India-Post_06-27-2014 by Ghanshyam Bisht

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Narendra Modi

Lawmakers seek Modi address to Congress Details on page 6

Bruce Rauner hits it up with Indians Details on page 16

VOL 19, No. 1032

June 27, 2014

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Periodical Postage

INDIA ALLOWS GREATER ACCESS TO IAEA Positive signal to US on civilian n-deal

NEW DELHI: Signaling the continuity of policy, the new government has ratified the Additional Protocol, a commitment given under Indo-US nuclear deal by the previous dispensation to grant greater ease to IAEA to monitor India's civilian atomic program. The Additional Protocol was ratified and this has been conveyed to the Vienna-based IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), the global watchdog of nuclear activities, sources told PTI here. The IAEA had in March 2009 approved an additional

protocol to India's safeguards agreement consequent to a pact reached with the agency the previous year to place its civilian nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards. That agreement had paved the way for the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to grant India-specific waiver for it to have commercial relations with other countries in the civilian atomic field. The waiver was necessary as India, despite being a nuclear-armed state, is not a signatory to the NPT. Details on page 5

Hindu prayer opens US House of Representatives Details on page 8

Meng calls for confirmation of Vivek Murthy Details on page 9

British Indian MP takes BBC issue to ministry Details on page 8

Imaging Center head arrested in Jersey City

India-born scientist wins World Food Prize

Details on page 17

Details on page 8

Delhi University VC Dinesh Singh resigns

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29 Classifieds ------------------------- 52

Details on page 6

Community Post -------------- 16-26 Date Book -------------------------- 50

INDIA POST SURVEY

Edit Page --------------------------- 54

survey@indiapost.com

HealthScience Post --------- 32-35

This week’s question

Horoscope ------------------------- 51 Immigration Post ------------- 44-46

Should Narendra Modi be invited to address US Congress? Last week’s result

Should NDA remove UPA Governors? YES 78%

NO 22%

Life Style ----------------------- 48-49

NEIGHBORS FIRST: In line with PM Narendra Modi's policy focus on India's neighborhood, a meeting of Indian envoys in SAARC countries, China, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan was called in New Delhi. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj (extreme right) is seen addressing the Heads of Missions Conference on June 23. Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh is also seen. (Details on page 6)

Philosophy ------------------------- 53 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 38-39 TechBiz Post ------------------- 12-15 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 40-43

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have been concerned about this issue for some time but haven't found the opportunity to express it so far. A recent release by the Sikh advocacy group United Sikhs made me sit up and take note once again of the epidemic-level drug addiction problem in Punjab, which I believe has ensnared nearly 75% of the state's youth between the ages 16-35. That's threequarters of the said demographic, so I take it as an effective loss of almost an entire generation of Punjab's potentially productive population. Recently, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported that Punjab is the second highest state of drug consumption in the whole of India, and has the highest per capita alcohol consumption in the whole world. But wait, that's not the scary part. The scary part is the seemingly irrevocable nexus between the drug suppliers from across the border, and the border security, the local police and administration in Punjab, which together are destroying what was once one of the richest and most advanced states in India. I don't care if it hurts sentiments, but here we have an entire community that simply refuses to move on from the - no doubt painful - past of Operation Bluestar and the subsequent violence against Sikhs in 1984, but is in complete denial of the systemic destruction of its youth at the hands of its own people. Here in the US our community raises millions of dollars to fill political coffers back in India to help elect corrupt politicians to power, but does little to educate and bring the hapless villagers in Punjab out of the clutches of this deadly scourge. Commendably, the United Sikhs has set up a fully equipped Drug DeAddiction Hospital in one of the villages. Although expected to serve thousands of affected villagers, it is not enough. Of what use our Gurdwaras if they cannot rise to take on this epidemic head on. Let us all contribute in cash or kind by working together to rid Punjab of drugs. It's never too late; let's do something now; let's save Punjab now.

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Shahid's new love Shahid Kapoor recently acquired a spacious and elegant ground-floor home alongside the Juhu beach.

Cover Story: Greater access to IAEA The new Indian government has granted greater ease to IAEA to monitor India's civilian atomic program.

Community: Ties with India Illinois Gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner has indicated he is all for improving business and cultural ties with India

Housing illegals The US administration is looking for additional space to house families caught crossing the border with Mexico illegally

Life style: Football girls Girls from poor families in N-E India are 'bending it like Beckham' in the hope that football will kick them out of drudgery.

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India allows greater access to IAEA Positive signal to US on civilian n-deal NEW DELHI: Signaling the continuity of policy, the new government has ratified the Additional Protocol, a commitment given under Indo-US nuclear deal by the previous dispensation to grant greater ease to IAEA to monitor India's civilian atomic program. The Additional Protocol was

the agency the previous year to place its civilian nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards. That agreement had paved the way for the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to grant India-specific waiver for it to have commercial relations with other countries in the civilian atomic

President Pranab Mukherjee, in his address to Parliament earlier this month, had said, "The international civil nuclear agreements will be operationalised and nuclear power projects for civilian purposes will be developed." ratified and this has been conveyed to the Vienna-based IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), the global watchdog of nuclear activities, sources told PTI here. The IAEA had in March 2009 approved an additional protocol to India's safeguards agreement consequent to a pact reached with

field. The waiver was necessary as India, despite being a nucleararmed state, is not a signatory to the NPT. The ratification is a signal by the Narendra Modi government to the world, particularly the US, that it is serious in continuing to implement the Indo-US nuclear deal.

This assumes significance since Modi is scheduled to travel to Washington to meet President Barack Obama in September. The sources pointed out that India wants to send a strong signal to the international community that it is a "serious and responsible" nuclear weapon state amid its keenness to become a member of the NSG. President Pranab Mukherjee, in his address to Parliament earlier this month, had said, "The international civil nuclear agreements will be operationalised and nuclear power projects for civilian purposes will be developed." As External Affairs Minister in September 2008, Mukherjee had given a commitment to the NSG on behalf of the government on peaceful uses of nuclear energy that was significant in ensuring the waiver. In its communication to the IAEA in July 2008, India had told the agency under the joint statement on "Implementation of the India-United States" in July 2005,

it will file a declaration regarding its civilian facilities with the IAEA and also place its civilian facilities under IAEA safeguards. "India will undertake signing and adhering to an Additional Protocol with respect to civilian nuclear facilities," it told the IAEA.

the Nuclear Fuel Cycle in Hyderabad, unit 1 and 2 and two more facilities in Tarapur in Maharashtra , units 1-6 of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station, units 1 and 2 of the Kudankulam and Kakrapar Atomic Power Station. The move will help in facilitat-

The Additional Protocol, signed between India and the IAEA on March 15, 2009, involves a high degree of scrutiny of nuclear facilities, including its reactors and fuel cycle sites by the inspectors of the atomic energy body. India has already listed 20 of its sites The Additional Protocol, signed between India and the IAEA on March 15, 2009, involves a high degree of scrutiny of nuclear facilities, including its reactors and fuel cycle sites by the inspectors of the atomic energy body. India has already listed 20 of its sites as agreed between the two. These includes six facilities in

ing multiple entries for the IAEA inspectors for conducting necessary inspections. Even the data transmitting that happens can be done with remote transmitting. Information about the nuclear exports would also be given to the IAEA so that cross verification could be done in an easier way. PTI

AI joins global grouping Star Alliance NEW DELHI: In a significant move, Air India has formally become part of the global airlines' grouping, Star Alliance, which would enable seamless travel to over 1300 destinations for the national carrier's passengers. Ending a seven-year-long wait, the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board (CEB), at its meeting in London gave an endorsement vote to induct Air India into the fold. "We are happy to note that Air India has become part of the Star Alliance. This is one of the biggest alliances in the world", Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju told reporters here. Air India's revenues may increase by 4-5 per cent by joining the Alliance, he said. With this, Air India becomes the first Indian carrier to join a global alliance, the largest one now having 27 member airlines in its fold. A formal induction ceremony would be held here sometime next month, for which Air India is getting a Boeing 787 Dreamliner and an Airbus A-320 - signifying its international and domestic operations - painted with the Star Alliance logo and livery. The move would help Air India passengers to access the alliance's global network of over 21980 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195

countries. The member airlines of Star Alliance together own a total of 4,338 aircraft and fly over 640 million passengers a year, many of whom can also earn and burn frequent flyer miles on the entire alliance network. On its behalf, Air India would

provide seamless connectivity to the passengers of Star partner airlines throughout its pan-India network. Star Alliance members include major airlines like US carrier United, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Air China, Air Canada, Swiss, Austrian, All Nippon Air-

ways, Thai and Turkish Airlines. For the past six months, Air India has been working to integrate all its systems, including flight schedules and ticket booking, with the Star Alliance's global network. The membership would result in several benefits for the airline's

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju looks on as Air India CMD Rohit Nandan and Star Alliance COO Jeffrey Goh shake hands during the announcement of Air Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s joining of Star Alliance, in New Delhi on June 24

passengers, including a hike in its share on the India-US route by about 20 per cent from about 13 per cent now within the first year itself. The India-US route being a key market for Air India, the membership would mean that its passengers traveling to the US would have easier access to many more cities there as they would be able to seamlessly travel on other Star Alliance member airlines flights going to America. Star Alliance CEO Mark Schwab had earlier said the grouping had long held that India was an important aviation market that should be fully represented. Observing that the Indian market was now showing signs of stabilization, he had said, "Today we see an Air India which has successfully completed its merger with Indian Airlines and is building up a new fleet that forms the basis for a much improved level of service." The national carrier was originally accepted as a future member of Star Alliance in December, 2007, but the integration process was suspended in July, 2011, to allow Air India to focus on completing its merger with Indian Airlines before fully integrating it into the alliance network.-PTI

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Swaraj holds meeting of India's top envoys

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the HOMs' Conference in New Delhi on June 23. Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh is also seen

NEW DELHI: India's top envoys from the neighboring countries held brainstorming sessions with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during which a variety of issues were discussed including economic diplomacy as well as the impact of Afghanistan presidential polls and withdrawal of NATO troops from the war-torn country.

The meeting was geared towards maintaining the momentum that was set in motion of giving priority to the neighbors by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he invited them to his swearing-in ceremony, the Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry said. Noting that the Prime Minister has made it clear that overriding priority for India was comprehen-

sive national development, he said the meeting was aimed at trying and working out measures by which the diplomats in this region can assist in that national endeavor. Asked about the presence of Indian envoys from Central Asian countries and if it was related to energy security issues, the Spokesperson said when the envoys are called, they discuss va-

Lawmakers seek Modi address to Congress WASHINGTON: Two powerful 20. leadership, the state of Gujarat has American lawmakers have sought Modi's predecessor flourished. a joint address to the US Congress Manmohan Singh was the last Home to a mere five per cent of by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Indian Prime Minister to address India's population, Gujarat now when he travels to Washington a joint session of the US Congress accounts for about 25 per cent of at the invitation of when he visited Indian exports. President Barack Washington in Poverty rates have fallen draObama. 2005. matically, and infrastructure has While no dates "We are writ- grown impressively, Royce and for Modi's US ing to request Holding said in the letter. visit have been that Mr Narendra Importantly, Prime Minister announced, it is Modi, Prime Min- Modi has promised to focus on widely expected ister of India, be private enterprise, reduce bureauto be around the granted the honor cracy, and strengthen trade ties UN General Asof addressing a with major partners, the two Consembly session, Joint Meeting of gressman said. held in New York, Congress when "Since 2001, US-India trade has Ed Royce in September. he travels to experienced impressive growth, Modi is exWashington, DC but our commercial relationship pected to visit the US at that time. this September. remains far below the scale of our Congressman Ed Royce, Chair"With more than 500 million markets. Prime Minister Modi's man of the House Foreign Affairs people voting in the recent Indian commitment to cut the red tape Committee, and Congressman election, it was both the world's that has long plagued our trade George Holding in a letter to largest demorelationship gives House Speaker John Boehner, re- cratic event and reason for hope quested that Modi be allowed to an historic mothat our economic address a joint meeting of Con- ment for India. partnership will gress. The US must now flourish," Royce "As you know, India is a criti- work closely with and Holding wrote. cal partner of the United States. Prime Minister "Prime Minister In every aspect - whether it be in Modi to Modi's visit to the political, economic or security re- strengthen the imUnited States will lations - the United States has no portant relationundoubtedly be a more important partner in South ship between the seminal event for Asia. It is not an overstatement two countries," the nation's viGeorge Holding to say that the US-India relation- they wrote. brant Indian ship will be one of the defining Optimistic that American commupartnerships of the 21st century," the mandate given to Modi will nity. We look forward to working Royce and Holding wrote to help India thrive economically, the with you to ensure that this trip is Boehner in their letter dated June two Congressmen said under his a success," the letter said. -PTI

riety of things including development partnership and economic diplomacy which was an important aspect. Apart from Indian envoys from SAARC countries, top diplomats from China, Myanmar and Afghanistan's neighborhood like Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan were also present in the meeting, which also dis-

cussed outcome of Afghan presidential election and likely implications of withdrawal of US forces from the war-torn country. During the day-long conclave, the first of its kind, Swaraj took stock of the current state of play in India's relations with each of the neighboring countries and set down the new government's priorities and approach.-PTI

Delhi University VC Dinesh Singh resigns NEW DELHI: Delhi University Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh has resigned apparently in protest against the UGC's direction to dump the controversial Four Year Undergraduate Program (FYUP) deepening the crisis ahead of the new academic session. A professor of maths, who has been Vice Chancellor for less than four years, Singh quit his post after the University and the UGC were set on a collision course over the FYUP, DU's media coordinator Malay Neerav said without giving details. The UGC had asked the DU to dump the four-year course and revert to the three-year structure. However, Singh is said to have resented the directive as encroaching upon the autonomy of the university and is believed to have quit on the issue after the HRD ministry washed its hands off asking the DU and the UGC to resolve the issue amicably. Principals of the colleges affiliated to the Delhi University decided to defer the admission process for the new academic session. The VC's resignation further deepens uncertainty over the admission process that involves the fate of over 2.7 lakh students clamoring for about 54,000 seats in 64

colleges. Soon after the news of resignation spread, there were celebrations in the university campus. Students danced to the beats of drums and teachers opposed to the four year course distributed sweets over their "victory". Delhi University Teachers' Association President and member

Delhi University Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh

of UGC's standing committee Nandita Narain welcomed the Vice Chancellor's decision saying he had no choice at all. "He had lost his moral authority to be in the seat altogether because his position became completely untenable," she said. Rejecting arguments that he stood for autonomy, Narain said it was the power of the UGC to decide whether a degree is recognized or not and no VC can challenge that.-PTI

June 27, 2014

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Hindu prayer opens US House of Representatives NILA PANDYA

WASHINGTON DC: It was a momentous day for a large number of Indian Americans when the US House of Representatives, one of the two chambers of US Congress - the other being the US Senate - had its session open last week with a Hindu prayer. Rajan Zed made history by reading the first Hindu invocation of United States Senate in Washington DC in 2007 and it was Zed again who delivered his prayer from Rig-Veda, world's oldest scripture, besides lines from Upanishads and BhagavadGita, both ancient Hindu texts. Reciting Gayatri Mantra, considered most sacred mantra in Hinduism, he read portion from Brahadaranyakopanishad, saying: "Lead us move from the Unreal (Asatya) to the Real (Satya); from darkness to light; from death to immortality". Reading from Bhagavad-Gita, he urged US Congressmen and Congresswomen to "strive constantly to

Presenting certificate of appreciation to Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, from left to right are: US Congressman Michael Honda, Rajan Zed, US House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, Raghu Sharma, Anita Sharma, Janak Dulari and House Chaplain Fr. Patrick J. Conroy. Pic courtesy South Asia Mail

serve the welfare of the world". He started and concluded the prayer with "Om", the mystical syllable symbolizing the universe. Wearing saffron colored attire, a ruddraksh mala (rosary), and traditional sandalpaste tilak

(religious mark) on the forehead, Rajan Zed sprinkled few drops of water from river Ganga of India, considered holy by Hindus, around the podium before the prayer. He presented a copy of Bhagavad-Gita to Congressman Michael Honda, who introduced

British Indian MP takes BBC complaint to ministry LONDON: An Indian-origin British MP who had lodged an official complaint with the BBC over its "one-sided" coverage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has now taken the matter to higher authorities in the UK. Priti Patel, appointed 'Indian Diaspora Champion' by Prime Minister David Cameron, had written to BBC Director General Tony Hall last month expressing her concerns over a 'Newsnight' program aired on May 16, the day India's general election results were declared. The program's editor has now responded denying any bias in BBC's coverage on the day but Patel termed the response "dismissive" and "smug" and has written to UK Culture Minister Sajid Javid. Patel, a Conservative Party MP from Witham, has also urged the Indian community in Britain to continue registering their complaints to the BBC. In a letter dated June 18, 'Newsnight' editor Ian Katz maintains that the coverage offered viewers a "broad and balanced" view on the elections. "The presenter Yalda Hakim referred to him (Modi) as a controversial figure because the Gujarat riots remain an issue which attracts controversy, but we were at pains to reference the

official verdict every time the matter was raised," he writes. This was in specific reference to Patel's objection to Modi being called "controversial" as she felt that by using this reference,

Priti Patel

"the BBC, who should be impartial, is giving acceptance to the political position of Modi's opponents rather than reporting objectively". "Our coverage on the night reflected the breadth of the story, the undoubted controversy surrounding Mr Modi and the positive reasons for his electoral success...I therefore reject your

suggestion that Newsnight in any way 'tarnished' the image of India," adds Katz in his letter. Patel, however, maintains that the coverage offended many Indians in the UK. "To continue representing the views of those concerns, I have written to the Secretary of State for Culture to ask that he raises the BBC's smug response directly with Lord Hall, and I urge all those concerned to continue writing directly to Lord Hall to demand better from the BBC," she said in a statement. Patel added, "While the response is extremely disappointing, it is not surprising that the BBC has dismissed the concerns of many within the world's Hindu community about its recent Newsnight coverage". "There is not the slightest hint of an apology to anyone that was offended, and there is no mention that BBC Newsnight will even consider changing the nature of its reporting when it is met with such deep disapproval. "The BBC should be ashamed of not only its shoddy journalism, but the way it responds to criticism. This response along with the program's coverage of the elections adds to the insulting way in which India and the largest democratic elections in the world have been portrayed," Patel said. -PTI

and thanked Zed. House members, employees and public were seen standing in prayer mode with their heads bowed during this invocation. Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, had received an invitation from

House Chaplain Reverend Patrick J. Conroy "to open the United States House of Representatives with prayer as our guest chaplain". This prayer was shown live on C-SPAN. He had read opening prayers in various State Senates and State Assemblies/Houses-ofRepresentatives, various County Commissions/Boards and City Councils all over the country. Zed was presented with certificate of appreciation by House Speaker John Boehner. Zed met and had dialogue with Honda, Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards from Maryland, Congresswoman Janice Hahn from California and House Chaplain Fr. Patrick J. Conroy. Later in the evening, Rajan Zed opened the Board of Aldermen of Frederick, second-largest city of Maryland, with its first Hindu prayer in 197 years of its incorporation.

India-born scientist wins World Food Prize WASHINGTON: India-born plant scientist Sanjaya Rajaram has been named the winner of the USD 250,000 World Food Prize for his breakthrough achievement in increasing global wheat production by more than 200 million tonnes following the Green Revolution. Rajaram's contributions in successfully cross-breeding winter and spring wheat varieties, which were distinct gene pools and had been isolated from one another for hundreds of years, led to him developing plants that have higher yields and a broad genetic base. More than 480 high-yielding wheat varieties bred by Rajaram have been released in 51 countries on six continents and have been widely adopted by small- and largescale farmers alike. "Rajaram's work serves as an inspiration to us all to do more, whether in the private or public sector," said US Secretary of State John Kerry at an event where he delivered the keynote address. "When you do the math, when our planet needs to support two billion more people in the next three decades, it's not hard to figure out: This is the time for a second green revolution," Kerry said. Rajaram followed Nobel Peace

Prize Laureate Norman E Borlaug at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, CIMMYT, leading its Wheat Program from 1976 to 2001. World Food Prize Foundation President and the former US Ambassador to Cambodia Kenneth M Quinn said the 2014 World Food

Sanjaya Rajaram

Prize Laureate is an individual who worked closely with Dr Borlaug in Mexico and who then carried forward and extended his work, breaking new ground with his own achievements. "We are grateful for the hundreds of new species of wheat Dr Rajaram developed, which deliver 200 million more tonnes of grain to global markets each year and feed millions across the world," Kerry added. -PTI

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Manmohan Singh's Swamy for discussion on contentious issues in SAARC immunity issue looked at BEIJING: SAARC should shed the rule "barring discussion on contentious bilateral issues" and agree to a larger role for China and the US to improve its functioning, senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has said. Founded in 1985, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) charter excludes "bilateral and contentious issues" from the ambit of deliberations, he said at a panel dis-

Pakistani participant, who asked whether Islamabad could raise the Kashmir issue at a SAARC meet that New Delhi has tried to stall since the beginning of the grouping. Acknowledging that it was a sharp question, Swamy said Pakistan could raise Kashmir issue at SAARC if Islamabad agrees not to raise it at the United Nations and other forums. "If the suggestion is that it can

Subramanian Swamy

cussion on regional cooperation in South Asia at the World Peace Forum here. Swamy, however, clarified that he is expressing his own views on the issue and not on behalf of the ruling BJP. His observation calling for an end to India's longstanding view that no bilateral contentious issues should be raised at SAARC evoked immediate reaction from a

be discussed only in SAARC, nowhere else, then there is no difficulty in discussing it. "But if Pakistan says no and wants to raise it at the UN and elsewhere, the meaning of it goes," he said. He mentioned former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had taken the "Kashmir issue" to UN and there were differences about the way partition was

handled. "Minus that, there is no room for dispute and even that we could discuss. But the commitment has to be from Pakistan - they are not going to discuss it anywhere else," Swamy added. Significantly, besides Swamy the panel comprised representatives from Bangladesh, China and Myanmar. None of Pakistani leaders and officials attending the meet former Prime Minister Shoukat Aziz, former Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar and former Joint Chief of Staff of Pakistan Army Ehsan-ul-Haq - were present at the discussion on South Asia. "We have bilateral problem that made SAARC look like an anemic body. We had a dispute with Pakistan on terrorism, they have issues with us on Kashmir. "We have problems with Bangladesh on infiltration, issues with Sri Lanka," he later told PTI elaborating his stand. He said the stiff rule not to let discussion on contentious bilateral issues made SAARC "toothless." USA, China, Iran, EU, and Myanmar have observer status in SAARC. Its membership includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Swamy said SAARC will play an important role under the new government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Neighbors come first in Modi's foreign policy. Modi said the civilization aspect that is Asia, neighbors, SAARC countries will come first followed by the US," he said. -PTI

Indian dentist fights to get license back after patient dies NEW YORK: An Indian-origin dentist, whose license was suspended in the US after a 64year-old woman died as he allegedly attempted to extract 20 teeth in one sitting, is fighting to get his license back. Rashmi Patel was performing the procedure on Judith Gan on February 17 when she gurgled and lost consciousness. The procedure included placing implants in the woman's mouth after removing the teeth. Patel was suspended in April following an investigation by the state Department of Public Health.

The State Dental Commission held its first day of hearings over Patel's license in Hartford, Connecticut, to decide whether or not the Enfield-and Torrington-based dentist will retain his license, the NBC Connecticut reported. Defense attorneys for Patel estimate the dentist has performed anywhere from 50,000 to 75,000 dental procedures throughout his career, but his decision making surrounding two cases in particular have put his practice and reputation on the line. Investigators allege that in one instance, Patel ignored pleas from his dental assistants to stop work-

ing and administer emergency medication to Gan, who was having 20 teeth extracted and six implants added. Gan suffered a heart attack during the procedure. She was rushed to a hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts, where she died a short time later. Another patient, a 55-yearold man, nearly choked to death allegedly on a throat pack while under conscious sedation in December. Other allegations include claims that Patel has allowed at least five medications to expire.PTI

WASHINGTON: A US court has asked the Department of Justice to respond by July 10 on the immunity issue of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a human rights violation case filed by a New York-based Sikh group.

Manmohan Singh

The Department of Justice had recently informed the Washington Federal Court that Singh as the prime minister had immunity in the US. But the Sikh for Justice (SFJ) group in response claimed that now that Singh is no longer the

prime minister of the country, he does not carry immunity. "Suing human rights violators in the US Courts is not a detrimental to the US Foreign Policy as portrayed by the Department of Justice in 'Suggestion of Immunity', rather it promotes the US agenda of respect for human rights," said attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor to SFJ. The court has asked the Department of Justice to respond by July 10 on the immunity issue of Singh, court documents said. The June 20 order of the Wa s h i n g t o n Court had granted rights group till August 18 to complete the service of outstanding summons on Singh. A Washington Court last September had issued summons against Singh, at the time of his Washington trip to meet US President Barack Obama. -PTI

Meng calls for Senate confirmation of Murthy WASHINGTON: A Democratic Congresswoman from New York has asked the Senate to confirm Indian-American Dr Vivek Murthy as the Surgeon General of the US. "It was an honor to meet with Dr Murthy and hear about his vision for addressing the health needs of Americans. He is an outstanding nominee and I urge the Senate to confirm him," Congresswoman Grace Meng said. If confirmed, Dr Murthy would be the first ever Indian American to occupy the top health official job in the country. Nominated by US President Barack Obama several months ago, his confirmation is being held in the Senate because of opposition from a section of the Senators under the influence of

the powerful gun lobby. The White House said that Obama will not withdraw his nomi-

Dr Vivek Murthy

nation. Meng met with Murthy as part of a meeting he held with the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). -PTI

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UK firm honors Sachin Tendulkar with rare coin LONDON: Britain's premium luxury goods brand East India Company has issued an exclusive legal tender gold coin worth 12,000 pound sterling in honor of Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. The rare coin has been issued in honor of Tendulkar's remarkable career spanning 24 years. "Only 210 gold coins, each weighing precisely 200g, are being issued to pay tribute to Tendulkar at a global level. Only very few will ever see this coin in the flesh, making them exceptionally rare and precious amongst thousands of fans who yearn to own a piece of the superstar's legacy," the London-based firm said in a

statement. "Every single 200g coin issued is a masterpiece in its own right. Exclusively presented in a custom made presentation box the coin is accompanied by an individually numbered and personally signed certificate of authenticity along with an autographed cricket bat by Sachin Tendulkar," it added. Tendulkar said he was honored by the recognition. "All my life, I have had a dream of playing cricket for India. I am very fortunate to have lived this dream for the last 24 years. I am honored to be recognized with the issue of these special coins, which have been impressively designed with a lot of thought," Tendulkar said. The issue of a 'legal tender' coin is an official mark of distinction given to individuals who have accomplished great achievements in human history. The design of the coin has been handcrafted in great detail by one of the world's most renowned coin designers Joaquin Jimenez, currently the Chief Engraver at Monnaie de Paris. The canvas of the coin shows the latitude lines of the globe modeled in cricket stitching to represent the international stage of cricket. The Gateway of India features to denote Tendulkar's home city of Mumbai, where he started and completed his illustrious career. The cricket icon himself and his 200th Test milestone are symbolically represented by Tendulkar's autographed bat, helmet and the number 187 which he wore during his 200th and final Test at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in November 2013, where he announced his retirement cheered on by thousands of his devoted fans during an emotional farewell. Sanjiv Mehta, CEO of the East India Company, said, "Historically precious metal formed an important part of The Company's trading activities. We have been issuing our own gold and silver coins for centuries and began to do so again in 2010. "EIC originally introduced cricket to the Commonwealth, then the British Empire, and it made immense sense for us to issue a coin for this special occasion. We feel honored to have been given the opportunity to pay tribute to one of the Greatest Cricket Players of all time. The Mumbai-born entrepreneur had acquired East India Company from 33 different shareholders and has spent five years to reposition the company associated with the British Raj as a modern day luxury brand. Its first flagship 'Fine Food' store in Mayfair in the heart of London was launched in August 2010 and the company is now poised for expansion across the luxury real estate and restaurant sector in India. The EIC is a multi-channel business dealing with fine food, precious metals, hospitality, publishing, fashion, art and jewelry. The Sachin Tendulkar 'Limited Edition' coins are available to purchase from the East India Company's official website. -PTI

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Hindus, Sikhs in Afghanistan Indian guilty in $ 200 mn credit card fraud feel neglected KABUL: Frustrated at being discriminated in their home country, Hindus and Sikhs here feel they have been treated "like a football" between India and Afghanistan, as they hope the Indian government will bail them out. Seeing followers of religions other than Islam is a rare sight here but some Sikhs and Hindus who have been living here for generations have kept alive their traditions and faith but life has not been easy for them. They are Afghanis but their survival is under threat hence they want India to recognize them and provide them opportunities to work and settle within their community in India. "Our forefathers came here many years ago and dominated economy but situation for us has now worsened and we are facing very hard time, harassment and discrimination in daily life from the people here. We have no job opportunity, no work, no education for children, no authority and we live in a terrifying situation," Rajendra Singh, a Sikh man who

is a herb trader, told PTI. "Our children face discrimination in education. They cannot play outside the home. We are poor people and cannot afford private education. I want my children to be educated so I managed

Indira Kaur, a mother of three children, said, "People here disrespect and want us to adopt Islam that we cannot do. They harass us and sometime forcibly take away our children to go to India two years back but the experience was bitter and we were forced to come back," he said. Singh, who lives in a rented accommodation with three other Hindu families, said that local government does not help them and

the Indian government also does not recognize them, leaving him with an uncertain future. "We are like a football between India and Afghanistan. India says you are Afghani and Afghanistan also questions our existence here. Now our only hope is from the government of India because our forefathers came from there," a seemingly frustrated Singh said. Indira Kaur, a mother of three children, said, "People here disrespect and want us to adopt Islam that we cannot do. They harass us and sometime forcibly take away our children, saying the kids belong to them. We are completely unsafe." Kaur said she went to India in the hope of good days and bought school bags and books for her children but her dream was shattered when they were compelled by Indian authorities to leave the country in a few months. She and other women grow vegetables inside the rented campus so that they can avoid going outside. -PTI

India initiative 'Mobile Seva' wins UN award UNITED NATIONS: An initiative conceptualized by Indian government's Department of Electronics and Information Technology to enable delivery of public services electronically through

the mobile platform has been awarded a United Nations public service award. 'Mobile Seva', a nationwide initiative conceptualized, funded and implemented by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), is among

the second place winners of the 2014 UN Public Service Awards, along with Bahrain, Brazil, Cameroon, Republic of Korea and Spain. The vision of Mobile Seva is

to mainstream mobile governance in India as a new paradigm for edelivery of public services through mobile devices. It leverages the massive penetration of mobile phones in India to substantially enhance access to electronic services, especially in the

rural areas. It benefits the poor, illiterate, disabled, elderly, and the women in accessing e-governance services as access to mobile phones is much higher in these segments of the population as compared to access to the internet. The main objectives of the initiative are to be a one-stop solution for all mobile-based public service delivery needs through mobile-based channels, including SMS, voice/Integrated Voice Response System and mobile applications, a statement said. UN Awards and Forum celebrate public service initiatives innovating governance for sustainable development and people's well-being. "The annual observance of Public Service Day highlights the invaluable contributions of public servants and administrators in our efforts to build a better world for all," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement. "At a time of complex and interdependent global challenges, effective governance and efficient public administration are central to meeting our development goals.-PTI

NEW YORK: An Indian busi- scheme, US Attorney Paul nessman, involved in USD 200 Fishman said. He may have to pay million credit card fraud schemes, a 250,000 dollar fine. has pleaded guilty to his role in The scheme involved a threethe conspiracy and now faces a step process in which the defenpenalty of 15 years in prison. dants would make up a false idenThe banking fraud is one of the largest ever prosecuted by US federal authorities businesses and financial institutions. The guilty, Vijay Verma (46) of New Jersey, is scheduled for sentencing in September. Vijay Verma, who owns a store, pleaded guilty before US District Judge Anne Thompson in Trenton federal court to an in- Participants in the formation charging him scheme doctored with one count of access credit reports to pump up device fraud. Verma was indicted in the spending and October 2013 as part of a scheme to fabricate more borrowing power than 7,000 false identities associated with the cards to obtain tens of thousands of credit cards. Participants in the scheme doc- tity by creating fraudulent identitored credit reports to pump up fication documents and credit the spending and borrowing profile with the major credit bupower associated with the cards. reaus. They then borrowed or spent They would pump up the credit as much as they could, based on of the false identity by providing the phony credit history, but did incorrect information about that not repay the debts causing more identity's creditworthiness to than 200 million dollars in con- those credit bureaus and then run firmed losses to businesses and up large charges. financial institutions. Verma admitted that he allowed These debts were incurred at others who came to his Jersey City Verma's jewelry store, where he store to swipe cards which he would allow fraudulently obtained knew did not legitimately belong credit cards to be swiped in phony to them. Verma would then split transactions. the proceeds of the phony transVerma became the 18th con- actions with these along with spirator to admit his role in the other conspirators. -PTI

Indian-born wrestler in Oz team for CWG MELBOURNE: The Australian women's wrestling team for this year's Commonwealth Games has an Indian connect to it with the Punjab-born Rupinder Kaur making the cut in the three-strong squad for the July 23 to August 3 event Glasgow. Kaur will compete in the 53kg division. In an interview to SBS Punjabi radio channel recently, Kaur said she is set to compete internationally for the first time. "This is the first time I am participating in an international game for Australia as I did not have my permanent Australian residency," Kaur said. Kuar, who migrated to Austra-

lia seven years ago from Punjab, said she had won many gold medals in several National Games in Australia. "I was born in Patiala. I was into Judo and played national level competition at school," Kaur disclosed. "However, my coach encouraged me to join wrestling. I took part in all national games in Australia including Australian cup and have won Gold Medals," she said. "Everyone in my family and friends have always been very supportive. They have always encouraged me and have been happy to see my success in the game," she said. -PTI

Tech News Indian-origin bank worker sues ICICI UK LONDON: An Indian-origin bank worker who claims she suffered severe back injuries from lifting heavy boxes at ICICI's London branch is suing the Indian private lender for over 1.5 million pounds in the High Court here. Shilpa Pattani, who worked in the marketing department of the bank's flagship Knightsbridge branch between 2007 and 2009, told a court at a hearing that she has been left in "unbearable pain" after moving boxes of promotional brochures that had been "dumped" on and around her desk. The 32-year-old is asking High Court judge, Justice Phillips, to order her former employers to pay her damages she values at over 1.5 million pounds, according to 'Evening Standard'. This compensation demand includes more than 1 million pounds in lost earnings as her back problems forced her to quit in June 2009. "I was sick of the lifting. I was asked to put things into the marketing cupboard at different heights. I sent an email to my manager saying 'stop dumping things around my desk, on my desk and on the floor round my desk, because it's hurting my back'. My manager was ignoring those requests," she claims.-PTI

Modi govt to present Budget on July 10 NEW DELHI: The Budget session of Parliament will be held from July 7 to August 14 and the first General Budget of the Narendra Modi government will be presented on July 10. The Rail Budget will be presented on July 8, while the Economic Survey will be released on July 9, the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) decided at a meeting held in Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu's chamber in Parliament House. The CCPA, headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, decided that bills to replace ordinances, including the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities (Amendment) Ordinance, the one on Polavaram project, the TRAI Act (Amendment) Ordinance and the one on SEBI, will be brought on a priority basis for consideration in the session, official sources said. The over month-long session will have a total of 28 sittings.-PTI

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Shaida Mohammad Abdali, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to India after being honored at Export Excellence Awards - 2014 function in Bengaluru

Tatas to build Dornier aircraft with Swiss Ruag Aviation HYDERABAD: The Tata Group has said it aims to bring out a fully built aircraft for Ruag Aviation makers of Dornier 228 new generation aircraft, parts of which are to be made in India by TASL. Tata Advanced Systems Ltd held ground breaking ceremony here for manufacturing Dornier 228 fuselage and wings. The Tata-Ruag partnership is a glowing example of cooperation between India and Europe, TASL Chairman S Ramadorai said. "It is our belief that this project is a significant step forward in India's growth as a high technology, precision, manufacturing destination. Ruag has entrusted the Tatas to deliver its showcase product, the Dornier 228, at world-class standards of precision and quality," he said. "Our vision is to work with Ruag in having a full aircraft, equipped with systems flying out from a Tata final assembly. This will be of significant importance to the Indian Armed forces in their desire to produce products locally," he said at the function. Within five years, TASL has become a significant player in the Global Aerospace market by delivering successfully over 70 Sikorsky S-92 cabins, and deliv-

Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao at the ground breaking ceremony of two new investments in Aero Space Project Advance systems in Hyderabad

ered Empennage and Center Wing Box for the C-130 J aircraft through its separate JV with Lockheed Martin, Ramadorai said. It has also made Hyderabad a premier manufacturing destination for Global OEMs, he added. The Ruag project is the fourth Aerostructures unit to be set up

by TASL since 2009 in Hyderabad and the products of all the units are 100 per cent exported. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, chief guest of the function, said the government will soon announce new industrial policy and consultations with stakeholders are underway.

"The goal is to make the Made in Telangana label as a globally recognized brand for its quality and innovativeness," Rao said. The city - host to many research and development bodies such as DRDO, DRDL, Midhani and BDL - is ideal for setting up aerospace industries, he said. -PTI

Ratan Tata gets doctorate from Canada varsity TORONTO- Former Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata has been conferred an honorary doctor of laws degree by Canada's prestigious York University for his achievements in promoting innovations, exemplary leadership and corporate social responsibility. The honor was conferred upon him at the 2014 spring convocation of York University's Schulich School of Business by Chancellor of the varsity Gregory Sorbara, who praised Tata for making his companies a "Global Power" and described him

as a "Great Architect of Modern India", a University website post said. "I just want to tell you that I am deeply indebted and deeply moved to receive this honor that you have bestowed," Tata said while accepting the honor. "I had no idea that this university and this business school (Schulich School of Business) had done the various things that moved beyond the shores of Canada to reflect the internationality of the world we live in today. I thank you and cherish," he said. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 14

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Adani completes acquisition of Dhamra Port NEW DELHI: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has said it has completed the acquisition of Dhamra Port in Odisha from Tata Steel and L&T Infrastructure Development Projects (L&T IDPL). "APSEZ has completed the ac-

quisition of 100 per cent stake in the Dhamra Port Company Limited from L&TIDPL and Tata Steel," it said in a filing to the BSE. In May, it has executed a pact with both the companies to acquire the Port for about Rs 5,500 crore.

Gautam Adani

"The Dhamra port acquisition now gives us an opportunity to replicate the development and phenomenal growth of the Mundra port on the eastern coast of India and thereby continue to execute on our pan-India strategy," Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group has said last month. An equal joint venture between L&T IDPL and Tata Steel, Dhamra Port Company Ltd (DPCL) was commissioned in May 2011 with an 18-km approach channel and a dedicated 62.7 km rail link to Bhadrak. The port handled 14.3 million tonnes of cargo in 2013-14. DPCL, the operator, had been awarded a concession by the Odisha government to build and operate the port on Dhamra River in Bhadrak district for 34 years, including four years for construction. The concession period may be extended by two additional terms of 10 years each. The first phase construction, at an investment of Rs 3,200 crore, started in March 2007. Following the acquisition, the second phase of development will be initiated within 90 days and completion targeted in 30 months, Adani Ports has said.

Biocon chief gets Kiel's Global Economy Prize BANGALORE: Biotech major Biocon has said its Chairperson and Managing Director Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has been awarded the Kiel Institute's most coveted '2014 Global Economy

upon individuals who have been pioneers in finding solutions to global economic problems by strongly influencing and implementing economic or trade systems based on individual initiative

ing and economic education. Biocon said the annual prize is awarded to three individuals: A high ranking policy maker, a renowned economist and an outstanding entrepreneur. This year's winners are - Politics: H.E. Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President of Liberia; Economic Sciences: Prof Richard H Thaler, the University of Chicago; Business: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. Noting that MazumdarShaw is the first Indian woman and the fourth Indian to be conferred this prize, the release said previous honorees include Amartya Sen, Nobel laureate in Economics (2007); Baba N Kalyani, Chairman of Kalyani Group (2009); and Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti From left: US economist Richard Thaler, Liberiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Group (2009). and Indian entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw pose for the media after being Accepting the award, awarded with the 2014 Global Economy Prize of the Kiel Institute for World Mazumdar-Shaw said "I am Economy, in Kiel, northern Germany on June 22 honored to receive this prestiand responsibility, Biocon said in gious award and consider it a great Prize' for Business. She was honored at the a statement. privilege to be in the company of The Kiel Institute for the World great economists, world leaders institute's 100th anniversary celEconomy is an international cen- and entrepreneurs. I thank the Kiel ebrations at Kiel in Germany. The award, established in 2005 tre for research in global economic Institute for awarding me with 'The by the Kiel Institute, is bestowed affairs, economic policy consult- Global Economy Prize 2014'." -PTI

"The expansion will allow the Dhamra port to exceed 100 million tonnes of cargo capacity by the year 2020 and therefore allow Adani Ports to fulfill its stated vision of becoming a 200 million tonne ports business well before the year 2020," it has said.

in the joint venture at an attractive valuation," Tata Steel has said earlier. Tata Steel has entered into a long-term cargo handling pact with DPCL to secure long-term requirement and access to a deepwater port for its operations in

Adani Ports is country's largest port operator with its flagship Mundra Port in Gujarat being the largest commercial port in India. "As part of Tata Steel's review of its investments portfolio, board of the company has approved the divestment of its equity holding

Jamshedpur and Odisha, it has said. Mundra, the largest port in the country, recently crossed the 100 million tonne mark in annual cargo handling. The Adani group owns five ports and is developing ports in Kandla and Ennore.-PTI

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Hindustan Zinc to build 30,000 toilets in Rajasthan NEW DELHI: Hindustan Zinc, a Sesa Sterlite company in zinclead-silver business, says it has inked a pact with Rajasthan government to build 30,000 rural toilets for families below poverty line under 'Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan'. "The construction of these toilets will be completed in three years. This initiative will make 80 rural and tribal villages in Rajasthan 'Open Defecation Free'," the company said in a statement. It said it has started the construction of these toilets in Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and Udaipur districts of Rajasthan and so far construction of 8,000 toilets has been completed. These newly constructed toilets will minimize the risk of contamination of drinking water sources thus reducing the health

related problems in rural India. "Under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan, cost of construction of

each toilet is Rs 8,500, where Rs 4,600 per toilet is being paid by government, Rs 3,000 by

India to get Swiss bank detail; SIT to act ZURICH/NEW DELHI: India's efforts to crackdown on black money stashed abroad got a major boost with Switzerland readying a list of Indians suspected to have un-taxed money in Swiss banks, while Special Investigation Team constituted by Indian government promised action if any illegality is found. The names of certain Indian individuals and entities came under the scanner of the Swiss authorities during an ongoing exercise to identify the real beneficiary owners of funds held in various banks operating in Switzerland, a senior Swiss government official told PTI. The list of such persons and entities is being shared with India, while further details would also be provided in due course and all necessary administrative assistance would be made

available as well, he said. Reacting to the development, Justice M B Shah, who is heading the SIT on black money in India, said that the list would be verified and action would be taken against

Justice M B Shah

those found to have kept unaccountable money. The Swiss government official refused to divulge the identity of the concerned entities as also the

quantum of funds involved, citing the confidentiality clause of the information exchange framework between India and Switzerland. He, however, said that they are suspected to have held untaxed money in Swiss banks through structures like trusts, domiciliary companies and other legal entities based out of countries other than India. The Indian link of these entities came to the fore after enquiries by the banks and regulatory authorities about the source of the funds and the beneficiary ownership of such accounts. The development comes at a time when the official data published by Switzerland's central bank, SNB, has shown that Indian money in various Swiss banks rose by 43 per cent during 2013 to close to Rs 14,000 crore, while including the money held directly by Indian clients and those through fiduciaries or wealth managers. -PTI

Ratan Tata gets doctorate from Canada varsity Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 12

Tata, who travelled to Toronto to receive the honor, was among the 12 recipients of honorary doctorate from York University. The former Chairman reminded the graduating 500 students about their responsibilities as they step into what he termed "a troubled world full of conflicts and dis-

putes". Expressing hope of bringing India and Canada closer, Tata said there were "millions of people who are less fortunate". Commending Tata's contributions, Mamdouh Shoukri, President and Vice Chancellor, said he had made remarkable contributions in promoting business, innovations and social responsibil-

ity. Chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, Tata Industries, Tata Motors, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals, Ratan Tata was the chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, from 1991 until his retirement in December 2012. Tata was honored India's second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2008. -PTI

Hindustan Zinc and Rs 900 by the beneficiary. The project will result in not

only safety of women during late hours as they will not have to go out but will also improve good hygiene practices and create awareness towards health & sanitation. "This project of constructing toilets has been undertaken by Hindustan Zinc with an objective to provide clean and hygienic house-hold toilets to the BPL families and discourage and eventually eliminate open defecation practices in the villages. Hindustan Zinc would be spending about Rs. 8.6 crore towards construction of these 30,000 toilets," said, Head, Corporate Communication, Hindustan Zinc, Pavan Kaushik. According to a UNICEF report, at present only 48 per cent of rural Indian population has access to good toilet and sanitation facilities. -PTI

Cellphone weather alerts a 'game changer' MADISON, Wis.: When parts of Wisconsin were under tornado warnings, many state residents, including Gov. Scott Walker's wife, learned of the severe weather danger through their cellphones. Wisconsin Emergency Management spokesman Tod Pritchard said the system that provides those weather alerts has been a â&#x20AC;&#x153;game changer'' when it comes to keeping people safe. ``It gets (information) to a device that is right on millions of Americans,'' Pritchard said. The Wisconsin State Journal reported that tornado warnings and broadcast alerts might have been enough to get a severe weather warning out to the public 10 years ago. But an aging population might not hear those warnings, and a person watching Netflix wouldn't see an alert on television, said Laura McLay, a University of Wisconsin-Madison professor and systems engineer. Pritchard and others said the cellphone alerts are a good supplement to warning systems that are already in place. Today's phones come with the emergency alert system built in. When there's an emergency - such as a tornado, a missing person or a hazardous materials spill cellphones buzz and ring with special tones. Because the messages are sent to every cellphone in the affected area, a resident will get

information even if he or she is away from home. Still, the system has limits. Pritchard said the messages can't be longer than 90 characters, so it's best to think of them as an initial warning to take cover, then use a weather radio to find more information. In addition, cellphone models that are a few years old won't get the alerts. And, if a user is in an area without wireless coverage, or if the

cellphone battery dies, the alerts won't go through. David Janda, assistant director of Dane County Emergency Management, said getting alerts from multiple sources - hearing the tornado siren and feeling your phone buzz in your pocket - might help people realize they need to pay attention. ``The more different methods that people get that information, the more likely they'll heed it,'' Janda said. ``It's the reinforcement that really gets people to act.'' -AP

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UK warns against dealing with Gujarat firm LONDON: British financial sector regulator FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) has warned against dealing with a Gujaratbased company after it found it to be carrying out consumer credit business in the UK without authorization. "We believe this firm has been carrying out consumer credit activities in the UK without our permission or authorization," the FCA said in a public advisory about the firm operating under the name BBC Debts.com, based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The regulator further said that there was a need "to be especially wary of dealing with this unauthorized firm". As per details available on the website of the company, BBC Debts claims to offer "government backed schemes" to help anyone who is finding it difficult to make their monthly debt payments in the UK and it does not charge anything for its service. BBC Debts further said that it

arranges help from qualified debt advisers, whose advice "is completely free of charge. However, depending on the route you decide to go after the advice is given you may incur charges such as bankruptcy which is usually the

In its advisory, FCA said that "almost all firms and individuals carrying out consumer credit activities in the UK have to be authorized by us.â&#x20AC;? last resort but this incurs a fee payable to the courts of 500- 700 British pounds". In its advisory, FCA said that "almost all firms and individuals carrying out consumer credit activities in the UK have to be authorized by us.

"However, some firms act without our permission or authorization and some knowingly run scams. This firm (BBC Debts) is not authorized by us but has been targeting people in the UK." According to estimates, outstanding personal debt in the UK stood at over 1.4 trillion British pound at the end of April and average household debt, excluding mortgages, was at a 6,100 British pound. Debt advisory services is a popular financial sector activity in the UK, but the companies need to register with FCA. At the same time, some entities, pretending to be from firms authorized by regulators, often make cold calls and offer zero or low fees to lure debt-laden individuals in the guise of debt advice/counseling. There have been many cases where debt-laden individuals fall for these offers, forcing financial sector regulators to take strict action against erring companies and caution the public. -PTI

Georgia aims for more electric car charging stations ATLANTA: Georgia employers are being encouraged to install charging stations to remove a major hurdle preventing their workers from buying electric cars. Georgia already is the state with the second-largest number of electric cars, notes Don Francis, executive director of Clean Cities Georgia. Each month, 1,000 more

hit Peach State roads. ``We won't soon catch California, but we're leaving every other state in the weeds,'' he said at a seminar the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce recently hosted for employers. But 80 percent of those cars are in five metro Atlanta counties, ac-

cording to Ben Echols, program manager for electric transportation at Georgia Power. ``How do we take that success to Savannah, to Macon, to the rest of the state?'' he asks. Gov. Nathan Deal's administration is formulating incentives to encourage construction of charging stations, which run about $15,000 each installed. But Georgia employers like Coca-Cola, Georgia Power, Cisco Systems and TOTO USA have already done it, either because their workers requested it or because of a corporate environmental goal. Coke has the most stations with 85, all in Atlanta. ``We'd like to thank the state of Georgia and the federal government for helping us out,'' said Eric Ganther, transportation planner at Coke. ``The tax incentives are, of course, very helpful and key to making this work.''-AP

Desi News Celebration of classical and world dances in SF ARCHANA ASTHANA India Post News Service

SAN FRANCISCO: A cultural tradition preserved for 36 years is no mean feat, and goes to show how appreciated this event is by artists and audience alike! We are talking about the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, which is a month-long celebration of classical and contemporary world dances at the Yerba Buena Center for Performing Arts between June 5 and 29. The organization works with numerous artists in the Bay Area and serves as cultural ambassadors and catalysts for cross-cultural innovation. This year's event is set to draw approximately 2,000 audience members, and upcoming and renowned artists, united by their love of this form of performing art. In all, there will be 500 performers presenting dances from 19 countries, spanning 5 continents. Details on page 24

Role of Temple Priests in 21st Century discussed UTSAV CHAKRABARTI

FAIRFAX, VA: Over 30 Pandits and 50 adult and youth delegates, representing more than 25 Mandirs and Hindu organizations, attended this year's Hindu Mandir Priests' Conference (HMPC), the third in line. The conference hosted by Durga Temple, Fairfax Station, VA, was held on May 29 and 30. The theme of the conference was 'Role of Temple Priests in 21st Century'. The conference was organized into seven sessions, and the topics touched upon concerned sustainability and advancement of Sanatana Dharma. Details on page 23

Chariot Festival in Chicago on June 29 RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

COMMUNITY

Kids love Fremont Temple's Family Gita Class

ACROSS AMERICA

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Details on page 26

June 27, 2014

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Governor candidate Bruce Rauner hits it up with Indian Americans RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Laying emphasis on reviving economy thru business friendly environment and boosting global trade, Illinois Gubernatorial candidate for 2014, Bruce Rauner, said here that there was a huge scope for expanding business ties with countries like India. In a short talk with this paper, he said that he might consider visiting India for large business and better cultural exchange, if elected governor on Republican ticket in the coming November election. Addressing a well attended meet of his supporters and Chicago business elites at Tiffin restaurant on Mahatma Gandhi Marg in Chicago, he said that spurring economic growth and job creation were sin qua non for addressing the ills that Illinois faced for the past many years and in this context strongly felt that a hike in taxes was uncalled for. He indicated to this paper that he would be willing to lead a delegation to India but with or without that, he was all for improving business and cultural ties with India though a greater exchange of visits by business interest on the both side of the fence. Paying handsome tribute to the contributions made by Indian Americans in the state of Illinois, he observed "Our state is stronger and more vibrant because of the contributions of the Indian-American community". Touching upon the performance of Democrats in Springfield, he lambasted them and pointed out that Illinois has suffered a lot over the past many years because of increasing tax burden, unfriendly business environment and a flight of capital and business from this State to other States in the country, mainly Indiana and Wisconsin, the neighbors. The burgeoning deficit in the State budget and crumbling pension system need to be addressed aggressively, but the increase in tax burden was not the answer, he said. "The right approach would be to cut wasteful expenditure all

Bruce Rauner and Evelyn Sanghinetti with Nimesh Jani

around to the bone and lay out plan for faster economic growth that would not only induce business to stay and expand here, but also attract out of the State business to come to Illinois" he said. Responding to a question about hiking minimum wage, he observed that he was for higher wages if all the States in the coun-

try opted for it. Illinois businesses would have their competitive edge bludgeoned if they are burdened with relatively high wages compared to others. It would be much better to increase opportunity for higher education, better facilities for job training and acquiring professional skill, he observed. In response to question posed

by Vandana Jhingan, TV Asia Anchor, Bruce Rauner assured that his administration would reflect the ethnic diversity in Illinois community and that there was a good chance for eligible members of the Indian community to be part of the administration. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 19

Republican candidate for Illinois State Krishna Bansal with Republican candidate for Governor and Lt Governor Bruce Rauner and Evelyn. Extreme right is a guest Ms Gopi

June 27, 2014

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Head of Imaging Center arrested; sites closed SUDHIR VYAS

JERSEY CITY: Patients who were trying to get into American Imaging Center in Jersey City at 550 Summit Ave couldn't seem to do so one sunny afternoon, literally. The door was locked. The president of American Imaging Center, Rehan Zuberi, and his wife, Humara Paracha, of Boonton Township, were arrested after being charged with failure to pay taxes, failure to file an income tax return, deception, bribery and racketeering, according to jail records. The imaging centers - there are four in Jersey City - were raided and shut down, leaving patients out-

Pic of arrested Rehan Zuberi and others in the fraud scheme

side one of its Jersey City locations confused when the door to the facility wouldn't open. One woman who called the center did not have

tion that it would be closed. A sign on the door informed patients to go across the street to another of its locations, at 547

The imaging centers - there are four in Jersey City - were raided and shut down, leaving patients outside one of its Jersey City locations confused when the door to the facility wouldn't open. One woman who called the center did not have an appointment an appointment, but was told they would be open until 7 pm. She said she did not receive any notifica-

Summit Ave, but there was no answer at that location either. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 19

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Role of Temple Priests in 21st Century discussed UTSAV CHAKRABARTI

of Temple Priests in 21st Century'. The conference was organized into seven sessions, and the topics touched upon concerned sustainability and advancement of Sanatana Dharma by making the modes of worship meaningful and relevant for the younger generation of Hindus. The seven sessions were: Inaugural Session, Bal Samskaras, Open Forum, PriestsHindu priests

Management-Devotees, Roles of Priests not associated with Mandir and other Topics, Education & Training, and Concluding Session. The formal launch was with Deep Prajjwalan and Sri Ganesha Atharvashirsha by all priests. The convener, Sant Gupta and the President of Executive Board of Durga Temple, Srilekha Palle delivered the welcome address and dwelt on conference goals and objectives. Ekatmata Mantra led by Abhaya Asthana followed by Vandana by Durga BalGokulam children led by Madhuri Prasad set the tone for the rest of conference. Emcee for the evening Navin Kadakia thanked The World Hindu Council of America for providing the leadership for the event. In his Keynote address, Ronur Murali Bhattar, Chief Priest, Hindu Temple of Minnesota, talked on 'Importance of the Role of Mandir and the Pandit in a community'. Since Panditji could not attend the conference, V. Shanmugasundaram delivered the address on his behalf. He highlighted the intertwining relationship between the temple infrastructure and the temple priest. Pandit Hirday Sharma presented the history of Durga Temple and highlighted how they overcame the difficulties encountered during the early years of the development cycle. While Pandit Ram Hardowar focused on the issues from the stakeholders' point of view, Dr Anju Preet and Rashel Bajaj presented young adult and youth perspectives respectively. Swamini Sarvaananda discussed Hindu Chaplaincy in the US, the role of priests and the methods to maximize the benefits to the devotees. On 30 May, the event began with Kirtan and Bhajan. Moderated by Kusum Taneja, the subject of Session 2 was Bal Samskaras and its importance for

sustaining these processes. Many discussions took place regarding the consistency and tailoring of these samskaras to suit the context and at the same time preserve the intent of these great traditions. Samskaras discussed were: Annaprashan, Namkaran, Annaprashan Samskar, Aksharambha, Upanayan and Vivaha Samskara. The Session 3 comprised a round table question & answer session moderated by Kamlesh Kapur. There were constructive interactions among the priests and the devotees. Session 4 moderated by Hari Bindal focused on the triad namely Priests, Management and Devotees. Some of the topics discussed during this session include Hindu Chaplin in University Setting, preservation of Bharatiya Sanskriti through Sanskrit presented by Samskrit Bharati, the disconnect between the next generation of Hindus and the temple traditions and the sci-

Logo

entific and symbolic significance of Hindu Rituals. Session 6, moderated by Amar Persaud, addressed priests' education and training. The presenters highlighted the need for equipping the priests with techniques and knowledge through education and training to meet the emerging needs. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 20

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Head of Imaging Center arrested; sites closed Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 17

This is not the first time Zuberi has been in trouble with the law. In 1999, he was sentenced to six years in prison on charges from another Medicaid fraud scheme where he operated a medical clinic and took kickbacks to send blood samples to a lab for "unnecessary and fraudulent tests." Calls were made to both Jersey City locations and its Union City location, but went unanswered. The Jersey City Medical Center is extending hours and increasing staff to see patients whose imaging procedures were scheduled at American Imaging Center facilities, officials said. The JCMC switchboard received more than 30 calls from American Imaging Center clients, JCMS spokesman Mark Rabson said. Patients who previously were scheduled for procedures will need a prescription from their doctor, Rabson said. The toll-free number to schedule an appointment is 877-393-5374. Zuberi was permanently banned from participating in Med-

icaid, but was reinstated in 2011 after he sent a letter saying the state no longer allows permanent bans.

IP News Bureau adds: Meanwhile, Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced that the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, arrested the owner of a network of diagnostic imaging centers for his alleged role as the leader of a criminal enterprise that provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal kickbacks to medical practitioners in exchange for patient referrals to his testing facilities. In addition, the defendants allegedly submitted fraudulent applications to the New Jersey Medicaid program and Department of Health, and evaded paying income and franchise taxes, among other illegal activities. The enterprise allegedly generated millions of dollars in illegal profits. Twelve others were also charged in the alleged scheme. Rehan "Ray" Zuberi, 45, of

Boonton Township, the owner of Diagnostic Imaging Affiliates (DIA) of Hackensack and the alleged leader of the criminal enterprise was arrested June 17. Zuberi's bail was set at $1 million by Superior Court Judge Stuart A. Minkowitz in Morris County. In the course of executing the search warrants, the Office of the

The Jersey City Medical Center is extending hours and increasing staff to see patients whose imaging procedures were scheduled at American Imaging Center facilities, officials said. The JCMC switchboard received more than 30 calls Insurance Fraud Prosecutor seized many of the Zuberi enterprise's assets, including more than $100,000 cash, high-end sports cars such as Lamborghinis and Ferraris, as well as other luxury items, and placed liens on the imaging equipment and Zuberi's 9,000 square foot mansion. "This alleged criminal enter-

Governor candidate Bruce Rauner hits it up with Indian Americans

Devon businessman Mafat Patel (second from left) with Nimesh, Evelyn and Bruce Rauner Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 16

Governor candidate Bruce Rauner announced establishing Indian-Americans for Rauner Coalition comprising a number of activists from the Indian community who have been supporting his agenda and his candidacy. Nimesh Jani, an elected official in Schaumburg Township, is heading the coalition. Some of the other

members of the Coalition are Nimish Bhatt - CFO of a Global Investment Management Firm, Anuraag Bhargava - Partner and CTO of Private Equity Firm, Naperville City Commissioner Yadav Nathwani - Trustee for Milton Township, Commissioner at Village of Glen Ellyn, and Chief Financial Officer of Professional Paving and Concrete Company, Vidut Patel, Namrita Nelson and

prise wove its web of deception through a governmental program and at least two agencies," Acting Attorney General Hoffman said. "This enterprise allegedly bilked millions of dollars from Medicaid, a program designed to help New Jersey's most vulnerable population, failed to pay state taxes and submitted numerous

Rinku S. Patel "This is an exciting time for the Indian-American community in Illinois. It is just the beginning and the Coalition members list not the final one .We would have more and more activists joining us, the coalition will gain in strength and number," Nimesh Jani Chairperson of the Coalition told this paper. "Bruce Rauner is a proven business leader and a candidate we believe has the vision to truly bring back Illinois. We are proud to support Bruce Rauner for Governor of Illinois," he added Evelyn Sanghinetti, the running mate for Governor Candidate Bruce Rauner, in her spirited address recounted the hard life that they faced with their immigrant parents seeking to bring up their children with emphasis on higher education and family values. "As the daughter of immigrants, I am committed to making sure Illinois is a state of opportunity for all who come here and work hard to succeed," Evelyn added Among those attending the Coalition launch events were Mafat Patel, Sohan Joshi, J Digvenkar, Dr RK Trivedi, Rohit Joshi, Usha Mamaria, N. Kapur, Madhu Patel. Jayanti Ojha, Nirav Patel and members of ethnic Indian media.

fraudulent applications to the Department of Health. This type of criminal activity impacts not just the agencies defrauded, but also law-abiding, tax-paying residents of New Jersey who are forced to cover the costs of the fraud." The following owners/operators of DIA companies were also charged with first-degree racketeering for their alleged roles in the scheme: Humara Paracha, 38, of Boonton Township, Rehan Zuberi's wife and president of DIA; Baber "Bob" Eskar, 49, of Pompton Lakes, Zuberi's close associate and chief operating officer of DIA; Rohit Gupta, 38, of Edison, President of American Imaging of Edison and owner of Medimax, a medical billing company that pro-

cessed DIA's insurance claims; and Faisal Paracha, 30, of Fords, Rehan Zuberi's brother-in-law, and part owner/manager of American Imaging of West Orange; The following individuals also charged are allegedly officers/ managers of the companies within Zuberi's enterprise: Nawab Zuberi, 73, of Boonton, Rehan Zuberi's father, and officer/ director of DIA; Salman Siddiqui, 37, of Lake Hopatcong, Rehan Zuberi's brother-in law, and office manager of American Imaging of Montville; Felix Clarin, 44, of Florham Park, manager of American Imaging of Jersey City; Judith DeLeon, 50, of Bloomfield, manager of American Imaging of Hackensack; Natividad Urena, 31, of Clifton, manager of American Imaging of Union City. Abid Syed, 37, of East Hanover, also was charged as the alleged financial controller of Zuberi's alleged enterprise. Thomas Grecco, 25, of Clifton, who worked in the accounting department of American Imaging of Hackensack, and Jose Lopez, 51,of Passaic, an employee of the organization, were charged for their alleged role in the scheme. Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Chillemi noted that important cases have started with anonymous tips. People who are concerned about insurance cheating and have information about a fraud can report it anonymously by calling the toll-free hotline at 1877-55-FRAUD.

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'Telugu Maatlaata' Games held in Bloomington AJAY KALAVALA

BLOOMINGTON, IL: "What do you call a game played with Telugu words?" - this was a question from Telugu Jeopardy ("Tirakaatam") that Bloomington, Illinois area kids were asked during Silocon Andhra ManaBadi's "Telugu Maatlaata" games. The answer was of course "Telugu Maatlaata" - a game involving Telugu Spelling Bee ("Padarangam") and Telugu Justa-Minute ("Okka Nimisham Matrame") and Tirakaatam. About 25 kids participated in these Illinois State Level Competitions on weekend holiday at iExcel, Bloomington, Illinois. The children performed wonders and spelt difficult words and answered questions with a language proficiency that made everyone take pride in their abilities. The event was organized by Telugu Association of Bloomington and members of the Telugu community in the area jointly with Silicon Andhra ManaBadi Silicon Andhra ManaBadi teaches Telugu during weekends in regular academic year in Bloomington/Normal, Bolingbrook, Aurora, Schaumburg, West Dundee, and Westmont in Illinois. This school is helping children learn and master Telugu language skills, and

Bloomington local competition Onima winners from right 1) Kashyap Chinthakunta, 2) Srividhya Nalladdhighal 3) Sanjana Bhagavatula 4)Medha Gollapudi for her sister Shivani Gollapudi 5) Aishwarya Chinthakunta and 6) Sravya Jayam with guest of honor Smt. Umavaijayantimala Kallakuri Garu

impart heritage of Seemandhra and Telengana, former Andhra Pradesh in India, to the expatriate genera-

tions here in Illinois. Winners in Telugu Maatlaata Illinois region in 2014 were:

Budathalu (Age 5 to 9): Tirakaatam: 1) Prasamsa Addanki 2) Suryaninad Bhamidi 3) Kavya Malika. Puranam Padarangam: 1) Medha Gollapudi 2) Suryaninad Bhamidi 3) Prasamsa Addanki Okka Nimisham Matrame: 1) Asihwarya Chinthakunta 2) Sanjana Bhagavatula 3) Srividya Nalladdhighal Sisindreelu (Age 10 to 13):Tirakaatam: 1) Sunaisha Addanki 2) Sravya Jayam 3) Abhi Neti

Padarangam: 1) Sunaisha Addanki 2) Shashank Bhagavatula 3) Shivani Gollapudi. Okka Nimisham Matrame: 1) Shivani Gollapudi 2) Kashyap Chinthakunta 3) Srayva Jayam. Several volunteers in collaboration with Bloomington - Normal Telugu community worked hard to make this event a grand success. These games were also sponsored by Telugu Association of Bloomington (TAB) and iExcel Bloomington, Illinois.

Role of Temple Priests in 21st Century discussed Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 18

Game participants for all games of Telugu Maatlaata Bloomington

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In the concluding session 7, Sanjay Mehta presented the summary and action plan. The following is identified as action items: 1) Develop a mechanism to build constant communication amongst priests to share experiences and best practices. 2) Structure Orientation: Organize English language and Communication workshop for priests. 3) Community Counseling: Chaplains and priest coupling Develop a program to define how priest and chaplains can work together in addressing counseling need of the community. Alok Shrivastava of Rajdhani Mandir, VA thanked all the del-

egates, volunteers and the organizers for a successful 3rd Hindu Mandir Priest Conference (HMPC).Hindu Mandir Priests' Conference (HMPC) is an initiative of World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) VHPA, founded in 1970 and incorporated in the state of New York in 1974, is an independent, nonprofit, tax- exempt and volunteerbased charitable organization aimed at building a dynamic and vibrant Hindu society rooted in the eternal values of Dharma and inspired by the lofty ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, i.e. the entire creation is one family.

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MAFS organizes CPR education for Community Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: Metropolitan Asian Family Services (MAFS) and Northwestern University jointly organized a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Education, on Friday, June 20 in Chicago. MAFS has received funding from Medtronic Foundation for Illinois Heart Rescue for creating awareness about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). The first open session was well received by Indian and Pakistani community members. Among prominent dignitaries in attendance were Ald. Debra Silverstein from 50th ward, Shashi Jain from Viceroy of India, Sher

Community members participating in CPR education

Jewelry store owner guilty of credit card fraud SUDHIR VYAS

JERSEY CITY: The owner of a Jersey City jewelry store pleaded guilty to his role in a sophisticated international credit card fraud ring responsible for more than $200 million in losses to businesses and financial institutions, officials said. Vinod Dadlani, 51, of Lyndhurst, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson in Trenton. He faces a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine, or twice the gain or loss caused by the offense, New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. Fishman said Dadlani, who owned Tanishq Jewels on New-

Vinod Dadlani

ark Avenue, is the 17th person to plead guilty to participating in the scheme, which has been one of the largest credit card fraud schemes ever prosecuted

by the Department of Justice. The scheme involved the creation of more than 7,000 false identities by creating fraudulent identification documents and fraudulent credit profiles with major credit bureaus. Participants would then "pump up" the credit of the fake identities using false credit worthiness information and would then borrow or spend as much as they could and never repay the debts, according to court documents and statements made in court. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 22

Mohammed Rajput, IAC Board Member, Natalie Abdullaha, Executive Director Medinah Society Community Resource Center, Maria Baldras from European American Association, Ron Davis- CPR Trainer. Dr Swapna Dave, Researcher at Northwestern University, in her opening remark thanked attendees for attending the event. She marked it as a wakeup call to immigrants to change their lifestyle and emphasized that CPR is a lifesaving technique useful in many emergencies, including heart attack or near drowning, in which someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. She also stressed on project objective which includes: 1) Improve awareness and provide education about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) by creating

Dr Swapna Dave, Researcher at Northwestern University and Ron Davis, a certified CPR trainer, educating community about CPR education

a fact sheet and by advertisements in ethnic media. 2) Increase bystander CPR

and AED use through community education. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 22

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Chariot Festival in Chicago on June 29 RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Keeping up its decades long tradition, ISKCON Chicago (Hare Krishna Temple) has announced holding of its annual "Chariot Festival of India". The festival begins on Sunday June 29, 11:30 am at 1610 W. Howard with a vibrant parade down Sheridan Avenue. According to Bhailal Patel, a devotee, a colorful, 36-feet tall chariot will be hand-pulled by attendees and spectators amidst melodious singing, drumming and dancing. "Everyone is invited to come, walk, sing or dance in the parade," he said This dazzling festival originated centuries ago in the ancient city of Jagannath Puri, India. It is also known as Ratha-Yatra, literally meaning chariot-procession. In the late 1960s this spiritual celebration was brought out of India and is now giving joy to people in every major city around the world, including London, Paris, Sydney, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, and of course, Chicago. ISKCON Chicago has been observing this festival for more than 25 years now! The procession will arrive at Loyola Park Beach at 12:30 pm where celebrations will continue until 6 pm. Here, a free, sumptuous, vegetarian feast will

ISKCON Chariot festival 2013

be served to all attendees and there will be cultural presentations including Indian classical dance, drama and live music. "The fun doesn't end here - in addition to the parade and feast, there will be yoga and meditation workshops, children's activities, face-painting, henna, traditional merchandise and many more vari-

eties of booths and activities. The festival is open to the public and free for everyone. All are invited to join in for an extraordinary experience," Bhailal added. The 2013 procession and festival brought together more than 3,500 visitors. The expectations are that this year there will be many more visitors as devotees.

MKCA presents Seeds of Hope - 2014 STANY G D'SOUZA

CHICAGO: In spite of torrential rain and thunderstorms, the supporters and well-wishers of the Mangalorean Konkan Christians Association (MKCA) took part in its unique charity program, Seeds of Hope, with lot of fervor and

enthusiasm. The event was organized by the Association to help the most needy leprosy patients and their children back in Talchar in the state of Odisha, India to support the organization "Kripasadan" (Ef-

A group of MKCA volunteers and supporters

forts of Mercy) run by the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady Graces. The Sisters through their dedicated and tireless service provide the leprosy patients and their children with medical service, social, emotional, educational and economic rehabilitation. The program was formally initiated by the current President and Compeer of the program, Steven D'Souza, inviting the past president and the chairperson of the event to give the welcome address. In his remarks, D'Souza recognized all the guest and well-wishers of the Association for their help and support in serving the noble cause of helping the disadvantaged. Fr. George Agger, SVD, who provides his spiritual and humanitarian service in West Indies was invited to bless the food. Fr. Agger praised the efforts of the Association members in helping the poorest and neediest families in supporting their all-round development. Cont’d on page 25

MAFS organizes CPR education for Community Cont’d from page 21

3) Provide innovative or creative methods of CPR and AED education and training. Ms Santosh Kumar, Executive Director MAFS, stressed the need of CPR in the South Asian community and explained the benefit of learning the techniques, such as providing immediate artificial respiration before hospital assistance. She urged community leaders to spread the word out about CPR education, Public Benefit Assistance program and other projects. She thanked Dr Namratha Kandola and Dr

Swapna Dave for associating with MAFS in spreading awareness about sudden Cardiac arrest. Ron Davis, a certified CPR trainer, gave a detailed presentation about Sudden Cardiac Arrest to everyone by means of real life situations. He invited volunteers from the audience to give live demonstrations. Ald. Silverstein thanked MAFS and Northwestern University for promoting this lifesaving technique for community. Attendees enjoyed healthy and fresh snack prepared by MAFS kitchen staff headed by Dahyalal Patel.

Jewelry store owner guilty of credit card fraud Cont’d from page 21

The elaborate network of false identities used by the conspirators required them to maintain more than 1,800 "drop addresses," including houses, apartments and post office boxes across the country, which they used as the mailing addresses for the false identities, according to court documents and statements in court. In court, Dadlani admitted working with other conspirators who came to his jewelry store and al-

lowed them to swipe cards he knew did not legitimately belong to them. Dadlani would then split the proceeds of the phony transactions with the conspirators, according to court documents and statements made in court. The owners of two other jewelry stores on the same block of Newark Avenue were also charged in the conspiracy but the outcome of their prosecutions was not immediately available. Dadlani is scheduled for sentencing by Thompson September 24.

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Huge summer fun at Hari Om Mandir picnic Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: A truly fun filled event for all ages and genders, the annual picnic of Hari Om Mandir, was held on June 8 at Grove 18, in Busse Woods. The picnic started with puja and recitation of Mantras and Shlokas by Pt. Dinesh Kumar and Shastri Yogesh Pandya at noon followed by Aarti. After that everyone had watermelon, snacks and got busy with games and activities. Many kids and adults were busy playing cricket, volleyball, yard toss and badminton, while others enjoyed socializing. Finally it was lunch time and all were ready. Delicious Naan and vegetable Jalfarazi was served along with Kadhi pakora, rice, Cham-cham, Rasgulle and pickle. It was then time to recognize

Ladies enjoying Musical Chairs

dents and senior members. All children got a take home gift. Around 4 pm, everyone enjoyed delicious hot pakoras, Masala tea which was served with Jalebi (sweet). More games were played after the evening snacks like Musical Chairs, Balloon Toss and Tug of

Indrajit Sarkar (President), Ayodhia Salwan (Chairman) thanking members and attendees

the winners of races and games. Everyone got together. President Indrajit Sarkar offered his heartfelt thanks to all team members, volunteers, donors, sponsors and all those who attended. Prizes were given to winners by BOT Chairman Ayodhia Salwan, past presi-

War. A great event enjoyed by people of all age groups was organized by the Executive board under the leadership of Sarkar who thanked all committee members for their support as also Star Foods, Clay Oven and India House for food donation.

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SF celebration of classical and contemporary world dances ARCHANA ASTHANA India Post News Service

above all, pure joy by those who embrace it. All of these embody the spirit with which World Arts West has approached this year's event. Sangam Arts, a Silicon Val-

Mohiniattam

ley non-profit organization cofounded by Usha Srinivasan, shares a similar vision and mission. It aims to help create and strengthen bonds between the Indian Diaspora and diverse cultures in the US through the medium of visual and performing arts. At the SF Ethnic Dance Festival this year, Sangam Arts and

World Arts West have brought together all eight styles of Indian classical dance in one seamless two-hour presentation over the June 14-15 weekend. These dance

Kuchipudi

Kathak

styles include some not so commonly seen ones, such as Kathakali, Manipuri and the newly recognized form, Sattriya, along with the more familiar ones, such as Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Kathak and Odissi. The presenters include local artists selected through an audition process by the festival selection

panel and presented by Sangam Arts.

In memory of Kunhiraman

Odissi

A somber and reflective moment started the showcase, in memory of the renowned proponent of the Kathakali dance form, K.P. Kunhiraman, who was to have received the Malonga Casquelord Lifetime Achievement Award, along with his wife, Katherine. The maestro, after having performed at the first SF Ethnic

Dance Festival was to have danced for the last time on a US stage after spending 67 years being the superbly talented ambassador for this theatrical dance form. K.P Kunhiraman's passing a few days before prompted the organizers to dedicate the festival in his memory and dance in his honor. The rare grouping of all eight recognized Indian Classical dance forms presented on stage for the first time in the U.S provided a glimpse of the beauty, elegance and grace of these ancient art forms. This ensemble literally served as a cultural ambassador of the dance tradition of ancient India, where the diverse forms have persevered and been preserved through many trials and tribulations, often as a result of political turmoil and resultant cultural shifts. The aesthetically rendered Bharatnatyam performances were offered by The Nava Dance Theatre of Bay Area, Bhavajan Kumar from Toronto and Kalanjali: Dances of India from San Francisco. While the Nava Dance presented a story of a male lover pining for his lady love and using rain laden clouds to act as his messenger, the portrayal of Lord Shiva evidenced the youthful and vigorous energy of Bhavajan, the young soloist. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 26

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Kids love Fremont Temple's Family Gita Class India Post News Service

FREMONT: The Fremont Hindu Temple hosted a Family Gita Class during the first week of summer holidays that was attended by over 200 parents and children throughout the 7-day course. The unique kid-friendly class was taught by Swami Nikhilanand, a traveling sanyasi teacher who is based at Radha Madhav Dham in Austin, TX. Instead of a traditional lecture format, the lessons of the Bhagwad Gita were taught in an interactive style that encouraged questions from both kids and adults, and allowed them to take notes on the main points. Kids and teenagers opened up and freely asked the questions which had been burning inside

them, but they had never the chance to ask. Questions like, "How do I know God really exists?" and "Why did God put us here?" were asked and answered. Kids and parents also enjoyed the game of Jeopardy that concluded each day's class and gave

them a chance to test their knowledge on the Gita. It was obvious to all in attendance that through understanding the philosophy of the Bhagwad Gita, kids developed pride in Hinduism, and parents commented that the discussions

didn't end when the family left the mandir. Conversations with their kids at home the whole week revolved around various topics that had been covered in the class. Everyone is anxiously awaiting the next Family Gita Class.

MKCA presents Seeds of Hope - 2014 Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 22

The guests were served with delicious appetizers, food, dessert and soft drinks. There were quite a few activities arranged by the organizers of the program and to name a few are: Face Painting, Spinning the Wheel, Bean-bag-

toss, Bucketing the Ping-Pong, Guessing game and ringing the bottles. All the participants from toddlers to adults enjoyed these fun-filled games and tried their luck in winning them! There was a Big Raffle and 50/ 50 raffle draw. The winners of big raffle were Susan Shaik of Fort

Emcee Steven D'Souza

Wayne, Indiana and Mable Cardoza of Canada and Esther Misquita of Chicago. The 50/50 raffle was won by Charmaine D'Souza. Most of them either donated all or part of their winnings to support the charity cause. The Knights of Columbus from Holy

Family Church had a brief presentation at the program, who issued a check for $500 as donation. Sunset Foods, Northbrook provided sumptuous food of multiple varieties while Gordon Food Service (GFS) and Di Nico's Pizza and Trugurt Yogurt supplemented with other items. There were delicious

Indian dishes prepared by the members of the Association. The Gaylord Fine Indian Cuisine of Schaumburg, Illinois provided a gift certificate for auction. The organizing committees expressed gratitude to all donors and wellwishers for their support and help to make the event a great success.

A section of the guests. Pics Dr Austin D'Souza

Community Across America

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Celebration of classical and contemporary world dances in SF Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 24

Kalanjali's presentation was marked by the conspicuous absence of the Kunhiramans; however, the all girls troupe presented a respectful, joyful piece to honor his memory, with many elements of pure dance, such as postures, stance, gestures, and glance to create a harmonious evoking of the divine. Live Carnatic music accompanied these performances, comprising mridangam, violin, cymbals, drums, flute and tamboura. Sunanda Nair, from Texas presented not one, but two classical dance forms of Kerala, the southwestern state in India, and demonstrated the diversity of her skills. The first and only Kathakali dance of the day was the dramatic story of Pootna, a demon who was ordered by the evil king, Kamsa to kill all new born boys, by suckling them at her poisonous breasts. Sunanda portrays the turmoil in her heart, as at first she is overcome with motherly love as she begins to nurse the infant Lord Krishna, and then gets all life sucked out of her by him, as she meets her fateful end. Her second offering, a Mohiniattam, literally

meaning the Dance of the Enchantress, depicts the story of a deformed maid, who seeks salvation from her bondage by Lord Krishna. The contrast between the physical handicap and the desire of the maid Kubja for beauty, love and solace was enacted and danced with great emotion and soul. The show stealers for the Odissi dance numbers from the

Bharatanatyam

Kathakali

eastern state of Odisha was the very young and talented duo, Maya Devalcheruvu and Akhil Joondeph, who, at ages eleven and ten, respectively embodied the graceful and lyrical movements in their purely technical piece (nrita). Like others, Odissi originated as a temple dance, and portrays devotion to Gods. Sujata Mohapatra, the daughter-in-law of the legendary Guru

Kelucharan Mohapatra ably showcased the stylistic torso movements highlighting their sculptural quality, as well as rendering her depiction of animal and bird movements to life, in this story of rains, Varsha. Kuchipudi, a dance form originating from the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, differs from Bharatnatyam due to its exagger-

Sattriya

ated theatrical elements, and was performed by Natyalaya of San Francisco. The group of dancers offered their praise of Goddess Parvati, the protector of the Universe and consort of Lord Shiva in a vibrant and colorful celebration of Parvati's compassionate nature. Sohini Roy demonstrated two versions of Manipuri dance; the first, an excerpt from Rasleela, the story of Radha and Lord Krishna,

with the traditional poloi costume which has deep religious significance. The traditional devotional form of singing that accompanied it, had haunting overtures of other South East Asian music to my ears. The second was the unique Pung Cholom, which literally means Movements with Drums, which is more prevalent with male dancers. The newly recognized form of Sattriya by a pair of dancers from the Sattriya Dance Company of Philadelphia, emoted eloquently two eulogies to their guru and to Lord Manipuri Rama. This form has traditionally been in the male domain and evolved as a practice of religious and communal service at Sattras, where disciples of Sankardev, a socio-religious reformer, nurtured their art. There seemed to me some influences of Tagore song and dance, with its emphasis on fluidity of movement, and being one with nature. The final leg of the repertoire was a vigorous and rigorous

Kathak dance, originating from the central state of Uttar Pradesh, presented by Chitresh Dance Company of Berkeley. The dancers exemplified the technical, graceful and dramatic aspects of Kathak first in their high energy invocation of Goddess Durga, then the unique Kathak Yoga, innovated by Pandit Das, and combining vocals, drums and footwork in complex mathematical rhythms. Fast paced chakkars or spins, characteristic of this dance form, enthralled and engaged the audience.

Medley of colors The grand finale was an explosion of sensations in a medley of colors united by a symphony of vocals and melody, as each dance group or dancer was presented and recognized. The appreciative audience satiated its senses and will be back for more next year. Kudos to World Arts West and Sangam Arts for their carefully curated program, with its theme of worship, devotion and divine invocation presenting the solidarity of a unified India, while the differences in the movements, bols, language, costume, jewelry , and makeup characterized the unique dances.

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TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Galliyan: Ek Villain 2 Banjaara: Ek Villain 3 Saturday Saturday: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania 4 Callertune: Humshakals 28 India Post

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June 27, 2014

5 Fugly Fugly Kya Hai: Fugly 6 Aaj Phir Tumpe: Hate Story 2 7 Johnny Johnny: Its Entertainment 8 Samjhawan: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania 9 Raat Bhar: Heropanti 10 Humdard: Ek Villain

eetu Chandra recently recounted the memories of her college days in Delhi. "When I took admission to Indraprastha College, Delhi became my home. The city really amused me. Coming from Bihar, I was used to saying aap and addressing everybody with tameez. But here, it was a culture shock for me. Once, while traveling in an auto rickshaw, I happened to ask a guy, 'Bhaiyya, yeh address bata denge, please?' He turned back and said, 'Oh ke baat ho gayi madam, subah subah gaali kyun de rahi se?' It used to amuse me, but I eventually started liking it," she told us.

hahid Kapoor recently acquired a spacious and elegant ground-floor home alongside the Juhu beach. His new apartment is in the same building where Vidya Balan resides. The advantage Shahid has over other residents is that his apartment reportedly comes with approximately 2000 sq.cm of private beach area. Though the actor continues to reside in Versova, as neighbor of exgirlfriend Priyanka Chopra, his current preoccupation is converting his beach space into a private garden. Sources say they have seen Shahid pouring over books and listening to experts on the whole process of "making his garden", because he intends to personally supervise every minute detail. He is not planning to take any shortcuts by handing over the job to a professional.

The advantage Shahid has over other residents is that his apartment reportedly comes with approximately 2000 sq.cm of private beach area.

"In the DTC buses, when these boys were asked to buy tickets, they would give funny as well as threatening answers like, 'Nahi leta ticket, ke baat ho gayi? Thokega ke? Tu chowdhary hai toh hum bhi chowdhary hain.' Delhi has got a very interesting flavor. It's irresistible. The city can be applauded for so many things. At the same time, it deserves to be whipped when it goes wrong."

Bollywood

June 27, 2014

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eing fit is the latest fad and Bipasha Basu has taken it up seriously. While people are already taking pointers from her exercise DVDs on ways to stay healthy, the actor is now also turning personal trainer for her family and close friends. A source says, "Bipasha's hairstylist was so impressed by her love and dedication towards fitness that she took up exercise and lost a lot of weight. Now, Bipasha is encouraging her family and friends to get fit. She calls her mother (Mamta Basu) every morning to remind her to go for a jog. She even coaxes her sister (Bijoyeta) to visit the gym. She also motivates her friends to take up a disciplined fitness routine." The actress herself adds, "My philosophy in life is, 'love yourself'. Exercise is like an investment; it not only helps you look good and stay healthy, but also improves your efficiency."

"Bipasha's hairstylist was so impressed by her love and dedication towards fitness that she took up exercise and lost a lot of weight. Now, Bipasha is encouraging her family and friends to get fit.

hile Kangana Ranaut is currently in New York completing her script-writing course, we have learnt that she has given her consent to playing the lead opposite Saif Ali Khan in a film directed by the Talaash director Reema Kagti. The film is co-written by Reema's best friend and partner in writing, Zoya Akhtar, and is a love story about two opposite kinds of people. Romance comes naturally to Saif, be it on reel or in real life and this film is likely to be no exception. While Saif and Kangana are both good-looking people, they are quite different otherwise, which is also the case in the film where they fall in love only because they are the exact opposite and actually complement each other.

riram Raghavan is going back to the past to add some glamour to his upcoming film Badlapur. The film's lead pair Huma Qureshi and Varun Dhawan, will groove to a number, inspired by '90s hits like Tip Tip Barsa Paani, Rangeela Re and Madhuri Dixit's iconic Ek, do, teen. Huma said, "I've always been a fan of the decade. I've grown up on a healthy diet of Bollywood films and now I'm w a t c h i n g chartbusters featuring U r m i l a Matondkar, Madhuri Dixit and Raveena Tandon all over again to get into t h e groove.

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New Illinois law taps retired doctors, nurses PEORIA, Ill.: Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has signed legislation aimed at bringing doctors and nurses out of retirement to help as volunteers in free medical clinics. The Chicago Democrat also signed into law a measure allowing dentists to give flu vaccines under certain circumstances. Both laws, which take effect immediately, are intended to expand access to care just as thousands of Illinois residents are gaining insurance coverage under the nation's health care overhaul. Retired doctors ``can and want to help those in need, and we should let them,'' Quinn said in a statement. ``It's just common sense to broaden access to health care, which is a fundamental right as a human being.'' The legislation allows retired health professionals, including dentists, physician assistants and optometrists, to get credentials so they can continue working as volunteers. It waives fees for the first 500 volunteer licenses. Holding a regular license and a volunteer license at the same time is prohibited. Dentists will be able to give flu vaccines to patients ages 18 and older who have a prescription or a doctor's order, under a separate law. Quinn also signed legislation directing the Illinois Department of Public Health to set rules and regulations regarding food sampling and testing at farmers' markets-AP

Â&#x201E; Tester hears support for privatizing VA care MISSOULA, MONT.: Some veterans attending a listening session by U.S. Sen. Jon Tester applauded the idea of privatizing the health care they now get from the Veterans Affairs. However, the Montana Democrat expressed reservations about taking such a course in Missoula. Tester says the nation must be careful not to jeopardize health care for veterans. Veterans also described long wait times, arbitrary downgrading of disability status and other problems they have encountered through the VA. Complaints about the VA system have plagued the Obama administration in recent weeks. Tester says he'll take the comment he hears from the session in Missoula and elsewhere in Montana back to the U.S. Senate where he is involved in trying to solve the VA problems.-AP

Health Science

Gene critical for brain development identified Details on Page 34

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California expands Medi-Cal while continuing cuts SACRAMENTO, Calif.: California has been praised by health advocates for its early embrace of the federal health care expansion, but the new state budget has raised questions about its commitment to getting the poorest residents into doctors' offices and dentists' chairs. Gov. Jerry Brown signed a budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year that accommodates an influx of uninsured residents into Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. But at Brown's request, the Legislature left in place a 10 percent recession-era cut to most doctors, dentists and other health care providers who treat Medi-Cal patients, many of whom are children. Health providers and advocates say it's a harmful contradiction that will further reduce the poor's ability to get into clinics, practices and even hospitals. Because many new enrollees have delayed medical care for years, they often need specialty care such as orthopedics, gastroenterology, cardiology or dermatology that could result in longer wait times or having to drive farther to see specialists. Gloria Wilson, 26, of North Highlands, has been waiting two months to get her 4-year-old son into a pediatric dental practice that can sedate him in order to treat

two cavities. While many children can be treated using local anesthesia, Wilson said her son, Jeremiah Ortiz, is fearful, combative and thrashes to get out of the dental chair.

state's low rates. Providers are not required to accept Medi-Cal patients. ``You might have an insurance card and not be able to get into a doctor's office anywhere,'' said Dr.

Gov. Jerry Brown was joined by Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, and budget chairs Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, and state Sen. Mark Leno D-San Francisco (not shown) at a press conference in San Diego

``It's frustrating because if it gets worse, I feel I haven't done my job (as a mother),'' Wilson said. Meghan Marshall, a Sacramento County Head Start specialist who is assisting Wilson's request with her Medi-Cal health plan, said finding pediatric dentists and anesthesiologists has become increasingly difficult because providers won't accept the

Richard Thorp, president of the California Medical Association, which represents nearly 40,000 doctors. Already, Medi-Cal enrollees have less access than Medicare recipients or people covered by private insurance. According to the California HealthCare Foundation, 76 percent of primary physicians accept new patients

through private insurance, but only 57 percent accept new MediCal patients. The program also has one of the lowest physician reimbursement rates in the nation. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, California lagged behind all states except Rhode Island and New Jersey in direct payments to primary care physicians and obstetricians in 2012. The survey was taken before California won a legal challenge and began implementing reimbursement cuts of up to 10 percent cut last year. To complicate matters, state figures suggest fewer doctors are participating in Medi-Cal. According to the Department of Health Care Services, there were about 109,000 fee-for-service physicians listed in spring 2013. As of May, there were 82,605 enrolled physicians. Norman Williams, a department spokesman, said those figures only reflect providers who are being paid for each service they provide. He said access shouldn't be a problem because the state has been shifting Medi-Cal fee-forservice patients into managed care, where the state contracts with health plans to guarantee access to treatment. Cont'd on Page 35

C K Birla group up Rs 270 cr investment in healthcare KOLKATA: The C K Birla Group has firmed Rs 270 crore in investments for modernizing and setting up new hospitals in the country. "We are opening a new 250bed hospital in Jaipur at a cost of around Rs 190 crore. It will be called Rukmani Birla Hospital & Research Institute and is expected to be inaugurated early next year," C K Birla group CEO (health care) S P Singh told PTI here. It would be scaled up gradually to a 500-bed hospital along with a medical college over the next five years, he said.

The group would also soon begin major modernization of its two existing hospitals in Kolkata at an estimated cost of Rs 60-80

tute and B M Birla Heart Research in the metropolis. With the proposed modernization, the combined capacity of

"We have a plot of land at Siliguri, but we have not decided the location of the third hospital in the state," he said. The hospitals are not for profit institutions and are run by trusts. crore, Singh said. The group manages The Calcutta Medical Research Insti-

both hospitals would increase to 700-750 beds from 600 beds at present.

Singh said once the projects were completed then the group would set up another hospital in West Bengal, but the location was yet to be finalized. "We have a plot of land at Siliguri, but we have not decided the location of the third hospital in the state," he said. The hospitals are not for profit institutions and are run by trusts. CMRI CEO Suyash Borar said if the West Bengal government brought an enabling environment for a healthy city, the group would be keen in committing investment.-PTI

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Health Science Post

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Florida doctor wants to build hospital in Kenya FLAGLER BEACH, FLA.: Dr. Scott Smith never had designs on building a hospital but when he realized how difficult it was for him to provide medical care to residents of rural Kenya, he decided to take on the challenge. `Ì've gone on medical mission trips throughout the world, since 1999, to make the world a healthier place,'' said the doctor of osteopathic medicine during an interview at his Flagler Beach home before venturing out to bicycle across the state of Florida during the Memorial Day Weekend to raise money for the hospital. ``They are living at the edge of the world.'' Getting approval for a hospital in the area wasn't easy, Smith said, because many of the Maasai, native to the country, live on government-owned ranches and don't intermingle. `Ìt's very political,'' Smith said, noting that the nearest private health system is four hours away and that public health care is virtually nonexistent. What makes the hospital Smith is working to build possible is that it will be located on the ``land trust'' campus missionaries Ken and Sandy Taylor built to house the Kimana School of Leadership and Professional Studies, he said. `Ì thought about it and prayed about it,'' said Smith, who was raised in Tanzania.

It's not the only big thought Smith has worked to fulfill, said Dr. Warren Bruhl, a friend and fellow director of the nonprofit Dreamweaver International, through which funds are raised for the hospital and a number of other projects. ``Truly, Dr. Smith is a local hero who goes about his business of serving with

Smith said. The hospital's design will mimic the round huts with low roofs typical of the area. He's chipping away at the hospital ``one project at a time.'' A deep well was dug on the property since the beginning of the year, Smith said, and two septic tanks were installed. The next step is to build a bathroom with show-

`Instructors come with 10 to 12 students,'' Smith said. They travel with whatever supplies can be carried in a Land Rover to treat those living in the Kimana Rift Valley near Mount Kilimanjaro. The hospital will not be a ``square box,'' Smith said. The hospital's design will mimic the round huts with low roofs typical of the area. little desire for accolade but instead focuses his love for healing on some of the poorest people on the planet,'' Bruhl said in an email. Smith trains doctors through the Rocky Vista Osteopathic College in Colorado during regular mission trips, Bruhl said, and makes four to five trips a year to Kenya. ``Instructors come with 10 to 12 students,'' Smith said. They travel with whatever supplies can be carried in a Land Rover to treat those living in the Kimana Rift Valley near Mount Kilimanjaro. The hospital will not be a ``square box,''

Centre to look into MCI functioning: Harsh Vardhan PATNA: Government will look into the Since the outbreak of the disease three functioning of the Medical Council of In- weeks ago, 137 children, mostly below the dia (MCI) as "its works create doubts", age of six, have succumbed to AES and Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said around 700 are admitted in two hospitals in here. Muzaffarpur. "The way the MCI functions is a seriThe reasons behind the disease have not ous issue for the country, as its works cre- been found till now. ate doubts. Our government will study its Vardhan said a concerted effort by nafunctioning authoritatively. Whatever de- tional and international organizations inficiency is nocluding the World ticed will be reHealth Organization moved," he told (WHO), UNICEF, reporters here. Centers for Disease Vardhan was Control and Prevenasked as to how tion (CDC) and NaMCI decreased tional Centre for Disseats in governease Control (NCDC) ment medical colwas needed to find leges citing lack out the reasons beof infrastructure hind the disease. and other faciliHe said he will ties, but granted visit the Atlanta (US) recognition and based CDC to reincreased seats quest senior scienUnion Health Minister Harsh Vardhan in private medical tists and doctors colleges having fewer facilities. working there to focus on cracking the AES. The Minister is on a three-day visit to "Soon after returning to Delhi, I will go Bihar to inspect the progress in construc- to CDC at Atlanta and meet senior sciention work at All India Institute of Medical tists and doctors there. The unidentified Sciences (AIIMS), Patna, and get a first disease that is killing so many innocent hand account of death of children in children in Bihar will be among the topics I Muzaffarpur and its adjoining districts due will discuss," he added. Cont'd on Page 34 to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES).

ers and living quarters to house the volunteers who provide services, whether medical or construction. ``The building will be cement with the waiting room in the center,'' Smith said. ``The waiting room will be covered but open. Around the waiting room (built as spokes off it) will be doctors' offices, a pharmacy and X-ray facilities.'' Smith estimates the waiting room por-

tion of the hospital will cost $20,000. Smith along with this daughter, New Smyrna Beach resident Beret Meyers, and five others rode bicycles from High Bridge through Palatka to Cedar Key, raising more than $7,000 for the project. The named the event ``Biking for Higher Mission.'' Meyers, a photographer and videographer who once worked as a Palm Coast firefighter, said the event will become an annual event. ``There are other ways people can donate money to the project,'' she said. More information is available online at razoo.com by typing in Mount Kilimanjaro Mission Hospital. ``In some cases, the simple lack of adequate antibiotics or other medication is the determinant in life and death,'' the site states. ``Many suffer with debilitating pain and chronic disease including HIV, arthritis, gout, diabetes, and a host of other conditions. Lack of adequate clean water, healthy food, and poor living conditions are strong contributors to the condition of many people.'' Smith said the hospital will be a faith-based facility. ``This is God's project,'' he said. ``I'm not in charge. I'm just the tool.''-AP

Health Science Post

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Gene critical for brain development identified TORONTO: Researchers have identified a gene which is required for the proper development of a healthy cerebellum, a master control centre in the brain for balance, fine motor control and complex physical movements. Researchers have found that a specific gene, called Snf2h, plays an important role in the development of the cerebellum. Athletes and artists perform their extraordinary feats relying on the cerebellum. The cerebellum is critical for the everyday tasks and activities that we perform, such as walking, eating and driving a car. By removing Snf2h, researchers found that the cerebellum was smaller than normal, and balance and refined movements were compromised. Led by Dr David Picketts, a senior scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa, the team described the Snf2h gene, which is found in our brain's neural stem cells and functions as a master regulator. When they removed this gene early on in a mouse's development, its cerebellum only grew to one-third the normal size. It also had difficulty walking, balancing and coordinating its movements, something called cerebellar ataxia that is a component of many neurodegenerative diseases. "As these cerebellar stem cells

divide, on their journey toward master genes, which adapt to exbecoming specialized neurons, ternal cues to adjust the genes this master gene is responsible for they turn on and off, are known deciding which genes are turned as epigenetic regulators. on and which genes are packed "These epigenetic regulators tightly away," said Picketts. are known to affect memory, be"Without Snf2h there to keep havior and learning," said things organized, genes that Picketts. should be packed away are left "Without Snf2h, not enough turned on, while other genes are cerebellar neurons are produced, not properly activated. "This disorganization within the cell's nucleus results in a neuron that doesn't perform very well - like a car running on five cylinders instead of six," he said. The cerebellum conResearchers have found that a specific gene, called tains roughly Snf2h, plays an important role in the development of the cerebellum. File photo: CH Vijaya Bhaskar half the neurons found in the brain. It also develops in re- and the ones that are produced sponse to external stimuli. do not respond and adapt as well So, as we practice tasks, cer- to external signals. tain genes or groups of genes are "They also show a progresturned on and off, which strength- sively disorganized gene expresens these circuits and helps to sion profile that results in cerebelstabilize or perfect the task being lar ataxia and the premature death undertaken. of the animal," he said. The researchers found that the The study was published in Snf2h gene orchestrates this com- the journal Nature Communicaplex and ongoing process. These tions. -PTI

Vermont to hire analyst for single payer design MONTPELIER, Vt.: The state of Vermont is planning to hire an analyst to help design a singlepayer health care system and officials are narrowing the options that could be used to raise about $2 billion in public financing for the program. Potential bidders for the singlepayer contract include consultants from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Rand Corporation. ``There are three big things we're looking for,'' said administration official Michael Costa during a conference call with bidders earlier this month. ``We're really looking for how businesses and people pay for health care now, a behavioral response to proposed

coverage and financing changes. And then once we see the impact of those changes, really being able to assess the economic impact of that behavioral response.''

Gov. Peter Shumlin

The administration of Gov. Peter Shumlin is working to develop a single-payer financing plan so it can be presented to lawmakers at the beginning of the 2015 legislative session. Vermont Public Radio reports that whoever wins the contract will use complex modeling tools to conduct micro-simulations of various public financing possibilities. The simulations are designed to determine if moving to a singlepayer system will be better or worse for Vermonters. Lawrence Miller, who is overseeing health care reform for the Shumlin administration, said the overhaul of the more than $5 billion health care industry will have consequences.-AP

Centre to look into MCI functioning: Harsh Vardhan Cont'd from Page 33

Vardhan, himself a medical professional, said two dedicated research teams comprising researchers from national and international organizations will work at Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur on AES and he will personally monitor the progress. "Virology tests on AES victims and patients have been unable to detect any virus. Scientists have been saying there could be metabolic, viral, malnutrition or toxic reasons behind the disease," he said. "One thing is for sure, very low blood glucose level and electrolyte imbalance have been detected among the affected children," said Vardhan, flanked by state Health Minister Ram Dhani Singh and Union Health Secretary Lov Verma. Earlier, Vardhan launched an intensive vaccination program at Muzaffarpur. It will be implemented in all AES affected districts to cover all children in these districts. "During my interaction with doctors, scientists and officials, we found out that over 92 per cent of the AES victims had never received vaccinations. So we have launched a 100 per cent vaccination program in the affected districts as it may help save children from falling ill. The children will also be vaccinated against encephalitis," he said. "I have also instructed that parents and health workers in the affected districts should be edu-

cated about AES symptoms so that the sick child is immediately rushed to the nearest PHC or hospital for treatment. This will help save lives," Vardhan said. He said that a 100-bed paediatric ICU will be set-up at Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH), Muzaffarpur as it bears the maximum burden of AES. Vardhan said a 10-bed pediat-

"During my interaction with doctors, scientists and officials, we found out that over 92 per cent of the AES victims had never received vaccinations. So we have launched a 100 per cent vaccination" ric ICUs will be established in the districts adjoining Muzaffarpur. He also said he has asked Bihar CM to provide 50 to 100 acres of land to AIIMS Patna to provide advanced medical facilities that have not been provisioned there. The Union minister said five virological diagnostics laboratories will be established in Bihar at Gaya, Bhagalpur, Bettiah, Pavapuri and Darbhanga. He also announced that the Centre will soon launch programs to eradicate diseases like Kalaazar, measles, leprosy and filariasis in the country. -PTI

Major health care provider plans hospital merger INDIANAPOLIS: One of Indiana's major health care providers has announced plans to merge two downtown Indianapolis hospitals. Indiana University Health plans to merge the services of University Hospital and Methodist Hospital in a single building, The Indianapolis Business Journal and The Indianapolis Star reported. ``We're going to have one adult academic health center,'' said Jonathan Curtright, chief operating officer of University and Methodist hospitals. ``The logic of this is that we need to best utilize our resources. We need to have fully utilized facilities.'' It was not clear whether one of the existing hospitals will move its

operations into the other or a new building will be constructed. IU Health said a committee of hospital officials and physicians hopes to make that decision by this fall. The team is examining ways to cut costs and treat more patients outside hospitals. University Hospital is on the downtown campus of Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis, and Methodist is north of it. If a new hospital is built, officials said it would be downtown. Methodist opened in 1908, and University Hospital opened in 1970.The hospitals, along with the Riley Hospital for Children, operated independently until 1997, when they came together under the umbrella organization that evolved into IU Health. -AP

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California expands MediCal while continuing cuts Cont'd from Page 32

The state is supposed to monitor those health plans on a quarterly basis. ``It's an outright lie,'' said Dr. Ted Mazer, an ear, nose and throat specialist in San Diego and an executive committee member of the medical association. ``The access to Medi-Cal is far below what anybody would call reasonable.'' Mazer is one of many doctors who stopped accepting Medi-Cal patients because the reimbursements did not meet the cost of overhead and supplies to treat patients. He makes exceptions when he's in the emergency room or in unusual circumstances, but has to say no because it doesn't makes business sense. The average amount Medi-Cal pays for a doctor's visit is $41.48 compared to $102.45 for Medicare, according to the medical association. The Brown administration said California is committed to expanding coverage for the poor but says the state has to be able to pay for all its promises. State finance officials said that the state has mechanisms in place to stop provider cuts if they hinder access. For example, the state has already exempted some cuts such as prescription drugs for serious conditions and certain audiology services. The overall Medi-Cal program continues to consume a growing share of state funds. The state spent $16.3 billion from its general fund in the 2013-14 fiscal year and will increase Medi-Cal spending 7 percent to $17.6 billion in the new fiscal year.

With federal reimbursements and other funding, the state is projected to spend $75.4 billion to care for a projected 11.5 million people, or 30 percent of the state population. Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, said she was disappointed the state couldn't do more on a ``critically important'' issue. The state will save $272 million in the new budget by maintaining a 10 per-

Health advocates say it doesn't make sense to continue recession-era cuts when the state is adding 1.9 million new Medi-Cal enrollees as part of the federal health overhaul under the Affordable Care Act. cent provider rate cut that took full effect in January. Health advocates say it doesn't make sense to continue recession-era cuts when the state is adding 1.9 million new MediCal enrollees as part of the federal health overhaul under the Affordable Care Act. ``It's a contradiction,'' said Eileen Espejo at Children Now, a nonprofit children's health group. ``You're expanding the program, yet there is no access. Then who's benefiting?''-AP

Hospitals get guidance amid measles outbreak COLUMBUS, OHIO: Health officials have given Ohio hospitals updated guidance on dealing with patients who have measles and limiting the spread of the illness in health care environments as an outbreak continues to grow. Ohio has 341 measles cases in nine counties. State health officials say it is the largest measles outbreak in the U.S. since 1994. The state epidemiologist says health care facilities should make sure their em-

ployees have presumptive evidence of immunity to the illness. That could include documentation of receiving two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine or laboratory confirmation that they previously had measles. The outbreak started among Amish in Knox County who had traveled to the Philippines, which has had a measles epidemic. Measles is caused by a virus. Symptoms include fevers, coughs, rashes and pink eye.-AP

Ohio memorial honors US doc killed in Pak GROVEPORT (US): A memorial service in central Ohio has honored an American cardiologist shot and killed last month in Pakistan in front of his wife and toddler. Police say two gunmen riding a motorcycle shot Mehdi Ali Qamar as his family left a cemetery after visiting relatives' graves. He was from the minority Ahmadi sect. About 100 relatives, friends and colleagues gathered south of Columbus to remember the 51-year-old Qamar, of nearby

Pickerington. The ceremony was held at an Ahmadiyya Muslim Community mosque. The Columbus Dispatch reports that speakers at the memorial remembered Qamar as a man dedicated to serving humanity. A statement from the Ahmadiyaa Muslim Community said thousands of people attended Qamar's funeral two weeks ago in Toronto. Qamar had dual US and Canadian citizenship. -AP

2 infected with West Nile virus in California SAN FRANCISCO: California health officials have reported that two people have been infected with West Nile virus in the state. The Fresno Bee reported that the infections occurred in San Joaquin and Contra Costa counties in Northern California. Authorities said neither person is seriously ill. The Contra Costa patient was released from the hospital. The other person didn't require hospitalization. ``These reported West Nile virus cases remind us that taking a few minutes to protect ourselves and our families from mosquito bites can make a big difference,'' said Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health and state health officer. West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Only about two of 10 people bitten will develop symptoms, which can include fever and body aches. But serious illness such as encephalitis and meningitis are possible, and the elderly are at greater risk.

In April, Paul Salamunovich, the longtime director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale who helped score movies including ``The Godfather,'' died of West Nile virus complications. He was 86. Health officials urge residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites, including

using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes and birds in 19 California counties this year.-AP

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Realty Tidbits

Sebi pitches for tax benefits on REITs NEW DELHI: To give a boost to capital markets, regulator Sebi has asked the government to provide clarity on tax benefits for new products like REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts), as also for Infrastructure Investment Trusts and for debt securities. "Sebi will soon finalize norms for REITs, but is awaiting clarity on taxation issues," the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) Chairman U K Sinha said here, while adding that the regulator wants such trusts to get tax pass-through status. Besides, Sebi is also close to framing new rules for Infrastructure Investment Trusts but there needs to be clarity on withholding taxation issues for such products, Sinha said. These new products would allow investors to invest in specific products linked to real estate projects and infrastructure projects, while providing necessary safeguards. -PTI

Â&#x201E; Housing.com raises Rs 115 crore from VCs MUMBAI: Property portal Housing.com says it has raised Rs 115 crore from various venture capital firms in its fourth round of funding. Venture capital firms like Helion Venture Partners, Nexus Venture Partners and Qualcomm Ventures have together invested Rs 115 crore in Housing.com, a release issued here said. While Helion has pumped in Rs 48 crore, Nexus has invested Rs 43 crore and Qualcomm Rs 24 crore, it said. "The latest pool of funding will be utilized to expand the company's new projects, extend its technology to new platforms, and accelerate its branding and marketing activities," company's co-founder Advitiya Sharma said. -PTI

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Protests over allotment draw cancellation AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat Congress organized statewide demonstrations demanding a proper inquiry after Chief Minister Anandi Patel cancelled the house allotment draw of more than 8,000 houses built by the state Housing Board. Congress workers, led by city Congress president Chetan Raval, gathered outside the Board office in Naranpura area here and shouted slogans against the officials and the Gujarat state government before handing over a memorandum to Gujarat Housing Board officials. -PTI

Homeless couple gets home from Upstate volunteers GREENVILLE, S.C.: Steve and Mary Payne have not lived in a home of their own in 10 years. Singularly and together, they've lived in shelters, with family and in a tent in an encampment under the Pete Hollis bridge known as Tent City. They recently saw the two-bedroom, one-bath house with a glassed-in porch that, once renovated, will become their home for the next year. It's available through a new program from United Housing Connections called Restore a Home. ``I still think it's a dream,'' Steve Payne said, standing in a large kitchen that was clearly his wife's favorite room. ``It's big,'' she said. ``Won't be running into people.'' ``We used to have Thanksgiving and Christmas. The whole family,'' her husband said. ``Let's plan on that again,'' said Rick Ingram, the interim executive director of United Housing Connections who showed the Paynes the house, which is in the beginning stages of renovation. Steve and Mary Payne were featured in a five-part series in The Greenville News last November that showed Greenville County has the second highest population of homeless people in the state after Richland, where Columbia is located. The series described life under the bridge, where the Paynes were new residents, where they celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary.

The newspaper found that people with unreliable income or on disability, as the Paynes are, couldn't afford a place to live, sending them into the streets, shelters and tent communities. The problem is exacerbated by low-paying jobs and limited pub-

medical bills or lost jobs. The fastest growing segments are women and young people. At the same time, violence is increasing, not only within the homeless population but from outsiders. It isn't uncommon for a homeless person to be jumped

Steve and Mary Payne pose for a portrait inside the home in Greenville that will be given to them through United Housing Connections' latest housing program, Restore a Home. The Payne have not lived in a home of their own in 10 years. Their home will be ready in late August.

lic transportation. The newspaper also found that while alcoholism, drug use and mental illness are prevalent among the homeless, the population is swelling with people whose lives tipped over from

after cashing a disability check or to return to a tent to find belongings missing. The house at 10 Zarline St. in City View on Greenville's Westside had been empty for some time when the owner do-

nated it to United Housing Connections last fall. The copper plumbing had been stolen. The bathroom floor had rotted through to the subfloor. ``They come with a lot of work,'' Ingram said. But overall, the house built in the 1930s was sound. Over the next weeks, the experts - plumbers, electricians, as well as volunteers _ will begin the renovation in earnest. Installing new plumbing, wiring, patching holes, cleaning, painting, installing linoleum and new fixtures, appliances. In other words, it will become a spotless home. Ingram, who is heading the organization since Executive Director Mike Chesser left to pursue his own projects last month, said Chesser was instrumental in creating Restore a Home. The difference between the Zarline house and the other 640 units United Housing Connections owns is the organization will have no monetary investment, allowing the Paynes and the families who will follow them to live there for the first four months at no cost. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 39

Internet influencing real estate decisions in India NEW DELHI: As more Indians log online to seek information before entering into property deals, Internet today is estimated to be influencing decisions worth about USD 43 billion, search engine giant Google said. According to a study commissioned by the US-based firm, over 50 per cent of real estate buyers' decisions are influenced by Internet research. "This phenomenon of researching online for real estate information before making a decision is not limited to metros but also extended to buyers in tier II cities," Google India Industry Director Nitin Bawankule told reporters here. The overall influence of Internet on real estate transac-

tion value of both residential and commercial property including rentals amounts to USD 43 billion (USD 31 billion for residential and USD 12 billion for commercial), he added.

The primary reasons for researching online were easy access to in-depth property information and market trends (60 per cent), large comparison options (52 per cent), easy access to contact details of owners and

developers (49 per cent) and financing and document processing information (43 per cent). The survey, conducted by consultancy firm Zinnov across 15 cities in India included the metros, Pune, Lucknow and Ahmedabad with 6,196 respondents. Talking about search trends on Google, Bawankule said the number had seen a 3x growth in the last three years. "There is tremendous opportunity for both online real estate aggregators, brokers and developers to engage the buyers online by providing rich, meaningful and immersive experience to buyers on the Internet," he added.

Real Estate Post

June 27, 2014

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Indiabulls buys land in London for Rs 1,550 crore MUMBAI: Indiabulls Real Estate has paid ÂŁ155 million (Rs 1,550 crore) for a commercial property in London's Mayfair, marking the third significant realty investment in London by an Indian realtor since November 2013. The Mumbai-based developer has bought a 87,444 sq ft property, 22 Hanover Square, in an auction

from the Scottish Widows Investment Partnership, which is now part of Aberdeen Asset Management. Mayfair is an up-market London neighborhood, home to the significantly wealthy. Indiabulls is looking to finance the transaction through internal accruals, company officials said. It plans to convert the building -

Homeless couple gets home from Upstate volunteers Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 38

For the next four months, the Paynes will pay a percentage of income, and the final four months the agency and the Paynes will focus on finding an affordable permanent home. One of the biggest obstacles for homeless people is accumulating the required upfront money for housing, deposits for the property itself as well as utilities. Restore a Home will provide a financial cushion as well as offer budgeting help. ``It is very difficult to break that cycle, to stabilize their situation,'' Ingram said. At the Zarline home, Jacobs Engineering has provided expertise and provided 18 workers for Hands on Greenville Day to demolish what needs to be replaced inside.

Homeless service providers say Tent City's cohesiveness transformed into an overcrowded conglomeration of people wanting in on the wealth of donations, from tents to blankets to heaters and lots and lots of clothes and canned goods. Payne said he still doesn't remember what happened, only what people have told him. He suffered a concussion in the attack, Mary a fractured hip trying to break up the fight. He spent five days in the hospital and Mary stayed with him. They had no place else to go so they went back to Tent City. ``We stayed one week,'' Payne said. ``I was scared down there. I didn't know if I was sitting there talking to the guy who attacked me.'' It was a cruel fate for Payne,

Payne said he still doesn't remember what happened, only what people have told him. He suffered a concussion in the attack, Mary a fractured hip trying to break up the fight. He spent five days in the hospital and Mary stayed with him So far, the agency has received commitments from a plumber, electrician and a heating and air conditioning contractor to do the work. Ingram said the Paynes were selected for the first home because of the personal connection they had with the agency. They attended Upstate Homeless Coalition task force meetings and Ingram visited them in Tent City. The past six months have been difficult for the Paynes. Not long after the New Year, Steve Payne was attacked at Tent City by another resident. Community residents responded to The Greenville News series with more donations of clothing and other items than residents could use. Once that news was spread through the community, more people descended on the encampment.

who once considered it a blessing to be living there. He had lost his job and home after he was hit in the head by a tree limb while helping a friend do some tree work. One night, he passed out from low blood sugar at the QT gas station and, when he regained consciousness, a couple took him to Tent City, where they were living. Hidden beside the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks in a scrub of brush and trees, the community isn't easy to find. It's either a long walk down a rutted dirt road or an illegal walk across the tracks. Payne had never heard of it before. But residents gave him a tent and some food, made sure he took his medicine and checked on him when he had a coughing fit. Mary joined him a few weeks later.-AP

Sameer Gehlaut, Chairman Indiabulls Group

which is currently rented out to international property consultants, JLL - into a luxury residential property. Buyers from India could constitute a significant chunk of apartment owners, company officials said. The conversion, including the change in end-use, could take over two years, the officials said. Till then JLL would stay on as a tenant. It's lease on the building is till 2017. The building was put on block in April this year with H2SO, a property consultant, that recently become part of Colliers International advising Scottish Widows

Investment Partnership on the sale. "Indiabulls Group is managing a large capital base of Rs18,000 crore and had made profits after taxes of over Rs 1,800 crore last year. We are now seeking to diversify our investments and profit pool across various geographies and London is a very safe investment," said Sameer Gehlaut, Chairman, Indiabulls Group while confirming the transaction. Another Mumbai based realtor, the Lodha Group, bought two properties in London - McDonald House in central London in November last year and a building on Carey Street in February 2014.

Kanchenjunga range view from Kurseong

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June 27, 2014

PREETI VERMA LAL

t is a tiny hill station that sits coquettishly by its more famous neighbor Darjeeling. It takes its name from a white orchid, but the traveler often takes a while to find the perfect adjective for Kurseong (West Bengal). Is it a monk's retreat? An epicurean's delight? A trekker's bliss? A naturalist's haven? A perfect getaway? The squat town has packed so much within its terrain that it might take more than a few days to soak into its beauty. You can catch a glimpse of the snow-bathed Kanchenjunga from behind the chintz curtains of your hotel room; in the Kunsanum Doling Buddhist monastery, tonsured nuns sun-dry magenta rhododendrons and serve Tibetan tea with a dollop of cream; in the tea factories, one could get suffused with the scent of fresh organic tea; the tiny bazaar where one haggles over tamarind toffee and rub shoulders with chaos as the steam rail engine hisses on the tracks; the St Mary's trail where large ferns unfold from colossal hirsute buds; and a trip on the famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway - the tiny blue train that hisses between Darjeeling and Siliguri on a gauge track that is barely 2 ft wide. There's all this and then there's more of the must-do in Kurseong. And amidst all the charm of a hill station lives the story of two men - one an erudite British magistrate. And the other a brave freedom fighter. Percy Cochrane's erudition was established - he was the magistrate of Kurseong, but that the Britisher would be such an aesthete is deliberated by the choice of his homestead. When he moved to Kurseong to sit in judgment as a barrister he scoured around for the best room with a view - he found one in a nunnery and inked the deal. The aesthete knew his whys - from one window he could see the snow-bathed Kanchenjunga and from another he could ogle at the mist-laden valley. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 42

Cochrane Place, a boutique hotel Photo credit: Preeti Verma Lal

Cochrane Place serves 40 different tea blends, including champagne tea

Rose tea

June 27, 2014

Travel & Hospitality Post

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J&K Summer Tourism Festival kicks off SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Tourism Ghulam Ahmad Mir has inaugurated a nine-day Kashmir Summer Tourism Festival-2014 here with the aim of reviving tourism in the state. Activities focused on tourists like adventure, golf, river and ecotourism are highlights of the Fes-

the revival path. We hope the festival will be a big success for tourism boom as the weather conditions in the Valley are pleasant as compared to the rising temperatures elsewhere," Mir said. Tourists would be able to experience the local culture and traditions during the festival, the min-

Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmad Mir inaugurating Kashmir Summer Tourism Festival at Kashmir Haat on June 21

tival which also showcases the art and culture of the Valley besides offering the traditional Kashmiri cuisine (Wazwaan). "Kashmir festival is being organized after a long gap with the aim to bring the tourism sector on

ister said. "Due to the vastly improved situation in the Valley, Kashmir has experienced a huge increase in tourist influx and it is expected that there will be more increase this year. Heavy rush in the summer is

Naples, green and clean, now bike-friendly NAPLES, Italy: Luca Simeone and party outsider, calls it. rides his bike along the sunny The liberated beachfront beachfront of Naples while his little quickly became a paradise for rundaughter sleeps on the baby seat. ners, cyclists and also those who It may sound ordinary, but this love pizza or fish, with the sound simple act is revolutionary. Three of waves as background music and years ago Naples' seafront was an the island of Capri and sleepy urban highway, noisy and smoggy, jammed with car traffic, while smelly trash erupted from garbage bins along streets and alleys. Urban cyclers were regarded as eco-fundamentalists. Three years later, Naples has a Luca Simeone, founder of bike-sharing start up called new mayor, clean "bike tour Napoli," left, pedals along a cyclists' path in Naples, Italy on June 13 streets, a wide ped e s t r i a n beachfront and a 20-kilometer (12- Vesuvius volcano framing the view mile) cycling lane overlooking a of the bay. beautiful bay. This is the liberated The transformation also albeachfront (''Il lungomare lowed Simeone to launch a bike liberato''), as the new mayor, Luigi tour business. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 43 De Magistris, a former prosecutor

anticipated," he said. The festival is being organized by the Tourism Department in collaboration with the Department of Handicrafts and its allied departments at Kashmir Haat near the city centre. Besides recreational facilities, various government departments have set up stalls showcasing handicrafts, handloom products, as well as the art and culture of the Valley. Different tourist-related activities are being carried out at various tourism spots with focus on adventure, golf, river and eco-tourism in the Valley. The traditional Kashmiri cuisine (Wazwaan) would also be available at the festival where daily cultural programs by famous artists would be presented. Events like paragliding, rock

climbing, kids festival and Kashmiri idol have also been or-

hoteliers, guest house owners and house-boat owners of the Valley

ganized. Local service providers such as

are offering discounts to lure tourists. -PTI

India Post

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June 27, 2014

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KURSEONG Enjoy Kanchenjunga & 40 different tea blends Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 40

Cochrane is no more, but the best room with a view lives on, incidentally, still carrying his name. Cochrane's home is now Cochrane Place, a boutique hotel with still the best room with a view. Of course, the tiny town still reverberates with tales of Subhash Chandra Bose and his elder brother Sarat Chandra Bose who owned a home in Kurseong. A cement staircase leads into the non-

On way to Kurseong, look out for these tea-cup signs

descript white house where Sarat Chandra was interned from 1933 to 1935. "Open your shoes". A sign by the main door reads. Inside, there lie a rare collection of photographs of the Bose family

and letters written by Netaji. It was in this house that Netaji wrote the speech that he delivered as president of Haripura Congress (1938). In Kurseong, tales are often told over a cuppa. As you drive up Pankhabari, you'd notice the Makaibari Organic Tea Factory. Makaibari is big news right now because the World Cup football players are sipping Makaibari in Brazil. Beyond the footballers, there's the Queen of England on the tea-list. The handrolled tea that is sold in Harrod's London is made in Ambootia Tea Factory. And it is from Harrod's that the tea reaches the Queen's kitchen! Remember, when in Kurseong, shed the clichĂŠd milk-sugar tea. Think of funky concoctions. Champagne tea. Mint/raw mango tea. Betel leaf tea. Rose tea. Passion fruit tea. Fruit blend tea. Tea made of spearmint freshly plucked off the garden. Sounds like a menu off witch's cauldron? Well, in Cochrane Place you can have this and much more. Ask Rita Arora, the dainty owner of Cochrane Place and she'll rattle 40 different tea blends. When you are full to the gill, do not hiss like a steam engine. Read Ralph Waldo Emerson's quote on the restaurant's tea counter: There is a great deal of poetry and fine sentiment in a chest of tea. I did not look for poetry in a chest of tea. I did not need to. I found poetry and fine sentiment in Kurseong. Everywhere. Specially in Cochrane Place. (www.deepblueink.com)

Kunsanum Doling Buddhist monastery

Chaang, a local millet brew

At Cochrane Place, try tea roast salad

Kurseong railway station

Darjeeling Hill Railway, the toy train

June 27, 2014

Travel & Hospitality Post

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Rajasthan Tourism bags 2 Rise in foreign tourist arrivals by over 9 pc prestigious awards

Rajasthan Tourism Additional Director Harsh V. Bhatnagar (third from left) receiving the 'CNBC Travel Awaaz Award 2014' for 'Best Travel State' from the Minister of Tourism, Madhya Pradesh, Surendra Patwa (second from left). Others in the photograph are Ajeet Bajaj (MD Show Leopard Adventures extreme left), M.S. Chawala, (Chairman Sidhartha Travels - second from right), and the Mayor Indore Krishna Murari Moghe (extreme right)

JAIPUR: The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Rajasthan has added more feathers to its caps by bagging two prestigious awards. The Department received the 'CNBC Travel Awaaz Award 2014', as the 'Best Travel State'. These annual awards are presented by Madhya Pradesh Tourism. Additional Director, DOT, Harsh V. Bhatnagar received the award on behalf of the Department from Surendra Patwa, Tourism Minister of Madhya Pradesh. On the occasion, Bhatnagar said: "Rajasthan Tourism stands committed for providing top class tourism infrastructure and facilities for both the foreign as well as domestic tourists." A week earlier, the Department had been conferred the Best Destination for Families award by 'Lonely Planet' Magazine. It was received by Assistant Director, Marketing, DOT, Ajit Singh.

NEW DELHI: Incredible India campaign attracted 4.21 lakh foreign tourists to the country in May this year as against 3.84 lakh for the same period last year, marking a growth of 9.7 per cent, according to Tourism Ministry data.

ing an increase of 21.5 per cent growth, the according to Tourism Ministry data. There is also an increase in Visa on Arrival (VoA) as more tourists have availed the facility to come to the country. In May this year, a total of 1,833 VoAs were issued under the scheme as compared to 1,114 VoAs during the same month last year, registering a growth of 64.5 per cent. As a facilitative measure to attract more foreign tourists, the Visa on Arrival scheme has been

Government earned Rs 7403 cr as foreign exchange in May as compared to Rs 6,092 cr in the corresponding period last year, show-

launched for 12 countries including South Korea, Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore. -PTI

Naples, green and clean, now bike-friendly Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 41

``A new era has opened for those who love to ride a bicycle in our city,'' said Simeone. ``Today we can say that speaking about sustainable and environment friendly tourism, like our project, is reality and not fantasy anymore.''

ride past art nouveau villas, parks and up Posillipo hill for a view of Naples and its bay. Anja Hayek from Germany and Antonio Sorace of Italy recently rode up the hill to enjoy the sunset. ``This is the only good way to visit and know Naples,'' Hayek said. ``I found it very nice this year,

A statue of Padre Pio covered with rosaries stands nearby as people enjoy the sun and water at Mergellina bay, in Naples, Italy

Bike Tour Napoli - http:// www.biketournapoli.com - offers both an urban route along the city's UNESCO-protected ancient center and a countryside tour, with organic food tasting included. The tours wind through tiny medieval alleys and past baroque churches, around volcanic lakes of the Pozzuoli area, the Vesuvius volcano and the breathtaking Amalfi coast. The most popular route is a

the bicycle lanes and the pedestrian area by the sea. I found it very beautiful.'' Sorace added that ``visiting Naples by car is impossible due to the traffic. By car you can't enjoy the alleys and it is difficult to breathe.'' Naples is planning to extend the cycling lanes into the suburbs. For Simeone, the success of his tours represents more than just

business. It's also a way to stop the brain drain. Youth unemployment in Naples is 50 percent. Migration abroad or to the industrialized north is the norm as talented young people leave to find work. The local mafia syndicate Camorra has long taken advantage of the lack of jobs to gain recruits for illegal businesses. But the green revolution gives hope to those like Simeone who want to erase the image of Naples as a city of garbage and pollution. ``We bet on a revolution of transportation,'' explained De Magistris from his office overlooking the port and a new metro construction site. He recalled his parents trying to squash a childhood love of cycling, saying, ``Stop this passion, because in Naples you can't ride a bicycle in the streets.'' Now, more locals are using bike lanes, pedestrian areas have been improved, and some 2.4 million visitors are staying in Naples hotels each year, with the numbers growing. The expansion of the metro system will add to the environmental improvements for this city of 1 million (4 million in the metro area). The metro also connects riders to art. At the Toledo station, a ride down the escalators reveals works of bright blue representing the sea. ``Oh, it is very beautiful. It is like plunging into the sea,'' said Pierre Bonini, a tourist from Paris, at the bottom of the escalator.-AP

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In Brief India stops immigration clearance for Iraq NEW DELHI: The Government has announced that it has stopped granting of immigration clearance for travel to Iraq for next one month as it grapples to secure release of 39 kidnapped Indians in the strifetorn Gulf nation. "The Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry has stopped granting immigration clearance for Iraq for one month," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said. According to the Emigration Act, 1983, Emigration Check Required (ECR) categories of Indian passport holders need to obtain 'Emigration Clearance' from the office of Protector of Emigrants (POE) for going to 18 countries. The countries where ECR is mandatory include Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Malaysia, Libya, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Brunei, Afghanistan, Indonesia and Syria. The announcement to stop issuance of immigration clearance for travel to Iraq came days after government issued a travel advisory asking citizens not to visit Iraq due to the prevailing situation. However, it was found that despite the advisory, some people have gone to the country for employment. The government is making all out efforts to secure release of kidnapped Indians as well as all those trapped in some other violence-hit areas. -PTI

India denies move for visa-free entry of B'deshis NEW DELHI: The government has said there was no decision nor any move on visa-free entry of Bangladeshi nationals into India. "We have seen reports in the press regarding 'decision' on visafree entry for Bangladeshi nationals. It is hereby clarified that no such decision has been taken by government nor is any such move under its consideration," official sources said. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had told a press conference in Guwahati that his government is opposed to any relaxation of visa norms for free entry into India of Bangladeshi citizens below 18 years and above 65 years of age. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will pay a threeday visit to Bangladesh from June 25 during which she will hold talks with the top leadership there on a host of issues of bilateral and international interest.-PTI

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June 27, 2014

USCIS extends TPS re-registration for Haitians Details on page 46

US to open family detention centers amid surge of immigrants WASHINGTON: The Obama administration is actively looking for additional space to house families caught crossing the border with Mexico illegally, primarily for mothers with young children, officials said. Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas made the statement amid a surge of migrants seeking to enter the United States from Central America. Mayorkas did not say how many people the new family detention centers would house or where they will be located. The government currently operates only one such facility, in Berks County, Pennsylvania, with space for fewer than 100 people. Mayorkas said about 39,000 adults with children have been apprehended at the border since the start of the budget year in October. The administration has released an unspecified number of them into the U.S. in recent months with instructions to report later to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices. Mayorkas, the No. 2 official at the agency and former head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, told reporters he didn't know how many people have been released or subsequently appeared as ordered.

Mayorkas said the administration will also send more immigration judges, ICE attorneys and other immigration officials to the

illegally have overwhelmed U.S. immigration agencies. More than 174,000 people, mostly from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala,

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, left, and Guatemala's President Otto Perez Molina shake hands during a photo opportunity at the National Palace in Guatemala City, June 20. The Obama administration moved Friday to stem a flood of Central American children and families that has overwhelmed the U.S. immigration system, dispatching Biden to the region to warn against the perils of the trip.

region to help process migrants caught crossing the border illegally and, when possible, quickly return them to their home countries. Immigrants crossing the border

have been arrested in Texas' Rio Grande Valley this year. Other announcements the administration made about illegal immigration from Central America include:

• The administration will give the governments of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala $9.6 million to help local authorities reintegrate returned immigrants. • The U.S. Agency for International Development will launch a $40 million program to help improve citizen security in Guatemala. USAID will also start a $25 million crime and violence prevention program in El Salvador. • More than $18 million will be used to support community policing and law enforcement efforts to combat gangs in Honduras under the Central American Regional Security Initiative, or CARSI. The U.S. government will also provide $161.5 million for CARSI programs focused on security and government challenges in the region. The spike in border crossers southern Texas is now the busiest border crossing in the country - prompted the Homeland Security Department earlier this year to start sending families to other parts of Texas and Arizona for processing before releasing them at local bus stops. Family detention has long been a contentious issue for Homeland Security. Cont'd on Page 46

Lawmaker seeks visa approval for Indian docs WASHINGTON: An influential US lawmaker has asked the State Department to improve the visa approval process for doctors from India and Pakistan. In a letter to the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Consular Affairs, New York Congresswoman Grace Meng said international physicians set to do their residencies at American hospitals have encountered great difficulty in obtaining J-1 visas from their US Embassies, especially those located in India and Pakistan. The problem has resulted in serious dilemmas for the physi-

cians, and the American hospitals at which they're set to work, she said. "I am told that in the past years, there have been several instances where undue delays in the issuance of visas resulted in hospitals having to withdraw offers to foreign physicians who had already accepted, effectively preventing these physicians from entering the US at all," Mend wrote. "I understand that the Department of State has made great strides in recognizing the unique time

New York Congresswoman Grace Meng

frame that international physicians face as they apply for these visas. "However, given the high turnover of staff in US Embassies located in India and Pakistan, it is difficult to maintain the institutional knowledge and understanding of this issue needed to adjudicate the visas in the appropriate timeframe," Meng noted. Meng's letter has the support of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) and the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA). -PTI

Immigration Post

June 27, 2014

India Post 45

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Mass immigrant graves uncovered in Texas cemetery FALFURRIAS, TEXAS: Mass graves have been discovered in a south Texas cemetery, and researchers believe they contain the bodies of immigrants who died crossing into the U.S. illegally, according to published reports. The discovery at Sacred Heart Burial Park in Falfurrias came as part of a multi-year effort to identify immigrants who've died in the area near the U.S.-Mexico border. The remote area is often deadly for immigrants from Mexico and Central America who set out on foot through ranchlands amid sweltering temperatures to avoid a nearby U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint. Anthropologists Lori Baker and Krista Latham and their students unearthed remains in trash bags, shopping bags, body bags or without a container at all, according to the Corpus Christi Caller Times. In one burial, bones of three bodies were inside one body bag. In another, at least five people in body bags and smaller plastic bags were piled on top of each other. Skulls also were found in biohaz-

ard bags placed between coffins. Latham called the discovery appalling. Baker said bodies that were not already skeletonized before burial were found in varying states of decomposition.

Caller Times. They exhumed 110 unidentified people from the cemetery in 2013. This summer, researchers have performed 52 exhumations, but because some remains were stored

An anthropology team inspects the skeleton of a suspected undocumented immigrant after they exhumed the bones from a gravesite on May 22, 2013 in Falfurrias, Brooks County, Texas. In Brooks County alone, at least 129 immigrants perished in 2012, most of dehydration while making the long crossing from Mexico.

``To me it's just as shocking as the mass grave that you would picture in your head, and it's just as disrespectful,'' Latham told the

together, further study will be needed to determine exactly how many bodies have been recovered, Baker said.

Australia offers asylum-seekers $10k to return home SYDNEY: Australia is offering asylum-seekers in its Pacific immigration camps up to AUD 10,000 (USD 9,400) if they voluntarily return to their home country, a report said, prompting outrage from refugee campaigners. Fairfax Media reported that those returning to Lebanon from detention centers on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island and the tiny Pacific state of Nauru were offered the highest amount of AUD 10,000. Iranians and Sudanese were given AUD 7,000 if they dropped bids for refugee status, Afghans AUD 4,000 and those from Pakistan, Nepal and Myanmar AUD 3,300, the report in The Sydney Morning Herald said. The Herald said under the previous Labor administration - in office until last September - the payments were much lower, rang-

ing from AUD 1,500 to AUD 2,000. Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has not confirmed the figures, but a spokesman said the "return packages" were "tailored to the circumstances of each case".

"When Scott Morrison was in opposition, he opposed Labor's own reintegration packages and now he is offering sums which are triple the amount," Marles told the ABC. "The process of voluntary return is conducted in direct partnership with the International Organization for Migration. It has

been standard policy and practice for more than 10 years." Labor's immigration spokesman Richard Marles said the government should be ensuring that asylum-seekers' claims were being properly processed, not issuing "blank cheques". "When Scott Morrison was in opposition, he opposed Labor's own reintegration packages and now he is offering sums which are triple the amount," Marles told the ABC. Australia has toughened its policy on asylum-seekers in recent years, with those arriving on unauthorized boats now refused residency in Australia even if they are deemed refugees. Instead they are held in detention camps on Manus and Nauru and are expected to be resettled in those countries if their claims are valid.-AFP

Researchers told the newspaper that some remains were found under small, temporary grave markers bearing the name of local funeral home Funeraria del Angel Howard-Williams. Brooks and Jim Hogg county officials said they pay the funeral home to handle bodies recovered in the remote parts of South Texas. More than 300 people died crossing through Brooks County alone between 2011 and 2013 _ representing more than 50 percent of the deaths in Texas' sprawling Rio Grande Valley. Brooks County Chief Deputy Benny Martinez said the funeral home charges $450 to handle each body. County Judge Raul Ramirez said the funeral home had been handling such remains for at least 16 years. Chief Sheriff's Deputy Lorenzo Benavides in neighboring Jim Hogg County said the practice has been going on there as long as he can remember, at

least 22 years. The funeral home referred the newspapers' questions to its parent company, Houston-based Service Corporation International. ``No matter if this is one of our client families we serve on a traditional basis or a migrant family's loved one we're serving and we don't have any identification of the loved one, I do want to let you know it is our policy to treat the decedent with care, to treat them just like we would treat anyone else,'' Service Corporation International Spokeswoman Jessica McDunn told the newspaper. McDunn said the funeral home has ``certain records related to these burials, but this does not amount to confirmation that Howard-Williams was involved in depositing the remains in the manner the researchers described.'' The funeral home would not give the newspaper access to those records.-AP

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Immigration Post

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June 27, 2014

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USCIS extends TPS re-registration for Haitians CYRUS D. MEHTA

he Department of Home land Security (DHS) has extended the re-registration deadline to July 22, 2014, for Haitian nationals who have already been granted temporary protected status (TPS) and seek to maintain that status for an additional 18 months. USCIS strongly encourages Haitian TPS beneficiaries to apply as soon as possible. DHS began accepting re-registration applications on March 3, 2014, from TPS Haiti beneficiaries when DHS announced an 18-

TPS beneficiaries. USCIS said this would allow sufficient time for eligible TPS beneficiaries who re-register on time to receive an EAD without any lapse in employment authorization. To re-register, TPS beneficiaries must submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Individuals seeking to reregister do not need to pay the I821 application fee. However, all re-registrants 14 years of age and

To re-register, TPS beneficiaries must submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Individuals do not need to pay the I-821 application fee. However, all re-registrants 14 years of age and older must pay a biometric services fee month extension of the TPS designation for Haiti from July 23, 2014, through January 22, 2016. Approximately 51,000 TPS Haiti beneficiaries are expected to file for re-registration. TPS is not available to Haitian nationals who have not continuously resided in the United States since January 12, 2011. DHS also automatically extended by six months, through January 22, 2015, the validity of employment authorization documents (EADs) for eligible Haitian

older must pay a biometric services fee or submit a fee waiver request. All re-registrants seeking employment authorization through January 22, 2016, must also submit the I-765 fee (or a fee-waiver request). Re-registrants who do not want employment authorization must still submit a completed I-765 but do not need to submit the I-765 fee. USCIS accepting only current naturalization applications

As of May 5, 2014, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is now only accepting current versions of the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, dated 9/13/2013. USCIS will reject and return all naturalization applications using previous versions. Among other things, the revised form has a barcode, which USCIS said will result in fewer rejected forms. USCIS said that it also clarified the instructions and made the form more "userfriendly." USCIS issued the revised version of the N-400 on February 4, 2014. The agency allowed applicants to continue using previous versions of the N-400 for a 90-day transition period, which has expired. Dept. of State releases DV-2015 results The Department of State's Kentucky Consular Center has registered and notified those selected in the DV-2015 diversity visa lottery. Approximately 125,514 applicants have been registered and notified, and may now apply for an immigrant visa. The Department said it is likely that not all of those registered will pursue their cases to visa issuance. Therefore, this larger figure should ensure that all DV-2015 numbers will be used during fiscal year 2015 (October 1, 2014, to September 30, 2015). Applicants registered for the

DV-2015 program were selected at random from 9,388,986 qualified entries (14,397,781 with derivatives) received during the 30-day application period that ran in late 2013. The visas have been apportioned among six geographic regions with a maximum of seven percent available to persons born in any single country. Cameroon received the most selections, at 5,000; followed by Ethiopia and Egypt, tied at 4,988; and Iran, at 4992. During the visa interview, prin-

During the visa interview, principal applicants must provide proof of a high school education or its equivalent, or show two years of work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience within the past five years. Those selected will need to act on their immigrant visa applications quickly cipal applicants must provide proof of a high school education or its equivalent, or show two years of work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience within the past five years. Those selected will need to act on their immigrant visa applications quickly, the Department said. Registrants living legally in the United States who wish to apply for adjustment of status must contact U.S. Citizenship and Im-

US to open family detention centers amid surge of immigrants Cont'd from Page 44

In 2009 the department was forced to shutter a large family detention center in Texas after legal challenges about the conditions of the facility. And in 2012, ICE abandoned plans to accept bids for a new family detention center in Texas amid complaints from advocates about the possibility of housing immigrant families in jails. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said that the first new family detention center would be a 700-bed facility on the grounds of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia, New Mexico. U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce told the Roswell Daily Record that the

new detention facility planned for New Mexico would only be for immigrant families, not unaccompanied minors. The Artesia training center is home to the Border Patrol's training academy, which includes dormitories. Pearce said he believes the facility in Artesia could be a temporary stop before deportation. Federal officials so far have not said when the facility would open, but they indicated that it would be relatively soon. According to Pearce, border patrol stations continue to be overwhelmed by the number of immigrants. ``There has been a flood of people at the border, and they are holding them at the border in bor-

der patrol stations,'' Pearce said. ``But they aren't able to get any work done, so the government is

George W. Bush deployed thousands of troops to the border during his second term to augment the Border Patrol as it bolstered its ranks. Since then, the agency has nearly doubled to more than 20,000 agents looking for places to put them.'' Te leader of the House of Rep-

migration Services for information on the requirements and procedures. Once the total 50,000 visa numbers have been used, the program for fiscal year 2015 will end. Selected applicants who do not receive visas by September 30, 2015, will derive no further benefit from their DV-2015 registrations. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2015 principal applicants are only entitled to derivative diversity visa status un-

resentatives, Speaker John Boehner, urged President Barack Obama to send troops to the southern border to help deal with the surge of children and other migrants. More than 52,000 children traveling alone have been caught crossing the border illegally since October. Former President George W. Bush deployed thousands of troops to the border during his second term to augment the Border Patrol as it bolstered its ranks. Since then, the agency has nearly doubled to more than 20,000 agents and the number of migrants caught crossing the border illegally has declined overall.-AP

til September 30, 2015. Dates for the DV-2016 program registration period will be widely publicized in the coming months, the Department said. The Department noted that the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) passed by Congress in November 1997 stipulated that up to 5,000 of the 55,000 annually allocated diversity visas be made available for use under the NACARA program. The reduction of the limit of available visas to 50,000 began with DV2000. CBP provides webpage access to arrival/departure date records A U.S. Customs and Border Patrol webpage now provides access to arrival/departure date records for nonimmigrants without necessitating a Freedom of Information Act request. The user can input the person's first and last name, date of birth, passport number and country of issuance, and is supposed to receive information about the person's recent I-94 arrival/departure record or a full travel history dating back several years. Reportedly, the system records the date of departure when the person books a departing flight, not the actual departure. Users have tried the system to obtain records for lawful permanent residents but have reported that the travel dates listed are sometimes incomplete. * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com

June 27, 2014

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India Post 47

48 India Post

GUWAHATI: At a time when the country is in the grip of World Cup fever, a film brings out the inspiring tale of 40-odd girls from poor, agrarian families who are 'bending it like Beckham' in the hope that football will kick them out of drudgery. "Soccer Queens of Rani" is about the passion of these girls from Rani area near here along Assam's border with Meghalaya. And they have to thank Hem Das, a veteran coach from here, who spends his own money to teach football to girls like them. Das had initially gone to the area in search of young boys interested in playing football, but found that more girls were in fact

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June 27, 2014

flocking to him to learn the sport. While narrating the stories of the girls, the film also captures the socio-economic life of the area they come from, thereby trying to show how fruits of modern development have not been equitably reached all the people. The film's subject is also important in the context of North-East India, where football is a passion and states like Manipur and Mizoram and clubs like Shillong Lajong FC have excelled on the national scene. The documentary by critic-cumfilmmaker Utpal Borpujari is made for Rajya Sabha Television. The 26minute film was commissioned by RSTV channel as part of a series

on developmental and inspirational stories of modern India. The girls come from poor, agrarian families from villages in the Rani area, which despite not being very far from Guwahati, still lacks basic amenities like electricity. The mother and a brother of one of the girls work in stone quarries to make ends meet. Another girl's father digs sand from the river to earn his family's household expenses. One of the girl's mother pulls a hand cart and sells snacks in the weekly local market. "For these girls, football pro-

vides an outlet to go beyond their mundane lives, and as the film reveals, quite a few of them also see it as an opportunity to get a better life in the future. They walk or cycle several kilometers every day to practice football, which speaks volumes about their dedication. And they practice football in time they find after attending school and doing household chores," says Borpujari. The film is also about the dedication of Das, an ex-Assam player who runs the Young Star Football Coaching Club. "Das spends a

major portion of his earnings in going about 20 days a month to Rani to teach football to these girls, and even buying kits for them," says Borpujari. A number of these girls have made it to the state squads for Under-14 and Under-17 national school tournaments. The film, apart from focusing on the story of aspirations of a bunch of young, underprivileged girls, also focuses on how individuals can play a role in giving shape to the nation's future, even if in small ways. -PTI

June 27, 2014

India Post 49 www.indiapost.com

Michael Jackson spent last days lonely, paranoid NEW DELHI: Michael Jackson was a complicated human who gave millions to charity and brightened lives with his talent, but also struggled with personal pain, says a book by two bodyguards who were with the singer in the last years of his life. Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard, record their experiences as the only gatekeepers between his family and world outside, spending time daily with the 'King of Pop' for close to three years till he died of an anesthesia overdose in 2009. By writing "Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson In His Final Days", the duo say they wanted the world to see a glimpse of the good man and the wonderful father they had the privilege of serving. Whitfield, who was previously head of security for rapper Sean Combs, writes "Mr Jackson trusted no one." "The man was paranoid. Didn't

sleep much. He was always going around the house at three, four in the morning, checking the locks on all the doors," says Whitfield. The bodyguard writes that even Jackson's father and siblings had to make appointments to meet him and nobody could get into the singer's house unannounced with the exception of Katherine Jackson, his mother. "Except for letters from fans and oc"The casional visits from his mother he was tabjust alone with his kids inside this little loids bubble," says Beard in the book published said by Harper Collins and co-written by Tani t ner Colby. was Jackson made his children - Prince, Paris weird and Blanket - the sole focus of his day-toand day life and concentrated on shielding crazy them from media's harsh glare. He used a variety of disguises like wearing a motorcycle helmet and leathers and even wearing bandages on his face. He home schooled his children and kept his children's faces covered with masks and veils when in public.

Michael Jackson

No to Bollywood unless it is Shah Rukh! NEW DELHI: Nisha Pahuja, the director of award-winning documentary 'The World Before her', says she is keen to direct more such real stories instead of going for a career in Bollywood. The India-born Canadian filmmaker has previously directed documentaries 'Diamond Road' and 'Bollywood Bound'. "I will never direct a Bollywood film, until and unless it has Shah Rukh Khan in it. Then, surely I will make a Hindi film, otherwise, I have no plans to venture into Bollywood as I like directing real subjects," Nisha told PTI. Nisha may want to steer clear of Bollywood but she is all praise for 'Dev D' director Anurag Kashyap, who turned presenter for the documentary.

"His backing had a tremendous impact on the film. When a director like him is supporting your film,

Shah Rukh Khan

people expect it to be of some quality and level. Anurag is a wonderful person and has been the best thing to have happened to the film in India," she said. The documentary, which won an award for the best documentary feature at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York in 2012, explores the complex and conflicting environment for young girls in India by profiling Ruhi Singh, who aspires to become Miss India, and Prachi Trivedi, a Hindu nationalist with Durga Vahini, the women wing of Vishva Hindu Parishad. "I started with making a documentary on Miss India pageant and in the process of finding for groups who oppose the competition, I got Durga Vahini and the young girls who join the camps," she said. -PTI

but they didn't understand the reason. If no one knew what his children looked like they could occasionally go out in public places without him and have a somewhat normal experience," says Whitfield. Michael Jackson was devastated by allegations of child molestation and sexual abuse, says Beard. After the singer was acquitted in 2005 he left Neverland, his self-made sanctuary in California but the huge publicity the trial generated left him a broken man. "I'm a father myself and I wouldn't have worked for him if I'd had any doubt. He wouldn't hurt a fly," Javon adds. "The Boss", as Whitefield and Beard called Jackson, had a phenomenal fan following, which made it difficult for him to do ordinary things like go out shopping. He had to go after store hours and usually dropped huge amounts of money on toys and books and would sometimes buy everything in the shops. Michael Jackson was very fond or reading and "at one point he actually bought a bookstore entire, and paid cash for it". The singer also had "particular fixations," says his minders.

"Once he wanted something he wanted it, period," writes Beard who recounts searching for a life-sized Spider Man figurine for the singer. Another time Jackson wanted to buy life sized figurines of the entire Simpsons family displayed in a theatre lobby. Whitfield and Beard have recounted instances in the book about Jackson reportedly traveling with a silver briefcase containing two Oscars won by "Gone With The Wind" that he had purchased for more than 1 million pounds. Although there were plenty of people coming into Jackson's life, his guards say "there was nobody really in his life." "There was almost no one in his life on a personal level coming to say, hey, let's hang out. Never in the whole time I worked for the man did I hear anybody just call him up to say hey guess what movie I saw? There was nothing like that going on it was just business." For Jackson the main contact with the outside world was through his fans. He got tons of fan mail from all over the world and every few days it would arrive in big sacks. "It came from all over the world from Canada, England, Egypt, Japan, Ireland, India and Spain. He would read all of it," say his guards. The book details the sensitive side of Jackson when he used to hand out food and cash to the homeless in Las Vegas through a crack in his car window. "Nobody could tell him who he was. There was no media out there; no cameras," writes Jackson's bodyguard. -PTI

Datebook

50 India Post

June 27, 2014

www.indiapost.com

NEW JERSEY

NEW YORK

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

ILLINOIS

Upcoming

Sat, Jun 28 • Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty Sanskriti Music

• J K Yog Satsang and Bal

Fri, June 27 • Fashion Extravaganza Venue: Marriott Uniondale Hotel, 101 James Doolittle Blvd, Uniondale, NY 11553 Time : 06:00 pm Contact: 732-331-0255

Sat, July 12 • Hema Malini as Durga

Sat, July 5 • Future Without Fear

Venue: Colden Center Auditorium, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367 Time : 8:00 pm Contact : 718-639-2881

Inspirational Talk by Raj Yogi Brahma

Sat, July 12 • Papon Featuring Bollywood Music

Sat, Aug 9

Venue: Edward Nash Theatre, Raritan Valley Community College, 118 Lamington Rd, Branchburg, NJ 08876 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 609-865-9698

Venue: Colden Center, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367 Time: 08:00 pm Contact : 718-639-2881

Sun, July 20

Sun, Aug 24 • Mika Singh Live In New York

• Padma Bhushan Dr K.J. Yesudas Venue: Raritan Valley Community College Edward Nash Auditorium, 118 Lamington Rd, Somerville, NJ 08876 Time: 4:00 pm

Kumar, Brother Charles Hogg

Venue: Jain Center Auditorium, 722 S. Main Street, Milpitas, CA Time: 6pm to 9pm Contact: www.bksiliconvalley.org

• Kumar Sanu Live In Concert

Venue: Long Island University, 720 Northern Blvd, NY 11368 Time: 06:30 pm Contact: 347-989-6104

Sat, July 7 • Papon and The East India Company Venue: Chabot College Performing Arts Center, 25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94545 Time : 4:00 pm Contact: 408-892-9907

Sat, July 12 • Devi Sri Prasad Live In Concert Venue: San Jose State University Event Center, 290 South 7th Street, San Jose, CA 95192 Time: 7 pm Contact: 972-655-8849

Sun, July 13 • Bombay Jayashree And Shubha Mudgal Live In Bay Area Venue: Sunnyvale Hindu temple, 450 Persian Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94089 Contact: 510-565-9518

July 26, 27, Aug 2, 3 • BATA-Cricbay Cup - Proceeds will go to Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF) Venue: Fremont and Sunnyvale Cricket Ground Time: 9:00 am

Mukund Hindi Classes are held every 2nd and 4rth Sunday of

Venue: Amador Theater, 1155 Santa Rita

Month

Rd, Pleasanton, CA 94566

Chicago Satsang Information:

Time: 05:00 pm

J K Yog, Chicago - Swami Mukundananda

Contact: 408-887-5948

Venue: Clarion Inn/Waterford Banquets, Board Room, 933 South Riverside

Sat, July 12 • Dheeyan Marjanian

Drive, Elmhurst, IL 60126

Venue: Chabot College, 25555 Hesperian

Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok

Blvd, Hayward, CA 94545

@ 630-561-4807

Time: 6:30 pm

Website: www.jkyog.org

Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm

Contact: 408-507-1290

ATLANTA

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

Upcoming Tue, Jun 24 • Aakriti - An Evening of Indian Classical Dance Venue: Joe Mack Wilson Auditorium,Southern Polytechnic State U, 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060 Time: 4:30 am

Sun, June 29 • Bollywood Dream Girl Hema Malini As Durga

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

Venue: Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303 Time: 6:30pm

Mondays and Fridays

Fri, Jul 11 • Tamil Kondattam

Where: Metropolitan Asian Family

Mega

Stars

Venue: Ferst Center for the Arts, 349 Ferst Dr, Atlanta, GA 30313 Time: 6:30 pm

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

Horoscope

June 27, 2014

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Your Weekly Future by Pandit Parashar

JUNE 27 TH - JULY 3 RD , 2014 (March 21 to April 20)

upiter's transit in fourth is a blessing. Suddenly things will clear in mind and the goals will become visible and within reach. You will have the Midas touch from now and for next 13 months. Obstacles of the past will disappear and most of the attempts will hit the bull's eye. Right time to approach the government agency for clearance.

(September 23 to October 22)

ough working conditions may force you to look around for better opportunity. Expenses will not leave you alone this week either. It will be better to have second opinion before you take any major decision. Some one you knew will try to come back in life, be careful. New strategy will help you save money in long term only.

(October 23 to November 22)

(April 21 to May 20)

upiter's transit in third will cause positive trend as far as the finances are concerned. Expenses and liability will stay under controls from now and on. New opportunity will open new doors and improve revenues. People in business will continue to gain edge over opponents. You will buy some new cloths and take family to a nice place for dinner.

upiter's transit in ninth will bring financial prosperity from now and on. New avenues to make money will open up. People in business will see new clients and increased foot traffic. Some of you may also join a short term program to update your knowledge. Try to drive within speed limits and park your vehicle at proper place.

(November 23 to December 22)

(May 21 to June 20)

inally planets will be help you make the right choice and go for the deal. New doors to make money will open. Any investment made this week will yield profits for a long time to come. You will have couple of chances to meet and enjoy evenings with friends. You may buy some items for the house also. Many obstacles will evaporate from life.

ombination of Sun and Mercury in seventh will help resolve some obstacles in career. Boss will take your side and put your name forward for long awaited changes. You will be little shaky the way things will take shape this week. You may be traveling with family to a destination never visited before and relax.

(June 21 to July 22)

resence of Jupiter in first is favorable and you can really look forward for next 13 months. It will give you the wisdom and maturity to make an important and wise decision about career. Some money need to be paid to government in shape of fine this week. Property deal could finalize. You may plan a short vacation with family this weekend.

(December 22 to January 19)

ome cracks could start appearing in a relationship or business partnership. Time very favorable to file legal papers to get what you deserved long ago. An older family member will need extra attention. You will make some plan with children and visit a nice place. Spouse can feel better with the change of diet and home remedy.

(July 23 to August 22)

ou will be spending money on family this week. Some of you may start a loan process or try to obtain a business line of credit. It will be better to stay away from hot and spicy food for some time. Enjoy the company of new colleague but within limits. Some of you may be working on a big business deal that can take you towards financial freedom.

(January 20 to February 18)

tress about a child will completely evaporate as the solution will be better than what you could ever imagine. Some of you may also replace one of your old vehicle with another economical one. Try not to treat the health issue with home or over the counter medicines. It's a great to grab the partnership offered by a successful person.

(August 23 to September 22)

ffer will cause stir in the family and you will take no time to accept it. You may plan a short pleasure trip with family this coming weekend. Some of you will start looking for another place to live and start the loan process also. Increased physical activities will bring positive changes in health as well as your attitude.

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

(February 19 to March 20)

upiter's transit in fifth is auspicious. Suddenly things will change and you will regain confidence. Hurdles in career will start moving out and you will start to see a better trend from now and on. Things you had been planning for a long time will be launched with the help of a friend. You will take time off and visit a nice place with family.

510-886-4370 www.parashar.com

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June 27, 2014

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HELP WANTED Consulate General of India, Chicago invites applications for the following posts: (i) Marketing Assistant (ii) Junior Clerk (iii) Chauffeur Interested candidates may apply with their bioprofile to reach the Head of Chancery, Consulate General of India, 455 N Cityfront Plaza Drive (NBC Tower Building), Suite No. 850, Chicago, Illinois 60611 by June 25, 2014.

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Philosophy

June 20, 2014

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rue meditation has no direction or goal. It is pure wordless surrender, pure silent prayer. All methods aiming at achieving a certain state of mind are limited, impermanent, and conditioned. Fascination with states leads only to bondage and dependency. True meditation is abidance as primordial awareness. True meditation appears in consciousness spontaneously when awareness is not being manipulated or controlled. When you first start to meditate, you notice that attention is often being held captive by focus on some object: on thoughts, bodily sensations, emotions, memories, sounds, etc. This is because the mind is conditioned to focus and contract upon objects. Then the mind compulsively interprets and tries to control what it is aware of (the object) in a mechanical and distorted way. It begins to draw conclusions and make assumptions according to past conditioning. In true meditation all objects (thoughts, feelings, emotions, memories, etc.) are left to their natural functioning. This means that no effort should be made to focus on, manipulate, control, or suppress any object of awareness. In true meditation the emphasis is on being awareness; not on being aware of objects, but on resting as primordial awareness itself. Primordial awareness is the source in

he archetypal quest or hero's journey of ancient mythology is that a hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man. But what if the hero does not return? Muchukunda, the mythic Hindu king turned hermit, is an example. Muchukunda is cited in the Mahabharata and the Puranas. He was king at Karur, in southern India, and exceptionally devout. A rational account would note his cooperation with other lords, his valor and success in battle, and his retirement, yielding the kingdom to his son in order to pursue various religious austerities in old age - nothing unusual. But his life is not so colorless in the literary and scriptural sources. According to the Mahabharata, Muchukunda, "chastiser of foes," ruled the entire earth. He assisted the gods themselves in fighting the Asuras, the demons. He declared that he would not accept rewards for his service but only those "obtained by the might of

which all objects arise and subside. As you gently relax into awareness, into listening, the mind's compulsive contraction around objects will fade. Silence of being will come more clearly into consciousness as a welcoming to rest and abide. An attitude of open receptivity, free of any goal or anticipation, will facilitate the presence of silence

tion like following my breath, so that I have something to focus on that will help me to not get lost in my mind? A. It is perfectly OK to use a more directed technique such as following your breath, or using a simple mantra or centering prayer, if you find that it helps you to not get lost in thought. But always be inclined toward less and less tech-

cause this will only increase it. Imagine that you are the Buddha under the Bodhi tree, or Christ in the desert, remaining perfectly still and unmoved by the body-mind's nightmare. It may feel very real but it is really nothing more than a convincing illusion. Q. I find that my mind is spontaneously forming images, almost like a waking dream. Some of them

Meditation is letting go of the meditator Focus attention on your breathing down in your belly. This will help you to not get lost in the images of the mind. Hold the simple inAdyashanti

tention to rest in the imageless, silent source

and stillness to be revealed as your natural condition. As you rest into stillness more profoundly, awareness becomes free of the mind's compulsive control, contractions, and identifications. Awareness naturally returns to its non-state of absolute unmanifest potential, the silent abyss beyond all knowing. Q. It seems that the central instruction in True Meditation is simply to abide as silent, still awareness. However, I often find that I am caught in my mind. Is it OK to use a more directed medita-

nique. Make time during each meditation period to simply rest as silent, still awareness. True Meditation is progressively letting go of the meditator without getting lost in thought. Q. When I meditate I sometimes experience a lot of fear. Sometimes it overwhelms me and I don't know what to do. A. It is useful when experiencing fear in meditation to anchor your attention in something very grounding, such as your breath or even the bottoms of your feet. But don't fight against the fear be-

I like, while others are just random and annoying. What should I do? A. Focus attention on your breathing down in your belly. This will help you to not get lost in the images of the mind. Hold the simple intention to rest in the imageless, silent source prior to all images, thoughts, and ideas. Excerpted from www.adyashanti.org. Adyashanti is an American spiritual teacher and writer from the San Francisco Bay Area who gives regular satsangs in the United States and also teaches abroad.

my own arms." After his great labors, his only request for a boon was to be able to sleep without disturbance, for he was quite exhausted. It was arranged that if anyone should disturb Muchukunda's sleep, his mere glance upon awakening would burn the intruder to ashes. Muchukunda retired to a Himalayan cave to enter his indefinite sleep.

where Muchukunda, king of man, slept. The rash Yavana entering the cave, and beholding a man lying asleep there, concluded it must be Krishna, and kicked him, at which Muchukunda awoke, and casting on him an angry glance, the Yavana was instantly consumed, and reduced to ashes. Noticing Krishna, Muchukunda

happily and tells him: Wander over the earth at will, with your mind fixed on Me. May you always possess such unfailing devotion. Because you were engaged as a kshatriya, you killed many living beings while hunting, and so you must vanquish the sins thus incurred by the performance of austerities in full surrender to Me.

Mahabharata hero & conqueror who did not return It was arranged that if anyone should disturb Muchukunda's sleep, his mere glance upon awakening would burn the intruder to ashes. Muchukunda retired to a Himalayan cave Muchukunda

At this time, according to the Vishnu Purana, Krishna walked the earth. So, too, his fiercest enemy, the Yavana warrior-king Kalayavana, who sought out Krishna to destroy Krishna's allies. Krishna knew that his allies were weak. He intended to build fortifications to protect them. One day Kalayavana saw Krishna and began pursuing him. Krishna entered a large cavern

asked who he was, and Krishna told him. Muchukunda bowed and explained his presence in the cave - not exhaustion from battle but rather that he had fallen into delusion and pride in his kingship, "intoxicated by my kingly opulence" and attached to "children, wives, wealth, and land." But Muchukunda lamented his past and had renounced all of these things, and now sought the benediction of Krishna, who bestows it

In your next life, you will become a fully qualified Vaishnava, and thereafter certainly come back to Me. Muchukunda was a fearless warrior become king, but one day saw the emptiness of his life and turned his back on it, becoming a wanderer and sadhu. The hero refused to return to the world and all that it represented. Excerpted from http:// www.hermitary.com

Do unto others as you would like to be done by. Injury or violence done by you to any life in any form, animal or human, is as harmful as it would e if caused to your own self." - Mahavira The universe is not for man alone, but is a theater of evolution for all living beings. Live and let live is its guiding principle. 'Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah' - Non-injury is the highest religion. - Virchand Gandhi Just as a threaded (sasutra) needle is secure from being lost, in the same way a person given to self-study (sasutra) cannot be lost. - Mahavira The unenlightened takes millions of lives to extirpate the effects of karma whereas a man possessing spiritual knowledge and discipline obliterates them in a single moment. - Mahavira This is my country, that is your country; these are the conceptions of narrow souls - to the liberal minded the whole world is a family. - Virchand Gandhi It is a friend's duty that he does not leave his friend in a difficult position but provide intimacy and support to him. In difficulty who leaves is a false and the one not quitting is a true friend. - Acharya Mahapragya

You Insure all your Valuables, all are replaceable except YOU! So Insure yourself FIRST. Call Sahanis, (Arish, Priya or Shiv) for your Insurance needs 718- 271- 0453. Serving for last 35 yrs

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India Post

June 27, 2014

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A new foreign policy agenda for Modi: 'Look West'

ithin a week of the new Indian gov ernment assuming office, South Block hosted two important events: the foreign minister of Oman visited the new Indian minister of external affairs, and a ministerial delegation from Qatar followed shortly after, to hold foreign office consultations with their Indian counterparts. The timing of these visits is significant. It could indicate some seriousness among the Indian leadership towards deepening New Delhi's engagement with West Asia. Despite the overwhelming scale of historical and economic linkages, Indian policy-making has not taken substantial concentrated efforts towards expanding this promising engagement. A 'Look West Policy' (LWP) like India's famed 'Look East Policy' has often been spoken about, but there has not been a formal institutionalization of the same. This will need a concentrated focus like the LEP - for the region, to formulate effective policies. While trade is a significant component of this relationship, the essence of the LWP will be the multi-dimensionality of its character. As much as India trades with the region, also important are the issues of security, culture, peopleto-people linkages, and those of a wider geopolitical and geostrategic nature.

Look West Policy: Primary Rationales Diaspora & remittances: The West Asian region is home to millions of non-resident Indians; and they were responsible for approximately half of the US$69 billion worth of remittances that flowed into India in 2012. However, the

RAJESHWARI KRISHNAMURTHY

creation will take a while, and until then, there will be some strain on the economy. Energy: India, being a growing economy, is perpetually energyhungry. West Asian nations are among the primary suppliers of oil and gas that keep the Indian economy running. Stable and more improved relations between India and the region are key to

Narendra Modi

securing and expanding on these sources. Projects such as the IranPakistan-India pipeline lay suspended due to several other reasons. However, proposed projects such as the Oman-India Pipeline, an undersea gas pipeline - that Iran too has expressed interest in - look promising. India's attempts at ensuring energy security therefore cannot bypass engagements with the region. Maritime security: Be it trade or energy supply routes, or even national security, the significance of an effective maritime security infrastructure in the Indian Ocean - the maritime link connecting India with several of its key West Asian partners - is pivotal to ensuring safety, stability, and disaster-management for the region. The Indian Ocean Region is a ma-

There needs to be better, more polished and astute understanding of the region in our country - especially in the light of the impending US withdrawal from Afghanistan introduction of the Nitaqat laws in many Gulf countries has resulted in several thousands of these workers having to return to India. While it is unfair to view the returnees as a liability, one cannot ignore the economic and social impact of this mass re-migration. India is not prepared to assimilate all these people into its own economy just yet. Already, unemployment rates are high, and the economy is not doing well. Job

jor geographical stretch through which a large chunk of the world's business is conducted. Already, there is a constant threat of piracy in the western Indian Ocean. A concentrated policy will be needed to identify specific issues and areas of cooperation between India and West Asia, in order to ensure smooth and secure movement. Furthermore, in recent times, there have been many debates on

the concept of the 'Indo-Pacific' to boost connectivities between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The two regions already have robust connectivities, but more can be done. However, if this concept of the Indo-Pacific has to become a reality, there is a need for enhanced cooperation in various areas among the key players in each region, before connecting the regions. Eventually, the LWP and the LEP can lay the foundations for the realization of the 'Indo-Pacific'. National and regional security: Any form of tumult in the West Asian region invariably has an impact on India and South Asia as a whole. For strategic reasons, India seeks peace and political stability and security in the West Asian region - sentiments reciprocated by the countries of the region in their assessments towards West Asia as well as South Asia. So far, India has been pragmatic in its policies towards the West Asian region -excellent examples of which are balancing its relationships with Palestine and Israel; and Saudi Arabia and Iran, among others. However, there is more that needs to be done, and for that, there needs to be better, more polished and astute understanding of the region in our country - especially in the light of the impending US withdrawal from Afghanistan; the thawing in the US-Iran bilateral; the ongoing civil war in Syria and its implications; implementation of the Nitaqat policies in the Gulf countries; and the rising fundamentalism, especially in the franchisee-ing nature of terror networks, among others. These are among the primary reasons why India must and will expedite its engagement with countries in West Asia in the coming months. For the new government that took office in May 2014 - one that won the elections with a campaign based primarily on promises of improved trade, economic development, employment, investment and better infrastructure there would not be a more apt initiative to begin with than institutionalizing the LWP; updating, revolutionizing and expanding New Delhi's linkages with India's largest trading partner-bloc, West Asia. The writer is Research Officer, IReS, IPCS

India Post

Willing to pay

t is true a hike in prices and fares disturbs the budgets of many in India but the latest steep hike in railway fares is something which was necessary and its declaration before the budget marks a departure in the approach of the NDA and the previous UPA government. Rail minister after rail minister in the last decade of UPA used to outdo each other in trying to be popular with the masses by not raising fares. But in the bargain the finances of the massive undertaking suffered and passengers were offered shoddy services, dirty platforms, worn out equipment, and to top it all, frequent railway accidents. And nobody could be blamed. No official in the railway cared. The attitude was, since you don't pay, you won't get any services. This populist approach has wrecked the economy of the country. The UPA system of working was avoiding decisions. The most vociferous in opposing the rail fare hike were former Congress ministers at the Center. Their duplicity was exposed when Finance Minister Arun Jaitley explained that the decision to raise rail fares was taken by the previous UPA government itself with the approval of the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. But in view of their impending defeat in the elections, the then railway minister Mallikarjun Kharge developed cold feet and deferred the decision for the successor NDA government to implement. That sums up the whole attitude of the previous government for which it rightly faced the wrath of the electorate. Jaitley put forward the choice before the country to decide whether it wanted a world-class railway or a ramshackled one. For the Railways to survive, users have to pay for the facilities that they avail. This is the new approach and although it will provide hardships in the short term, it is ultimately for the good of the nation. Also, in every field, it is being found that people are willing to pay for quality services. For instance, in many states, power for irrigation has been made free. But the farmers complain that they do not get electricity at all and when they get it, it comes with frequent disruptions. They are so frustrated with this situation that they are now willing to pay for electricity. The whole culture of getting things for free is now in danger. You can't complain of the quality of what you get as free. And if you don't like the quality of what is available, you got to pay. In the education field also, the free education provided by the government is as good as non-existent. There would be schools, although in a dilapidated state, but there won't be teachers. And if there are teachers, they won't take classes. But you can't complain because you are not paying. The whole culture is self-defeating and is tilted in favor of those who exploit it by fleecing the government programs and not delivering anything in return. Accountability was one of the main features of the Modi campaign and it is good that the factual position behind raising fares has been duly explained to the people by the NDA government. As for the opposition protests and noise they have generated over the rail fare hike it would be instructive to watch the coverage by the media. More prominence has been given to the justification and reasons for the hike than to the opposition protests. The opposition lacks numbers in parliament and would have hoped to make it up by raising noise over issues. It is good for the opposition to keep a watch on the workings of the government and make it accountable. But empty protests are not going to work any more. In fact, what is apparent is that in this dispensation, it is the media which is the real opposition. It is the media which will keep a watch and sift what is of consequence and what is irrelevant.

June 27, 2014

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