue to stay on top of everything at work, eager to finish project well before deadline. People self employed will get some more and new clients this week. You may get a chance to sit with some influential people this week. Bank balance will continue to grow.

(November 23 to December 22)

Y

ou will commit your self to a new relationship or a business partnership this week. New assignment can open new doors and may take you to the next level in career. You will also quickly recover from any illness this week. You will make some plans with children.

Claim you file will be soon awarded in your favor.

(December 22 to January 19)

T

ransiting planets in sixth help those seeking for a change in career. New boss or associate will not be much cooperative. You may pay a visit to a holy place with family. Avoid stretching limits when bidding on a property. Some of you may need to deal with a government agency and come up with some nice answers to query.

(January 20 to February 18)

A

nother member will be added in the family soon. Property deal will be finalized. Mind will be at peace as you will keep finding good solutions to all problems big or small. You may be taking a short trip to comparatively warmer area for business purpose. You will also make final payment on an old loan or credit card bill.

(February 19 to March 20)

Y

ou will be excited and start getting ready to move to another location. Luck is definitely on your side. Boss will pay attention to what you are saying and consider your request seriously. It will not take much time to hear positive response from him. You may attend couple of small get together with family and meet very old friends.

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

510-886-4370 website: www.parashar.com

Philosophy

May 31, 2013

India Post 53

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T

here is a common misconception about bhakti.

Vedantins think that bhakti is not an intellectual pursuit and conclude, "It's not for me!" But Vedanta is not an intellectual pursuit of knowledge; Vedanta is for spiritual growth. And bhakti is one of the essential practices (sadhana) for spiritual growth.

The idea that there are four separate paths (marga) for spiritual growth (viz. karma; bhakti; dhyana and jnana), and that we can chose only one of them depending on our personality, is a misconception. It's a mistake to assign ourselves to narrow categories (bhakti for emotional types, jnana for intellectuals, etc). We need them all! Just as for cooking rice, we can't choose among fire, water, and a pot - we need them all.

One reason for studying Narada's Bhakti Sutra is that we need it as an essential sadhana.

Secondly, bhakti, properly understood, is not simply intense tapasya as it is depicted in puranic stories and in movies. In the study of Narada's Bhakti Sutra, we will see inseparability of bhakti and jnanam.

We will see the deeper and more profound meaning of bhakti; more than devotion to God or divine love. At its highest level, bhakti is enlightenment!

It is important to understand

J

anet Bray Attwood: What would your advice be to the world to live a more peaceful life?

Ramesh Balsekar: The world is exactly as it is supposed to be according to the cosmic law, God's will. To be able to live a more peaceful life the only understanding one has to have is: Everything is happening according to the cosmic law - it is not an action or a deed done by any individual entity, therefore everything is a happening and I can blame nobody for anything.

Janet: So all of these things that people do that they think will bring them more peace, what do you say to that?

Ramesh: They will do it because they are supposed to do it according to the cosmic law of God's will. The problem is that they think they are doing it.

Janet: If I'm not the doer, who is doing the doing?

Ramesh: Every happening is a happening according to God's will or cosmic law, which ever perspective you prefer.

Janet: What perspective do you prefer?

Ramesh: I prefer both. Ordinary man will prefer God's will. He'll say 'I don't know anything about the cosmic law. But you tell me

that bhakti is not a gradual process that progresses from desire (kama, which is romantic love or sexual attraction) to emotional love (prema) to bhakti. Although, all three have some element of love, they are all completely different from one another.

A good way to understand any absence of a continuum among the three is to consider the metaphor of a seed (kama) giving rise to a

body like desire for food and water. Emotional love, as between a husband and a wife or between parent and child is located in the mind.

Love has many shades; romantic love is barely love; because it's based on the premise "you make me feel loved, therefore I love you," or, "you make me enjoy life, therefore I love you," or, "I love you as long you love me".

child must go to college. In such a case the parent is fulfilling his/ her desire, and hence it's not unselfish love.

Essentially, emotional love cannot be pure or totally unconditional, unless one is an enlightened person! Emotional love can be less pure or more pure, but never perfect!

Bhakti, in its highest form, referred to as "parama prema" (su-

Narada's Bhakti Sutra shows bhakti & gyan inseparable

Sri Narada Muni

tree (prema) and the tree bearing a fruit (bhakti). Although the tree arises from the seed, and the fruit from the tree, the tree and the seed are very different and so are the tree and the fruit.

Tree is not a bigger form of the seed and the fruit is not an intense form of tree. Similarly, bhakti is not an intense form of conventional or emotion based love and emotional love is not physical love or sexual attraction. Physical love is rooted in the physiology of the nothing can happen unless it's God's will, and that I accept'.

Whereas, a physicist or a scientist will say 'I don't know anything about God and his will, but if you tell me everything happens according to the cosmic law, a law which affects the entire universe for all eternity, that I am prepared to accept." Choose your perspective.

For me it makes no difference.

Love has many shades; romantic love is barely love; because it's based on the premise "you make me feel loved, therefore I love you," or, "you make me enjoy life, therefore I love you�

This kind of love is needbased. "I love you" really means in this case, "I need you". On the other hand, love, such as between a mother and a child is a much stronger bond especially when the child is very young. However, parental love is not pure and unconditional, because, there are various expectations.

When the 18-year old wants to be an auto mechanic or a waitress, the parent might disapprove and reject the idea and insist that the nected opposites; the polarity of counterparts, beginning with male and female. Not a moment on earth was there a time when only one was present and without the other.

Never was a moment when only male and no female, only beauty and no ugliness, only good and no evil - Never. Every moment the basis is duality.

preme love), transcends love; it is limitless and infinite love. No matter how intense the conventional love is, it's not bhakti. Love, either physical or emotional, is based on a sense of incompleteness, a sense of need, however little that need may be.

Bhakti, on the other hand, transcends the mind. It relates to one's true self, which is sat-cit-ananda (eternal, unlimited, consciousness).

Narad Jayanti will be observed on May 26.

Having accepted this basic duality of life, the sage or man of wisdom has accepted that his own being, his own personality, contains a lot of weak points some plus points and minus points - knowing that he himself contains some minus points, there is humility in the sage, a humility which makes him accept the other also as having some

Everything is happening according to cosmic law

Ramesh Balsekar

Janet: Do you have any idea why its God's will or Cosmic Law for some to people to suffer and for others to live a life of heaven on earth?

Ramesh: The answer is that the very basis of life is the existence of duality, beginning with Male and Female. The very basis of life and living is duality - the existence of both the intercon-

Having accepted this basic duality of life, the sage or man of wisdom has accepted that his own being, his own personality, contains a lot of weak points - some plus points and minus points Therefore we find healthy baby and handicapped baby, poor and rich, healthy and diseased, beautiful and ugly. Not a moment on earth when both the interconnected opposites of polarity counterparts were not present. That is the very basis of life. And the sage - the man of wisdom - has been able to accept this basic duality of life.

weak points.

Therefore humility in the sage has produced tolerance for the other. And humility and tolerance for the other makes his life easy without the burden of hating anybody.

The 96th birth anniversary of Ramesh Balsekar will be observed on May 25. Janet met Balsekar in Mumbai, 2003.

"Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge."

- Eckhart Tolle

Truth is something so noble that if God could turn aside from it, I could keep the truth and let God go.

-Meister Eckhart

The true man wants two things: danger and play. For that reason he wants woman, as the most dangerous plaything.

-Friedrich Nietzsche

If I take death into my life, acknowledge it, and face it squarely, I will free myself from the anxiety of death and the pettiness of life and only then will I be free to become myself.

-Martin Heidegger

All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.

-Arthur Schopenhauer

He who stands aloof runs the risk of believing himself better than others and misusing his critique of society as an ideology for his private interest.

-Theodor Adorno

Genuine tragedies in the world are not conflicts between right and wrong. They are conflicts between two rights.

-Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

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May 31, 2013

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Should India accept US pivot vis-Ă -vis China?

I

ANU KRISHNAN

ndia has been playing a pas- bordering state whose instability region. sive role in the US pivot. may fast affect India's North-EastIt is unlikely that India would Does the recent incursion in ern states. Another consequence terminate its relations with the US, Ladakh by China alter this has been that of increasing Chi- the unfeasibility of the option enrole? Should India perceive the nese belligerence in South China sures that. Therefore if India's partAmerican pivot as an opportunity Sea, wherein India's role repeatedly nerships with US and Japan have and use it to its advantage? Will gets questioned. Realists believe been causing alarm in China, then such a strategy antagonize China deployment of Indian Navy in the our option is to cultivate the fear. further?

South China Sea is a necessity; The Ladakh incursion has also The pivot is the result of USA's while others caution that India underlined the fact that India needs resolve to maintain primacy in East could end up harming its relation more partners in Asia to counter Asia, triggered by China's rise in vis-Ă -vis China.

China; it has become even more Is the recent Chinese incursion important in the light of the recent military power. Strengthening partnerships in South and East Asia is at the Indo-China border one such events. an upshot of USA feeling the need outcome that makes the Pivot an To hoist itself as capable of to play the role of a security pro- undesirable prospect, or does it standing up to China, India needs underline the need for India to to try and catch up with China's vider, as well.

While energy security, climate conform to the Pivot? military power. This could prove change and economic stability lurk in the backdrop, the more important aim is to strengthen India to achieve the goal of resisting China's influence in Asia.

An economically and militarily strong India is hence a prerequisite, an offer that India would not want to reject. Being identified as USA's strategic partner in Asia presents India with improved opportunities to bargain with US on technology, intelligence, strengthen defense and strategic partnership, File photo of Chinese troops tent in Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) sector in Ladakh and the necessary impetus to India's neverending quest for a permanent seat to be near-impossible; a Chinese in the United Nations. It has pro- Lessons from the official is once said to have joked vided India with the space to be- Ladakh Intrusion that India might catch up with come a crucial element in the Asian China in perhaps twenty years, India has so far only been pasbalance of power, despite points but China will have grown fifty sively complying with the Pivot, of divergence with the USA. times more by then. While the asoutlined by its own interests and Along with enhanced security tounding rise of China in this reis not ready to risk the benefits of cooperation, trade and investment spect, which stands at $106 billion India-China relations. Different between India and US have surged as of 2013(suspected to be higher views have emanated on why the ahead, with bilateral trade standas per Western estimates), has incursions occurred and what ing at $ 14.3 million. All this largely China's larger strategy is. Irrespec- been duly noted by India's politigives an upper hand to the argutive of the domestic reasons that cal honchos, the recitation so far ment that India must play along may have prompted the incursion, had been that 'China is not a the Pivot. it is also an indication that the US threat'.

The recent incursion has propivot has caused China to be on Added responsibilities the defensive and resort to con- vided space to reassess that view.

However, the pivot has not frontational tactics. China evi- This is why the renewed US atbeen a pleasant affair for India; an dently exhibited a fall-out, and set tention is of substantial imporoffshoot of the US Pivot has been off an admonition. tance to India; getting closer to Myanmar turning into a front line On one hand, this underlines China's military strength requires state with the US and China ex- the need for India to disassociate US help for modernization. panding their presence in the itself from the pivot. AntagonizIndia's lack of a well-crafted forcountry. While India's presence is ing China would be undesirable, eign policy and competence of substantial in the region, the Pivot could lead to more tension on the leadership has largely contributed has now presented India with the border and it will have to be seen to this state of affairs. The changadditional responsibility of ensur- if India can fend for itself when ing geopolitics of East Asia has to ing that Myanmar doesn't plunge larger trouble gets spelt. On the be viewed gravely and India must into the hands of US or China. other hand, the incursion serves go a few steps beyond playing it Myanmar significantly repre- as a strong reason why India must safe between US and China. sents India's objectives vis-Ă -vis play along the pivot and keep with The writer is Research Intern, the Look-East Policy, and is also a America's broader interests in the NSP. Courtesy IPCS

Inquiry as solution

I

t is well known that the CBI is a tool of the government to harass and embarrass opponents and protect its own. The CBI was always reluctant, hesitant and even not allowed to investigate the wrongdoing suspects in the government, although the majority of sins originated from the government itself. In the wake of the latest scam involving the CBI - a minister trying to vet its report - the Supreme Court has given two months time to the government to produce a plan to provide autonomy to the investigating agency. Instead of seriously responding to the court's order, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has constituted a Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram to frame laws to make the CBI autonomous.

This is a repeat of a similar exercise carried out for five months last year by a Parliamentary Select Committee which, in 2012, had dwelt at great length on how to make the CBI autonomous. It took place even before the tabling of the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill 2011 in Parliament.

The Parliamentary Committee in its report suggested that the CBI director should be appointed by a collegium comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. It also suggested that CBI officers investigating cases referred by the Lokpal should be transferred with the approval of the Lokpal.

The Cabinet accepted all the recommendations except the one that required the approval of the Lokpal to transfer CBI officers investigating cases referred to by the Lokpal, as according to the government, this would affect the smooth functioning of the CBI. Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley, who was part of the 15-member Committee, has said there is no point starting the discussion from zero when the issue has already been discussed in great detail.

"The GoM has no meaning as the Select Committee has already given suggestions to make the CBI independent and most of the suggestions have been approved by the Cabinet," he said. Is this then an exercise at obfuscation, or fooling the court and the people by instituting one more inquiry?

Manmohan Singh is like a modern doctor. You go to an allopathic doctor with a complaint. He need not give you full attention. He casually prescribes half a dozen tests and asks you to come after that. Similarly, you take a scam to Manmohan Singh. He is hardly perturbed, the "saint" that he is. He orders an official inquiry and asks you to wait till that inquiry is over. The allopath knows that nothing is going to come out of the tests he has prescribed. The patient becomes naturally better after some time. But the doctor has made his money through tests.

Doc Manmohan Singh also knows nothing will come out of the inquiry or the dozens of inquiries he has instituted. But, he believes, perhaps rightly, that with time gained, people will lose interest in this scam as another scam would have come up. Meanwhile, Manmohan, after allowing his partymen to make money, would resume his hypocritical calm pose.

The government has many tricks up its sleeves to defuse the demand for providing autonomy to CBI. In the past also it has deflected such demands.

The parliamentary committee had also suggested building of a strong CBI cadre and reducing dependence on deputation. Fearing this and other such recommendations will be diluted by the new GoM set up by Manmohan Singh, a group of CBI cadre officers had moved the apex court to restrain the Centre from framing new rules for the appointment of officers against the recommendation of the parliamentary committee. The court however refused to interfere in the functioning of the GoM examining the issue of CBI's autonomy and turned down the plea of the agency's officers. The CBI officers were seeking a direction to the GoM to consider the parliamentary panel reports on CBI before making its recommendation.

The fears of the CBI officers are well founded and as this umpteenth inquiry makes its labyrinth way, we can expect the government wriggling out of another crisis without any positive progress.

May 31, 2013

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