indiapost_05_21_2010 by Ghanshyam Bisht

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Parveen Chopra conferred Liberty Bell award Details on page 10

VOL 15, No. 819

May 21, 2010

50¢

Periodical Postage

TIMES SQUARE RALLY SLAMS RADICAL ISLAM

Dr B P Agrawal

Indian social entrepreneur wins MIT Award Details on page 40

USINPAC slams anti-India campaign

Telugu student killed in car accident; 5 hurt

Details on page 8

Details on page 13

RPG places top residents in US hospitals Details on page 40

Why lawyers should boycott Arizona

Summit seeks solutions to Sikh American issues

Details on page 44 Details on page 12

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at Cannes Details on page 26

Brown University to honor Romila Thapar Details on page 8

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

Is the US soft on Islamic states? Last week’s result

Will Kasab’s sentence be indefinitely delayed? YES 32%

NO 68%

The rally leaders marching through Times Square

NARAIN KATARIA

deter the demonstrators who carried loud and graphic placards depicting victims of terrorist acts in countries across the world, as they attracted passersby to listen to the 20+ leaders from different communities who addressed the rally. Charles Jacobs, a board member of the HRCARI and a writer for The Jewish Advocate in Boston said, "Our purpose here today is two-fold. Details on page 6

India gifts an endowment to Columbia varsity Details on page 6

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 24-25

7 Indian Americans conferred Ellis Medal India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Seven distinguished Indian Americans received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor at the annual ceremony held by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) on Ellis Island on May 8. Each year NECO presents the Ellis Island Medals of Honor to pay homage to the immigrant experience, as well as for individual achievement to US citizens from various ethnic backgrounds.

The honorees are remarkable Americans who exemplify outstanding qualities in both their personal and professional lives, while continuing to preserve the richness of their particular heritage. Among the Indian American honorees this year are Rao S. Anumolu, Dr. Hemant Patel, Dr. Prasad Srinivasan, Kannappa Ramanandan, Sudhir K. Gupta, Suraj P. Bhatia and Shekhar Mitra.

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

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Classifieds --------------------- 48-49 Community Post -------------- 12-22 Date Book -------------------------- 52 Edit Page --------------------------- 53 HealthScience Post --------- 40-42 Horoscope ------------------------- 43 Immigration Post ------------- 44-47 India ---------------------------------- 30 Life Style ----------------------- 26-27 Philosophy ------------------------- 50 Publisherís Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate ------------------------ 37 TechBiz Post ------------------- 38-39 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 32-34

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May 21, 2010

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May 21, 2010

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t a joint press conference with the visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the White House, President Obama was found skirting the issue of Pakistan's role in Afghanistan. I thought it was uncannily bold and straight of this female Afghan journalist to ask President Obama on how the US was dealing with Pakistan's "two-faced" role in Afghanistan. As always, the US would not be caught criticizing Pakistan and so President Obama almost justified Pakistan's policies by stating that the US ally in the fight against terror has always been distracted by its primary rival - India. It is only now that Pakistan was beginning to realize the cancer of terrorism was detrimental to its own security, he said. Speaking further on behalf of Pakistan, President Obama said he sees a growing recognition among leaders in Pakistan that the extremist groups who are based there represent a "cancer in their midst." I thought it was wholly unnecessary for President Obama to have linked Pakistan's murky role in Afghanistan to its delusional and paranoid fear of being attacked by India. Obama, however, added that Pakistani leaders are beginning to recognize that it was the groups that are using Pakistan's frontier as a base that are threatening the nation's sovereignty. Manipulated by the ISI, Pakistan's role in Afghanistan remains murky. Recent opinion polls show that ordinary Afghans deeply resent its interventions and are suspicious of its maneuvering of the US. Pakistan - both the administration and its spy agency the ISI -- have made it more than obvious their resentment of India's growing influence in Afghanistan. Needless to say, Pakistan wants a greater role in any future regime in Afghanistan without India in the picture. I'm sure the intrepid Afghani reporter did not get the answer she was looking for from President Obama, nor the scores of Afghanis on whose behalf she posed the question, or for that matter, the Indian administration, which is already facing the brunt of violent attacks on its people working in Afghanistan by the Pakistani Taliban.

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood Three injuries Hrithik Roshan virtually slipped into depression after Jodha Akbar and considered quitting acting as career.

Cover Story: Times Sq. rally Human Rights Coalition Against Radical Islam, an apex body of 35 organizations, staged a demonstration at Times Square.

Community: Sikh summit In a series of meetings with lawmakers, Sikh organizations engaged US Senators and Members of Congress in a dialogue.

Health: MIT Award Dr. B. P. Agrawal, a visionary social entrepreneur from India has won the 2010 $100,000 Lemelson-MIT Award.

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Travel: Kufri Kufri, a tiny hill station near Shimla, is famous for its trekking, hiking , skiing and tobogganing.

May 21, 2010

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Times Square rally slams radical Islam NARAIN KATARIA

left and in the sphere of academia who believe we are deserving of the animus of our enemies," he ruefully observed. "21st century Nazism is now tantamount to radical Islam," said Andrew Upton, a board member of HRCARI. "There is someone here today holding a sign saying, 'Queers Against Radical Islam'. We applaud this person for spotlighting the fact that gays and lesbians are considered worthy of death in Islamic countries as are

NEW YORK: Human Rights Coalition Against Radical Islam (HRCARI), an apex body of 35 organizations comprising Jewish, Christian, Hindu and Sikh groups, staged a demonstration and marched at Times Square May 11, close to the spot where PakistaniAmerican Faisal Shazad had attempted to plant a car bomb. The damp, cold and cloudy weather in the City did not deter the demonstrators who carried loud and graphic placards depicting victims of terrorist acts in countries across the world, as they attracted passersby to listen to the 20+ leaders from different communities who addressed the rally. Charles Jacobs, a board member of the HRCARI and a writer

for The Jewish Advocate in Boston said, "Our purpose here today is two-fold. We are here to send a clear message to the press and politicians who have intentionally obfuscated the nature of this most recent terrorist attempt by not labeling the enemy as radical Islam and acquiescing to political correctness. We are also here to educate the public about the pernicious agenda of those radical Islamists who would love nothing more than to obliterate our cherished values of democracy, freedom and liberty." "The Western world is mired in self-doubt and self-guilt that has been imposed upon us by those post-modern forces on the

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;21st century Nazism is now tantamount to radical Islam,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; said Andrew Upton, a board member of HRCARI. "There is someone here today holding a sign saying, 'Queers Against Radical Islam'. We applaud this person for spotlighting the fact that gays and lesbians are considered worthy of death in Islamic countries as are women who are consistently victims of honor murders by male family members for attempting to divorce their husbands

women who are consistently victims of honor murders by male family members for attempting to divorce their husbands, for being raped, for not allowing themselves to be party to forced marriages and for purported violations of Sharia law," he said. Narain Kataria, co-founder of HRCARI said that the group believes Faisal Shazad might have been recruited by Lashkar-eToiba (LeT), a terrorist organization supported by Pakistan's spy agency ISI. "LeT has 21 branches all over the world including USA," he said. "David Headley, an American citizen of Pakistani origin and Tahawwur Husain Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin,

arrested by FBI in Chicago, architects of Mumbai terrorist attack, were LeT operatives." He further said that Pakistan was the root cause of terrorism. "Pakistan is not only the den of Jihadists but also a nursery of terrorism. Pakistan produces every year half a million Talibans from Islamic religious schools (madrasas), out of which 10,000 students become hardcore dangerous jihadists." "The aim of radical Islam is to dominate the entire world, subjugate all of us, cause death and destruction and plant Islamic flag in Jerusalem, Washington, London, and New Delhi," said Arish Sahani, Vice President of Indian American Intellectuals Forum.

India gifts an endowment and a fellowship to Columbia University India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The Government of India has gifted the endowment of the B.R. Ambedkar Professorship, a chair devoted to Indian Constitutional Law, and a fellowship named after Professor Jagdish Bhagwati, both at Columbia Law School in New York, recently. The gifts were formally announced April 1 by Meera Shankar, India's ambassador to the US, during an appearance at the Law School to speak about democracy and pluralism in India. "This initiative adds an important dimension to Columbia University's long and illustrious association with India," Amb. Shankar said. David M. Schizer, Dean and Lucy G. Moses Professor of Law, noted it was essential that the Law School develop greater expertise about India. "In the 21st Century, India will play an increasingly important role as the world's most populous democracy. India's economic influence is also growing

rapidly," Dean Schizer said. "From India, the world has much to learn about pluralistic democracy and about successful economic development in a democratic system." Ambedkar received an M.A. from Columbia University in 1915, and a Ph.D. in 1927. He died in 1956. "At Columbia we have both a deep intellectual history and a thriving contemporary engagement in India across many academic fields," said Lee C. Bollinger, President, Columbia University; Professor of Law. "What is most important about the new Ambedkar Chair and Bhagwati Fellowship is that they are not simply powerful examples of this history but of a Columbia future that reflects a truly global perspective on law and society. We are deeply grateful for the generous gifts that have made this commitment possible." The first Ambedkar professor is Akhil R. Amar, a visiting professor and constitutional scholar from Yale Law School. "It's humbling because this chair is a con-

nection between India and America and that connection has a lot of meaning to me personally," Amar said. When I told my dad about all of this, tears came into his eyes. When he was born, India was a British colony. It achieved its independence under

The gifts were formally announced April 1 by Meera Shankar, India's ambassador to the US, during an appearance at the Law School to speak about democracy and pluralism in India Gandhi and Ambedkar and that's his life story." India will also underwrite the Jagdish Bhagwati Fellowship, which will fund a minimum of two Law School fellows per year. Preference

shall be given to students who are residents of India and are interested in performing work and research in international trade, trade law, public interest law, and human rights. Bhagwati, one of the world's best-known economists, is University Professor at Columbia University and a Senior Fellow in International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations. Bhagwati is widely regarded as the intellectual father of Indian economic reforms that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has led, which have transformed India into a rapidly growing force on the world stage. Columbia University has recognized his achievements by founding the Jagdish Bhagwati Chair in Indian Political Economy, now occupied by economist Arvind Panagariya. The acceleration of India's growth rate has also had a substantial impact on poverty, which has been Bhagwati's principal concern since he began his career in 1961 in the Indian Planning Commission. His writings on de-

mocracy, secularism and religious freedom, have led to acclaim beyond the world of economics for Bhagwati and complement the achievements of Ambedkar regarding social justice in India. Among his many awards is the Padma Vibhushan, India's secondhighest civilian honor. "I feel flattered," Bhagwati said of the fellowship. "There is something in being recognized, not just by economic peers, but also by your own country. I feel very happy about that." Further to the launch of the "Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Lecture" at Columbia University last year, Dr. Ambedkar International Mission U.S.A set up the Dr. Ambedkar Lecture 2010 at Columbia University on May 8. The free event was a combination of semi-academic lectures and community-related activities and had participation by Dr. Ambedkar followers from all over the country, especially from Virginia, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

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7 Indian Americans conferred Ellis Medal India Post News Service

Dr. Hemant Patel

Americans who exemplify outstanding qualities in both their personal and professional lives, while continuing to preserve the richness of their particular heritage. Among the Indian American honorees this year are Rao S. Anumolu, Dr. Hemant Patel, Dr. Prasad Srinivasan, Kannappa Ramanandan, Sudhir K. Gupta, Suraj P. Bhatia and Shekhar Mitra. Rao S Anumolu is founder of

ASR International Corporation in Long Island, New York, a high technology company providing Engineering, Information Technology, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain Management Support Services to global Fortune 1000 companies, Prime Defense contractors and government agencies. Anumolu is also the only Indian to have been cited by the US Congress for the contributions made by him and ASR International Corporation towards homeland security in USA. Dr. Hemant Patel, a former president of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), worked towards bringing the physicians of both India and the US together on a common platform and that resulted in the first Indo-US Healthcare Summit in New Delhi. Suraj P. Bhatia, founder of Technology Consultants Service International, an information technology consulting firm, is also involved in many civic and humanitarian endeavors. Prior to founding TCSI, Bhatia held senior management positions in IBM U.S. and IBM Latin America headquarters. Sudhir K. Gupta, is vice president of operations at Lockheed Martin Systems and recipient of countless awards and honors for his contributions to the field of engineering and science. He has held technical and management assignments in engineering, business operations, business development, operations and program management on commer-

Dr. Prasad Srinivasan

Among the Indian American honorees this year are Rao S. Anumolu, Dr. Hemant Patel, Dr. Prasad Srinivasan, Kannappa Ramanandan, Sudhir K. Gupta, Suraj P. Bhatia and Shekhar Mitra cial, military and classified programs, including the stealth ship, Sea Shadow, featured in the James Bond movie - Tomorrow Never Dies. He is frequently solicited as a motivational speaker for minority professionals. Kappanna Ramanandan is president & CEO of Hydrox Labs, Illinois, a 97year old company, which he bought in 1981. The company now manufactures about 50 products. Hydrox Laboratories is a contract filler of beauty and medical products. The

company does customized blending and filling sizes and private labels and has the unique distinction of being one of the oldest continuously-running manufacturing companies in the United States. Dr. Prasad Srinivasan, chairman, Community Health Advisory Committee, Public Health Foundation of Connecticut, has diverse interests and accomplishments in medical, professional, intercultural, and inter-religious organizations. In his position in Public Health Foundation in Connecticut, he is addressing critical public health issues such as obesity, distracted driving and The Healthy Start Initiative. He is also a member of Public Health Committee, Connecticut State Medical Society and chairman of the Membership Committee, Hartford County Medical Association. Dr. Srinivasan is the founder of Free Public Health Clinic for Uninsured patients in the Hartford, CT area. He has also established the Prasad Family Foundation which provides scholarships for higher education. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees and has created a successful collaboration with the Malta House of Care, in order to bring medical services to Hartford's uninsured and underinsured patients. Dr. Shekhar Mitra is vice president (Research and Development) at Proctor & Gamble. Upon completing a Jane Coffin Medical Research Fellowship at Yale Univer-

sity, he joined P&G in 1984 in the Company's Oral Care business, working on the industry leading Crest brand. Throughout his career, Dr. Mitra has focused on improving consumers' lives through game-changing branded innovation, both here in the US and in developed and developing markets around the globe. He has been awarded over 50 patents spanning multiple categories in health and beauty. Dr. Mitra is recognized inside and outside P&G as a connector

Shekhar Mitra

of ideas, people and opportunities and as an enabling leader who cares deeply about both people and business results. He has maintained and supported his ethnic identity and passionately advocated for diverse communities through personal and professional development, most recently demonstrated by his role in the founding of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers.

Ramesh offers to resign, PM turns it down NEW DELHI: Union Minister Jairam Ramesh offered to resign following his controversial remarks against Home Ministry for allegedly stalling some Chinese imports but Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has turned it down, PMO sources said. Environment Minister Ramesh had offered his resignation on Monday night after he had reportedly said in Beijing that the Home Ministry and the security establishment were being "alarmist and paranoid" when it came to Chinese companies wanting to do business in India, raising a storm. PMO sources said Ramesh's offer to put in his papers has been turned down by the Prime Minister. Strongly disapproving of his remarks, the Prime Minister and the Congress had reprimanded him even as the Opposition BJP had demanded action against him for the "highly objectionable" comments.

Apparently sensing trouble, Ramesh had tried to clarify his statement in a letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister soon after his return from Beijing on Monday but it failed to cut ice.

Strongly disapproving of his remarks, the Prime Minister and the Congress had reprimanded him even as the Opposition BJP had demanded action against him for the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;highly objectionableâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; comments Home Minister P Chidambaram had written a strongly-worded letter to Singh, expressing unhappiness over his Cabinet colleague's

remarks that his ministry had an "alarmist" approach towards Chinese investments and was putting "needless" restrictions on these. After receiving letters from Chidambaram and Ramesh, Singh had spoken to Ramesh and told him that he should not have commented on functioning of other ministries. Singh had told Ramesh it was "advisable for Cabinet colleagues not to make comments on the functioning of other ministries, especially with regard to relationship with important neighbors like China," according to PMO sources. "There is no confusion in our policies towards China and we continue to strive for constructive engagement with Beijing," Singh had told Ramesh. Ramesh had earlier met Chidambaram and is said to have clarified the context of his statement.-PTI

Indian Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh comes out from Prime MinisterĂs house after a Cabinet meeting in New Delhi on May 13

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USINPAC denounces anti-India campaign ad in Arkansas India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The US-India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) has strongly denounced an "offensive and divisive" political advertisement by the organization Americans for Job Security (AJS). "The unfortunate ad being aired during the Arizona Democratic Primary race, as well as the anti-outsourcing campaign by Friends of Blanche Lincoln, demean Americans of Indian descent and misrepresent global commerce that is vital for American jobs and prosperity. Incumbent US Senator Blanche Lincoln is running in the Arkansas Democratic primary against Gov. Bill Halter. USINPAC urges the AJS as well as the supporters of Senator Lincoln to halt this negative and hateful message immediately," a statement of USINPAC said. "These are tough economic times which have resulted in a heated and contentious political debate. But as President Obama has stated several times, words do matter. We hope the Senate aspir-

ants of his party pay heed to his message" advised Sanjay Puri, Chairman of USINPAC. "The ugly caricature of Indians in the ad is an insult to all Indians,

The ad in question shows purported residents of Bangalore (people sporting Indian clothes and heavy accents) with images depicting India such as the Taj Mahal in the background, thanking Governor Bill Halter for outsourcing American jobs to India and comes at a delicate time when it is in our interest in the USA to forge strong bonds with India to thwart threats to our National Security from Asia" said Kersy

Dastur, Senior Advisor to USINPAC and co author of US National Security and US-India Strategic Relations. "Negative and divisive messages harm the unity in diversity that is the foundation of America. Increasing sustainable employment is a universal goal for all Americans. USINPAC urges Americans for Job Security (AJS) to remove its harmful ad immediately, and invites all groups, including the AJS, to work with us to accomplish this important objective," the statement said. The ad in question shows purported residents of Bangalore (people sporting Indian clothes and heavy accents) with images depicting India such as the Taj Mahal in the background, thanking Governor Bill Halter for outsourcing American jobs to India. The ad says: "Bill Halter off-shored American jobs to Bangalore, India while our economy struggledâ&#x20AC;ŚWhile American families struggle, Bangalore says, "Thanks Bill Halter."

May 21, 2010

Romila Thapar to receive hony. degree from Brown University India Post News Service

NEW YORK: At the Brown University's 242nd Commencement exercises at the end of this month, the Ivy League institution will confer an honorary degree on Romila Thapar, professor emeritus of ancient Indian history at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, India. Thapar, a world-renowned scholar who has revolutionized the study of early Indian history, will receive at Doctor of Humane Letters. Nelson Mandela and six other candidates will also receive honorary degrees from Brown this year. Honorary degrees are awarded by the University's Board of Fellows and are conferred by the University president - in English and in Latin - during Commencement exercises on the College Green. Thapar's research, which used as sources a variety of ancient texts in their original languages, challenged the colonial framework that had oversimplified previous accounts of Indian history. As a public intellectual, Thapar has criticized incomplete portray-

als of Indian history and has shaped the thinking of subsequent generations of scholars. She received her doctorate from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London University, in 1958. Thapar is the author or coauthor of 15 books, including Asoka and the Decline of the Mauryas (1961), A History of In-

Romila Thapar

dia, Vol. 1 (1966), Ancient Indian Social History: Some Interpretations (1984), and Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300 (2003). Thapar is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and in 2008 was awarded the Kluge Prize for lifetime achievement in the field of history.

Bill Gates' night out in Amethi AMETHI (Uttar Pradesh): For Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, it was a night out with the people of a remote village in Amethi, the Lok Sabha constituency of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The world's richest man, who was on a two-day tour to highprofile constituency, held a "chaupal" (community meeting) at night with the residents of Gurtholia village, sitting under a Neem tree. After a hectic day, which included long meetings with members of the women self-help groups and visit to hospital and health camps, Gates along with Rahul sneaked out of their guest house in Mushiganj and reached Gurtholia village in Shahgarh block. As the village was sans electricity, small battery operated lamps were used to illuminate the place where Rahul and Gates were to hold the chaupal. The interactive session, which went on for nearly two hours, began with the Congress leader and the Microsoft Chairman taking their "seat" on a mud platform. During the interaction, Gates and Rahul asked the menfolk how they felt as their women counterparts had started saving money through groups. At times Rahul doubled up as

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates (R) and IndiaĂs Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi are seen during a visit to an eye testing camp organised at Shahgarh Block of Amethi on May 11

a translator for Gates. Though a community dinner was organized by the group, the duo left the place after the meeting. "It was an exhilarating experience for us. We told them about our self-help group and in turn they asked us to maintain our unity. They also talked about

NREGA, the flagship rural job guarantee program," Savitri Devi said. "We are thankful to Rahul that he brought Gates to us. We offered him whatever we had to eat," another villager, Bindra Prasad Pathak, said. After British Foreign Secretary

David Miliband's visit to Amethi in January last year, this was the second high-profile visit to the constituency, represented four times by Rajiv Gandhi. . Many of the villagers did not know the name of the "gora saheb", but they knew that their guest from abroad was "the rich-

est man" from America. After suggesting rural folks to adopt computers and giving an assurance to them to try his best to develop the area as an IT hub, Gates left Amethi. Miliband had spent a night along with Rahul in a ramshackle hut belonging to Shivkumari Kori, a poor Dalit, at Simara village in Amethi during his visit. Prior to Gates, his wife Melinda, co-founder of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, had visited Rae Bareli, the Lok Sabha constituency represented by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, in March. Before leaving for Delhi, Rahul visited the village of Vinod Yadav, one of the CRPF jawans killed in the deadliest Maoist attack in Dantewada last month. During his stay with the Yadav's family in Manikapur village in Sangrampur block, he enquired about the well being of his widow Savitri Devi. Rahul assured the family of full support from the central government and promised a job for the slain jawan's brother. Before wrapping up his twoday visit, Rahul met the family members of Congressman Rajjan Shukla, who was shot dead in Juhipur village on May 4 allegedly by BSP workers. -PTI

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Indian Muslims worse off than backward caste Hindus: Salman Khurshid SRIREKHA CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Muslims in India today are worse off than the many scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and other backward castes among Hindus, according to India's Union Minister for Minority and Corporate Affairs, Salman Khurshid. The minister, who was in the US on invitation to address a conference at Brown University, met with the media in New York prior to delivering the Distinguished Persons Lecture on 'Muslims in Contemporary India' at the Indian Consulate on May 10. Khurshid was trying to make a case for the Government of India's decision to include an individual's caste in the Census data, as also to throw light on the status of Muslims as a minority community in the country and whether they need reservations. Reservations in India were not between the majority and minority communities but between the many minorities within the majority Hindu community. Responding to a question from this Correspondent the minister conceded that the inability to have the minorities assimilated into the mainstream despite decades of reservations was a collective failure on part of the country's political leadership. He however, felt there was nothing wrong with vote bank politics.

Muslims in contemporary India should be viewed in a historic perspective beginning the Mutiny of 1857 against the British to the Partition in 1947, the 50 years of confusion rather than rebuilding that ensued post Independence and more recent history of the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition, communal riots in Bombay,

The Government of India has now marked out 90 minority-concentrated districts across the country - districts with more than 25 percent minorities - for various empowerment programs from academic scholarships to employment reservations. A significant development in the country is the move to set up

strument of social empowerment," he said. Yet another significant development has been the Waqf (Muslim charitable trust) Amendment Bill passed by the Lok Sabha on the last day of the last Parliamentary session last month, Khurshid said. "This will unleash and unlock thousands of acres of Waqf

Khurshid was trying to make a case for the Government of India's decision to include an individual's caste in the Census data, as also to throw light on the status of Muslims as a minority community in the country and whether they need reservations and the Gujarat riots. Khurshid also said the vast majority of Indian Muslims took to education imparted by the Islamic madrasas because of poverty and a lack of alternative schools. "But now we are keen that the madrasas take up courses of general education like sciences and the arts," he said.

Salman Khurshid

an Equal Opportunity Commission that will give the next generation of welfare structure that goes beyond reservations into a broader spectrum of affirmative action directed towards deprived communities, Khurshid informed. "This is a far sighted and courageous posture by the Government of India to give such an in-

properties that can be released for the benefit of the community. Waqf activities will also be completely computerized, the minister said, which is reflective of the changing attitude of assimilating the minorities into the mainstream, especially the Muslims. The current structure for the management of the estimated

300,000 registered Waqfs across India includes the presence of Waqf Boards in every Indian state, managed by a Central Waqf Board with a Central Waqf Council acting in an apex advisory capacity. All these bodies are constituted under a Department of Waqf of the Government of India. On the inclusion of caste in the census data, Khurshid said, caste has not been part of the census data since 1931 in keeping with the country's commitment towards becoming a casteless and classless society, "but a lot has changed since then," Khurshid said as India was moving towards becoming a welfare society of sorts. "It is not a regressive moveâ&#x20AC;Ś we have thought about it, resisted it but finally realized it was a rational thing to do," he stressed. The entire reservations structure has to be based on more reliable evidence of the population structure of our country," he elaborated. "We feel that it is not totally reflective of the population. The argument was that taking practical realities in the country should be considered because public representation programs are already based directly to reservation with a link to castes." The silver lining, Khurshid said, was that specifying caste in the census data will help reassess and eliminate communities that no longer need benefits.

Miliband to contest for Labor leadership LONDON: David Miliband, former British Foreign Secretary became the first senior Labor figure to throw his hat into the ring for the vacant Labor leadership after Gordon Brown stepped down. Setting out his stall to replace Brown, who stepped down owning responsibility for the poll debacle in the recent general election, 44-year-old Miliband said that the party had to be ready to return to power. Announcing his candidacy, Miliband said: "The decision of the Liberal Democrats to join a Conservative Government is a momentous one. It creates an enormous responsibility for the Labor Party, revitalized in the right way, to represent all shades of progressive opinion and present itself as an alternative government that is the task in front of us." "We must renew but we must

British opposition Labour PartyĂs former Foreign Secretary David Miliband (C) announces his intention to stand for Leader of the Labor Party, outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, central London, on May 12

be ready for government. We live in a new political world, and the responsibility of office may return sooner than people might think. I am standing because I believe I can lead Labor to rebuild itself as the great reforming champion of social and economic change in this country." Miliband was a close ally of Tony Blair, former prime minister from the first days of New Labor, working for him in opposition from 1994 and heading the No 10 policy unit during his first term in power. Even before he became an MP, he was a key figure in reshaping the party's agenda,

nicknamed "Brains" by Alastair Campbell, former communications director of Tony Blair, for his powerful intellect and mastery of policy detail - and compared to Wayne Rooney by Blair for his political talent. Parachuted into the safe seat of South Shields shortly before the 2001 election, Militant was minister within a year and joined the Cabinet in 2005, rising to become Environment secretary, where he put the issue of climate change firmly on the agenda for the first time. He was promoted again after Brown took over as Prime Minister in July 2007, becoming the youngest Foreign Secretary since David Owen in 1977. Miliband has already won the backing of key figures including Alan Johnson, the former Home Secretary to become party leader and is rated the odds-on favorite by bookmakers.-PTI

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Parveen Chopra conferred Liberty Bell award India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Supreme Court justice Ira Warshawsky, Chair of the Law Day 2010 Committee and Judge Susan Katz-Richman conferred upon Dr. Parveen Chopra the prestigious Liberty Bell Award at the Nassau County Bar Associations' annual function, at Mineola, New York, April 10. The Nassau County Bar Association is the largest suburban association in America with almost seven thousand very active attorneys. Dr. Chopra, a well known American Civil and Human Rights leader, is the first Asian American to be honored with this prestigious award in the presence of over fifty highly accomplished and acclaimed judges from US Federal courts, Supreme Courts, Criminal Courts, Family Courts, County Courts and various District Courts, and hundreds of powerful law firms that attended this function. The Liberty Bell Award honors an individual or organization whose community service advances and strengthens the American system of freedom under law. Dr. Chopra was the first Indian American on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States to be appointed as Commissioner of Human Rights in 1988 which he served for over 20 years in various positions. Dr. Chopra led the Human

Rights Commission to prepare rules of procedure for discrimination cases in housing matters to be followed by the judges and also lead the team to interview and select Housing Court Judges. Dr Chopra also had the rare distinction of working as Commissioner of Planning simultaneously

(1987-1988) in the Tri-state, he mobilized the Indian American community against racial violence in Jersey City. He also led the Indian students, engineers and professors before the entire Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Asst. Secretary of Education

Supreme Court justice Ira Warshawsky, and Judge Susan Katz-Richman conferring upon Dr. Parveen Chopra the prestigious Liberty Bell Award

from 1996 to 2002 improving the quality of life of 1.3 million Americans. He was part of the team that prepared the master plan for the development of Nassau County, one of the top five richest counties of America. During his presidency of Federation of Indian Associations

in Washington D.C. to protest against the quota system for admission to Ivy League Schools, and glass ceilings faced by engineers and professors at that time. At the award function, Supreme Court Justice Ira Warshawsky said, "It is evident that your dedication to commu-

'Terrorism, Kashmir should be on top priority' ISLAMABAD: As India and Pakistan gear up for a meeting of their foreign ministers to nudge forward the bilateral peace process, the two sides will have to focus on key issues like terrorism and Kashmir and put in place new confidence-building measures, the Pakistani media said here. While tackling the menace of terrorism is necessary to prevent another Mumbai-like incident that could stall the peace process, Pakistan needs to focus on the trial of suspects linked to the carnage in the Indian financial hub that claimed 166 lives in November 2008, leading newspapers said. During a telephone conversation, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Indian counterpart S M Krishna agreed to meet in Islamabad on July 15 for talks. Their meeting will be preceded by talks between Indian Home

Minister P Chidambaran and his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik and the two Foreign Secretaries on June 26. The News daily, in its editorial "Pakistan-India talks, noted that Qureshi had said "terrorism will figure as a key issue in the talks". It further said: "We know this is essential. If the matter is not tackled we run the risk of seeing another episode, such as that in 2008, throwing the dialogue effort into a nosedive." "To avoid this, the question of militancy needs to be dealt with. The matter of Kashmir stands at the centre of this," it added. The News said that while it might not be possible to immediately open talks on the Kashmir dispute, both countries "would do well to keep in mind that moving towards a resolution is essential to lasting peace. Necessary confidence-building measures may

be adopted ahead of broaching the Kashmir issue, but in the final analysis it is this region which acts to generate militancy." The influential Dawn newspaper, in an editorial titled "A fresh start", said improving relations seems to be on the minds of both countries for the first time since the Mumbai attacks and "India and Pakistan must seize whatever opportunities that come their way to put their volatile relationship on firmer footing". It also listed two opportunities that could set the stage for a "real breakthrough" during the meeting of the foreign ministers in July. One was the meetings between the interior ministers and foreign secretaries in June and the other was action by Pakistan "to inject new life" into the trial by an anti-terrorism court of seven suspects linked to the Mumbai attacks. -PTI

nity service and championing of civil rights for so many groups make you the kind of person for whom such an award is intended." While accepting the award Dr. Chopra said the award has its roots in the Declaration of Independence whose chief author was President Thomas Jefferson who

Dr. Chopra has five graduate degrees with honors and top ranks from prestigious universities and an MBA and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the City University of New York and has taught over five thousand BBA and MBA and doctoral students at Hofstra, LIU, Fordham, Rutgers, Kean and Stevens Institute of Technology on July 4, 1776 declared, "We hold these truths to be self evident. That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and pursuit of happiness." Dr. Chopra said it was the honorable judges and police officers

with the support of members of the bar that uphold the civil rights of a common man in America on a daily basis. "It is because of this liberty, freedom of action, right to speech, right of assembly, right not to be discriminated based on age, sex, race, color, creed, marital status, national origin and disability as well as right to equality of opportunity that has made this nation of ours a magnet country in the world," he said. Judge Susan Katz Richman praised the work done by Dr. Chopra and said that she has never come across a person who has done so much for others in his life. Dr. Chopra has five graduate degrees with honors and top ranks from prestigious universities and an MBA and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the City University of New York and has taught over five thousand BBA and MBA and doctoral students at Hofstra, LIU, Fordham, Rutgers, Kean and Stevens Institute of Technology. He was admitted to the Academy of Management USA in 1976. For his decades of human and civil rights activism in America, Dr. Chopra has previously been conferred with several distinguished honors including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2005, Dr. Martin Luther King Award for 2005 and distinguished community service award by the One Hundred Blackmen Inc. in 2003, among others.

Krishna to visit Pak on July 15; FS on June 26 NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD: External Affairs Minister S M Krishna will visit Islamabad on July 15 for talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi to bridge the trust deficit and work out modalities for carrying forward the dialogue process. Prior to this meeting, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao will meet her counterpart Salman Bashir in Islamabad on June 26 on the sidelines of the SAARC Home Ministers' meeting. She will accompany Home Minister P Chidambaram for the SAARC meet. The two Foreign Secretaries will finalize the agenda for the KrishnaQureshi meeting. The decision on the July 15 meeting was taken during a 25minute telephonic conversation between Krishna and Qureshi who described their upcoming talks as "an important step forward" in bilateral ties. The Pakistani minister, who

made the call, extended the invitation to Krishna who said he looked forward to the talks. "The Foreign Minister of Pakistan has invited me to visit Islamabad on July 15. So I am planning to visit Islamabad for my talks with Foreign Minister Qureshi," he told reporters. "I am looking forward to these talks and let us hope that these talks will help in bringing our countries closer together ... let us hope that our efforts will be fruitful," he said. Krishna said he and Qureshi will work out the methodology to carry forward the dialogue between the two countries so that all outstanding issues could be discussed in an atmosphere of "mutual trust". He said the Prime Ministers of both the countries had after their meeting in Thimpu last month asked the Foreign Ministers and Foreign Secretaries to meet as soon as possible and discuss ways to reduce "trust deficit". -PTI

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US assures not to abandon Afghanistan post 2012 WASHINGTON: Insisting that recent tensions between the two governments were "overstated", US President Barack Obama has moved to mend fences with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai stating that America will not cut out and run from the nation. Reassuring Karzai that US will not abandon Afghanistan after its proposed troop withdrawal next year; Obama gave the Afghan President an effusive welcome at the White House saying that the two nations shared a common objective of eliminating terrorism. Obama's conciliatory remarks were apparently aimed at ending months of sniping between Washington and Kabul and Karzai on his part said that frankness would only contribute to strengthening relations between the two countries. "There are moments when we speak frankly to each other, and that frankness will only contribute to the strength of the relationship," the Afghan President said at the joint White House press conference. Referring to situation in Afghanistan, Obama said, "The war will get worse, before its gets better", adding that the next few months would see more intensified fighting, in an apparent refer-

US President Barack Obama(R) speaks during a press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai May 12

ence to the upcoming major offensive in the Kandahar province, the birth place of Taliban. To complaints of Karzai that US and NATO forces air strikes were killing innocents and making enemies of those who might be friends, the US President said "Washington has taken extraordinary measures to avoid civilian deaths in the war." "I do not want civilians killed," Obama said. President Barack Obama and Karzai agreed to sign a new US-

Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Declaration by the end of the year that would replace the existing of that of 2005. Earlier at a joint White House press availability, with Karzai, Obama said there are going to be tensions in such a complicated, difficult environment and in a situation in which, on the ground, both Afghans and Americans are making enormous sacrifices. "We've had very frank discussions. And President Karzai agrees with me, that we can't win

'Cancer' of terrorism main threat to Pak: Obama Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United States WASHINGTON: Warning that extremists pose a serious threat to Pakistan's sover- and the international community should all eignty, US President Barack Obama has said be working to reduce the influence of exIslamabad has realized that it is not India tremists in those regions, Obama said. "I am actually encouraged by what I've but the "cancer" of terrorism emanating from its own territory that is its primary concern. seen from the Pakistani government over the "I think there has been in the past a view last several months. But just as it's going to on the part of Pakistan that their primary ri- take some time for Afghanistan's economy, val, India, was their only concern," Obama for example, to fully recover from 30 years of war, it's going to take said at a joint press consome time for Pakistan, ference with visiting AfObama praised the even where there is a will, ghan President Hamid recent steps taken by to find a way in order to Karzai here. effectively deal with "I think what you've Pakistan against exthese extremists in areas seen over the last several tremist elements inside that are fairly loosely months is a growing rec- the country. governed from ognition that they have Islamabad." a cancer in their midst; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;You know, part of what Obama praised the rethat the extremist orga- I've been encouraged cent steps taken by Panizations that have been by is Pakistan's willingkistan against extremist allowed to congregate ness to start asserting elements inside the and use as a base the more control over some country. frontier areas to then go "You know, part of into Afghanistan -- that of these areasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; what I've been encournow threatens Pakistan's sovereignty," Obama said in re- aged by is Pakistan's willingness to start asserting more control over some of sponse to a question. He said his administration's goal is to these areas, but it's not going to happen break down some of the old suspicions and overnight. "And, you know, they have been taking the old bad habits and continue to work with the Pakistani government to see their inter- enormous casualties, the Pakistani military est in a stable Afghanistan which is free from has been going in fairly aggressively, but this will be an ongoing project," he said.-PTI foreign meddling.

through a military strategy alone; that we're going to have to make sure that we have effective governance, capacity-building, economic development in order for us to succeed," he said. "Our job is to be a good friend and to be frank with President Karzai in saying, "Here's where we think we've got to put more effort. Noting that the US-Afghan relationship is real, and not imaginary, Karzai said: "It's based on some very hard and difficult realities. We are in a campaign against

terrorism together. There are days that we are happy. There are days that we are not happy. It's a mutual relationship toward a common objective." Acknowledging that there have been days when the two countries have had a difference of opinion, he said that would continue to remain in the future. "But the relationship between the two governments and the two nations is strong and well-rooted, and has endured the past 10 years of extreme activity on both sides," he said. "So I believe what you saw in the past few months is reflective of a deep and strong relationship. A joint statement issued by the two leaders said, "The strengthened Strategic Partnership Declaration is expected to: reiterate the United States' and Afghanistan's shared vision and commitment to Afghanistan's future; clarify how Afghanistan plans to increasingly take on responsibility for its own security, justice, and development." The partnership declaration will also articulate how the United States plans to work with Afghanistan to enhance its ability to contribute to regional stability and prosperity. -PTI

Desi News Rutgers students hold Hinduism seminar India Post News Service

NEW JERSEY: The Rutgers chapter of the Hindu Students Council (HSC) organized its first Hinduism Seminar at the Busch Campus Center in New Jersey, recently. The seminar's goal was to teach students about some of the basic philosophical and cultural ideas found in Hinduism. Swapnil Patel, the chapter's Vice President and one of the seminar organizers, commented: "This seminar helped me better understand Hinduism and how it's not just another religion but it is also full of spiritual teachings to improve our way of life." Details on page 13

Enthralling Hasya Ras Kavi Sammelan KRISHNA RAJ

CHICAGO: Poets from India enthralled the audience for about three hours at the Hasya Ras Kavi Sammelan organized recently by the UP Association at the Hinsdale Community House, Hinsdale, a west side Chicago suburb. The three outstanding poets from India were Mahendra Ajnabi, Aash Karan Atal and Arun Gemini. They kept the audience spellbound with their recent outstanding poetry filled satire and comedy. Details on page 16

Sunil Shah's work earns him national award KRISHNA RAJ

CHICAGO: Sunil Shah, a front ranking Indian community activist, added a feather in his cap when he was crowned with 'Be a Leader Award' during New York Life Insurance Company's 2010 National Cultural conference held in Las Vegas. Praising and appreciating Sunil Shah for the 2009 Life Case Leader Award in the Asian Indian Cultural Market, Jan Conti. Details on page 20

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Summit seeks solutions to Sikh American issues India Post News Service

NEW YORK: : In a week long series of meetings with lawmakers, Sikh organizations and community leaders engaged United States Senators and Members of Congress in a dialogue about issues that most affect Sikhs in the country. The 2010 Sikh Summit was organized by United Sikhs as part of their ongoing advocacy projects to protect Sikh civil and human rights. Issues presented to legislators included hate and bias crimes, verbal harassment, and general xenophobia, misidentification and watch-list issues, employment discrimination, TSA and Photo-Identification issues, a separate count of Sikhs in Census, the safety of Sikhs in Pakistan, and the right to turban in France and Belgium. The Sikh Summit was a way for leaders of the Sikh community and Sikh organizations across the United States to gather on Capitol Hill and express their concerns to Senators, Congress persons and members of government thinktanks. Sikh delegations were warmly received by representatives who lent an attentive ear to their concerns, and offered their support for issues such as discriminatory practices during air travel, injustices faced in form of xenophobia like hate crimes, bullying in schools etc, and procuring a separate code for Sikhs in future Census and American Community Surveys. Issues related to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) like Sikhs being singled out for additional screening or incorrectly detained due to mistaken

Sikh American Community at the 2010 Sikh Summit

identity, watch list issues and lack of follow up on redress procedures gained considerable support among lawmakers. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren sympathized with the plight of Sikhs discriminated at airports and detained dur-

ing for Sikhs in airports and lack of due process on TRIP complaints, and have offered assistance in furthering dialogue with TSA and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Another issue that garnered

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren sympathized with the plight of Sikhs discriminated at airports and detained during international travel ing international travel. Congressman John Garamendi agreed that there is a training issue, and lack of consistency in how these concerns are handled across airports. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's office and Senator Joe Lieberman shared the concern about arbitrary target-

encouragement was counting of Sikhs in Census. United Sikhs is part of a nationwide campaign to receive a separate code to count Sikhs in national surveys. Congressman Xavier Becerra agrees that having a disaggregated number is important to be able to pro-

vide adequate services to the population, and Congresswoman Judy Chu's office offered immediate assistance to get a separate code for Sikhs in upcoming American Community Surveys. Congresswoman Yvette Clark remarked she was "100% supportive of the issue." Among delegates were representatives from California, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC and Washington (State) who brought their own viewpoints and concerns from their respective communities to discussions with lawmakers from their own particular regions. Sahib Kaur, a college student from Virginia, said, "Growing up in this country as an American, I would like to be part of the norm, than be the exception to the rule." Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 17

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Rutgers students hold Hinduism seminar India Post News Service

ronmental Protection, highlighted some of the basic beliefs and ideas about Hinduism in his presentation "What is Hinduism?" Dr. Chaudhary stressed that Hindus don't worship false idols. Rather, its multitude "Gods and Goddesses" are iconic and symbolic representations of the One Cosmic Reality. Dr. V. Swaminathan, a disciple of Swami Dayananda Saraswati of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, gave a talk on "The Bhagwad Gita's Message to the Youth". Dr. M. G. Prasad, author

‘This seminar helped me better understand Hinduism and how it's not just another religion but it is also full of spiritual teachings to improve our way of life’ it's not just another religion but it is also full of spiritual teachings to improve our way of life." On a rainy Sunday, over 30 students and community members gathered at The Cove for the six hour seminar, a report on the HSC website says. Anshu Trikha, the chapter President, started the seminar by giving a brief overview about the chapter and the seminar. Thereafter, Dr. Ved Chaudhary, president of Educators' Society for the Heritage of India (ESHI) and Assistant Commissioner for finance and budget in the NJ Dept. of Envi-

of several books related to Hinduism and the founder of Taranga, an organization promoting arts and culture of India through dance, drama and publications in USA, gave a presentation on "Hinduism and Women". He shared insights on what the scriptures and various other sources say on women and clarified certain misconceptions of the way Hinduism depicts women. He shared an exhaustive list of famous Hindu women from the Vedic times to today, including Gargi, Ahalyabai, Sita, Draupadi, Keladi Chennamma, Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Jijabai and many others.

Board members of Rutgers HSC Chapter

He maintained that Hinduism has a highly developed and dedicated philosophy on the Devi, the female Goddess. Hinduism depicts divinity as both male and female and many Hindus worship the divine pairs of Shiva-Parvati, Vishnu-Lakshmi, Sita-Ram, Radha-Krishna, etc. Acknowledging certain issues when it came to Hindu women, Dr. Prasad said that every society has these problems and Hindus are not unique. After the presentation, the seminar switched gears and all the students divided into three teams (the Mauryas, the Guptas and the Cholas) to compete in an interactive and semi-automated "Hinduism Trivia" game, complete with buzzers and a game host. Nikunj Trivedi, member of HSC Board of

Trustees and a Rutgers alumnus, led the students through two rounds of questions on categories such as Symbolism, Epics, Hinduism in the West, Famous Hindus, Festivals, Rishis and Saints, Hinduism and Science and others. The day came to a close with a breathing and meditation session led by Krishna Venkataraman, a volunteer with the Omkar Foundation. Venkataraman also touched upon the concept of "witness consciousness" as a goal of meditation. According to him, the goal of meditation is to relax the thoughts of the mind in order to realize the witness consciousness, just as a person sitting in a movie theatre watches the movie but is not affected by it. Taking even 15 min-

utes a day to do these breathing exercises and meditation can tremendously improve students' hectic life and often conflicting priorities. It will also help students stay away from substance abuse related to alcohol, smoking and drugs, he said. The seminar ended with a short chanting of the Shanti (peace) mantra "Aum Sahana Vavatu…" and an announcement of board members for the new academic year. Dhruti Mehta, a sophomore student at Rutgers and a seminar attended was glad that HSC was putting on such events. "I had a lot of fun and I learned a lot playing Jeopardy. I liked seeing the students get really involved playing Jeopardy," she remarked. "It was interesting to listen to different speakers' takes on Hinduism. I learned more in-depth about Bhagavad-Gita and what you could do to find true happiness in life." HSC is a non-profit youth organization with chapters at over 55 universities in North America. Established in 1990, HSC is an international forum providing opportunities on college campuses to learn about Hindu heritage and culture; foster awareness of issues affecting Hindus; and provide Seva (service) to the community. HSC presents many opportunities for spiritual, professional, and personal development via campus study groups, seminars, lectures, workshops, conferences, and camps.

Telugu student killed in car accident; 5 injured India Post News Service

COLUMBUS, Ohio: Six Telugu students went to West Virginia and while coming back to Ohio their car met with an accident around 6:45 am on May 6 on Highway I-64 in Beckley city in West Virginia. Puneeth Reddy Amarella, who was driving, lost control of the car and collided with another car in the left lane. 21-year old Praneetha Devi Kasani got ejected from the car and died instantly. The other five were injured badly but are all out of danger. They will be discharged from hospital soon. Praneetha came to USA in December 2009 after completing her B. Tech from Hyderabad and enrolled in MS Electrical Engineering at Wright State University, Ohio. Praneetha is survived by one sister and parents who live in Hyderabad. Praneetha's father Mr. Ramarao Kasani works as a Circle Inspec-

tor of Police in Hyderabad, AP. Sashi Venkata Kondury (22), Harika

Puneeth Reddy Amarella, 22 yrs and Santosh Maddali are from University of

Praneetha is survived by one sister and parents who live in Hyderabad. Praneetha's father Mr. Ramarao Kasani works as a Circle Inspector of Police in Hyderabad, AP Puneeth Reddy Amarella

Vangeti (22), Pavan Kumar Ragavajhala (23), Praneetha Devi Kasani (21) are all from Wright State Ohio University and

Northern Virginia. Prasad Thotakura, TANA Executive Vice President, Mohan Nannapaneni,

TANA Secretary, Naren Kodali, TANA Trustee, Subba Rao Kolla, TANA Regional Director and several TANA Team Square volunteers including Dr. Rajendra Prasad Valiveti of West Virginia are working on the case. Rice State University of Ohio Indian Students Association President Raghu Bhagavatula, and other students like Rajesh Yarlagadda, Leela Krishna are helping in the situation. Parents of Praneetha and relatives are in great shock on hearing the news and Rama Rao Kasani father of Praneetha spoke with Prasad Thotakura and requested TANA to help in sending the body to Hyderabad as soon as possible. Thotakura said TANA hoped to complete all formalities and send the body to Hyderabad soon. Jayaram Komati, TANA President and all other Governing Board members of TANA offered their deepest condolences to Kasani family and prayed for the speedy recovery of all other injured.

Community Across America

India Post

May 21, 2010

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Bringing together scouts and spirituality SURESH BODIWALA

CHICAGO: Efforts by Shree Jalaram Mandir Youth to bring Boy Scouts and Vedic spirituality together peaked with the Youth Committee organizing Ten Commandment Hike at Shree Jalaram Mandir, Hoffman Estate on May 1.

ety of faiths and houses of worship that play important roles in their community. The Hike was planned to be an interfaith and cross-cultural event and develop a greater tolerance in their religious beliefs.

Jalaram Mandir Youth and Boy Scouts of America, Northwest Suburban Council, Pathfinder District

Schaumburg; Church of Christ, Schaumburg; St. Peter Lutheran Church, Schaumburg; Summit View Christian Church, Hoffman Estates; Shree Jalaram Mandir Hindu Temple, Hoffman Estates; Bethel Baptist Church,

Scouting and many different faith groups in Schaumburg and the surrounding suburbs. While at Jalaram Mandir (temple) the team was welcomed by the trustees and chief priest Acharya C. L. Shastri. In his wel-

The Ten Commandments Hike was an opportuJalaram Mandir Youth Back row: Pavan Thakkar, Amit Majithia. 2nd row: Darshan Thakkar, Pranjal Desai, Dhrumil Shah. Front row: Milap Thakkar, Kushal Thakkar, Yash Jayswal and Dhara Pat

On a warm and sunny May 1, over 40 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Ventures, Girl Scouts and their families hiked a 7.5 mile route in about six hours that visited ten community houses of worship. The Ten Commandments Hike was an opportunity to introduce youth and their families to a vari-

At each stop, participants received a brief tour of the church and heard a short presentation about that history and beliefs of that faith and God's Laws. Participating houses of worship included: St. Matthew Catholic Church, Schaumburg; Our Savior United Methodist Church,

nity to introduce youth and their families to a variety of faiths and houses of worship that play important roles in their community Schaumburg; Christ Community Mennonite Church, Schaumburg; Gospel Korean Presbyterian Church of Chicago, Schaumburg; and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Schaumburg. The Hike was a cooperative effort with

come address, he said that "The Ten Commandments" hike was an opportunity to introduce youth and their families to a variety of faiths and houses of worship that play important roles in their community. Shree Jalaram Mandir

Youth - Pavan Thakkar, Amit Majithia, Darshan Thakkar, Pranjal Desai, Dhrumil Shah, Milap Thakkar, Kushal Thakkar, Yash Jayswal, and Dhara Pate - sought to explain to Boy Scouts of America aspects of life in the Hindu Community - religion, culture, education, love, peace and humanity. The six hour hike met some requirements for Second Class Scout advancement and the BSA International Religious Award. Rajeshbhai Thakkar is youth coordinator of Shree Jalaram Mandir. The entire program was successfully accomplished with support from Trustees, members of Executive Board of Shree Jalaram Mandir, Volunteer Brothers and Sisters and New Generation youths - boys and girls born and brought up in America.

Bal Vihar raises funds for new facility ASHWIN PATEL & ISHITA SANGHVI

CHICAGO: Center for Indian Cultural Education, Bal Vihar of St. Louis, a non profit organization, recently celebrated its first ever Annual Gala Event at Lafayette High School in Ballwin, MO to raise $250,000 for new facility in near future. With the theme for this event "It takes a Village to raise a child", Bal Vihar - the children's school for 5-16 age group - focuses on fostering and preserving Indian cultural values among the community children of Asian Indian origin. This fun filled event to raise funds included the cultural performance by professionals from various parts of India and relate it to the Bal Vihar school curriculum. The organizers could raise a total of $ 50,000 and $3000 in auctions and aim to reach the goal of collecting $250,000. Besides providing excellent learning environment, the new location in Ballwin will allow the school to expand its class room offerings and increase the enroll-

L-R: Ms. Indu Shrimal, Senator Jane Cunningham, and President Dr. Brahmbhatt

ment, expand to teach other Indian languages, conduct summer programs for community volunteering, hold activities such as Yoga, student parent discussion and more. The President of the cultural school, Dr. Sudhir Brahmbhatt welcomed the 600 plus attendees of different ethnic background.

This fun filled event to raise funds included the cultural performance by professionals from various parts of India

L-R: Cultural team, Indu Shrimal, Kanal Patel, Ishita Sanghvi, Shoba Shekhar

The event was meant to recognize the support of contributors who are helping the school to meet its goal of $250,000 by end of April 2010. Sreenu Dandamudi, the State of Missouri Administrative Hearing Commissioner, introduced the chief guest of the event, State Senator Jane Cunningham. In her

speech, the Senator shared her own experience of instilling values in their children and the obstacles they faced in the school. She was excited learning about the vision and goals of the Center of Indian Cultural Educational School and its accomplishments. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 15

May 21, 2010

Community Across America

India Post 15

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Seniors of Chicago celebrate Mother's Day

Hindu groups welcome Kasab verdict

DR CHANDRAKANT MODI

Two senior couples honored at Mother's Day celebration by Indian Seniors

CHICAGO: Seniors Citizens of Indian origin in Chicagoland celebrated Mother's Day at Manav Seva Mandir in Bensenville, a Chicago suburb. Close to 170 members and guests attended the meet that also happened to be their monthly gathering. The meeting room was specially decorated in celebration of Mother's Day by volunteers including Manubhai Patel and Chimanbhai Patel. The meeting commenced with a traditional opening religious prayer, chanting of Hanuman Chalisa and a bhajan. A highlight of the meeting was a presentation on achievements of Gujarat State (a part of Indian Union) in the past 50 years of its establish-

ment. Bhailal Patel, a former FIA president, held the presentation and at the end the audience applauded with slogan of Jay Jay Garvi Gujarat. Chitranjan Desai was next speaker who gave income-expense report. Vice president Rasik Shah entertained crowd with

India Post News Service

jokes. This followed by recognition of wedding ceremony of Mahendra and Dipika Patel and Anant and Niru Raval by prayer from Kirit Bhatt. Bouquet of flowers to the couples were presented by Jashvant Sheth and Bhadra Shah. All seniors with their birthday in month of May were given Happy Birthday cards and a book. On behalf of the organization, Dahyabhai Prajapati recognized and honored Chairman of Manavseva Mandir Dr. Bharat Barai with a bouquet of flowers. The Food and Kitchen committee chairperson Madhuben Patel presented Dr. Panna Barai with flower bouquet. The appetizer, snack and the cost of DVDs were donated by Professor Anant Rawal and Shreemati Niruben Rawal.

Seniors attending monthly meet by Indian Seniors

NEW YORK: The United States Hindu Alliance (USHA) welcomed the verdict of the Mumbai Court that has announced death sentence to Ajmal Amir Kasab, one of the captured Pakistani Jihadi terrorists who took part in the worst terrorist attack in Indian history. The attack that resulted in the death of more than 166 innocent civilians, including children, from scores of countries, was one of the most widely televised terrorist attacks ever, USHA said in a statement. Hundreds of millions of people from around the world saw with their own eyes the brutal acts committed by the terrorists, including the lone captured attacker, Ajmal Amir Kasab. The victims included people of all major faiths (Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and Jews). Hence the verdict will be welcomed by all peace loving people around the world irrespective of their faith, it said. In summarizing the rationale behind the verdict, Judge M.L. Tahaliyani stated that "this man (Kasab) has lost the right to get any humanitarian relief. Keeping

him alive would be a constant danger to the Government and the State." "Every man who wages war against India forfeits his life to the Indian State" said the Judge in uncharacteristically blunt lan-

Hundreds of millions of people from around the world saw with their own eyes the brutal acts committed by the terrorists, including the lone captured attacker, Ajmal Amir Kasab. The victims included people of all major faiths (Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and Jews) guage sending a clear signal to terror groups in Pakistan that India is no longer willing to tolerate terror. "The Government of India must consider the swift execution of Kasab as a just and necessary course of action. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 16

Bal Vihar raises funds for new facility Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 14

Dr. Brahmbhatt emphasized that in life there is nothing more important than shaping children's character, future and life. They (the children) are parents' reflection and parents are seen through them. He requested all those participating to be part of this effort by involving themselves in Bal Vihar School. The director of Service Learning and Community Projects,

to the youth that can be used in the high school towards their community service hours. The Operation Director of the school, T. Subramanian, thanked the gala event organizers and many others who have been providing a commendable service to the organization. He recognized the following individuals by offering plaques to: Martin Siegel, CPA, who offers his service to the organization for the last several years, Vishwakant Tripathi, who

Dr. Brahmbhatt emphasized that in life there is nothing more important than shaping children's character, future and life. They (the children) are parents' reflection and parents are seen through them Mandy Ellis, shared her experience with Bal Vihar youth group children over the last few years as she organizes the community projects that involve interfaith partnership, faith beyond walls and more. She mentioned that the activities and exposure that the Bal Vihar children get is invaluable. The school provides a community service-hours certificate

played a significant role in fundraising for the school, Paritosh Sheth, Attorney-at- Law who offers his legal counseling services to the school, Manhar Bhakta, who has helped Bal Vihar in photo video taping, Dr. Ashok Kumar, the Planning Director for the organization reviewed the school as it is today and its future plan of housing at the new

The Bal Vihar team of volunteers and officials

building being built by the Hindu Temple of St. Louis, MO. Some of the key contributors and donors honored were Dr. Ranjan Malhotra- Ophthalmology Associates, Jerry Eickel, -General Manager and Partner of Bommarito Nissan Honda and Volkswagen of Hazelwood, MO, Dr. Haresh Motwani- Motwani Family Foundation The exciting cultural event night was followed by Indian dinner and auctioning by professional auctioneers.

Bal Vihar of St. Louis, a premier educational institution of MO was founded in 1992 and seeks to prepare decent citizens with lot of values for the best of the community. With its current enrollment of 200+ children, it has a teaching staff of 35 including school alumni as support teachers and 11 administration team members. The students are exposed to a wide variety of cultural and Asian religion aspects including the meditation techniques and Yoga,

a method to stay healthy internally and Indian festivals. Debates such as values of various cultures and their significances, their own cultural values in the modern society, living in harmony are interesting to all involved. Children participate in the community awareness programs such as visiting local hospital and giving them handmade items to the patients, collecting and offering food to the needy in the St. Louis area, conducting activities for senior citizens etc.

Community Across America

India Post

May 21, 2010

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Enthralling Hasya Ras Kavi Sammelan

Community accords warm reception to Gajapati Maharaja

KRISHNA RAJ

KANAK HOTA

her. She welcomed the visiting poets from India, and also thanked the audience for their patronage and continued support in making the event successful. Describing the objectives and previous programs of the UP Association, Dr. Ghanshyam Pandey,

CHICAGO: Members of Oriya community came together to accord a warm reception to Gajapati Maharaja Divyasingha Dev IV of Orissa at the residence of Dr. Anup Behra in Naperville, a Chicago suburb. As customary to the rich cultural-religious tradition of Orissa, Gajapati Maharaja, a descendant of the Ganga dynasty (Gangavansi), is venerated as the foremost servant or Adya Sevak of Lord Jagannath at Puri Dham, one of the most sacred places of pilgrimage for Hindus. In his enlightening message to the audience, the Maharaja in his hour-long talk described the significance of Lord Jagannath in the timeless frame of Sanatan Hindu Dharma. He traced back Lord Jagannath's lore to the Skandha Purana in the post Upanishad era, the Lord's deep link to the Vaisnav tradition and the assimilation of the

Gajapati Maharaja of Orissa

the special relationship of the king of Nepal with the Lord, he said, "The king of Nepal is regarded as incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He is always welcomed graciously at the Puri temple whenever he pays a visit". With great humility the Maharaja said that after independence of India, he is like any other citizen of the democratic country,

L-R: Past President Ajit Pant, Mahendra Ajnabi, Aash Karan Atal, Arun Gemini, Consul General Ashok Kumar Attri, Subhash Pandey and Ghanshyam N. Pandey

The three outstanding poets from India were Mahendra Ajnabi, Aash Karan Atal and Arun Gemini. They kept the audience spellbound with their recent outstanding poetry filled satire and comedy. Their poetry covered a wide range of day to day topics, including political satire as well. A poem by Atal entitled 'Monkeys are the ancestors of human beings' included descriptions of why monkeys are not even

Founding President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said that major objectives of the UP Association were keeping alive the heritage, culture and literary aspects of the great state of Uttar Pradesh and consistent with these objectives the UP Association organizes programs. "The Hasya Ras Kavi Sammelan is not only a popular program because it familiarizes

The three outstanding poets from India were Mahendra Ajnabi, Aash Karan Atal and Arun Gemini. They kept the audience spellbound with their recent outstanding poetry filled satire and comedy accepting that they are the ancestors of human beings. Besides other poems, Arun Gemini recited a poem stating what we will miss in the 21st century, and went on to describe quite emotionally and satirically how the economic and technological progress is eliminating some of the fine things which we have always appreciated in the past. The program started with a formal welcome by the immediate past President, Ajit Pant, who described the various activities of the association during the past two years of his tenure. He said that the Kavi Sammelan, which is an annual event of the UP Association, is extremely popular and well received by the people in the Chicago area. Mrs. Sujata Sharma, President of the Association, thanked the members for electing

ourselves with the current literary situations in India but also exposes our younger generation to our language and literature." He then introduced the newly elected members of the Executive Committee, who took office at this occasion and are: Sujata Sharma - President, Ravi Arora - Vice President, Rani Trivedi - Treasurer, Vivek Varma - Secretary and Sam Verma, Taruna Gupta, Roopala Khanna, Neelam Bhargava and Prakash Navani as members at large. Poets from India were then introduced by Dr. Subhash Pandey, Past President and Member of the Board of Trustees. He said that Hasya Samraat Arun Gemini is a famous hasya poet honored in 1996 and also in 2006 by the Indian government. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 18

Gajapati Maharaja with Oriya family members in Chicagoland.

Lord to Buddhism by followers of Lord Buddha. The Maharaja also expressed his concern over the loss of direction in the lives of modern man and advised the audience to follow the path of Dharma with the guidance of a Guru. "You do not need to search a guru. Rather, Guru will find you if you have the true devotion to spirituality", he said. Answering questions about

with the exception that the rich tradition of Orissa has given him the unique privilege to act as the primary sevak of Lord Jagannath. Hinting at the historical landmark back in 1803, the year Orissa became a part of the British Empire under Lord Wellesely, he said, "The Gajapati Maharaja from that point of time lost his sovereignty over his empire, but was allowed to retain the authority to look af-

ter the affairs of Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri". The control of the temple was finally transferred to the Maharaja of Puri Sri Birakishora Deva in 1863 and the duties of the temple were vested with him from that year. This process enabled the king to be the Sevaka Raja of the Jagannath temple and since then the Raja of Puri is known as the Thakura Raja and he is respected both by law and custom to be the Chief Sevaka of the Lord. After independence with sweeping changes in temple administration throughout the country, the government of Orissa became the custodian of the administration of the temple under Sri Jagannath Temple Act, 1952. Currently the Maharaja is the chairman of the Jagannath Temple Managing Committee. Gajapati Maharaja Divyasingh Dev of Orissa shares a special tie with Chicago. Born in 1954, the Maharaja was educated at Rajkumar College, Raipur, St. Stephen's College, Delhi (history honors), University of Delhi, (law major) and finally completing his masters degree in law at the Northwestern University, Chicago. The Maharaja was on a visit to the US to participate in talks on the significance of Jagannatha Dharma -its unique humanitarian values of love and compassion. His wife Maharani Lilabati Patta Mahadei, scion of the Jammu dynasty/kinship and daughters Maharajkumaris Deveshi and Devika Devi accompanied him.

Hindu groups welcome Kasab verdict Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 15

Any delay in implementing the sentence will not only make India the laughing stock of the world, but will aid in emboldening the resolve of the Jihadi Terrorist Organizations in Pakistan. Muslim Indonesia put to death the dreaded terrorist Imam Samudra and two other ac-

cused in the Bali bombings of 2002. Perhaps, it is about time that India take a cue from its Southeast Asian neighbor and execute Kasab and all others who have been awarded death sentences for various acts of terror," the statement said. "We also laud the positive role played by the media, the armed forces, the enforcement

agencies, the investigative agencies, the political establishment and the citizenry in general, besides the prosecuting team, in the just and swift delivery of justice," USHA said. The United States Hindu Alliance (USHA) is a national nonprofit advocacy organization of Hindus to protect and promote the interests of Hindus worldwide.

Community Across America Summit seeks solutions to Sikh American issues

India Post 17

May 21, 2010

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Bishop visits Jain Society of Chicago SURESH SHAH

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung of Northern Illinois Conference, United Methodist Church visiting Jain Temple with other priests

CHICAGO: Bishop Hee-Soo Jung of Northern Illinois Conference, United Methodist Church visited Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago facility in Bartlett, a north side Chicago suburb. Bishop Jung was accompanied with about 30 clergy and laypersons. Bishop Jung oversees 400 United Methodist congregations in Northern Illinois. The purpose of their visit was to learn more about different faiths that the communities in the area practice. A l o n g with this group, Edger Dinesh Jain Hiestand, Ecumenical/ Inter-religious Office of Oakbrook, Illinois was also present. Edgar had also attended the Pratishta Mahotsav of the Jain Temple in 2009. Group Prayer was performed in the temple and Puja rituals were explained to them in brief. Dinesh Jain, the Pathasala teacher of Jain Society, provided informative presentations on Jainism and JSMC. At the end of the presentation Darshana Shah, a Pathasala teacher, presented books on Jainism to Bishop Jung. Food secretary of the Jain Society Hiteshbhai Shah arranged a light delicious refreshment for every one. Visitors were very pleased with the presentation and hospitality provided by the members of Jain Society.

Cont’d from page 12

Charanjit Kaur Chanana, an educator from Connecticut, stressed the importance of education and awareness to decrease bullying in schools and increase cultural diversity. Kuldip Singh, United Sikhs President particularly emphasized the role of the community in advocating for issues that affect them the most. He said, "It is now crucial for us to be our own advocates. Community members have an important say in policy-making as constituents and as Americans, and more Sikhs should give voice to specific matters that impact their community." Delegates alluded to the long term impact of a multilateral effort like the Sikh Summit on future generations. Narinder Singh Malik of Georgia remarked, "We are an integral part of the American society, and we collectively presented our Sikh issues for the benefit of our youth." United Sikhs Director Kashmir Singh said, "Each lawmaker received a memorandum on Sikh civil rights concerns, and we have made some recommendations on how to address these is-

sues. We are hoping to be able to continue our work with policymakers and community members on how to translate these thoughts into action and be part of the decision making process that affects our community."

‘We are an integral part of the American society, and we collectively presented our Sikh issues for the benefit of our youth.’ United Sikhs Director Kashmir Singh said Dialogue generated from the Summit and the support from lawmakers on Capitol Hill will form the foundation for proactively seeking and implementing resolutions to Sikh concerns at a policy level, and will be compiled in the 2010 Sikh Summit Report, which will be released shortly.

Community Across America

India Post

May 21, 2010

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Ram Katha at Jalaram Mandir

Dr Sandhu bags 'Research Award for Innovation'

SURESH BODIWALA

RAJINDER MAGO

CHICAGO: Dr. Jaswinder Singh Sandhu is the first Indian American to bag the 2010 "Research Award for Innovation" from the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), the world's premier organization in this field as also in the Certification of NDT personnel. This award was established to recognize highly distinguished in-

Dr. Sandhu, the first Indian American and The start of the Katha with Pothi procession

CHICAGO: Jalaram Mandir in Hoff Man Estate ( a north side Chicago suburb) organized nine days of Ram Katha ( story of Lord Ram) conducted

Lord Ram) with water from rivers Yamuna and Ganga and was taken to the residence of main host Dhirbuhia Suvagia. It was further

The start was with the sanctification of the Pothi (book on life of Lord Ram) with water from rivers Yamuna and Ganga and was taken to the residence of main host Dhirbuhia Suvagia by a leading exponent Rev. Rajendra Prasad Ji beginning May 8.

sanctified with Puja and worship at the hands of Achrya Dr. C. L.

Rajendra Prasdaj Ji (left) with devotees at the start of Katha

The start was with the sanctification of the Pothi (book on life of

also the first Gursikh ever to receive this award, was credited for his outstanding contribution and distinguished breakthrough in the field of "Acoustography dividual breakthroughs in NDT research. No more than one such award may be given in any calendar year and need not be given if there are no outstanding candidates nominated for the award. Dr. Sandhu, the first Indian American and also the first Gursikh ever to receive this award, was credited for his outstanding contribution and distinguished breakthrough in the field of "Acoustography." Dr. Jas Sandhu is the founder

Dr. Jaswinder Singh Sandhu receiving ASNT "Research Award for Innovation" from Dr. Gary Workman, a former Chairman of the ASNT Research Council.

and president of Santec Systems, Inc with its world headquarters in Wheeling, Illinois, and is best known for his pioneering work in developing "a novel ultrasound imaging method, Acoustography," He is currently collaborating with various aerospace companies to develop Acoustography to provide dramatically faster NDI of composites. Earlier, Dr. Sandhu earned the Best Paper Award in 2001 by SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. He is the recipient of more than 15 patents and has authored over 40 papers and

reports in the field of Acoustography. Dr. Sandhu received a B.Sc (honors) in Physics from the University of Sussex (UK) in 1975 and M.Sc in Solid State Physics from the University of London (UK) in 1976. He then went on to do research work in the field of Ultrasonics and received his Ph.D. degree in Physics from the University of London in 1980. After graduate school, Dr. Sandhu joined ITT Corporation and then worked for a private venture. In 1989 he decided to start his own company - Santec Systems, Inc.

Breathtaking Carnatic vocal concert in Dallas

Shastri, the Mandir chief priest. Cont’d on page 20

Enthralling Hasya Ras Kavi Sammelan Cont’d from page 16

Mahendra Ajnabi is a leading satirist of eminence in India and his hasya and vyang poetry contains deep penetrating satire. He said that Aashkaran Atal is a film lyricist, writer, and director. He mentioned that all three poets have participated in countless national and international Kavi Sammelans. The Chief Guest Ashok Kumar Attri, Indian Consul General, in his remarks congratulated the mem-

bers of the UP Association for keeping the national language, Rashtra Bhasha - Hindi alive and flourishing in the United States. He said that although he tried his hand as a poet writing some poems while he was in high school and followed it later on, but had to take the diplomatic service as his career. The program was attended by more than 300 people. Vote of thanks was proposed by Ravi Arora, vice president of UP Association.

India Post News Service

DALLAS, TX: 'Relish the richness of Indian classical music and recognize the extraordinary contributors" was the theme of the

afternoon gathered at the Manske Library, Farmers Branch, TX as a part of the "Classical Carnatic Vocal Concert" by Peddada Surya Kumari hosted by the Telugu Association of North America

(TANA) on Sunday, May 9. This program was co-hosted by the Telugu Association of North Texas (TANTEX). Cont’d on page 20

Community Across America

May 21, 2010

India Post 19

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Successful health fair in St Louis ASHWIN PATEL

ST. LOUIS: The 6th Annual Health Fair organized by the Hindu Temple of St Louis with support of Indian Medical council of St. Louis

and Mahatma Gandhi cultural Center was held on May 1 this year at Mahatma Gandhi Center. It was well attended with a to-

tal of 260 registrants. The event was free and open to the public. Some of the services that were offered were general physical exami-

Patients at St Louis Health Fair

Eye exam in progress

Patients being offered advice by medical personnel

nations, basic screening lab tests (sponsored by St Anthony's Medical Center), EKGs, bone density measurements, dental screenings, ophthalmology consultations and various other specialty consultations like allergy, asthma, gastroenterology, urology etc.

This community event could be held due to the dedication of the physician and non physician volunteers of the community and the continued support of the Hindu temple and the Gandhi Center. This next annual event will be held on the 7th of May, 2011.

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May 21, 2010

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Sunil Shah's performance earns him national award KRISHNA RAJ

mance was "truly motivating other agents." Shah is also a 2008 chairman council member, Greater Chicago Office with New York Life Insurance Company and has received "National Quality Award" and "National Sales Achievement Award" for year 2008. He is also Lifetime and Qualifying member of Million Dollar Round Table year 2008 and has received Life Stars Award for 2008.

Ram Katha at Jalaram Mandir Cont’d from page 18

The Pothi was then taken in a procession joined by hundreds of devotees to the Mandir where the Katha was slated to commence. Welcoming all those present to hear the Katha, the Mandir President Chirayu Parikh gave a detailed introduction of Rajendra Prasad Ji

who commenced his discourse with Bhavai-Shiv Vivavh and Lord Ganapati. The organizers had done a great job in making foolproof arrangements for the devotees - the break from 12-30 to 4 pm, lunch, rest and baby sitting for kids. Chirayu Parikh proposed a vote of thanks at the end of the Katha.

Asian Heritage meet to honor Dr Gajjela HARISH RAO

CHICAGO: Dr Ram Gajjela, president of Indo American Democratic Organization (IADO) and a leading community activist, will be honored with an award during Asian Pacific Heritage

Dr Ram Gajjela

Month Celebration Program to be held on Friday, May 28 at Richard J. Daley Plaza. The program is organized by the Asian-American employees of the Office of Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook

County. Also to be honored will be Dr Rev Singh for his community work. The Asian Pacific Heritage Month program is an annual cultural celebration featuring music,

Also to be honored will be Dr Rev Singh for his community work. The Asian Pacific Heritage Month program is an annual cultural celebration featuring music, yoga, and dance performances along with an awards presentation yoga, and dance performances along with an awards presentation. The program is followed by a special luncheon, beginning at 1:00 pm in the Pedway Room of 69 W. Washington Lower Level.

Shah resides in Schaumburg, IL with his wife Rita Shah and two son's Swapnil Shah and Sahaj

Shah is also a 2008 chairman council member, Greater Chicago Office with New York Life Insurance Company and has received ‘National Quality Award’ and ‘National Sales Achievement Award’ for year 2008 Shah. They are actively involved in religious and social organizations.

Seen in the picture at Wynn Hotel, Las Vegas are Sunil Shah (extreme right) with Ashwin Verma, Corporate Vice President, Cultural Market Agency of NY Life Insurance Company's Greater Chicago Office, and Srinivas Ranga, Assistant Vice President Asian-Indian Market

Breathtaking Carnatic vocal concert in Dallas Cont’d from page 19

It was a breathtaking performance by Mrs. Suryakumari and her team presenting a good mix of classical songs with rich spiritual, musical and literary values. Peddada performed over half dozen classical songs, such as, Raagam-Kalyani, KeertanaVarnam;, Raagam-Hamsadhwani, Keertana-Vaathaapi Ganapathim bhaje; Raagam-Ravi Chandrika, Keertana-Niravadhi sukha; Raagam-Jonepuri, KeertanaMuruganai; Raagam-Abheri, Keertana-Nagumomu; RaagamGuru Udhwani, Keertana-Tatwa mariya taramaa. The program concluded with the traditional "Mangalam". The Classical Carnatic team was recognized and felicitated with a Certificate of Appreciation

and a bouquet of flowers by the prominent local Dallas classical music stalwarts Mrs. Lakshmi Gunturi and Mrs. Santha

The Classical Carnatic team was recognized and felicitated with a Certificate of Appreciation and a bouquet of flowers by the prominent local Dallas classical music stalwarts Mrs. Lakshmi Gunturi and Mrs. Santha Puligandla Puligandla, TANA executive team starting with Prasad Thotakura, Executive Vice President, Ram Yalamanchali, Treasurer, and the

TANTEX team lead by Chandra Kanneganti, President, Dr. Ponnuru and Dr. Urimindi. Prasad Thotakura, Executive Vice President of TANA reiterated TANA's continued focus on serving the Telugu community with result oriented programs and enabling a new breed of ambassadors to bring the community together. Dr. Subbarao Ponnuru, Chair, Cultural Committee, TANTEX extended a warm welcome to the visiting guests and a room full of local Telugu community members in attendance. The musical concert came to an end with the vote of thanks to the audience for their attendance, volunteers who spent countless hours of valuable time, the city of Farmers Branch for excellent facilities and great ambiance for the concert.

Community/California

May 21, 2010

India Post 21

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3 more Know India Programs announced India Post News Service

SAN FRANCISCO: The 14th Know India Program concluded on 17 April in New Delhi, Capital of India. The participants enjoyed the program and learned about India and its rich cultural heritage. A press release issued by the Indian Consulate in San Francisco says, "The program did turn more eventful than usual towards the end due to the return flights of some participants getting cancelled on account of the flight disruptions over Europe. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The participants were taken full care of during this period and accommodated in the same hotel where they had been staying for the program in Delhi and full support was provided to facilitate their early return to their homeland." The release says the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) is planning to conduct three more Know India Programs in this financial year. Tentatively, the last date for receipt of nominations in MOIA for the

15th Know India Program (KIP) is August. For the 16th KIP in September 2010 Assam, Meghalaya, the last date is 30th June 2010. For the 16th KIP in West Bengal, Bihar to be held in December 2010 - January 2011; the last date is 30th September 2010 For the 17th KIP to be held in Punjab,

There has been an instance where one participant wanted to go back by the return flight on the day of arrival itself and was terribly homesick. As the Government of India is spending a huge financial amount on these participants which includes 90% of their international airfare, due care may be taken while considering participation in the program Himachal Pradesh in March-April 2011; the last date is 31st December 2010. Exact dates for these programs would be conveyed as soon as the willingness of the partner states are received, says the Con-

California Sikhs working to include Sikhi in State curriculum India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: A dedicated group of California Sikhs have been tirelessly working for the last several years to add Sikhs and Sikh history to the state curriculum. This group includes Dr. Onkar Singh Bindra, the SEVA group, Mohani Thiara, Ram Singh, Pushpinder Kaur, Kashmir Singh, Sikh Council of Central California, and the Sikh Coalition. Last year, the above mentioned group began working with the Curriculum Commission to include information about Sikhs in the History-Social Science Framework. This Framework provides teachers with the information they need in order to teach students the content standards for each subject area. In June 2009, after many meetings with the Commission, they experienced a major breakthrough. For the first time in California history, Sikh examples were included in the History-Social Science Framework. California public school children would now learn about the Sikh immigration experience and how Guru Nanak was a social reformer well ahead of his time. They would learn that Dalip Singh Saund was the first Asian American to serve in the U.S. Congress. In their senior year, they would also read about the landmark court case Thind vs. U.S., in which Bhagat Singh Thind, one of the first Sikhs that served in the U.S. military, fought to attain citizenship. However, due to California's budget crisis last year, all work on this Framework was suspended. This new draft was never released

sulate release. Providing a note of caution, the press release says, "It has been our experience in the past that while most of the participants are able to adapt well to the program, still there are some participants who are either not medically fit or mentally or physically not equipped to be able to face either the

to the public, but more importantly, was not made available to teachers or students. Dr. Bindra has been working with California Senator Mark Wyland to introduce a new bill which would require the State Board of Education to adopt the revised Curriculum Framework for History-Social Science in 2011. Last week, the Senate Education Committee voted on this bill, and it passed!

In June 2009, after many meetings with the Commission, they experienced a major breakthrough. For the first time in California history, Sikh examples were included in the History-Social Science Framework This bill will now move through several different committees within both the Senate and the Assembly before coming to the Governor. If this bill passes the Governor's desk, the Framework adoption process would begin. If we want students in California to learn about Sikhs in the classroom, we need to support this bill. The Sikh Coalition would like to thank all of the sevadars for their dedication in this effort to educate our neighbors about Sikhi! If you would like to support this effort, please email Dr. Onkar Bindra at osbindra@yahoo.com.

vagaries of the weather or the seriousness that the program requires. There has been an instance where one participant wanted to go back by the return flight on the day of arrival itself and was terribly homesick. As

the Government of India is spending a huge financial amount on these participants which includes 90% of their international airfare, due care may be taken while considering participation in the program. The program necessarily involves visit / stay in rural areas and accommodation may not necessarily be AC in some places and the program may require a certain amount of discipline. Willing candidates must include a one page essay along with their applications stating why they would like to attend the program." The press release says, "Details of these programs would also be available on the website of the Ministry i.e. http:// moia.gov.in as well as on the website http:/ /knowindiaprogram.com. Preference would be given to select those participants who have not visited India before, who are students/ not working and not from the same family which has benefited from this program in the past.

Edison hosts Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month India Post News Service

IRWINDALE, CA: Southern California Edison (SCE) hosted its fifth annual Asian- American Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration on Friday, May 7 at the utility's Customer Technology Application Center in Irwindale. More than 500 people attended this year's program, including community members, business leaders, elected officials, and SCE employees and executives. With the theme, "Asian Fusion: Energy & Entrepreneurship," SCE highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit of AsianAmericans and Pacific Islanders and the company's commitment to helping its business and residential customers save energy, money, and the environment. "SCE is proud to share more than a century of growth and partnership with the diverse customers we serve," said Lynda Ziegler, senior vice president, SCE Customer Service. "We are pleased to honor the accomplishments of a noteworthy corporate leader, a family-owned business, and a community leader from the AsianAmerican and Pacific Islander community." SCE presented the Leadership Award to William Wang, CEO of VIZIO, Inc., a Taiwanese-American businessman and visionary who built a digital television empire. The Corporate Award was given to Huy Fong Foods, a successful family-owned business that produces a popular line of sauces with broad cultural appeal. The United Cambodian Commu-

(L to R): Erwin Furukawa, SCE vice president, Customer Programs and Services; Lynda Ziegler, SCE senior vice president, Customer Service; Mai Fong, DT Graphics, Inc.; Linda Stone, president and CEO, APR Consulting, Inc.; Sara Pol-Lim, executive director, United Cambodian Community; William Wang, CEO, VIZIO, Inc.; Nick Wong, president, DT Graphics, Inc.; and Al Fohrer, SCE CEO and chairman.

nity received the Community Service Award for its commitment and dedication to serving the Cambo-

SCE presented the Leadership Award to William Wang, CEO of VIZIO, Inc., a Taiwanese-American businessman and visionary who built a digital television empire dian-American community in Southern California. To highlight SCE's commitment to

maximizing opportunities for women, minorities, and disabled-veteran business enterprises, the company also gave awards to diverse suppliers DT Graphics and APR Consulting. The event also addressed SCE's dedication to partnering with Asian-American community organizations to better serve the needs of this diverse group. In addition, SCE CEO Al Fohrer spoke about the importance of supplier diversity, and U.S. District Judge Ronald Lew delivered the keynote address. Special guest Yakout Mansour, president and CEO of California Independent System Operator Corporation (California ISO), also made remarks. Ted Chen, NBC4 television news anchor, served as master of ceremonies.

Community/California

India Post

May 21, 2010

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aba Banda Singh Bahadur's shortlived rule had a far reaching impact on the history of the Punjab people and the Sikhs. The battle of Sirhind was fought and won on May 12, 1710. This established the first Sikh state in India. Banda Singh Bahadur avenged the martyrdom of two sons of Guru Gobind Singh. With that came the decay of the Mughal authority and the demolition of the feudal system and the society it had created. To commemorate the Tri-Centenary of the victory of Sirhind by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, the Sikhs are celebrating this last Shatabdi with much fervor and enthusiasm at Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab. This is a summary of his life and his story as we remember him 300 years later. Baba Banda Bahadur Singh was born as Lachman Das on October 27, 1670 at Rajauri, in the Poonch district of Western Kashmir. He was tender-hearted even at a young age. He resolved to become a Sadhu after he shot a female deer and watch her die before his eyes. Shortly after he met Janki Das Bairagi and became his disciple. He became a Bairagi and took the name of Madho Das. He wandered from place to place with a band of Bairagies. This is when he came to Punjab. After a short time he wandered around and came to Nasik on the banks of the river Godavari. Finally he settled at Nanded and established a dera of his own. Here he learnt various Tantric and magical powers. In 1708, Guru Gobind Singh visited Banda Singh's monastery. Madho Das tried to practice his magic tricks on the Guru and failed terribly! This is when he knew that he had found his master at last! Guru Gobind Singh transformed him to his faith and baptized him

Banda Singh Bahadur: Salute to a great warrior BHAI SAHIB SATPAL SINGH KHALSA (Ambassador Of Sikh Dharma)

as a member of the Khalsa and gave him the title of 'Bahadur'. He called himself Guru's Banda (slave). This is when his named officially changed to Banda Singh. Guru Gobind taught Banda Singh faith and the history of the Sikhs and all that they had to suffer. Banda Singh yearned to be a warrior and battle in the fields. He wanted to punish all those that did injustice to the Sikhs. Banda Singh was appointed leader of the

Khalsa. He promised to remain pure in his faith as well as his conduct. The Sikhs flocked to him and joined his forces and fought lots of battles that killed many enemies. Emperor Bahadur Shah heard the news of Banda Singh's success and sent a huge army to fight against Banda Singh and his

'Understanding Islam' to air Saturday mornings India Post News Service

CHINO, CA: Every Saturday morning at 10:30am, a different kind of talk radio show will air on AM-1510 KSPA "The Spa." Billed as "Radically engaging, spiritually stimulating" and helmed by Imam Shamshad A. Nasir of the Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino, "Understanding Islam" will present weekly in-depth and thought-provoking discussions on the true teachings and practices of Islam. Joining Imam Shamshad on a regular basis will be Jonathan M.A. Ghaffar and Imran Jattala. All three are members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, whose motto is: "Love for All - Hatred for None." Special guests, including an allwomen's discussion group, will appear on the show periodically to address specific issues or topics relating to Islam. The show runs for 30-minutes and listeners can call in on the station's toll-free number 1-866-584-3434 during the show to pose their comments or questions for Imam Shamshad or his co-hosts and any guests. Imam Shamshad also does a 10minute version of "Understanding Islam" which has been airing on

KCAA 1050-AM Tuesday mornings at 9:20am since September 8, 2009. The longer time slot on KSPA 1510-AM will allow listeners to call in with their questions. Topics on the half-hour version of

Joining Imam Shamshad on a regular basis will be Jonathan M.A. Ghaffar and Imran Jattala. All three are members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, whose motto is: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Love for All - Hatred for Noneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; the show will cover many Frequently Asked Questions about Islam, as well as give Muslims the opportunity to fully present Islam's perspective on subjects like Jihad, Jesus, and the social issues of the day.

forces. The Sikhs had too many enemies and not enough men. They all hid in the fort of Lohgarh. They became very desperate and ran out to the hills of Nahan. They called out for more Sikhs. At this time Raja of Chamba became Baba Banda Singh's friend and ally. He gave Banda Singh a beautiful bride from his own family. Banda Singh and his people conquered several more places and retreated to the hills again. An imperial order came about to kill all Sikhs. The Sikhs were slaughtered in huge numbers. Banda Singh was ordered to evacuate Lohgarh and eventually he and his followers then retreated to the village of Gurdas-Nangal. They were brutally attacked once more. They lost almost all their men and had absolutely no food. They were all starving. They were forced to eat grass, leaves and bark. The Sikhs became far too weak to fight. The imperial army attacked and took Banda Singh's wife and three year old son as prisoners. Baba Banda Singh was bound in chains in four places and put in a cast iron cage on top of an elephant and paraded around. Hundreds of other Sikhs were as well. Thousands more were killed and the heads of 2000 Sikhs were hung on spears and carried along with other prisoners. Banda Singh was offered to choose be-

BAPS Charities to host Health Fair India Post News Service

CHINO HILLS, CA: BAPS Charities, an international, nonprofit charity organization will host its annual Health Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 23 at one of its centers in Chino Hills, California. This community Health Fair will provide free health screenings to the community including dental and vision exams, health awareness forums, and minor tests such as blood sugar, cholesterol, anemia, obesity and osteoporosis. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and specialist doctors including cardiologist, gastroenterologist, urologist, orthopedist will provide free, personal consultations. Blood Donation Drive with Life Stream and Bone Marrow Drive will be organized from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A Blood-Work Day is arranged on Sunday, May 16 from 8.00 a.m. to 11 a.m. Blood work results will be provided on Health Fair Day. Fasting for 12 hours prior to blood work is necessary.

tween Islam and death. He chose to die rather than give up his beloved faith. This is when his torture began. His baby son was placed on his lap. His son's heart was ripped out. While his heart was still beating in his enemies hand it was forced into his mouth. Banda Singh was tortured, killed and then his head was placed on a spear and paraded around for all Sikhs to witness! Today, Banda Singh Bahadur is celebrated as a great warrior and the first Sikh ruler who established the first Sikh state. Banda Singh was the ultimate warrior and loved his Sikh people and his faith until the very end. He gave a decisive defeat to Wazir Khan and established the first Sikh kingdom at Sirhind. He issued coins in the names of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh and ended the feudal Mogul system by giving ownership rights to cultivators and land tillers. He avenged the barbarous execution of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, the two young sons of Guru Gobind Singh. With his end Sikhism did not die. On the contrary Sikhism came out even stronger and the torch of Banda Singh Bahadur was carried on by new warriors like Baba Deep Singh, Sardar Budh Singh, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Nawab Kapur Singh, Hari Singh Bhangi and the lion of Punjab-Maharaja Ranjit Singh. On this day we all should celebrate and give a warm salute to the greatest Sikh warrior, Sardar Banda Singh Bahadur that ever lived who gave his life but not his beliefs.

A day to remember our fallen heroes TONY MENDOZA, ASSEMBLY MEMBER

n May we honor the men and women who died in service to our country. Memorial Day is a day to remember our fallen heroes and those serving in the military. It is a day to honor our veterans and our troops for sacrificing their lives for our democracy. Since the first colonial soldiers took up arms in 1775 to fight for independence, more than a million Americans have died in the wars and conflicts this nation has fought. Each person who died in those conflicts was a loved one cherished by family and friends. Each death was a loss to the community and to this nation. During this Memorial Day, we will once again mourn those who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, over the past decade, which is longer than any other conflicts in our history. We will also remember those who lost their lives in previous wars. I encourage you to honor your heroes by participating in Memorial Day events in your communities. The City of Cerritos will hold a celebration on Monday, May 31st, at 10 a.m. at the Cerritos Civic Center - 18125 Bloomfield Avenue.

Memorial Day services in Lakewood will be held at Del Valle Park at 11 a.m. In Buena Park. The services will start at 10:00 am at George Bellis Park, 7171 8th Street. The first Memorial Day was held in 1882, as a day set to remember and honor the sacrifice of those who died in all our nation's wars. For decades, Memorial Day was a day when stores closed and communities gathered for a day of parades, picnics and other celebrations with a patriotic theme. Memorial Day meant ceremonies at cemeteries around the country, speeches honoring those who gave their lives, the laying of wreaths and the playing of Taps. Since 9/11/01, many of these sentiments about the holiday have returned. Today, many of our family members, friends and neighbors are not only serving in the military but are directly in harm's way: sadly, some our heroes will never return home. Far too many Californians have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Memorial Day provides an opportunity to offer our gratitude and respect to them and the families they left behind.

May 21, 2010

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India Post 23

Bald baddie

Mother's blessing

rjun Rampal has always sported his long mane with pride. But for his character in Ra.One, he has shaved his head. The film, being produced by Shah Rukh Khan, has the modelturned-actor playing a baddie. Says a source from the film, "Arjun has a very stylized look. He had to go completely bald and he will sport a temporary tattoo on his neck."

TOP TEN

atrina Kaif, who has a strike rate of nine out of 13, feels she is blessed and not lucky. "I would much rather say - 'I'm blessed'," says Kat who feels that her winning streak is courtesy all the good work her mother Sussanne Turquotte does. "I thank God for my destiny, and I think, He is kind to us because my mother is out there giving something back to society in whatever small way she can."

HINDI FILM SONGS

I Dont Know What To Do: Housefull

Khili Re: Raavan

Ghum Suhm Ghum Suhm: It´s A Wonderful Afterlife

Mein Tenu Samjjawan: Virsa

Bekarar: Paathshaala

Ankahi Si: Chase

Chaska: Badmaash Company

Tumhare Liye: Trump Card

Rang De: Bumm Bumm Bole

10 Ranjha Ranjha: Raavan

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MAY 21, 2010 I INDIA POST

HOLLYWOOD BOUND

EAR

DECOR

he made her debut in Bollywood by featuring opposite Amitabh Bachchan. Jiah Khan, did quite a bold act of a teenage seductress in Nishabd and f o l lowed it up by featuring with another big superstar, Aamir Khan, in Ghajini. And now she is back looking hot as ever in the multi-starrer Housefull. Talking about the reactions she has been getting post the release, Miss Khan, says "It's been amazing, my life has completely changed after this film. People are appreciating the song featuring me. I see people laughing in the cinemas at the jokes, and whistling at the song." Jiah's career surely seems to be touching an all time high as after the big hit Housefull, the actress has bagged not one but two Hollywood films. Talking about the Hollywood projects Jiah says "Yes I am doing the two films but I can't talk much about them except that one of them is an adaptation of a classic English play."

THREE

INJURIES B

“

Before beginning shooting for Kites, I was trying to get my knee treated and doctors said it will not be able to function

ollywood's Greek God, Hrithik Roshan virtually slipped into depression after Jodha Akbar and considered quitting acting as career. He was so badly injured while shooting for Ashutosh Gowariker's epic drama that he thought acting would not be his cup of tea anymore. "Before beginning shooting for Kites, I was trying to get my knee treated and doctors said it will not be able to function. I was heartbroken and was even contemplating an alternative career in singing or direction," Hrithik said. The actor wondered how he could compromise with his work as an actor when he could not jump or dance. "I was on crutches," he said. The actor had sustained knee injuries while shooting stunt sequences in Krrish and Dhoom 2. Even in Kites he suffered hand injuries after meeting with an accident while breaking the window in a scene. "It was an emotional scene and I was engrossed in the character. The accident was a good reminder that you should be careful even during small stunts," he said. However, director Anurag Basu's script was so strong that the actor got into the skin of the character which helped him forget his pains. "Within a week of shooting, my knee pain just disappeared," he said.

here is a new addition is sultry Bong beauty Bipasha Basu's life. It is not some hot hunk but an ear piercing done by Bips at the behest of her younger sister Vijayeta. The actress says, "I got my ears pierced on the upper lobes and I love my new piercings! I got inspired by my sister Vijayeta who came back from London with four piercings!" "I am very scared of even injections so it was a brave and spontaneous decision for me. My friends, Rocky (the designer) and Binal held my hands through the entire process. Now my ears are almost healed and I am wearing little diamonds for now. I am waiting for them to heal completely so I can sport some cool diamond baalis," she adds. However, though Bips loves her new piercing, she has no intentions of getting any more additions. She says, "I have all I want for now and that's all I want… No more. Even this has to heal fully. It hurts slightly even now when I sleep on my side."

BOLLYWOOD 25

MAY 21, 2010 I INDIA POST

kshay and Aishwarya are thrilled. They'll get to enact songs featuring their mother-in-law Dimple and father-inlaw Amitabh, respectively. But composer Pritam Chakraborty is in a bit of a jam. Vipul Shah has decided at the last minute to rerecord an entire complicated track for Action Replayy for a retro-song to be filmed on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Akshay Kumar. And this is no ordinary request. The one all-comprehensive track will have to represent screen jodis as diverse as Raj Kapoor-Nargis, Rajesh Khanna -Mumtaz, Amitabh Bachchan-Jaya, DharmendraHema Malini and Rishi Kapoor-Dimple Kapadia. Vipul who has just got Akshay and Aishwarya's dates in July to shoot the song in Manali, has asked his exceedingly-busy composer Pritam to scrap straightforward love song that he had recorded and create an entirely new composition that would aurally represent Akshay and Aishwarya's tribute to screen pairs over the years. Explains Vipul, "I feel it isn't enough to simply dress up Akshay and Aishwarya to represent the various screen pairs. Every section of the music, vocals and lyrics will represent the pair that we show Akshay and Aishwarya playing. For example if the mukhda is dedicated to Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz then I want the R.D. Burman feel of 'Jai Jai Shiv Shankar' in Aap Ki Kasam. On the other hand, if I want Akshay and Aishwarya to do a Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bachchan, I'd want Pritam to come with a suitable mood and tune, like R D. Burman's 'Bahon Mein Chale Aaon' in Anamika.

KALKI &

PRATEIK T

here was speculation that Shraddha Kapoor (daughter of Shakti Kapoor), who made her debut in the Amitabh Bachchan starrer Teen Patti, was to be in the lead role opposite Prateik Babbar, in Sanjay Leela Bhansali production, My Friend Pinto. However, there seems to have been a change of cast now. Kalki Koechlin, the seductive Chanda from Dev D, will now be the lead actress of My Friend Pinto. Kalki confirmed the news saying, "Yes, I am doing My Friend Pinto. In fact it was director Raghav Dar's idea to cast me in the film, and he was the one who initially recommended me to Sanjay." She further adds, "Though right now it's still too early to give out much of the film, we will be starting the shoot soon. The film is a comedy, and I liked the script as it was quirky and funny and hence I said yes to it."

RETRO SONG T

hough performance is the last word for an actor, looks do matter. So the genius papa Pankaj Kapur has come up with a unique idea to give his son Shahid Kapoor four different looks in his first directorial venture Mausam. Yes, it's official! As the title of the film suggests, 'Mausam' is about the seasons of life faced by the character of Shahid. So, inspired by the four seasons, Shahid has four looks in the film. And if you are wondering why Shahid is sporting a beard, it's for the winter of his life: a somber season. For the first part of the film when Shahid is jubilant with boyish charm and playing an Air Force officer, he has a clean-shaven look. Reports convey that Shahid's character goes through an emotional journey in the film and experiences everything from the joys of love to the pains of losing it. However, Pankaj still has to decide on the looks of Sonam Kapoor, who gets to essay Shahid's ladylove in the film. She should also get seasonal looks.

SEASONED

LOOK

India Post

CANNES: She has become a fixture on the French Riviera over the years and Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai Bachchan did not disappoint onlookers at the 63rd Cannes festival when she walked the red carpet at the gala opening. The 36-year-old actress who arrived minus husband Abhishek Bachchan wore a violet tulle and mousseline gown from Elie Saab. With her hair done up in a pompadour updo, the actress walked the red carpet with fellow L'oreal spokesmodel, American actress Eva Longoria. Rai is here to promote her much awaited film, Mani Ratnam's 'Ravan.' Her co-stars including husband Abhishek and Tamil actor Vikram will attend along with the filmmaker.

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The bilingual work has been produced by Reliance Big Pictures and is slated for a June release.

Rai is here to promote her much awaited film, Mani Ratnam's 'Ravan.' Her costars including husband Abhishek and Tamil actor Vikram will attend along with the filmmaker The former Miss World, has been a permanent Cannes attendee for many years, since her movie, 'Devdas' screened at the Festival in 2002. The festival which opened with the premiere of Ridley Scott's 'Robin Hood' was awash with stars including the

May 21, 2010

Ash

at Cannes Eva Longoria Parker and Aishwarya Rai

epic's lead pair Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett. Academy Award wining Mexican actress Salma Hayek, who was part of the Festival jury along with India's Nandita Das in 2005, was also present. British actress Kristin Scott Thomas played mistress of the

opening ceremony introducing the President of the jury, American director Tim Burton, and the other members of his team, including India's Shekhar Kapur. Thomas will also preside over the closing ceremony on May 23, when Burton will announce the prizes. -PTI

Gowarikar signs Hollywood expert for 'Buddha'

Ashutosh Gowarikar

MUMBAI: Director Ashutosh Gowarikar has signed German cinematographer Karl Walter Lindenlaub, the man behind Hollywood projects like 'Independence Day' and 'The Jackal', for his epic 'Buddha'.

Lindenlaub has also shot Hollywood blockbusters like 'Up Close & Personal', 'The Haunting', 'Black Book' and 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian'. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 27

May 21, 2010

India Post

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For children, protecting turtles is all fun RUSHIKULYA ROOKERY (Orissa): Conserving endangered wildlife species to protect earth's biodiversity might be one of the gravest issues concerning mankind, but for children in the villages of Orissa, it is all fun and amusement. Over a hundred children from three villages along the beach adjoining river Rushikulya in Ganjam district, which is the world's second largest mass nesting site for the Olive Ridley turtles, on the verge of extinction, have assumed the task of protecting the hatchlings purely for the joy of it. During the week-long hatching period, which fortunately coincides with their school's summer vacations, the children of fisherfolk gladly wake up before dawn and playfully hop around the soft sandy beach, involuntarily warding off turtle predators like crows and jackals. To make things safer, one side of the beach is kept guarded by nets to restrict the entry of prowling dogs and jackals. With thousands of baby turtles creeping all over the five kilometer long coastal mass nesting site, the challenge for the children is

not to run over the three-inch-long newborns while enjoying the gentle breeze at sunrise. The hatchlings usually emerge out of their breeding place at night and disappear into the sea subsequently. As the urchins spot a baby turtle sneaking out of its feet-deep underground nest, they rush in

During the week-long hatching period children of fisherfolk and playfully hop around the soft sandy beach, involuntarily warding off turtle predators like crows and jackals and the excitement is at its peak when they discover 70-80 rare creatures breaking out of their egg shells to have a taste of life. Around 100-120 ping-pong ball sized eggs are laid by a mother turtle inside a single nest, out of which not more than 80 hatch. Whenever rain water makes the sand harder, the children affably break soil from above the nest of

the struggling newly-hatched Olive Ridleys, named after the olive color of their heart-shaped shells. The ultimate goal is to send the toddlers safely to their maiden journey into the sea, for which the children carefully pick them up, carry them in baskets and release them close to the waterline. Facing death at every stage, the mortality rate of the hatchlings, which develop over a period of 710 weeks, is usually quite high with only one out of every thousand surviving to become an adult. "We don't know much about nature and its conservation, but still enjoy every bit of our role in protecting the hatchlings. It is fun for us and that is how we make the most of our school holidays," says 11-year-old Trilochan Behra of Purunabandha village. Previously estimated 1,55,000 Olive Ridleys, considered auspicious by many locals, had nested in a synchronized way along the coastline in March; the children had also cleared garbage on the beach to facilitate the breeding process.

So do these poor child activists get any accolades for their unassuming efforts in saving the earth's biodiversity by helping the

fast dwindling turtle population in their fight against extinction? Though most of them are not paid by the NGOs, but tourists, particularly foreigners, often dole out handsome tips as a token of appreciation for their enthusiasm.

"Some tourists give us tips, others don't. But we do the work out of our free will," says 14-yearold Maheswar Behra, a class eight student of Bharatiya Vidya Peeth. To keep the spirits of these young green brigadiers high, local NGOs like the Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Committee treat them with a stupendous lunch and gifts them with sport equipments like cricket bats, once the baby turtles desert the beach. "We can't afford them to pay for their Samaritan work due to the lack of funds. But we manage to spend around Rs 8,000 in gifts and organizing a party," Rabindranath Sahu, secretary of the NGO, the office of which also doubles up as a recreation centre for the kids, told PTI. "As another incentive, we let them come here during the leisure hours - play games, read newspapers and magazines, etc. They also get to watch TV as we have the only DTH TV connection, with over 200 channels, in the entire village," he says. -PTI

Hinglish, a strict no no in BPOs! Gowarikar signs Hollywood NEW DELHI: Hinglish may have unofficially become the language of urban India but it is a strict no no in BPOs as Indian English expressions often tend to create problems for international customers and confuse them, an award-winning book says. "British customers don't understand some of the expressions in Indian English. This can cause confusion and sometimes amusement. You need to be aware of what Indian English expressions are in your speech. Then you need to adapt to the customer's style," write Barry Tomalin and Suhashini Thomas in "International English for Call Centers". "In talking to British customers you need to avoid the Indianisms wherever possible and substitute standard British English expressions. If you can improve your use of grammar, it will improve your image vis-a-vis the British customer. However, it won't normally affect comprehension," says the book which won the Highly Commended by the Duke of Edinburgh English Speaking Union Award in 2009. The authors, who have practical experience of working in call centers and training call centre personnel, believe that Indian BPO

representatives lead in keenness and commitment to the job but still need support in matching their communication skills with UK customer requirements. "When you use Hinglish with people on the phone or face to face, they don't realize you are using Hinglish and neither do you. They just think you are speaking funny or in an uneducated and

A simple technique called 'Leave a beat when you speak' can help one speak more slowly, the book says ignorant fashion," the book, published by Macmillan, says. "Indian English isn't always understood on the international stage. The reason is that Indian English is affected by interference from Indian mother tongues. Although Indian English is a variety of English, just like US or British English, it isn't yet recognized internationally. Since the customer (in BPOs) is king you have to adapt to the international variety used by the

customers, not the other way round." According to the authors, the key differences are in vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. Another drawback call centre executives have is irritating intonation couple with terrifying speed which can be overcome by getting rhythm, pitch and intonation right. "Rhythm describes the way words are grouped together to create a unit. It's made up of stressed and unstressed syllables or words grouped together to create a sense of harmony between them and in the sentence. We absorb these rhythms as soon we learn to talk and unconsciously we are listening out for them. When we hear them we feel reassured. When we don't, we feel uncomfortable." A simple technique called 'Leave a beat when you speak' can help one speak more slowly, the book says. "When you are delivering a call centre script, divide the text into 'rhythm groups.' Then leave a short pause at the end of each rhythm group. Just a beat or two to allow the listener to catch up." Pitch is also another important factor. -PTI

expert for 'Buddha' Cont’d from page 26

"The past two months of preproduction have been exciting. It has been exhilarating to be working with the DOP Karl Walter Lindenlaub (The Chronicles of Narnia, Independence Day, Stargate). These are movies that I have admired and seen over and over again. So, I feel privileged to be working with him on Buddha," Gowarikar said in a statement. "The first important decision that Dr Modi (producer) took was to make Buddha in English and that got me immediately interested because I have always felt that when it comes to religion, you must cater to an international audience, especially so in the case of Buddha," the director added. Film's producer Bhupender Modi hopes that Lindenlaub's involvement will help film's international appeal. "Buddha, is a truly global film and we needed a team that would have a global sensibility and transcend language barriers." The 46-year-old director, who has already initiated an online hunt for a new face to play the title role in his epic film, will focus on the life

of Prince Siddhartha and his journey to enlightenment where he becomes known as Buddha. Gowarikar has received over 6,000 photos and videos that have been uploaded to the buddhamovie.com website with visitors from over 100 countries.

‘I have always felt that when it comes to religion, you must cater to an international audience, especially so in the case of Buddha,’ the director added "I am going through the hundreds of auditions that have come in and I must say, we are getting closer to our Buddha," he said. The director hopes that good technicians will help him create the 500 B C era accurately on screen. It is Gowarikar's third period film after Oscar-nominated 'Lagaan' (2001) and 'Jodhaa Akbar (2008). -PTI

May 21, 2010

India Post www.indiapost.com

Briefs

Kasab may be hanged by yearend, says Govt

NEW DELHI: The Government has said that Ajmal Amir Kasab, who has been sentenced to death in the Mumbai terror attacks case, may be hanged by the end of this year provided there is no legal bar. "If there is no petition from him (Kasab) challenging the sessions court verdict in the higher court... he can be hanged by the year-end," Union Home Secretary G K Pillai told CNN IBN. 22-year-old Kasab, a Pakistani terrorist, was awarded capital punishment on May six by a Mumbai special court which held him guilty of mass murder and waging war against India, by carrying out the terror strikes in November 2008. As many as 166 people were killed in the attacks by ten gunmen belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba. The death sentence to Kasab has to be confirmed by the Bombay High Court. On being asked about the status of Parliament attack case convict Afzal Guru's mercy petition, Pillai said, "It is with the government for consideration. -PTI

Antony calls for timely defense procurement NEW DELHI: Defense Minister A K Antony has called for a "timely, transparent and judicious" process to procure weapons and equipment for the armed forces. Inaugurating the biennial threeday Defense Accounts Controllers Conference here, Antony said: "Defense expenditure and procurement issues are complex and time-consuming and have a direct bearing on our national security. "We have tried to infuse more transparency and efficiency into our procedures and systems. It is my firm belief that expenditure of public money must have an appropriate system of checks and balances."-PTI

Army Brigadiers to be re-employed for 2 yrs after retirement NEW DELHI: Brigadiers in the Army will now be re-employed in the force for two years after retirement. The Defense Ministry took the decision last month as a possible solution to offset the officers' shortage, which stood at over 11,000 in the Army. The current sanctioned officer strength is just over 46,000. -PTI

India News 30

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May 21, 2010

India concerned over thriving terror camps in Pakistan: Antony NEW DELHI: India is concerned over thriving terror camps in Pakistan, but the bilateral talks between the two sides would continue, Defense Minister A K Antony has said. "Still, more than 40 terror camps are working across the border still intact. It is a matter of concern to us. On that, Pakistan should take action to dismantle the terrorist outfits. "That apart, dialogue will continue," Antony told reporters on the sidelines of a Defense Accounts Controllers conference here.-PTI

Gadkari sparks controversy with remarks on Lalu, Mulayam CHANDIGARH: BJP President Nitin Gadkari courted a major controversy by making abusive remarks against Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad for not supporting the cut motions in the Lok Sabha. Gadkari made the remarks while addressing a party meeting here. In a damage-control exercise later while talking to media persons, the BJP chief offered to withdraw the words if the two Yadavs felt bad. Gadkari lashed out at the SP, RJD and BSP for not supporting the NDA during the cut motion, alleging that they did so because of their "fear" of the CBI. He said the two Yadavs "pretended to be lions" but later bowed down before the CBI. In this context, he also made some abusive remarks. Referring to Mulayam, Lalu and BSP chief Mayawati, Gadkari said, "they are in opposition, but in reality they are hand-in-glove with Congress." Mulayam and Lalu are "afraid" of CBI, he said and accused the investigation agency of "blackmailing Mayawati after which she changed her stance (on cut motion on price rise)". Later, he told reporters that "I directly or indirectly never had

BJP president Nitin Gadkari displays a sample of rotten foodgrains from government warehouses in Chandigarh

He said the two Yadavs 'pretended to be lions' but later bowed down before the CBI. In this context, he also made some abusive remarks any intention to (indulge in) loose talks, particularly about Mulayam Singhji and Laluji. I respect them as leaders." He said his use of the words against the two Yadavs while addressing a party meeting should not be "taken literally as that was never my intention and it was never in my mind". The Yadavs are "respectable

leaders. If they feel something bad, then OK, no problem, I'll take my words back", Gadkari said. Lalu hits back RJD supremo Lalu Prasad hit back at Nitin Gadkari saying the BJP President has gone "mentally bankrupt". "We will first try to give Gadkari tablets to cure his mental bankruptcy, then put him on capsules and if the tablets and

capsules fail, we will put him on injection," Prasad told a press conference in Patna. On Gadkari criticizing the SP, RJD and BSP for not backing the NDA during the cut motions, alleging that they did so out of fear of the CBI, Prasad countered that Gadkari was spearheading a campaign against the CBI to save several leaders of his party who had allegedly stashed unaccounted black money with Swiss banks. SP threatens to move court The Samajwadi Party has threatened to move court against BJP President Nitin Gadkari for his "objectionable" comments against party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav "We are seeking legal opinion on the issue and will go to court against him," SP national spokesperson Mohan Singh told reporters in New Delhi. When told that Gadkari has apologized and withdrawn his remarks, Singh said, "We may accept his apology but what about millions of Dalits and backwards whose sentiments have been hurt by his remarks?" Singh said while RSS calls itself a guardian of Indian culture, a person like Gadkari who is backed by the organization, has shown his true colors and bias against the two Yadav leaders. -PTI

Kapadia sworn in Chief Justice of India NEW DELHI: Justice Sarosh Homi Kapadia, who hailed from a poor family and had once worked as a class IV employee, was on May 12 sworn in as the 38th Chief Justice of India. Kapadia, the senior most judge of the Supreme Court was administered the oath of office by President Pratibha Patil at a brief function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The 62-year-old judge took over from K G Balakrishnan, who also celebrated his birthday on the day. Kapadia would remain at the helm of Indian Judiciary till September 29, 2012. Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia

New Chief Justice of India Sarosh Homi Kapadia (L), out-going Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan (2 L) and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh attend the Golden Jubilee National Conference on Law and Governance in New Delhi on May 8

Gandhi, several union ministers and Leaders of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, and a host

of legal luminaries were present on the occasion. Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav was also present.

In a recent letter to former Supreme Court judge V R Krishna Iyer, Kapadia had said "I come from a poor family. I started my career as a class IV employee and the only asset I possess is integrity. "Even as a judge of the Supreme Court, I have used my knowledge of accounts and economics for the welfare of the downtrodden including tribals and workmen...," he had said. Kapadia, who is known for maintaining strict judicial discipline, assumes the office at a crucial time when Indian judiciary is hit by corruption controversy and perceived failure of in-house mechanism on appointment and elevation of judges. -PTI

May 21, 2010

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32 India Post

ufri is a tiny hill station located near Shimla. It is famous for its trekking and hiking trails. Adventure-seeking travelers throng Kufri in winters to enjoy skiing and tobogganing along its snowcovered slopes. Kufri is also famous for its nature parks and picnic spots. Kufri's proximity to the hill station of Shimla makes it an important place to visit. Kufri is located in the southern part of the state of Himachal Pradesh, in the northern region of India. It is perched at an altitude of 2,510 m above sea level amongst the foothills of the Himalayas. It is 13 km from Shimla. The weather in Kufri is alpine. Summers (April-June) are mild while winters (November-February) are cold. It expe-

riences southwestern monsoon rains in July-September. It experiences heavy snowfall in December-January. The best time to visit Kufri is in summers, between April and June. However, one may also the place between December and February to enjoy snowfall and skiing. The region around Shimla including Kufri was once a part of the Kingdom of Nepal. This region remained obscure from the rest of the world until the British 'discovered' it in 1819. The British made Shimla their summer capital in 1864 and it remained so until 1939. As Shimla gained importance, Kufri also began to be recognized as an important place to visit near Shimla. Tourist attractions: Kufri is a tiny hill station. It is famous for its beautiful environs and the cool refreshing atmosphere that pervades it. In summers, travelers can enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding verdant valleys and snow-capped peaks. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 33

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May 21, 2010

Kufri is a tiny hill station located near Shimla. It is famous for its trekking and hiking trails. Adventure-seeking travelers throng Kufri in winters to enjoy skiing and tobogganing along its snow-covered slopes. Kufri is also famous for its nature parks and picnic spots

Travel & Hospitality Post

May 21, 2010

India Post

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Kufri: Enjoy trekking, hiking, skiing & tobogganing Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 32

There are a number of picnic spots, hiking and trekking trails in and around Kufri. Travelers can explore Kufri and its surrounding areas also on horseback. They can hike through thick forest around Kufri to

the Mahasu Peak. The other places to visit in Kufri are the Himalayan Nature Park, which has a collection of animals and birds found only in Himachal Pradesh, and the Indira Tourist Park, which is near the Himalayan Nature Park and provides panoramic view of the locations around Kufri. In win-

ters, the snow-covered slopes of Kufri come alive with skiers and other visitors. Places around: Shimla, the capital city of the state of Himachal Pradesh is only 13 km from Kufri. It is an important destination on the tourist map of India. The British developed Shimla as an im-

portant hill station and the summer capital of India to escape from the heat of Delhi. This sprawling hill station set amongst the picturesque Shivalik range and Shimla hills has a number of tourist spots and important temples, apart from its beautiful natural surroundings. Travelers

visiting Kufri generally travel via Shimla. Fagu, which is 6 km from Kufri, is an interesting picnic spot set amongst forests and orchards. Fairs & festivals: A winter sports festival is organized every year in the month of February in Kufri. Skiing enthusiasts and adventure seekers participate in this

LA Zoo's famed alligator Reggie gets new roommate India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Zoo's famed American alligator, Reggie, has found a new roommate, Cajun Kate. In mid-April, Reggie and Cajun Kate were introduced. As can happen with any first time meeting, there was some friction following the introduction. L.A. Zoo animal keepers kept a close eye on the pair as they adjusted to their new situation. Though there were a few superficial wounds, the duo has adapted to their newly shared digs near the Zoo's entrance. From 2005 through 2007, Reggie garnered world-wide attention as the elusive alligator living in Lake Machado in Harbor City, Calif. After avoiding capture for two years, Reggie was apprehended on May 24, 2007, by Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians Ian Recchio with assistance from Recreation and Parks offi-

cials and members of the Fire and Police departments. Before his life at the Zoo, Reggie had been

From 2005 through 2007, Reggie garnered worldwide attention as the elusive alligator living in Lake Machado in Harbor City, Calif. After avoiding capture for two years, Reggie was apprehended on May 24, 2007, by Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians Ian Recchio with assistance from Recreation and Parks officials kept illegally by a private citizen who then set him loose in Harbor City's Lake Machado.

Until recently Cajun Kate had been sharing a habitat with another male alligator, Methuselah. He was the oldest animal at the Los Angeles Zoo. Methuselah came from the old L.A. Zoo and was at the current Zoo when it opened on November 28, 1966. He passed away on March 17, 2010. Recchio estimates that Methuselah was at least 70-years-old. Native to wetlands throughout the southeastern United States, American alligators have large, slightly rounded bodies with thick limbs, broad heads and powerful tails. Males can grow up to 14 feet in length, while females can reach eight feet in length. In 1967, alligators were listed as an endangered species. However, combined efforts by federal and state wildlife agencies have saved these unique animals. Today, although no longer endangered, the American alligators greatest threat is humans, habitat destruction and water pollution.

festival. How to reach: Road - Kufri does not have an airport or a railway station. However, Kufri is linked with Shimla, Narkanda, and Rampur by road. Travelers can also hire taxis from Shimla to reach Kufri. The area around Kufri can be explored on horseback.

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Tiger reserves to remain open for tourists NEW DELHI: The Government has ruled out any plan for banning tourism in tiger reserves in the country. "There is no intention in the government to stop tourism at tiger reserves. There is no such plan or proposal," said a senior Tourism Ministry official. Some media reports had said that the government was planning to stop tourism activities in the country's tiger reserves to

protect the big cat. However, the official said, "Tourism at some reserves needs to be better regulated as revenues generated from visitors can flow back directly into the management of each of the tiger reserves." According to the official, the government's policy is to develop a set of guidelines for ecotourism in a sustainable way, linked to the carrying capacity of

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the reserves. The Ministry lays emphasis on development and promotion of tourism on a sustainable and responsible basis safeguarding the environmental interests as laid down in the National Tourism Policy, 2002. In the recent years it has been assessed that there is a growing trend towards travel to eco-tourism destinations like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. The Ministry has organized a series of interactions with the stakeholders, state governments and Ministry of Environment and Forests under the initiative "Tigers -- Our National Beauties". -PTI

May 21, 2010

World Cup to boost South Africa tourism PRETORIA: South Africa's reputation as a world-class destination will be further consolidated after the country plays host to 2010 FIFA World Cup, a Minister has said. Delivering his Budget vote speech in Parliament, Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said the World Cup would leave a tangible and lasting tourism legacy in South Africa. He was confident that the tourism industry would also benefit from the powerful word-of-mouth marketing when soccer fans returned home as ambassadors and advocate for South Africa. "Long after the whistle is blown

at the last match, we will continue to reap the rewards of investments in this tournament which have catalyzed huge developments," he said. He said the local tourism industry outperformed world trends in 2009, with a growth of 3.6 per cent in foreign arrivals with a total of more than 9.9 million foreign arrivals to the country compared with about 9.6 million in 2008. This increase represented a 7.4 per cent contribution to gross domestic product (GDP). The total foreign direct spend

‘The particularly good growth from China (12.4 per cent) and India (17.5 per cent) ais considered a good return on South African Tourism's (SAT's) investment in these markets’ in 2009 grew by 7.0 percent compared with 2008 to USD 10.439115 billion (79.4 billion Rand). "This is a tremendous feather in the cap of the industry at a time when all other tourism markets worldwide were in a slump," Van Schalkwyk said. Van Schalkwyk said arrivals to South Africa were driven by healthy growth from, among other regions, Asia, with a 3.7 per cent increase, African air markets with a 3.3 per cent increase and African land markets, which saw 5.7 per cent growth. "The particularly good growth from China (12.4 per cent) and India (17.5 per cent) is considered a good return on South African Tourism's (SAT's) investment in these markets," he added. -PTI

Plea to declare Courtallam as tourist spot NEW DELHI: A DMK member in the Rajya Sabha has urged the Centre to declare Courtallam in Tamil Nadu, which attracts around one lakh tourists every year, as a national tourist spot to promote tourism in the state. In a special mention, Tiruchi Siva said Courtallam in Tirunelveli district is a seasonal health resort and receives an annual rainfall of 147 cm. The place with its captivating scenery, pollution free environment, beautiful weather and spectacular waterfalls has already been recognized as a state tourist spot by the Tamil Nadu government, he said.Siva said the state government has also represented to the Centre urging that Courtallam be declared a national tourist spot. -PTI

May 21, 2010

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Realty Tidbits

Realty prices may go up 10-15pc in next 6-9 months

NEW DELHI: Realty prices may go up by anything between 10 to 15 per cent in the next six to nine months, with demand exceeding supply, real estate developers said. "The price is going forward. It is likely to increase by 10-15 per cent in the next six to nine months' time," Parsvnath Developers Chairman Pradeep Jain told reporters on the sidelines of a conference organized by Credai's NCR chapter. BPTP Chief Financial Officer Sunil Jindal also feels that housing prices in the National Capital Region are likely to increase by 810 per cent in the same period on the back of rising demand.-PTI

Â&#x201E;

Carrefour plans retail stores in India

arrefour, the world's second largest retailer, has secured four properties in four cities across India and plans to set up 4 to 5 cash-and-carry stores by the end of 2010, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The French retail giant has signed for properties averaging about 100,000 square feet each in New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad and is in the process of signing up a fifth property in Mumbai, the sources said. The first outlet is set to be opened in July in New Delhi, where it has signed a 20-year lease with real estate developer Parsvnath Developers for 100,000 square feet of space, other sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Â&#x201E; Shortfall likely in retail space by 2012

he country could see a short fall in retail real estate space in 2011-12 though 40 million sq. ft. is expected to come up between 2010 and 2012. Anuj Puri, chairman and country head, Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj, said 25 per cent of the stock was likely to get absorbed in 2010. In 2009, about nine million sq ft was consumed by the segment, he said. On the impact of the slowdown and recovery, speakers said consumers had always been with them though the discretionary spends on non-food items had dropped due to insecurity post-Lehman fall. The demand in the North and East of the country continued to be robust even then, and the impact was seen in ITdominated areas such as the South.

Real Estate 37 India Post

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May 21, 2010

Retail rentals to stay low for 2 years

eading real estate consultants Knight Frank India says retail rentals will continue to be lower in the next two years, except for some locations in Mumbai and Delhi. "The retail space available in the country today is in surplus. So, there will be no upward pressure on rentals except in some locations in Mumbai and Delhi where we expect very slight momentum due to higher demand compared to other cities," Knight Frank India national research head Samantak Das told reporters.

Mumbai developers taking interest in booming Ahmedabad realty T

he boom in Ahmedabad realty and the good profits that can be made here have spurred not only the city's realtors into action, but have also attracted some major Mumbai-based players. If sources in the city's real estate sector are to be believed, many of the Mumbai-based builders have plans to come up with affordable housing schemes for the middle income group. The Ajmera Group has, in fact, re-entered Ahmedabad's realty market after almost 20 years. The company, in association with city-

based Bakeri Realty, recently bid successfully for 2.39 lakh sq

Heavy investment in real estate by NRGs and NRIs and the growing gap between demand and supply of residential properties for the middle-income group have also encouraged realtors to come forward with various schemes metres of Calico Mills land at an auction on May 1. The two realty companies together paid Rs211

Reliance steps into hospitality sector

crore for the land. The other entrant, Gemstone

fter entering oil and gas and timated to cost about Rs 1,200 retail sectors, Reliance Indus- crore, excluding land value of tries (RIL) is now stepping into about Rs 3,000 crore. Construction hospitality through a joint venture cost will be borne by RIL and with Mumbai-based real estate Maker Builders. company Maker Builders. They According to people close to will build two hotels at the Bandra the negotiations, the business plan Kurla Complex in suburban and the revenue sharing agreement Mumbai. between Maker Maxity and the The partners are in final talks hotel chain is in place. Mandarin with an international hotel chain Oriental is an international hotel inlisted in London -Mandarin Ori- vestment and management group ental of Jardine Matheson group - that operates, or has under develto run their hotels, according to a report published The partners are in final talks in Financial Chronicle. Terms and conditions with an international hotel of a revenue sharing deal chain listed in London between RIL, Maker and Mandarin Oriental of Jardine Mandarin are expected to Matheson group - to run their be signed shortly. The first hotels, according to a report project - Maker Maxity will come up in the open- published in Financial air theatre ground in Chronicle Bandra, the report added. Reliance and Maker will hold 35 opment, 41 properties representing per cent stake each in the project, more than 10,000 rooms in 26 counwhile Urban Infrastructure Venture tries, with 17 hotels in Asia, 13 in Capital Fund and Zander Private the US and 11 in Europe, the Gulf, Equity Fund will hold 15 per cent and North Africa. each. One hotel will be a five-star Its parent, Mandarin Oriental property and the other will be a International, is incorporated in seven-star super luxury hotel. Bermuda and has its primary share Mandarin will manage both. listing in London and secondary Mandarin Oriental will oversee listings in Bermuda and construction of both the proper- Singapore. Mandarin Oriental Hoties and ensure that they meet the tel Group International, which ophotel chain's specifications. Con- erates from Hong Kong, manages struction of both the hotels is es- the group's hotels.

Investments, a non-banking finance company which is also listed on the BSE, has formed a new company called, Dhanushya Infracon Pvt Ltd, for forays into the city's real estate market. The Mumbai realtors are excited by the state's industrial and economic development. They believe that the development of the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) and a new airport at Fedra (both near Ahmedabad) will boost industrial and economic activity in and around in the city. The fact that a large portion of the proposed Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) passes through the state is also expected to push up realty rates here. "Given that there is large-scale development on the outskirts of the city, the future of real estate in Ahmedabad definitely looks bright," said Manoj Ajmera, director of Ajmera Group of Companies. "This is one of the reasons why we decided to re-enter the market." He revealed that the group had been scouting for land to build residential schemes in the city for the past six months. They want to focus on affordable housing

for the middle-income group, he said." Our core expertise lies in our ability to meet people's expectations of good construction and timely delivery of homes," Ajmera said. Narendra Ganatra, chairman and managing director of Dhanushya Infracon, said the state has registered double digit economic growth and is considered very safe for making investments. The group wants to focus on the Ahmedabad realty market for at least 10 years, he said. Heavy investment in real estate by NRGs and NRIs and the growing gap between demand and supply of residential properties for the middle-income group have also encouraged realtors to come forward with various schemes. A number of townships are coming up on the outskirts of the city but that has not dimmed the faith of Mumbai-based realtors in the profitability of the Ahmedabad market. They believe there is potential for development of affordable houses even within city limits. "The townships are coming up on the outskirts," Ajmera said. "But we want land within the city and are looking at different locations." A source said there are many other players keen to enter the Ahmedabad realty market. These include Mumbai-based Rustomjee Builders and Acme Group of Companies and Bangalore-based Nitesh Estate. "These real estate majors are scouting for big chunks of land in the city and surrounding areas," the source said.

Tech News FM admits poor yet to get benefits of faster growth NEW DELHI: Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee has exuded confidence that the economy will surpass the IMF projections of 8.8 per cent in 2010 and 8.4 per cent the next year, but admitted the benefits of faster economic expansion are yet to percolate down to the poor. "The IMF in its latest world economic outlook has projected that GDP growth to be 8.8 per cent in 2010, and 8.4 per cent in 2011, and I expect even better performance," Mukherjee told a CII annual session in the Capital. For the 2009-10 fiscal, Mukherjee said, he expects the economy to grow by 7.2 per cent, the same as estimated by the Central Statistical Organization in its advance estimate. -PTI

Dish TV adds 1.8 million subscribers

ish TV India Limited, the leading Direct-to-Home service provider in the subcontinent, has reported consolidated revenues of Rs.3 billion for the fourth quarter fiscal '10. This represents a 46% growth over the corresponding period last fiscal in the Company's revenues. While, the operating revenue for fiscal 2010 stood at Rs. 10.9 billion marking a strong growth of 48% on a YoY basis. EBITDA for the period stood at Rs. 915 million, up 148% YoY. Commenting on the financial performance, Mr. Subhash Chandra, Dish TV said.

RCOM facilitates subscribers with IPTV services

n a recent announcement, Reli ance Communication has confirmed about launching of its IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) Service in Delhi and Mumbai cities. The plan will be executed with in 3 months from now facilitating viewers of both cities with lots of entertaining content. The advanced service currently is offered by BSNL and MTNL in NCR and Mumbai region. In future, the company also holds plan to launch IPTV service in 6 other cities. With this service, the viewers will get access to national, international and regional video content. Also, approximately 100 channels will offer qualitative content based on music, sports, movies genres to the subscribers.

TechBiz 38 India Post

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May 21, 2010

ESPNEWS launches on Malaysia's Astro

sia's first dedicated 24-hour sports news channel from ESPN STAR Sports, ESPNEWS has been rolled out in Malaysia on Astro All Asia Network's pay-TV platform. ESPNEWS will be delivering content ranging from local, regional and international sporting events. The content is supported by highlights, scores, updates and comprehensive information. With this launch ESPNEWS expands its presence in the international Asian markets including Singapore, Myanmar, the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam and now Malaysia. The sports news channel was until recently available only in USA. The layout of ESPNEWS comprises of four main data streams, namely the video window, streaming results and upcoming fixtures, news updates and the rankings and statistics.

India sets up Working Group on Foreign Investments India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The Government of India has set up a Working Group on Foreign Investments in India with a view to rationalizing the present arrangements relating to foreign portfolio investments by Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and Non Resident Indians (NRIs). The Working Group will also look into other foreign investments like Foreign Venture Capital Investor (FVCI) and Private Equity Entities, etc., to look at various types of foreign flows, across the respective stand-alone regulations and generate recommendations to the Government. The Working Group will consist of members from the Government,

the regulators and the private sector. The Working Group is tasked with: • Reviewing the existing policy on foreign inflows, other than Foreign Direct investment (FDI), such

ing rationalization of the same with a view to encourage foreign investment and reducing policy hurdles in this regard while maintaining the Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements; • Identifying challenges in meet-

The Working Group will also look into other foreign investments like Foreign Venture Capital Investor (FVCI) and Private Equity Entities, etc., to look at various types of foreign flows, across the respective stand-alone regulations as foreign portfolio investments by FIIs/NRIs and other foreign investments like Foreign Venture Capital Investor (FVCI) and Private equity entities and suggest-

ing the financing needs of the Indian economy through foreign investment including the markets for government bonds, corporate bonds and external commercial

borrowings; • Re-examining the rationale of taxation of transactions through the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) and stamp duty; • Reviewing the legal and regulatory framework of foreign investment in order to identify specific bottlenecks impeding the servicing of these financing needs. • Suggesting specific short, medium and long term legal, regulatory and other policy changes in respect of foreign investment, keeping in view the suggestions of expert committee reports such as the Committee on Fuller Capital Account Convertibility, the Committee on Financial Sector Reforms and the High Powered Expert Committee on Making Mumbai an International Financial Centre.

Business houses show interest India's Dr. Mathur gets energy efficiency award in rural development NEW DELHI: Government's efforts to involve private sector in rural development has evoked encouraging response with as many as 93 business houses showing willingness to participate in a central scheme to bridge the rural-urban divide. Welcoming their response, Rural Development Minister C P Joshi said the scheme would usher in a new era of development enabling the rural population to avail of basic infrastructure facilities. "Private partners selected for this scheme will work for a Gram Panchayat of 25,000-40,000 population or a group of geographically connected Gram Panchayats," Joshi said here. The ministry had invited an expression of interest from the private sector a few months back. The companies, which have sent their proposal include Tata Power, Tata Realty and Infrastructure, Jindal Steels and Power, Reliance Energy, IL&FS, IDFC and Drishti. A senior official of the ministry said implementation of the scheme is likely to commence from January next year after completion of

the process including selection of the private partners and Detailed Project Reports (DPR). The private partners will be involved in activities related to water and sewerage, construction and maintenance of streets, drainage, solid waste management and skill development. In addition, there will be provision for street lights in village lanes, telephone, other electrical works, rural tourism, village centers and rural markets, common centers for agriculture, ware housing and other projects involving rural economy. The central scheme, PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas), had first been implemented on a pilot basis from 2004-05 for a period of three years in seven clusters -- one each in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh. Under the 11th Plan, Rs 248 crore has been sanctioned to implement the scheme on a pilot basis again in ten Panchayats or Panchayat clusters, for a period of 13 years. -PTI

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General of India's Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is one of the energy efficiency "vision-

the Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change and has been involved in driving India's market transformation towards energy efficiency. His work includes India's standards and labeling

Dr. Mathur is also a member of the Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change and has been involved in driving India's market transformation towards energy efficiency. His work includes India's standards and labeling program for equipment and appliances Dr. Ajay Mathur

aries" honored by the Alliance to Save Energy, at a conference held in Washington DC on May 11. The award winners were chosen from Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. Dr. Mathur is also a member of

program for equipment and appliances, its energy conservation building code and programs for industrial energy efficiency and demand-side management in the buildings, lighting, and municipal sectors.

May 21, 2010

TechBiz Post

India Post

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Huawei and ZTE affirm plans to Indianise operations

indiapost.com

BANGLORE: Two major Chinese telecom companies Huawei and ZTE, which are reportedly facing security hurdles, have sought to assert bringing an Indian character to their operations in the country even as the government said it is not paranoid about China. Telecom equipment maker Huwaei Technologies said that it was in the process of forming a board of directors comprising Indian executives and was also planning to set up a plant here. Another Chinese player ZTE Telecom also said it was mulling a manufacturing plant in India. Meanwhile in New Delhi, Defense Minister A K Antony dismissed the suggestion that India was paranoid about China. He was replying to reporters queries whether India was paranoid about China in the wake of a controversy after Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh's remarks in Beijing. "In this context, we are trying to improve our relations with all our neighboring countries and this includes China also. All are reciprocating well," Antony said. Ramesh had said in Beijing that the Home Ministry was "overly defensive" and "alarmist" in its approach towards entry of Chinese companies in India. He was critical of the Home Ministry's decision about restrictions on allowing the import and installation of equipment from Chinese firms on the grounds that it could pose a security challenge, in the highly-sensitive telecom sector. One of the Chinese firms ZTE said that Indian operators have told the company that it had failed to meet the government's security tests necessary for getting clearance to supply equipment in the Indian market. "We have no formal communication from the government but what we have learnt from operators is that certain companies, including ZTE, have not met security tests," ZTE India Chairman D K Ghosh said. The Chinese firms are under lens as their facilities are reportedly under the direct sur-

veillance of China. Huawei rubbished reports that some of its R&D facilities were out-of-bounds for Indian employees and only its Chinese staff had access to some areas. "The company is open to any kind of visit by government or agencies," Huawei Vice-President (Engineering and CRD Business Line) Virendra Gupta told reporters, who were taken around the facility. He also described as "completely untrue" reports that only the ground and first floors of the R &D facility were accessible to Indian staff and that the floors beyond could be accessed only by Chinese executives.

Of the 2,000 employees at the R&D facility, only 30 were Chinese, he said and pointed out that many senior management personnel on the business and technical side were Indians. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;As part of its localization strategy, Huawei is in the process of forming a board of directors comprising Indian executives of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Of the 2,000 employees at the R&D facility, only 30 were Chinese, he said and pointed out that many senior management personnel on the business and technical side were Indians. "As part of its localization strategy, Huawei is in the process of forming a board of directors comprising Indian executives of the company," Gupta said. When asked if this was being done to allay security fears over import of Chinese telecom equipment, he said that the decision to form a local board was nearly a year old. -PTI

Factory output grew 13.5% in March NEW DELHI: Driven by manufacturing sector, industrial production recorded 13.5 per cent growth in March, making it over 10 per cent expansion in six months in a row. Although the factory output declined marginally from 15.1 per cent in February, it is still good enough to ensure 7.2 per cent economic growth during 2009-10, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said. Industrial growth as measured by Index of Industrial Production (IIP) during 200910 works out at 10.4 per cent against 2.8 per cent in the previous fiscal when the global slowdown hit the economy. "March IIP numbers not going to impact the GDP growth estimates for 2009-10. We are hoping that during 2010-11, we will close the fiscal with double digit factory output," Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said. Manufacturing, which accounts for nearly 80 per cent of the IIP, grew by 14.3 per cent during March. Mining recorded an increase of 11 per cent and electricity 7.7 per cent. Referring to a slight decline in IIP in March compared to the previous month's, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said, "These are minor fluctuations. We will review as to why some slowdown is

there and we will go into the reasons at ways of intervention to correct it." The economists expect the factory output to ease a little bit in the coming months due to the twin impact of withdrawal of stimulus packages and uncertainty about the global economic recovery. "The risks in the global economies pose a threat to the factory output here. Going forward, we see some decline in the IIP figures as the low base effect wanes. As base effect turns adverse, we will see the growth coming into single digit," HDFC Bank Chief Economist Abheek Barua said. The IIP numbers further reveal that 14 out of the 17 industrial groups showed positive growth in March. The sectors, which witnessed negative growth were jute, textile products and wool, silk and man-made fiber textile. Consumer durables, which was particularly hit by the global crisis, expanded 32 per cent in the month, while capital goods production rose 27.4 per cent. Consumer non-durables, which include FMCG goods like toiletries and cosmetics, however, grew a modest 3.3 per cent during March. "There could be some months during the year when IIP may post a single digit growth on the back of strong base effect. -PTI

Health

Line

Abortion issue tough for some Dem gov candidates

HARRISBURG, Pa.: In a state with one of the nation's strictest abortion laws, signed by a governor who was barred from addressing the 1992 Democratic National Convention because of his strong anti-abortion views, it may not be surprising that the issue is agitating the party's 2010 gubernatorial primary race. Abortion is perennially a hotbutton topic, fueled by deeply held beliefs on both sides and simmering speculation that the U.S. Supreme Court might overturn its 1973 ruling declaring that women have a constitutional right to terminate their pregnancies. In 2008, 38,807 abortions were performed in Pennsylvania, according to the state Health Department. -AP

US cancer costs nearly doubled in 20 years ATLANTA: A surprising new study finds that the cost of treating cancer in the United States nearly doubled over the past two decades. But expensive cancer drugs may not be the main reason why. The study found that rising costs may have been driven more by the growing number of cancer patients than by factors like the price of treatments. Researcher found that cancer accounts for only 5 percent of total U.S. medical costs, something that hasn't changed in 20 years. The total cost of cancer treatments rose from nearly $25 billion in 1987 to more than $48 billion by the end of 2005. The study is being published in Cancer, a medical journal of the American Cancer Society. -AP

Radical treatment offered for severe asthma WASHINGTON: People with severe asthma are getting a radically different treatment option: A way to snake a wire inside their lungs and melt off some of the tissue that squeezes their airways shut. Bronchial thermoplasty isn't for everyone, just a subset who wheeze despite today's best medications. It's neither a cure nor without risk. But the Alair system, rolling out this month, offers the first method of physically altering spasm-prone airways. -AP

Health Science 40

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May 21, 2010

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Flu season over, for now: Ind. officials INDIANAPOLIS: State health officials have declared Indiana's flu season officially over following swine flu outbreaks that killed 39 Indiana residents. -AP

Indian social entrepreneur wins $100,000 MIT Award India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Dr. B. P. Agrawal, a visionary social entrepreneur from India has won the 2010 $100,000 Lemelson-MIT Award for Sustainability for pioneering technology that improves access to clean water, healthcare and business development in rural India. Eighty percent of health problems and five million deaths per year in developing countries are linked to inadequate water and sanitation according to the World Water Development Report 2009. This, coupled with the lack of medical attention for rural villagers, highlights a dire need for reliable access to clean water and healthcare, problems that Dr. BP Agrawal aims to solve while combining his business insight with pioneering technologies to uncover innovative approaches to solve problems for the world's vulnerable populations. "Agrawal's accomplishments take us one step closer to solving the global water crisis, and enable thousands of rural villagers to

combat infection and disease in a self-sufficient, sustainable way," states Joshua Schuler, executive director of the Lemelson-MIT Program. "His ability to think outsidethe-box and his inventive spirit help merge technology and tradition in order to enhance the qual-

nity-driven rainwater harvesting system and mobile health clinics have the potential to improve the global public health system and better the quality of life for villagers in rural India. These novel inventions were developed under Agrawal's Sustainable Innovations, a non-profit focused on building self-sustaining social enterprises.

Agrawal created a simple, self-sustaining execution plan - villagers rent their rooftops to others, enabling them to sell water Dr. B. P. Agrawal Photo courtesy: Lemelson-MIT Program

ity of life for vulnerable, desperate populations; he is an inspiring role model for young entrepreneurs working in international development." Rajasthan, India native Agrawal's creation of a commu-

Agrawal was selected as the winner of the prestigious prize by a distinguished panel of scientists, technologists, engineers and entrepreneurs. He will accept the award and present his innovations to the public at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology during the Lemelson-MIT Program's fourthannual EurekaFest, a multi-day

celebration of the inventive spirit, June 16-19. Aakash Ganga Funded with Agrawal's first World Bank Development Marketplace Award, Aakash Ganga (AG) is a rainwater harvesting system currently installed in six droughtprone villages in Rajasthan, the driest state in India. The AG system rents rooftops from homeowners and channels the rooftop rainwater through gutters and pipes to a network of underground storage reservoirs. This network of reservoirs is designed to provide 10 - 12 liters of water daily to every person in an entire village for a year; to-date, it has helped 10,000 villagers gain access to clean water. Agrawal is now working with the local, state and national governments for widespread adoption of AG. Agrawal created a simple, selfsustaining execution plan - villagers rent their rooftops to others, enabling them to sell water and collect what they view as "free money." Cont’d on page 41

Residents Medical Group places top residents in hospitals throughout America SPECIAL TO INDIA POST

LOS ANGELES: If you want to be a licensed doctor in America you will have to do a residency. And Dr. Michael Everest of Los Angeles probably knows the field of securing a residency position in America better than anyone else. He places nearly 50 doctors a year from around the world in residency programs at some of the most prestigious hospital residency programs in the nation. UC Medical School, Suny Downstate, CHW Hospitals, and Cornell Medical School, are just some of the impressive names and institutions affiliated with his 20 year old company, started by his father who was a top surgeon from India.

Dr. Everest, who also has an MBA in business, and explains he inherited his father's wish to help many doctors trained outside of America to achieve their dreams of becoming a doctor. "My father dedicated his life to educating himself and others. He was constantly improving medical institutions in the United Kingdom and United States," emphasizes Dr. Everest, adding that his father, who served as a CEO of major health care companies, was the single force in shaping and changing how residents, both foreign and domestic, are placed in medical residency programs even today.

He places nearly 50 doctors a year from around the world in residency programs at some of the most prestigious hospital residency programs in the nation "Someone gave my father a chance to be a resident in America and you could say I'm carrying on my father's noble vision of helping others get a chance at a residency in the United States," says

Dr Michael Everest

Cont’d on page 42

May 21, 2010

Health Science Post

India Post

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Cancer patient highlights nuclear plant safety LOUISVILLE, Ky.: As research scientists and federal regulators gathered in Washington, D.C., recently to discuss a new study of cancer rates near nuclear power plants, Sarah Sauer of Corydon, Ind., asked them for a favor. Don't forget the people behind the numbers, said Sarah, 16, a sophomore at Presentation Academy in Louisville. Moments earlier, as she spoke to the National Academy of Sciences panel, the teen brought some in the room to tears, standing on a step-stool to reach the microphone as her high-pitched and strained voice told as much about her cancer battle as her words. Linda Modica, a Sierra Club member from Tennessee who attended the panel meeting, said Sarah was a brave girl. ``It came off in a very poignant and powerful way,'' said Modica. It was a moment for which Sarah and her family had waited years - a chance to put a face on a study that will examine whether youngsters and adults who have lived near nuclear power plants

suffer from higher rates of cancer. ``I got sick and I don't want everybody else to have to go through the whole thing I did,'' Sarah said in an interview after her return from Washington. Her father, obstetrician Joseph Sauer, moved the family from Illinois to Southern Indiana in 2004,

The teen brought some in the room to tears, standing on a stepstool to reach the microphone as her high-pitched and strained voice told as much about her cancer battle as her words hoping to escape exposure from the Braidwood generating station in Braceville, Ill., about five miles from their last home. Doctors told Sarah's parents they suspect her rare form of brain cancer was caused by environmental contamination from Braidwood, al-

though her parents concede they can't say for certain. Before moving, however, the Sauers joined a chorus of environmental activists and others who clamored for more updated scientific analysis of cancer risks linked to nuclear facilities and enrichment plants. Most oppose President Barack Obama's support for a nuclear renaissance because they contend that past problems associated with atomic-powered generating plants haven't been adequately examined. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission recently asked the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study on cancer in populations surrounding nuclear generating stations. A 1990 report by the National Cancer Institute ruled out a link, but critics have insisted that study was flawed because it considered only children who died of cancer, not children like Sarah who were sickened but survived. It also examined populations by county, not groups living closest to the power plants, critics said. -AP

Indian social entrepreneur wins $100,000 MIT Award Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 40

70 percent of harvested water is sold or used for individual families; the rest goes to horticulture. This dramatically improves sanitation, creates revenue to compensate each entrepreneur and covers operating costs. Additionally, the access to drinking water frees time for girls to attend school and women to be more economically productive. Agrawal's rainwater harvesting system has indeed been a tremendous success, almost doubling the number of houses included in the original plan. Building on this initial accomplishment, the Indian government's Ministry of Rural Development has expressed interest in implementing AG in 40 villages, for 100,000 people, and The Department of Science and Technology is evaluating Sustainable Innovations' proposal to execute AG in 40 Rajasthan villages Arogya Ghar In an effort to make medical knowledge and healthcare accessible to rural populations, Agrawal also developed Arogya Ghar (Arogya), Clinics for Mass Care, with entrepreneur Atual Jain, for

which he won a second World Bank Development Marketplace Award. Arogya, a system of mobile, kioskbased clinics, is poised to alleviate the shortage of trained medical staff and improve standardized treatment protocols for common ailments and preventable diseases in India. Arogya is owned and operated by high-school educated young women who deliver care door-todoor, after receiving training in healthcare and for-profit ventures from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani, Rajasthan. The kiosks allow them to enter basic patient tracking information, such as symptoms and vaccination history, which physicians review to take necessary remedial measures. Villagers treated through Arogya are given unique health identifier numbers so that doctors can maintain longitudinal health records and track progress. Treatment is inexpensive, costing approximately 25 cents per visit. Agrawal's team is currently seeking collaboration with the USAID, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and social investors to scale up the kiosks to 50 villages by 2012, delivering care to 100,000 people.

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May 21, 2010

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Dr Sikander honored with New coverage for young adults prestigious fellowship will raise premiums PINKY KAUR

NEW YORK: An India-origin medical practioner now settled in New York Dr. Sultan Sikander Ali Khan, MD, FACP, FASH, was recently honored with a prestigious fellowship by American Society of Hypertension at the Twenty Fifth Annual Scientific Meeting and Exposition in Hilton Hotel, Manhattan, New York. There are only 114 Fellows American Society of Hypertension in the US. Dr. Khan is a Diplomate American Board of Internal Medicine, Diplomate Specialist in Hypertension, Diplomate American Clinical Lipidology and Fellow American College of Physicians. He is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine in New York Medical College, and has private practice in Staten Island and Brooklyn, New York. He has several medical publications printed in leading medical journals. He is listed among America's top physicians by the Consumer Research Council of

Dr. Sultan Sikander Ali Khan

He has several medical publications printed in leading medical journals. He is listed among America's top physicians America 2009-2010. He is the son of the late. Nawab Waif Ali Khan, retired Superintendent of Police, Hyderabad A.P., India. Dr. Khan will be giving lectures at Hyderabad, India in the month of December, 2010.

WASHINGTON: Letting young adults stay on their parents' health insurance until they turn 26 will nudge premiums nearly 1 percent higher for employer plans, the government said in an estimate. The coverage requirement, effective starting later this year, is one of the most anticipated early benefits of President Barack Obama's new health care law. Many insurers have already started offering extended coverage to families who purchase their coverage directly. And employers say parents have flooded their benefits departments with questions. The Health and Human Services Department released estimates of the costs and benefits of the requirement as part of a regulation directing employers and insurers how to carry it out. The new benefit will cost $3,380 for each dependent, raising premiums by 0.7 percent in 2011 for employer plans, according to the department's mid-range estimate. Some 1.2 million young adults are expected to sign up, more than half

of whom would have been uninsured. Extended coverage will be required starting this fall, for health plan years beginning on or after Sept. 23. That premium increase will come on top of hikes employers already expect for next year. Large

The situation is different for people buying their family coverage directly from an insurer, as many selfemployed parents do companies forecast that premiums will rise between 6.5 percent and 7 percent without the impact of the health care overhaul, according to an early survey by the National Business Group on Health and benefits consultant Towers Watson. Family coverage through the workplace now averages about

$13,400 a year counting both the shares paid by the employer and worker. Many employers allow workers to keep college students on the company health plan until they graduate. But under the new law, staying in school would no longer be required. The regulation also specifies that young adults offered extended coverage through an employer cannot be charged more than other dependents, nor can they be offered a lesser set of benefits. Instead, the cost must be spread broadly. The situation is different for people buying their family coverage directly from an insurer, as many self-employed parents do. Unlike employers, insurers in the individual market do not have to spread the costs broadly. Parents would face an estimated additional premium of $2,360 in 2011. Enrollment as well as cost would increase modestly after 2011 for both employer and individual plans. Starting in 2014, the major changes of the new health care law go into effect. -AP

RMG helping with residency in US Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 40

Each year hundreds of thousands of students graduate from medical schools worldwide. Many of these graduates enter an overflowing pool in the United States where thousands of candidates struggle year after year for a prized position in an ACGME accredited residency program. Due to the overwhelming number of students competing for these few residency positions, many give up or are lost in the process. For some, Dr. Everest's Residents Medical Group, with a remarkable 99.9% success rate, makes all the difference in the world. "If we deem you a viable candidate for placement you will be on your way to a residency training in the US. We handle the politics of residency placement so our magnificent candidates can focus on becoming competent medical practitioners," states Dr. Everest, who praises his candidates as being phenomenal examples of the best in the medical profession. "Once we get our candidates interviews their backgrounds, their enthusiasm, their knowledge speaks for itself. We've been placing doctors in programs for the last twenty years and not one has ever been dismissed, in fact many of our doctors have gone on to become the most popular or most honored

resident in their hospitals. That says we're doing something right," he says, emphasizing that his company also retains doctors as advisors and stewards of his program. A number of excellent doctors and professors from fields varying from anesthesiology to urology have joined the Residents Medical Group team. Administrators at many of the hospitals served by Dr. Everest's Residents Medical Group echo his enthusiasm. "They're the best, hands down, we know we can count on any candidate Dr. Everest recommends," praises the chairman of a resident program at Suny Downstate Hospital in New York, where an arm of Residents Medical Group, the Edwin Everest Foundation, is also funding the construction of a medical facility for an underprivileged area, which is one of the benefits of working with Residents Medical Group and its prestigious foundation set up in the founder's name. Because many hospitals in America are struggling with financial budgeting cutbacks, the Edwin Everest Foundation is a welcomed assistance both where their clients are placed and at institutions in need. "All of Dr. Everest's candidates we placed here have consistently gone on to be some of our best doctors without a doubt," says a program chairman at the

prestigious Northwestern University in Chicago. "Our continued relationship with Dr. Everest's company and foundation over the years has been one of the best things we have set up." Northwestern's praises are echoed by another program director and pathologist at the prestigious UC

'My father taught me to really provide creative solutions that are innovative in the residency placement field and I've never forgotten that,' says Dr Everest. 'It's paid off, because we are looking to expand our placements in dealing with foreign governments and to grow at a triple digit rate' Davis Medical School and Hospital, who is a member of Dr. Everest's board. He can't overemphasize Dr. Everest's commitment to his candidates. "We have several programs we're setting up right now and Dr. Everest is constantly looking at ways to not only help his candidates get placed, but how we can

help our nation's hospitals in the process." Robin Kaplan, a partner and associate with Residents Medical Group, agrees: "Michael is one of the best people in helping place residents, because he's seen so many struggle with the process and he understands that struggle," she says. "I've seen him take immense time and care to counsel an FMG (foreign medical graduate) on the course to chart so that he or she can eventually get placed. When they do finally land that position many praise Michael for his wisdom and advice," she says. Dr. Khar, a doctor from Egypt who had nearly given up hope to be a doctor until he met Dr. Edwin Everest, shares Kaplan's admiration for Dr. Everest's attention to each particular candidate's road to residency. "I'd still be working as a doctor's assistant or nurse and not a doctor without Dr. Everest's guidance. When I came to him I had about given up my dream to be a doctor, but he completely turned it around and challenged me to make some good choices and eventually get a placement," he says. Dr. Everest also boasts that his referral program is unsurpassed with one of the largest bases of new clientele. "Every satisfied resident on the average refers five

new residents to place which further benefits the newly placed resident and his referrals because they each will have the backing of our team of experts. We know from past experience that once a doctor is placed by Residents Medical Group, he/she will let others know of their great experience," he says, underscoring that where other medical resident placement companies simply help a future resident with Curriculum Vitae (CV), personal statements etc., Residents Medical Group utilizes a large gamut of resources and facilitates positions in mid-term, early match as well as outside of Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). "My father taught me to really provide creative solutions that are innovative in the residency placement field and I've never forgotten that," says Dr. Everest. "It's paid off, because we are looking to expand our placements in dealing with foreign governments and to grow at a triple digit rate. When I see a doctor with his or her white coat on and a stethoscope around the neck going off to alleviate some patient's distress, now that's a job well done," he says with a smile. To contact Residents Medical Group call 800o253o8977 or visit their website at www.residentsmedicalgroup.com.

Horoscope

May 21, 2010

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ARIES Mar 21-Apr 20 You will plan something adventurous with children. Mind will be at ease. You will be on the move and may have to spend most time outside office. Legal matters will keep taking positive shape and the final victory is not too far now. You will spend money on buying some unique gifts. An old friend will pay a surprise visit.

LEO Jul 23-Aug 22 Lots of uncertainty will disappear from life and you will be able to plan things in better way with determination and confidence as well. You may have some money coming from insurance or in laws this week. You will meet few important people in connection with business who will immediately assure you of all help and cooperation.

SAGITTARIUS

May 21 to May 27

Nov 23-Dec 22 Health concerns bothering you for past several months will go away. Chance of addition in the family for prospective couples become strong suddenly. You will really enjoy the company of a new friend. Very favorable week for people looking for a change in career. Some of you will be getting ready for an upcoming move also.

No racial profiling in aftermath of Times Square plot: US WASHINGTON: The US has ruled out conducting "racial profiling" as an anti-terror measure in the aftermath of the failed Times Square bombing incident in which a Pakistani-origin suspect has been arrested, arguing that it is not a helpful law enforcement measure. "I don't think that profiling is good law enforcement," US Attorney General Eric Holder told the NBC news channel when asked if US would go for racial profiling of Pakistani-Americans in view of the Times Square incident. His statement came amid reports that some Pakistani Americans were posing as Indians following the Times Square incident to avert a backlash. After the arrest of Faisal Shahzad, son of a retired Air Vice Marshal of the Pakistani Air Force, some members of the Pakistani diaspora, particularly in New York, had said they feared a backlash if they identify themselves as Pakistani Americans. Ruling out any profiling based on nationality, Holder said law en-

forcement agencies would do better to identify people who are suspicious. "You ought to pay attention to the person who you have a suspicion about. A person who you have a basis to believe wants to do harm to our nation," Holder argued. "If you look at the arrests that we made in Pennsylvania of white women, those were people who were bound and determined to do something very negative and with regards to the United States. Racial profiling would not have picked those people up," he said. Soon after the Times Square incident the New York Mayor had warned against any backlash against the Pakistani Americans, who live in large numbers in the City, particularly in the two neighbourhoods of Brooklyn and Jackson Heights, which also has the highest concentration of Indian Americans. In fact, Jackson Heights is known as Little India - because of the large number of Indian Americans living here.-PTI

TAURUS Apr 21-May 20 Efforts will not go in vein, rather you will make good use of the weak opportunity and turn it into a very profitable deal. Strong Sun in first will make you more popular in social circle. You would not mind showing off an expensive item you purchased recently to your friends. Things will keep getting more relaxed in career.

VIRGO Aug 23-Sept 22 There will be some changes in business partners you had been working with for quite some time. New partners will be more far sighted and easy to deal with. Some of you will be getting ready to move to another place. There is an overseas business trip in the air. Planets looks very favorable from financial point of view.

CAPRICORN Dec 23-Jan 19 Wait will be over and you will start hearing from other side. Negotiations will take some more time but will ultimately materialize. Pay attention to an health issue that flares up from time to time. You will make few useful friends at the gathering. Letters you write will get response quickly and in positive only.

GEMINI May 21-Jun 20 Strong Venus will improve things around suddenly and you will start to enjoy life more and will stay cheerful. Favorable planets bring financial relief in a big way. You will make final payments on several bills, commitments made around November of last year. You will also receive valuable advice about career from a matured person.

LIBRA Sept 23-Oct 22 Planets bring lots of relief in career. Some one who was a threat will move out of state. You will finally lay your hands on the money which was due long time ago. Children will help you plan an exciting trip. There will be overnight positive changes in health of an ailing family member. All attempts will hit bulls eye.

AQUARIUS Jan 20-Feb 18 Opportunities to make money will keep coming one after another. Soon a big family reunion will take place and you will be slowly working towards it. Business trip will be fruitful and the results will be far bigger than anticipated. You may develop a taste for sweets. Idea of legal action to prove your point is not bad.

CANCER Jun 21-Jul 22 Hard work and patience shown in the past will pay off in big way and the investment will be lot less than anticipated. This could be a turning point in your career. You may suddenly develop taste for red meat or hot and spicy food. Planet in eleventh helps you make big chunk of money through stocks. Trip will be entertaining.

SCORPIO Oct 23-Nov 22 There will be dramatic changes in life and suddenly you will be full of energy. Project started half heartily will take off like a bullet and will become major thing soon. You will be helped by a person who is not only successful but have lots of good connections. You have some money coming out of legal procedure also.

PISCES Feb 19-Mar 20 You will be offered a dream opportunity but without too much financial gains. People in business will experience better sales and will be motivated to spend little more on advertising. Spouse will complain about aches and pains in joint and may need to rest more. You will also make final payment on couple of credit cards.

In Brief Phoenix could lose $90M from immigration fallout PHOENIX: A city official says Phoenix could possibly lose hotel and convention center business worth about $90 million over the next five years because of fallout from Arizona's new immigration law. The law has attracted international attention as well as calls for tourists and businesses to boycott Arizona. A deputy city manager who is monitoring the issue - David Krietor - says city and tourism officials in Phoenix have compiled a ``watch list'' tracking the potential fallout. The list includes four organizations that have canceled events and more than a dozen groups that have expressed concerns about the new law. -AP

Immigration reform needed for ag workers, farmers say MONTPELIER, Vt.: Many farmers say that without immigration reform, they'll be facing a labor shortage. Farmers say most Americans shy away from jobs such as cutting cabbage because the work is seasonal, physically tough, out in the elements and often in remote areas. They want the federal government to make it easier for them to get qualified, legal foreign workers. That includes passing an ``AgJobs'' bill enabling farm workers to get some kind of legal status and simplifying a visa program for temporary workers. The Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates tougher immigration laws, thinks the problem is farmers are addicted to cheap, foreign labor and haven't been forced to raise wages. -AP

ICE agent's firing upheld in governor flap DENVER: A federal immigration agent in Denver fighting to get his job back after a campaign dustup has suffered a setback. A judge with the federal Merit Systems Protection Board has ruled that the firing of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Cory Voorhis was justified. Voorhis was fired after information he provided from a restricted criminal database became part of a Republican gubernatorial campaign ad in 2006. Voorhis argued he wasn't politically motivated and shouldn't have been fired. But Judge Jeremiah Cassidy ruled that Voorhis wasn't ``forthright'' and was trying to share damaging information about a Democratic candidate. -AP

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May 21, 2010

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Jail for harboring illegal immigrant killer HOUSTON: A landscape business owner has been sentenced in Houston to three months in prison for harboring an illegal immigrant convicted of fatally shooting a Houston police officer in 2006. -AP

Why lawyers and all others should boycott Arizona CYRUS D. MEHTA

was most proud when the American Immigration Law yers Association (AILA) decided to pull its Fall conference out of Scottsdale, Arizona within minutes of the passage of Arizona's SB 1070, which makes it a criminal offense for failing to carry alien registration documents, and authorizes law enforcement to determine the immigration status of a person "where reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States." In addition, the law mischievously allows any legal resident of Arizona to sue an official or agency within the state that restricts or puts limits on the enforcement of SB 1070. On the other hand, I am surprised that the ABA plans to go ahead with the Equal Justice Conference in Phoenix, Arizona from May 13-15, despite pressure from participants and speakers, including the New York City Bar Justice Center, http://tiny.cc/q69gc, to move the conference elsewhere. I too was a panelist and withdrew from the EJC, along with speakers

from the City Bar, Legal Aid and the Fragomen Law Firm, that would showcase an innovative joint pro bono project between the City Bar Justice Center, AILA and Legal Aid to provide legal assistance to immigrant detainees at the Varick Street Detention Center. In its press release on May 4, http://bit.ly/cwCShz, ABA's President Carolyn Lamm acknowledged

which our nation was formed continue to thrive." Immigration lawyers were the first to realize the draconian consequences of SB 1070, which would ultimately diminish the civil liberties of all persons. Since then, others have also followed with boycotts including the 10,000 strong Alpha Phi Alpha, which said that it would relocate its con-

In addition, the law mischievously allows any legal resident of Arizona to sue an official or agency within the state that restricts or puts limits on the enforcement of SB 1070 that SB 1070 "infringes on civil rights and belies our nation's principles of justice to all," but then went on to state that the EJC brings together various components of the legal community to deliver services to the poor and that "[w]e are not going to allow these efforts to be even temporarily derailed by an unjust law. Doing so would have a further detrimental effect and run contrary to ensuring the principles on

vention in July from Phoenix to Las Vegas. Even ABA's partner, National Legal Aid and Defenders Association (NALADA) pulled out of the EJC shortly before the ABA announced that it was forging ahead with the EJC. While one can understand ABA's concerns about losing money on breached contracts, my e mail that I sent to Mr. Scudder of the ABA and Mr. Saunders of NLADA

(which has since pulled out) on April 26, still expresses my strong conviction that the ABA ought to boycott Arizona. Here is an excerpt: "The most powerful message that the ABA and NLADA can send to Arizona is to boycott the state so that it economically hurts and that they do not use our dollars to fund and implement SB 1070. The boycott will also powerfully reverberate all around the US and the world, and others too will follow your lead and boycott the state. Imagine if fewer or no tourists visit the Grand Canyon. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This will truly bring the message home to those who support SB 1070. AILA set a great example by withdrawing its Fall conference from Scottsdale, AZ, and so must the EJC, which is much larger. This is the most powerful way to send a message to law makers and their supporters for enacting such misguided legislation that legalizes racial profiling and forces even US citizens, especially persons of color, to carry their passports out of fear being arrested when they visit the state. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 47

Senator asks Ariz. to hold off on immigration law WASHINGTON: A prominent Senate Democrat is asking Republican Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer to put off her state's controversial new immigration law for a year to give Congress a chance to pass a federal law - a long-shot request on a bill that even the White House says is nearly dead. ``There's not enough support to move forward,'' White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said. But among Democrats, there's plenty of support for trying - in public - during this year of midterm elections. The party's control of Congress depends in part on keeping a key constituency - Hispanics - voting Democratic. Hence, at a Cinco de Mayo celebration at the White House, Obama said he wanted to start work on immigration legislation this year. And in a letter to Brewer, Sen.

Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., raised an unlikely path to passage for the troubled immigration proposal stalled in the Senate. Delay for a year the date the Arizona law takes effect, Schumer proposed, and push one of Arizona's two Republican senators to support the Democrats' outline for an overhaul of the immigration law. The year delay would give Congress a chance, Schumer wrote, to pass a comprehensive federal law that would toughen borders and forge a path to citizenship for millions here illegally. That would be more effective than the state law, the New York senator argued. Scant time passed before Brewer's spokesman delivered her answer: No. Even if she had agreed to call the legislature back into special

session to make the delay official, it was highly unlikely that Sens. John McCain or Jon Kyl would change their minds and support the Democrats' proposal. Schumer's short-lived idea was the Democrats' latest effort to look like they're not abandoning immigration reform at a time when Arizona passed the toughest crackdown in the nation. It's true that no Republican is openly supporting the bill, but it's not clear that all of the Democrats are behind it, either. Obama has told reporters that after health care reform, there's a dearth of appetite in Congress for yet another divisive debate this election year. The outcome of fall elections could determine whether Congress takes up immigration next year. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., an original sponsor who has backed away

from the immigration bill, has said it could be done in 2012, when Obama is up for re-election. Hispanic voters have long been frustrated that Obama's campaign promise to pass immigration reform has not happened. Some members of the House Hispanic Caucus agreed to vote for his health care overhaul on the understanding that he would push immigration reform through this year. Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, struggling through his own tough re-election bid in heavily Hispanic Nevada, considered bringing it to the floor of the Senate ahead of energy and climate change legislation. Then Obama told reporters that there's no appetite in Congress for an immigration fight this year. Senate Democrats unveiled an immigration outline - not a bill - the next day nonetheless. -AP

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May 21, 2010

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Arizona sheriff greeted by protesters in Vegas LAS VEGAS: About 200 protesters squared off with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio over Arizona's tough new immigration law before he spoke to a conservative group in Las Vegas. For about 20 minutes, the sheriff stood just feet from protesters outside Stoney's Rockin' Country bar and dance hall as demonstrators yelled ``Arpaio go home!'' and ``Racist!'' ``He needs to go to Germany and to concentration camps, where his beliefs are valued,'' protester Sara Elsing, 50, told the Las Vegas Sun. Arpaio's visit was scheduled before passage of Arizona's sweeping new law, which requires police to question people about their immigration status if officers suspect they are here illegally. ``I have a right to be in Las Vegas,'' Arpaio said. Las Vegas police Lt. Dan McGrath said about 25 officers were at the event as a precaution.

Several officers stood between the sheriff and protesters. A handful of counter-demonstrators also stood outside Stoney's, the loudest of whom was Joseph Tatner, a Republican congressional candidate.

‘He needs to go to Germany and to concentration camps, where his beliefs are valued,’ protester Sara Elsing, 50, told the Las Vegas Sun ``To all illegals I say the same: Do it legally,'' he shouted. The Arizona law mirrors many of the policies Arpaio has put into place in the Phoenix area, where he set up a hot line for the public to report immigration violations, conducts crime and immigration sweeps in heavily Latino neigh-

borhoods, and frequently raids workplaces for people in the U.S. illegally. Arpaio said his deputies arrested 25 illegal immigrants working in a Phoenix business. He said some of them had phony IDs. ``I should be a hero,'' the sheriff said. ``They should be thanking me.'' But Fernando Romero, president of Hispanics in Politics, accused Arpaio of ``splitting immigrant families.'' ``We wanted to send him a message, that the hatred he spews is not wanted here,'' he told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. During an hour-long interview with reporters, Arpaio said he doesn't understand the fuss over the Arizona law. He disagrees the law will lead to widespread racial profiling by police. “We've been doing almost the same as that new law. ... I'm not a racist like people say I am,'' Arpaio said. -AP

Kan. lawyer behind many immigration laws TOPEKA, Kan.: When US politicians and police want to crack down on illegal immigration, they often reach out Kris Kobach. Kris is a little-known, Ivy League-educated Kansas Cityarea attorney and former Kansas Republican Party chairman. He's the architect behind many of the nation's most controversial immigration laws.

He helps draft laws, trains officers to enforce them, then goes to court to defend them if they're challenged in court. Hazleton, Pa., Mayor Lou Barletta called Kobach in 2006 to discuss a proposal to fine landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and deny permits to businesses hiring them. Kobach later defended the law in federal court.

Last year, he defended Farmers Branch, Texas, in a federal court challenge of its landlord law. Federal judges struck down the Farmers Branch and Hazleton ordinances, but both are on appeal. His most recent project was advising Arizona officials on its new law empowering police to question anyone they suspect of illegal entry. -AP

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Ariz. organizers drop immigration referendum drive PHOENIX: The two proposed referendum drives challenging Arizona's new sweeping law targeting illegal immigration are being abandoned, organizers said. Andrew Chavez, a professional petition circulator involved in one of the efforts, said its backers pulled the plug after concluding they might not be able to time their petition filings in such a way as to put the law on hold pending a 2012 public vote. Jon Garrido, the chief organizer of the other drive, attributed its end to a belief that the law would have been subject to legal protections under Arizona's Constitution if approved by Arizona voters. The law takes effect July 29 unless implementation is blocked by court injunctions requested under at least three of the four

pending legal challenges already filed by a Hispanic clergy group, police officers and other individuals. Its provisions include requiring that police enforcing another law must question a person about his or her immigration status if there is ``reasonable suspicion'' that the person is in the United States illegally. It also makes it a state crime to be in the country illegally. Critics have said the law will result in racial profiling of Hispanics. Supporters deny that and say the law will pressure illegal immigrants to leave the country on their own. Chavez said his clients, whom he would not identify, launched the effort in the belief that they could put the law on hold until 2012 by not filing petition signatures until it was too late for state

elections officials to place a referendum on the November ballot. However, the backers decided over the weekend to end the referendum campaign when they

Jon Garrido, the chief organizer of the other drive, attributed its end to a belief that the law would have been subject to legal protections concluded there still might be a November vote, not giving them enough time to be confident about being able to wage a successful campaign against the law, Chavez said. The normal deadline for ballot questions is July 1, after

which the printing of November ballots and other election preparations typically get under way. The Secretary of State's Office previously acknowledged that a down-to-the-wire referendum filing by this year's July 28 deadline might not give officials enough time to get it on the November ballot. However, the office also said it would depend on circumstances at the time. Garrido, the chief organizer of the second referendum drive, said its backers abandoned it after getting legal advice that Arizona's constitutional protections for voter-approved ballot measures would have applied to the law if approved by voters. Secretary of State's spokesman Matt Benson said the office also believes that the constitutional limitations on possible legislative

action would have applied to the law if voters approved it. The constitutional provisions bar the Legislature from repealing a voter-approved law and only allow legislative changes that further the intent of the original law. Also, any changes must be approved by three-quarters votes of both the House and Senate. The four legal challenges filed so far in US. District Court in Phoenix have been randomly assigned to different judges. Several major civil-rights groups are expected to file another challenge. No hearings have been set yet on the lawsuits, which likely will be consolidated into one case before a single judge. That judge would then set a schedule for consideration of the plaintiffs' requests for injunctions and rulings to strike down the law. -AP

SF sheriff says fed program nixes Border Patrol head says immigration accord tough sanctuary policy SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco is set to join a federal program next month that will automatically check the immigration status of anyone arrested or booked for a misdemeanor or felony. Starting in June, anyone arrested in San Francisco will have their fingerprints checked against a database used by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The program, called Secure Communities, has been deployed in more than 160 local jurisdictions in 20 states, said agency spokeswoman Virginia Kice. It is up to ICE to chose where to deploy the program, which will be in place nationwide by 2013, Kice said. San Francisco County Sheriff Michael Hennessey said he learned about 10 days ago from federal officials that his department be included in the program next month.

Currently, San Francisco's sanctuary policy requires law enforcement to report to immigration authorities only those who were booked for felonies. Hennessey said he was concerned it would increase his department's workload and ex-

It is up to ICE to chose where to deploy the program, which will be in place nationwide by 2013, Kice said pense. His department arrests up to 10,000 people a year on misdemeanor charges, and many who would otherwise be released quickly may have to be held while their immigration status is checked with ICE, he said.

UC Berkeley protesters rally for immigrant right BERKELEY, Calif.: A crowd of protesters marched to the UC Berkeley chancellor's home and blocked entrances to a campus building to support a hunger strike over immigrant rights and employee layoffs. Police tried to remove the students and workers on hunger strike. They resisted, and police instead took away their sleeping bags and tarps. Chancellor Robert Birgeneau said he would meet

with them only if they ended the hunger strike, which started May 3. One 22-year-old student was hospitalized. She was treated, and is back on strike with 18 others. The students want the university to take a stand against Arizona's anti-immigration law. They also want janitors who were laid off to be rehired, and to make the campus a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants. -AP

He also expressed concern that the federal law does not reflect the attitude of local elected officials and of the city's residents. City officials recently called for a boycott of the state of Arizona, which passed a law requiring police to question those suspected of being in the country illegally. ``I certainly felt the system that we have currently has served our community well and has been supported by the community,'' he said of the city's existing sanctuary policy. Many local law enforcement officials also want to stay clear of federal immigration law, he said, because it may lead undocumented immigrants to be too afraid of police to cooperate with authorities. Secure Communities is a law enforcement information-sharing tool and won't require any change in the way local authorities to their work, Kice said. She added that the turnaround on fingerprint matches would be short. Organizations that advocate for the rights of immigrants said the news was unfortunate, as other communities where the program is already in place have reported an increase in racial profiling and in the willingness of immigrants to work with police. The program also runs counter to the goals of San Francisco's Sanctuary policy, said Titi Liu, executive director of the Asian Law Caucus. ``It's clear that this is not something that our community supports,'' she said. -AP

SAN DIEGO: Americans agree on a need to overhaul immigration laws but lack consensus on what should be done, the head of the Customs and Border Protection agency said. Alan Bersin, the agency's commissioner, said it will require ``an act of political leadership'' to find common ground. ``I aspire to immigration reform,'' he told an audience of business and civic leaders at Point Loma Nazarene University. ``The difficulty is: 'What are the constituent elements of it?''' Bersin, who oversees the nation's ports of entry and the Border Patrol, said everyone surveyed in a hypothetical room would agree the immigration system is broken but each one would have a different answer on what to do about it. His comments mirror skepticism in the White House about the prospects of acting on immigration this year amid a crackdown in Arizona. The White House press secretary, Robert Gibbs, said there isn't enough support to move forward on a stalled Senate initiative. President Barack Obama said there was no appetite in Congress for another big legislative fight. He said he wanted to start work on immigration legislation this year. Bersin said any immigration overhaul should be based on principles of secure borders, a guestworker program and a path to citizenship for people living in the U.S. illegally. He referred to the guest-worker program as ``the secure movement flow of labor.''

Any path to citizenship would not be ``overnight,'' he said, and Americans would not tolerate another amnesty like a 1986 law that paved the way for 2.7 million people to become citizens. Bersin said illegal immigrants would have to pay taxes and acknowledge they were not allowed to be in the United States. But, he said, the government cannot deport 8 million to 10 million people. ``This is a nation of immigrants,'' he said. ``We all come from somewhere else.''

Bersin said illegal immigrants would have to pay taxes and acknowledge they were not allowed to be in the United States Bersin is one of 15 Obama appointees who circumvented the usual process of Senate confirmation. Before his recess appointment in March, he served in a position created by the Obama administration to handle border issues including illegal immigration and relations with Mexico in its war against drug cartels. Like Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, a former Arizona governor, he knows the border well. He was the ``border czar'' during the administration of President Bill Clinton and a former US attorney in San Diego. -AP

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May 21, 2010

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Why lawyers and all others should boycott Arizona You can negotiate with the Hilton hotel group to host the conference in another state a few weeks or months later. I think ABA also has enough clout to negotiate with airline carriers to grant a credit to those who have already booked their fares. While there will be a price to pay for shifting the conference, the message that it will send will be most powerful and will outweigh the losses from not holding the EJC in Arizona and will, I think, be viewed by historians as a heroic step that turned the tide. Participants can learn how to advocate against SB 1070 and similar measures when the EJC convenes in another state." The ABA ought to also be more sensitive to conference participants who will soon, once the law takes effect, be vulnerable to arrest under SB 1070. Suppose I came to Arizona, and as a New Yorker is wont to do, crosses the road while the light is still red. I encounter Sheriff Joe Arpaio on the other end of the street who justifiably accuses me of jay walking, but also forms a reasonable suspicion that I am an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States. After all, the most venerable Sheriff Arpaio may have such a basis as I was not born in the United States and may have a foreign appearance, and while I think I speak English very well, may discern an accent that might sound foreign to him. He asks me for a registration document to prove that I am not in unlawful status in his state, which I do not have because I left my US passport at home in New York. He arrests me under SB 1070. And even if SB 1070 may not have taken effect, we all know that the Sheriff already thinks he has inherent authority to arrest me. While I may be able to ultimately sort out this mess, an arrest will traumatize me and my family (including my young children) and disrupt my ability to practice law for some time in New York. I see no need to go to Arizona and risk convulsing my routine

existence. It is also ironic that a conference on equal justice is being held in a state that has completely trampled upon the notion of equal justice. To come to think of it, SB 1070 can lead to absurd results. As David Isaacson points out, a battered spouse who has been granted "deferred action," may technically incur criminal liability for being present in Arizona because 'deferred action" is not really a status (resulting in a registration document), and it is more an exercise of prosecutorial discretion not to pursue her removal for a particular period of time. Similarly, an intra-company transferee of a foreign entity who is a manager of its subsidiary in Arizona may be in jeopardy when

‘In my opinion, pouring money into Arizona's coffers, which may be used to implement SB 1070, does not promote a solution’ an L-1 visa extension has been filed in a timely manner prior to the expiration of the prior L status, and he is yet to receive a receipt notice of such a filing. Moreover, if he wishes to hike into the Grand Canyon, he will need to carry a registration document on him at all times, lest Sheriff Arpaio accosts him on one of the trails. Our manager won't have it just after filing the L visa extension, and the poor fellow may have to carry a copy of the L-1 petition in the hot desert sun, with all 51 exhibits, along with a federal express receipt while on his hike down into the bottom of the Canyon! Even that might confuse the hell out of the Sheriff or one of his subordinates whether a humongous copy of an L visa filing constitutes lawful or unlawful presence in the State of Arizona. There are many who will disagree. One can legitimately argue that bringing the EJC to Arizona

at this juncture makes sense as it would bring advocates together to talk about how to deal with the unjust implementation of the law. Moreover, the virus is spreading and other states may also implement copycat laws. Do we move a lawyer's conference each time a state is likely to implement a similar law? 19 groups have already withdrawn or cancelled events in Arizona and a travel trade group has called for an end to all boycotts. In my opinion, pouring money into Arizona's coffers, which may be used to implement SB 1070, does not promote a solution. If one wants to mobilize advocates to deal with the law, the conference need not be in Arizona in this day and age. We hold conferences in certain places because they also provide an opportunity for people to combine it with a vacation, and Arizona undoubtedly fits the bill as one of the world's best vacation spots. Attendees can have fun while learning and supporting the local economy. But Arizona has passed a law that undermines the essential objective of the conference, which is equal justice. Conferences are very different from a march or a protest or a sit in, or lawyers coming in to the state to litigate against SB 1070. This is a conference where people will be spending money and sitting in an air-conditioned posh conference center having discussions, NOT marching through the streets speaking truth to power. Fruitful discussions may be had elsewhere without supporting a state that has passed such an unjust law. The strongest message one can send is to withdraw a conference from the state, and when it affects pocketbooks, those who have passed SB 1070 and those thinking of passing similar laws in other states may give pause and wonder whether it is truly worth it. (The views in this post are the author's personal and do not represent the views of any organization that he is associated with) * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com

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India Post 49

Philosophy

50 India Post

May 21, 2010

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he perceiving usually done by human beings is necessarily false because both the supposed subject and the perceived object are objects, appearances in consciousness. The pseudo-subject himself becomes an object when he is perceived by another object posing as the pseudo-subject. And when consciousness is absent, as in deep sleep or under sedation, there cannot be any perceiving in this sense even though the pseudo-subject exists. In fact all perceiving, as imagined by human beings is false perceiving. True perceiving is really non-perceiving, the perceiving that is beyond the body and thought. When there is true perceiving (consciousness perceiving the manifestation within itself), what can there be to perceive? The entire manifestation is only the objective expression of the one subject. Perceiving this is true perceiving - the transcendence of the subject/object dualism. Nisargadatta Maharaj was once asked if what he saw in the world was different from what other people saw. His answer was that he saw the same things but the way of seeing was totally different. He did not see the "other people" as other people!

SRI AUROBINDO

hat is that type of works by which we shall be released from the ills of life, from this doubt, this error, this grief, from this mixed, impure and baffling result even of our purest and best-intentioned acts, from these million forms of evil and suffering? No outward distinctions need be made, is the reply; no work the world needs, be shunned; no limit or hedge set round our human activities; on the contrary all actions should be done, but from a soul in Yoga with the Divine, yuktah krtsnakarmakrt. Akarma, cessation from action is not the way; the man who has attained to the insight of the highest reason, perceives that such inaction is itself a constant action, a state subject to the workings of Nature and her qualities. The mind that takes refuge in physical inactivity, is still under the delusion that it and not Nature is the doer of works; it has mistaken inertia for liberation; it does not see that even in what seems absolute inertia greater than that of the stone or clod, Nature is at work, keeps unimpaired her hold. On the contrary in the full flood

That is as accurate an answer as could be expected from Maharaj. Maharaj may not have given a detailed explanation, but he did give a hint then, when he suggested that the questioner should look into the two mirrors in the room. Now suppose there are two, three or more mirrors at different angles before you. There would be several images in the mirrors but only one you. All movements of the images

the true subject. In fact, this true perceiving is really no-perceiving because all there is, is the ONE subject without any objects. If the subject could see another object that has independent existence, the subject himself would be the object! True perceiving is, therefore, the turning back of the split-mind from outward objectifying (which is what perceiving in dualism means), inward, to its wholeness or back to non-objectivity from

the analogy would be defeated. Thus the classic analogy of the clay and the pot created out of the clay (the pot is only clay given a particular shape) is basically imperfect because it means representing, through objective images, that which is formless! Similarly, a discussion about whether any object, including the human body, is solid or not is really begging the question, because there is in fact no object but only an appearance in conscious-

All perceiving by human beings is false perceiving Ramesh S. Balsekar

He saw the same things but the way of seeing was totally different. He did not see the "other people" as other people!

would be controlled by you, the images themselves would have no volition. Now also suppose you could bestow sentience in the mirror images so that they could "perceive" one another. Is it not clear that the perceiving of one another by the images, each as a pseudo-subject with the others as objects, would be false perceiving? True perceiving is only that perceiving done by the subjective center outside the mirrors,

which arises the objectivity. The simile of the mirror gives rise to various difficulties. That is why the Masters didn't give similes recklessly. Each simile must be accepted only from the particular point that it is expected to illustrate. In any case, all similes can themselves only be objectifications. The whole purpose of an analogy is to turn the split-mind from objectifying and thus to return it to its true wholeness. If this is not firmly kept in mind, the purpose of

ness, and discussing a particular quality (or the absence of it) in an object could quite easily defeat the purpose because of the implication that there exists an object as such. Excerpted from Experiencing The Teaching Ramesh S. Balsekar, the modern sage, was a householder, a retired banker. He died on September 27 last year at age 92. His 93rd birth anniversary falls on May 25.

of action the soul is free from its works, is not the doer, not bound by what is done, and he who lives in the freedom of the soul, not in the bondage of the modes of Nature, alone has release from works. This is what the Gita clearly means when it says that he who in action can see inaction and can see action still continuing in cessation from works, is the man of true reason and discernment among men.

therefore whoever possesses it is the truly rational and discerning man, sa buddhiman manusyesu, -not the perplexed thinker who judges life and works by the external, uncertain and impermanent distinctions of the lower reason. Therefore the liberated man is not afraid of action, he is a large and universal doer of all works, krtsnakarmakrt; not as others do them in subjection to Nature, but

silent, unperturbed, white and clean and pure. To do all in this liberating knowledge, without the personal egoism of the doer, is the first sign of the divine worker. The second sign is freedom from desire; for where there is not the personal egoism of the doer, desire becomes impossible; it is starved out, sinks for want of a support, dies of inanition. Outwardly the liberated man

Cessation from action is not the way Sri Aurobindo

This saying hinges upon the Sankhya distinction between Purusha and Prakriti, between the free inactive soul, eternally calm, pure and unmoved in the midst of works, and ever active Nature operative as much in inertia and cessation as in the overt turmoil of her visible hurry of labor. This is the knowledge which the highest effort of the discriminating reason, the buddhi, gives to us, and

The mind that takes refuge in physical inactivity, is still under the delusion that it and not Nature is the doer of works poised in the silent calm of the soul, tranquilly in Yoga with the Divine. The Divine is the lord of his works, he is only their channel through the instrumentality of his nature conscious of and subject to her Lord. By the flaming intensity and purity of this knowledge all his works are burned up as in a fire and his mind remains without any stain or disfiguring mark from them, calm,

seems to undertake works of all kinds like other men, on a larger scale perhaps with a more powerful will and driving-force, for the might of the divine will works in his active nature; but from all his inceptions and undertakings the inferior concept and nether will of desire is entirely banished, sarve samarambhah kamasamkalpavarjitah. Excerpted from Essays on The Gita

It is not enough that one surrenders oneself. Surrender is to give oneself up to the original cause of one's being. Do not delude yourself by imagining such a source to be some God outside you. One's source is within oneself. Give yourself up to it. That means that you should seek the source and merge in it. -Ramana Maharshi If you first fortify yourself with the true knowledge of the Universal Self, and then live in the midst of wealth and worldliness, surely they will in no way affect you. -Ramakrishna A 'No' uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a 'Yes' merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble. -Mohandas Gandhi If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough. -Meister Eckhart A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything. -Friedrich Nietzsche Genuine tragedies in the world are not conflicts between right and wrong. They are conflicts between two rights. -Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel Can I see another's woe, and not be in sorrow too? Can I see another's grief, and not seek for kind relief? -William Blake

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Datebook

52 India Post

May 21, 2010

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NEW YORK

ILLINOIS

NEW JERSEY

WASHINGTON DC

Upcoming

Thurs May 20

Fri May 21

Every Sunday

Fri May 21

• Singles Speed Dating Party

• Bouquet of Hindustani Classical Music

• Satwaro Shri Radhey Shyamno - 2

Venue: Pranna Lounge, 79 Madison Avenue, Manhattan, New York Time: 8pm to 10pm Contact: 866 WE SPEED

Venue: The Meadows Club, 2950 W. Golf Rd., Rolling Meadows, Illinois Time: 7pm to 9:30pm Contact: (815)404-3803

• Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan host Satsang, Bhajan & Meditation Program

Sun May 30

Venue: Woodbridge township ambulance and Rescue squad, 77 Queen Road, 3rd Floor, Iselin, NJ 08830 Time: 10:30am to 1pm Contact: (732) 485-0647 Highlights: Lecture by close disciple of Shree Ashutosh Ji Maharaj, Bhajans, free meditation and Mahaprasad.

• ABCD Chicago presents The White Out Party with DJ Aqeel

Thurs May 20

Sun May 23 • Jai Ho Live In Concert With Sukhwinder Singh Venue: Colden Center, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, New York Time: 6pm to 9:30pm Contact: 732-763-0118

Fri May 28 • The White Party featuring India's Celebrity DJ Aqeel Venue: PRANNA, NYC, 79 Madison Avenue @ 28th Street, New York Time: 10pm to 4am Contact: 646-452-3424

Venue: Sound-Bar, 226 West Ontario Street, Chicago, Illinois, CA Time: 10pm Contact: 773-490-0975

Fri June 18 • A R Rahman Jai Ho The Journey Home World Tour 2010 Venue: Sears Centre, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, Illinois Time: 9pm Contact: 847-770-1088

• Singles Speed Dating Party Venue: Pranna Lounge, 79 Madison Avenue, Manhattan, New York Time: 8pm to 10pm Contact: 866 WE SPEED

Fri May 21 • Desi Girl's Disco Hungama Venue: Chutney Manor, 3793 Route 1 South, South Brunswick, New Jersey Time: 7pm Contact: 917-440-5110

Sat May 22 to Sun May 23

Sun May 30

Sat July 10

• Koti Lalitha Paarayanam

• Dileep's Show 2010

• Dealmaas 2010 USTAD AMJAD ALI KHAN

Venue: Colden Center Auditorium, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, New York Time: 6:30pm Contact: 718-288-1217

Venue: North Shore Center For Performing Art, Skokie, Illinois Time: 7:30pm to 9pm Contact: 414-336-5982

Venue: Temple Beth-El, 67 Highway US 206, Hillsborough, NJ Time: 5 pm to next day 6pm Sat 5.00pm - 5.15pm Ganapathi Puja Sat 5.30pm - Sun 5.30pm Parayanam Sun 5.30pm - 6.00pm Archana Contact: (609)324-2765

Sat June 5 • CRY Walk 2010 Venue: Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, 300 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, Connecticut Time: 9am to 1pm Contact: 860-761-9947

Fri July 23 • Single Gujarati Find your Perfect Match at Matri 2010

Sat May 29

Venue: Ramada Inn, 999 Rt. I S, North Brunswick, New Jersey Time: 8pm Contact: 2010@matri.org

Venue: Trinity Lutheran Church, 131 Mountain Way, Morris Plains, New Jersey Time: 9:30am to 10:30am Contact: 973-400-9191

• Mind And Meditation (Free Event)

Venue: High Point High School, 3601 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, Maryland Time: 8pm to 11:30pm Contact: 703-449-0772

Sat May 22 • Grand Vocal Concert by P.Unnikrishnan Venue: Sri Siva Vishnu Temple, 6905 Cipriano Road, Lanham, Maryland Time: 5pm to 9pm Contact: 301-251-0378

Sun May 23 • Stars of SaReGaMaPa Live in concert Venue: Northern Virginia community College, Ernst Cultural Center, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, Virginia Time: 6pm Contact: 202-460-5626

Sat May 29 • How to apply Bhagavad Gita in daily life Venue: Chinmaya Mission, 46 Norwood Road, Silver Spring, Maryland Time: 8:30am to 5pm Contact: 703-981-1808

Thurs June 10 • ORB Festival 2010 Venue: Ramblewood Resort, Darlington, MD, Maryland Time: 5pm to 8pm Contact: 917-569-1177

Sun July 4 • DC Rathyatra & Festival of India Venue: National Mall, 4th Street & Madison Ave, Washington, DC Time: 10am to 9pm Contact: 301-299-2100

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Fri May 21

Every Sat (start from Sat Aug 8)

• Gata Rahe Mera Dil - An evening remembering Kishore Kumar

• Gurukul Classes for Children

Venue: Mehran Restaurant - Banquet Hall, 5774 Mowry School Road, Newark, California, 94560 Time: 7:30 pm to 11:45 pm Contact: Sudhir Aravindan Phone: (408)802-5128

Venue: Sindhu Center, South California Time: 2pm to 4pm Contact: 818-541-1754 & 909-576-1114 Highlights: Children between the ages of 5 and 18. Children will be taught the Fundamentals of Hinduism, Prayers, Shlokas, Bhajans and Values of our culture.

Sun May 23 • Health Fair

Sat May 22

Venue: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and Cultural Center, Chino Hills, California Time: 9am to 1pm Contact: (714) 865-7366 Highlights: This community Health Fair will provide free health screenings to the community including dental and vision exams, health awareness forums, and minor tests such as blood sugar, cholesterol, anemia, obesity and osteoporosis. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and specialist doctors including cardiologist, gastroenterologist, urologist, orthopedist will provide free.

• Jab Yaadein Milte Hain - Culture Show 2010 Venue: Barclay Theater, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA Time: 6:30pm to 9pm Contact: (650)380-4858

Sun May 23 • Nachle India II Venue: Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4646 Campus Drive, Irvine, California Time: 6pm to 9pm Contact: 949-300-8912

Mon May 24 • AIF to Host Social Entrepreneurship Summit in Bay Area

Fri May 28

Venue: Silicon Valley Bank, 3005, Tasman Drive, Santa Clara, California Time: 8am to 1pm Contact: (408) 772-2262

Venue: Tanzore, 50 North La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills, California Time: 9:30pm to 2am Contact: 805-587-9144

Tues May 25

Sat June 5

• Pancha Bhootam

• Bhajans and Ghazals by Sudhir Narain

Venue: Freud Playhouse, Westwood, California Contact: (949) 874-3662

Sun May 30 • Annual Students Program Venue: Jewish Community Center, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, California Time: 2pm to 6pm Contact: sugandaiyer@comcast.net

Sat June 5 • IIM USA Global Convention - Pinnacle Venue: The Ranch Golf Club, 4601 Hill Top View Ln, San Jose, California Time: 8am Contact: 818-209-0172

Sat June 12 • Bombay Jayashri - Vocal Venue: India Community Center, 525 Los Coches St, Milpitas, California Time: 3:30pm

• Bollywood Bhangra Desi Fun

Venue: Chinmaya Mission, 14451 Franklin Ave, Tustin, California Time: 6pm Contact: 714-832-7669

Sun June 20 • Pan-IIT, SoCal Chapter Annual Picnic Venue: Cerritos Park East Shelter 1, 13234 166th St Cerritos, California Time: 12 noon to 5pm (12:00 noon to 12:45 pm: Registration and network, network, network, network, 12:45 pm to 1:30 pm: Games/Entertainment for all + snacks + Network, 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm: Catered lunch : General music and hungama + Network, 2:30 pm to 3:45 pm: More Games/Inter IIT Antakshari + Raffles, 3:45 pm to 4:30 pm: Chai / Soap Box / Game Prizes, 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm: Wrap-up, Clean-up and promises to meet soon) Contact: 818-209-0172

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May 21, 2010

India Post

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China & Pakistan's Nuclear 'dealing wheeling' PR CHARI

istory, they say, has a way of repeating itself, first as a tragedy, and then as a farce. These dour thoughts have reared up after news leaked out in end-March that Pakistan and China had finalized a civilian nuclear deal. China was to provide loans and technical assistance to Pakistan for building two atomic power plants. It has now been revealed that China has signed a US$2.375 billion agreement for supplying two 340MW power reactors to Pakistan. Beijing would also loan some

visions, and the injunctions of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), established to control and restrain nuclear technology transfers even to NPT signatories. Many reasons can explain this American benevolence, like President Bush's personal inclinations alongside his policy to checkmate China and mould the Asian security architecture. China had sought, unsuccessfully, to obstruct the nuclear deal at that time. It encouraged dissenters in the NSG to question the propriety of the nuclear deal by

Chashma nuclear power plant in Pakistan

80 per cent of the project cost. These reactors, designated Chashma-3 and Chashma-4, will be erected alongside Chashma-1, attained criticality in 2000, and Chashma-2, that will became critical in 2011. So, where does history enter this picture? Here it needs digressing to recall that India and the United States had reached an agreement in July 2005 envisaging civilian nuclear technology cooperation, which fructified into a '123 agreement' in 2008 to amend the US law and permit nuclear technology exports to India. The remarkable aspect of this '123 agreement' is that India had been sanctioned earlier and made ineligible to receive civilian nuclear technology, ever since its nuclear testing in 1974 and again in 1998. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) stipulates that nuclear technology cooperation is only available to NPT signatories. India, along with Pakistan and Israel, are the three countries that are non-signatories to the NPT, termed 'holdouts,' and ineligible therefore to acquire nuclear technology. The United States, incidentally, has been the main protagonist of non-proliferation, and is an original signatory to the NPT. Why then, did the United States take the extraordinary step to make India an exception to the NPT's pro-

making India an exception to its guidelines. A strong demarche by India and American pressure dissuaded China from continuing with its obstructive tactics. More insidiously, China had voiced its right to offer Pakistan a similar deal, despite the latter's appalling non-proliferation record. Indeed, China could hardly

There is ample evidence that China supplied the design information for making a nuclear device to Pakistan, besides supplying sensitive nuclear equipment and ballistic missiles, with their associated production technology indict this appalling record after assisting its evolution. There is ample evidence that China supplied the design information for making a nuclear device to Pakistan, besides supplying sensitive nuclear equipment and ballistic missiles, with their associated production technology. The basic point worth stressing here is that Pakistan has been

assiduously seeking a civilian nuclear deal from China, but also from the United States to gain parity with India. The Bush administration categorically refused to consider a US-Pak nuclear deal due to its proliferation concerns; read AQ Khan. The Obama administration has not been categorical, but has urged that China must seek prior approval from the NSG to wage its battle there. The US cannot pursue any other policy at this juncture with the NPT Review Conference in session. Whether China will bash on regardless is another matter. Chinese officials have argued that the supply of Chashma-3 and Chashma-4 was included in the earlier agreement of 1985 pertaining to the supply of Chashma-1 and Chashma2. This position has been disputed by the United States and India. The Chinese reluctance to place this matter before the NSG only reflects its lack of confidence in being able to persuade that body to concur, in appreciation of the blatant proliferation record of both Pakistan and China. Will the two partners go ahead to consummate their nuclear deal? Will China blink after creating a scare in the NPT Review Conference and establishing its centrality, if only in the spoiler role? Apropos, the Indo-US nuclear deal is gaining adverse attention from the non-nuclear weapon states in the NPT. They have highlighted the iniquity of India being allowed to retain its nuclear weapons and gain access to nuclear technology, despite being a nonsignatory to the NPT. The role of the United States is significant here. An official statement by Washington reiterated the legal position that China must seek the NSG's concurrence before transferring the two nuclear reactors to Pakistan. But, at a recent Ministerial-level meeting in Washington between the two countries the United States appreciated Pakistan's energy needs and agreed to assist its conventional energy program. Did the Obama Administration also agree to China transferring the reactors to Pakistan, while objecting for the record? Speculative, perhaps. But, the answers to these questions will unfold very shortly. How will a Sino-Pak nuclear deal reaching fruition after the Indo-US nuclear deal affect the NPT Review Conference? Hasten its demise? Watch this space. The writer is Research Professor, IPCS

India Post Hanging Kasab

akistani national Ajmal Amir Kasab, caught red handed for the 26/11 Mumbai carnage, has been sentenced to death, and rightly so. He will be sent to the gallows once the due process of the law is completed, most probably within a year, as indicated by the Indian Law Minister. But the sentencing has given rise to an interesting debate whether hanging Kasab will serve the purpose or should he be spared to undergo life imprisonment where he will have occasion to repent for his misdeeds. The majority of people in India, including those affected by the Mumbai murders, or their relatives, favor an early hanging. Delivering the judgment, the special court judge said that keeping such a terrorist alive will be a "lingering danger" to society and the Indian government. At present 50 convicts are already on death row with their mercy petitions pending. If Kasab is kept alive and safe through spending crores of rupees on his security, some fear, and intelligence inputs also say, that terrorists may repeat the Kandahar episode (hijack of Indian Airlines IC-814) which resulted in release of three dreaded terrorists - Maulana Masood Azhar, Mustaq Zargar and Omar Sheikh - in 1999. Such a temptation for the terrorist masterminds sitting in Pakistan cannot be ruled out. Lunatics trained and supported by Pakistan based terrorist groups could hijack a plane or a ship or some thing else equally horrendous and demand his release in exchange for hostages taken. Hanging Kasab will not change the fact that he has been merely a pawn in the hands of terrorist masterminds behind the attacks who are still sitting scot-free in Pakistan. The special court pronounced Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Zarar Shah and Hafeez Saeed guilty as well but there is little India can do to punish them. And without punishing them, there can be no proper closure to the ghastly Mumbai incident. The Kasab producing factories in Pakistan will continue to be active. In fact, these factories which had been in a go-slow mode for some time are once again going full steam in manufacturing murderers. Thus the conviction of Kasab does not mean the end of the terror threat to India. It only signifies the beginning of a process. Ajmal Kasab has not acted on his own and is a part of a larger network of terror organizations with a support base within Pakistan. Another view is that hanging him will make him a martyr, exactly what his handlers wanted and he also seeks. They promised him and all his comrades a place in heaven to meet the virgins and drink all the wine that flows there. Kasab's objective, to get killed and become a martyr, remains unfulfilled. The Indian law will help him to succeed in this motive. The terrorists in Pakistan will declare Kasab as a martyr who went to foreign soil and embraced death, to recruit and inspire new batches of young jihadi terrorists in their war against India. Those for keeping him alive want to see him in prison for life where he might be stricken with remorse. It should not be a 'life sentence' of 14 years, as life sentences under the Indian Penal Code go. He should continue to stay in prison deprived of all that man desires, till he dies of natural causes. He should be in solitary confinement for most of his lifetime sentence, but he should be allowed to mingle with the rest of the inmates once in a while so that he doesn't go insane. However, it seems whatever the treatment meted out to Kasab, it will not reduce the threat from Pakistani terror groups until Pakistani society decides to stop supporting them.

54 India Post

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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT Gujarati musical dance show

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sathvaro Radhe Shyaam Noâ&#x20AC;?,

HAS BEEN CANCELED. We have withdrawn our participation due to misleading information given to ticket buyers/supporters of our organization, falsely DGYHUWLVLQJ LQ WKH QHZVSDSHU DQG E\ Ă LHU GLVWULEXWLRQ E\ Babubhai Patel (Neema Saree Palace). We had sponsored show only on Sunday, May 30th but it was promoted for both days as a charity event. The day sponsored by Babubhai Patel, May 29th is purely for commercial purpose. We had clearly communicated not to promote both days equally and let only one day be for charity, by our organization. It was ignored intentionally by Babubhai Patel.

6KUHH 5DGKD.ULVKQD 0DQGLU 7KH *XMDUDWL 6RFLHW\ LV D QRQ SURĂ&#x20AC;W organization and will not support any commercial entity.

DO NOT BUY TICKETS OR PROMOTE THIS SHOW THINKING YOU ARE HELPING SHREE RADHAKRISHNA MANDIR / THE GUJARATI SOCIETY, NORWALK BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT!!! Thank you for support and looking forward to your continued support in future.

BOARD MEMBERS, Shree RadhaKrishna Mandir, Norwalk

May 21, 2010

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56 India Post

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