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Nihar Janga and Jairam Hathwar hold their trophy

Once again, Indian kids win Spelling Bee Details on page 52

Pak court issues notices to 26/11 accused

VOL 21, No. 1131

June 3, 2016

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Periodical Postage

U.S. IMMIGRATION TO EXEMPT INDIAN VIPs

NEW DELHI: India and the US are likely to sign two key agreements in July that would exempt prominent Indian citizens from immigration checks in America and pave the way for exchange of information on terrorists on a real time basis.

The two pacts on Global Entry - a US Customs and Border Protection program that permits speedy clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in America and the Homeland Security Presidential Directive-6 (HSPD-6), which allows access to information on terrorists - are expected to be signed during the Homeland Se-

curity Dialogue.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh will lead the Indian delegation at US-India Homeland Security Dialogue to be held in Washington in July, while the US team would be headed

by Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Charles Johnson.

The US has been pressing for India's inclusion in the Global Entry so that high dignitaries like former Presidents, former Prime Ministers, former Union Ministers, film stars, top industrialists and frequent flyers could visit America without any hassle, a senior government official said.

Details on page 5

Details on page 5

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley addressing the conference on The Future of Asia

India can replace China as powerful driver: Jaitley Details on page 6

SoftBank's Nikesh Arora gets $73 m. pay Details on page 30

India engaging US on visa, solar issues Details on page 6

Chabahar port alliance worries Pakistan

US defends India's bid for NSG role

Details on page 9

Details on page 31

India tops global slavery index

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29 Classifieds ------------------------- 48

Details on page 8

Community Post -------------- 16-23 Date Book -------------------------- 42

INDIA POST SURVEY

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HealthScience Post --------- 44-47

This week’s question

Horoscope ------------------------- 43 Immigration Post ------------- 12-14

Can Pakistan also join Chabahar alliance?

Life Style ----------------------- 50-53 Philosophy ------------------------- 49

Last week’s result

Can Bernie Sanders still wrest nomination?

YES 37%

NO 63%

Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4

UPBEAT ON INDIA: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on May 30.

(Report on page 8)

Real Estate -------------------- 25-26 TechBiz Post ------------------- 30-33 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 36-39

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t's raining Indian American kids and they are pouring from everywhere, some from predictable quarters and others from pleasantly surprising ones.

So we've done it again- won the National Spelling Bee, National Geographic Bee, Intel Science whatever; and just when we were giving in to the ennui of repeated victories in these competitions owing to predictability, we manage to grab eyeballs by upping our cute quotient. Yes, if there's anyone who didn't go 'awww…' over six-year old spelling prodigy, Akash Vukoti slaying us with his drama-filled participation in the Spelling Bee, then they don't know cute.

I think we have colonies of Bee winners in our midst now; as if one Indian American kid winning it each year was not enough, for the third year in a row we have two of them sharing the laurels by ending up as co-champions.

So the champion spellers this year are Jairam Hathwar and Nihar Janga and the geography champion is Rishi Nair. And then there is Syamatank Payra who won big at the Intel Science Fair this year.

Well, that's not it. Taking giant leaps ahead, California resident Tanishq Abraham graduated from college this year with three associate degrees in math, science and foreign language studies. He is only 11. He aims to be a MD by the age of 18. Also graduating college this year is 13-year old Pranav Kalyan, another Californian who hopes to transfer to UCLA after finishing his 9th grade to pursue math and quantum physics.

Finally I think the American media has come to accept these kids as American talent rather than condescendingly wonder what their immigrant parents must be feeding them to master academic techniques or that they must be regimenting their childhoods through grueling rote learning methods.

While I do take parochial pride over such high achieving kids who trace their origins to India, I hope to see them in the larger scheme of things as humanity's stock of rational intelligence for the future. Their bright faces give hope for a seamless world. But importantly, they make me want to leave for them a safer, cleaner, prosperous and equanimous planet.

Romesh K Japra

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Cover Story: VIPs exempt India and the US are likely to sign agreement that would exempt prominent Indian citizens from immigration checks

Community: Bhushans in Chicago Eminent lawyers and activists Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan are creating awareness about Swaraj Abhiyan.

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Immigration: Sanctuary protections San Francisco officials have upheld the city's strict sanctuary protections for people who are in the country illegally.

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Nikesh salary Nikesh Arora, India-born president of Japanese telecom giant SoftBank, received a pay package of $ 73 million (Rs 500 crore)

Hemkund Sahib Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand, a Sikh pilgrimage site, is nestled amidst seven snow peaks and snowy glaciers.

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US immigration to exempt Indian VIPs NEW DELHI: India and the US are likely to sign two key agreements in July that would exempt prominent Indian citizens from immigration checks in America and pave the way for exchange of information on terrorists on a real time basis.

The two pacts on Global Entry - a US Customs and Border Protection program that permits speedy clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in America and the Homeland Security Presidential Directive-6 (HSPD-6), which allows access to information on terrorists are expected to be signed during the Homeland Security Dialogue.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh will lead the Indian delegation at US-India Homeland Security Dialogue to be held in Washington in July, while the US team would be headed by Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Charles Johnson.

The US has been pressing for India's inclusion in the Global Entry so that high dignitaries like former Presidents, former Prime Ministers, former Union Minis-

ters, film stars, top industrialists and frequent flyers could visit America without any hassle, a senior government official said.

Initially, the names of around 2,000 prominent Indians could figure in the coveted list, which would be expanded gradually af-

Two important conditions for inclusion of an individual in the Global Entry program are that he or she should not have any criminal record or be in anyway connected with a money laundering case ter proper background checks of each individual.

Individuals included in the list enter the US through automatic kiosks at select airports. At airports, program members proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present

their machine-readable passport, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration.

The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit.

Two important conditions for inclusion of an individual in the Global Entry program are that he or she should not have any criminal record or be in anyway connected with a money laundering case.

So far, citizens of seven countries are included in America's Global Entry program. The countries are: Germany, The Netherlands, South Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Panama and Mexico.

Negotiations are on with Brazil and India to be part of the program.

The other key pact which New Delhi may enter into is the Homeland Security Presidential Directive-6 (HSPD-6), which will enable it to access 'unclassified biographic information of known and suspected terrorists' maintained

by the US on a reciprocal basis.

The HSPD-6 is a model text agreement proposed by the US to India for exchange of terrorist screening information between Terrorist Screening Centre (TSC) of the US and an Indian agency.

There have been several

The HSPD-6 is a model text agreement proposed by the US to India for exchange of terrorist screening information between Terrorist Screening Centre (TSC) of the US and an Indian agency rounds of discussions between the interlocutors of the two countries in the past one year and both sides have narrowed down their differences on several key issues with the aim of signing the pact at the next Homeland Security Dia-

logue.

The US has already finalized such agreements with 30 countries.TSC is a multi agency organization administered by FBI which consolidates several terrorist watch lists maintained by different US government agencies into single terrorist database on terror suspects.

The database includes the name of the terror suspect, nationality, date of birth, photos, finger prints (if any) and passport number.

Officials said, initially some Indian security agencies had expressed their reservations saying the arrangement primarily protects US interests.

However, later, the security agencies came to the conclusion that there was no disadvantage in entering into the proposed pact with TSC. The Intelligence Bureau will be the nodal agency and designated as the Indian party to the agreement.

It was agreed that while signing the pact, it must be ensured that privacy issues are taken care of, officials said. -PTI

Pak court issues notices to Swaraj helping Pak girl to become doc 26/11 accused ISLAMABAD: A top Pakistani court has issued notices to the seven Mumbai attack case accused, including 26/11 mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, and the government over the prosecution's plea to form a commission to examine the boat used

trial court -- Anti-Terrorism Court Islamabad.

The official said the date for hearing of the case will be fixed later.

The prosecution had challenged the trial court's decision to reject its plea to form a commis-

by the 10 LeT terrorists to reach India.

"The Islamabad High Court has issued notices to the accused of Mumbai attack case and the government on the prosecution's plea to form a commission to examine the boat at port city of Karachi," a court official told said.

He said the court has also sought record of the case from the

sion to examine the boat 'Al-Fauz' used by Mumbai attack terrorists so that the vessel could be made "case property".

Al-Fauz is in the custody of the Pakistani authorities in Karachi, from where the 10 militants, armed with AK-47 assault rifles and hand grenades, had left for India to carry out the Mumbai attack in 2008.

According to the Federal Investigation Agency, the attackers used three boats including Al Fauz to reach Mumbai from Karachi.

It said the security agencies had also traced the shop and its owner from where the culprits bought the engine and the boat while a bank and a money exchange company were also traced which were used for the transaction of money.

The 10 LeT militants had left Karachi on the boat on November 23, 2008.

En route to their destination, they hijacked another boat, killing four of its crew. They allegedly forced the vessel's captain to take them close to the Indian shores. The captain was killed when the vessel reached Mumbai's coast.

The Mumbai attack case is facing inordinate delay as no proceedings practically have been held for more than two months.

The Mumbai case hearing is scheduled to be held once a week.

The lawyers associated with the case say as all Pakistani witnesses in the case have recorded their statements it may further be delayed if India does not send 24 witnesses to Pakistan.-PTI

NEW DELHI: External Affairs An ecstatic Mashal said she Minister Sushma Swaraj has as- was very happy that the External sured help to a Pakistani teenaged Affairs Minister has taken up the girl, living in Jaipur for the last two issue. years, in realizing her dream of "I am really very happy that the becoming a doctor.

External Affairs Minister has asNineteen-year-old Mashal sured me of support in getting Maheshwari, who moved to Jaipur admission in a medical college. I from Hyderabad in Pakistan's am thankful to her," she said.

Sindh province two years ago Mashal said the AIPMT form along with her parents, both of accepts only two categories of aswhom are doctors, wants to study medicine but could not sit for Mashal, a Hindu, had the medial entrance test scored 91 per cent marks in as she is a Pakistani naher CBSE class XII tional.

Mashal, a Hindu, examination this year. She had scored 91 per cent marks in her CBSE class was not allowed to appear XII examination this for the All India Pre Medical year. She was not allowed to appear for the Test (AIPMT) All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT) as only NRIs and pirants - either Person of Indian Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) Origin or NRI, besides Indians. are allowed to take the test.

She said her parents cannot afAfter getting to know about ford her education in a private Mashal's story, Swaraj reached college as they demand donation. out to her and assured that she Earlier, she had appealed to the will help her realize her dream. government officials to intervene "Mashal - Don't be disap- and find a solution to the issue. pointed my child. I will personally "My parents are doctors and I take up your case for admission would also like to become a docin a Medical College," Swaraj tor. My dream is to save lives and tweeted. serve people," said Mashal. -PTI

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India can replace China as powerful driver: Jaitley TOKYO: With China slowing down, the world is now looking for "other shoulders to rest its growth on" and India, with planned infrastructure spending to bridge deficit, can be a very powerful driver, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said here.

Speaking at 'The Future of Asia' Conference organized by Nikkei Inc, he said China shouldered almost 50 per cent of global growth over the last few years.

With its economy slowing down, "the ability of China to shoulder that percentage of growth may not be there and therefore the world also is now looking for other shoulders to rest its growth on."

"And since we have a lot of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley attends a round-table conference with investors on National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) in Tokyo on May 31 infrastructure deficit and expenditure still to undertake and I think stands committed to absolute all that is going to be a very pow- economy is taking its own time.

"But I have not the least doubt peace and prosperity. erful driver of economic growth that an economy of that size even "So I think the structures for in India," he said.

Mr Jaitley, who is on a six-day with the normal that they now pre- ensuring that peace in the region investor-wooing visit to Japan, dict, or something less than the are still structures that are evolvhowever, said no one country can normal, would still have a great ing as the economy of Asia is evolving and I am quite sure really replace another bethat India will be a major stacause the world has enough TOKYO: Japanese conglom- Foxconn Technology Group to bilizing force in the region," space for major economies erate SoftBank and a number of invest about USD 20 billion in he added. to emerge. investors here have shown keen renewable energy in India. The China started growing at interest in investing in India's JV would aim to generate 20 giStructural reforms a much faster pace ahead of "infrastructure growth story", gawatts of electricity.

Jaitley promised more India and therefore has Finance Minister Arun Jaitley "They have made considerstructural and market-orimaintained a higher level of said here. able headway and have identiented reforms as well as stepGDP. But the current slowAfter a meeting with Jaitley, fied location.

It will probably be ping up infrastructure spenddown has meant it is "goSoftBank Group CEO one of the largest investment in ing to accelerate economic ing through a structural Masayoshi Son said he is also those areas," Jaitley said. growth beyond the current transition into a more coninterested in Internet companies The Japanese telecom and 7.6 per cent. sumption, service oriented as well as solar energy sector, Internet giant has made a string He also promised to reeconomy", he said.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley with Suzuki Motors where he has already an- of tech investments in India, form the tax structure to make "And so India's growth Corporation Chairman Osamu Suzuki nounced USD 20 billion invest- amounting to USD 2 billion in it simpler, predictable and rate has moved higher than during a meeting ment through a joint venture. the past two year. SoftBank is stable.

China. But China will always "There are people who want looking at accelerating the pace He said India has been the fastremain a major economy," he said. impact both on Asia and the est growing major economy in the Finance Minister said even world," he said.

Mr Jaitley said 40 per cent of last two years despite global slowwhen global growth has slowed down to close to 3 per cent, de- world FDI now comes to Asia, down.

"We had a back to back 7.2 per veloped world seems to be grow- whose growth rate today is 3 times ing at lesser pace. But, Asia has faster than the developed world. cent and 7.6 per cent growth rate maintained growth around 6 per It is belatedly slowly now becom- in the last two years. This was ing the hub of trade integration. notwithstanding the global slowcent.

"Whether it is the ASEAN, down which has also adversely "Chinese slowdown did impact the average Asian growth, which SAARC, RCEP or TPP... India al- impacted the trade in India," he is now anticipated to be about 5.7 ways had a very important and said.

The country has been able to per cent. The Chinese develop- powerful message for Asia," he ments do certainly (have) impact said, adding it has established perform despite adversities in two that it can grow notwithstanding consecutive bad monsoons and on Asia," he said. some stress in the Indian private Stating that China could not its diversity.

India, he said, has historically sector, the Finance Minister have grown 9-10 per cent indefinitely, the transition of its been a stabilizing force and it added.-PTI

SoftBank to invest big in India

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley meeting the CEO of Soft Bank Masayoshi Son, in Tokyo, Japan on May 29

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Japan, Taro Aso in Tokyo, Japan on May 29

to participate in infrastructure growth story. For example, at the SoftBank meeting we just had, they are looking at one of the biggest investments in solar power already," Jaitley said after meeting Son. In June last year, SoftBank announced that the group was forming a joint venture with Bharti Enterprises and Taiwan's

of investments in the future.

"India has a great future... We are interested in investing for Internet companies, also for solar energy. We would make a strong commitment," Son said.

He had previously said that India s market is poised for massive growth, making it an important destination for investors. PTI

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Microsoft chief Nadella meets PM NEW DELHI: Microsoft chief Satya Nadella has met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other ministers to discuss issues pertaining to the IT sector and enhancing partnership for initiatives like Digital India.

The India-born CEO, who is on

@Microsoft CEO @satyanadella @MicrosoftIndia," Modi tweeted after the meeting.

Details of the discussions were, however, not disclosed.

Nadella's visit comes close on the heels of Apple CEO Tim Cook's four-day tour of India.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella calling on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on May 30

his third visit to his home country since taking over as Microsoft head in February 2014, met Minister of Communications and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha as well as many industry leaders and developers here.

"Discussed various issues pertaining to the IT sector with

During his visit, Cook had met Modi as well as business leaders like ICICI MD and CEO Chanda Kochhar, Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry and Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal.

Both Nadella and Cook have offered support to various government initiatives like Digital India and Startup India.

Earlier in the day, Nadella discussed with Prasad how Microsoft's contribution to the government's Digital India initiative can be enhanced.

"CEO @Microsoft @satyanadella met me today. Discussed enhancing cooperation with Microsoft towards @_DigitalIndia," the minister said in a tweet after the meeting.

According to sources, the meeting revolved around open source policy, engagement of Microsoft for linking Skype and Aadhaar and enhanced cooperation for cloud services in the government sector.

The Hyderabad-born Nadella also attended a meeting with industry executives organized by industry body CII. The session was attended by leaders like Intel V-P Sales and Marketing and South Asia MD Debjani Ghosh, IL&FS Chairman Ravi Parthasarathy, Wipro President and COO Bhanumurthy BM and NIIT CEO Rahul Patwardhan.

Nadella had visited India, which is among one of the largest R&D bases for the company, in December last year. He had visited Mumbai and incubation centre T-Hub in Hyderabad. -PTI

India engaging US on visa, solar issues NEW DELHI: India is holding consultations with the US to resolve the issues relating to visa fee and the solar power case at the WTO, Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia said here.

India would take up the matter further appropriately if the issues

take the matter further and that is very clear," she told reporters here.

India had earlier said that it would file 16 cases against the US for violating WTO treaties as certain programs of the western country in the renewable energy

In March, India dragged the US to the WTO's dispute settlement body against imposition of higher visa fees on certain applicants for L-1 and H-1B categories do not get resolved at the consultation level, she said, but did not elaborate further.

"The first step will be to try and resolve the issues so that the perspective from where we are coming is understood.

In the event that we are not be able to reach an agreement or to an understanding, than we would

sector are "inconsistent" with global norms.

It has also stated that the country would appeal against WTO's panel ruling that the country's power purchase agreements with solar firms are inconsistent with the international norms.

Ruling against India, WTO had said the government's power pur-

chase agreements with solar firms were inconsistent with international norms.

The US had dragged India to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on this issue in 2014, alleging that the clause relating to domestic content requirement in the country's solar power mission was discriminatory in nature and "nullified" benefits accruing to the American solar power developers.

Further, India and the US recently held a two-day bilateral consultation over the American move to impose high fees on temporary working visas.

In March, India dragged the US to the WTO's dispute settlement body against imposition of higher visa fees on certain applicants for L-1 and H-1B categories.

India feels the move to increase fees would impact Indian IT professionals. -PTI

India tops global slavery index MELBOURNE: India has the dubious distinction of having the highest number of people in the world trapped in modern slavery with 18.35 million victims of forced labor, ranging from prostitution and begging, according to a new report, which estimated that nearly 46 million people are enslaved globally.

According to the 2016 Global Slavery Index released by Australia-based human rights group Walk Free Foundation, an estimated 45.8 million people, including women and children, are subject to some form of modern slavery in the world, compared to 35.8 million in 2014.

The report said India has the highest absolute numbers of people trapped in slavery with 18.35 million slaves among its 1.3 billion population while North Korea has the highest incidence (4.37 per cent of the population) and the weakest government response to deal with it.

In the last report in 2014, India had nearly 14.3 million people enslaved.

Incidences of slavery were found in all 167 countries in the index, with Asian countries occupying the top five for people

situations of exploitation that a person cannot leave because of threats, violence, coercion, abuse of power or deception.

The research included over 42,000 interviews conducted in 53 languages across 25 countries, including 15 state-level sur-

veys in India. These representative surveys covered 44 per cent of the global population.

The countries with the highest estimated prevalence of modern slavery by the proportion of their population are North Korea, Uzbekistan, Cambodia, India and Qatar.

The countries with the lowest estimated prevalence of modern slavery by the proportion of their population are Luxembourg, Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden and Belgium, the United States and Canada, and Australia and New Zealand.

The study also tracked the government actions and responses to the modern slavery and The report said India has the of the 161 assessed, highest absolute numbers of 124 nations had criminalized human people trapped in slavery trafficking in line with the UN traffickwith 18.35 million slaves ing Protocol and 96 among its 1.3 billion nations had developed national acpopulation tion plans to coordinate government trapped in slavery. response.

Behind India was China (3.39 It noted that while India had million), Pakistan (2.13 million), more people enslaved than any Bangladesh (1.53 million) and other country, it had made sigUzbekistan (1.23 million). nificant progress in introducing The index said that these measures to tackle the problem. five countries combined ac"It has criminalized traffickcounted for almost 58 per cent ing, slavery, forced labor, child of the world's enslaved, or 26.6 prostitution and forced marmillion people. riage. The Indian government is The Index presents a rank- currently tightening legislation ing of 167 countries based on against human trafficking, with the proportion of the popula- tougher punishment for repeat tion that is estimated to be in offenders. It will offer victims modern slavery. protection and recovery supModern slavery refers to port," it said.-PTI

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Chabahar port alliance worries Pakistan ISLAMABAD: The trilateral alliance between India, Afghanistan and Iran on the strategic Chabahar port is a security threat to Pakistan, defense experts here have said and asked the government to use diplomatic manoeuvres to avert falling into an "abyss of isolation".

Two former lieutenant generals who also served as defense secretaries spoke at a seminar on 'National Security, Deterrence and

that he feared that Pakistan is going into isolation.

"In view of the regional and global environment, I see Pakistan falling into an abyss of isolation primarily because of its own mistakes and partly due to the hostile policies of other states," he said.

He blamed the situation on the "dysfunctional Foreign Office" and the absence of a full time foreign minister.

"We need to break out of this encircling move with help from friends...diplomatic man oeuvres and by forging a strong deterrence," he said, adding that out of the three countries, Iran is most likely to pay heed to Pakistani concerns.

He suggested Pakistan use China's influence for fixing the problems.

"Iran must not be further alienated and its interests in CPEC should be developed," Lodhi said.

He said that the defense and strategic relationship with China should be formalized instead of an unwritten understanding.

Ghulam Mujadid registrar at Air University of Pakistan Air Force said that the eminence of security in national priorities is reflected in the four military take-overs in the country and the "ascendancy of military in political, internal and foreign policy Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Afghanistan decision making".

President Ashraf Ghani "Pakistan needs to Regional Stability in South Asia', Lt-Gen (retired) Nadeem Lodhi correct this strategic myopia. A organized by a local think-tank said the existence of such a "for- survivalist mindset about national Strategic Vision Institute (SVI). midable bloc" in the neighbor- security dominates the political Dawn reported that their com- hood had "ominous and far reach- discourse and continues to be the ments are a reflection of the opin- ing implications" for Pakistan. central pillar in Pakistan's strateion held in military circles, which He feared the three-nation bloc gic calculations," he said. have been deeply suspicious of will affect Pakistan's plans for reChabahar port, located in the the port and the trade route. gional economic integration, res- Sistan-Balochistan Province on Former defense secretary Lt- toration of internal peace and the energy-rich Persian Gulf Gen (retired) Asif Yasin Malik said: maintenance of peaceful borders. nation's southern coast, lies out"The alliance between India, AfIt will also affect the China Pa- side the Persian Gulf and is easily ghanistan and Iran is a security kistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) accessed from India's western threat to Pakistan" and added timelines, he added. coast, bypassing Pakistan.-PTI

Admiral Lanba takes over as Navy Chief NEW DELHI: Admiral Sunil Lanba has taken over as the new Chief of Naval Staff and vowed to

Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba being handed over the baton by the outgoing Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R.K. Dhowan, in New Delhi on May 31

ensure that the maritime domain 21st Indian to be the Navy Chief. of the country is safe and secure. The first two were British.

58-year-old Lanba, a specialist Coming in with rich operational in Navigation and Direction, will and staff experience in a career have the full three-year tenure as spanning more than three dethe Navy Chief. cades, Lanba has served as NaviHe succeeds Admiral R K gating Officer of corvette INS Dhowan who retired.

Sindhudurg and frigate INS "It is indeed an honor and a Dunagiri. privilege for me to take over the command of the Indian Navy, one of An alumnus of Defense the finest in the world," he said, adding that over Services Staff College, the years, the Navy has Lanba is the 21st Indian to turned into a modern and combat ready force be the Navy Chief. capable of operating in The first two were British all three dimensions.

"The men and women who man the Navy are professionHe has commanded four frontally trained, committed and patri- line warships - INS Kakinada otic and are committed to ensur- (minesweeper), INS Himgiri (friging that our national interests are ate) and INS Ranvijay and INS safeguarded anywhere, anytime Mumbai, both destroyers.

He is also an alumnus of the College of Defense Management, Secunderabad, where he has served as a faculty.

Lanba has also held key staff peaceful way to solve this dispute assignments such as Fleet Operaso that both the communities feel tions Officer of the Western Fleet happy." -PTI and the Chief of Staff, Southern and Eastern Naval Commands.

He was also the Flag Officer Sea Training, Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area and Commandant, National Defense College.

He was the Commander-inChief of the Southern Naval Command at Kochi, prior to being appointed to head the Western Naval Command. He took over as the Vice Chief on June 2, 2014.

Admiral Lanba is a recipient of the Param Vishist Seva Medal and the Athi Vishist Seva Medal for Babri Masjid distinguished service. -PTI

Hindu, Muslim leaders meet over Ayodhya dispute AYODHYA, UP: Hindu and Muslim leaders have met for a negotiated settlement of the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute with both sides saying a peaceful way to resolve the issue must be found.

Mahant Narendra Giri, the newly elected President of All India Akhara Parishad, met Hashim Ansari, the oldest surviving litigant in the Babri Masjid case, here.

Giri, along with other mahants and sadhus, had a half-an- hourlong meeting with Ansari.

"We are trying our best to reach a negotiated settlement in this dispute. The settlement must be peaceful and should be acceptable to both the communities. At

the same time, we also want that the Supreme Court should conduct day-to-day hearing in this

"The settlement must be peaceful and should be acceptable to both the communities. At the same time, we also want that the Supreme Court should conduct day-to-day hearing in this case," Giri later said

case," Giri later said.

Ansari said, "We are always ready for talks and we must find a

and everywhere," he said.

An alumnus of Defense Services Staff College, Lanba is the

10 India Post

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Rotary International to honor Prakash Swamy FRANK FERNANDEZ

CHENNAI: Rotary International announced conferring its highest award of Life Time Achievement to Dr Prakash M Swamy, a senior Indian-American journalist and former United Nations Correspondent, at a gala investiture to be held in Chennai on June 11.

The award will be presented by Dr A Surya Parkash, Chairman of Prasar Bharti in New Delhi. He will also bestow the Young Journalist Award to 20-year-old J. Vedhavalli Jagadeeshan, News Anchor, PuthiyaThalaimurai TV Channel in

Chennai.

Dr Swamy served as a member of the historic Madison Square Garden Committee to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York and worked hard to make the event a global success. He was the United Nations Correspondent in New York for over a decade and former Judge of Emmy Awards panel in New York. He is also the current President of America Tamil Sangam.

He has been a journalist for the past 35 plus years.

The previous recipients of the Life Time

Dr Prakash Swamy

Achievement Award of the Rotary Club of Madras North include Yashwant Sinha, Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader; SakthiKanta Das IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Government of India; Prof. P. Vanangamudi, Vice Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University and TM Veeraraghavan, Senior Correspondent of CNN IBN in New Delhi, among others.

Ravi Sundaram, President of the Club said Rotary Club of Madras North was chartered in 1969 and is one of the oldest clubs in Chennai. The Club donated land to the Government of Tamil Nadu to establish a school in Napalayam near Chennai. Over the last 35 years, the Club has contributed to the infrastructure of the school and has established the school as a premier institution in the area, he said.

War not a solution: Pakistan envoy NEW DELHI: War is not a solution to problems between India and Pakistan and only "foolish" people would consider such an option, Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit said here, two days after Pakistani nuclear scientist A Q Khan said his country has the capability to hit New Delhi in five minutes.

Basit also said that Pakistan wants to resolve all issues with India through talks and that the two neighbors must have "result oriented" engagement.

"War is not a solution between both (India-Pak) countries. Only foolish people would consider war as a solution to the problems," Basit said during an interactive program.

Addressing a gathering on the 18th anniversary of Pakistan's first nuclear test, Khan had said in Islamabad that his country has the ability to "target" the Indian capital in five minutes.

Reacting to Khan's comments, a number of strategic affairs experts here had said India has the capability to hit entire Pakistan but nuclear weapons were not weapons of war but only meant for deterrence.

Talking about overall Indo-Pak ties, Basit said, "We hope that the dialogue process will resume, because all our issues can be resolved through talks.

"Five months have passed after the Pathankot attack but the dialogue process between India and Pakistan has not resumed."

On the probe into the Pathankot attack, the Pakistani envoy said his government was extending cooperation to India in investigation of the attack.

"We're maintaining cooperation on Pathankot. Let's hope we'll be able to get to the bottom of that incident," he added.

Stressing on the need for better relations between India and Pakistan, Basit said the two countries must focus on improving trade relations. -PTI

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N-plant vendors improving Indian couple sues Aus bank for $1.5 bn designs for safety MOSCOW: Global nuclear power plant vendors have improved their designs and worked on issues like reprocessing of spent fuel to enhance the safety standards following the Fukushima disaster in Japan, a top official of the World Association

operators now share the operating feedback and emulate the best practices world wide.

"Obviously, I think nuclear safety is important for every country," he said even as a host of speakers in the conference batted for atomic energy, more impor-

of Nuclear Operators said here.

"Of course, there are lot of steps. All the vendors are improving their design post Fukushima (disaster) and many vendors have made improvement in their design," said Jacques Regaldo, Chairman, WANO. Talking to reporters here on the sidelines of the ATOMEXPO 2016, a nuclear conference attended by many countries including India, Regaldo said nuclear

tantly as a clean source of energy that could help bring down the carbon emissions.

According to WANO website, it "unites every company and the country in the world that has an operating commercial nuclear power plant to achieve the highest possible standards of nuclear safety."

Asked how nuclear energy would help battle global warming, especially for a developing

AI to run daily DelhiSurat flights NEW DELHI: State-run Air India will run daily services from here to Surat from June 2, almost five months after it had curtailed operations to the diamond city due to paucity of aircraft.

The airline currently operates five times a week with its regional jet, CRJ-700.

The decision to enhance connectivity was driven by growing air travel demand on the route, the Air India said.

The flight that operated five days a week - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday - will now also operate on Thursday and Sunday, starting June 2, Air India said in a

statement.

Air India had in January this year reduced the frequency of its service to Surat following shortage of aircraft at its Delhi base.

It will provide seamless connectivity between two business cities besides offering convenient connections to other international flights from/to Delhi, Air India said.

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman thanked the civil aviation secretary for reintroducing additional flight services to the textile city from the national capital.-PTI

country like India, Regaldo said that such kind of power was the "best solution."

"Obviously, countries with increasing demand for electricity and energy need nuclear energy because they need baseloads of power and baseloads of power can only be supplied by fossil (power) plants or nuclear plants.

To reduce the CO2 emissions, nuclear plants is the best solution," he said.

Asked about the safety apprehensions, he said that "safety is the condition for nuclear development."

Regaldo said several countries were focusing on the issue of reprocessing of spent fuel and finding ways to dispose of radioactive waste.

"Several countries are now experimenting on permanent and long-term solutions for high level radioactive waste and I think it is not without solutions...

There are temporary solutions and I am not anxious about that," he added.

The three-day ATOMEXPO 2016 is the largest exhibition venue for meetings and negotiations between world leaders of the nuclear power sector.

Japan's Fukushima nuclear power station located in the Pacific Ocean coast received huge damage by the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. It was the largest nuclear disaster since the Chernobyl disaster of 1986. -PTI

MELBOURNE: A high-profile Burrup was sold on the cheap to Indian-origin couple has launched cover a 900 million dollar loan from a 1.5 billion dollar lawsuit, one of ANZ instead of for the 2.5 billion the biggest in Australia's legal his- dollars they say it was worth. tory, against ANZ bank for allegTony Bannon from the Oswal's edly undervaluing shares of their defense team said the couple was fertilizer company to recoup mil- entitled to a judgment against the lions in debts. bank and receivers in excess of The case launched by Pankaj 1.5 billion dollars. and Radhika Oswal in the Supreme The Oswals had borrowed Court of Victoria is the biggest in over 800 million dollars from ANZ. the legal history of Victoria and They claimed that the receivrevolves around the forced sale of the Oswals' Western Australian-based company Burrup Fertilizers after it was seized by receivers in 2010.

The Oswal couple has alleged that Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) Pankaj and Radhika Oswal and the receiver PPB undervalued their share of the ers sold the plant for 800 million chemical business by 1.5 billion dollars below its value but just dollars. enough to repay ANZ's debt.

The ANZ brought in receivers Oswal is also suing ANZ for to the Burrup group of companies alleged bullying. in 2010 and the Oswals argue their According to media reports, 65 per cent stake in Burrup Hold- the court heard that the value of ings was undersold in 2012. the compensation rose to 2.5 bilThey argue that their stake in lion dollars if the sale agreement was set aside and the shares were ordered to be divested, taking into account their current value.

Bannon said the receivers and ANZ made it clear that their purpose was simply to clear Oswal's population is acting as police. debt, and effectively disclosed This raises deep concern and we the reserve price to potential bidtotally condemn such acts," he ders.

"Not only was it a breach of said, adding, the police chief has assured them of taking several selling any asset rule 101, as it steps, including well-coordinated turns out it's a breach of a duty of sensitization programs and a receiver," Bannon said, adding heightened patrolling in sensitive that the receivers "effectively did areas, to ensure safety and secu- ANZ's bidding."

The legal battle has already rity of African people living here.

"The matter is no longer restricted seen millions of dollars spent with to policing. Much has to be done at over 25 barristers in court. the local, community level," said Openings in the trial are exanother students' union member pected to last three weeks, with who was part of the delegation. the trial itself expected to last up Members of other African stu- to six months. dents' associations have alleged Meanwhile, the couple is also that the attacks in south Delhi were accused of misappropriating 150 racial and deliberate in nature. million dollars from the fertilizer "I call it a racist issue, which is company for personal use. deliberate...When you walk on the The Oswals left Australia in roads they call you names...We are December 2010, when receivers seriously unsafe in India," were appointed to Burrup, and claimed another African student only recently returned to be in union member.-PTI Melbourne for the court case.-PTI

African students meet police chief over attacks NEW DELHI: African students living in the country have expressed "deep concern" over the recent string of attacks on their compatriots and sought strict action from the police and local authorities against those who take law into their own hands to settle dispute with them.

"It doesn't matter whether the issue is racial or not. This is a democratic nation with a police system to look into law and order.

Then how can the locals take law in their own hands instead of informing the police about whatever the matter was," said Abdou Brahim, President of Association of African Students in India.

Brahim was part of a delegation of African nationals which met Delhi Police CommissionerAlok Kumar Verma at the Police Headquarters here and demanded strict action in the matter.

"The problem is that the local

In Brief Senate OKs changes to driver licenses BOSTON: The Massachusetts Senate has approved an amendment that aims to bring the state into compliance with REAL ID, a federal program that sets new requirements for driver's licenses and other identification cards.

The amendment - passed during the Senate's budget debate would create a two-tiered system for driver's licenses issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Residents who currently drive in the state could choose between the current system or applying for a new license that meets REAL ID standards, including documented proof they are U.S. citizens or have lawful permanent or temporary residency status.

It also would give current drivers the option of continuing to hold a valid Massachusetts driver's license, but one that is not compliant with REAL ID. As such, it could not be used to enter secure federal facilities or to board domestic flights when the new rules are enforced at U.S. airports, likely in 2020.

The Senate version must be reconciled with a more restrictive House version of the amendment.

The two versions of the amendment will head to a six-member House and Senate budget conference committee charged with hammering out a final version of the state's spending plan for the 2017 fiscal year that begins July 1.

In October, Gov. Charlie Baker filed a version bill that also would create a two-tiered system for the issuance of driver's licenses by the Registry of Motor Vehicles. -AP

„

African envoys call for flexible India visa

NEW DELHI: African envoys have made a strong pitch for making the Indian visa regime more flexible, especially for students and diplomats.

Sola Enikanolaiye, acting High Commissioner of Nigeria, said countries like China, Brazil and South Africa have an agreement with African countries which makes the visa process hasslefree.

"There is a need to grant visas of long duration to African students. At present, the visa for a four-year program is limited for six months. As a result, the students keep going to the FRRO office which takes so much of their time and energy," he said.

Enikanolaiye also demanded abolition of visa for diplomats and service passports.

Cont'd on Page 13

Immigration 12 India Post

www.indiapost.com

June 3, 2016

Immigrant, 17, on track to be Dallas teacher Details on page 14

San Francisco retains immigrant sanctuary protections SAN FRANCISCO: Despite national outrage after a Mexican man killed a woman along a waterfront pier, San Francisco officials upheld the city's strict sanctuary protections for people who are in the country illegally.

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously for a measure that clarifies when city workers, including police officers, can notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement of a person's immigration status. Generally, the defendant must be charged with a violent crime and is someone who has been convicted of a violent crime within the past seven years.

The measure, however, also grants San Francisco's sheriff leeway to contact immigration authorities in the limited cases of defendants charged with a felony if they have been convicted of other felonies in the past.

The vote comes at a time of deep distrust between law enforce-

ment and minority communities in San Francisco. Last week, the police chief was forced to resign af-

Advocates of sanctuary protections at the board meeting cheered the proposal's passage,

Supervisor John Avalos speaks during a Board of Supervisors meeting at City Hall in San Francisco.

ter officers shot to death an unarmed black woman, the third such death since December.

even with the discretions given the sheriff. They say that a clear division between local law en-

forcement and federal immigration authorities is needed to foster trust. The sanctuary law dates back to 1989.

The killing of Kate Steinle in July 2015 and the arrest of Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez put San Francisco's leaders on the defensive as critics and outside politicians, including presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, called for a change in the city's sanctuary law.

The sheriff at the time, Ross Mirkarimi, cited the law in defending the release of the man, a repeat drug offender and habitual border-crosser.

Mirkarimi, already facing tough re-election prospects, lost to a candidate who said she would have considered greater communication between the city and federal government.

Cont'd on Page 14

UK minister cites Modi for anti-Brexit case LONDON: One of Britain's senior Foreign Office ministers has used Prime Minister Narendra Modi's words to make his case against the UK leaving the European Union in the June 23 referendum, saying Brexit would not be a boost for IndiaUK ties.

Hugo Swire, minister of state for the Commonwealth, was making a speech at Chatham House in London when he made a reference to views coming out of India that should sway voters against Brexit.

"Prime Minister Modi during his visit to the UK last November said 'As far as India is concerned, if there is an entry point for us to the European Union that is the UK'," Swire said quoting Modi.

"And the head of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry agreed, adding that 'we firmly believe that leaving the EU would create considerable uncertainty for Indian

businesses engaged with the UK and would possibly have an adverse impact on investment and movement of professionals to the UK'," he said.

Swire, who is in charge of India

replace the EU as the UK's major trading partner. That is a leap of faith with no basis in fact. Access to the single market is a cornerstone of the UK's prosperity.

"44 per cent of what we export goes to the European Union, with 3 million jobs in the UK dependent in some way on trade with the single market," he said in his speech titled 'The EU and the Commonwealth The UK's Place in Both'.

On immigration, he added: "Some argue that leaving Hugo Swire quotes PM Modi during his speech the EU would allow speech at Chatham House in London. greater migration as part of his wider Commonwealth from the Commonwealth. Frankly, portfolio, also reiterated his stand I believe it is naive to think that that he does not see Brexit having the same people campaigning for a boost on India-UK ties.

Brexit would welcome this.

"There is the creeping narrative "And what possible basis do promoted by the Brexiteers that they have for making such an assomehow the Commonwealth can sertion? Because let's remember it

is up to the UK, not the EU, to decide who is allowed to come to this country from outside the EU. Our membership of the EU does not prevent Commonwealth citizens from coming to the UK," he said.

Anyone suggesting that it would be different or easier is just raising false hopes by suggesting we would water down those criteria, he said.

He accused Brexit supporters of trying to turn back the clock to the days of "Imperial preference".

"We should remind ourselves why the Commonwealth benefits from our close relationship with the EU. Our seat at the EU table gives the Commonwealth a voice and it is a voice which brings results. UK membership of the EU is creating jobs and driving growth, in Britain and across the Commonwealth. That's why our Commonwealth allies want us to stay in the EU," he said. -PTI

Immigration Post

June 3, 2016

India Post 13

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Record UK immigration figures fuel EU debate LONDON: Britain gained 333,000 people through immigration in 2015 - a near-historic high that is fanning the debate about newcomers ahead of a vote next month on whether the country should remain in the European Union.

Those who back leaving the EU say Office for National Statistics figures prove that Britain can't control immigration unless it quits the 28-nation bloc. EU citizens can live and work in the other member states - and Britain's relatively strong labor market has proven to be an irresistible draw for hundreds of thousands of workers from the continent. ``You see the pressure on public services, you see the waiting lists in hospitals, in GP surgeries and of course in schools,'' said former London Mayor Boris Johnson, the leading member of the ``leave'' camp. ``People are feeling it and what they resent is the lack of control.''

London Mayor Sadiq Khan aggressively argued for the ``re-

main'' side as the figures were released, arguing that the capital's strength lies in being open to the world. ``We wouldn't be where we are

form more alliances and actively to shape our future in the world.

That is the British way. That is certainly the London way.''

Prime Minister David Cameron,

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, speaks during an event in east London

today in London with an isolationist approach,'' he said. ``We know from our experience that the answer is to get more involved, to

who backs the ``remain'' side, has long promised to reduce net migration below 100,000. His failure to do so is giving ammunition to

EU ``leave'' activists.

The statistics office says the U.K. had 630,000 immigrants in 2015, while 297,000 people left. The net figure of 333,000 is 20,000 higher than in 2014 - a statistically insignificant change - and the second-highest on record.

Roughly half the immigrants weren't from the EU. With less than a month to go before the June 23 vote, the immigration figures also give the ``leave'' camp ample opportunity to change the focus of the referendum debate, which has largely centered around the economic consequences of an exit. Economists at the International Monetary Fund, the Bank of England, and several respected think tanks have warned that leaving the EU's single market of some 500 million could hit British businesses and consumers hard and may lead to a recession.

The ``leave'' camp has already tried to turn the debate toward the more populist theme of sovereignty. Johnson at one point com-

pared the EU's aims to those of Adolf Hitler - arguing that the bloc wants to create a superstate that mirrors the Nazi leader's attempt to dominate the European continent.

That was too much for the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, who suggested that Johnson had gone too far in his claims that Britain would be better off outside the EU. Speaking at a G-7 summit in Japan, Juncker noted that Johnson had spent time as a Brussels-based journalist and said that he should return to check ``if everything he is telling the British people is in line with reality - I do not think so.''

The British government, meanwhile, urged people to be realistic.

James Brokenshire, the immigration minister, stressed that there are no easy solutions, regardless of whether Britain stays or goes. ``Leaving the EU is absolutely no panacea or silver bullet, whatever some may suggest,'' he said.

-AP

La man guilty of defrauding illegal immigrants BATON ROUGE, La.: A Louisiana man has pleaded guilty to a charge that he preyed on dozens of illegal immigrants in federal detention facilities by promising them legal assistance but taking their money without providing any help.

Edwin Zavala Jr., of Lafayette, pleaded guilty in federal court to a wire-fraud charge that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A date for his sentencing hearing in Lafayette wasn't immediately set.

Zavala isn't an attorney, but a court filing says he received more than $42,000 from 44 people who paid him for legal assistance in deportation proceedings, to assist them in obtaining work permits or to get someone freed from a detention facility.

Zavala typically ceased all con-

tact with them once he was paid, without providing any help, the filing says.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office filed a civil lawsuit last month against Zavala and his

immigrants at Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers in Texas. The letters advertised the company's services in Spanish, were addressed to specific detainees and had their Alien

Zavala solicited customers in other states.

The filing says he received a $2,250 payment from a resident of California but failed to perform the services he promised company, United Immigration Consulting LLC, over related allegations.

In June 2014, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security began investigating allegations that United Immigration Consulting mailed batches of letters to illegal

Registration Numbers on the envelopes, according to the court filing. ``We have to teach the United States that Hispanics deserve to have opportunities in this country,'' a letter said, according to Zavala's March indictment. ``You

and everyone else that has been detained came to this country for a better life, not to be detained.''

In November 2013, a Homeland Security agent called Zavala and pretended to be a relative of an ICE detainee in Washington state, according to the court filing. The agent wired Zavala a down payment of $840 to represent his fictional relative in an immigration proceeding.

After the agent called Zavala to ask him why nobody from his company showed up at an immigration hearing, Zavala stopped returning the agent's calls, the filing said.

Zavala solicited customers in other states. The filing says he received a $2,250 payment from a

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African envoys call for flexible India visa Cont'd from Page 12

"We have such an agreement with China. We have a similar one with Brazil and South Africa," the Ambassador said.

Responding to queries, C Rajasekhar, Director General, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) said the issue was being addressed.

"In March, ICCR had taken up the issue of African students visa pro-actively and convened a meeting of the higher education community of India, which is the Human Resources Development Ministry, the UGC, All India Council for Technical education, Vice Chancellors, Registrars and foreign student advisors of universities as well as some of the ambas-

sadors.

"We got Ministry of Home Affairs representatives to come to discuss the problems of Africa and to make the visa for the students co-terminus with the duration of their course. The visa manual provides for granting visa for the duration of the course for the students and it will be implemented," Rajashekar said. -PTI

resident of California but failed to perform the services he promised.

Paul Parsons, an Austin, Texasbased attorney who specializes in immigration law, said another lawyer showed him a flier that Zavala apparently circulated at immigration detention centers in central Texas to advertise his ``immigration consultation'' services. Parsons said he notified the Texas attorney general's consumer protection division about the flier about two years ago. ``When I saw it, I was outraged,'' Parsons said. ``These aspiring immigrants - detained or not - are the people who can least afford to be cheated out of their hardearned savings.''-AP

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Immigrant, 17, on track to be Dallas teacher DALLAS: Melisa Simon is poised, confident and a hard worker. She's also an immigrant without immigration papers, crossing the U.S. border from Mexico with her family at age 3. She was told by her mother early on that life in her new country would be tough. ``I knew that I wasn't going to be able to have an actual career,'' Melisa told The Dallas Morning News.

But she trudged on, enrolling in Samuell High School's early college program and getting a work permit under President Barack Obama's initiative for young people brought to the U.S. unlawfully by their parents.

Now she's on track to be Dallas Independent School District's youngest teacher - as a teenager.

Here's how the 17-year-old is making it happen: She completed requirements for her associate's degree this month from Eastfield College. She will graduate on June 2 with her high school diploma. In July, she'll start a program through Texas Tech University that will allow her to obtain a bachelor's degree and teacher certification in one year.

She'll be turning 19 when she begins as a bilingual elementary teacher in August 2017. The only teacher in recent DISD history to begin that young turned 20 a month after starting work. ``They prepared me really well,'' Melisa said of the staff at Samuell and Eastfield College. ``At first I was intimidated - now I'm involved in both campuses.''

Melisa lives in the Pleasant Grove area and was born in

Mexico. She said that her parents put a big emphasis on education.

Her mother didn't go to school past the sixth grade and her father stopped in ninth grade. She feels a need to do well for them. This means juggling classes, extracurricular activities and an evening job as an usher for Dallas Summer Musicals. ``They crossed over the border

son for TechTeach, the teacher education program at Texas Tech that Melisa will begin this summer. ``She's actually a trailblazer.''

Melisa is also among 57 students who will make up the first graduating class at Samuell Early College High School. Twentyseven of them completed enough college hours to receive an associate's degree. Others earned

Melisa Simon, 17, poses for a photograph with text books for college classes that she took at Eastfield College in Mesquite, Texas.

with three little kids,'' she said. ``If they had to go through all that to bring me here, I think that I have to give back.''

Petite, with long dark hair, the teen teacher will be closer in age to her students' big sisters than their moms. To put her age in perspective, there are at least 1,430 students in DISD age 19 and older.

But Melisa's youthfulness conceals a fierce determination to succeed, say people who know her. ``There's definitely something there that is unique about her,'' said Zinab Munoz, the Dallas-area liai-

dozens of college credit hours, according to DISD. Dallas ISD has five early college high school programs and will open eight more next fall.

Jennifer Tecklenburg, assistant principal over Samuell's early college program, said students come out of the program prepared for a higher education and with lasting relationships. ``The best thing that it does for them, regardless of how many credit hours they have, is that they know what to expect,'' Tecklenburg said. ``They've been together four

Texas facility to house transgender detainees DALLAS: A detention facility for immigrants set to open later this year in Texas will include a special unit for transgender people, the second of its kind in the federal system.

The privately-run facility under construction in Alvarado, Texas, southwest of Dallas, will include 36 beds for transgender detainees, according to a statement from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The facility is expected to open in November.

The only other such space, in Santa Ana, California, held 28 transgender people last week, according to the agency. City officials in Santa Ana have considered ending their agreement with ICE to house detainees. ICE could not provide the number of transgender people being detained in the entire system.

The agency didn't provide de-

tails about how the facility for transgender detainees would be different than other centers, and a regional ICE spokesman declined to make officials available for an interview.

Advocates say transgender immigrants often face particular

Rights Watch on transgender people in immigration found that more than half of 28 women identified in the report were held in men's facilities at some point during their detention. Half were held in solitary confinement.

According to the report, one

The privately-run facility under construction in Alvarado, Texas, southwest of Dallas, will include 36 beds for transgender detainees, according to a statement challenges, including a higher risk of sexual assault, an inability to get hormone replacement treatments, and dealing with guards unfamiliar with gender identity issues.

A March report by Human

Honduran woman held at a detention center in Arizona reported being raped by three men and then being told by a guard, ``You are the ones that cause these problems and always call the men's attention.'' -AP

years. They're like a family. They support each other.''

The TechTeach program partners with various Texas school districts, including Dallas, Grand Prairie, Fort Worth and DeSoto.

The goal is to put teachers where they are most needed and in their home communities. The participants take their college courses online and receive hands-on training at a school in their area.

For Melisa, Dallas is home. It has been for as long as she can remember. ``All my life has really been here,'' she said. ``I don't really remember anything from there.''

She knows that some people perceive immigrants in the U.S. illegally as being bad people. She wants to shatter that belief. ``I'm proud that I'm achieving all of this because I can prove people wrong, and I can be an example,'' she said. ``You just have to work hard for it.''

Students in TechTeach earn certification in elementary general education and a supplemental certification in special education, bilingual education or English as a second language - all hard-tofill areas in school districts.

Those who complete the program in the Dallas area are expected to commit to work in their area school district for at least two years, Mu単oz said. She added that the students can expect to work hard - two years of college in one year. ``It's very intense,'' Munoz said.

Dallas ISD began the program in 2014 and has 83 graduates so far, according to Munoz. Partici-

pants are required to already have an associate degree and a minimum 2.75 grade-point average.

Tuition for TechTeach is $18,000 to $20,000, Mu単oz said.

Melisa plans to pay the costs using donations, scholarships and state financial aid. ``My parents don't have a lot of money to pay for college,'' she said.

Melisa is thankful for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. The 2012 federal program provides people brought to the U.S. unlawfully as children with temporary work permits, renewable every two years, as long as they meet certain requirements.

Federal officials say it's not a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship. But for immigrants, it means living without fear of deportation and a work permit.

Of 1.36 million applications accepted under DACA through March 2016, 91 percent had been approved, according to a federal report. Most of the applicants are from Mexico, with many living in Texas or California.

Melisa wants her first teaching job to be at Thelma Richardson Elementary School in Pleasant Grove, where she's lived her whole life. She believes that she can be a role model at the school where about 90 percent of students are considered economically disadvantaged, or qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. More than half are learning English, as Melisa did in elementary school. ``I just want to help them,'' she said. ``I used to be one of those kids.'' -AP

San Francisco retains immigrant sanctuary protections Cont'd from Page 12

That sheriff, Vicki Hennessy, fought the board's original proposal and said her office should have more discretion. As a constitutionally elected officer, she does not have to follow board orders.

Supervisor John Avalos, the measure's chief sponsor, said that a judge must find that the defendant is likely guilty of a violent felony before the rule can kick in.

That's a higher standard than a simple charge by the district attorney's office, he said. ``This is actually legislation that sets a clear standard for how we practice our sanctuary-city policies in San Francisco,'' Avalos said.

Hennessy said she worked on

a compromise because she ``felt it was better for the city to have one unified policy and still have more options for review than what we have now.''

The ordinance allows the sheriff to share release information with ICE if the person is charged with a felony and has been convicted of one serious felony or convicted of three other qualifying felonies within the previous five years.

Hennessey said that she would not have contacted ICE in the case of Lopez-Sanchez because he was not wanted on a felony. ``We reached agreement that will serve public safety, family unity and bring our community together,'' she said. -AP

June 3, 2016

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India Post 15

Desi News Naperville India Day Parade on August 14 S BODIWALA

CHICAGO: Indian Community Outreach ICO and the City of Naperville will be hosting the second grand India Day Parade and Celebration on Sunday August 14 in downtown Naperville to mark the 70th anniversary of India's independence.

The Parade will serve as a showcase of India's rich and diverse culture, with more than 100 floats organized by Indian cultural, local business and political organizations. Spectators will be treated to a rich variety of Indian cuisine, ethnic arts, apparel, and jewelry.

This event has the distinction of being the 2nd India Day Parade backed by any city in Midwest America.

Details on page 18

Make God your partner in life: Dada Vaswani SURESH BODIWALA

CHICAGO: It was an evening of enlightenment at Oakbrook Marriott in Oakbrook with a spiritual Master Dada JP Vaswani, revered by one and all. The beautiful banquet hall of the Oakbrook Marriott was filled with anticipation.

The evening began with devotional music by two renowned singers of Chicago, Mrs Pramila Bhatia and Anil Sharma. On the tabla was Puranlal Vyas and Dave on keyboard. The bhajan singing primed the audience to a religious atmosphere.

Details on page 19

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

16 India Post

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VHPA gearing up for Hindu Heritage Day Details on page 22

June 3, 2016

Bhushans in Chicago for creating awareness about Swaraj Abhiyan RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: The Supporters of Swaraj Abhiyan, an organization with a mission to educate and mobilize Indian citizens to ensure accountability of political leaders, uphold public interest and reduce corruption in public life, is hosting an interactive talk with eminent lawyers and activists Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan on June 1at The Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows, a northwest suburb of Chicago.

Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan were founders of Aam Aadmi Party that was born out of the India Against Corruption social movement in 2012, but parted ways with it in 2015 when they accused the Party leadership of moving away from the founding principles of zero tolerance for Corruption, Transparency, Swaraj or political decentralization and compromising on its ethics.

Soon after, Prashant Bhushan along with Yogendra Yadav launched Swaraj Abhiyan to further the cause of anti-corruption

that had been dropped by AAP. Today, Swaraj Abhiyan has four committees: Jai Kisan Andolan - to fight for the rights of farmers, Shiksha Swaraj, to bring reform in Education sector, Aman Committee, to spread harmony in various communities of India and Anti Corruption Team, to fight against corruption.

has launched a nationwide citizens' whistleblowers forum and recently exposed the scam in the Augusta Westland helicopter deal involving crores of public money.

Bhushans are no strangers to being in news for their war on corruption and have rightfully been termed as anti-corruption crusad-

The father-son duo has been involved in pressing for accountability in the Indian judiciary by setting up Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Judicial Reform (CJAR). Prashant Bhushan has hundreds of PILs under his belt like 2G Scam, Coalgate Scam etc that he does without charging

Prashant Bhushan and Shanti Bhushan

Swaraj Abhiyan's Jai Kisan program has been fighting for the rights of farmers and the relief for people in drought hit areas in India in over 12 States. Swaraj Abhiyan Anti Corruption Team

ers. Shanti Bhushan came to fame when the case he fought unseated the Prime Minister of the country, Indira Gandhi, in 1975 for election malpractices. As the Union Law Minister, he brought in legislation restoring fundamental rights of citizens that had been taken away during the years of Emergency.

any fees. Through his successful PILs has exposed corruption and upheld public interest in India.

In the Coalgate scam he was successful in getting coal licenses that had been awarded fraudulently cancelled and restored thousands of crores of public money back to the country.

Pavithra presents Yoga of Dance at Princeton PM SWAMY

NEW YORK: Acclaimed dancer and educator Pavithra Srinivasan explored the intersections and suggested India's venerable classical dance tradition as a vehicle to connect to deeper truths and spiritual awareness.

Cont’d on page 19 Pavithra of Chennai mesmerized the audience at the Whig Hall of Princeton University during a lecture and dance presentation on the Yoga of Dance

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India Post 17

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NJ author releases book in Chennai PM SWAMY

NEW JERSEY: Uma Swaminathan, a New Jersey-based community activist and a fighter of injustice in NJ school systems, last week released her book "Healing with Herbs - Ancient

Chennai.

Last year, Ms. Swaminathan had authored a unique 250-page book "Herbal Transformations- Ancient wisdom revealed for health and longevity".

Ms. Uma Swaminathan

Ayurvedic Wisdom for Health and Longevity" at a gala book signing event at Odyssey Book Store in

Jaico Publications in India has now brought out the Indian edition of the book entitled "Healing

with Herbs- Ancient Ayurvedic Wisdom for Health and Longevity".

The book is considered a treasure in view of the world-wide interest in its contents which include subjects like yoga, organic food, health concerns, cultural moorings and the universal yearning for youthfulness and longevity, according to the author.

It is written in a simple, personalized, chatty, and highly readable style which would appeal to all age groups, from the very young right up to the aged and it contains many lively colorful photographs taken by the author herself.

It speaks of yoga practices that can increase memory power, of tropical fruits that can even cure cancer, of increased sensitivity and intuition through proper diet and cleansing, how to lose weight and bring out one's natural aura, the sacred geometry of the traditional Kolam art and even cooking recipe.

Ms. Swaminathan was referred to as Rosa Parks of Indian Community by Indian media in the US for putting up a brave fight

against her suspension on fabricated grounds under racial bias.

After three years, she was reinstated by the Courts and the Board squandered taxpayers' hard earned money to justify their illegal actions to destroy a competent school teacher because of her ethnic Indian background.

T.S.Krishnamurthy, former Chief Election Commissioner of India; V. Selvaraj, former Chairman

has specialized in cultural anthropology while studying at the Rutgers' University in NJ. Her initial schooling was in Chennai and in Patna, Bihar. In her youth in India, she learned to fly monoplanes and got her private pilot's license.

She studied classical Indian dance and is a prolific painter. She had also spent a few years in Tokyo, Japan, where she was honored by Princess Hitachi, Prime

It speaks of yoga practices that can increase memory power, of tropical fruits that can even cure cancer, of increased sensitivity and intuition through proper diet and cleansing, how to lose weight and bring out one's natural aura of Madras Port Trust; Prabhala Subash, a famous DJ and CEO of Masala FM radio; Chari, a retired IAS officer and others felicitated her.

Ms. Swaminathan is a US Citizen of Indian-origin and she owns an ancestral apartment in Chennai, where she stays while in India. She

Minister Kaifu's wife, for bridging understanding and cultural awareness between India and Japan. She was made the Chief Marshal of the International Parade in Tokyo. She has been in leadership roles in the US and is past President of the Association of Indians in America. She is also a practicing Reiki Master.

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AIPHA holds banquet and business expo SURESH BODIWALA

CHICAGO: The Association of Indian Pharmacists in America (AIPHA) hosted its Annual Banquet and Business Expo on Sunday, May 15 at the Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows, a northwest suburb of Chicago.

The Banquet was attended by many dignitaries including Consul General of Chicago, Dr Ausaf Sayeed; Jay Stewart, director of professional regulation; Dr. Yash Amin, director of drug compliance; Alex Hemsley, director of policy

and procedure; Hardik Bhatt, chief information officer; Aarti Parikh, investigator for professional regulation; Marcus Evens, state representative; Thaddeus Jones, state representative; ShahabUdddin, chairman of Qatar Airways; Jeff Brannon & Mike Synor from Cardinal Drugs; Mark Andricks and Tony Ferrante from HD Smith and Raja Krishnamoorthi, Congressional candidate for the 8th district of IL. With the rising price of generic

AIPHA dignitaries attending annual event

Bollywood singer Shibani Kashyap mesmerized the audience with her songs

drugs, and increased government regulation, the cost of doing business has increased, observed Harish Bhat, AIPHA president. "In addition, we find ourselves coming up short due to the sharp decrease of reimbursements and lack of equivalent margins. Medicaid is going to expand under the Affordable Care Act, and we must get a fair opportunity to partner with them in providing the most costeffective care. I encourage all pharmacists to come together to negotiate with the state, with one voice," he added Bollywood singer Shibani Kashyap rocked the AIPHA annual gala. Vendors were recognized on stage for contributing to the success of this event.

The national organization of the Association of Indian Pharmacists in America (AIPHA) was founded in 1985 by 20 members.

Today, there are over 453 members. The student chapter of AIPHA at the University of Illinois-College of Pharmacy was established in 1996 with the same drive and initiative that was shown in 1985. The student chapter of AIPHA has established spe-

cific objectives that need to be fulfilled year in and year out. The most important is to promote the representation of Indo-American practicing pharmacists and student pharmacists in various professional and socio-cultural activities.

The group Triple Threat and Chicago Adaa

Naperville India Day Parade on August 14 S BODIWALA

Mayor Steve Chirico, Naperville, Mayor Emeritus George Pradel, Krishna Bansal, Chairman, Naperville Indian Community Outreach along with board members and community leaders

CHICAGO: Indian Community Outreach ICO and the City of Naperville will be hosting the sec-

ond grand India Day Parade and Celebration on Sunday August 14 in downtown Naperville to mark

the 70th anniversary of India's independence.

Cont’d on page 20

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India Post 19

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Make God your partner in life: Dada Vaswani SURESH BODIWALA

he says.

Dada spoke of forgiveness.

"The only way to forgive completely is to forget. You cannot forgive if you continue to hold the feelings of the past. The past is over. Move on with only love in your heart. Your mind will be at peace," he said in his address.

He also talked of having humor in our daily lives. People have forgotten to smile and laugh. Dada said you are not fully dressed till you wear a smile on your face. He gave a small anecdote to make the audience laugh. He said a priest came to a small town to give a talk on "The Path to Heaven" at the town hall. On the way, he stopped to ask a little boy the way.

Dada Vaswani addressing the gathering

Dada JP Vaswani being ushered in the banquet hall

CHICAGO: It was an evening of enlightenment at Oakbrook Marriott in Oakbrook with a spiri-

ful banquet hall of the Oakbrook Marriott was filled with anticipation.

Chicago artist Anil Sharma rendering Bhajan.

On Tabla is Puranlal Vyas

tual Master Dada JP Vaswani, revered by one and all. The beauti-

The evening began with devotional music by two renowned

A section of the audience

singers of Chicago, Mrs Pramila Bhatia and Anil Sharma. On the tabla was Puranlal Vyas and Dave on keyboard. The bhajan singing primed the audience to a religious atmosphere. Joseph Cantor, President of Dupage County Forest Preserves was the chief Guest and Indian Consul General Dr Ausaf Sayeed, the Guest of Honor Dr Gopal and Mrs Neetu Lalmalani have been hosts of Pujya Dada and his entourage on their annual visit to Chicago. Dada, even at 97 and going on to 98 in the next few months, was energetic and looked healthy despite being a bit frail.

His mind was sharp and clear.

His message is of love, forgiveness and bringing God back into our daily lives. He talks of respecting all forms of life, be they of animals, insects or of plants. The 21st century, Dada says, should be the century for protecting animal rights. Killing animals for food is inhumane. Let us not make our stomachs graveyards for animals,

Cont’d on page 22

Pavithra presents Yoga of Dance at Princeton Cont’d from page 16

Vedic culture includes customs, food, dress, language, literature, scriptures, music, dance ... anything that gives examples of great heroes who lived a life of profound truths and courageous deeds that help the human mind and life to grow, mature and evolve. This helps in discovering the true purpose of life, to unite and to help others unite themselves with their highest nature, so all can live in a life of harmony and freedom from misery. In this exploration, both yoga and dance point the way.

Pavithra, adorned with jewels and clad in a radiant green saree,

She drew on decades of rigorous dance training, deep study of sacred texts, and personal guidance from her guru - the renowned Swami Dayananda Saraswati She enacted stories from the Panchatantra, Ramayana and Bhaja Govindam, a popular 8th century devotional composition in Sanskrit attributed to Sri Adi Sankaracharya, a great seer of Advaita philosophy of India. The program was sponsored by the Princeton University Hindu Life Program and The Yoga Council.

Pavithra began by explaining Yoga and demonstrated the Surya She told the audience Surya Namaskar chanting Namaskar not only includes "Om Mitraya Namaha", "Om Ravaye Namaha". asanas and pranayama, but She told the audience also mantra and meditation Surya Namaskar not only includes asanas techniques, expressing and pranayama, but gratitude to the Sun also mantra and meditation techniques, expressing gratitude to the Sun as a looked beautiful and her dance life and light giving source to all with excellent storytelling captiforms in the planet. For dancers, vated the audience. Pavithra conit is also an exercise for stretch- cluded with a scene from the iming, strengthening of muscles, mortal hymn Bhaja Govindam writmassaging of joints and internal ten by Saint Sankara in which he organs of the body, she said. urges man to turn towards the Self Both yoga and the classical and sing His glory instead of bedances of India are a gift to the ing distracted, deluded and deworld. Both disciplines, yoga with stroyed by mundane matters.

Yoga of dance is thus the union its admirable precision and alignment and dance with its graceful of the physical, psychological and hand gestures coordinated move- spiritual plane to transcend the ments and meaningful facial ex- ordinary and to be established in pressions, have been blended for one's own true nature in one's own self, which is the ultimate freedom centuries She explained to students that from all unhappiness, she narrated.

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Michigan event a build up for ATA Convention KEERTHI RAVOORI

DETROIT: American Telugu Association [ATA] rolled out yet another grand 'Detroit ATA Day' celebrations in Farmington Hills, Michigan drawing over 1000 guests from the Telugu community reflecting an incremental build up towards the Mega ATA Convention in Chicago on July 1-3.

The event was organized to demonstrate the gathering momentum towards the silver jubilee convention and to excite Telugu families in Michigan State to draw their sizeable representation at the convention. The celebrations began early in the afternoon with over 200 participants in the singing and dancing competitions and the beauty pageant.

Smt. DK Aruna, MLA from Gadwal and former Minister was the Chief Guest joined by Tollywood Actress Pranita Subhash as Celebrity Guest. The

ATA Day celebrations in Michigan: Seen here are ATA leaders/officers including Tollywood actress Pranita Subhash and Chief Guest D.K.Aruna, MLA, along with ATA convention leaders Chandrasekhar Reddy, KK Reddy and Krishna Mushyam, among other key officials

ees The entire ATA team took to the stage and briefed about the Convention. Among them were ATA Trustees Bhuvnesh Boojala from DC and The event was organized Anil Boddireddy from to demonstrate the Atlanta, Conference team led by Palvai gathering momentum Chandra Sekhar Reddy towards the silver jubilee (Convener), K K Reddy (Director), Krishna convention and to excite Mushyam (Co-conTelugu families vener), Ramesh Garapaty (Cultural coevening encompassed some excit- ordinator), Mahidhar Musukula ing music, dances and singing (Coordinator), Radha Krishna with singers Sandeep Kurapati Reddy (Local Coordinator), and Hanishka Polimera entertain- Ramaraju Avadhutha (Sye ATA ing the guests while Rene Joy's chair), Malla Reddy Bokka (Regdance performance mesmerized the istration Chair), Chandini Duvvuri guests. The Detroit ATA Day cel- (Sye ATA co-chair), Venkat Thudi ebrations were held by ATA Trust- (Chicago RC), Vikram Reddy (Po-

litical co-chair), Suresh P, Naveen Manyam (reg co-chair), Sainath and Vijay Reddy Yanala (Youth

The Parade will serve as a showcase of India's rich and diverse culture, with more than 100 floats organized by Indian cultural, local business and political organizations. Spectators will be treated to a rich variety of Indian cuisine, ethnic arts, apparel, and jewelry.

This event has the distinction of being the 2nd India Day Parade backed by any city in Midwest America.

ICO is a non-partisan and a not for profit organization and its chairman Krishna Bansal has been appointed by, and reports to, the Mayor of Naperville.

Bansal said. "Indian Americans are now a significant part of Naperville's population in both

numbers and impact. The community, which saw a dramatic growth since the nineties, now comprises over 10 percent of the suburb's total population. Moreover, with the recent influx of information technology workers and other professionals from India, over 70 percent are first generation immigrants."

Several South Asian community leaders, restaurants, businesses and cultural organizations have come forward to support the event. Sunidhi Chauhan, India's sensational singer, will be the Parade Marshal.

Chirag Jani, board member of ICO and lead of event logistics, explained that parade will begin in Downtown Naperville at 5 pm and end at Knoch Park in

troit ATA team specially thanked SYEATA & Beauty pageant organizers.

'X-Men: Apocalypse' to remove improper reference to Krishna India Post News Service

NEVADA: The 20th Century Fox and Director Bryan Singer have agreed to delete reference to Lord Krishna - Vishnu in the movie "X-Men: Apocalypse", released on May 27. It was also part of the trailer in December last. The reference was hurtful to devotees deeming it inappropriate as Lord Krishna is highly revered in Hinduism.

Naperville India Day Parade on August 14 Cont’d from page 18

Chair).

ATA team presented mementos and honored the donors. The De-

Naperville where the celebration will kick off. The final route details are being worked out with the City of Naperville.

Sunidhi Chauhan, the highly Acclaimed Bollywood singer, with several big hits under her belt, will present a number of soulful melodies during the event. She will be supported by a state-of-the art orchestra. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her fans considering the fact that the entry to the concert will be FREE. Additional information about the parade and celebration including applications to participate in the parade and celebrations as well as sponsorship is available on w e b s i t e www.napervilleindian.com.

Rajan Zed, president of Uni- or concepts for commercial or versal Society of Hinduism, wrote other agenda was not okay as it to 20th Century Fox in March last hurt the devotees and confused urging Singer and 20th Century non-Hindus about Hinduism. Lord Fox Chairman James N. Krishna was meant to be worGianopulos to not have any inap- shipped in temples or home propriate references to the Lord in shrines and not for pushing movthe final movie, unless those were ies for mercantile greed of filmmaktrue to the scriptures or based on ers. scriptures.

"X-Men: Apocalypse" stars Zed spearheaded the protest Golden Globes nominated James in December saying that McAvoy, Oscar nominated trivialization of Hindu God who Michael Fassbender and Oscar was highly revered in Hinduism, winner Jennifer Lawrence. Its offiwas "quite inappropriate and disturbing to the devotees".

He expressed thanks now that Singer and Fox would be deleting reference to the Lord Krishna Vishnu in the final movie, thus ‘X-Men: Apocalypse trailer’ showing maturity and understanding for the feelings of Hindu cial website talks about Apocacommunity. lypse as: Since the dawn of civiliThere was comparison of blue- zation, he was worshipped as a colored villain Apocalypse of ac- god. tion adventure Hollywood superThe movie is also reportedly hero movie "X-Men: Apocalypse" slated for release in India's lanwith Hindu deity Krishna in the guages Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. trailer released in December last, Claimed to be "one of the upsetting the Hindus. This trailer world's largest producers and disindicated Apocalypse saying: "I tributors of motion pictures", 20th have been called many things over Century Fox Film (headquartered many lifetimes-Ra, Krishna, in Los Angeles and whose history Yahweh." goes back to 1904) produces, acRajan pointed out that inap- quires and distributes motion picpropriate usage of Hindu deities tures throughout the world.

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India Post 21

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BBC promises to be 'fully inclusive' MADHU PATEL

CHICAGO: Members of the Indian community at large in USA have expressed satisfaction that British Broadcasting Corporation has agreed to be fair to Hindus in its programming and observed that "our aim is to be fully inclusive".

BBC response was in the light of a representation by a group of Hindus led by Rajan Zed that BBC should be broadcasting more Hindu programs by dedicating more hours to Hinduism.

David Larner, Complaints Advisor, BBC Audience Services, e-mailed to Rajan Zed, president of Universal Society of Hinduism, that "Contrary to what has been reported in some quarters, we are actually intending to

BBC had labeled "yoga" as "fad" in 2013. But Yoga has been gaining favor across the globe and in USA with close to 40 million following Yoga practices regularly. BBC also labeled Hindu festival of Holi as "filthy festival" in 2012 to which it apologized later. do more religious programming overall in the future that is more programs around Christianity and more on other faiths as well."

"That being the case, there is absolutely no question of an 'either/or' situation in relation to our future religious output whereby one particular faith or belief is not reflected - our aim is to be fully inclusive", Larner added.

According to a recent report in The Sunday Times, "The BBC is too Christian in its religious output, according to an internal review, and should increase its Muslim, Hindu and Sikh programming". Rajan urged BBC Director-General Lord Tony Hall to seriously and honestly look into this and increase broadcasting of Hinduism related programs and issues substantially on BBC TV, radio and online.

BBC, being "a public service broadcaster funded by the license fee paid by UK households", including the Hindu households, should have been more responsible and in-

clusive in its religious programming. It should not ignore "other" faiths in its content and productions, and across its various channels and BBC had labeled "yoga" as "fad" in 2013.

But Yoga has been gaining favor across the globe and in USA with close to 40 million following Yoga practices regularly. BBC also labeled Hindu festival of Holi as "filthy festival" in 2012 to which it apologized later.

BBC has been blamed in the past for racism, imperialist stance, Indo-phobic bias, anti-Hindu bigotry, anti-American bias, etc.

Rajan urged Fairhead to thoroughly investigate this matter as the Trust stated that "the license fee places a duty on the BBC to serve all audiences" and "our job is to get the best out of the BBC for license fee payers".

Hinduism was highly underserved at BBC. There is a need for more airtime at BBC for live aarti and other broadcasts from major Hindu temples in UK. BBC should also ensure adequate coverage of Diwali, Holi, Krishna Janmashtami, Maha Shivaratri, Ram Navami, Ganesha Chaturthi, Navaratri,

Dussehra, Hanuman Jayanti, Makar Sankranti, Yugadi and other Hindu festivals, Zed had added.

Hymns from ancient Sanskrit scriptures, contemporary bhajans and Hindu sermons should regularly form part of BBC One's 53 years old "Songs of Praise" program, one of the world's longest-running religious television series. Hindu hymns, songs and faith stories were also highly inspiring, warm and engaging; and moreover, God liked all songs-of-praise, irrespective of the religion these came from, Rajan contended.

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VHPA gearing up for Hindu Heritage Day JAYANTI OZA

CHICAGO: Vishva Hindu Council Karyakartas got together at Gayatri Gyan Mandir, Itasca on May 29 for giving final touches to hosting Hindu Heritage Day celebration this year.

The event is slated for June 5 at the Busse Woods Park, Grove 22 & 24 near Higgins & Arlinghton Hts. Road, Elk Grove Village from 10 am to 6 pm.

Shamkant Sheth informed karyakartas that the Chief Guest for the event will be PP Swami Sri Pavitranandaji of Sri Gangnath Mahadev Chandod. Scores of religious, social and spiritual organizations across Chicagoland have agreed to lend their support to this event, the biggest of its kind for the Indian American community.

Listing the organizations, he said that followings have been supportive of the day long program: Arya Samaj of Chicago, Chinmaya Mission Chicago,

VHPA Karyakartas ready for 'Hindu Heritage Day 2016 in group picture L to R Vinesh Virani, Haribhai Patel, Harendra Mangrola, Nitin Surti, Sailesh Rajput, Parakram Mangrola, Sanjay Shah, Vandna Jhingan, Shamkant Sheth, Nirav Patel, Shridhar Damle, Suresh Pandav, Niranjan Nathvani

Mandir, Shreeji Dwar Haveli, Shree Jalaram Mandir, Shree Radhey Shyam Temple, Sri Vankteswar Swami (Balaji) Temple, Vivekananda Vedanta Society, Yog

cago Indo US Lions Club (India & USA), Dr. Annie Besant Charitable Org.World, Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, Geetha Ashram of Chicago, Gujarati Samaj of Chicago, Gujju Pariwar of Chicago, Hindu Swayamsevak Sang-HSS, Illinois Sikh Community Center (Wheaton), Indian Community of Niles Township, Indian Seniors of Chicago, Kadva Patidar Samaj of Chicago, Karmyogi NFP, Lohana Samaj of Greater Chicago, National Federation of Indian Associations, Senior Citizens Pariwar, Seva International Chicago Chapter, Six Gam Patidar Samaj, Umiya Dham Community Group, United Pariwar and Vandna Jhingan of TV Asia and Prakram Mangrola preparing flyers to Vaishnav Samaj of distribute at public places Midwest Chicago.

Many vendors Gayatri Mandir, Hanuman Mandir Sadhna Ashram of Chicago, Art and other supporters will be set(Glenview), Hari Om Mandir, of Living and OVBI, Association ting up their booths and stalls for Hindu Mandir of Greater Chicago, of Jodhpur of America, Bhartiya garments, jewelry, businesses, Jain Society of Metropolitan Chi- Senior Citizens of Chicago, children's books, spiritual healing, cago, Kriya Vedanta Gurukulam- Bramasamaj of Greater Chicago, Indian food, Yoga & Meditation, Temple of Harmony, Manav Seva Chaudhary Samaj of Chicago, Chi- mehndi, face painting, etc. There

VHPA's Shamkant Sheth showing the book about "Explaining Hindu Drama" a Guide for Teachers

will be essays, sports, kite flying and children's drawing competition, cultural program and Mela Utsav. Besides, delicious food stalls would be adding spice to this colorful event. There will be a raffle for all. Chicago area dance

companies and singers will present their performances.

Vinesh Virani, a spokesman, said that the organizers expect anywhere between 4000 and 5000 people to attend this entertaining and educative program.

Make God your partner in life: Dada Vaswani Cont’d from page 19

As the boy showed him the way he asked the priest why he was going there. The priest answered that he was going to give a talk.

"What are you going to talk about?" asked the boy. "The Path to Heaven" answered the priest.

The boy burst into laughter. He

said, "You do not know the way to the town hall and you are going to tell people the way to Heaven!"

Dada urged not to complain and start thanking. He wanted a special place for God back into daily life. "Make God your partner in your daily life, be it your business or your personal life.

Loneliness can be overcome if you believe that you are not alone, that God is always with you every moment of the day."

After his talk, there was a Q & A session where the audience asked questions. Dada answered with clarity of thought and experience.

Dada emphasized on the value

of satsang, on spending time in the company of people of religious mindset.

The Chairperson of this International Mission is Ms Krishna Kumari. The Mission has centers all over the world. The goals of the mission are to serve the needy and less fortunate people.

It has Cardiac and Eye hospi-

tals where free surgeries are done for the poor. Dada has written over 150 books with lovely titles, some of which are available on Amazon.

The details and activities of the Sadhu Vaswani Center of Chicago, under the leadership of Mr Prakash Jotwani, can be seen on its website www.svc-chicago.org.

Community Across America

June 3, 2016

India Post 23

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Cave Temples exhibition includes Hindu deities deities, Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, in LOS ANGELES: "Cave Temples a statement in Nevada said that of Dunhuang" exhibition continu- art had a long and rich tradition in ing till September four at the re- Hinduism and ancient Sanskrit litnowned Getty Center in Los An- erature talked about religious geles includes wall paintings of paintings of deities on wood or Hindu deities Shiva, Ganesha and cloth.

Rajan Zed urged major art muNarayana.

This exhibition features rare ob- seums of the world, including Musee du Louvre and Musee d'Orsay of This exhibition features Paris, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New rare objects found at the York, Uffizi Gallery of famous Mogao caves site; Florence (Italy), Tate a UNESCO World Heritage Modern of London, Prado Museum of site dating from the 4th to Madrid, National Gal14th centuries lery of Art in Washington DC, etc., to frejects found at the famous Mogao quently organize Hindu art focaves site; a UNESCO World Heri- cused exhibitions, thus sharing tage site dating from the 4th to the rich Hindu art heritage with the 14th centuries along Silk Road in rest of the world.

J. Paul Getty Trust is said to be China on the western edge of the Gobi Desert; along with full-scale the world's wealthiest art institureplicas of three of Mogao's most tion with James Cuno as its President. The $1.3 billion Getty Center exquisite cave temples.

Commending Getty Center for reportedly receives about 1.3 milshowing wall paintings of Hindu lion annual visitors.

India Post News Service

NEWS on your desktop www.indiapost.com

Community mourns Budhisgar Sukhadia RAMESH S

CHICAGO: Members of the Indian community at mini India town on Devon avenue have grieved the death of Budhisagar Sukhadia, a very popular figure across Chicagoland not only because of the variety of freshly made sweets and Chavanus served by Sukhadias but more so for his amiable and helpful nature.

Budhisagar passed away at the ripe age of 84 at his son's home in New Jersey, fighting cancer for the past one and half decades. He came to Chicago with his son Jayant Sukhadia in mid eighties after their successful debut in East Coast with a facility in New Jersey. It did not take long for Sukhadias to dig in their presence in Chicago, quickly branched out to Schaumburg, a northwest sub-

urb gaining reputation as the second India town.

Budhisgar and Sukhadias' success in the teeth of competition has been largely because of their

Budhisagar

quality consciousness. They have their own manufacturing facility and may consider further expansion, according to Jayant

Sukhadia who gets big help from his wife Dinaben and brother Pyush Sukhadia Budhisagar valiantly fought for 15 years the lung cancer and finally succumbed to it on Thursday May 19. His cremation was done at Franklin Park NJ in the presence of a number of family members, friends, relatives and well wishers. Two prominent artists from Ahmedabad came on their own to NJ for Bhajan Sandhya.

A prayer meeting was held here at Jayant Sukhadia's residence in Lincoln wood on Thursday May 26. It was attended by a good number of Indian businessmen and relatives.

Budhisagar is survived by his three sons Hiten, Piyush and Jayant Sukhadia and a large number of grand children.

24 India Post

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June 3, 2016

Realty Tidbits

Jaypee Infratech loss widens to Rs 115.62 cr NEW DELHI: Jaypee Infratech has reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 115.62 crore for the quarter ended March mainly due slowdown in the real estate sector.

The company, which has secured a refinancing of Rs 6,500 crore loan from a consortium led

by IDBI Bank, had posted a net loss of Rs 46.78 crore in the third quarter of the 2015-16 fiscal, it said in a regulatory filing.

Jaypee Infratech did not give the comparative figure of the yearago period.

Income from operations rose to Rs 1,236.41 crore during JanuaryMarch quarter from Rs 790.02 crore in the previous quarter of the 201516 fiscal.

On the annual basis, Jaypee Infratechs net loss stood at Rs 298.41 crore last fiscal against a net profit of Rs 350.44 crore in the previous year.

Income from operations were down at Rs 2,888.32 crore in the 2015-16 fiscal from Rs 3254.88 crore in the previous year.

"During the year, due to slowdown in the economy and resultant subdued demand of real estate in the NCR region, the launch and sales of new projects, including bulk land, had been negatively impacted," the company said in the filing.

Cont’d on page 26

Developer plans housing on college site BURLINGTON, Vt.: A Vermont developer who owns the property that was formerly home to the nowclosed Burlington College has presented plans for redeveloping the site.

The Burlington Free Press reports Eric Farrell appeared before Burlington's Design Advisory Board to pitch his idea for constructing a large-scale residential community on the 27.6-acre property.

Farrell's plan calls for building approximately 675 housing units that will be split between multistory condos and rental apartments on North Avenue. The college sold the land to Farrell in 2015 for about $7.6 million.

The developer told the board that he believes he's ``found a sweet spot'' with the newly named Cambrian Rise project, which has been tweaked several times within the past two years.

The board's notes will be submitted to the Development Review Board. -AP

Real Estate 25 India Post

www.indiapost.com

June 3, 2016

DLF Q4 net profit drops 23% NEW DELHI: India's largest realty firm DLF has reported a 23 per cent decline in its consolidated net profit for the quarter ended March to Rs 132.39 crore on higher finance cost and tax expenses. Its net profit stood at Rs 171.62 crore in the year-ago period. Income from operation, however, increased by 20 per cent to Rs 2,335.56 crore in the fourth quarter of last fiscal from Rs 1,935.69 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year, the company said in a regulatory filing. Finance cost went up to Rs 633.13 crore in January-March 2016, from Rs 494.37 crore in the year-ago period, while tax expenses increased to Rs 99.89 crore from Rs 76.73 crore. -PTI

Bayshores community in Newark hosts preview June 4th & 5th India Post News Service

NEWARK, CA: William Lyon Homes' brand-new masterplanned community of Bayshores in Newark has announced hosting a Special Preview Event on Saturday, June 4th from 2 pm to 5 pm and Sunday, June 5th from 11 am to 5 pm in the Ballroom at Aloft Hotel Silicon Valley.

In a press release, the company says, "Those attending will have the opportunity to meet with the Bayshores team and obtain a preview look at the first release homes and pricing for valuable groundfloor opportunities. Bayshores' spectacular lifestyle awaits with five beautiful new neighborhoods, diverse home designs, amenityfilled parks and a commuterfriendly location adjacent to the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Those eager to learn more are urged to RSVP for the Preview Event to Stephen.McAdaragh@LyonHomes.com.

For further details, call (510) 2032267."

"We're thrilled to share all of the details buyers want to know on June 4th and 5th and look forward to introducing our guests to the natural haven of home at

Bayshores," said Kathy Floyd, Director of Sales for William Lyon Homes.

Bayshores showcases an assortment of superbly crafted newhome offerings to accommodate a diversity of lifestyles, including

start from the high $500,000s to the high $800,000s.

The master-plan's premier amenities, including a 2,300 square-foot clubhouse, an expansive community park with a large outdoor dining area and a dog

The Cove's condominiums, The Strand's townhomes, The Bank's three-story detached homes and the exquisite single-family detached homes at both The Tides and The Isles. Floorplans span from approximately 1,306 to 2,802 square feet with two to five bedrooms and up to four and one-half baths with prices anticipated to

park, enrich residents' lifestyles, while just steps from home are scenic walking and biking trails and the 30,000-acre Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

The community's commuterfriendly location puts the region's major employment and business destinations within convenient

reach, including San Francisco, Fremont, Silicon Valley and TriValley. The setting near the Dumbarton Bridge connects to Menlo Park, Palo Alto and the peninsula, while the nearby I-880 guides commuters to Oakland and San Jose.

To attend the Preview Event at the Aloft Hotel from I-880, take Exit 21 to merge onto CA-84 toward Decoto Rd./Dumbarton Bridge.

Exit Thornton Ave./Paseo Padre Pkwy and turn left onto Thornton.

Turn left at Gateway Blvd. The parking driveway for Aloft is on the right. Address is 8200 Gateway Blvd., Newark, CA 94560.

For more information, visit w w w. Ly o n H o m e s . c o m / Bayshores.

The company says in a press release that, "It matters who your builder is and William Lyon Homes is a company built upon a legacy of pride and integrity. A team of visionaries who are passionate about homebuilding and committed to providing a high quality homebuying and homeownership experience, William Lyon Homes has earned a solid track record for outstanding construction and customer service since 1956.

Cont’d on page 26

Govt must ease approval process: Godrej NEW DELHI: Although the ease of doing business has improved in the last two years of the NDA government, more work needs to be done especially in the real estate sector that has "complicated" approval process, according to leading industrialist Adi Godrej.

The USD 4.1-billion Godrej Group has a large presence in the real estate sector through its firm Godrej Properties, besides in a variety of other sectors, including FMCG, consumer durables and agri-products.

"Real estate permissions have become very complicated in our country. (As permissions are) given by the state governments,

the Centre should work on improving the ease of starting in new real estate projects," Godrej told PTI

months to get various approvals for starting a real estate project.

While commending the govern-

Adi Godrej

in an interview.

According to realtors apex body CREDAI, it takes at least 18

ment for taking up a slew of measures to improve ease of doing business, he, however, said:

"They have said that they would not levy retrospective taxes, clarified many things in many ministries. One of the things on which they may have to do is ease of doing business in real estate permissions."

Overall, he said: "Ease of doing business has improved but some more work needs to be done. We should continue to keep improving." Rating the performance of the Modi government as "by and large good", Godrej said: "The only thing which remains to be delivered on the major reforms is GST." He hoped that it would be passed in the monsoon session and likely be implemented by April1, 2017. -PTI

Real Estate Post

26 India Post

June 3, 2016

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DLF targets Rs 3,500 cr in new sales NEW DELHI: Realty major DLF is targeting new sales booking of Rs 3,000-3,500 crore in the current fiscal, similar to last year level, as housing demand continues to be low, a company's senior official said.

The country's largest real estate developer achieved net sales bookings of Rs 3,150 crore in the last financial year ended March 31, up by nearly 7 per cent from the previous 2014-15 fiscal.

"We are giving a sales bookings guidance of Rs 3,000-3,500 crore for this fiscal as well. Housing sales are still slow although enquiries have increased," DLF Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Ashok Tyagi told PTI. The bulk of sales bookings during last fiscal were in DLF Phase-5

at Gurgaon at Rs 2,940 crore.

In the commercial business, Tyagi said the company expects

fice building having about 2 million sq ft of leasable area," Tyagi said.

to lease about 1-1.5 million sq ft in 2016-17 as against 1.02 million sq ft in the last financial year.

"We have almost exhausted our commercial space. So, we have started development of a new of-

On the annual rental, DLF CFO said it should grow to about Rs 2,900 crore this fiscal from Rs 2,600 crore last fiscal.

The company completed 14.07 million sq ft in last fiscal as against

Sebi bans Jeevan Suraksha, its directors NEW DELHI: Market regulator Sebi has imposed a ban on Jeevan Suraksha Real Estate and its directors for violation of market norms in raising of funds from public through equity shares.

The company, in 2006-07, had allotted equity shares of face value Rs 100 per share to 65 persons to raise Rs 10 lakh.

The regulator observed that allotment of the shares by the firm was a public issue, which under the rules require a compulsory listing on a recognized stock exchange. It was also required to file a prospectus, among others.

Jeevan Suraksha Real Estate failed to fulfill these obligations.

Accordingly, the regulator restrained the company and its directors -- Chandan Das, Ashok Chakraborty, Uttam Acharjee, Pankaj Biswas, Champa Biswas, Sangita Das, Arju Acharjee and Dipamoni Acharjee from the securities market till further directions.

Further, the company and its directors have been barred from issuing any offer document or advertisement for soliciting money from the public for the issue of securities.

The capital market watchdog has also asked the entities not to dispose any of the properties or assets acquired by that company without prior permission from the regulator as well as not to divert the funds raised from the public.

Meanwhile, in a separate case of alleged unauthorized fund mobilizing activity from the public through Redeemable Preference

Shares, a ban has already been imposed on the entities by the regulator.

In a separate order in the matter of Rising Agrotech Ltd, Sebi

said one Lina Kayal, a director in the company, is also responsible for making refunds to the public.

In August last year, Sebi had asked the company and its direc-

tors to refund the money it had illegally raised from investors. The name of Lina Kayal as a director of the company came to the regulators notice later.

Accordingly the regulator has said "Lina Kayal shall, jointly and severally along with the company and others as ordered vide the SEBI Order dated August 3, 2015, forthwith refund the money collected by the Company through the offer and issuance of Preference Shares" which violated market norms.

Kayal has also been barred from the capital markets till the expiry of four years from the date of completion of refunds to the investors. -PTI

Jaypee Infratech loss widens to Rs 115.62 cr Cont’d from page 25

In notes of account, Jaypee Infratechs auditor pointed out that the company has defaulted in repayment of principal and interest to banks and lenders wherein the period of delay reneges from 2 days to 181 days which have, however, been subsequently made during the year.

During last fiscal, there has been refinancing of loans which has been approved by the lending banks/financial institution except LIC of India, the auditor said.

The auditor has given details of overdue interest amounting to Rs 193 crore outstanding as of March 31, 2016 to different banks and financial institution.

It also said that the company owed Rs 300 crore as principal repayment of borrowing to LIC of India at the end of last fiscal.

The company said that a consortium of lenders led by IDBI Bank has approved refinancing of existing laon facility of Rs 6,550 crore. However, its request for refinancing of Rs 300 crore loan from LIC has not been approved yet. -PTI

13.45 million sq ft in the previous year.

In its analyst presentation, DLF said that "Except for DLF5, Gurgaon, soft demand conditions continue in most micro markets where DLF has presence."

"Increased enquiries indicate that the markets appear to have bottomed out, hence the call is in timing of conversion of these enquiries into actual bookings," it added.

In the current conditions, DLF said its strategy would be to continue selling from the existing projects and focus on the execution of the projects thereby fulfilling customer commitments in legacy projects.

"Additionally in 'live' projects, the company continues to create

finished un-launched stock to be sold when the demand scenario improves. As GDP picks up pace, higher income levels and the improved sentiment will improve the absorption levels," the presentation said.

Last week, DLF reported 23 per cent fall in consolidated net profit for the quarter ended March 31 to Rs 132.39 crore, as against Rs 171.62 crore in the year-ago period. Income from operations rose by 20 per cent to Rs 2,335.56 crore in the fourth quarter of last fiscal.

On an annual basis, net profit rose to Rs 549.39 crore in 201516 from Rs 540.24 crore in the previous fiscal. Income from operations rose by 21 per cent to Rs 9,259.86 crore for the year. -PTI

Pending US home sales hit highest level WASHINGTON: Americans signed more contracts to buy homes in April for the third straight month, driving pending home sales to the highest level in more than a decade.

The National Association of Realtors said that its seasonally adjusted pending home sales index surged 5.1 percent last month to 116.3, the highest since 117.4 in February 2006.

The April numbers are the latest example of good news for the housing industry, which is in the middle of the spring homebuying season. Pending home sales are up 4.6 percent from a year ago.

Sales climbed 11.4 percent last month in the West, 6.8 percent in the South and 1.2 percent in the Northeast. In the Midwest, sales dipped 0.6 percent.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, credited long-term mortgage rates that remain below

4 percent and steady job growth, which gives consumers the incomes and confidence to buy homes.

Pending sales contracts are a barometer of future purchases. A sale is typically completed a month or two after a contract is signed.

The Commerce Department re-

ported that new home sales shot up 16.6 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted rate of 619,000, the most since January 2008. Sales of existing homes, which make up 90 percent of the housing market, rose in April for a second straight month to an annual pace of 5.45 million. -AP

Bayshores community in Newark hosts preview June 4th & 5th Cont’d from page 25

The company continues to expand its well-respected brand beyond California, Arizona and Nevada and into other market areas across the Western region with the acquisition of Polygon Northwest Homes, its newest division in Washington and Oregon, and its Village Homes division in Colorado. William Lyon Homes' shares

are publicly traded on NYSE under the symbol WLH. For updated information and to learn more, visit www.LyonHomes.com."

For more information, visit w w w. Ly o n H o m e s . c o m / Bayshores.

The release says prices are effective as of the date of publication. Pricing is approximate and is subject to change without price notice.

June 3, 2016

www.indiapost.com

India Post 27

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

www.indiapost.com

28 India Post

June 3, 2016

K

angana Ranaut has been making headlines since the past few months for all the wrong reasons. The actress' stellar career has been sidelined and the only focus these days seems to be on her personal life.

In a report in Daily Bhaskar, a source is reported to have said, "From being called a liar, to a fake feminist, mentally unstable, to a witch; Kangana has been subjected to the worst slurs and below the belt attacks that any actress or for that matter any actor has ever faced. What has triggered this onslaught is the fact that she has won the National Award, continued to sign endorsements, finish her film assignments and basically continue with her life without allowing this negativity to pull her down."

Trade analyst Vinod Mirani told the portal that only the audience holds the power to make or break the career of an actor. He added, "Yes Kangana has been in the news for controversial reasons, but this has only got her into the limelight. Visibility is important, be it good or bad. No wonder even after all the negative drama, she has successfully managed to sign new films and brands. Overall it has all fallen into her own stride."

A

kshay Kumar, who completed two and a half decades in Bollywood earlier this year, believes that he owes his rise to stardom to his luck. The 'Airlift' actor feels had luck not smiled on him, he couldn't have been this successful today.

When he was asked to describe his 25-year old journey in Bollywood, Akshay said, "It's luck. In fact almost 60 to 70 percent is luck. I am very lucky that things have gone my way."

Akshay believes that though he has worked hard, luck played a pivotal role in his success. "Yes I worked hard. I have selected good films and bad films but the luck factor has always been there.

When I enter a studio, I see there are lots of models standing outside who want to come and get into this line. There are some who come with great photographs. When I look at their profiles and their faces I am like, 'Wow what a good looking guy or girl. But he or she has been struggling since the last seven to ten years. Why? Is he not talented. He is. In fact he has all the ingredients to be a great actor. Then why is he still languishing.

Believe it or not it is the luck factor that he doesn't have. I have worked my ass off but luck plays a vital role in success.

1 Kar Gayi Chull : Kapoor & Sons 2 Sab Tera: Baaghi 3 High Heels Te Nachche: Ki & Ka 4 Jabra Fan: Fan 5 Bol Do Na Zara: Azhar 6 Ji Huzoori : + Ki & Ka 7 Bolna: Kapoor & Sons 8 Most Wanted Munda : Ki & Ka 9 Let's Talk About Love : Baaghi 10 Buddhu Sa Mann : Kapoor & Sons

"Yes I worked hard. I have selected good films and bad films but the luck factor has always been there.

When I enter a studio, I see there are lots of models standing outside who want to come and get into this line�

June 3, 2016

Bollywood

India Post 29

www.indiapost.com

F

rom live cigar-rolling sessions to Havana-style dirty dancing, Sonakshi Sinha and her celeb photographer friend Colston Julian have been soaking up the sun in Miami. The duo flew into chilly Florida for a photoshoot. The first shoot took place against the tangerine backdrop of beach umbrellas and vintage cars, followed by one which had Sona posing against local fauna at the Perez Art Museum.

The 29-year-old actress seemed particularly excited when she spotted a Northern garden lizard leaping on the sidewalk. Another highpoint was a trip to the aquarium and zoo where she enjoyed watching flamingos the most.

The 29-year-old actress seemed particularly excited when she spotted a Northern garden lizard leaping on the sidewalk

Remo wants to do 'ABCD3' with him.

However, it is yet to be found out whether the young actor has already signed on the dotted line or who is cast opposite him in the movie

I

n its last edition, the 'ABCD' franchise took themselves notches higher in terms of scale and box-office returns.

This time around, one hears that Tiger Shroff will be playing the leading man in the third installment of the movie. Filmmaker Remo D'souza who has directed the first two installments of the film is reportedly keen on getting Tiger on board.

Remo's next features Tiger alongside Jacqueline Fernandez and after that the director will get busy with the Ajay DevgnSooraj Pancholi starrer.

Since Tiger is a phenomenal dancer, Remo wants to do 'ABCD3' with him. However, it is yet to be found out whether the young actor has already signed on the dotted line or who is cast opposite him in the movie. The makers hope to create a hat trick even in its third part and will hopefully star the dance maverick Prabhu Deva too in a crucial part. The project is yet to come together but Tiger's fans are hopeful.

A

my Jackson has been flaunting her hour-glass figure. The Brit model-actress who has been filming the fantasy action film Robot 2 with Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar and Sohail Khan's romcom, Ali, alongside Nawazuddin Siddiqui, has taken off to the Spanish party island Ibiza after an appearance at the AmfAR gala at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival .

She sizzled in a sequined, gold Abu Jani and-Sandeep Khosla dress as she walked the red carpet for the premiere of Christina Hendricks and Keanu Reeves-starrer, The Neon Demon, an American horror.

Amy caught up with her gal pals - Hanne Matthijs and Ana Tanaka - at the French Riviera and they hit the nearby Baoli beach for a sunset dinner. This was followed by a road trip to Ibiza. "They've been partying the nights away and also attended a resort-style-club opening dressed as mermaids. They covered their face and body in glittering art.

Tech News Dreamworks to expand production in India HYDERABAD: Hollywood studio Dreamworks Animation has evinced interest in partnering the Telangana government for expanding its production facilities in the state, an official statement said.

State's IT and Industries minister KT Rama Rao, who is currently in the US seeking investments met Dreamworks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, the statement said.

"Dreamworks is looking for expanding their production facilities in India and sought partnership with Telangana state government for their long term plans. Minister K T Rama Rao has extended full support and cooperation in their endeavors," it added.

Further, it said that the minister described the attributes of upcoming film city in Hyderabad which would be an ideal location for the future production facility of Dreamworks.

Dreamworks, co-founded by ace film maker Steven Spielberg, is also looking at creating highend theatre ecosystem to promote their movies and has asked the Telangana government to create "conducive" environment, it said.

Dreamworks has plans to cater to Indian market and believe that Hyderabad is ideal location, given its talent pool and vibrant film industry, it further said.-PTI

8 automakers recall over 12M vehicles DETROIT: Eight automakers are recalling more than 12 million vehicles in the U.S. to replace potentially dangerous Takata air bag inflators.

Documents detailing recalls by Honda, Fiat Chrysler, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Ferrari and Mitsubishi were posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

They're part of a massive expansion of Takata air bag recalls announced earlier this month. Seventeen automakers are adding 35 million-to-40 million inflators to what already was the largest auto recall in U.S. history.

In addition, the Japanese transport ministry announced 7 million additional recalls related to the Takata inflators. Those recalls cover all front air bags that do not have a chemical drying agent.

The U.S. recalls include passenger air bags in older models in areas along the Gulf Coast with high heat and humidity. But other areas of the country are also affected depending on the age of vehicles.-AP

TechBiz 30 India Post

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June 3, 2016

235 entities registered as research analysts MUMBAI: In little over a year since Sebi made it mandatory for market research analysts to register with it, as many as 261 entities are now authorized by the regulator to operate in the capital markets.

As many as 235 new registrations were made in the last fiscal alone.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) had registered 26 research analysts at the end of fiscal 2014-15, according to official data.

The regulator had made it mandatory for market research analysts to get registered with it from December 2014. Morgan Stanley India Company, Edelweiss Securities, Barclays Securities, Angel Broking, Ambit Capital, Standard Chartered Securities are some of the entities authorized to provide services as research analysts.-PTI

SoftBank's Nikesh Arora receives pay package of $73 million TOKYO: Nikesh Arora, the India-born president and COO of Japanese telecom giant SoftBank, received a pay package of about USD 73 million (Rs 500 crore) in the fiscal year ended March 31, making him one of the top paid executives worldwide for the second year in a row.

Arora, seen as heir apparent to SoftBank's billionaire founder Masayoshi Son, received a salary package of USD 73 million, including a compensation of USD 14.2 million from other SoftBank units, media reports said, citing a proxy statement issued by SoftBank.

The pay package of Arora, already Japan's highest paid executive, is in the same range as of Apple's Tim Cook and Walt Disney's Bob Iger.

In the previous fiscal, he had got a USD 135 million pay package including a joining bonus. Arora had joined SoftBank as its vice-chairman and CEO of SB Group US (previously SoftBank Internet and Media Inc) in September 2014 from the search giant Google.

In May last year, he was el-

things for SoftBank in the future."

Arora, who is responsible for global operations, has led

Nikesh Arora

SoftBank's investments in India's e-commerce provider Snapdeal.com, ride-hailing service Ola Cabs, real-estate website Housing.com, hotel-booking app Oyo Rooms and Grofers.

SoftBank's investment in India has crossed the USD 1 billion mark and it has recently stated that its investment in the country will cross USD 10 billion in the coming years.

In June last year, SoftBank

The pay package of Arora, already Japan's highest paid executive, is in the same range as of Apple's Tim Cook and Walt Disney's Bob Iger. In the previous fiscal, he had got a USD 135 million pay package including a joining bonus evated to president and COO, the first time in 35-year history of SoftBank that anyone was given the 'president' title.

At that time, Son had also mentioned that Arora is the most likely candidate to succeed him in the future. Last month, Son reiterated his confidence in Arora when a group of unidentified investors in the US questioned the Banaras Hindu University-graduate's abilities for the role he currently plays in the company and had sought his removal.

Son had said, "I have complete trust in Nikesh and one thousand per cent confidence in him and know he will continue to do great

tions against him as baseless.

"I take my fiduciary responsibilities seriously and have acted

along with contract manufacturing giant Foxconn had partnered with Bharti Enterprises with plans to invest USD 20 billion in solar power projects in India.

The investors had called on the board to investigate alleged conflict of interest and Arora's poor performance in making investments for SoftBank with a lack of proper due diligence.

SoftBank, however, stood by Arora, saying he "remains a highly valued leader with proven investment abilities and we are confident he will continue to make great contributions at SoftBank in the years ahead."

Arora, 48, also denied allega-

appropriately and in the best interest of shareholders throughout my tenure at SoftBank and Sprint, just as I have conducted myself

throughout my professional life. I am completely confident the allegations in the letter are baseless," he had said in a statement.

Arora, who gave up a high-profile post at Google to join the Japanese firm in 2014, last August said he would buy 60 billion yen of the company's shares, worth USD 483 million at the time to show his confidence in its prospects.

That was the largest insider purchase by an executive in Japan in at least 12 years.

"We can confirm we are in receipt of a letter from a US law firm claiming to represent unidentified shareholders. The letter makes unsubstantiated allegations against Mr Arora," SoftBank said.

"The Board takes its duties seriously and is in the process of reviewing the letter." -PTI

SoftBank’s investments may surpass $10 billion TOKYO: Having made a string of technology investments in India, Japanese telecom and Internet giant SoftBank has said its investments in the country will top USD 10 billion in 5-10 years.

SoftBank, which owns one of Japan's biggest mobile carriers and a controlling stake in USbased Sprint Corp, will make its first USD 350 million investment in a solar project in India, its Chief Executive Masayoshi Son told PTI here.

"We have already invested USD 2 billion and we are interested in investing more," he said.

"India has a great future. We are interested in investing in Internet companies and also in solar energy. We would make strong commitments."

Son said SoftBank is looking at accelerating the pace of investments in future.

"We also made a first move on solar energy. We are making USD 350 million investment in

first project in solar (in India).

We will expand. In next 5-10 years, we will definitely make probably around USD 10 billion of investments," he added.

In June last year, SoftBank announced a joint venture with Bharti Enterprises and Taiwan's Foxconn Technology Group to generate 20 gigawatts of renewable energy. This would entail the three partners investing about USD 20 billion.

Son said achieving the electricity generation target would depend on power purchase agreements being signed with offtaker states, adding that "we will support it".

SoftBank's investments in the past two years include USD 627 million in online-retailing marketplace Snapdeal and leading a USD 210 million funding round in taxi-hailing app Ola Cabs.

It paid USD 200 million for a 35 per cent stake in InMobi, an Indian mobile-advertising network.-PTI

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Indian employees most content about well-being MUMBAI: Indian employees are the most positive about their well-being among their peers globally, according to a survey.

"The country holds the record for satisfaction with almost 9 in 10

Indian employees positive about their well-being (88 per cent)," according to the 11th Edenred-Ipsos Barometer on employee well-being.

It said for India, Mexico, Brazil and Chile, the scores are the high-

est for all items linked to well-being at work, specifically about emotion (enjoying coming to work in the morning, interest in the job, its stimulating nature and confidence in their own professional

future).

India, along with China, Mexico, US, Germany, Italy and Spain, pay less attention to diversity and integration of young people, but they also have active policies when it comes to skills develop-

ment and the management of seniors, it said.

The 11th Edenred-Ipsos Barometer on employee well-being was conducted in January 2016 on 14,400 employees in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Turkey, UK, and for the first time this year in Brazil, Chile, China, India, Japan, Mexico and US. "In a sometimes difficult economic context, employee engagement is central to the sustainable performance of organizations. In its capacity of observer of the job market, we listen closely to companies to improve their efficiency, in particular in terms of human resources.

"To that end, the EdenredIpsos Barometer is a preferred tool for determining the needs of employees and allows us to think about developing specific HR actions," Edenred Executive Vice President, Human Resources and

Modi govt doesn't 'deserve' Rajan: Chidambaram NEW DELHI: Former finance minister P Chidambaram has wondered whether the Modi government "deserves" Raghuram Rajan, describing him as "one of the most

Interacting with reporters on two years of the Modi government at the Congress headquarters, Chidambaram first chose to ignore questions on Swamy's at-

P Chidambaram

outstanding economists in the world", amid an unrelenting attack

by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy against the Governor.

"I am beginning to think whether this government deserves Dr Rajan," he replied when asked whether he should be given a second term.

Rajan's 3-year term ends in the first week of September.

tack on Rajan, insisting that the Congress will respond if the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister speak against Rajan.

Defending Rajan, he said: "The UPA government appointed one of the most outstanding economists of the world as the RBI Governor.

We placed full confidence in him at that time and we continue to place full confidence in him today."

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi two days ago, Swamy had asked him to sack Rajan, charging that his insistence on high interest rate had led to recession in the domestic small and medium industries causing not only a sharp decline in output, but also massive unemployment of semi-skilled labor.

On a question whether as a finance minister, he too had reservations about Rajan's interest rate stand, Chidambaram said the UPA government had the best of relationship with all central bank governors, including the current one.

"The world over, finance minister and central bank governor engage in such a dialogue that it does not mean the finance minister questions the competence of the RBI Governor.

Each one approaches economy from his or her own perspective.

Government's perspective is growth. Central bank's perspective is monetary stability," he said.

He also made light of Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's comments on Rajan in the wake of his "one-eyed king" remark that caused controversy, saying vote can be taken right here on who is right and who is wrong. -PTI

Corporate Social Responsibility, Jeanne Renard said.

The survey further revealed that well-being at work strongly impacts motivation.

Amongst a workforce of 15 major economies, the survey found that 71 per cent of employ-

ees are positive about their wellbeing at work.

The survey shows that all countries combined, employees are more satisfied with items related to environment while scores related to appreciation and emotion are lower. -PTI

US defends India's bid for NSG membership WASHINGTON: In an apparent snub to Pakistan over its opposition to India's bid to become a member of the elite NSG, the US has said it is not about an arms race, but about peaceful use of nuclear energy.

"This is not about an arms race and it's not about nuclear weapons. This is about the peaceful civil use of nuclear energy, and so we would certainly hope that Pakistan understands that," State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner told reporters here.

He was responding to questions about India's membership application to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and opposition to it

by Pakistan on the grounds that this would give pace to nuclear arms race in the region.

However, the US has fingers crossed, ahead of the crucial meeting of the 48-nation NSG. "Look, all I can say is that dur-

ing his visit to India in 2015, President (Barack) Obama did affirm the US view that India meets missile technology control regime requirements and is ready for membership. But it's a consensus body, so we'll wait and see how the vote goes," Toner said.

"Deliberations about the prospects of new members joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group are an internal matter among the current members. I don't have much to say beyond that other than that I think they meet regularly," he said.

The upcoming NSG meeting has not been set up for this purpose, he said.

"This is not a specific meeting, I believe not set up to particularly talk about this issue. They (Pakistan) have made public their interest, and certainly any country can submit its application for membership. We will consider based on a consensus decision," Toner said. -PTI

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India, Australia sign R&D Pak fails to seal F-16 deal with US MoU in biotech NEW DELHI: Seeking to stimulate and enhance the strategic research and innovation capabilities of the Indian biotech industry, BIRAC, a PSU under the Ministry of Science and Technology has signed an MoU with Horticulture Innovation Australia for launching a joint funding cell.

The focus of the cell is to un-

search Assistance Council's (BIRAC) vision is to stimulate and enhance the strategic research and innovation capabilities of the Indian biotech industry, particularly start-ups and SMEs, for the creation of affordable products addressing the needs of the largest section of society.

"Considering the gap between

The focus of the cell is to undertake horticultural research in order to develop and deploy modern tools of plant biotechnology to improve crop productivity

ers to undertake high-level research and promote horticulture techniques," Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, K Vijay Raghavan said.

The event was presided over

by Australian High Commissioner to India Harinder Sidhu and Vijay Raghavan. Horticulture Innovation Australia (Hort Innovation) is a not-for-profit, grower-owned Research and Development and marketing company for Australia's horticulture industry.

It works collaboratively with industry, the Australian government and the nation's leading research institutions to deliver ground-breaking advancements in areas such as agri-technology, pest management, trade and industry promotion.

Currently, it is managing more than 700 research, development and marketing projects to strengthen industry, and Australia's economy. -PTI

dertake horticultural research in order to develop and deploy modern tools of plant biotechnology to improve crop productivity. The funding commitment from BIRAC and Hort Innovation is up to 6 million Australian dollars over a period of three years.

"Biotechnology Industry Re-

demand and supply for crops, it is of paramount importance to stimulate an enabling environment for research and development in both the regions.

Through the signing of this MoU, we along with Hort Innovation aim to create a supportive innovation ecosystem for research-

Those with illegal money will be prosecuted

Foreign investors welcome; not tainted money: Sebi

NEW DELHI: Warning of strict action against people stashing black money, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said prosecution would be initiated against those found to have parked funds illegally in accounts named in 'Panama Papers'.

"If illegal money is found in accounts of those who are named in Panama case, then they will also be prosecuted as in case of HSBC accounts," he said at a gala event organized by the government to celebrate the Modi government's two years. Hundreds of Indians have been named in the leaked 'Panama Papers' about entities having accounts in offshore tax havens.

Jaitley said the government came out in the last fiscal with a law to deal with black money stashed abroad and was now focusing on domestic black money.

Stating that those failing to make the disclosure under this scheme face imprisonment up to 10 years, Jaitley said the law to deal with black money stashed abroad has yielded about Rs 4,000 crore.

Answering questions on economy, Jaitley said a good monsoon will give further boost to growth. With a helpful global economic scenario, he said, India can achieve 8-9 per cent growth rate, but it would be difficult to achieve this rate in a slowing world economy.-PTI

MUMBAI: Allaying concerns about any further misuse of Participatory Notes, market watchdog Sebi's Chairman U K Sinha has said Indians can no longer use these offshore instruments, even indirectly, and a strong safety net has been put in place to check any routing of black money.

He also said that foreign investors have been taken "completely

register themselves as FPIs to invest directly in India, ODIs are typically market-access instruments preferred by those looking to save on time and operational costs involved with a direct registration.

Sebi rules allow certain classes of FPIs to issue ODIs after a proper due-diligence process that has been further tightened now to address the concerns raised by the Special Investigation Team Sebi will soon finalize re(SIT) on Black Money. porting formats as also the In an interaction here, the Sebi Chairman revised guidelines and said India wants to encourage and promote new circulars, for Foreign long-term investments Portfolio Investors (FPIs) and would prefer foreign investors to come directly, but there will on board" for changes in the regu- be no roadblocks for genuine inlations governing Offshore Deriva- vestments even through PNs. tive Instruments (ODIs) - commonly Ruling out any special concesknown as P-Notes - and they have sion for the investors using this been consulted even for design of route, including for hedge funds, the reporting formats about invest- Sinha said if some investors have a ments through this route. genuine reason such as 'testing the Sebi will soon finalize reporting Indian waters' they can use ODIs formats as also the revised guide- after complying with the due KYC lines and new circulars, for Foreign and other regulatory requirements.

Portfolio Investors (FPIs) dealing "In the past, this route was misin ODIs, after incorporating the used by some Indian nationals and changes approved by its board Indian corporates for getting their earlier this month. ill-gotten money rerouted to the While foreign investors can Indian markets.-PTI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan seems to have failed to seal the USD 700 million deal for the purchase of eight F-16 fighter jets from the US following a row between the two countries over their financing, a media report said here.

The Pakistani government was required to provide the Letter of Acceptance for purchase of the

This was not acceptable to Pakistani authorities, who remained adamant that the offer must come without any preconditions.

The aircraft were required by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) for counter-insurgency and counterterrorism operations, the report said.

The jets would have come with

jets by May 24, but Dawn News reported that the document was not issued leading to expiry of the offer.

"Pakistan decided not to fully fund the case with national funds, so the terms of sale have now expired," a diplomatic source was quoted as saying by the daily.

However, Pakistan's Ambassador to US Jalil Abbas Jilani told the daily that "a dead-end has not been reached as yet".

Initially, the USD 700 million deal for eight F-16C/D Block-52 multi-role fighters, was to be partially financed through the US Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program but the Congress disal-

"all-weather, non-daylight environments and self-defense/area suppression capability".

It was unclear why Pakistan missed the opportunity despite pressing requirement for the jets, although it had originally desired to acquire 18 F-16s, the daily said.

Some quarters believe that providing the Letter of Acceptance would have kept the window open for re-negotiating the financing arrangement at a later stage, it said.

Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said last month that Pakistan could look to buy the aircraft from some other country if the deal did not go ahead.

"Pakistan decided not to fully fund the case with national funds, so the terms of sale have now expired," a diplomatic source was quoted as saying by the daily. However, Pakistan's Ambassador to US Jalil Abbas Jilani told the daily that "a dead-end has not been reached as yet". lowed subsidizing the sale.

The subsidizing was disallowed over concern that Pakistan had not done enough to end the dreaded Haqqani network's terror sanctuaries on its soil as well as fears over Islamabad's nuclear program.

Pakistan, which expected to get the fighters at the subsidized rate of USD 270 million, was subsequently asked by the US administration to make the full payment for the eight aircraft from its national resources.

He also said earlier this month that Pakistan's ties with the US had witnessed a "downward slide" amid the row over the Congress' decision to block the sale of the jets.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif had has said that Pakistan will explore other options to meet its defense needs if the deal for F-16s did not materialize with the US. Analysts believe Islamabad could consider Russian or Chinese fighters to meet its defense requirements. -PTI

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emkund Sahib (also spelled Hemkunt), known as Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib Ji, is a Sikh place of worship and pilgrimage site in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India. It is devoted to Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666-1708), the tenth Sikh Guru, and finds mention in Dasam Granth, a work dictated by Guruji himself.

A Hindu shrine dedicated to mythological hero Lakshmana is an attraction for Hindu pilgrims. This temple is built on the banks of Hemkund.

The picturesque natural settings make this hill region an amazing place for rejuvenating vacations. One can reach this majestic lake through a challenging but interesting and enjoyable trek from Ghangharia.

Hemkund Sahib is nestled amidst seven snow capped peaks and marvelous snowy glaciers. The nature is reflected here with all its mighty appearance in the crystal clear alluring water.

Hemkund Lake is fed by the glaciers from majestic peaks known as Hathi Parvat and Saptrishi peaks. A small stream known as Himganga originates from this imposing lake.

With its setting of a glacial lake surrounded by seven mountain peaks, each adorned by a Nishan Sahib on its cliff, it is according to the Survey of India located in the Himalayas at an elevation of 4,632 meters (15,197 feet).

It is approached from Gobindghat on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway. The main town near Gobindghat is Joshimath.

Hemkund is a Sanskrit name derived from Hem ("Snow") and Kund ("bowl").Dasam Granth says this is the place where Pandu Raja practiced Yoga.

It is recorded in the holy Granth Sahib that the tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh meditated on the serene banks of Hemkund in one of his earlier births.

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Tourism can be biggest employer in NE: PM SHILLONG: Prime Minister and rail routes to our neighboring Bangladesh, Modi said this Narendra Modi has said adventure countries. This should give a would make available 10 GB of tourism can emerge as the biggest boost to the economic develop- seamless alternate bandwidth for employer in the north east region ment of the region," Modi said the region.

On power, the Prime Minister and urged the states concerned for highlighting the achievements of his government in this regard. said the Centre has invested in its development and promotion.

According to the Prime Minis- power transmission projects cov"If developed and promoted well, this can emerge as the biggest employer in the region. It can also add to the growth and income of the region," Modi said while addressing the 65th plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC).

He said all states in the north east region were blessed with natural scenic beauty, distinct historical cultural and ethnic heritage.

"All this offers tremendous scope for tourism in the region. There is also a great scope for mountaineering, trekking and adven- Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing at the inauguration of 65th Plenary Session ture tourism in the region," of North East Council, in Shillong. he said.

Underlining the need to make ter, as of today, 34 road projects ering all the eight north eastern the best use of the Ministry of in the north eastern states cover- states at a cost of around Rs Tourism's thematic circuit, Modi ing 1,001 km at a total cost of over 10,000 crore to ensure electricity said the region can also look for Rs 10,000 crore have been imple- to more areas.

On railways, he said major railcombining a few popular destina- mented by the specialized hightions of the neighboring countries ways construction agency for the way expansion projects have north east - the National High- been undertaken in the region at for added attraction for tourists.

Terming the north east as the ways and Infrastructure Develop- a cost of around Rs 10,000 crore following the connectivity progateway to South East Asia, the ment Corporation.

Highlighting the Internet con- vided to Arunachal Pradesh and Prime Minister said there was a nectivity project for the north east Meghalaya in November 2014. need to take advantage of this.

"We are opening up both road region in collaboration with PTI

J&K developing app for hassle-free travel SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department is developing a mobile application that will help tourists make online bookings and reservations for their visit to the state in a hasslefree manner.

"The Tourism department is developing a mobile application which will enable visitors to make online bookings and reservations in a hassle-free manner," Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who holds the Tourism portfolio, said during an interaction with tourism players here.

In a bid to improve footfall of tourists this summer, Mehbooba sought cooperation from tourism and business fraternity in reviving the states economy which primarily depends on its lucrative tourism industry.

While interacting with various delegations, she stressed that people associated with the industry have to do a lot to establish a feel-good factor among the visi-

Secretary to operate pre-paid taxis from strategic locations, like airports and railway stations for tourists.

"We have to reach out to the tourists with open arms so that they enjoy the hospitality for which we are known all over the world," she said, while asking hoteliers, houseboat owners, shikarawallas, ponywallas, tour and travel operators to facilitate visitors so that they go back with rich memories.

Asking the Tourism department to promote paying guest concept among people residing in downtown areas, Mehbooba said the government is actively pursuing withdrawal of advisories imposed by some countries on visiting the state.

The Chief Minister also floated the idea of incorporating adventure tourism in school curriculum at secondary level.

She said the government over the last one year has made strenuous efforts in projecting Kashmir

tors.

It is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that no tourist is harassed, she said.

Seeking support in maintaining peace, the Chief Minister said it is the state's tourism and business fraternity which has to suffer the brunt when there is disturbance in the Valley.

Mehbooba asked the Tourism

as a world-class tourist destination.

Roadshows will be organized in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia from where the Valley receives a fairly large number of tourists, Mehbooba said.

She said there are still many places to be explored which will provide a rich experience to visitors. -PTI

London welcomes over 30 mn tourists LONDON: London has set a new tourism record as over 30 million visitors flocked to the British capital, mostly drawn by global sporting events like the Rugby World Cup and blockbuster exhibitions at its museums and galler-

ies.

Its new Mayor Sadiq Khan welcomed the new figures saying it was "fantastic" that more people than ever before were visiting the city of over 8 million residents.

"London has something for everyone and an appeal that clearly extends across the globe.

I've pledged to do all I can to support our vital tourism industry so London continues to be a top choice for travelers," the 45-yearold Khan said.

A record 31.5 million Great Britain residents and international tourists came to the city in 2015 which is an increase of 20 per cent when compared to five years ago, the figures released by the Office for National Statistics, International Passenger Survey, showed.

Every year since the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games, there has been an increase in international visitors coming to the city.

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Cont’d from page 36

In addition, the Dasam Granth says God ordered Sikh Guru Gobind Singh to take birth while he was in deep meditation at the

mount of Hemkund.

Guru Gobind Singh is believed to be the Guru who founded all present characteristics of present Sikhism. The Gurudwara of the Sikhs on the banks of Hemkund is located at the place where Guru had meditated. Huge flocks of Sikh pilgrims pay their visit to this Gurudwara every year.

Inaccessible Hemkund is inaccessible from October through April because of snow bound paths and glaciers.

Sikh pilgrims arrive in May and set to work to repair the damage to the path over the winter, which tradition is called kar seva ("work service"), a concept which forms an important tenet of the Sikh faith.

The take-off point for Hemkund Sahib is the town of Govindghat about 275 kilometers (171 mi) from Rishikesh. The 13 kilometers (8.1 mi) trek is along a reasonably well maintained path to the village of Ghangaria (also called Govinddham). This path can be covered either by walk or by pony and a Gurudwara here gives shel-

ter to pilgrims. In addition there are a few hotels and a camp ground with tents and mattresses. A 1,100metre (3,600 ft) climb on a 6kilometre (3.7 mi) of stone paved path leads Hemkund. Overnight

stay is not allowed at Hemkund Sahib and so it is necessary to leave by 2 PM to make it back to Govindghat by nightfall.

A recent study examining altitude sickness at Hemkund Sahib found that almost one-third of pilgrims who traveled to Hemkund suffered from Acute Mountain Sickness (a form of altitude sickness). As approximately 150,000 pilgrims are believed to travel to Hemkund Sahib each trekking season, almost 50,000 people are at risk of developing Acute Mountain Sickness each year. The authors stated the difficult nature of

the trek, limited water consumption and lack of awareness regarding altitude sickness as the main contributory factors.

Design and construction of the present gurudwara was started in the mid-1960s, after Major General Harkirat Singh, Engineer-in-Chief, Indian Army visited the gurudwara. Major General Harkirat Singh selected Architect Siali to head the design and construction effort. Thereafter, Architect Siali Luddu made annual trips to Hemkund Sahib and organized and supervised complex construction.

Hemkund has got mentions in the Ramayana. It is believed that the younger brother of Lord Rama, Lakshmana regained his health by meditating on the banks of Hemkund after the severe injuries he received from Meghnath during Rama-Ravana war. The Lakshmana temple is built at the place where Lakshmana meditated to regain his health.

How to reach

By Train: The nearest rail head is at Rishikesh, around 300 km from Hemkund Sahib and is well connected to other parts of the country.

By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, around 300 km from Hemkund Sahib. Jolly Grant airport is connected to Delhi and a few other cities in the country. Recently, an Indian airline company has started a helicopter service

between Govindghat and Ghangria. The flight takes about 5 minutes.

By Bus: Buses are commonly available from Delhi and parts of Himachal Pradesh but the roads

are connected only up to Govindghat, which is around 19 km from Hemkund. From here tourists have to undertake strenuous trek on steely slopes to reach the place.

London welcomes over 30 mn tourists Cont’d from page 37

There were 18.6 million international visits in 2015 compared to 17.4 million in 2014, an increase of 7 per cent.

Separate data from the Great Britain Tourism Survey carried out

by UK tourism body Visit England showed that Great Britain residents made 12.9 million visits to London last year, another new record.

International and Great Britain visitors also spent 15 billion pounds on hotels, restaurants, shopping and attractions - an increase of 35 per cent compared to 2010.

Exhibitions, theatre and major events at museums and the 2015 Rugby World Cup all helped draw visitors to the city.

This year is set to be another momentous year as the UK celebrates 400 years of Shakespeare's lasting legacy,

events to mark the Queen's 90th birthday and Tate Modern opening a major new extension, which is being hailed as the most important new cultural building in the UK since the British Library in 1998.

Bernard Donoghue, Director of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions said: "Our palaces, cathedrals, museums, galleries, heritage sites, zoos and gardens are some of the principal reasons why record numbers of visitors come to London."

Separate research by independent forecaster Oxford Economics predicts that London will welcome 35.6 million UK and international visits to the city by 2020.

The tourism industry is a major contributor to the London economy. Overall the sector contributes more than 36 billion pounds to the capital every year and supports around 700,000 thousand jobs. -PTI

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Kerala Tourism makes inroads in China THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Tourism has showcased the best of 'God's Own Country' at the Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE) 2016, one of the world's most prestigious travel and trade fairs held on May 20-22.

It was for the second time Kerala was featured at the annual forum, which brings together major players in the hugely lucrative Chinese outbound tourism market, widely considered the world's largest by volume, Kerala Tourism said in a statement here.

Led by Kerala Tourism Director U V Jose, the team saw judicious representation from the state's leading hoteliers, Ayurvedic resorts and tour operators.

According to Jose, the state "aspires to

augment the strong destination pull it already enjoys. The modern traveler in general, and the Chinese visitor in particular, is always expanding his/her horizons, seeking out ever newer experiences," he said.

"The objective of such tourism facilitation initiatives and participation in such high-profile industry events is to highlight the wondrous possibilities on offer in Kerala, the official added.

To this end, the expansive Kerala pavilion sought to renew the focus on the state s rich legacy of martial arts, holistic medical traditions, the beauty of its backwaters and its snakeboat races.

As was the case last year, the display was an instant hit with the hosts and the Kerala stand saw an impressive number of

Nebraska fires embattled Tourism director LINCOLN, NEB: The Nebraska Tourism and will work with lawmakers and the govCommission has fired its executive director ernor to determine how to proceed. in the wake of a blistering state audit that ``It is critical that we resolve the issues found questionable spending and a lack of that the audit brought to light,'' Chapo said oversight within the agency. in a statement after the vote.

Kathy McKillip had been suspended Many of the auditors' criticisms focused with pay before the 8-0 vote to terminate on McKillip and a promotional photo shoot her contract. Commissioners appointed near Valentine, which was intended to mardeputy director Heather Hogue as a tempo- ket the state to millennials. According to rary director until they name a permanent the report, Omaha marketing firm Bailey replacement.

Lauerman requested more than $5,200 in The state auditor's office released a re- reimbursement for travel costs that weren't port April 29 that highlighted numerous properly documented. Because the state spending problems within the agency, such didn't have adequate documentation, auas running $4.4 million over budget over ditors obtained financial records directly three years with an advertising firm's con- from the firm. tract and paying $44,000 in speaking fees Those records revealed that Bailey for a 90-minute speech by a corporate ex- Lauerman requested more than $350 in reecutive. The agency also spent nearly payment for alcohol and cigarettes, includ$19,000 to move one commission employee from Sidney to Kearney, about 215 miles away.

McKillip was not at the meeting and did not respond to a phone message seeking comment after the vote.

Gov. Pete Ricketts and former Gov. Dave Heineman have Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska called on the commission to fire McKillip since the audit be- ing bottles of wine, gin and Crown Royal came public, saying she wasted state Canadian whisky. In addition, Bailey money. And a group representing the Lauerman hired McKillip's daughter as a state's travel industry said commissioners model for the shoot. Auditors expressed also deserved some of the blame. concern that using McKillip's daughter ``I think they need to be questioned as may have run afoul of a law that prohibits well,'' said Todd Kirshenbaum, president ``improper personal gain'' by public offiof the Nebraska Travel Association. cials, employees and their family members. ``We're going to really hold their feet to McKillip has said none of the activity the fire.'' was illegal or fraudulent, and the marketing Commission Chairman John Chapo said firm has repaid all of the money that was members have taken the audit seriously not reimbursable under state rules. -AP

footfalls as also inquiries particularly about Ayurveda.

China.

Tourists from China are considered the h i g h e s t spending in the world. In 2014, Chinese tourists to India numbered nearly two lakh. The same period saw an increase of Chinese tourist inflow to Kerala.

Following a visit to Kochi last year by the Chinese AmBeijing International Tourism Expo (BITE) 2016 bassador to India, the city became the first in "It speaks to the successful branding the country to gain membership to the and marketing of Kerala that most of the Beijing-headquartered World Tourism Citvisitors to the state pavilion knew about ies Federation Council, a 135-member our Ayurveda, Kalaripayattu and our back- league of leading tourism cities from across waters," Jose said. the globe.

Bandaru Wilsonbabu, First Secretary of Foreign tourist arrivals to Kerala in 2015 the Indian Embassy in Beijing, visited the have been provisionally tallied at nearly 9.8 Kerala pavilion and offered the mission's lakh over the previous year's figure of full support in help promote the state in roughly 9.2 lakh. -PTI

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Datebook

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NEW JERSEY

NEW YORK

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Upcoming

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Upcoming Fri, Jun 03 • Bollywood Patola Ladies Night Out Venue: Akbar Restaurant, 21 Cortlandt Street, Edison, NJ 08837 Time : 7:00 pm

Sun, Jun 05 • Grand Super Singer Night Venue: West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South, 346 Clarksville Road, West Windsor Township, NJ 08550 Time: 07:00 pm

Sat, Jun 18 • Kalyanji Anandji Laxmikant Pyarelal live music Venue: Montgomerry High School, 1016 County Road 601, Montgomery, NJ 08558 Time: 04:00 pm Contact: 732-501-5753

CHICAGO

Venue: The Hindu Temple Auditorium, 143-

Venue: Golden Peacock Banquets, 24989

09, Holly Avenue, Flushing, NY 11355

Sun, Jun 12 • Shri. R. Suryaprakash – Vocal South India Fine Arts

Santa Clara St, Hayward, CA 94544

Time : 05:00 pm

Venue: CET - Soto Theater, 701 Vine St, San

Time: 07:00 pm

Sat, Jun 4 • Ponmalai pozuthu 2016 by Super Singers

Sat, Jun 18 • Desi Saturdays New Yorks Weekly Saturday Night Venue: LEXICON, 226 E 54th St, New York, NY 10022 Time : 9:30 pm

Sat, Jun 30 • Sensational Heartthrobs

lenge & Karaoke Night

Sat, Jun 4 • Maitra Jivache Mega live con-

Time: 07:00 pm

sian Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94089

Fri, July 15 • Qawali Night With Tabriaz Aziz Mian Qawal

Time: 06:00 pm

Venue: Paradise Ballrooms, 4100 Peralta

cert of Pt. Hridhaynath and Salil Venue: Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, 450 Per-

Boulevard, Fremont, CA 94536

Sat, Jun 16

Boulevard, NY 11367

• Sunidhi Chauhan and Ayushmann Khurrana Live

Time : 08:00 pm

Venue: Terrace Theater - Long Beach Con-

Venue: Colden Auditorium, 65-30 Kissena

Jose, CA 95110

vention and Entertainment Center, 300 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802 Time: 6:30 pm

Sat, Jun 18 • 2nd Annual Morgan Hill Yoga Fest Venue: CRC Community Park, 171 W Edmundson Ave Morgan Hill, CA 95037, 171 West Edmundson Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037 Time: 8:00 am Contact: 408-859-2496

Fri, July 1 • Bollywood Night Summer 16 presents DJ Hans Venue: Studio 8 – Downtown San Jose, 8 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113 Time: 10:00 pm

Time: 07:00 pm

ATLANTA Upcoming Sun, Jun 5 • Thaikkudam Bridge Live In Atlanta!!

Venue: Lassiter Concert Hall, 2601 Shallowford Road, Marietta, GA 30066 Time: 5:00 pm

ILLINOIS Upcoming

Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes

Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105

Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Where: Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105

Sat, Jun 11 • Bhari Lau Aakhma Zindagi (Gujarati Comedy)

Swami Ishatmananda

Venue: Gujarati Samaj Hall, 5331 Royal Woods Parkway, Tucker, GA 30084 Time: 8:00 pm

Venue: Public Library-95th Street 3015 Cedar Glade Rd Naperville IL 60564 Time: 1st friday of every month 7-8 pm Contact: 630-637-0662

July 5 - 9 • Chinmaya Mission Atlanta Summer Camp 2016 Venue: Chinmaya Niketan, 5511 Williams Road, Norcross, GA 30093 Time: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Contact: 678-717-9814

• Bhagavad Gita: Philosophy of life

• India Eternal: From the Vedic Age to the Present Venue: Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago 10915 N. Main Street Glendale Heights, IL 60139 Time: 10:00 pm Contact: 630-655-8822

Horoscope

June 3, 2016

India Post

43

www.indiapost.com

May June 3rd - June 9th 2016 Please send your birthday, place of birth and time, so I can give you your zodiac sign, according to Vedic astrology. Send to Jaysastrology@gmail.com

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rofessional matters are looking better. Fortune helps. Health of the spouse also looks better. Things are improving. Say no to involvement in speculation. Continue to work with patience up to September, 2016. It is better to avoid haste, conflicts and unnecessary driving. Take care of your health and don't get involved in arguments.

Obstructions are likely in income up to September, 2016.

he week continues with anxiety and stress as transit of planets is in bad houses. The week is difficult for those who are in marketing or business. Some additional expenses or losses are likely. The new professional opportunities should be put on hold. Avoid conflicting situations during 2016, and take due care of your health. Exercise patience and avoid over ambitiousness

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A

rofessional matters are vulnerable to sudden conflicts, Work with patience and haste. Children may cause concern focus on them. Avoid speculative investments including gambling. Some concerns are seen for the parents look after them or check up on them.

Week is difficult for those who are in foreign lands. It is better to avoid unnecessary driving, risky activities.

Exercise patience.

void conflicts in professional matters. Handle relationships and health with patience. Health is vulnerable in June 2016.Child may need help. Avoid haste, conflicts, speculation, aggressive behaviour and unnecessary driving. Conflicts and financial concerns are likely to continue, Take care. Enemies or competitors are likely to cause trouble. Conflicts will put you to harm. Manage obstructions with due patience.

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he new professional opportunities need caution.

The week brings some good news for the family. The child may also bring some happy news. Those who are appearing in selections or promotions may get some good news. Those who are in foreign lands need care and patience. Work with patience.

Anxiety and stress is seen with business partner and relationship partner.

he professional matters continue to face obstructions. Some sudden stress is likely. Some additional income is likely. Good for investments in long term and safe assets. The incidence of difficulties is indicated for those who are in foreign lands. Better to avoid unnecessary driving especially in the week-end. Work with patience. Take care of your health and relationship matters.

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he professional matters need caution, avoid conflict with coworkers. Take care of your health should see doctor and get checked and exercise patience.

Avoid aggressive behaviour and haste up to September, 2016.Some sudden developments are likely to disturb your income. Silence is golden for you.

Better to avoid driving and conflicts.

T

he professional matters are looking better. Some of you are likely to get promotion or recognition. Some additional income may be likely. Handle obstructions with patience in new business initiatives. Avoid conflicts. Those with diabetes or liver problems take extra caution. Anxiety and stress is seen during the week.

Spend time or focus on business or relationship partner.

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he fortune helps can expect some extra income. Some gains in real estate income are likely.

You are likely to join some course for updating your knowledge. You feel desire to learn. Children need extra care focus on them. The new professional opportunities are likely or may arise.

Exercise patience and haste, don't rush avoid unnecessary driving, risky behavior.

rofessional matters may face obstructions and stress increases. Some sudden health problems and conflicts continue to disturb you and make the week difficult.

New professional opportunities should be put on hold.

Avoid haste, conflicts, unnecessary driving/travel. Take care of your health. Handle obstructions and relationship matters with care up to September, 2016. Some additional expenses are likely.

rofessional matters need constant alertness avoid conflict with coworkers. The new professional opportunities should be put on hold. Avoid conflicts and take care of your health. Some sudden stress is likely. The child may need special attention upto September, 2016. Avoid speculation and gambling. Some of you may attend some spiritual discourse. Patience is the best medicine during this year.

andle professional matters with care. Some sudden setback/obstruction and conflict are likely in professional matters. The incidence of conflicts, health concerns, obstructions and sudden setbacks continues specially for those whose ascending degree is around 20. It is better to avoid unnecessary driving. Manage persisting difficulties with patience. Disputes, debts, theft fire, litigation problems can arise.

This weekly horoscope is more focused and accurate as these are based on ascending signs. The ascending sign is worked out on the basis of your date, time and place of birth. You will find the predictions at other places based on your Sun sign or Moon sign. The Sun remains in one sign of zodiac for one month whereas the Moon remains in one sign for about 54 hours. It is the ascending sign, which changes every couple of hours." That is how this site offers you more focused predictions.

JATIN P - ACHARYA MIHIR • JAYSASTROLOGY@GMAIL.COM • 630-675-7148

„ Health

Line

Nadda lauds raising docs' retirement age NEW DELHI: Health Minister J P Nadda has said that the announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to increase the retirement age of doctors to 65 years will "immensely" strengthen the public healthcare

Health Minister J P Nadda

system.

"Extremely thankful to Hon. PM for his guidance in health sector.

We are fully committed to doing all that is needed for enhancing health care.

"The announcement for the increase in retirement age of doctors to 65 years will immensely strengthen the public health system," Nadda tweeted.

Citing shortage of doctors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced raising the age of retirement of government doctors to 65 years and said the Union Cabinet will soon give its nod to the decision.

The decision will cover all government doctors whether serving under states or the central dispensation, he said. -PTI

„ Alarming rise in overdose deaths BUFFALO, N.Y.: Public health officials say medical examiners in the Buffalo area are overwhelmed by the number of opioid overdose deaths, resulting in long delays in getting autopsy reports to the families of the deceased.

The Erie County Department of Health tells WIVB-TV that it's often taking more than three months for the medical examiner's office to complete the reports in the cases of fatal heroin or other opioid overdoses. Officials say last year there were 256 opioid overdoses in the county, which includes the city of Buffalo. That's twice as many as in 2014.

Dr. Gale Burstein, the county health commissioner, says fatal overdose cases can be complicated because deaths labeled ``suspected chemical intoxication'' require toxicology testing that can take weeks before results are known. -AP

Health Science 44 India Post

www.indiapost.com

June 3, 2016

PPP model urged for public healthcare Details on Page 47

After Ebola, World Bank creates pandemic insurance plan SENDAI, Japan: The World Bank has announced a new program to mobilize funds quickly against virulent disease outbreaks after the world was caught unprepared in the 2014 Ebola disaster in West Africa.

World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said the new Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility (PEF) will accelerate global and national responses to disease outbreaks that threaten large populations and fragile economies.

He said the PEF, a combination of catastrophe insurance and bonds, is a direct reaction to the sluggish donor response to the outbreak of Ebola, which eventually killed close to 11,000 in West Africa and shut down economic activity for months.

"Pandemics pose a serious threat to global health and economic security," said Kim. "The recent Ebola crisis in West Africa was a tragedy that we were simply not prepared for. It was a wake-up call to the entire world."

"There is no effective international system ready to respond quickly to a pandemic."

Kim, a medical doctor and expert on health and disease in de-

veloping countries, put the World Bank in the lead of the response to Ebola at the time.

But he acknowledged that it took months to bring together the hundreds of millions of dollars needed to pay for deploying health personnel, supplies, and other relief to Sierra Leone, Guinea

He said the group of global powers had pressed the World Bank last year to develop a quicker way for the world to respond to pandemics.

Kim said Japan was the first to commit support for the PEF, with a $50 million contribution.

The insurance will cover out-

and Liberia.

In the meantime, he said, the death toll rose ten-fold.

Kim announced the creation of the PEF at the gathering of G7 finance ministers in Sendai, Japan.

breaks of several classes of infectious diseases most at risk for epidemics: new orthomyxoviruses including influenza pandemic viruses A, B and C; coronaviruses like SARS and MERS; filoviruses

like Ebola and Marburg; and other zoonotic diseases - those that move between animals and humans - including Crimean Congo, Rift Valley and Lassa fever.

That list does not include Zika, the deadly mosquito-borne virus spreading through the Americas.

But Kim said the bank is also putting together a separate emergency "cash window" to address that and other outbreaks not covered.

Under the program the 77 least developed countries will be covered by the insurance.

Unlike common insurance that repays losses after a disaster, the PEF insurance is designed to release funds as soon as a disease outbreak reaches a certain level as defined by specific criteria.

Kim said the World Bank has worked with insurers on the product, which will total $500 million at first, and is confident the global financial markets will accept it.

"If we had had the PEF up and running in mid-2014, the Ebola outbreak would have looked very different," he said.

"The countries and the world, and the insurance industry, have the same incentives to prevent the spread of pandemics." -AFP

Long-term use of antibiotics may harm brain BERLIN: Treatments involving long-term use of antibiotics may disrupt brain functions and affect the formation of new brain cells, a new study has claimed.

A special kind of immune cell serves as an intermediary between gut bacteria and the brain, according to Susanne Wolf from Max Delbruck Centre for Molecular Medicine in Germany.

The findings are of significance when it comes to the effects of using antibiotics in the long term, and could also help to alleviate the symptoms of mental disorders, researchers said.

The gut and the brain "talk" to one another via hormones, metabolic products or direct neural connections. A specific population of monocyte immune cells acts as a further link between the

two, they said.

Researchers switched off the gut microbiome in mice, that is their intestinal bacteria, with a strong concoction of antibiotics.

Compared to the mice that had not undergone treatment, they subsequently observed significantly fewer newly formed nerve

cells in the hippocampus region of the brain.

The memory of the treated mice also deteriorated because the formation of these new brain cells - a process known as neurogenesis is important for certain memory functions.

As well as impaired

Neurogenesis could be directly affected by long-term use of antibiotics causing a disruption in brain function.

neurogenesis, researchers also found that the population of a specific immune cell in the brain - the Ly6C(hi) monocytes - decreased significantly when the microbiota was switched off.

When they removed just these cells from the mice, neurogenesis declined and when they gave the cells to the mice that had been on antibiotics, neurogenesis increased once again, researchers said.

They cured the antibiotictreated mice using two different strategies - the mice were either given a mixture of selected bacterial strains or had access to voluntary training in the running wheel, thus reversing the negative effects of the antibiotics.

Cont'd on Page 46

June 3, 2016

Health Science Post

India Post 45

www.indiapost.com

Racial & class bias among psychotherapists India Post News Service

WASHINGTON DC: A new study suggests that psychotherapists discriminate against prospective patients who are black or working class. "Although I expected to find racial and class-based disparities, the magnitude of the discrimination workingclass therapy seekers faced exceeded my grimmest expectations," said Heather Kugelmass, a doctoral student in sociology at Princeton University and the author of the study.

The study was released by the American Sociological Association and the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.

Among middle-class people who contacted a therapist to schedule an appointment, Kugelmass found that 28 percent of whites and 17 percent of blacks received appointment offers. Appointment offer rates for both black and white working-class therapy seekers were 8 percent.

"The fact that this study uncovers discrimination in the private mental health care marketplace is consistent with previous audit studies that have revealed discrimination in other marketplaces, such as housing and employment," said Kugelmass, who noted that her research provides insight into ordinarily private exchanges that may subtly perpetuate disadvantage.

Titled, "'Sorry, I'm Not Accepting New Patients': An Audit Study of Access to Mental Health Care," the study appears in the June issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior. As part of this study, 320 New York City-based psychotherapists, with PhD or PsyD degrees and solo practices, were randomly selected from a large health insurance provider's HMO plan.

Each received voicemail messages from

one purportedly black middle-class and one white middle-class caller of the same gender or from one purportedly black working-class and one white working-class caller of the same gender, requesting an appointment. The callers were evenly divided by race, class, and gender. Social class was cued through the caller's vocabulary, grammar, and accent, while the caller's name and accent were used to indicate race.

All callers requested an appointment,

"Psychotherapists are not immune to the stereotypes that influence the decisions of other professionals," Kugelmass said. "Moreover, because therapists in solo private practice have high levels of professional autonomy, they have a lot of latitude to make decisions that are consistent with their biases." specifying a preference for weekday evenings, and had the same private health insurance coverage. "It is striking that discrimination toward black and working-class therapy seekers occurred even though all therapy seekers had the same health insurance and were contacting in-network providers," Kugelmass said.

"This evidence points to bias rather than financial considerations. It is possible that if insurance coverage had not been held constant, inferences based on racial and class stereotypes would have augmented discrimination even beyond that which was observed." There were also disparities in the likelihood of receiving a call back from a psychotherapist, but those were less pronounced.

Kugelmass found that 51 percent of calls from middle-class whites and 49 per-

Artificial sweeteners may harm your health TORONTO: Artificial sweeteners help individuals with obesity to cut calories and lose weight but may have negative health effects, a new study has warned.

Artificial sweeteners are often used to help individuals cut calories and manage their weight as they are not digested by the body.

However, the study suggests that the bacteria in the gut may be able to break down artificial sweeteners, resulting in negative health effects.

"Our study shows that individuals with obesity who consume artificial sweeteners, particularly aspartame, may have worse glucose management than those who don't take sugar substitutes," said Professor Jennifer Kuk from York University in Canada.

"We didn't find this adverse effect in those consuming saccharin or natural sugars," said Kuk. "We will need to do future studies to determine whether any potentially negative health effects of artificial sweeteners outweigh the benefits for obesity reduction," she said.

cent from middle-class blacks elicited a response, compared to 45 percent for working-class whites and 34 percent for working-class blacks. "I was surprised that the callback rates were so low," Kugelmass said. "Even the white middle-class therapy seekers received return messages only half of the time. As consumers, or potential consumers, of mental health care, we'd like to think that everyone deserves a response."

According to Kugelmass, even if a psy-

Currently, there are many new sugar substitutes that are used in foods. The researchers note that further investigation is needed to determine if there are any health effects of using these sweeteners.

For the study, data from 2,856 US adults from the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES III) was used.

Individuals reported their diet over the past 24 hours and were categorized as con-

sumers of artificial sweeteners (aspartame or saccharin), or high or low consumers of natural sugars (sugar or fructose).

Diabetes risk was measured as the ability to manage blood sugars using an oral glucose tolerance test. -PTI

chotherapist ultimately cannot accept a new patient, returning the phone call of a therapy seeker could be a valuable gesture.

"If individuals experience a lack of responsiveness during their help-seeking process, they might view reaching out to psychotherapists as a fruitless activity or develop negative attitudes toward a class of professionals that some already regard with skepticism," she said.

Kugelmass also found that the white middle-class woman was favored for the coveted weekday evening appointment; she received an affirmative response to a request for an appointment in that time slot from 16 of 80 therapists (20 percent). By contrast, when the black working-class man made the same request to 80 therapists, only one therapist was willing or able to fulfill the request.

"Psychotherapists are not immune to the stereotypes that influence the decisions of other professionals," Kugelmass said.

"Moreover, because therapists in solo private practice have high levels of professional autonomy, they have a lot of latitude to make decisions that are consistent with their biases."

In terms of the study's implications, Kugelmass said her research is evidence of an obstacle to mental health care that cannot be resolved through an expansion of health insurance coverage. "Access to health insurance may not be sufficient to ensure equal access to therapy," she said.

"In fact, psychotherapists may unintentionally stymie efforts to promote equal access when they have discretion over their clientele. Macro-level barriers to accessing care are incredibly important, but the influence of interactions between therapists and prospective patients should not be overlooked."

46 India Post

Health Science Post

June 3, 2016

www.indiapost.com

Standing desks boost health, productivity WASHINGTON: Standing desks - which a person can raise or lower to stand or sit while working - may boost productivity in employees, as well as improve their health, a new study has found.

Researchers at the Texas A&M Health Science Centre School of Public Health in US examined the productivity differences between two groups of call centre employees over the course of six months and found that those with stand-capable workstations were about 46 per cent more productive than those with traditional, seated desk configurations.

Productivity was measured by how many successful calls workers completed per hour at work.

Workers in the stand-capable desks sat for about 1.6 hours less per day than the seated desk workers.

"We hope this work will show companies that although there might be some costs involved in providing stand-capable workstations, increased employee productivity over time will more than offset these initial expenses," said Mark Benden, associate profes-

sor at the Texas A&M School of Public Health.

"One interesting result of the study is that the productivity differences between the stand-capable and seated groups were not as large during the first month,"

said Gregory Garrett, doctoral student and lead author of the study.

"Starting with the second month, we began to see larger increases in productivity with the stand-capable groups as they became habituated to their standing desks," Garett said.

In addition to helping the bottom line of the company, standing during the day can improve worker health.

Nearly 75 per cent of those working at stand-capable workstations experienced decreased body

discomfort after using these desks for the six-month duration of the study.

"We believe that decreases in body discomfort may account for some of the productivity differences between the two groups," Garrett said.

"However, standing desks may have an impact on cognitive performance, which is the focus of some of our research going forward," he said.

Benden cautioned that the research did not employ a random sample.

All 74 employees with stand-capable workstations had been on the job for one to three months, while the 93 workers with more longevity - one year or more at the company acted as the control group and remained seated throughout the day.

"Still, we believe that the fact the new employees had at least one full month on the job, in addition to 60 days of training, before we began measuring, was more than enough to minimize experience variation between the groups," Benden said.

The study was published in the journal IIE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors. -PTI

Depression may lower pregnancy chances BOSTON: Women suffering from severe depression may have a lower chance of becoming pregnant, a new study has found.

Researchers found a 38 per cent decrease in the average probability of conception in a given menstrual cycle among women who reported severe depressive symptoms, compared to those with no or low symptoms.

The results were similar, regardless of whether the women were on psychotropic medications, they said.

Despite associations in prior studies between infertility and the use of antidepressants, antipsychotics or mood stabilizers among already infertile women, current use of psychotropic medications did not appear to harm the probability of conception, said Yael Nillni from Boston University in the US.

"Our findings suggest that moderate to severe depressive symptoms, regardless of current psychotropic medication treatment, may delay conception," said Nillni.

Depression has been associated with dysregulation of the

hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which may influence the menstrual cycle and affect the ability to conceive, researchers said.

They studied more than 2,100 female pregnancy planners. Par-

ticipants were asked to report their current depressive symptoms and psychotropic medication use, among many other factors.

Overall, 22 per cent reported a clinical diagnosis of depression in their medical histories, while 17.2 per cent were former users of psychotropic medication, and 10.3 per cent were current users of psychotropic drugs, researchers said.

They also found that current use of benzodiazepines - sedatives used to treat anxiety and other disorders - was associated with a decrease in pregnancy.

Women who were formerly treated with a class of antidepressants known as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) had improved chances of conception, regardless of depressive symptom severity, researchers said.

Healthy lifestyle may prevent cancer deaths BOSTON: Up to 40 per cent of The study included 89,571 cancer cases and about half of women and 46,399 men; 16,531 cancer deaths could be prevented women and 11,731 had a healthy by adopting healthy lifestyle hab- lifestyle pattern (low-risk group) its such as regular exercise and and the remaining 73,040 women avoiding heavy alcohol use. and 34,608 men were high risk.

A large proportion of cancer The researchers calculated cases and deaths among US indi- population-attributable risk viduals who are white could be (PAR), which can be interpreted prevented if people quit smoking, as the proportion of cases that avoid heavy drinking, maintain a would not occur if all the individuBMI between 18.5 and 27.5, and als adopted the healthy lifestyle do moderate weekly exercise for pattern of the low-risk group. at least 150 minutes or vigorous They suggest about 20 per cent exercise for at least 75 minutes, to 40 per cent of cancer cases and according to the researchers. about half of cancer deaths could Researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital, Individuals who met all four Harvard Medical criteria were considered School and the Harvard TH Chan low risk and everyone else School of Public was high risk.

Health in the US analyzed data from two study groups of white individu- potentially be prevented through als to examine the associations modifications to adopt the between a "healthy lifestyle pat- healthy lifestyle pattern of the lowtern" and cancer incidence and risk group. death.

The researchers note that inA "healthy lifestyle pattern" cluding only white individuals in was defined as never or past their PAR estimates may not be smoking; no or moderate drinking generalisable to other ethnic of alcohol (one or less drink a day groups but the factors they confor women, two or less drinks a sidered have been established as day for men); BMI of at least 18.5 risk factors in diverse ethnic but lower than 27.5; and weekly groups too. aerobic physical activity of at "These findings reinforce the least 150 minutes moderate inten- predominate importance of sity or 75 minutes vigorous inten- lifestyle factors in determining sity. cancer risk. Therefore, primary Individuals who met all four prevention should remain a priorcriteria were considered low risk ity for cancer control," researchand everyone else was high risk. ers said.-PTI

Long-term use of antibiotics may harm brain Cont'd from Page 44

The mice's number of monocytes increased and their memory performance and neurogenesis improved. However, it was not possible to restore the immune and brain functions using the microbiota of untreated mice, re-

Researchers also found that the antibiotics may affect neurogenesis directly searchers said.

"With the Ly6C (hi) monocytes, we may have discovered a new general communication path from the periphery to the brain,"

said Ms Wolf.

Applied to humans, the findings do not show that all antibiotics disrupt brain function, as the combination of drugs used in the study was extremely potent, researchers said.

"It is possible, however, that similar effects could result from treatments involving long-term use of antibiotics," said Ms Wolf.

Researchers also found that the antibiotics may affect neurogenesis directly, and not act only via the gut bacteria.

The study is also of significance for treating people with mental disorders such as schizophrenia or depression, who also have impaired neurogenesis, said Wolf.

The findings were published in the journal Cell Reports. -PTI

Health Science Post

June 3, 2016

India Post 47

www.indiapost.com

Y chromosome loss raises Alzheimer risk LONDON: Men with blood cells that do not carry the Y chromosome are at greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study that may lead to a simple test to diagnose the neurodegenerative disorder.

The loss of the Y chromosome (LOY) is known to affect up to 20 per cent of men who are aged over 80, and is the most common genetic mutation acquired during a man's lifetime.

Lars Forsberg and Jan Dumanski from Uppsala University in Sweden and colleagues investigated loss of the Y chromosome in over 3,200 men with an average age of 73, and an age range of 37-96. Around 17 per cent of them showed LOY in blood cells, and this increased with age.

The researchers found that those with an existing diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) had a higher degree of LOY, and that LOY was also a marker for the likelihood of developing the disease during the followup period.

Using standard molecular techniques, the identification of LOY in blood is easy to determine when it occurs in 10 per cent or more of blood cells with a nucleus containing DNA. As well as being relatively common in older men, it also occurs less frequently in those who are younger.

Since women do not carry a Y chromosome, and men have, on average, shorter lives, it is possible that LOY may be related to the earlier death of men, researchers said.

However, the mechanisms and causes for their findings are still not properly understood, they said.

Researchers are currently investigating the functional effects of LOY, and looking at its role in different groups of men and in

other diseases, in order to understand better which types of cancer are associated with LOY, as well as whether there is a link with early signs of dementia, for example mild cognitive impairment.

"The blood cells we studied are involved in the immune system, and the fact that LOY in them is associated with disease in other tissues is striking. We therefore hypothesize that the loss of LOY in blood cells leads them to lose part of their immune function,' said Dumanski.

Since women do not carry a Y chromosome, and men have, on average, shorter lives, it is possible that LOY may be related to the earlier death of men Diagnosis and treatment of serious conditions such as AD and cancer is currently based on identifying clinical symptoms.

Development of diagnostic tools for their earlier detection could lead to strategies aimed at preventing the diseases before symptoms occur.

In the future it might be possible to use an LOY test to identify men at risk and then carry out oncological or neurological evaluations to try to detect early, mild, symptoms of disease.

LOY might also become an important diagnostic tool in combination with other biomarkers that may be used to predict risks for various diseases.

The research was published in the American Journal of Human Genetics. -PTI

PPP model urged for public healthcare NEW DELHI: AIIMS Director MC Misra has pitched for public-private partnership (PPP) model to finance healthcare projects in India which, according to him, suffer from "inadequate funding."

"We have to contribute for it. There is no healthcare that can be provided to 130 crore people free-of-cost. Everyone is looking for healthcare without having to pay for it," Mishra said at an ASSOCHAM con-

ference on Health security for all.

"Expectations of people from public healthcare are huge. However, it is possible only if everyone pays and the number of patients is less," he added.

Misra claimed healthcare is still a dormant feature in governments' policies with a meager 4.7 per cent of the GDP committed to it.

"State governments have not fulfilled their commitments.

Health has never been a poll plank of any political party.

Health is not a priority for our citizens. (At the government level) health is still listed under the concurrent list," he alleged. -PTI

Public Health Center in Anpum, AP managed by Karuna trust

How immune cells trigger inflammation WASHINGTON: Scientists have discovered how the immune cells trigger an inflammatory response - a finding that may pave the way for new treatments for many human diseases.

Immune cells play essential roles in the maintenance and repair of our bodies.

When we injure ourselves, immune cells mount a rapid inflammatory response to protect us against infection and help heal the damaged tissue.

"While this immune response is beneficial for human health, many human diseases (including atheroscelerosis, cancer and arthritis) are caused or aggravated by an overzealous immune response," said Helen Weavers, from the University of Bristol in the UK. "A greater understanding of what activates the immune response is therefore crucial for the design of novel therapies to treat these inflammatory disorders," Weavers said.

"Our study found that immune cells must first become 'activated' by eating a dying neighboring cell before they are able to respond to wounds or infection," she said.

"In this way, immune cells build a molecular memory of this meal, which shapes their inflammatory behavior," she said.

The researchers used the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) to study how a particu-

lar immune cell (the macrophage) becomes activated in order to respond to injury or infection.

Using the fly, researchers were able to make time-lapse movies of the dynamic behavior of the immune cells as they migrate within a living organism.

It also allowed them to easily manipulate different genes and signaling pathways within the fly, to test which genes are im-

"A greater understanding of what activates the immune response is therefore crucial for the design of novel therapies" portant for immune cell behavior.

Using genetics, the researchers dissected the mechanism by which the molecular memory is generated within the immune cell. Ingestion of the dying cell activates signaling via a calcium flash, which leads to an increase in the amount of an important damage receptor Draper in the immune cell. -PTI

India Post

Classifieds

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Philosophy

June 3, 2016

India Post 49

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T

he following sakhis are from the book "Kabir Sakhi Spiritual Gems of Kabir" translated by Mahant Jagdish Das Shastri, edited by Dr. J. Das, and first published by the Kabir Association of Canada in 1987: guru ko kije bandagi, koti koti paranam; kit na jane bhring ko, guru karle aap saman.

Offer salutations and obeisances to the Guru millions of times.

Just as a wasp takes a worm into its nest and another wasp emerges, just so Guru makes the ordinary disciple as himself. timir gaya ravi dekhate, kumati gayi guru gyan; sumati gayi ati lobhate, bhakti gayi abhiman.

Darkness disappears when the sun arises, and ignorance goes away by the Guru's wisdom. Good intellect is lost because of greed, and devotion is lost because of ego. hari kirpa tab janiye, de manav awatar; guru kirpa tab janiye, mukta kare sansar.

Know that it is the grace of God that gave you human birth. But it is the grace of the Guru that liberates you from the cycle of birth and death. guru dhobi sis kapada, sabun sirjanhar; surati sila par dhoiye, nikase jyoti apar.

Guru is like a washerman and the disciple is like cloth; God Himself is the soap. O Guru! Please wash my thought waves on the

T

he Ribhu Gita forms the sixth section of the Sanskrit work known as Siva Rahasya. It is the teaching of Lord Siva in Mount Kailas to His devotee Ribhu, from whom the Gita derives its name. The following translation is by Prof. N. R. Krishnamoorthi Aiyer of Sri Ramanasramam: The universe was neither born, nor maintained, nor dissolved; this is the plain truth. The basic screen of pure Being-Awareness-Stillness devoid of all the moving shadow pictures of name and form of the universe is the sole, eternal Existence. (Ch.2, v.33).

Some may argue that this universe of duality (multiple existences) is a factual second reality, clearly seen by the senses operated by the mind. But then, are the senses anything apart from the mind? Can they function without the support of the mind in which they are imbedded? What is this mind except a bundle of thoughts?

What are thoughts except evanescent ripples in the still, limitless ocean of pure Being-AwarenessSelf, which is the sole Existence without a second? (Ch. 2, v.34) 7.

The existence of the illusion of silver in mother of pearl is not a reality apart from the reality of

stone of meditation, then the unlimited light will appear. guru bin gyan na upaje, guru bin mil na moksh; guru bin lakhe na satyako, guru bin mite na dosh.

Without the Guru no one obtains spiritual knowledge or achieves salvation. Without the Guru no one can see Truth or have his doubts removed. guru bichara kya kare, sikhahi mahi chuk; bhawe tyon parmodhiye, bans bajaye phunk.

kabir khade bazar me, sabki chahe khair; na kahu se dosti, na kahu se bair.

Kabir says: "I stand in a market place and I desire the welfare of all.

I am neither related to anyone, nor am I an enemy to anyone." pachha pachhi ke karane, sab jag raha bhulan; nirpachh hoi ke hari bhaje, soie sant sujan.

People are divided into various groups (religions) and thus the whole world is misguided. Being impartial to the worldly groups (religions), one

apa taje aw hari bhaje, nakh sikh taje vikar; sab jiwan se nirbair rahe, sadhu mata hai sar.

Give up the pride of clan and caste and do devotion to God. Give up your faults (lust, anger, greed, etc.). Don't be an enemy to anyone. This is the basic principle of the saints. nindak niyare rakhiye, angan kuti chhawai; binu pani bin sabuna, nirmal kare subhaw.

Keep your critic close to you;

It is the grace of Guru that liberates you The cycle of birth and death, and all other pairs of opposites (pleasure and pain, love and hate, virtue and sin) are like mill stones, and a perSaint Kabir

son caught between them becomes crushed.

What can the poor Guru do if the disciple has faults? He gives knowledge but it becomes useless, just as a broken flute does not produce music. ek shabda guru dev ka, taka anant bichar; thake muni jan pandita, veda na pawe par.

The one word of Sat Guru gives limitless meanings. Munis and pandits became exhausted trying to find its meaning. Vedas cannot fathom its depth.

who performs the devotion to Almighty God is the true saint. chalti chakki dekh ke, diya kabira roi; dou patan ke bichame, sabut bacha na koi.

The cycle of birth and death, and all other pairs of opposites (pleasure and pain, love and hate, virtue and sin) are like mill stones, and a person who is caught between them becomes figuratively crushed. Liberation is obtained by transcending the pairs of opposites.

give him shelter in your courtyard.

Without soap and water he cleanses your character. manus janam durlabh hai, mile na barambar; pakka phal jo gir para, bahuri na lage dar.

Human birth is difficult to obtain, and you will not get it again and again. When a ripe fruit falls, it does not re-attach to the branch.

The 576th birth anniversary of Saint Kabir will be observed on June 2

mother of pearl, which is the basic reality. The illusion of the universe is based on the mind, which again is an illusion based on the still Awareness Being-Self. (Ch.2, v.35) In the unitary, undifferentiated still ocean of Existence-AwarenessSelf, body, senses, mind, intellect and jivas (embodied souls) are nothing but evanescent ripples not apart from that sole Self. (Ch.4, v.6)

Sahaja Samadhi, the state of Siva and the state of AtmanSelf, which scriptures proclaim by the title of Brahman. (Ch.5, v.26) There never was a mind nor any of its countless forms like world, jivas, etc. There isn't the least doubt that all these are the form of the eternally undifferentiable Supreme Brahman Self. This is the Truth. The one who hears this

blissful state of Brahman-Self, the condition of the Videha Mukta cannot be conceived, and much less expressed in words. (Ch.5, v.39) 13.

The continued repetition of 'I am Self-Brahman' constitutes the sole mantra-japa leading to Mukti (Liberation). All other mantra-japas connected with diverse gods should be firmly eschewed, as they aim at mundane objectives

Thoughts are brief ripples in limitless Self Are the senses anything apart from the mind?

Can they function without the support of the mind in which they are imbedded? What is this mind except a bundle of thoughts?

The universe of name and form, the embodied creatures and their creator, mind, desire, Karma (action), misery and everything other than the Self, are merely thought formations projected by the powers of the Self on its screen - Self. (Ch.5, v.25) 4 The state of firm abidance in that thought-free alert AwarenessSelf, constitutes integral perfection, yoga, wisdom, Moksha,

great secret diligently and understands completely, abides as Brahman-Self (Ch.5, v.28).

Greatness of Videha Mukta With all objective knowledge banished, with no trace of thought or nescience, with all the three states of waking, dream and sleep wiped out, with all thought of death and birth abolished, and ever established in the spontaneous

other than the Self. All other mantra-japas always entangle one inextricably in the bondage of worldly enjoyments. (Ch.6, v.37) On the eternal and infinite screen of Sat-Chit-Ananda Self Siva, by His own power, Sakti is projected as the moving shadow picture of the universe in manifestation and into that again it is absorbed in dissolution.

O Allah! If I worship You for fear of Hell, burn me in Hell, and if I worship You in hope of Paradise, exclude me from Paradise. But if I worship You for Your Own sake, grudge me not Your everlasting Beauty' -Rabia al Basri That which God said to the rose, and caused it to laugh in full-blown beauty; he said to my heart, and made it a hundred times more beautiful.

-Jalaluddin al-Rumi Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.

-Khalil Gibran Whenever you argue with another wiser than yourself in order that others may admire your wisdom, they will discover your ignorance.

-Saadi Only That Illumined One Who keeps seducing the formless into form Had the charm to win my Heart.

Only a Perfect One Who is always laughing at the word Two, Can make you know of Love."

- Hafiz Instead of resisting changes, surrender. Let life be with you, not against you. If you think 'My life will be upside down' don't worry. How do you know down is not better than upside?"

-Shams Tabrizi

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Pics Preeti Verma Lal

Cashew apple

A “

Preeti Verma Lal

pril is the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land." Poet TS Eliot opened his famous poem The Wasteland with vitriol on April. Had Eliot spent an April in Goa, he would have never tagged the month cruel. In April, the Goan air is redolent with the whiff of ripened cashew apples. Red. Orange. Yellow. Apples with a sole nut hanging precariously at the end of the swollen stalk.

The cashew apples stomped and the sweet juice fermented into alcoholic feni and urak; the nuts roasted as snack; the kernels used in the paint industry; its unsaturated oils rubbed on skin for moisture and smoothness. A white bean-shaped nut

capable of doing a million things.

Nearly 500 years ago, the Portuguese first brought the cashew tree to Goa. A tree that originated in Brazil and has pistachio and poison ivy as distant cousins.

Over years, cashew became Goa's main cash crop and the state is now one of the world's largest exporters of cashew.

In April, cashew lords over the country's smallest state.

And there is no better way to know all about cashew than Park Hyatt Goa's annual Cashew Trail, a week-long event that coincides with the cashew apple harvesting season.

The annual Cashew Trail is not

Cashew (kaju in Hindi) stems from the Portuguese name caju which itself is derived from the indigenous Tupian name acajĂş (literally, nut that produces itself).

Feni, an alcoholic beverage made of cashew apples, was listed by Time magazine as one of the world's Top 10 Ridiculously Strong Drinks

a dreary jaunt into history, a mere mishmash of facts. It rediscovers cashew in a million methods cooking classes with Executive Chef Saulo Bacchilega; cocktails lessons with mixologist Shatbi Basu; feni appreciation class where one learns to pour and nose the drink that was once listed by Time magazine as one of the world's Top 10 Ridiculously Strong Drinks; a Harley Davidson ride starting from the Madame

Rosa Cashew Farm in Valpoi and ending with barbecue and feni-infused cocktails at the Palms restaurant; cocktail-making clash; visit to a cashew factory to learn how cashew nuts are steamed, peeled, butter/salt-roasted as a snack; and a cashew-themed brunch as the grand finale.

At the Cashew Trail, time seems caught in a ritual of reenacting the glory and mystery of cashew and feni. For those 7 days, cashew and feni are dominant as deities. Everything else remains redundant. Obsolete.

Cont'd on Page 53

June 3, 2016

India Post 51 www.indiapost.com

Amitabh finds singing 'frightening' MUMBAI: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who has sung a song in his upcoming film "Te3n", says he was "frightened" to croon as he does not consider himself a singer. In the song "Kyun Re" from Bachchan's next, one gets to see his moments with the missing grand daughter, his equally suffering wife, his interactions with Vidya Balan who plays a cop and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who plays a priest in the film.

"It's always very frightening for me to sing a song because I am not a singer and especially when you have people like Clinton Cerejo (music director) sitting six inches away from you. Clinton did not want (the song) to be sung whole-heartedly," Bachchan said referring to the mood of the song.

Interacting with reporters here at the promotional event of "Te3n", the 73-year-old actor re-

vealed that he was shy of singing in public. "I am very self conscious, so I go to a studio which I am familiar with. Like I go to the late Aadesh Srivastav's studio. I go there and quietly sit with the recordist who knows me," he said.

For this song "Kyun Re" the actor recorded his part which was initially rejected by Clinton. "With the help of some friendly musicians, I do an impromptu singing, so I asked them to send the protunes and everything for the recording. Then I recorded and sent it back to them and it was destroyed. They said it's rubbish and you have to do it again," he said in a lighter vein. "(Director) Ribhu (Dasgupta) said he will send Clinton while recording. I told them don't send him, I will not be able to do anything.

Eventually, I succumbed to this pressure and then Clinton came to

the studio," he added.

Bachchan said he thought that the song was terrible. "But Clinton said don't worry‌You think it's terrible but when I go and work on my machine, it's going to sound great. So what you heard is a machine version. It's his version not what I sang. I sang very 'besura'," Big B said.

He revealed that it was Dasgupta's idea to come up with the song. "I felt it would be inappropriate for somebody of this nature to sing a song in the film.

But after listening to tunes and the words that Amitabh (Bhattacharya) narrated me, I felt to do it. We went ahead and did it," Bachchan added.

Reminiscing about the song he had sung in "Mr Natwarlal", Bachchan said a lot of things have changed today as far as recording a song is concerned. "The song

Bulimia, the 'Big B' of Richa

B

ollywood's outspoken ac tress Richa Chadha has come out in the open about her battle with bulimia, which began when she was asked to "gain weight, then lose weight, fix my nose and inflate my lips" for her showbiz journey - something which led her "confidence to evaporate".

She spoke about the eating disorders that exist among industry members - a "best kept secret" - at a TedX Talks, a platform that helps people share ideas that will motivate and inspire others.

Richa, who has found popularity with unconventional roles in films like 'Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!', 'Fukrey', 'Gangs Of Wasseypur' and 'Masaan', spoke about how she thought she was beautiful and intelligent as a child, but her selfconfidence took a beating when she headed out to chase her Bollywood dreams.

As a part of the TEDx Talks, Richa, whose latest release is 'Sarbjit', said: "Till I lived in Delhi, with my parents, I always felt beau-

tiful and intelligent. It was only when I became an actor that I felt my confidence evaporate.

"Self-doubt exists in everyone's minds. But I do feel actors have it a lot worse. We deal with rejection on many levels on a daily basis.

While we deal with civilian (yes, that's what I call people that don't work in showbiz) issues, w e also

have to listen to, in my cheeky humble opinion, people that aren't so blessed themselves tell you that you are very unsuitable looking."

Sharing some secrets, she said: "I was told I should gain weight, then lose weight, fix my nose and

inflate my lips, get a b**b job, lose the puppy fat, grow my hair out, or cut it, get highlights, or fake eyelash extensions, squat for a bigger b**ty, get fake gel nails, run in heels, wear spanx, pout while talking, focus on dilating the pupils, and listen attentively."I crumbled under the pressure like a wrecking ball had hit me." Bulimia, she said, was the "Big B" that she had to deal with.

"Anyone know what that is? It's when you consistently hate what you look like, and compulsively induce vomiting, throw up all the food you eat, accompanied often by binge eating, general anxiety and sadness and believing basically that you are unworthy." "What are the implications of it?

You become drastically unhealthy, low on nutrition, with lack of sleep and basically over time have little zest for anything at all. I hated myself, gained weight in a strange way and felt like a failure."

"Eating disorders are the best kept secret of showbiz."

(in Mr Natwarlal) was for kids. I sang it at the Mehboob Studio.

Now a lot of things have changed.

Now those kinds of studios are not there where 200 musicians would sit and compose the song," Bachchan said.

"I have heard that many times singers come, sing the

song and go away. They don't even know for which film they have sung the song, which director ‌ nothing is known. So these small changes have taken place, rest everything is same," he added.

"Te3n" narrates the story of a cop (Vidya Balan), a priest (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) and a vengeful man (Amitabh Bachchan) who investigate a kidnapping that is similar to an 8-year-old unsolved case.

"It's been a delight to work in this film. My character in the film is of one Anglo Bengali whose name is John Biswas.

He is old, weak, he is defeated and that's what Ribhu (wanted me to portray as a character," Bachchan said. "So whether it was my clothing, the way I move, the way I walk and spoke they were all supposed to depict a very weak defeated person," he added.

The upcoming thriller is set to be released on June 10. -PTI

52 India Post

June 3, 2016 www.indiapost.com

Once again, Indian Americans win Spelling Bee OXON HILL, Md.: If not for his high-pitched voice, there would be no way to peg Nihar Janga as the youngest-ever winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The 11-year-old breezed up to the microphone with confidence, and most of his words, he knew right away. He looked like the strongest speller onstage, stronger even than his eventual cochampion, 13-year-old Jairam Hathwar, a blue-chip speller whose older brother hoisted the trophy two years ago.

At his best, Nihar turned the tables on bee pronouncer Jacques Bailly by shouting out the definitions of his words as soon as they were announced. ``Biniou,'' Bailly said. ``Is this the Breton bagpipe?''

Nihar said.

After the crowd quieted, Bailly asked Nihar if he wanted the word used in a sentence. Nihar just shook his head.

But Nihar wasn't perfect, and he stumbled at just the wrong time - or perhaps the right time. Twice, Jairam missed a word, giving Nihar a chance to seal the title. Both times, Nihar followed up with his own flub. After each nailed his final two words, Nihar, from Austin, Texas, and Jairam, from Painted Post, New York, were declared cochampions. It was the third year in a row that the bee ended in a tie.

Bee organizers insisted they'd be OK with another tie, but they changed the rules to make it less

likely. Instead of a pre-determined list of 25 ``championship words'' for the final three spellers, the bee instead forced the top three to go through up to 25 rounds. And the difficulty of the words could be adjusted as necessary.

Third-place finisher Snehaa

denied afterward that he misspelled on purpose. He said he just didn't know the words. ``I wanted to win, but at the same time, I felt really bad for Jairam,'' he said.

Both were inspired by their favorite athletes. As the confetti fell,

Nihar Janga, 11, of Austin, Texas (left) and Jairam Hathwar, 13, of Painted Post, New York, (right) celebrate as co-champions during the 2016 Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center.

Kumar of Folsom, California, bowed out in the first championship round. Nihar and Jairam had to spell 24 words apiece before it was over.

Nihar and Jairam have grown close over the past year, communicating mostly online. They chatted while others were spelling, high-fived after their words and embraced after they won. The timing of Nihar's misses was almost too perfect to believe, and Nihar

Nihar crossed his arms in homage to Dez Bryant's touchdown celebrations. The Dallas Cowboys receiver responded with a congratulatory tweet.

Jairam, whose dad takes him to play golf when he's had enough spelling practice, channeled his favorite player, Jordan Spieth. ``When he hits a bad shot, he always bounces back, on the next shot or the next hole,'' Jairam said. ``When I missed those two words,

I didn't let them get to my head, and I just focused on the next word.''

It was the second straight year that a sibling of a past champion won the bee. Jairam's brother, Sriram, was a 2014 co-champion.

Sriram, too, got a reprieve when his co-champion Ansun Sujoe missed a chance at the solo title. ``Deja vu,'' Sriram said. ``I thought it was over, because Nihar is so strong, such a great speller.''

The words were as tricked-up as ever. Because the best spellers become fluent in Latin and Greek roots, the bee went to words from languages with less infiltration into English, including Afrikaans, Danish, Irish Gaelic, Maori and Mayan.

Jairam's winning word was Feldenkrais, which is derived from a trademark and means a system of body movements intended to ease tension. Niram won with gesellschaft, which means a mechanistic type of social relationship.

Among the words they got right: Kjeldahl, Hohenzollern, juamave, groenedael, zindiq and euchologion.

Each receives $45,000 in cash and prizes. Snehaa takes home $20,000 for finishing third, and Sylvie Lamontagne of Lakewood, Colorado, got $10,000 for fourth place. Snehaa and Sylvie are 13year-old eighth-graders who have exhausted their bee eligibility.

Nihar was in his first bee and would have had three more years of eligibility, but he can't compete

again since he won. This was the 89th bee, and while Scripps' records from early years are incomplete, the youngest known champion was Wendy Guey, who won 20 years ago at age 12. The last to win in his first attempt was Pratyush Buddiga in 2002.

Nihar said he didn't feel pressure to become the youngest winner for two reasons. First, he never expected to win. Second, most of the crowd's attention was on an even younger speller: 6-year-old Akash Vukoti. ``He did pretty good for a firstgrader,'' Nihar said. ``He's going to go places.''

Nihar and Jairam's parents are immigrants from south India, continuing a remarkable run of success for Indian-American spellers that began in 1999 with Nupur Lala's victory, which was later featured in the documentary ``Spellbound.'' The bee has produced Indian-American champions for nine straight years and 14 out of the last 19.

Both, too, want to be doctors: Jairam hopes to study medicine at Harvard, and Nihar aspires to be a neurosurgeon.

In the meantime, Sriram will have to find a new way to one-up his baby brother. ``We do definitely have our verbal fights, not physical,'' Sriram said. ``Now, I don't have that edge over him to say, `Oh, at least I've won the spelling bee.''' -AP

Children's film 'Dhanak' in book form NEW DELHI: Children's author Anushka Ravishanker's new book is a novel adaptation on the soonto-be released film 'Dhanak' by Nagesh Kukoonor, which has won multiple international awards so far.

A quest for 'unusual and interesting stories' led Anushka, an award winning writer and playwright herself who has written over 25 books so far, to attempt the novelization.

"There are some really unusual and interesting stories being told in children's films, which are very different from the kind of stories we find being written for children's books. It has often occurred to us that some of those films would make wonderful books," Anushka told PTI over email.

The Hindi film narrates the adventures a blind boy, Chotu, and his sister, Pari who are orphans and live with their uncle and aunt in a village in Rajasthan. Pari promises Chotu that he will have his eyesight back by his ninth birth-

day.

On seeing a campaign poster with Shah Rukh Khan that urges people to 'Donate Your Eyes, Pari starts writing letters to Shah Rukh Khan, asking him to give Chotu his eyesight. There is no reply, however and one day Pari hears that the superstar is in Rajasthan shooting for a film. The film shows the children embarking on a road trip to find him.

The film adaption, which was done in a record span of 7 days, says the author is something that doesn't seem to have been done before with children's films in India and she thought it would be an exciting thing to attempt.

Anushka is the co-founder of publishing house Duckbill Books, whose members heard about 'Dhanak' and contacted one of the producers who sent them a preview of the film.

"We saw it and thought it would make a great book.... So I wrote the book and we sent it to

press at record speed, in order to have it ready by the time the film was released!," she says. The book is expected to hit stands before the film, which has a sched-

uled release date of June 17.

While the author says she tried to remain as true to the film as possible, she introduced into the book elements that are not in the film that recreates the colorful and vi-

sually attractive scenes of Rajasthan.

"Of course, given the difference in form, there are elements in the book that were not in the film. I had to choose a Point Of View, I had to replace dialogue and visuals with interior monologue and description.

"I had to change the sequence slightly in a couple of places for similar reasons ... so that it's possible to read the book as a standalone novel.

But otherwise, the book is very faithful to the film," Anushka says.

While the film is narrated through Chotu's point of view, the book is told through Pari's point of view.

To understand the film and its

essence, the author spoke with director Nagesh to clear doubts, understand certain characters and motivations, clarify a few plot points and so on. One of the producers Elahe Hiptoola provided valuable feedback.

Anushka's interview with the film's two young protagonists is included in the book.

The children's author says adapting stories, of which she has done plenty like for example 'The Arabian Nights', is a lot different from writing a movie novelization as the latter had to stay true to dialogue and storylines, which is not a criterion for the former.

Anushka says it is the first among many future novelizations but in reality will depend on many factors.

"Finding a film that we think would work as a book, the owners of the property wanting to do this and things working out on the financial front. But in theory, yes, it could be!" says Anushka. -PTI

June 3, 2016

India Post 53 www.indiapost.com

Rising number of young in nursing homes QUAKERTOWN, Pa.: Travis Brown's third-floor apartment in Bristol Township may not be fancy. But for him, it represents something very important.

Freedom.

A little over a year ago, Brown had vastly different accommodations.

Estranged from his family and unable to care for himself following surgery to install a medication pump to control symptoms of cerebral palsy, Brown found himself living in a nursing home. He was only 28 years old. ``It's no place for a 28-year-old,'' said Brown. ``But it's better than living on the street. You had to do what you had to do.''

Brown stood out at the nursing home because of his youth, but his situation was by no means unique.

While the majority of nursing home residents are over 75, the number of young adults living in such facilities is on the rise. In 2014, 15 percent of nursing home residents were between the ages of 31 and 64, up from 10 percent in 2000, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

In Bucks County, roughly 7 percent of nursing home residents were in that age group as of February 2016, a number that has re-

mained fairly steady over the years, according to data provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. But in Montgomery County, the percentage of younger residents has jumped from 5 percent in 2000 to 18 percent this year.

Younger residents end up in nursing care often because they have no other options. Many have low-paying jobs or no jobs. Family members can't or won't take them in, because of financial difficulties, estrangement or the fact their homes aren't handicapped accessible. ``Primarily, the reasons we see (younger adults in nursing homes) is there's been a lack of available options for them to receive services in the community,'' said Lori Smetanka, executive director of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, a Washington, D.C., consumer advocacy group. ``What is available is very expensive, usually. What we've seen is that younger adults with disabilities have needed to enter a nursing home in order to receive the care and services they have not been able to get in other places, either due to cost prohibitions or because there's just not the availability in less restrictive settings.''

Younger adults who wish to move out of a nursing home often find the odds stacked against them, Brown said, because affordable housing is scarce. And affordable housing that's handicapped accessible is even harder to find. ``As soon as you say you're

Twenty-six-year-old quadriplegic Adam Martin works with physical therapist Wes Bower at the Sarasota Health and Rehabilitation Center, the nursing home where he lives.

disabled, to these apartment managers, when you mention the word `voucher,' they say, `click, can't help you,' `` said Brown.

While they get the care they need in a nursing home, young

Goa celebrates glory & mystery of Cashew Cont'd from Page 50

Almost everyone knows cashew's efficiency in the kitchen.

Not many know of its role as a beauty ingredient. During the Cashew Trail, one can get a Cashew Ritual spa treatment wherein the cashew kernels are used to slough off tan and dead skin; cashew paste slathered on skin and cling-wrapped; the session concluding with

Cashew Trail 2016 began with a Harley Davidson ride from Madame Rosa Cashew Farm in Valpoi, Goa

cashew oil massage and a swig of cashew nectar.

If Sereno seems too far from home, just crush cashew nuts and almonds for the Cleopatra-esque face mask. If you pay heed to the

adults like Brown say it's not the place for them. ``Nursing homes are really set up for older people,'' said Brock Eichenhofer, community outreach and development manager for JEVS Human Services, a Philadelphia nonprofit that provides ser-

wisdom of old-timers, they'll tell you that cashew nut oil is the perfect antidote for cracked heels and fungal infections.

At the Cashew Trail, one can overdose on cashew and defy TS Eliot. No, April is not the cruellest month. April brings along the goodness of cashew. April can never be cruel. Certainly not during Park Hyatt's Cashew Trail in Goa.

A female Harley Davidson rider at the beginning of 2016 Cashew Trail

vices to those with disabilities and others facing socioeconomic hardships. ``They don't specialize in (housing) younger people. It's a real culture shock, and depressing. They're going into this situation where the median age is, like, 85, and you're 28. They're not set up to deal with that. They've never been in that situation before,'' he added.

It took more than a year, but Brown finally found an apartment - thanks to help from Eichenhofer, who drove him from place to place until they found someone who would give him a lease.

JEVS offers a nursing home transition team that assists younger nursing home residents who want to live on their own. The agency works with residents at 51 nursing homes in Bucks and Montgomery counties. Last year, JEVS helped 27 people transition from nursing homes; so far this year, 20 have successfully graduated to independent living.

Eichenhofer has visited every one of the nursing homes involved in the JEVS program, often accompanied by his mismatched pair of therapy dogs, Emma, a labradoodle, and Bailey, a pit bull/ Bichon Frise mix. He said the dogs help break the ice with the nursing home staff and the residents he's there to help, as well as providing a comforting presence. ``They're always a big hit,'' Eichenhofer said of the dogs. ``Even the staff; it just changes

the whole mood in a nursing home.''

Resident Michele ``Mickey'' McCarthy Williams keeps treats in her room at Genesis Healthcare's Quakertown Center for the days when Bailey and Emma come to visit. In fact, the dogs were the reason she started talking to Eichenhofer in the first place. ``Let's put it this way, he's very nice looking,'' Williams said with a smile. ``I'm a little too old for him. But dogs, come on. Any animal is going to help (break the ice).''

Williams, 60, has lived in the nursing home for more than a year. It's her second time as a resident. While she lived independently for a time, she has used a wheelchair since her right leg was amputated due to complications from diabetes. ``I'm an ex-nurse,'' she said. ``It's hard to take orders from another person when you're 60 years old and they're 25. Nurses don't make very good patients, because we like to do it our way.''

Williams is now on a waiting list for affordable housing. ``I enjoy a lot of the people here,'' Williams said of the nursing home. ``And I love the help, too.

It's very nice. I might come to visit after I move out.''

While Williams turns 61 in June and will age out of the JEVS program, Eichenhofer said the nonprofit will continue to assist her until she's able to make the transition to independent living. Helping her will be easier than helping residents like Brown, because affordable housing for seniors is more widely available than housing for younger people with disabilities, he said.

And, Eichenhofer said, there are other hurdles nursing home residents face in trying to live independently.

Some move into nursing homes without proper identification, like a driver's licenses and birth certificates, which makes applying for services difficult, he said. And while housing vouchers are available for those with little income, rules for those programs differ, and there can be waiting lists.

Brown's voucher, for instance, is good only for housing in Bucks and Montgomery counties, and will expire after two years. ``There are vouchers that people can apply for,'' Brown said. ``But many people don't know about it. You don't know about them (programs) until you trip and fall over them.'' -AP

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India elections: Four States and five trends

India Post

DR D SUBA CHANDRAN

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he results of legislative assembly elections of four Indian states - two from South India (Kerala and Tamil Nadu) and two from the East (West Bengal and Assam) highlight the challenges for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to penetrate into all of India.

Barring Assam, where the BJP overthrew the long-standing Congress rule led by former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, in the other three states, the Party's performance has been marginal and insignificant.

In Kerala, it was able to win only one of the total 140 seats; and in Tamil Nadu, it could win none of 232 seats. In West Bengal, although it has secured more seats than in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, its tally of six seats out of 294, is insignificant.

Assam has been the only exception for the BJP. The unpopularity of the Congress rule (Gogoi had been the chief minister for the past three consecutive terms) and the BJP's sustained campaign should have tilted the voting in its favor. In the other three states, the BJP has never been strong (or even present strongly) despite its strong campaign. However, in terms of vote share, the BJP has made an important beginning.

Decline of the Congress Party The second major trend that should extremely be worrying for those who are watching national politics is the further decline of the Congress. While the BJP never had a strong presence in these states, the Congress always had a substantial contribution to the state politics, either as a ruling party, or as its coalition, or a strong opposition.

Barring Assam, its performance in all other four states has been pathetic in the recent elections. It managed to secure 26 of the total 120 seats in Assam; but its performance in Kerala, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu do not augur well either for the Congress's future, or for national politics.

National Parties and the Periphery The third major trend is an extension of the above two - the failure of national parties to have its presence in the periphery, and the relevance of strong regional political parties.

Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, along with Jayalalitha's All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and Karunanidhi's Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, signify the power of regional political parties.

While few nationalists project this as worrying factor, in a large multi-ethnic country such as India, strong regional political parties actually strengthen federalism by playing a crucial role in the national parliament.

At times regional political parties are accused of sabotaging national interests in terms of pursuing New Delhi's foreign policy vis-a-vis the neighborhood. New Delhi has to take into account the interests of Tamil Nadu visĂ -vis Sri Lanka and West Bengal vis-Ă -vis Bangladesh.

And this should be seen in a positive framework where the Centre accommodates and works with its periphery in framing foreign policy. Strong regional parties play a substantial role in strengthening federal fabric.

In a large federal country, it is important to have strong regional presence in the national parliament. All three (federation, regional parties and parliament) should have a symbiotic relationship for successful national governance.

Women Leadership The fourth trend in these elections is the continuation of women power. While other political parties were looking for alliances, Jayalalitha decided to fight on her own in Tamil Nadu.

Mamata Banerjee led the campaign in West Bengal for the TMC. With Mayawati in Uttar Pradesh and Mehbooba Mufti in J&K, India can boast of strong women leadership at the state levels. Significantly, they are outside the Congress family and did not come from a political dynasty. Mehbooba Mufti is the only exception. And none of the four women leaders belong to the BJP. All of them are extremely strong-willed and independent.

Strong women leadership, especially at the regional levels portends well not only for politics, but also for social equations. Predominantly a patriarchal society, South Asia needs strong women leadership, that

too evolving on their own and not from a political dynasty owing their rise to their fathers or husbands.

Mayawati, Mamata and Jayalalitha have evolved from the grassroots and should be seen as a part of social evolution and not through their family connections.

Male leaders not only respect leaders like Mamata and Jayalalitha, but also fear them.

Undoubtedly, there is an also an element of sycophancy.

For example, Tamil leaders refer to Jayalalitha as Amma (mother) and visibly carry her photo on their pockets and fall at her feet to take blessings. Such trends though do not portend well for democratic politics.

They are not only independent and strong, but also avowedly secular, liberal and even business friendly. On the negative side, they are known for their autocratic and arrogant attitude; and their earlier terms have also been marked with corruption.

Decline of the Left The fifth trend, which is an extremely worrisome, is the continuing decline of the Left.

Though the Left front has bounced back in Kerala, it has lost completely in West Bengal, which used to be its stronghold.

Of the total 294 seats for West Bengal, they came third with only 33 seats and that too below the Congress's 44.

The decline is not only taking place at the party level; there is a leadership and ideological crisis within. The fact that they had aligned with the Congress in West Bengal (while fighting them in Kerala) would highlight the hypocrisy within.

While the Left in South Asia is on the decline all over, such a trend does not portend well, as the Right has been increasing its electoral power in the Assemblies and muscle power in the streets. Given the need for a strong secular state and social equality between the classes, a declining Left bereft of a strong ideology is a disaster in waiting.

The Left in India has to blame itself for reaching this situation.

Preaching about Marx and harping on anti-American and capitalist critiques will not sell any further.

The writer is Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru

Pakistan isolated

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here are crazy people the world over. Perhaps there are more of them in Pakistan. One of them, nuclear scientist A Q Khan recently declared that his country has the ability to "target" the Indian capital in five minutes. He was speaking in Islamabad on the 18th anniversary of Pakistan's first nuclear test.

There is a sobering thought - if Donald Trump can become President of USA (he is trying hard), could AQ Khan also‌? Pakistan is less stable a country. Therefore it has attracted more focus and internationally is on the watch - lest in trying to blow itself up, it harms other nations also. Therefore the chances of Pakistan doing something silly is less than that of USA. Because everyone thinks the USA is a sane nation and therefore it is not so much under international watch. The US enjoys faith as it has been leading the world, so far.

Pakistan has been cock-a-hoop over its Gwadar port plans through the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) agreement.

Once complete, the port is seen to be opening up an energy and trade corridor from the Gulf, across Pakistan to western China, and could serve as potential Chinese naval base in the Arabian Sea. Since Pakistan does not allow transit facility from India to Afghanistan and thus to other Central Asian countries, India has hastened to sign the Chabahar port deal with Iran and Afghanistan.

Chabahar, near the Iranian border with Balochistan, provides India an easier land-sea route to Afghanistan, where it has fostered close security cooperation and economic interests over the years. New Delhi has already spent $100 million on building a 220-kilometre road in the Nimroz province of Afghanistan. The road will be extended to Chabahar.

The Chabahar port deal is worrying Pakistan's army. Two former defense secretaries at a seminar said the Chabahar alliance is a security threat to Pakistan and they feared that Pakistan is going into isolation.

Iran has meanwhile offered Pakistan and China to join in on the Chabahar agreement, saying the two ports should not be seen as rivals.

That should cook Pakistan's goat. If Pakistan and China can join the Chabahar port, why can't India join Gwadar? And if India can join Gwadar, there is a much easier alternative to do business through the Wagah border, and some other road openings. So, what is becoming apparent now is that in trying to block India, Pakistan itself is getting isolated. If India has found a route to bypass Pakistan, then Pakistan's strategy to thwart India has failed.

Interestingly, Pakistan's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has been reported as saying that Pakistan did not see Iran's Chabahar port as a rival and was in fact exploring the possibility of developing its links with Gwadar.

So that shows up the deep rift between the government and the Army of Pakistan. In New Delhi Pakistani envoy Abdul Basit was reported as saying that war was not a solution and only "foolish" people would consider such an option. He was commenting on nuclear scientist A Q Khan's boast of hitting New Delhi in five minutes. The envoy also said greater flow of trade between the two countries will bring overall prosperity to the region.

If that is the view of his government, why not grant "most favored nation" (MFN) status to India just as India has accorded to Pakistan? This will facilitate trade a great deal. That also seems to be the view of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is himself a businessman. Obviously, the government has been browbeaten by the Army to toe its tough stance towards India. The Chabahar issue is going to further deepen the rift between the two.

There is a possibility that the Chabahar port could be developed earlier than Gwadar going by reports of the hostility of Balochistan separatists to the CPEC project and the area teeming with Islamist militant groups.

June 3, 2016

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