Top Stories
V O I C E
O F
I N D I A N S
W O R L D W I D E
India Post www.indiapost.com
NEW YORK • WASHINGTON D.C. • CHICAGO • ATLANTA • CALIFORNIA
Neel Kashkari poses as homeless man Details on page 5
31 years of Fremont Arts & Wine Festival Details on page 16
Modi unlikely to address Congress joint session
VOL 20, No. 1038
August 8, 2014
50¢
Periodical Postage
KERRY VISIT MELTS ICE, SAYS U.S.
WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to India is the beginning of an important relationship with the new Indian government that has great "strategic value" to America, the Obama administration has said. Kerry visited New Delhi last week to co-chair the fifth annual India-US Strategic Dialogue with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. He was the first cabinet minister from the Obama administration to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzeker, also traveled to
India along with the Secretary of State. "I would hardly see this visit as an ending or a conclusive visit as much as a beginning of an important relationship with a new government and one that has great strategic value to the United States," State Department Spokesperson, Jen Psaki, told reporters. "It was certainly a warm visit and a warm meeting, so hopefully that will melt the ice," she said.
Arun Murthy
4 Indians among Fortune's list of 20 tech czars Details on page 12
Modi to address Indians at Madison Sq Details on page 8
Details on page 5
Details on page 8
NSF: Breeding ground of SpellBee champions Details on page 21 Pages 36-42
Hate crime victim Sikh demands justice
CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 30-31 Classifieds ------------------------- 49
Details on page 10
Community Post -------------- 16-23 Date Book -------------------------- 47
INDIA POST SURVEY
Edit Page --------------------------- 54
survey@indiapost.com
HealthScience Post --------- 32-34
This week’s question
Horoscope ------------------------- 52
Will India’s stand on WTO affect ties with US?
Immigration Post ------------- 44-45 Life Style ----------------------- 50-51
Last week’s result
Kerry visit a triumph of Modi vision? YES 67%
NO 33%
Philosophy ------------------------- 53 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4
WINNING NEPAL: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets people on the streets on his way back to the hotel after addressing the Nepalese Parliament in Kathmandu, Nepal on August 3. (Details on page 6)
Real Estate ------------------------ 48 TechBiz Post ------------------- 12-14 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 25-27
Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”
2
India Post
www.indiapost.com
August 8, 2014
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
India Post
3
4
India Post
India Post www.indiapost.com The Weekly Newspaper Serving Indians Worldwide
Romesh & Sunita Japra Publishers Rajesh Verma Co-Publisher Vikram Paul President Krishan Sharma Mg Director & Joint Editor Vinod Dhawan Senior Editor Naresh Sodhi General Manager Amit Saini IT Director Ghanshyam Bisht Supervisor Graphics SAN FRANCISCO & SILICON VALLEY Vijay Thapar CPRO & Advertising Deepak Chhabra Promotions Priya Nayar Bureau Chief Sonia Sidhu Marketing Analyst Ritu Maheshwari Director Promotions Rakesh Kapoor Correspondent Ratika J. Paul Photo Journalist Neeloo Kapoor Photo Journalist Sudesh Kumari Correspondent Rama Mehra Advertising Vidya Sethuraman Correspondent Archana Asthana Correspondent Sujata Singh Correspondent Manasi Maheshwari Youth Correspondent Raaj D. Photo Journalist LOS ANGELES Mrs Shashi Trivedi Bureau Chief J S Bedi PR & Marketing Mrs Prem Kishore Sr Correspondent Greg Heffernan Correspondent Ms Bobby Sharma Correspondent Babeeta Kaur Dhillon Correspondent Pavan Kaur Bhatia Correspondent CHICAGO Ramesh Soparawala Resident Editor A Q Siddiqui Correspondent ST. LOUIS Ashwin Patel Correspondent NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY Pinky Kaur Bureau Chief Srirekha N. Chakravarty Correspondent Nikita Japra Correspondent Sukhvinder Saini Circulation ATLANTA Sanjay Saggere Bureau Chief FLORIDA B K Madnani CANADA Firdaus Ali Correspondent BOSTON Gope Gidwani Bureau Chief
August 8, 2014
IndiaNewsweekly Post Mission Statement To empower the Indian Diaspora and make their voice strong and effective in countries of their adoption. RJ Media conglomerate offers a credible, professional and complete package of news, opinion, entertainment, networking and information.
Publisher’s Diary
C
onceptually, I do not subscribe to the 'minority' segmentation of the society. Naively, perhaps, I would like to believe all religions should be mainstream, wherever they may be practiced. In reality, though, it does not work as easily. Hindus, who are the mainstream majority in India, find themselves in that somewhat insecure position of religious minorities in the US, where it becomes imperative to constantly campaign for its integrity for the sake of our children who are most vulnerable to bullying, and not just because of the ignorance of the non-Hindus, but ostensibly because of inaccurate information about Hinduism in the public school curriculum. But I must say that what we lack in numbers, we make up in zeal whether it is in the building of mega temples (like the latest BAPs temple in New Jersey), or in advocacy. It must be granted to the Hindu American Foundation here for their sustained efforts to ensure that Hinduism is taught the right way in our children's classrooms. The HAF's 'Hinduism 101', is an innovative teacher training initiative to help school teachers across the country better teach about Hinduism. As the HAF puts it, this initiative provides more resources to teach about a religion that is over 5,000 years old, has one billion followers, and yet continues to be misunderstood in the US. As we all know, the concepts of the Hindu caste system, the origins of the Indian civilization and those such as karma, dharma and moksha have always been much misunderstood in western societies. As the HAF tells us, since launching the initiative late last year, the organization has already trained over 600 teachers and the demand for it is growing. Why the HAF's efforts are important is because, what they do is not about religion. HAF is not affiliated to any religious or political organization and ensures that the resources it provides the educators with does not compromise or violate borders between church and state. Rather, it's about creating inclusive societies where all children are afforded the dignity and self-esteem that is their right by virtue of their birth into a particular religion. Romesh K Japra
rkjapra@indiapost.com
DETROIT Ashok B Jain, M D Bureau Chief Gurminder Singh SAN DIEGO Neelu Bhardwaj Bureau Chief SACRAMENTO Madan Sharma Bureau Chief Janak Sidhra Correspondent Upen Shukla Correspondent CENTRAL VALLEY (CA) Dr Ram Saini Bureau Chief Sheila Rogers Correspondent YUBA CITY (CA) Satnam Tatla Correspondent CAROLINAS Nalini Raja Patel Correspondent INDIA Vinod Dhawan Senior Editor & Bureau Chief NEW DELHI Vijender P Shah Graphics Jitender Singh Rawat Graphics PUNJAB Shiv Japra Bureau Chief Anil Kanwar Senior Correspondent/ Marketing DOABA, PUNJAB Romesh Kaura Correspondent HYDERABAD M Sagar Kumar Bureau Chief MUMBAI Nidhi Soparawala Correspondent Frank Fernandes Correspondent VADODARA, GUJARAT Vaidehi Patel Correspondent India Post (ISSN-1064-3868) is published weekly for $30 for 52 issues yearly by India Post, 1860 Mowry Ave # 200 Fremont, CA 94538. Periodicals postage paid at Norwalk, CA and additional mailing office. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the corporate headquarters: 1860 Mowry Ave # 200 Fremont, CA 94538 Copyright © 1994 Indamec, Inc. DISCLAIMER India Post assumes all advertisers to be reliable and responsible for all liability for their claimers
INFO-CENTER CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 1860 Mowry Ave # 200 Fremont, CA 94538 Tel: 510-565-9993, Fax: 510-790-2806; E-mail: priya@indiapost.com E-SUBSCRIPTION: Priya Nayar Tel: 510-565-9993; E-mail: priya@indiapost.com Classifieds: Tel: 510-938-8668; E-mail:classifieds@indiapost.com or Tel: 510-565-9993, E-mail: priya@indiapost.com Graphics Inquiry: Tel: 510-936-9490; E-mail: ghanshyam@indiapost.com For Editorial: Priya Nayar Tel: 510-565-9993; E-mail: priya@indiapost.com
For advertisement rates call the office nearest to you: SAN FRANCISCO & SILICON VALLEY 1860 Mowry Ave # 200 Fremont, CA 94538 Tel: 510-938-8667 e-mail: nareshsodhi@gmail.com Priya Nayar: 510-579-2760 e-mail: priya@indiapost.com
LOS ANGELES 16224 Alpine Pl. La Mirada, CA 90638 Tel: 562-441-5511, shashi19@yahoo.com
CHICAGO
2543 W Devon Ave Chicago IL 60659 Tel: 773-973-7394; Fax: 773-973-7396; Email: sramesh@aol.com
NEW YORK Tel: 908-338-3752 (Marketing) Tel: 732-283-4939 (Editorial) E-mail: indiapost2000@yahoo.com
NEW JERSEY 21 Longfellow st., Carteret, NJ 07008 Tel: 732-969-1114; Fax: 732-969-3735 E-mail: indiapost2000@yahoo.com
BOSTON Tel: 617-298-9200; Fax: 617-298-1104 GOPE; E-mail: ggidwani@aol.com
HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Wedding next year! Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone are pretty serious about each other and they are thinking to get hitched.
Cover Story: Kerry visit US says John Kerry's visit to India is the beginning of an important relationship that has great "strategic value"
Community: Arts & Wine Festival Over 385,000 people attended the Fremont Arts and Wine festival hosted by the Fremont Chamber of Commerce
So much hype The overreaction surrounding 57,000 unaccompanied children who have come to US is not befitting a great nation
Life style: Oh, Brother! Let us put our faith in the simple thread of Rakhi to keep the sibling relationships threaded together
TORONTO, CANADA Tel/Fax: 416-744-8610 DELHI Jin Kushal Suri Complex, 3rd Floor, 230-A, Masjid Moth, (NDSE Part-II) New Delhi - 110049 Tel: 11-26257769 / Fax: 11-46142969 E-mail:delhi@indiapost.com MUMBAI • Fernandes Mansion Tam Taloa, Bassien (W) Mumbai Tel: 09619 330159
Techbiz:
VADODARA
Travel:
E-mail: v_patel83@yahoo.com Tel: 011 91 98797 79976
For editorial, contact: editor@indiapost.com or call 510-797-7799
5 16
Immigration:
ATLANTA 67 Peach Tree Dr., Ste. 102, Buckhead Atlanta, GA 30309, Tel: 404-425-3021 E-mail: sanjay@eBolo.com FLORIDA 8401 West Sample Road 30, Coral Springs, Florida - 33065
• Vaidehi Patel 31/32 J\Jaysantosi Nagar Society, behind Utkarsh Petrol Pump, Karelibaug, Vadodara-390018. Gujarat (India)
30
Among tech czars Four Indians are among Fortune magazine's list of 20 "extraordinary" technology czars and young entrepreneurs
Khajuraho Architectural grandeur and delicacy of Khajuraho temples has provided it with the status of a world heritage site
44 50 12 25
Cover/Top Stories
August 8, 2014
India Post
5
www.indiapost.com
Kerry visit melts ice, says US WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to India is the beginning of an important relationship with the new Indian government that has great "strategic value" to America, the Obama administration has said. Kerry visited New Delhi last week to co-chair the fifth annual India-US Strategic Dialogue with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. He was the first cabinet minister from the Obama administration to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzeker, also traveled to India along with the Secretary of State. "I would hardly see this visit as an ending or a conclusive visit as much as a beginning of an important relationship with a new government and one that has great strategic value to the United States," State Department Spokesperson, Jen Psaki, told reporters. "It was certainly a warm visit and a warm meeting, so hopefully
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US Secretary of State John Kerry (2L) and US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker (L) along with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj (R) during a meeting in New Delhi on August 1
that will melt the ice," she said. Defense Minister Chuck Hagel is scheduled to travel to
India making him the third US Cabinet Minister to meet Modi government officials in less than
a week. "It (Kerry's trip) was the highest-level visit of a member of the
Obama Administration to India since Prime Minister Modi was inaugurated. In addition to the strategic dialogue, he did have a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister, and it was the Prime Minister's first cabinet-level meeting with a US official," Psaki said. "Discussions during that meeting covered a wide range of topics with considerable focus, in large part, on Modi's economic vision, how the US can help to advance that vision, including through support to the energy sector and through clean energy initiatives," she said. There was also significant discussion of the WTO, with the Secretary reiterating our position that unraveling the Bali Accord was not in India's interests and was not in keeping with Mr Modi's vision of opening the economy, she said, adding the two sides also discussed Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as India's Look East policy. -PTI
Neel Kashkari poses as homeless man NEW YORK: Indian American banker and politician Neel Kashkari, running for the post of California governor, spent a week posing as a penniless vagabond looking for a job, in an attempt to highlight the importance of jobs in the key US state's weak economy. The 40-year-old Republican, son of Indian immigrants from Jammu and Kashmir, is seen in a 10-minute video stopping in a thrift store in California's Fresno city, a minimart and a repair shop asking for work and sleeping on park benches, a report in the New York Times said. Kashkari is the Republican Party's gubernatorial candidate against current Democrat Governor Jerry Brown who is running for an unprecedented fourth term as governor of California in the election on November 4. The former investment banker and multimillionaire, had only USD 40 in his pocket and carried a torn backpack as he spent a week posing as a homeless man looking for a job. In the video, released by him, Kashkari is left with no prospects for cash after five days on the streets and appears scruffy and bereft.
"The solution is simple - it's jobs. It's not more welfare. It's not more food stamps. It's jobs. And
Laguna Beach, told NYT. "We talk about temporary help, but if the bridge is a bridge to no-
"Would that have helped me get a job?" he asked. "Absolutely not, it would have
Neel Kashkari from his campaign video about joblessness in Fresno, CA
Kashkari is the Republican Party's gubernatorial candidate against current Democrat Governor Jerry Brown who is running for an unprecedented fourth term as governor of California in the election on Nov. 4 we know how to do this," he says in his message in the video. "Everything starts with education and jobs," Kashkari, who lives in a USD 10 million home in
where, what does it matter? There has to be land, and that land has to be a job." He said he remained opposed to raising the minimum wage.
made it harder. We know how to rein in regulations so our businesses can grow and thrive and hire." While some people have
praised Kashkari's effort to draw attention to the plight of the needy, there are others who said Kashkari posing as a homeless man is a publicity stunt. D J Criner, the pastor of St Rest Baptist Church in Fresno, who has worked with the homeless for more than a decade, called the video "pure buffoonery for publicity". "To pose as a homeless man is just wrong - it's no different than a white man putting on black face and saying he knows what it is to be black," Criner said. "If he was really homeless, he would have no insurance, nothing to lean back on, but at the end of the seven days he can go back to his beach mansion," he said. Dan Newman, a spokesman for the campaign of Governor Jerry Brown, called the move a "bizarre campaign stunt", adding, "If this were more than a stunt, would he oppose providing unemployment benefits for people without jobs and fight the minimum wage for the working poor?" Kashkari has been trailing Brown in opinion polls by 20 percentage points but his video has garnered attention. -PTI
6
Top Stories
India Post
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
India, Nepal agree to review 1950 friendship treaty KATHMANDU: India and Nepal have agreed to "review, adjust and update" the IndoNepal friendship treaty of 1950 and also decided to find a permanent solution to the boundary issue so that it is not misused by "unscrupulous elements" posing security threats to either side. "The two Prime Ministers agreed to review, adjust and update the Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 and other bilateral agreements," according to a joint statement issued at the end of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit to Nepal. Modi wound up his "historic" visit with a slew of sops focusing on the 4 Cs - cooperation, connectivity, culture and constitution - to enhance bilateral ties. Modi, the first Indian prime minister to visit Nepal in 17 years, stressed the importance of the constitution writing to the Nepalese leadership including President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala. "You should not think about the party but the country. Nepal needs a constitution at the earliest," Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Syed Akbaruddin quoted Modi as telling the Nepalese leaders. During the visit, Modi assured Nepal that India did not want to interfere in its internal affairs. Seeking to allay fears here of Indian interference in Nepal's affairs, the Prime Minister said India has no intent to "dictate" anything to Nepal which should choose its own course in its endeavor to build a stable and prosperous democratic republic. "Nepal is a truly sovereign nation. We have always believed
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Parliament of Nepal in Kathmandu, on August 3
that it is not our job to interfere in what you do but to support you in the path you decide to take," he said while addressing the Constituent Assembly. The focus of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Nepal was on 4 Cs- cooperation, connectivity, culture, constitution, Akbaruddin said. On cooperation, the spokesman said, India had announced USD 1 billion line of credit (LoC) to Nepal. He mentioned that the Prime Minister himself has said the USD 1 billion is in addition to any other existing LoC. The Pancheshwar Development Authority will be set up and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be finalized within a year. The two sides also agreed to conclude a Power Trade Agreement (PTA) - a framework pact for the commerce and power sector within 45 days.
Modi did a lot to win Nepali hearts: Chinese media BEIJING: Keeping a close tab on Narendra Modi's visit to Nepal, where China has increased its presence significantly in recent years, the Chinese official media said the Indian Prime Minister has done a lot to win hearts despite failure to clinch the power agreements. "Modi has spoken and done a lot to warm and win Nepali hearts to take the relations to a new height," China's state- run Xinhua news agency said in its commentary on the visit by Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Nepal in 17 years. "The Indian PM won thun-
derous applause from Nepali lawmakers when he mentioned that Buddha was born in Nepal's Lumbini while addressing the Constitution Assembly/ Parliament, as the first foreign head of government since the restoration of parliamentary democracy in 1990," it said. "This is also a sensitive issue rousing deep passion between the two counties because some quarters of India claimed that Buddha was born in India," it said. The report said two "muchtalked about agreements on the development and sale of hydropower" failed to materialize.-PTI
tegrated treaty on Mahakali River, bordering both Nepal and India, which was signed in 1996. It could not be developed earlier as the two countries could not decide on the terms of reference. The two Prime Ministers directed the concerned authorities to conclude negotiations within 45 days on the Project Development Agreement (PDA) between the Investment Board of Nepal and GMR Group of India for the development of Upper Karnali hydropower project, he said. The two prime ministers also directed the concerned authorities to conclude negotiations on the agreement on trade in power sector within 45 days. India will assist in construction of a multi lane motorable bridge on Mahakali River to facilitate shorter and easier route
The construction of the first phase of the link road between Nepal and Terai region of India, will be completed expeditiously. Delay in this project was one of the concerns articulated by Nepalese side including opposition parties, he said. Akbaruddin said along with the first phase of this project India also agreed to commence work on second phase. He said the Prime Minister donated 2,500 kgs of sandalwood to Pashupatinath temple. India also promised to provide assistance for restoration and renovation of the temple. For this 25 crores will be provided. ASI will begin work soon. India also offered assistance for development of Janakpur, Baraha Chhetra and Lumbini, including linking Lumbini with the
India and Nepal also signed an MoU regarding the amendment of Terms of Reference (ToR) of the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project on the Mahakali River. Under the agreement, the two countries have agreed to move forward works relating t o Pancheshwar Prime Minister Narendra Modi being received by the Prime Minister of Nepal Sushil Koirala on his Development arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, in Nepal on August 3 Authority by declaring Pancheshwar authority between western Nepal and Uttar Buddhist circuit of India, based regulation. Pradesh, Uttarakhand and New on specific proposals from govThe project falls under the in- Delhi, the spokesman said. ernment of Nepal, he said.-PTI
Touched by Nepal's welcome, Modi vows to fulfill promises NEW DELHI: Returning from Nepal after "two memorable days", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the foundation has been laid for "a new relationship" and vowed to leave no stone unturned in translating "our vision into reality" and "our commitments into action". He said he would be returning to Nepal, which felt like "home" to him, in November to visit other places and for "a more sustained process of political engagement" between the two countries. In a statement issued after his arrival here, Modi said the "extraordinary warmth and affection" he got in Nepal from the government, political parties, officials, security personnel and the people
had "moved me and added another dimension to my personal relationship" with the country. "I have just returned to Delhi after two memorable days in Kathmandu. I want to thank President Ram Baran Yadavji, Prime Minister Sushil Koiralaji, the Gov-
He said he would be returning to Nepal, which felt like "home" to him, in November to visit other places
ernment of Nepal, all the political parties, officials, security personnel and, above all, the people of Nepal for the extraordinary warmth and affection with which I was welcomed in Nepal," he said. "I believe that together we have laid the foundation for a new relationship between our two countries, which will draw strength from our deep ancient links and prepare us to together address the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century," Modi said. The Prime Minister, who made a number of promises to Nepal to shoulder it in economic progress, vowed "I will leave no stone unturned to translate our vision into reality, and our commitments into action."-PTI
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
India Post
7
8
Top Stories
India Post
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
Modi to address Indians at Madison Sq Garden WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address thousands of Indian Americans at the famous Madison Square Garden in New York during his US visit in September, the event's organizers have said.
In a statement, the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) announced the launch of a massive nationwide mobilization campaign to give a historic reception to Modi. The event has been named
"Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi Abhinandan Samaroh". Vijay Jolly, BJP Global Convener of Overseas Affairs, along with Chandrakant Patel, OFBJPUSA president, according to a media statement, would tour sev-
eral cities across the country to mobilize Indian American community leaders and the Indian Diaspora for this event. Jolly will meet business leaders, lawmakers, and think tanks in
preparation for the community event, OFBJP said. Patel along with OFBJP team of past presidents and office-bearers is facilitating a 12-day tour for smooth preparations leading up to the event on September 28, the media statement said. Patel will present a report describing various issues faced by the Indian Diaspora in the US to Modi, it said. Madison Square Garden is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, which can accommodate 20,000 people. Given Modi's immense popularity among Indian Americans, the venue, according to organizers, is considered to be too small to accommodate his large fan club. However, the organizers, the (OFBJP), who were initially looking for venues that can accommodate between 60,000 to 80,000 people; signed the contract for the Madison Square Garden, as this was the only large venue available for September 28. -PTI
Modi unlikely to address joint session of Congress WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to address a joint session of the US Congress when he travels here to meet President Barack Obama at the White House in late September mainly because of the general elections in November. More than 80 members of the House of Representatives and several top Senators wrote letter to the Congressional leadership both the Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner, and the Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, to invite Modi to address a Joint Session of the US Congress. However, this is unlikely to happen now mainly because of the elections in November and urgency on the part of the lawmakers to go back to their constituen-
cies for campaigning. As a result, both the House of Representatives and the Senate are likely to be not in session when Modi visits Washington.
While there has been no official word on Modi's visit to the US, it is expected to be in the last week of September. As of now Congress is expected to be in recess, as Members of the House of Representatives would be busy campaigning for the November general elections. -PTI
Top Stories
August 8, 2014
India Post
9
www.indiapost.com
Obama hosts Iftar Dinner at White House MUJEEB OSMAN
WASHINGTON DC: President Obama hosted his sixth Iftar dinner celebrating Ramadan at the White House on July 15 thus keeping up the annual tradition started by First Lady Hillary Clinton when she hosted a Ramadan Eid celebration dinner in 1996. In 1805, Thomas Jefferson was the first US President to observe Ramadan in the White House with a sunset dinner for Sidi Soliman Mellimelli, a Tunisian who was the first Muslim envoy to the United States. Presidents Bill Clinton, George Bush and Barack Obama have all hosted Iftar meals in the White House. Guests were welcomed into the East Wing where a copy of the Quran owned by President Thomas Jefferson was on display from the Library of Congress. At sunset, guests gathered in the Grand Foyer to break their fast with a date following the traditional melodic Muslim call to prayer led by a local student from the University of Maryland. Then finally, after a 16hour day of fasting since sunrise, guests gathered in the State Dining Room for a halal meal with the President. Among attendees were members of the diplomatic corps,
Eid celebration at White House
White House administration officials, US Government staff, elected officials, and Muslim Americans who have been doing great work to strengthen the fabric and prosperity of our nation. Among those at the President's table was Kelly Carlisle, a former member of the Navy who leads an urban farming program. The Iftar is the meal after sunset that concludes the day of fasting during the month of Ramadan, a time to pray and reflect, to be reminded that we are equals in humanity, and to reaffirm commit-
Oman becoming destination for Indian weddings
Barr-Al-Jissah Ballroom
DUBAI: Oman is likely to become a preferred destination for big fat Indian weddings as it is close to India and offers a blend of modern infrastructure and old world charm, an Omani official has said. As per industry estimates, the wedding market in India is about USD 25 billion, growing at a rate of 25 to 30 per cent annually. Indians are constantly on the lookout for new wedding destinations, something that has become a trend, Times of Oman reported. "Muscat is likely to witness two large-scale Indian weddings featuring 700 and 1,000 guests, in November and early next year, respectively. More potential enquiries have been there and the Indian government has recognized
Oman as a wedding destination, which is a promising move," said Lubaina Sheerazi, Omani tourism official deputed in India. Oman had conducted exclusive trip to familiarize wedding planners in India, in order to attract this segment. "We feel Oman has a great potential to become a wedding destination. This strategy is based on the fact that Oman offers a blend of modern infrastructure and old world charm," Lubaina said. "Moreover, the destination is close to India, not only geographically but also culturally. Recently, the tourism board participated in the The Experiential Planner 2014 in Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. -PTI
ments to helping the less fortunate, including those struggling from economic hardship and inequality. Aala Muhammed's parents
emigrated from Sudan and worked several jobs to send her to a good high school in Chicago, but her hopes of going to college faced financial challenges. With the help
of a nonprofit that focuses on young people, she earned admissions to Yale University and now runs her own program to encourage girls of color to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. In his remarks, the President thanked the Muslim community for the contributions they've made to create opportunities for those who lack access. He also remembered President Thomas Jefferson. He also wished Muslim Americans and Muslims all around the world a blessed Ramadan. Democrats from Chicago - Mujeeb Osman, Sher Rajput, Inam Hussain, MD, Habeeb Bawani, MD, Shahid Ilahi, MD, Adnan Osman, Dr Mubarak Ali Mirjat and Dr Basheer Ameji MD, wished everyone Ramadan Mubarak.
10 India Post
Top Stories
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
Hate crime victim Sikh demands justice NEW YORK: A 29-year old Sikh, critically injured after he was hit by a truck driver who allegedly used racist slur against him, is demanding justice to ensure such crimes are not repeated and has urged for the need to "create a world without hate". "My name is Sandeep Singh, I am in a great deal of pain, but I will survive. I was attacked because I am a Sikh and because I look like a Sikh. Justice should be served so no one else goes through what I have been through. We need to create a world without hate," Singh, the victim, said in a message posted by the Sikh Coalition, a US-based rights group.
The group is holding a rally in Singh's support and to demand the attack against him, to be investigated as a "hate crime". Singh, a married father of two, is demanding justice to ensure such crimes are not repeated and has urged for the need to "create a world without hate". Singh is currently recovering from the serious injuries he sustained when he was hit by a pick-up truck and dragged nearly 30 feet on a public street in Queens, following an argument with the driver who used racist language against him and his friend. The attack on Singh and the rally comes at a time when members of the Sikh commu-
nity are remembering the Oak Creek Gurdwara shooting of August 5, 2012 when six Sikh persons were killed by 40-year-old Wade Michael Page in a rampage. "As the nation remembers the Oak Creek Gurdwara massacre two years ago, the Sikh Coalition is working with law enforcement officials to ensure that the attack on Sandeep is investigated as a hate crime and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," the Sikh Coalition said. Members of the community and of several other rights groups in the city have expressed solidarity with Singh and demanded immediate justice.
The New York chapter of the Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-New York), said, it will be joining the Sikh Coalition at the rally to show solidarity with the Sikh community. The Sikh Cultural Society, Baba Makhan Shah Lobana Gurdwara and United Sikhs are also rallying support for Singh. -PTI
Rahul denies double standards on Insurance Bill NEW DELHI: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has rejected Bhartiya Janata Party's charge that the party is doing a 'Uturn' on the Insurance Bill, saying there are "no double standards" by it on the issue. "I think, there are no double standards on the Insurance Bill by the Congress," Gandhi told reporters in Parliament House. The opposition party has kept the government guessing on the crucial bill asking it to take on board all stakeholders and favoring the Select Committee route even as it insisted that the measure is its own "baby" and it is a "misnomer" that the party is opposed to it. The controversial Insurance Bill, which was listed in upper house of the Indian Parliament Rajya Sabha, was deferred for consideration for the time being after a meeting of the government with opposition leaders failed to break the deadlock in the face of the demand to send it to a Select Committee. T h e meeting, convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, could not iron out differRahul Gandhi ences with the opposition despite Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's plea that the current bill has virtually the same language and content as the previous bill of the Congressled UPA. "We are totally in favor of FDI. It is our baby and it was the BJP which was opposed to the bill in 2008. We were given to understand that our bill is going to be passed in the House. But the NDA government has made some substantive amendments to the bill. "We have recommended that the substantive issues like the FDI, which have been diluted by the FII, along with other issues should be discussed, examined dispassionately and objectively by the Select Committee. The bill can be passed in the Winter Session and we will ensure its passage," Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad had said. -PTI
Top Stories
August 8, 2014
India Post
11
www.indiapost.com
India finishes 5th at CWG; Kashyap wins historic gold GLASGOW: India earned a fifth-place finish with 64 medals, including 15 yellow metals at Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014. Parupalli Kashyap brought the curtains down on India's campaign in the 20th Commonwealth Games to a thunderous applause, winning a historic gold in the men's singles badminton. The quest for a CWG hockey gold though remained unfulfilled as the Indian men's team went down tamely 0-4 to title holders and world champions Australia in the final. Likewise, the women's doubles combo of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa, too, had to be content with a silver medal at the Emirates Arena. The story on the final day of the Games revolved around Kashyap. Playing like a man possessed, the 27-year-old stole the limelight as he etched his name firmly in the history books by becoming the first Indian male shuttler in 32 years to win a gold in the Commonwealth Games. The three podium finishes on the final day of the Games meant India ended with 30 silver and 19 bronze, apart from the 15 top prizes. Traditional powerhouse England led the overall standings with 171 medals, followed by Australia (135), Canada (82) and hosts Scotland, which ended the multisport extravaganza with 53 medals.
A bronze-medalist at the Delhi Games, Kashyap rose to the occasion and played a sensational game of nerves to eke out a breath-
in the past. While Padukone had won the men's singles gold medal at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Canada, Modi retained it four
India's Kashyap Parupalli holds Gold Medal which he won in Men's Badminton Singles in Commonwealth Games 2014 in Glasgow
taking 21-14 11-21 21-19 triumph over Derek Wong of Singapore in the final showdown, which lasted over an hour. The shuttler from Hyderabad thus joined badminton legend Prakash Padukone and the late Syed Modi, who had won the title
years later. It turned out to be a red letter day for World No. 22 Kashyap who bagged the biggest title of his career. He had reached the quarterfinals of the London Olympics and won the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold in 2012.-PTI
14,600 distress calls at Indian hotline in UAE DUBAI: A hotline for UAEbased Indians in distress received more than 14,600 calls last year, mostly for work and wage-related issues, officials said here. Calls were also received for debt problems, confiscation of passports, contract violations, bad working conditions and harassment at work, officials at Indian Consulate in Dubai said. Most of the distress calls were made for work and wage- related issues. The round-the-clock toll-free number was launched in 2010 under the aegis of Indian Workers Resource Centre (IWRC), a part of Indian Consulate in Dubai, to offer legal, psychological and financial counseling for Indians in the UAE. The hotline staff is trained to
The round-the-clock toll-free number was launched in 2010 under the aegis of Indian Workers Resource Centre (IWRC) speak in eight different Indian languages including Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam and Bengali. Over the years, IWRC saw a steady increase in the number of distress calls made every day. "On an average we are receiving nearly 60 calls a day this year. This is a significant increase from last year when we were receiving 40-45 distress calls a day," an of-
ficial at the IWRC told PTI. Besides, IWRC also runs awareness campaigns about labor rights for the Indian workers in UAE, official said, adding IWRC will hold a campaign in Sharjah soon to publicize the toll-free number among workers. At present the helpline is working with a dedicated staff of eight people, but we may expand our resources and staff depending on our requirements, the official said. "All given advice is in accordance with the UAE labor laws and other applicable rules," another official told Gulf News. IWRC also runs a shelter home for the runaway maids and deserted house wives, besides managing an open house at the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate in Dubai. -PTI
Mehta, Malik released for lack of evidence GLASGOW: IOA secretary late in Edinburgh had deputed an general Rajeev Mehta and unat- official to Glasgow to keep in close tached wrestling referee Virender touch with the police authorities Malik, who were arrested on dif- to ascertain full factual details of ferent reasons, were released af- the case. ter charges against them were A relieved Mehta later said that dropped for lack of evidence, put- the entire case has been "repreting an end to their unsavory or- sented in a wrong manner as he deal. wasn't driving in a drunken state". The charges against both the "The facts have been misrepIndian officials were dropped af- resented and I have been proter the prosecution failed to pro- jected in a wrong manner. I was duce enough evidence against the not drunk and my test reports (alduo in the Glasgow Magistrate's cohol intake) have all come negaCourt. tive. There is nothing in it to show "Both Rajeev Mehta and that I was in a drunken state. I am Virender Malik have been liber- thankful to the court that they ated as the prosecution did not didn't accept the evidences that press the cases against them ow- were put forward," Mehta said ing to lack of evidence," a spokes- after the charges were dropped woman of the Glasgow against him. Magistrate's Court told PTI. Asked about what transpired The decision to let off the two officials came as huge relief for "The facts have been misthe Indian contingent, represented and I have which had to face a lot been projected in a wrong of embarrassment on the last day of the 20th manner. I was not drunk and Commonwealth Games my test reports (alcohol because of the developintake) have all come ment. While Mehta was ar- negative� rested for alleged drunken driving, Malik, who is not on that night, Mehta recollected a part of the official contingent, the incident. was facing a more serious charge "I had come out of a party and of alleged sexual assault. was on my way to somewhere The duo was, however, not else. Then the accident happened staying with the official 215- but I was not at fault. The girls strong contingent which was put- who were inside the other car ting up at the Games village. Both were driving on the wrong side of of them were reportedly lodged at the road. That's the reason that a local hotel. the case didn't even come up for An official of the Indian High hearing as it was dropped at the Commission also confirmed the prosecution level. There was nothdevelopment. ing found in any of my medical "Charges against both of them reports and that's why there were have been dropped due to lack of no charges framed against me," evidence. They have been re- he concluded. leased without any charges being Uttar Pradesh Olympic Assoframed," the High Commission ciation secretary Anandeshwar official said. Pandey, who is part of the IOA The Indian Consulate in delegation and was at the court, Edinburgh was liaising with the said the officials were released police on the matter. The Consu- after primary investigation.-PTI
Modi congratulates CWG medal winners NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated sportspersons who won medals in the just-concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, saying they have made the country proud. "The performance of our
athletes in the 2014 Commonwealth Games has made us proud. Congratulations to the medal winners," he said in a statement. India bagged 64 medals and ranked 5th in international sporting event. -PTI
Tech News GDP expected to improve to 5.5%: RBI NEW DELHI: With improvement in economic activity and revival of sentiments, the RBI has said GDP growth in the current fiscal is expected to go up to 5.5 per cent from 4.7 per cent in last financial year. "The implementation of government policy actions that have been announced should create a congenial setting for a steady improvement in domestic demand and supply conditions," RBI said in its bi-monthly policy statement. Sentiments on domestic economic activity appear to be reviving, RBI said, adding that there are early signs of modest strengthening of corporate sales and business flows. "Prospects of re-invigoration of growth have improved modestly... the central estimate of real GDP growth of 5.5 per cent within a likely range of 5 to 6 per cent for 2014-15 can be sustained," it said. Driven by improved performance of the manufacturing sector, industrial production growth soared to 19-month high of 4.7 per cent in May. Also, India's export growth remained in double digit for the second month in a row at 10.22 per cent in June. The firming up of export growth should support manufacturing and services sector, it said.. -PTI
India to be developed as refinery hub NEW DELHI: India refines more oil than the domestic requirement and the government seeks to develop the country as a refinery hub, Lok Sabha was informed. Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said domestic requirement is 160 MMT, while India refines 215 MMT. He said it helps the country earn foreign exchange. Pradhan said the country also seeks to fulfill the need of SAARC countries and other developing economies. He said while some Gulf countries produce crude, they lack refining capacity. This, he said, has led to a situation where crude is cheaper while refined product is costly in those countries. The Minister was responding to a supplementary on country reaching a saturation point in refined oil production. He said while several companies have applied for refinery in the private sector, Essar and Reliance have been contributing to the country's refinery production. -PTI
TechBiz 12 India Post
www.indiapost.com
August 8, 2014
Build a smartphone microscope for $10 WASHINGTON: You can now build your own microscope with nothing more than a smartphone and basic supplies worth USD 10 from a hardware store! The do-it-yourself microscope project is being undertaken by students at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. The students are enrolled in two biological sciences courses taught by Terry Wilson, an associate teaching professor. In one of the courses, students are building their own digital microscopes using carriage bolts, nuts, wing nuts, washers, plywood and Plexiglas from a hardware store, laser pointer lenses, LED click lights from a keychain flashlight to build a stand, and a smartphone for viewing and enlarging lab specimens.-PTI
4 Indians among Fortune's list of 20 extraordinary tech czars NEW YORK: Four Indians are among Fortune magazine's list of 20 "extraordinary" technology czars and young entrepreneurs analyzing data and processing big numbers to discover information that will "transform the way businesses operate." Fortune's maiden 'Big Data AllStars' lists the 20 extraordinary people who are "the best at connecting the dots and digging deep." Among the 20 is Arun Murthy, who co-founded business computer software company Hortonworks. Murthy started off at Yahoo when Hadoop, the opensource storage and processing software that powers much of the web's big data, was an early prototype. His team's mission was to scale it for Yahoo's web search and Murthy helped develop a resource and workload management system called YARN that acts as a sort of operating system for Hadoop, Fortune said. Next on the list is Surabhi Gupta, a software engineer at
popular travel rentals website Airbnb. As a graduate student in computer science at Stanford
Arun Murthy
University, Gupta became fascinated by the art of summarization, which is extracting meaning from text without actually reading the text. Gupta was working at Google when she started researching a trip using Airbnb. The possibilities Airbnb's data offered fascinated her and in the four months at the room rental service company, overhauled and improved their search engines and is currently working on condensing all of Airbnb's listings to create summaries to enable users to understand different cities vibes, the publication said.
Swatee Singh is Vice President of GMS IM Platforms and Big Data Capabilities at American Express, where her focus is to make "business personal." She is the brains behind American Express 'MyOffers' which aims to give members "what they want when they need it." She is also responsible for a tool that allows merchants to compare their annual performance. Next on the list is Vijay Subramanian, Chief Analytics Officer at Rent the Runway, an online service that provides designer dress and accessory rentals. Subramanian built a model to estimate missed demand, product longevity, and occasion usage for the company's inventory, a huge cost-saver for a company that buys truckloads of dresses and accessories from fashion designers every season to rent to customers. His next mission is to incorporate new types of data from Unlimited, the company's major new expansion into everyday wear, Fortune said. -PTI
Man-made leaf to make oxygen for space travel LONDON: An inventor in the UK has developed the world's first synthetic biological leaf that absorbs water and carbon dioxide to produce oxygen just like a plant, and it could enable long-distance space travel. The leaf, created by Royal College of Art student Julian Melchiorri, consists of chloroplasts suspended in a matrix made out of silk protein. "The material is extracted directly from the fibers of silk," Melchiorri said. "This material has an amazing property of stabilizing molecules. I extracted chloroplasts from plant cells and placed them inside this silk protein. As an outcome I have the first photosynthetic material that is living
and breathing as a leaf does," he said. Like the leaves of a p l a n t , Melchiorri's Silk Leaf needs light and a small amount of water to produce oxygen, 'Dezeen' reported. " S i l k Leaf is the first man-made biological leaf. It's very light, low energy-consuming, it's completely biologi-
Julian Melchiorri
cal," Melchiorri said. "Plants don't grow in zero gravity. NASA is researching
different ways to produce oxygen for long-distance space journeys to let us live in space. This material could allow us to explore space much further than we can now," said Melchiorri. The Silk Leaf project was developed as part of the Royal College of Art's Innovation Design Engineering course in collaboration with Tufts University silk lab. Melchiorri said the leaf could also be used for outdoor applications. "So facades, ventilation systems. You can absorb air from outside, pass it through these biological filters and then bring oxygenated air inside," he said. -PTI
TechBiz Post
August 8, 2014
India Post 13
www.indiapost.com
Black money: 'Warehouse' of India unwavering votary of multilateral trading system: Govt tax data for I-T in the offing NEW DELHI: Asserting its sovereign duty to protect the fundamental right of citizens to life and livelihood, India has expressed confidence that it will be able to persuade the WTO membership to appreciate its sensitivities and take
anomalies in the working of the system or its rules" to ensure that the WTO "works impartially and fairly in the interest of all its members and not just a select few". Making a statement in the Lok Sabha on the recent failed WTO
Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
the issue forward in a positive spirit. The government said India cannot accept the "unrealistic" proposal of the developed world on subsidies on foodgrain stockholding and wanted "timely correction of any imbalances or
talks, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India is an "unwavering votary" of the multilateral trading system and reiterates its commitment to the WTO. "We continue to believe that it is in the best interest of developing countries, especially the poor-
est, most marginalized ones among them, and we are determined to work to strengthen this institution," she said against the backdrop of the US blaming India for stalling an agreement at the recent talks in Geneva. Regretting the failure of the recent WTO talks, she said "a permanent solution on food security is a must for us and we cannot wait endlessly in a state of uncertainty while the WTO engages in an academic debate on the subject" which is what "some developed countries seem to be suggesting before they are ready to engage on this important issue". Emphasizing that India will not waiver in its commitment to protect the interests of the consumers and producers, Sitharaman said "developing countries such as India must have the freedom to use food reserves to feed their poor without the threat of violating any international obligations. This is our sovereign right. It is our duty to protect our citizens' fundamental rights to life and livelihood." Keeping the hope alive on the negotiations, she said, "I am confident that India will be able to persuade the WTO membership to appreciate the sensitivities of India and other developing countries and see their way of taking this issue forward in a positive spirit." -PTI
'Indian smartphone market will reduce to 6 firms' NEW DELHI: The crowded Indian smartphone market, which currently has over 20 brands selling their devices, will not be able to support more than six successful firms in the long run, former CEO of tech giant Apple John Sculley said. Sculley, who has also served as the President of the soft drink giant PepsiCo, said his own firm Obi Mobiles will leverage expertise in marketing and sales to ensure its place in the top six. Talking to PTI, Sculley said technology has now been "commoditized" and companies need to focus on the brand and building customer loyalty. "Technology is a commodity ... I grew up in commodity markets and I love that. There is little difference in what's there in a Coke bottle and a Pepsi bottle. Its all in the brand and the loyalty that you
can build with the customer," Sculley said. He added that with
John Sculley
commoditization of technology, many players are coming in and trying to differentiate with different features. The experience in consumer businesses that have commodity technology is that one ends up with six companies in the market, he added. "Markets, even as big like India, can't really support more than half a dozen very successful companies," Sculley said. Sculley said that the market will see such a situation in about three years. "I think this thing will sort itself out pretty fast. Fast meaning, three years something like that. Its not driven by us, its driven by how things are happening." he added. -PTI
NEW DELHI: As part of its vigor to track black money in country's economic channels, the I-T department is creating a new "warehouse" of business related intelligence and funds data which will empower the taxman to check multiple trends of expenses made by individuals and entities. The Income Tax department, which already has databases to undertake a 360-degree profiling of a person based on PAN card information or debit or credit card usage, has named the new project -- Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence (DWBI), which it plans to operationalise by next year. The proposal to activate this powerful and state-of-the-art database and a host of other unique investigative tools was recently approved by the top brass of the I-T department and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) during the annual conference of the Chief Commissioners and Directors General of I-T held in the national capital. "The department is now scouting for a land and space for basing the project somewhere in north India. The new database will collate all electronic and manual intelligence and other information collected by the investigation and snoop wings of the department," a senior I-T officer said. The DWBI project, according to a blueprint prepared by the CBDT, envisages to "streamline and enhance the non-intrusive
surveillance capabilities of the I-T and for harnessing the potential of information being collected." The warehouse will not only store and add to it information that the I-T database has till now like PAN card information, tax returns and a host of banking related information, it will also have the ability to generate information from the open source available on the Internet.
The I-T department, over the years, has decided to gradually move from regular search and survey operations to non-intrusive methods of data mining through electronic databases and information available through electronic portals of banking and other financial intermediaries. The department, through this new data warehouse, has decided to bring on one platform the portals of both its investigation and criminal investigation units in an attempt to widen the tax base and check undisclosed income. The I-T department already has an Integrated Taxpayer Data Management System (ITDMS) which keeps a track of the electronic spending of an individual, entity or a taxpayer. -PTI
14
TechBiz Post
India Post
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
Billboards forcing AI to carry fewer passengers NEW DELHI: Large billboards have been obstructing the takeoff path of Mumbai airport runway, leading Air India to suffer an estimated Rs ten crore loss per month on its Mumbai-Newark flight as it has been carrying 51 passengers less than the total capacity. "Obstacles like hoardings, poles etc in the take off path of the runway at Mumbai airport have created operational constraints, leading to the Air India flight on Mumbai-Newark sector being operated with 51 passengers less than the capacity," Minister of State for Civil Aviation G M Siddeshwara said in Lok Sabha. He said the loss in revenue due to less carriage of passengers is estimated at about Rs 10 crore per month. As the take off path is shorter, planes are forced to reduce their passenger load as they need more thrust to clear the high billboards. Air India had taken up the matter with the Airports Authority of India "who have removed some of the obstacles and revised the elevation of a few obstacles. This has resulted in some benefit to Air India," he said.
To another question, Siddeshwara said the national carrier has entered into a sale and leaseback arrangement for seven out of 16 of its Boeing 787 Dreamliners, while the remaining aircraft have been acquired under
Hence, one continues to operate the asset without owning it. The airline has also signed a Delay Compensation Agreement with Boeing in September 2012 for delayed delivery of this plane. Air India has also dry leased
a short-term bridge financing facility by various Indian and foreign banks. Sale and leaseback is a financial transaction, where one sells an asset and leases it back for the long-term.
five Airbus A-320 planes from China Aircraft Leasing Company for 12 years. Two more tenders for dry lease were issued in April this year and the bids received would be finalized in due course, he said.-PTI
Lack of Delhi-based crew cost AI Rs 17 crore NEW DELHI: The CAG has rapped Air India for spending over Rs 17 crore on allowances and hotel expenses for pilots and cabin crew from Mumbai to operate Dreamliner planes though most of the flights originated from Delhi. The government audit body
positioning Mumbai-based crew in Delhi." In a report tabled in Parliament, the Comptroller and Auditor General also said that the seats on which the cabin crew traveled "were not available for passengers, resulting in lower revenue generation particularly
The Comptroller and Auditor General also said that the seats on which the cabin crew traveled "were not available for passengers, resulting in lower revenue generation particularly for a busy route like Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai" said the national carrier had "failed to increase the proportion of crew stationed in Delhi during 2011-12 and 2012-13 even as the proportion of flights from Delhi increased significantly, leading to additional deadhead expenditure of Rs 17.17 crore in
for a busy route like MumbaiDelhi-Mumbai". As on June last year, "all flights of the newly- inducted Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft were to originate from Delhi, 42 per cent of the cabin crew staff trained for its operation were
based in Mumbai," the report said. It said Air India "accepted" that though the number of flights from Delhi "increased substantially", the corresponding number of crew stationed in Delhi had "not increased to the required level." Air India also told the CAG that majority of the crew trained for the Boeing 787s were from Mumbai due to availability of training facilities and infrastructure there and "decision of previous management to train cabin crew based on criteria which was primarily seniority and availability". Observing that some deadhead cost could be necessary to meet operational exigencies, the CAG said this situation and the resultant additional cost of Rs 17.17 crore was "avoidable" as it had occurred due to crew shortage in Delhi vis-a-vis Mumbai, even as the international hub had shifted to the national capital. -PTI
Hong Kong bars Indianorigin dealer from markets HONG KONG: An Indian-origin dealer has been barred for life by Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission from accessing the capital markets for misleading his clients and causing them losses of USD 8 million (about Rs 49 crore) with respect to certain trades. The SFC found that Manesh Vijaykumar Samtani, a former licensed representative of Hong Kong-based KGI Asia and KGI Futures, provided six clients with false screenshots of KGI's trading platform and other false information to conceal trading losses and mislead the clients on the transactions conducted in their accounts, from July 2011 to November 2012. It also observed that Samtani failed to follow his clients' instructions on handling of their accounts and conducted transactions in their accounts contrary to their express instructions or without their authorization. SFC noted that Samtani's actions had resulted in financial losses of more than USD 8 million to the clients. "The Securities and Futures Commission has banned Manesh Vijaykumar Samtani, a former licensed representative of KGI Asia
Ltd and KGI Futures (Hong Kong) Ltd from re-entering the industry for life," a SFC release said. According to the market regulator Samtani's conduct was dishonest, he had abused the trust and confidence that his clients and employers placed in him and his actions seriously jeopardized
his clients' interests. "Samtani's misconduct was facilitated by his clients providing him with their passwords for online trading accounts. "The SFC reminds investors not to disclose their passwords to anyone to prevent unauthorized access to their accounts," it added. -PTI
Microsoft sues Samsung, alleging contract breach NEW YORK: Microsoft has sued Samsung in US federal court, claiming the South Korean giant had breached a contract over licensing of technology used in the fiercely competitive smartphone market. "After becoming the leading player in the worldwide smartphone market, Samsung decided late last year to stop complying with its agreement with Microsoft," the US technology firm's deputy counsel said in an online post. The complaint filed in federal court in New York alleges Samsung is balking at making payments for patented Microsoft technology used in smartphones and tablets. "We will review the complaint in detail and determine appropriate measures in response," Samsung told AFP. Microsoft contends the South Korean consumer electronics co-
lossus is not adhering to a contract from 2011, and said it filed the court action after months of "painstaking negotiation." The legal pact involved Samsung paying to use Microsoft intellectual property, according to the post by deputy counsel David Howard. Samsung's smartphone sales have quadrupled since the contract was signed as the company grew from shipping 82 million Android-powered handsets in 2011 to shipping 314 million three years later, Microsoft maintained. Samsung has become a smartphone goliath, and the biggest maker of handsets powered by Google's free Android software. "Samsung predicted it would be successful, but no one imagined their Android smartphone sales would increase this much," Howard said.. -AFP
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
India Post 15
Desi News St Louis Fetna Convention a big success ASHWIN PATEL
ST LOUIS: Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America (FETNA) and Tamil Sangam of Missouri jointly hosted 26th Annual Convention-FETNA 2014 from July 3 to 6 in St. Louis, Missouri. FETNA 2014 was designed to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Kudandhai P.Sundarasanar & Progressive Philosopher Ayothi Daasar and the 200th Anniversary of Robert Caldwell. The three Tamil scholars were remembered for their services to Tamil language and Tamil society. FETNA 2014 convention blended with a balance of programs performed by American Tamils themselves. They have developed enough expertise to stage and showcase the various ancient art forms in this Festival along with professional artists. Details on page 19
NSF : Breeding ground of SpellBee champions SURENDRA ULLAL
CHICAGO: Sriram Hathwar, Arvind Mahankali, Snigdha Nandipati, Sukanya Roy, Anamika Veeramani, Kavya Shivashankar, Sameer Mishra - all Indian American youth. They are by no means household names, yet they've graced American television screens. And they will always be linked as winners of the past seven National Spelling Bees. But they have something else in common: all became champions after ascending through academic tournaments sponsored by the Chicago-based North South Foundation (NDF), a nonprofit organization that fosters education among Indian-American pupils and provides scholarships for high school graduates in India.
COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA
16 India Post
Asian Media USA
CHICAGO: Shreejidwar Haveli established by Vaishnav Samaj of Midwest (VSM) in Addison, celebrated its Bhoomi Pujan Ceremony and Golden Jubilee of JJ Dwarkeshprasdji with blessings of Goswami 108 Shri Indira Betiji Mahodaya on Friday July 18 in a grand manner. Details on page 22
August 8, 2014
Details on page 23
Fremont Arts and Wine Festival: 31 years of fun in the Sun VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service
FREMONT: The Fremont Arts and Wine festival, hosted by the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, featured over 600 artisan booths; three stages with live music and performances; Kid City with activities and entertainment for the children; the Gourmet Marketplace; the Wine Garden; the Business Alley; and food prepared and served by local nonprofits. Over 385,000 people attended the converge on the hundreds of booths lining five walking miles from Paseo Padre Parkway to State Street between Mowry, Beacon and Walnut avenues, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 2 and 3. It is the largest free street fesBonior. Admission to the festival was free; a ticket was only required for the Wine Garden, where guests partook in premium wines from local vintners and a buffet lunch that came with the perks of a VIP parking spot. The Fremont Festival of the Arts featured wines from California and US wineries like Wente, Beringer, Columbia Crest. International selections like Alice White (Australia) have also been featured at past festivals. Chrysler, Verizon, MahindraGenze, xfinity, Bay Home and Window, BART, GROCO CPA & advisors, Robson Homes to name a few were the major sponsors of this Fremont
Details on page 21
Shreejidwar Haveli celebrates Bhoomi Pujan
www.indiapost.com
Get set for Shreya Ghoshal Live in Concert
tival west of the Mississippi River with an attendance of over 385,000 and at least 650 artisans. As part of "Go Green" effort, the festival was more environmentally friendly. The Fremont chamber worked with Nothing Wasted to provide three types of waste disposal bins for organic waste, recyclables and regular trash in order to divert the amount of materials that go to landfills. In the past 30 years of the festival, more than $9 million has been raised for local nonprofits, according to Fremont Chamber of Commerce President Cindy
traditional event. Business Marketplace is the outdoor trade show at the Fremont Festival of the Arts, featuring Fremont Chamber of Commerce members. Federation of Indo Americans of Northern California, FIA had a booth in the festival and kicked off the publicity for their own "Festival of India, 2014 and San Francisco Global movie fest?, a gala event which would happen at the same place on August 16 and 17. Fremont residents were eager to know about the Indian festival and are looking forward to the FIA event which is spread for two days with cultural programs, parade, trade booths, free health fair, etc.
August 8, 2014
Community Across America
India Post 17
www.indiapost.com
Shah Rukh's SLAM kick-off held in San Jose VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service
FREMONT: Indian cinema, popularly known around the world as Bollywood, has carved its niche because of its stories and music. Bollywood, over the years, has not just entertained Indian audiences but has also garnered a lot of love and support from the world audience. Taking this thought forward, DBR Entertainment brings to you the biggest Bollywood extravaganza of all times - Slam, The Tour (STT) on September 28, SAP Cen-
ter, San Jose. Slam, The Tour is coming to your city with the biggest Bollywood stars and a promise to entertain you like never before. So get ready to shake a leg with Shah Rukh Khan (Actor/Producer), Farah Khan Kunder (Director/Actor), Deepika Padukone (Actor), Malaika Arora Khan (Actor), Abhishek Bachchan (Actor), Boman Irani (Actor), Sonu Sood (Actor), Vivaan Shah (Actor), Kanika Kapoor (Singer) and Honey Singh (Singer/Actor). The kick-off party for this grand
Pics Sargam TV
Bikramjeet Singh, Dave Atwal & Ranbir Atwal. Pic Meeka studio
show was held at the MLounge, Downtown San Jose on August 1. The party was attended by well known businessmen and professionals of Bay Area who are extending their support to this mega event. Speaking on the occasion, Bikramjit Singh, Ranbir Atwal and Dave Atwal of DBR entertainment said the opening day ticket sales
were close to 3,500 and asked the fans to grab the tickets early as they expect it to be a sold out event. The "Slam in SAP ", is supposed to be the biggest Bollywood production, which is supported by more than 150 crew members, dancers, choreographers performing on the grand
stage of the SAP center. It is going to be a well scripted and immaculately conceived and planned show from beginning till the end. It would be a visual delight and a riot of colors and music, stunning visuals, state-of-the-art production, colorful fireworks and elaborate costumes.... And the rest will be for your eyes to see and feel.
18 India Post
www.indiapost.com
August 8, 2014
August 8, 2014
Community Across America
India Post 19
www.indiapost.com
St Louis Fetna Convention meet a resounding success ASHWIN PATEL
ST LOUIS: Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America (FETNA) and Tamil Sangam of Missouri jointly hosted 26th An-
nual Convention-FETNA 2014 from July 3 to 6 in St. Louis, Missouri. FETNA 2014 was designed to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Kudandhai P.Sundarasanar & Progressive Philosopher Ayothi Daasar and the 200th Anniversary of Robert Caldwell. The three Tamil scholars were remembered for their services to Tamil language and Tamil society. FETNA 2014 convention blended with a balance of programs performed by American Tamils themselves. They have developed enough expertise to stage and showcase the various ancient art forms in this Festival along with professional artists. FETNA has a long lasting tradition of encouraging and reestablishing the glory of ancient art forms like Parai dance, Silambattam, Tamil vocal music, street plays, dance dramas by Vaidehi Herbert speaking on Literature for American Tamils
St. Louis Team which won first place performing in the dance competition
Fetna Convention
funding and consistently staging them in North America. Now the community has started witnessing the benefits of this initiative as various chapters of North America's Tamil associations have started these clubs and
grown enough to deliver a program in big stages like this and also in some of the prominent universities. Star night dinner was held on the eve of the FETNA convention, on July 3 with the introduction of special guests, ice breakers, photo sessions and informal renewal of friendships. Cont’d on page 20
Swimming pools: Hidden dangers lurk below the surface India Post News Service
LOS ANGELES: Faulty pool lighting and bad wiring are the greatest electrical threats to safety, but can easily be eliminated by regular inspection, maintenance and adherence to local and national codes, says Southern California Edison (SCE) in a report about electrical hazards in swimming pools. The SCE report says, "Don't swim with shocks. It's a nice play on words in a Consumer Product Safety Commission fact sheet, but there's nothing nice about the hidden dangers it warns of in and around swimming pools with the summer in full swing. The spring electrocution of a 7-year-old boy in his family's Miami swimming pool is a tragic worst-case example, but another non-fatal Miami accident where three children were badly shocked is instructive as well. Faulty pool lighting and bad wiring, respectively, are sus-
pected in both accidents. In fact, underwater lights and their wiring are the greatest potential electrical hazards inside a pool since it can't be said enough that water
swimmers' only protection from electrical wiring. Any water inside the underwater light fixture - the presence of mold or rust, buzzing noises or flick-
that is not well-grounded and aging or corroded wires. These risks are only heightened if lighting and circuits aren't protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs).
and electricity don't mix. A pane of glass and a rubber seal are often
ering lights is a tip-off - is very dangerous, but so is a power system
And older pools may not only have degraded lighting fixtures, but
also may not have GFCIs on underwater lighting circuits. If these issues exist, they should be updated immediately. "People should have a qualified electrician inspect their underwater lights to make sure that junction boxes and wiring connections are properly and safely installed," said Don Neal, director of Corporate Environmental, Health and Safety at Southern California Edison (SCE), which also offers a pool-pump rebate program to assist customers. "In addition to fixing any problems, that electrician should upgrade your pool, as well as your hot tub or spa, in accordance with local codes and the National Electrical Code." GFCIs should also be used on pumps and electrical equipment, such as heaters, used with pools, spas and hot tubs and on all outlets within 20 feet of the water's edge to protect people from shocks. Cont’d on page 20
Community Across America
20 India Post
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
St Louis Fetna Convention meet a resounding success Cont’d from page 19
The event was officially kicked off with Thirukkural recital, Tamil Thai Vazhthu, American National Anthem and lighting of lamps. Dr Dhandapani, the president of FETNA and Kumaravadivelu, the FETNA coordinator delivered the welcome speech to inaugurate the
Theodore Baskaran rendered his thoughts on "Tamil Literature in Tamil Movies". As the prime event of the convention, the Convention souvenir was released followed by commemorative speeches on Kudandai P.Sundaresanar by Ramamoorthy and on Robert Caldwell by Albert Chelladurai.
Actress Trisha interacting on the stage
function. It was followed by Guru Nagai Balakumaran's opening dance for the festival, Kalaikkaka Poovadhu Yaaru - a comedy by Kansas Tamil Sangam, a commemorative speech by poet Kutti Revathy on Ayothi Daasar and special presentation on Tamil Percussion instruments by Prof Zoey Sherinnian and Aaron Paige. A short presentation of Kuthuvarisai and Varmam, ancient Tamil martial arts was given by Ezhelan Ramarajan. Dallas Tamil Sangam teens amazed the audience with their Thirupugazh dance.
by Poet Kutti Revathy. The special speech delivered by one of the remarkable Tamil pioneers, Padmabushan, Marconi awardee Stanford Prof Dr Paul Arokiyasamy attracted huge applause from the audience. Dr Chitra Dorai and Jay Vijayan were felicitated on stage for their successful pioneer works as Tamil Americans. The audience was tested for their literature knowledge and memory during one of the most noted special events - Tamil Literary Quiz. The two groups which competed consisted of people across generations. The Sangam literature translator Mrs Vaidehi Herbert inspired the audience with her speech 'Tamils' contribution to business and technology." Speeches on Siddha were followed by Tamil Isai by BKM Tamil Sangam and Gnanamani Rajapriyar. The story of Theeran Chinnamali, one of the unsung heroes of Indian freedom movement, was staged as a dance cum drama by St. Louis team. Tholpavai, an ancient Tamil form of story telling, was staged by one of the handful of artists still prac-
Kutti Revathi being facilitated during Kaviarangam 36
After lunch session was marked by poets delivering poems on the theme "Kilanbittru Kaan America Tamilar Padai" presided
The story of Theeran Chinnamali, one of the unsung heroes of Indian freedom movement was staged
ticing this art. The Silapadikaram story was expertly enacted in the ancient street play format by Minnesota Tamil Sangam members. The evening was thus marked by staging important art forms. Star time was glazed by Actor Napoleon with his open and candid speech. The second day was marked by interactive speech of Special Guest Murugananadham, the social entrepreneur listed this year as one of the 100 most influential people on earth by Time magazine. He evoked the audience by his questions and lifetime experiences. The afternoon was electrified by Velu Saravanan's Children's Theatre interactive presentation of "Elipathy" a version of the Pied Piper of Hamlien with the help of St. Louis kids.
Super singers Diwakar and Sonia singing in the Live concert
Swimming pools: Hidden dangers lurk below the surface Cont’d from page 19
exists, there are clearance requirements, but pool owners should consult their local inspection agency). Long-handled cleaning tools also should be used away from power lines and electrical cords should be kept at least five feet away from the pool. Neal offers an additional warning on the electrical cords, suggesting that, "When possible, people should use battery-operated appliances and not cord-connected ones in and around a pool, spa or hot tub." Meanwhile, pool owners should always have an emergency
These are all very important steps because there have been 60 electrocutions and nearly 50 serious electrical shocks in and around swimming pools in the U.S. since 1990, according to the safety commission. The commission said some of the deaths and shocks occurred during attempted rescues of shock victims because the rescuers were unaware of the electrical hazards. Another safe move is to have an electrician downgrade pool lighting from a potentially deadly 120 volts to 12 volts. The 120-volt lighting systems are particularly "When possible, people prevalent in older pools should use battery-operand GFCIs are recomated appliances and not mended on any lighting system 15 volts or cord-connected ones in greater. and around a pool, spa or "The lower voltage is simply less dangerous," hot tub." said Neal "In case of a broken glass or leakage into an underwater light, you plan within view of pool users and should avoid having 120 volts in- power switches should be labeled troduced into your water. Land- for pool, hot tub and spa equipscape lighting should also be ment and lighting so they can be powered by a low-voltage system turned off quickly during an electo prevent shocks on a rain-soaked trical emergency. In addition, a filawn." berglass Shepherd's crook should A well-ground power system is be used to remove any victims also very important since it adds from the water, CPR should be adcritical protection by guaranteeing ministered and 911 should be that if something goes wrong, the called. power flows to the ground and not As for rescuers not taking these to those in the pool. precautions, they risk serious in"Pool owners should also make jury if they touch a conductive fixsure that electrical wires and junc- ture or enter the water before the tion boxes are a minimum of five current is stopped. feet away from water, as also re"Pool electrical accidents are quired by the National Electrical easily prevented," said Neal. "But pool owners must follow stateCode," said Neal. As for other hazards outside mandated codes, conduct proper the water, a permanent or storable inspection and maintenance and pool should never be built or set use qualified electricians to up underneath power lines (if this achieve that prevention."
Community Across America
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
NSF : Breeding ground of Spell-Bee champions SURENDRA ULLAL
CHICAGO: Sriram Hathwar, Arvind Mahankali, Snigdha Nandipati, Sukanya Roy, Anamika Veeramani, Kavya Shivashankar, Sameer Mishra - all Indian American youth.
of four years. That's not much by U.S. tuition standards, but in India $250 pays for a year's tuition at most government colleges, said Dr. Ratnam Chitturi, founder of NSF. Established in 1989, NSF has awarded over 12,000 college scholarships so far. NSF has also opened three contest centers in Hyderabad since 2001 and offers spelling, vocabulary, math, and science bee competitions to 1,700 participants. NSF pupils made 2014 a signature year, garnering championships in five major national competitions: Spelling Bee, MATHCOUNTS, Geography Bee, Science Bowl and National History Bee. In addition to Sriram Hathwar, the Spelling Bee co-winner, 8th grader Sriram Hathwar, co-winner of the 2014 Swapnil Garg from SunnyNational Spelling Bee. Hathwar marked the vale, CA emerged as the vicseventh consecutive year that a Spelling tor in the 2014 Raytheon Bee winner was groomed through North MATHCOUNTS National South Foundation spelling tournaments Competition in early May. They are by no means house- NSF participants Akhil hold names, yet they've graced Rekulapelli, an 8th grader from American television screens. And Dulles, Va., and Ameya Mujumdar, they will always be linked as win- a 5th grader from Tampa, Fl., capners of the past seven National tured 1st and 2nd places, respecSpelling Bees. tively in the 2014 National GeoBut they have something else graphic Bee. Cont’d on page 23 in common: all became champions after ascending through academic tournaments sponsored by the Chicago-based North South Foundation (NDF), a nonprofit organization that fosters education among Indian-American pupils and provides scholarships for high school graduates in India. Celebrating its 25th year, the NSF runs local and national tournaments encompassing six academic areas besides spelling: vocabulary, geography, math, science, essay writing, and public speaking. There's also an all-encompassing "Brain Bee." All told, 85 chapters across the USA host competitions during March, April and May, with national finals held each August. More than 17,000 contestants typically compete. In 2013, NSF introduced Universal Values, a 30-week program consisting of a one-hour-per-week online workshop to hone values in daily life, not just for the children, but for their parents and NSF's legion of volunteers. The foundation has given out more than $2.5 million in scholarships in India since 1989, at the rate of $250 per student for each
India Post 21
22 India Post
Community Across America
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
Shreejidwar Haveli celebrates Bhoomi Pujan Asian Media USA
CHICAGO: Shreejidwar Haveli established by Vaishnav Samaj of Midwest (VSM) in Addison, celebrated its Bhoomi Pujan Ceremony and Golden Jubilee of JJ Dwarkeshprasdji with blessings of Goswami 108 Shri Indira Betiji Mahodaya on Friday July 18 in a grand manner. There were unique Darshans of Lord Shrinathji Hindola made of fresh vegetables under Pushti Pranali. The function began with Aarti and wishing Happy Birthday on Golden Jubilee of Dwarkeshlalji Maharajshri in the presence of Indira Betiji Mahodaya. Dwarkeshlalji Maharajshri in his address touched upon the principles laid down by Vallabhacharyaji and advised all to follow them scrupulously which
Bhoomi Pujan at Shreejidwar Haveli
will enrich everyone's life. A number of devotees were present at the event which led to Bhumi Pujan for the upcoming New Nandalaya Project. Goswami 108 Shri Indira Betiji
Devotees listening to Goswami 108 Shri Indira Betiji Mahodaya
Mahodaya in her beautiful address observed that Bhoomi is the Hindu goddess Mother Earth and hence, before the start of construction, usually a Bhoomi Pooja is performed. It also is to ask forgiveness for the disruption of the many living beings already on and in the land. Dr Umang Patel described this event on eve of Sixth Patotsav to be a history in books of Shrijidwar with rare chance to celebrate it with the Golden Jubilee of JJ Dwarkeshprasdji and blessings of Goswami 108 Shri Indira Betiji Mahodaya Dr Patel pre-
sented Dr Mahendra Shah - who has published 'Mahabaharta in two parts - with verses described in Sanskrit, English, Gujarati, Hindi and Marathi. Dinner was served after Darshan. There was an entertainment program of classical bhajans held by Pt. Rattanlal Sharma. He sang various Bhajans like: 'Aaj to
Anand Anand' Shri Krishna, Nand Yashoda ke Ghar Anand, Yashoda Krishna Mangal Gave' and many more. More than 1,000 devotees from Chicago land and Midwest participated in the event. Youth had become the volunteers and shouldered the responsibilities of event planning, parking, food, darshan management, etc. Devotees praised the excellent management of every activity. Shreeji Dwar Vaishnav Samaj of Midwest seeks to promote the teachings of Srinathji. It is led by by Dr Umang Patel (President), Rajesh Shah (Chairman), Kamlesh Shah (Secretary), and Hansaben Patel (Vice President) with a hard working volunteer team. They have the following activities available to all: Darshan at multiple times, Garba Raas event, Picnic, Diwali, Keertan (Bhajans), and other religious activities as seen throughout the Hindu calendar. Lal Bhava attends this Mandir.
Haveli organizers, volunteers and devotees
St Louis Fetna Convention meet a resounding success Cont’d from page 20
The kids Tamil Jeopardy show brought out the Tamil talent of the kids who were competing as groups. The results of the short film contest, Tamil Bee contest and Tamil Isai contests that were conducted as concurrent sessions the previous day were announced and prizes distributed on stage. The group dance "Laya Kavithai Naatiyam" performed by the Canadian Tamil Congress enraptured the audience. The FETNA Thillana dance competition, Iyarkaiyin Padaippukkal dance by Missouri tiny tots and the presentation of their Tamil talents by next generation kids set the stage for the pinnacle event of Parade of all Tamil Sangams called "Sangangalin Sangamam". The parade of representatives of the member Tamil sangams were followed by the
group Bharathanatiyam on the Fetna theme song, Silambam. Parai Tamil percussion dance vibrated the Tamil sentiments of the crowd. Rev. Perur Marudhachala Adigalar, the principal of The Tamil College, delivered an action plan on "Tamil in all walks of life". Actress Trisha appeared on stage and gave short answers for fans' questions. The after dinner music entertainment was provided by Ganesh Kiruba orchestra with super singers Sonia and Diwakar along with homegrown talent. The music and dancing were a blast to culminate the festivities in the Chaifetz arena. On the third day, scholars talked to a small group of audience focusing on addressing the status of their art forms today and ways and means to achieve higher levels of success in the future.
Concurrent sessions
Catering to different age groups
and preferences, mini focused sessions were conducted in various halls and rooms in the Chaifetz arena and Hotel Renaissance. Apart from competitions, workshop on Siddha medicine by Dr Selva Kumar, workshop on communication and human relationships by Velu Raman, workshop on Parai Tamil percussion instrument, short film contest, workshop on children's theatre, World Tamil Forum, WTO, Youth games like Kho Kho, Kabaddi , Youth discussion, workshop on movie making by Dr Swarnavel Iswaran and Swamy Kandan, Hollywood director, Tamil American Pioneer gala, Tamil youth professionals networking etc were fully participated and appreciated. To encourage Tamil language learning and Tamil music in kids from Tamil origin, the two competitions were held in separate sessions and prizes were distributed.
Entrepreneur forum FeTNA 2014 Entrepreneur forum session was to motivate and help Tamil families to start and successfully manage their own businesses. The highlight of this session was the inspiring speech by Murgunantham Arunachalam, the social entrepreneur from India who was recently recognized by Time Magazine as one of the top 100 influential people in the world. The 'Youth Business Plan Competition' was introduced in this FETNA 2014 and the participants were asked to submit their novice business plans The winners were judged and selected by these 7 accomplished Entrepreneurs. Tamil American Pioneer (TAP) Awards Gala recognized seven Tamil Americans for their extraordinary professional achievements. They are: Dr Raj Chetty, Professor of Economics at Harvard Univer-
sity; Dr Chitra Dorai, IBM Distinguished Engineer and Master Inventor, IBM Corp; Dr Arun Mohan, Chief Medical Officer, Apollo MD Hospital Medicine; Dr Arogyaswami Paulraj, Professor Emeritus, Stanford University; Dr K. Sujata, President and CEO, Chicago Foundation for Women; Arun Subramanian, Partner at Susman Godfrey, LLP and Jay Vijayan, CIO at Tesla Motors, Inc. Continuing Medical Education (CME) in collaboration with Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, MO was a half day event and six speakers from different specialties discussed on interesting and wide range of topics. About 60 participants attended the CME. CME was organized and conducted by CME Chairman Dr Jeb Ratnaraj. The 28th FETNA convention will be held in Bay Area, California on July 4th of next year.
Community Across America
August 8, 2014
India Post 23
www.indiapost.com
Punjab sports festival attracts over 5000 Asian Media USA
CHICAGO: The Punjab Sports Club held its Annual International
More than 5000 people not only from Chicagoland area but from Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin came in numbers to enjoy
Singer Gurdas Maan
Kabaddi Cup Festival at Boomers Stadium in Schaumburg on Sunday, July 20.
this sports festival. In the evening a famous Punjabi, the legendry Gurdas Maan entertained the au-
dience with his popular songs for more than one and a half hours. Punjab Sports Chicago has been organizing International
T
he Queen Bee of playback singing will start her North America Tour from August 9. Shreya Ghoshal is coming back with her team to enchant people of USA and Canada with her mellifluous voice and soul stirring compositions. She is known to sweep music lovers off their feet, where-ever she has performed till date. '
by 18/12. The Final match between of PSC Milwaukee and PSC Indiana was a lively affair with Milwau-
First prize in memory of Bapu Kartar Singh was given to PCS Milwaukee Team with a check of $ 1500. A Champion Trophy also was given
Kabaddi Tournament since 2003 when it was a World Cup and was
Get set for Shreya Ghoshal Live in Concert
India Post News Service
held at this same venue at Boomers Stadium. This is their 12th 'Kabaddi Mela.' The Chief Guests were Dr Ausaf Sayeed,
Her musical ability Shreya Ghoshal Live in Concert and versatility has not tour comprises 12 cities with her just entertained the In- group of 30 artists including vodian audience but has calist, musicians, dancers, emcee, also garnered a lot of sound and light engineers. Allove and respect from though her entire fan club cannot every corner of the attend these concerts because of world. Hits after hits, the physical barrier, however there her songs are always have been a lot of tweets, at the top of any Facebook posts and other social B o l l y w o o d buzz about her tour which has crechartbusters. There is ated a lot of excitement among a newness and some- music lovers, fans and followers thing special in each across the world. In one of her reyear's tour. Her strong cent tweets to her 1.6+million fans vocal abilities make the in twitter she says she is all set for song selection unique it! We too are. Are you? as it ranges from old Shreya Ghoshal Concert classics to foot tapping Tour Schedule Bollywood August 9 Fort Lauderdale numbers. August 10 Austin The International Promoters for the conAugust 15 Chicago cert tour Shri Balaji EnAugust 16 Washington tertainment Inc is confiAugust 17 Atlanta dent that this year it will August 22 Houston have a high entertainAugust 23 New Jersey ment quotient, and they August 24 Dallas believe will exceed the August 29 Calgary expectations from all diAugust 30 Vancouver mensions. The national sponsors for the concert August 31 Los Angeles tour are Yupp TV and September 1 San Jose India.Com
C.G. of India Chicago and Darshan Singh Dhaliwal Priests recited prayer and Tournament was declared open through blowing of balloons by IGP Aantok Kalra and Mayor Larsen of Village Schaumbeurg The first match was played between Punjab Sport Indiana and Toronto which resulted in win for Indiana by 35/22.Second Match between Punjab Sports Club Chicago and PSC Milwaukee was won by Milwaukee by 35/18 Third match between PSC Indiana and PSC Chicago was won by Indiana by 29/12. Fourth match between Milwaukee and Torronto was won by Milwaukee by 28/14. A show match was played between Under 21 players from Indiana and Milwaukee which resulted in win for Indiana
kee winning by 44/29 and being declared Champion. Sukhsen Singh Brar entertained the audience with his non stop commentary of all live matches. Punjabi Youth club of Milwaukee started the program by presenting a beautiful 'Malwai Gidha' program followed by 'The Legend Gurdas Maan - The Jogiya Live concert" Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) is a non-profit organization promoting education, good citizenship, community development, civic commitment and involvement, and preserving Punjabi culture, language, sports and performing arts of the NorthIndian State of Punjab among its community members and also mainstream Americans in the Midwest and beyond.
NSF : Breeding ground of Spell-Bee champions Cont’d from page 21
Snigdha Allaparthi from Westborough, Mass. and Abhijeet Sampangi from Andover, Mass, captained their team to 1st place in the 2014 Middle School National Science Bowl conducted by the US Department of Energy. Siddharth Kamannavar, a 3rd grader from Santa Clara, Calif., in 2014 became the youngest champion on record in the National History Bee, in the Elementary School Division. Success begets success.
Chitturi notes that earlier champions become role models and mentors in motivating and inspiring children in succeeding years. One of NSF's first batch of students won a college scholarship in 1990 in India, came to the US after graduating, then returned to India 15 years later where he established a trust. He has since awarded hundreds of scholarships to financially challenged students. The North South Foundation 2014 National Finals will be held on August 16-17 at the University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, TX.
24 India Post
www.indiapost.com
August 8, 2014
25 India Post
www.indiapost.com
A
historic city widely acclaimed for its lovely temples, Khajuraho in the State of Madhya Pradesh is located in the woody planes of Bundelkhand region. One among the biggest tourist attractions in North India, the city has been rightly called as the symbol of the medieval heritage. The appealing temples of Khajuraho present a wonderful blend of architectural and sculptural sheerness, representing one of the preeminent examples of Indian art.
August 8, 2014
Architectural grandeur and delicacy of Khajuraho temples, has provided it with the prestigious status of a world heritage site by UNESCO. The centuries old temples are ornamented with most striking, erotic and aesthetic sculptures that expose the philosophy of Hindu religion. The erotic images that adore the beautiful shrines depict the innocent form of love, a manifestation of stimulated human sentiments. Cont’d on page 26
26
India Post
Travel & Hospitality Post
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
Hundreds of new airports to meet Asia tourism boom SINGAPORE: Faced with snaking queues at immigration, overflowing baggage carousels and expensive flight delays, Asian nations are rushing to build hundreds of new airports to cope with surging demand for air travel in the region. From China and India to the Philippines and Indonesia, the fast-growing middle classes are looking to spend their cash by spreading their wings, leading to a boom in the Asia-Pacific region's tourism sector. Airlines have responded by setting up several new budget carriers and flying new routes - but many airports are unable to cope, forcing governments to either expand or simply build new airports. "Through the next 10 years, we see more than 350 new airports in the Asia-Pacific and the investment cost will be well over USD 100 billion," said Chris De Lavigne, a global vice president at business consultancy Frost & Sullivan Asia
Pacific. "China is building over 100 air-
Lavigne, who closely tracks Asia's aviation industry.
Upgrades of existing airports could cost an additional USD 25 billion, he said. International tourist arrivals in AsiaPacific grew an annual 6.0 per cent to 248 million last year, the strongest of any region worldwide, according to the UN World Tourism Organization. To cope with this, construction is being ramped up. Singapore's Changi, regarded by many as one of the world's best, is expanding T h e with a Terminal 4 opening in 2017 Canada-based
ports, India is building over 60 airports and Indonesia will also have to follow suit with investments in its infrastructure," said De
KHAJURAHO
Kerala Tourism signs Famous for most MoU on Spice Route striking, erotic & aesthetic sculptures
KOCHI: Kerala Tourism has signed an agreement with UNESCO to begin a historic cooperation between the state and the world's foremost cultural organization in promoting and protecting the ancient Spice Route heritage. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Kerala Tourism Secretary Suman Billa and UNESCO Director and Representative to India
new milestone in the growth of tourism in Kerala. It is a revival of the ancient spice route that connected 31 countries," Anil Kumar said. "For the project to be successful, it needs the support from all the 31 countries. That is why we have sought the cooperation of UNESCO," he said. Under the agreement, the Spice Route Initiative of the state government will form the bedrock of
Cont’d from page 25
A variety of opulent approaches, which are languorous, confrontational, impishly tempting, give reliability to the assumption that Khajuraho's erotica were destined to check the devotees who came to adore their gods at the temples.
man but also the astonishing progressiveness of the illustrious rulers, under whose patronage these amazing structures were envisioned and materialized. Apart from the poetry-carved temples, Khajuraho is well known for the cultural extravaganza held every year from 25th February to 2nd March. Khajuraho Dance fes-
Shigeru Aoyagi in the presence of State Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar and K M Chandrasekhar, Vice Chairman, Kerala State Planning Board. The MoU seeks to formalize a framework of cooperation in the areas of cultural heritage protection and promotion in the state. "The Spice Route project is a
the cooperation and partnership between the two sides along with protection of promotion of historical areas of Kerala. Several historical areas of Kerala linked with the ancient Spice Route, including urban areas, will be developed under the agreement to promote the aim of heritage building. -PTI
ous past, Khajuraho is all set to win the heart of the visitor. ATTRACTIONS Ajaigarh Fort: Located on the outskirts of the Khajuraho town, Ajaigarh Fort shows the architectural talents of the Chandela Kings. History says that this impressive fortress was built by them when their power in the area was declining. Ajaigarh Fort stands at an altitude of 1,111 meters on a flattopped projection of the majestic Vindhyas. A large isolated hilltop fort, Ajaigarh holds the panoramic view of the beautiful Ken River. Kalinjar Fort: A hub of classic monuments and sculptures, the Kalinjar Fort has a magnificent history. This colossal fortress contains numerous temples and structures within it, which replicate the creative expertise of the Chandela dy-
Ajaigarh Fort
Kalinjar Fort
The magnificence and dignity of Khajuraho is due to the innovative thoughts, highly developed artistic sense, and religious commitment of the great Chandela rulers. Being great patrons of art and architecture the Chandelas were enthusiastic in building pretty temples and fabulous forts. A synonym for the medieval splendor, Khajuraho temples illustrate not only the creativity of the crafts-
Airports Council International (ACI) said in a report that Indonesia plans to build 62 new airports in the next five years, in addition to its existing 237. Soekarno-Hatta in Jakarta is improving capacity after handling 60 million passengers last year, nearly three times what it was designed for, ACI said. And Kuala Lumpur aims to double capacity to 100 million a year by 2020, while Hong Kong wants to handle 97 million annually by 2030, up from 60 million in 2013. In Beijing - which already has a hub servicing 80 million people - a second, USD 11 billion airport is being built to open in 2018 and handle 40 million passengers, Sydney-based consultancy Centre for Aviation said. -AFP
tival offers an elite platform to showcase the Indian classical dance forms, by which the stones of passion of the temple city are plugged with the stunning performances of great dancers of India. One among the hotspots in Indian tourism arena, Khajuraho offers excellent shopping opportunities with many shops offering mementos at best of prices. With all its magical charm and splendor-
nasty. Like all other forts, this massive fort also is built for the purpose of defending the kingdom. Adinath Temple: A sumptuously decorated temple with beautiful sculptures, Adinath Temple is dedicated to the Jain saint, Adinath. Believed to be built in the 11th century, this temple is an important constituent of the Jain group of temples. Cont’d on page 27
Travel & Hospitality Post
August 8, 2014
India Post
27
www.indiapost.com
KHAJURAHO Cont’d from page 26
The walls are adorned with beautifully carved figures of court musicians. Though the temple had not been restored to its former shape, some sort of renovations helped to maintain its former glory. Chitragupta Temple: An ancient shrine, dedicated to Lord Surya, Chitragupta Temple faces eastwards to the rising sun. An 11th century old monument this temple enshrines an impressive 5 ft high image of Lord Surya in a standing posture driving a chariot of seven horses. Devi Jagdamba Temple: Devi Jagdambi Temple is famed for its erotic and intensely carved figures. A smaller and delicately balanced temple is bedecked with some of the premium figurines at Khajuraho. The Garbha Griha of this superb shrine houses a huge image of the goddess of the Universe. Dulhadev Temple: The last temple among the Southern Group of Temples of Khajuraho Dulhadev Temple lies to the south of Ghantai temple. Built in the year 1130 AD, the lovely shrine is a classic example of Chandela art and architecture. Dedicated to
elaborately engraved main shrine is bejeweled with more than 800 images, of which most of them are three feet high. The temple architecture consists of ardhamandapa, a mahamandapa supported with pillars, the garba griha and the pradakshina. Lakshmana Temple: A wellpreserved stone temple of Khajuraho, the famous Lakshmana Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The east-facing temple is carved with the images of more than 600 gods and goddesses of Hindu mythology. The delicately carved outer wall is only a beginning, every nook and corner of this marvelous shrine is inscribed with splendid sculptures. The platform of the temple has an appealing sculptural fresco of elephants and horsemen in pageant. Matangesvara Temple: One of the oldest temples in Khajuraho, Matangeshvara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Made up of highly polished sandstone, the eight feet shivalingam is considered to be one among the largest in India. BEST TIME TO VISIT: Best season to visit here is October to March. A watch should be kept on post monsoon rains. HOW TO REACH By Train: Nearest railway station to Khajuraho is Mahoba which is lo-
Devi Jagdamba Temple
Lord Shiva, this is a small five chambered shrine, with a closed hall. Javari Temple: A notable Hindu Temple, Javari Temple is located at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. It comes under the eastern group of Khajuraho temples. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this is a comparatively smaller shrine, built between 1075 and 1100 AD. This fascinating holy spot displays typical splendor of the ancient Khajuraho architecture. Kandariya Mahadev Temple: The most awesome and the largest temple in Khajuraho, Kandariya Mahadev Temple was built in around 1025-1050 AD. A typical sandstone structure, the temple is dedicated to Shiva with a linga at the center of the Garbha Griha. The
cated 77 km from Khajuraho. Harpalpur is another nearby major rail head, which is connected to most of the railheads in India. It is nearly 90 km away from Khajuraho. By Air: Khajuraho airport is well connected to many cities in India, like Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Bhopal, Indore, Allahabad and Mumbai. All air service providers have flights from Khajuraho to other cities. International travelers can get connecting flights to Khajuraho from Mumbai or Delhi. By Bus: Khajuraho is well connected by public and private buses. Private tour service operators arrange deluxe AC and Non AC buses to Khajuraho from various cities including Jhansi (177 km) and Delhi (594 km).
National Cartoon Museum opened in Kerala KAYAMKULAM, Kerala: The National Cartoon Museum and Art Gallery, set up as a tribute to doyen of Indian political cartooning Shankar at his hometown here, has been opened for visitors. The memorial was inaugurated
by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy at a function here and was attended, among others, by family members of Shankar. A collection of cartoons drawn by Shankar and drawing material and tools he used were handed
over to the museum by his family members at the function. K Shankara Pillai, who pioneered political cartooning in India and ran the widely-appreciated Shankar's Weekly for long, was born in Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district in 1905. He spent his formative years in the sylvan settings of the area and acknowledged that its cultural ambience influenced him to become a cartoonist. Shankar ran his famous Weekly, known as the Indian version of Punch, whose regular readers included the first premier Jawaharlal Nehru, for several decades before it was closed down during the Emergency period in 1975. -PTI
India Post 29
August 8, 2014 www.indiapost.com
TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS
1 Samjhawan: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania 2 Saturday Saturday: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania 3 Aaj Phir: Hate Story 2 4 Jumme Ki Raat: Kick 30 India Post
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
5 Johnny Johnny: Entertainment 6 Hangover: Kick
I
t is confirmed that Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone are a couple. There is hush hush in the industry about Deepika and Ranveer's impending wedding. The couple is pretty serious about each other and they are thinking to get hitched. A director who has worked with both of them and is close to both reveals how close they are. "They're very serious about each other. When they're in public they pretend to be just friends. But away from prying eyes they don't care to hide their feelings. When it began, neither of them realized how serious they would get about each other". The entire unit of Zoya Akhtar's Dil Dhadakne Do is aware of their intimacy. One of the actors from location spilled the beans, "Ranveer was shooting with us in Istanbul. When she suddenly showed up on location I was like... is she doing a guest appearance? That's what I asked Zoya. She gave me a funny look. It was only then that we came to know Deepika was there to meet Ranveer. I have heard from Zoya's other actors they are thinking of tying the knot next year."
It was only then that we came to know Deepika was there to meet Ranveer. I have heard from Zoya's other actors they are thinking of tying the knot next year
T
he gossip over Suzanne Khan demanding alimony from Hrithik Roshan started with the figure of Rs 100 crore. When it did not have much impact, in the next story the amount demanded by Suzanne was raised to Rs 400 crore. Someone in the media seems to be having fun but it has left both Hrithik and Suzanne upset. The actor has issued a statement to clarify. He tweeted, "Fabricated news articles. Demeaning my loved ones. Testing my patience." Back in December 2013, Suzanne had denied the news when it was rumored that she demanded Rs 100 crore to settle the divorce. She then issued a statement which reads, "I was deeply disappointed when I read the article titled Sussanne and Hrithik Roshan divorce: Rs.100 crore settlement? There is no element of truth in the news and it is entirely speculative," she said. In April this year, the duo had filed for divorce on mutual consent and the final hearing date has been scheduled for October 31.
7 Galliyan: Ek Villain 8
Veerey Di Wedding: Entertainment
9 Banjaara: Ek Villain 10 August 1, 2014: Kick
Bollywood
August 8, 2014
India Post 31
www.indiapost.com
A
mitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra's camaraderie as Jai and Veeru in cult film 'Sholay' has been voted the best example of onscreen friendships in Bollywood, in a new survey. A matrimonial website conducted an online survey to find out what the country's single Indian women felt about famous celebrity friendships. When they were asked to vote for the best onscreen friendships in tinsel town, 39.1 percent of the 4,700 respondents voted for Jai and Veeru. It was followed by Anjali and Rahul from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai with 33.8 percent votes. They were characters essayed by Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan respectively. On the third spot are Vijayalakshmi and Rani from Queen with 14.2 percent. Vijayalakshmi was essayed by model-actress Lisa Haydon, and Rani was played effortlessly by Kangana Ranaut. The top four were rounded up by the "3 Idiots" trio of Rancho, Raju and Farhan with 12.9 percent. The roles were immortalized on screen by Aamir Khan, Sharnan Joshi and R.Madhavan respectively.
It was followed by Anjali and Rahul from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai with 33.8 percent votes. They were characters essayed by Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan respectively
R
icha Chadda, who will be next seen with Nikhil Dwivedi in romance-thriller 'Tamanchey', feels that everyone finds intimate scenes difficult. The film will see Richa and Nikhil getting cosy on-screen. "It (love making scene) is difficult for everyone to do. There are too many people around. It is a very technical. Done frame by frame. It is very difficult. Any actor always finds it hard to do an intimate scene," Richa told reporters at the trailer launch of Tamanchey. Her co-star Nikhil also echoes the similar sentiments. "It is very difficult to shoot love making scenes. It is easy to do stunts, get beaten up and other things in a film," he said. Tamanchey is the story of Babu (Richa Chadda) and Munna (Nikhil Dwivedi) and their twisted love story on a backdrop of gangsters, violence and crime. In this film, Richa will be seen mouthing foul dialogues.
A
anand L. Rai was auditioning for a Kangana look-alike for a role in Tanu Weds Manu 2. The exercise went on till mid-July at his Andheri office. "We hoped to find our girl by June-end but we failed," says a source close to the film. But the search for a Kangana doppelganger proved futile. And the film's director has now decided that Kangana will play a double role in the sequel. It is learnt that Kangana will play two characters: Tanu who is now struggling with her four-year-old marriage, and a Haryanvi athlete. Confirming the news, Kangana said, "Yes, it's true. And Tanu and the Haryanvi athlete have several scenes together."
„ Health
Line
Delhi govt to set up 100-bed new hospital NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has sanctioned Rs 87.14 crore for the setting up of 100-bed hospital in Sarita Vihar. The hospital will cater to the health need of the residents of south, south-west districts apart from its adjoining areas "All necessary formalities have been completed and the work is likely to start in September this year. The hospital would be ready by March, 2016," said Arun Baroka, Principal Secretary in Public Works Department (PWD). The hospital would be constructed on a plot area 6318 sqm and the total built up area of the hospital building will be 12579 sqm in addition to basement area of 7926 sqm. The hospital building will be centrally air conditioned and lifts will be provided. There is provision of 100 beds in the hospital besides emergency, ICU, operation theatres and day care. This hospital has been designed at par with latest Medical Council of India (MCI) norms. The hospital shall provide all clinical services and all types of diagnostic and testing facilities. Emergency services will comprise of facilities for examination, observation, and operation complex of O T for surgical and maternity cases.-PTI
„ Delhi hospital website lists facilities NEW DELHI: A website and SMS service was launched at Hindu Rao Hospital here to provide information about its various health facilities, doctors and departments so that patients and visitors can have a hassle-free visit. The service, among other information, will provide patients with working hours of the doctors, their location on the premises and room numbers. Launching the service, North Delhi Mayor Yogender Chandolia said, "With the launch of this system patients need not go from pillar to post asking about doctors, fees or other services." "After the launch of this service, the responsibilities of the hospital staff have increased. The services should also improve along with the launch of this website and SMS service," Chandolia said in a statement. The website www.hindurao.com has been launched in Hindi, English, Urdu and Punjabi. -PTI
Health Science
US doctor with Ebola in Atlanta for treatment Details on Page 34
32 India Post
www.indiapost.com
August 8, 2014
Congressional probe exposes flaws behind Obamacare rollout WASHINGTON: A nonpartisan congressional investigation has concluded that management failures by the Obama administration set the stage for the crippling computer woes that paralyzed the rollout of President Barack Obama's health care program last year, officials said. The findings are in a report released by the Government Accountability Office, which has spent months investigating the chaotic rollout of Obama's signature program and its website. GAO is the nonpartisan investigative agency of Congress. Republicans have hammered at the president over the program known as Obamacare and hope to capitalize on its problems in the November congressional elections. Obama has already survived the worst fallout from the bungled launch of the program, so the report is unlikely to create major political problems for the White House and Democrats generally.
But it does shine light on what was going on behind the scenes even as administration officials fostered the impression that signing for health care would be
harnessed technology to help him win a second term in the White House, but his staff has had its troubles with administrative details.
President Barack Obama
simple, like shopping online. Obama's political operatives
The administration concurs with most of the findings, agree-
ing that the initial performance of HealthCare.gov was unacceptable. But officials say that things have come a long way since then. The health law, passed in 2010, is intended to extend insurance coverage to millions of Americans who had lacked it. Republicans have long opposed the law, particularly its requirement for Americans to carry insurance or face penalties. Investigators found that the administration kept changing the contractors' marching orders for the HealthCare.gov website, creating widespread confusion and leading to tens of millions of dollars in additional costs. Republican and Democratic congressional aides briefed on the report told the AP that it faults the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services for ineffective oversight of contracts for the site's computerized sign-up system and its electronic back office. -AP
India health policy will lay emphasis on Ayurveda NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Harsh Vardhan has said the government would work towards enhancing Ayurveda's global
Ayurveda
acceptance as evidence-based medicine. Speaking to reporters at Haridwar after laying foundation stone of a Global Museum of Ayurveda and Herbal Medicine at yoga guru Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Yoga Pitha, he said that the government's health policy is going to lay pri-
mary emphasis on the Ayurveda Siddhanta, for the first time since 1947. "This is in tune with the times as the World Health Organization (WHO) has given considerable importance to Ayurveda in its activities related to traditional medicine," he said. Stating that the WHO has contributed substantially towards the implementation of pharmaco-vigilance in Ayurveda and the publication of documents for rational use, he stated that every AIIMS centre will have an indigenous medicine department of which Ayurveda will be a major component. "AIIMS Rishikesh will take the lead in this as steps are underway to have a 100-bed AYUSH Hospital and land for medicinal herb cultivation facility for standardized production of medicines," he said. On AYUSH, the Union minis-
ter said, the government has set up a Committee of Directors to recommend a blue print for the operationalization of a yoga training and therapy centre at AIIMS
Baba Ramdev said he appreciated the Narendra Modi government's commitment to represent evidence-based treatment in a positive light to the
Dr Harsh Vardhan
Rishikesh, according to a press release here. The committee will be headed by Dr Raj Kumar, Director, AIIMS Rishikesh, and hold its first meeting on August 4, the minister stated.
people. The minister and the yoga guru had a detailed discussion on research trends in modern science and clinical applications of Yoga and Ayurveda, the release further said. -PTI
August 8, 2014
Health Science Post
India Post 33
www.indiapost.com
Dieting young may lead to poor health outcomes WASHINGTON: The younger a woman is when she goes on her first diet, the more likely she is to experience several negative health outcomes later in life, a new study has warned. A team led by Dr Pamela Keel from Florida State University asked college
women in 1982, 1992, 2002 and 2012 to report their dieting and weight history. The team then followed women 10years later and examined the impact of dieting history on long-term health outcomes. The younger a woman was when she started her first diet, the more likely she was to use extreme weight control behaviors like self-induced vomiting, misuse alcohol, and be overweight or obese when she reached her 30's. While the cause of these outcomes is not determined here, discouraging weight loss diets in young girls may reduce risk for eating, alcohol, and weight-related problems in adulthood, researchers said. Public health initiatives should promote behaviors that increase wellness in girls, such as increasing activity, decreasing leisure time watching TV and on computers, and consuming more fruits and vegetables, researchers said. Such interventions may need to begin as early as elementary school to support girls as they enter puberty, a time when their bodies will naturally experience rapid growth, weight gain, and an increase in body fat, they added. -PTI
Expressive writing may help breast cancer survivors HOUSTON: Writing down fears, emotions and the benefits of a cancer diagnosis may improve health outcomes for breast cancer survivors, according to a new study. In the study, researchers at the University of Houston (UH) found long-term physical and psychological health benefits when Chinese-speaking breast cancer survivors wrote about their deepest fears and the benefits of a breast cancer diagnosis. Qian Lu, assistant professor and director of the Culture and Health Research Center at UH, found that little attention is paid to Asian-American breast cancer survivor's psychological needs. Previous studies largely focused on non-Hispanic white samples, and she found a need to research this understudied population. Some of the challenges she noted with this population were feeling stigmatized, shame associated with cancer, cultural beliefs of bearing the burden alone to avoid disrupting harmony, suppressing emotions, and a lack of trained mental health professionals with cultural and linguistic competency. "We thought of a very interesting way to help this problem. It's actually fairly basic. It's to express emotions using writing. What's so interesting is that it has been proven as a scientific paradigm," Lu said. According to Lu, previous research found that writing about emotionally difficult events for just 20 to 30 minutes at a
time over three or four days increased the immune function. Lu's research team asked participants to complete a standardized health assessment and then they were asked to write 20 minutes each week for three weeks. Three sealed envelopes were mailed simultaneously to the participants with each
Previous research found that writing about emotionally difficult events for just 20 to 30 minutes at a time over three or four days increased the immune function. envelope containing different writing instructions for the corresponding week. Questionnaires assessing health outcomes were mailed to participants at three and six months after the completion of the writing assignments. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted after the 6-month follow-up. "The findings from the study suggest participants perceived the writing task to be easy, revealed their emotions, and disclosed their experiences in writing that they had not previously told others," Lu said.-PTI
Portea Medical to invest $20 mn in 32 cities NEW DELHI: Home healthcare services provider Portea Medical plans to invest USD 20 million (over Rs 120 crore) to expand its footprint in India across 32 new cities by the end of 2015. The Bangalore-based firm is at present in 18 cities, including Chennai, Delhi and NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Kolkata. It is looking to hire 5,000 people during the period. "We would be investing USD 20 million for expansion in 32 cities by end of 2015. Our aim is to be present in 50 cities in India that have a population of more then 10 lakh," Portea Medical Co-Founder & Chairman K Ganesh told PTI. Asked how the company plans to raise funds for the expansion, Ganesh sad: "It will be through private equity." The company at present has 1,000 employees and will add another 5,000 more people to its workforce. "We would be employing 5,000 more people as we expand by end of 2015. We would also impart training to them so that patients get highest quality of medical care," he added. About the long term vision for the com-
pany, Ganesh said: "We are confident about the growth of home healthcare market. We will be looking to list the company in seven years time."
"We would be employing 5,000 more people as we expand by end of 2015. We would also impart training to them so that patients get highest quality of medical care," he added. He didn't share the revenue of the firm stating it's a privately held firm at the moment. For growth, the company would focus on four key areas - geriatric care, chronic diseases, post operative care and in- home primary care, he added. -PTI
Health Science Post
34 India Post
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
US doctor with Ebola in Atlanta for treatment ATLANTA: The first Ebola victim to be brought to the United States from Africa was safely escorted into a specialized isolation unit at one of the nation's best hospitals, where doctors said they are confident the deadly virus won't escape. Fear that the outbreak killing more than 700 people in Africa could spread in the U.S. has generated considerable anxiety among some Americans. But infectious disease experts said the public faces zero risk
Ebola victim
as Emory University Hospital treats a critically ill missionary doctor and a charity worker who were infected in Liberia. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has received ``nasty emails'' and at least 100 calls from people saying ``How dare you bring Ebola into the country!?'' CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden told
The Associated Press. ``I hope that our understandable fear of the unfamiliar does not trump our compassion when ill Americans return to the U.S. for care,'' Frieden said. Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol, who will arrive in several days, will be treated in Emory's isolation unit for infectious diseases, created 12 years ago to handle doctors who get sick at the CDC, just up the hill. It is one of about four in the country, equipped with everything necessary to test and treat people exposed to very dangerous viruses. In 2005, it handled patients with SARS, which unlike Ebola can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. In fact, the nature of Ebola _ which is spread by close contact with bodily fluids and blood _ means that any modern hospital using standard, rigorous, infection-control measures should be able to handle it. Still, Emory won't be taking any chances. ``Nothing comes out of this unit until it is non-infectious,'' said Dr. Bruce Ribner, who will be treating the patients. ``The bottom line is: We have an inordinate amount of safety associated with the care of this patient. And we do not believe that any health care worker, any other patient or any visitor to our facility is in any way at risk of acquiring this infection.'' Brantly was flown from Africa to Dobbins Air Reserve base outside Atlanta in a
small plane equipped to contain infectious diseases, and a small police escort followed his ambulance to the hospital. He climbed out dressed head to toe in white protective clothing, and another person in an identical hazardous materials suit held both of his gloved hands as they walked gingerly inside. ``It was a relief to welcome Kent home. I spoke with him, and he is glad to be back in the U.S.,'' said his wife, Amber Brantly, who left Africa with their two young children
tion. Both were described as critically ill after treating Ebola patients at a missionary hospital in Liberia, one of four West African countries hit by the largest outbreak of the virus in history. There is no proven cure for the virus. It kills an estimated 60 percent to 80 percent of the people it infects, but American doctors in Africa say the mortality rate would be much lower in a functioning health care system. The virus causes hemorrhagic fever,
Emory University Hospital
for a wedding in the U.S. days before the doctor fell ill. ``I am thankful to God for his safe transport and for giving him the strength to walk into the hospital,'' her statement said. Inside the unit, patients are sealed off from anyone who doesn't wear protective gear. ``Negative air pressure'' means air flows in, but can't escape until filters scrub any germs from patients. All laboratory testing is conducted within the unit, and workers are highly trained in infection control. Glass walls enable staff outside to safely observe patients, and there's a vestibule where workers suit up before entering. Any gear is safely disposed of or decontaminated. Family members will be kept outside for now. The unit ``has a plate glass window and communication system, so they'll be as close as 1-2 inches from each other,'' Ribner said. Dr. Jay Varkey, an infectious disease specialist who will be treating Brantly and Writebol, gave no word about their condi-
headaches and weakness that can escalate to vomiting, diarrhea and kidney and liver problems. Some patients bleed internally and externally. There are experimental treatments, but Brantly had only enough for one person, and insisted that his colleague receive it. His best hope in Africa was the transfusion of blood he received including antibodies from one of his patients, a 14-year-old boy who survived thanks to the doctor. There was also only room on the plane for one patient at a time. Writebol will follow in several days. Dr. Philip Brachman, an Emory public health specialist who led the CDC's disease detectives program for many years, said that since there is no cure, medical workers will try any modern therapy that can be done, such as better monitoring of fluids, electrolytes and vital signs. ``We depend on the body's defenses to control the virus,'' Dr. Ribner said. ``We just have to keep the patient alive long enough in order for the body to control this infection.'' -AP
Two new polio cases found in Pakistan ISLAMABAD: Two new cases of crippling polio virus have been reported in Pakistan's troubled northwestern region, bringing the total number of victims detected this year to 104, a health official said. One of the victims is a year-old baby from Peshawar, capital of KhyberPakhtunkhwa province. "She has not been administered the oral polio vaccine (OPV) because of her mother's unwillingness," said a local health workers who refused to be named due to security reasons. The second victim is from Khyber tribal region which borders Peshawar. She was also deprived of OPV because of her family's reluctance. The people in traditional northwestern
region avoid anti polio vaccine due to fear of Taliban who consider polio medicine as a conspiracy by the West to sterile Muslims. With the new cases, the total number of polio victims have risen to 104 this year. Pakistan has already been facing traveling restrictions due to threat of polio virus exportation. The government has announced emergency measures to tackle the disease but so far it has failed to turn the tide, as evident by the record number of new cases. Peshawar remains the hub of polio virus and the insurgency by Taliban have badly impacted the efforts to vaccinate the children. Polio is an endemic in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. -PTI
India Post 35
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
New York (Hicksville)
AIRWING TRAVELS INC. Est. 1991
Tel: (516) 931 4600
SEEMA WORLD TRAVEL, INC. One of the Oldest Travel Agencies in St. Louis
Competitive Rates & Confirmed Seats for All Major Airlines 10635 Page Ave., St. Louis, MO 63132
Tel: (314) 423-9990 or (800) 55 SEEMA
Toll Free: (866) 532 3413
New Jersey (Iselin)
Tel: (732) 658 5450
Lowest Fares / Confirmed Seats to INDIA & Other Destinations Worldwide Save upto 40% on First and Business Class OPEN 7 DAYS - Call or Email : AIRWINGTRAVELS@GMAIL.COM
NEWS on your desktop
Fax: (314) 423-0391 www.indiapost.com
NEWS at your doorstep www.indiapost.com
India Post
36
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
Great enthusiasm for this I-Day Host of community celebrations planned RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service
CHICAGO: It is the first India Day celebrations after the Indian electorate voted the new government led by Narendra Modi to power in May sending lock, stock and barrel the corrupt politicians and the scandal plagued government remotely monitored by the Gandhis. Members of the Indian American community at large are in a better mood this time than ever in the past few years to celebrate the 67th Indian Independence Day this year with celebrat i o n s across the country for a week beginning August 8 and scheduled to end August 16. H o w -
ever, relatively speaking enthusiasm is so great in Chicagoland that two other programs showcasing Indian culture thru dances and songs are also planned - on Saturday August 23 and another on September 24. The first will be organized essentially by Indian Consulate with the help of community activists including Rita Singh, a former president of Federation of Indian Associations-Suburb. It will be at the Copernicus Theater on Lawrence Avenue and is open to all members of the community free cost. The event will start at 6 pm. Cont’d on page 38
www.indiapost.com
India Post August 8, 2014
37
India Post August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
Great enthusiasm for this I-Day Cont’d from page 36
The second one is with the blessings of Indian Consulate and with the help of Indian community at large and Hindi Lovers Club led by Gurubachan Kaur and Vinita Gulbani. It will be held on Sunday, September 14 at Ashyana Banquet Hall at 4.3 pm. Gurbachan
Indian CG Dr Ausuf
Kaur in a talk to this paper said that the Club and other community activists have already enlisted the services of different ethnic Indian community organizations which will present the cul-
FIA Chicago President Keerthi Ravoor
tural program on the day In between, the Indian Community in Niles Township led by Rohit Joshi has announced hosting Kite Festival on Sunday August 10, 2014 at Laramie Park in Skokie (a suburb of Chicago). The Indian Consul General Dr Ausaf Sayeed will be the Chief Guest.
FIA Suburb President Sunil Shah
Incidentally, it had turned into a sort of tradition that the Chicago Mayor Office thru its special events committee would kick off the India Day celebration hosting a colorful cultural program in Chicago Downtown. But with the exit of Mayor Richard Daley three years ago this event has also faded into oblivion. One of the main events, rather the major event, will be traditionally hosted by Indian Consulate on Friday August 15 at 10 am at the Consulate Office in Chicago Downtown where in Indian tricolor will be unfurled and a Presidential speech will be read out by the Consul General - the honor this time also goes to popular CG Dr Ausaf Sayeed. The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) - Suburb, in the meantime, has announced hosting India Day celebrations in a grand way. Sunil Shah, the founder President said that there would be a gala entertainment program on Saturday August 9 at Copernicus Center on Laurence Ave in Chicago featuring King Mika and Sunny Leone. The entertainment program will be graced among others by Meenakshi Lekhi, a member of Indian Parliament. The culmination will be on Saturday August 16 with Flag Hoisting ceremony in Village Schaumburg in Schaumburg. Shah said that besides Indian Consul General Dr Ausaf Sayeed, the elected officials of Schaumburg Village, Hoffman Estate, Hanover Park, Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth and State Senators and Representatives are invited as Special Guests and are expected to attend the event. The Federation of Indian Associations-Chicago [FIA] is keeping up its tradition of celebrating this great Indian national festival with the usual pomp and joy associated with it. Besides, the usual Parades on Devon Avenue, India Day Banquet and Flag Hoisting in Chicago Downtown, the organization has added another attraction for the people to come to India Town, a place usually marked for Indian and Pakistani stores and restaurants on the street. There would be a Grand Mela there. FIA President Keerthi Ravoori said that in partnership with Chicago's renowned showbizteam - Sahil & LA Tan - FIA will host the Mela - a festival of Music, Dance and Singing on Mahatma Gandhi Marg (Devon Avenue) in Chicago. The event on Saturday, August 16 will start at 2:30 pm in the Republic Bank outdoor premises located at 2720 W. Devon Ave in Chicago, immedi-
ately after the conclusion of the Parade. Earlier on Sunday August 10, FIA has scheduled a Grand Banquet at Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows which will feature grand entertainment besides usual
Bollingbrook Mayor Roger Claar
sumptuous dinner. There would be flag hoisting ceremony conducted in Chicago Down town at Daley Plaza, a usual feature of celebration by FIA. The event will be immediately after the ceremony done at Indian Consulate in the morning. Ravoori said that a good num-
Naperville Mayor A George Pradel
ber of Chicago officials, FIA committee members and non Indian visitors to Chicago Downtown are expected to attend. "They will be treated to our cultural heritage thru stage performances," he said The biggest event for this organization is its colorful Parade which of late has been held on Devon Avenue. This time it will be on Saturday August 16 starting at 11-30 am. It is expected to be attended by a number of
VGS Chicag President Naren Patel
elected Chicago officials besides elite among Indian American community. One of the biggest attractions for the Chicagoans is the presence of Bollywood stars but the sky-high price that they demand for their attendance has dissuaded the organizers to have them here. "We do not regret that. We do not succumb to their unconscionable demands and we can still have fun without their presence," said KK Rajda, a regular attendee to the Parade. The Alliance of Midwest Indian Associations based in southwest suburbs of Naperville and Bolingbrook, has also chalked out a two-day interesting program commemorating the India Day celebrations, a feature of their activities for the past seven years. The start will be on Tuesday August 12 when the Mayor of Bolingbrook Rogers Carr will be crowned "Maharaja of Bolingbrook" at the Village Hall in the presence of all Council members. Prem Lalvani, a cofounder, said that it would be for the first time that any organization has attempted to do this type of feat and the credit goes to the Alliance. He said the Mayor will present Alliance president Ms Nedjja Lalavani with a Proclamation declaring August 15 as Indian Day in the Village. The flag hoisting ceremony will be however in the Village Naperville on Saturday August 16 at 10 am. The Alliance has a near day long plan that involves a Mela type gathering with lot of food booths and other vendors displaying their products. "All are invited and we do expect not only a large number of Indian American community members but others too in participating in the near day long fest," he said. On the same day the newly crowed Maharaja will present a proclamation to Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel. Vishwa Gujarati Samaj of Chicago has coincided its annual celebration this time with the "Victory of Democracy in India" and India Day by organizing a highly entertaining program on Sunday August 17 at Jain Temple in Bartlett, a north east suburb of Chicago. VGS Chief Naren Patel said that the program, a ticketed event, starts at 3 pm and will have hugely entertaining Bollywood, folk and classical dances besides dinner. "We want all Indian Americans to join us as we are all partners in the "Democracy Win" in India as well as to keep our cultural heritage alive here," he said.
Ms Rita Singh
Ms Vinita Gulbani
Ms Gurbachan Kaur
Ms Nadaja Lavani
38
www.indiapost.com
India Post August 8, 2014
39
www.indiapost.com
India Post August 8, 2014
40
www.indiapost.com
India Post August 8, 2014
41
www.indiapost.com
India Post August 8, 2014
42
Festival-Special
August 8, 2014
India Post 43
www.indiapost.com
God of love who gives ceaseless happiness
K
PANDIT ANIL JOSHI JI
rishna Janmashtami is one of the biggest religious festivals in the world. His birthday popularly known as Janmashtami is always celebrated on the Ashtami (eighth day) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of Bhadra (August-September) of the Hindu calendar at midnight 0:00 hours. It is believed that Lord Krishna's avatar is Rasa avatar. He is the God of love who gives ceaseless happiness to His devotees. He taught people to love everyone even animals and trees and everything in the nature without any discrimination. Lord Krishna is the eighth Avatar (incarnation) of the god Vishnu in Hinduism. An avatar means "descent" or "appearance" or "manifestation". Krishna Avatar is a deliberate appearance of Lord Vishnu on this Earth for a unique reason to protect his devotees. During Dwapara Yuga, on this earth, Adharma was rampant. Social values, morals, and behaviors of human beings were very corrupted. There was no trust, unity, and love among close relationships. Parents, children, women, and even married sisters were tortured by unkind and vindictive sons, and brothers. The cruelties, atrocities, and sins committed by evil kings and rulers became unbearable. Victims of such wicked people were praying God for help, protection, and restoration of Dharma. Krishna says, "Whenever there is decay of righteousness, and rise of brutalities, then I manifest myself for the protection of the good and establishment of Dharma and righteousness." He therefore, chose to take birth in the prison cell as the eighth son to the princess Devaki and her husband King Vasudeva to remind the evil King Kansa that He is born to annihilate His tyrannical forces soon. His Avatar in the prison cell signifies that He is there to release His worshippers from both physical and spiritual captivity. He is always with Dharma, and Satya (truth). He is the Supreme Lord because if His worshippers surrender to him unconditionally, He protects His devotees and releases them from their sins and impact of their misdeeds performed in the past, present and future lives as well. In His Avatar bhoomi, He started His Aishwarya Lila, the minute he was born in the prison cell. He made all the palace and prison guards including King Kansa to go to deep sleep and broke the locks of the prison for Vasudeva to take Him to Gokul to His foster parents - Nanda Baba and Ma Yashoda. In His Karmabhoomi, Gokul, when Krishna was only seven days old, He killed a demon Putina who tried to breast-feed Him with the motive of killing Him by poisoned milk. He also killed the tornado demon Trinavarta. He tamed the serpent Kaliya, who poisoned the waters of Yamuna River. He lifted the Govardhana hill to protect the native people of Brindavana. Krishna in His Aishwarya Lila is using His supreme power without being seen by anyone around Him. It seems to others that they are little Krishna's playful acts. On his return to Mathura as a young boy, Krishna killed his maternal uncle, Kansa. His acting of butter sealing (Navneet Chora) symbolizes that when He likes his loving devotees
he steals all their sins from them in the form of His favorite butter and liberates them from this life cycle. Krishna showed His Madhurya Lila with his mundane activities, by playing with the Gopa and Gopis like an ordinary cow boy, and often dancing to entertain them. Sometimes, He was breaking milk pots of Gopis, teasing and stealing the clothes of Gopis while they were bathing in the river. Krishna 'stole' the clothes to merely see if their attachment still persisted in them. He preached prema, love, and mesmerized everyone through his flute. Krishna earned utmost honor and respect in His Karmabhoomi as Lord Krishna. In Gyanabhoomi, Lord Krishna is known as Jagad Guru 'Supreme Master of the entire world' for his incredible universal preaching of Dharma, Karma, truth and love for humanity. His Dharma Marg provides an understanding of the purpose of this life and importance of kindness towards every living creature and everything on this earth and the importance of maintaining haryatra yogesvarah krsno mony in nature. yatra partho dhanur-dharah ananyas cintayanto mam tatra srir vijayo bhutir ye janah paryupasate dhruva nitir matir mama (BG.18.78) tesam nityabhiyuktanam In this verse, Divine Sanjaya summayoga-ksemam vahamy aham rizes the assessment of his total experi(BG.9.22) ence of hearing the conversation between Krishna says that when a devotee Sri Krishna and Arjuna. He says wherever remembers me both physically and there is Krishna, the Lord of Yoga and mentally with utmost attention, comwherever there is Partha, the Archer, I think, pletely trusts and believes in Me and there will surely be prosperity, victory, welwho has no other desire than pleasing fare and morality. Here Krishna and Arjun Pandit Anil Joshi Ji Me, then I will bear the burden of their symbolize a way of life wherein man, with Priest, Hindu Mandir of Lake karma. I will make sure that they get County the spiritual understanding, gets ready to good things in life. Grayslake, IL face the battle of life and when his soul sarva-dharman parityajya becomes enlightened and united with the mam ekam saranam vraja divine fortune, victory, and success are assured for Him. aham tvam sarva-papebhyo On Janmashtami, Saturday, 16 August we do vandana moksayisyami ma sucah (BG.18.66) (glorification) of Lord Krishna who is indeed a world teacher Krishna expresses that after renouncing all religious conwith full devotion and all religious rituals. On behalf of ceptions, if anyone surrenders and takes exclusive refuge Hindu Mandir of Lake County, I cordially invite everyone in Me alone, he will be blessed by my grace to achieve to come and participate in the event to witness the splenmoksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. I, did and magnificent avatar of baby Krishna and obtain His Myself will accomplish this for My devotees. blessings for eternal happiness and love.
The various flavors of delicious sewai
A
s devout Muslims break their fast every evening during the holy month of Ramadan, two of the most preferred items on their menu are sewai and
dates. Markets are filled with a whole host of the sewai, or vermicelli traditionally used to make the sweet dish on Eid and as the wait for 'chand ki raat' is about to get over, rozedaars flock to the bazaars to prepare for the Sweet Feast. In Delhi, vendors say the preference is for the Benarsi sewai while in neighboring Gurgaon the favored sewai is that from Patna. Navigating the bylanes of Old Delhi, women clad in burqa and salwar-kameez crowd the busy lanes in front of Jama Masjid, the over 300 year old mosque, which is said to be one of the biggest mosques
in India, to select their type of sewai. "People who are originally from Uttar Pradesh prefer Benarasi Kiwami Sewai more. It is even thinner than hair and that is why it is made using machines. In local language it is called Benarasi chhatta because a bundle of it looks like a beehive," says Umez Javed Khan of Al-Karam Bakers. Khan, whose shop is located in the lane opposite one of the mosque's gate says that in Benaras the prices are lower but when it arrives in Delhi it costs Rs 150 to Rs 200 per kg. Preparing Benarasi Kiwami sewai takes more time than the usual sewai because of its texture. It has to be cooked on low flame as cooking on high flame can spoil its essence and look.-PTI
In Brief India has reservations about US immigration Bill NEW DELHI: India has expressed reservations about the US immigration Bill saying it will give a negative signal at a time when the country is further opening up economy to foreign players. "We are certainly concerned with the provision which will affect the Indian IT industry if the Bill is passed in the present form... it will give a very negative signal and that too at the time when India is opening up its economy for the foreign players," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters here. Swaraj and Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitaharaman raised the issue in their meetings with US Secretary of State John Kerry. The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (S 744) imposes new and onerous restrictions and higher fees on H-1B and L1 visa programs on the international IT services sector and would create an uneven playing field. On the matter, Kerry said the issue is on the top priority of President Barack Obama. -PTI
„
Ark. delegation supports House immigration bill LITTLE ROCK, Ark.: All of Arkansas' U.S. House delegation voted for Republican-backed legislation that would send migrant youths home without hearings. The legislation could lead to the deportation of more than a half-million immigrants who were granted temporary work permits by President Barack Obama's administration under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. However, the legislation is unlikely to pass the Democraticcontrolled U.S. Senate. The U.S. House passed the bills largely along party lines, with Arkansas Republican Reps. Tom Cotton, Steve Womack, Rick Crawford and Tim Griffin voting for them. The votes came on what was to have been the first day of lawmakers' five-week summer recess. Senators had already left Washington after killing their own legislation on the issue. Griffin said the legislation improves existing law and provides funding to increase the presence of the National Guard along the border. The bill ``implements essential policy changes to effectively address the recent influx of unaccompanied minors to our border and expedite their return to their home countries,'' Griffin said in a statement. -AP
Immigration 44 India Post
www.indiapost.com
August 8, 2014
Aus, India working for return of Tamil migrants MELBOURNE: Australia was working with India for the return of Tamil migrants among 157 asylum seekers currently being held at a detention centre in the country, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has said. The group of Tamil asylum-seekers, including at least 37 children, are held in the Curtin Detention Centre after being on sea for several days. -PTI
Unaccompanied child migrants: Drop in the bucket & so much hype CYRUS D. MEHTA
T
he overreaction surround ing 57,000 unaccompanied children who have come to the United States, with a population of 300 million, is not befitting of a great nation of immigrants. Indeed, some of the reaction against these children has been nothing short of disgraceful. The waving of the American flag against busloads of dazed and frightened children by residents of Murrieta in California did a great disservice to the ideals symbolized by this flag. The summoning of the Texas National Guard to the border against these children, unschooled in the complexities of immigration law, is also unwarranted. Are they going to shoot at these kids? It is further worth noting that developing countries host 80% of the world's displaced population, while most of the antirefugee sentiment is heard loudest in industrialized countries. To also characterize the flow of these children to our borders as illegal migration is a canard. People escaping harm in their countries are able to seek the protection of the United States through the asylum process under the rule of law. As a signatory to the United Nations Refugee Convention, the
United Nations Convention Against Torture and other international instruments, the United States cannot ignore expressions of fear of harm and turn these children and their families away. Section 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which Congress enacted in accordance with the obligations of the United States under the Refugee Conven-
ing desperately persecution, and this should not bar them from seeking asylum under INA section 208. According to Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske, these mothers and children often run towards U.S. agents, turning themselves in and seeking detainment. There is an incident in this nation's history that is considered a grave blemish, which should
Are they going to shoot at these kids? It is further worth noting that developing countries host 80% of the world's displaced population, while most of the antirefugee sentiment is heard loudest in industrialized countries. tion, allows children fleeing harm to apply for asylum. These children are not evading the border guards; rather they approach them and could hardly be charged under INA section 275 for an improper entry. Those who argue that these children have been brought here by smugglers and coyotes may have a point, but most people use all sorts of assistance while flee-
never be repeated again. In May 1939, the St. Louis set sail for Havana, Cuba carrying mostly Jewish refugees escaping the Third Reich in Nazi Germany. Most of them planned to immigrate to the United States as they were on the waiting list for admission, and had landing certificates permitting them entry into Cuba. When Cuba refused to honor the landing certificates, the ship sailed towards
Florida and the captain appealed for help. The U.S. Coast Guard refused to allow the ship to dock in Florida and also prevented anyone from jumping for freedom into the water. When the St. Louis turned back to Europe, Belgium, the Netherlands, England and France admitted the passengers. However, within months, the Germans invaded Western Europe, and hundreds of these passengers became victims to the Nazi's "Final Solution." While it is difficult to compare any other event to the horror of the Holocaust, a child who may be fleeing gang violence and certain death in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, known as the murder capital of the world, should not be turned back by the United States. The poignant story of Alejandro, only 8 years old, making it all alone to the United States in search of his mother, and also fleeing gang violence, should prompt us to find compassionate ways to find a solution rather than spit on these children. The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVRPA) applies to all unaccompanied minors under the age of 18. Cont'd on Page 45
Rajnath assured me of one-year visa: Taslima NEW DELHI: Controversial writer Taslima Nasreen met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and later she said he has assured her of one-year visa. "The honorable Home Minister assured me that my longterm residential permit would be granted as soon as possible. I am grateful to him for his gesture, I really appreciate it", Taslima told TV channels. The 51-year-old writer was earlier given permission to stay in India for two more months beginning from August 1. During the 20-minute meeting, Taslima requested the Home Minister that she be allowed to
stay in India for a longer period, official sources said. After her meeting with Rajnath Singh, she tweeted "Gave him my
Taslima Nasreen
book 'Wo Andhere Din' (Those Dark Days). He said,'Aapka Andhere Din Khatam Ho Jayega' (Your dark days will end)".
Rajnath Singh
The controversial writer from Bangladesh has been living in self exile since 1994 in the wake of death threats by Muslim fundamentalist outfits. Taslima is now a citizen of Sweden. She has been continuously getting Indian visa since 2004. She has lived in the US, Europe and India in the last two decades. However, on many occasions she had expressed her wish to live in India permanently, especially in Kolkata. The writer had to leave Kolkata in 2007 following violent street protests by a section of Muslims against her works. -PTI
Immigration Post
August 8, 2014
India Post 45
www.indiapost.com
Unaccompanied child migrants: Drop in the bucket & so much hype Cont'd from Page 44
It would be wrong for President Obama and the Congress to modify the TVRPA, and thus diminish the child's ability to apply for asylum. Under the TVRPA, for unaccompanied minors coming from countries other than Mexico and Canada, the child must be turned to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) of the Department of Health and Human Services within 72 hours. ORR has more expertise than border agents to help children make their asylum claims in a hu-
increased migration from the Central American countries, there are reports of claimants not being able to adequately express their fear of persecution at the Artesia detention facility in New Mexico. According to a press release of the American Immigration Lawyer Association, "[w]omen are being asked to share intimate details about past persecution and violence right in front of their children because DHS has not created a safe and separate interview space," said Karen Lucas, AILA Legislative Associate. Congress now wishes to lower the standards
If the government wishes to remove the child, the child must still be provided a full and fair removal hearing before an Immigration Judge under INA section 240 where he or she can assert all rights available under law mane setting. If the government wishes to remove the child, the child must still be provided a full and fair removal hearing before an Immigration Judge under INA section 240 where he or she can assert all rights available under law, including asylum and related relief, the trafficking visa and special immigrant juvenile status. The TVRPA also incorporates a policy in favor of releasing the child or placing the child in the least restrictive and most humane detention setting as possible. While unaccompanied children from Mexico and Canada do not get the same initial protections, they too will be covered under TVRPA if the answer to any of the following three questions is "No": 1) whether the child is unlikely to be a victim of trafficking; 2) whether the child has no fear of returning to his or her country of origin; and 3) whether the child has the ability to make to make an independent decision to withdraw his or her application for admission to the United States. Although the protections in the TVRPA do not apply to children who are accompanied, they too along with their parents may apply for asylum after passing a credible fear test and even if they face expedited removal. Still, after the
in the TVRPA, and if the HUMANE Act introduced by Sen. Cornyn and Rep. Cuellar got passed, vulnerable children will be forced back to the same dangerous conditions from which they recently fled without proper screening for ascertaining the harm or the sexual abuse they may have faced and will face. Furthermore, under the HUMANE Act, victims may be further traumatized when questioned by officers who lack training and sensitivity, especially with respect to sexual assault interviewing techniques. Clearly, the best interest of the
reasoning, lice infested concentration camp survivors may never be able to seek asylum in another country. Fear of opening the floodgates is also not a reason for sending back people fearing harm without hearing their claim. Each asylum case must be individually judged on its own merits under the applicable law. Rather than diminish the ability of minors to seek asylum, the United States must instead provide more funding for better access to courts and lawyers, where they can meaningfully make claims for asylum and other relief. As the Supreme Court famously stated in a case regarding the appointment of counsel in juvenile delinquency proceedings, "The child requires the guiding hand of counsel at every step of the proceeding against him." In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1, 37 (1967) (quoting Powell v. State of Alabama, 287 U.S. 45, 69 (1932)). If after the child has meaningfully asserted all claims for relief, and been turned down after exhausting all appeal options, he or she may be removed from the United States in a humane manner. Alternatively, the child can also be the subject of prosecutorial discretion if he or she meets the criteria under the Morton June 2011 memo. All children deserve protection, and Congress should be focused on strengthening protections rather than weakening them through the oxymoronic HUMANE Act.
Fear of opening the floodgates is also not a reason for sending back people fearing harm without hearing their claim. Each asylum case must be individually judged on its own merits under the applicable law child is paramount when addressing this humanitarian crisis, and asylum standards should not be compromised for the sake of political expediency. Lowering safeguards and sending back children under the specious ground that they would bring diseases to the United States is repulsive. Under such perverse
The recent announcement by the United States to consider refugee claims of children in their own countries is salutary, but that should still not diminish their ability to seek asylum here. The United States, as the world's sole superpower and the lumbering giant in the backyard of countries of Central America,
ought to step up and take more responsibility. It is no coincidence that the gang related violence in Central America, resulting in harm to the children fleeing, stems from the insatiable demand for illicit drugs in the United States. Moreover, the love that bonds a parent to the child and vice versa pervades through all countries and cultures. With so many people living in the United States in an undocumented capacity and under a broken immigration system, many of these children, who are vulnerable to gang violence and poverty, would be united with parents in a more legal and orderly process if we had immigration reform. The recent calls from GOP leaders to abolish the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is ill-conceived and will backfire against the party in future Presidential elections. DACA has
nothing to do with the flood of unaccompanied child migrants to the United States. What we need is sensible immigration reform, so that the undocumented leading productive lives in this country can legalize and have their children, vulnerable to gang violence, join them in a legal manner. If Congress continues to obstruct immigration reform, President Obama should have the guts - and he has the authority to do so under the INA - to improve the immigration system through bold administrative fixes. It is also equally, if more important, to preserve the asylum protections so that people, especially children, fleeing harm are never turned away like those on the St. Louis. * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com
PRADEEP ROY-SINGH B.A. LL.B. M.B.A. J.D. Attorney-at-Law
Former Assistant StateÂ’s Attorney
Civil & Criminal Litigation Felonies, Misdemeanors, Inc DUI 1 Personal Injury, Business, Divorce etc. 1 Property Tax for Commercial Properties 1 1
http://www.proy-singh.com
2335 W. Devon Ave., Suite 204, Tel: 773-381-1820 Chicago, IL 60659
46
India Post
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
If You are looking For the BEST & the MOST AUTHENTIC VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT IN TOWNCome to One and Only One Place
Publicly Acclaimed Top Vegetarian Restaurant Serving NORTH INDIAN • SOUTH INDIAN • GUJARATI • JAIN DISHES
TASTE OUR 30 PLUSE MOUTH WATERING DISHES ONCE YOU COME TO US YOU WILL NOT ELSEWHERE THAT IS OUR GUARANTEE
2508 W. Devon Ave.Chicago, IL 60659
Tel:(773) 274-5800 Fax: (773) 262-4465 E-mail: aryabhavan@aol.com www.aryabhavan.com CATERING IS OUR SPECIALITY
FOR ALL YOUR
TRAVEL NEEDS INTERNATIONAL DOMESTIC AIR INDIA AND ALL OTHER MAJOR AIRLINES. PACKAGE DEAL TAJ TOUR-SOTC
CALL:
Sita Ram Patel @ 847-568-0535
NEWS on your desktop www.indiapost.com
SUBSCRIBE TO INDIA POST E-PAPER Mail to: priya@indiapost.com or login to http://www.indiapost.com/subscribe/
Datebook
August 8, 2014
NEW JERSEY Upcoming Fri, Aug 8 • Cultural Festival Of Gujarat - Aug 8,9,10 Venue: St Antony's Conference Center, 275 Wolf Hill Rd, Melville, NY 11747 Time : 06:00 pm Contact: 917-697-8820
Sat, Aug 9 • Tribute to R.D.Burman by Mahalaksmi Iyer and Jolly Venue: Union County Performing Art Center, 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065 Time: 8:00 pm
Fri, Aug 22 • Lalitha Mahayagnam Venue: Shree Swamy Narayan Temple, 1667 Amwell Rd, Franklin Township, NJ 08873 Time: 8:00 am Contact: 516-359-8178
NEW YORK Upcoming Sat, Aug 09 • Tribute to R.D.Burman by Mahalaksmi Iyer and Jolly Mukherjee Venue: Union County Performing Art Center, 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, Nj 07065 Time : 8:00 pm Contact :732-986-4011
Sat, Aug 9 • Kumar Sanu Live In Concert Venue: Colden Center, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367 Time: 08:00 pm Contact : 718-639-2881
Sun, Aug 24 • Mika Singh Live In New York Venue: Long Island University, 720 Northern Blvd, NY 11368 Time: 06:30 pm Contact: 347-989-6104
India Post 47
www.indiapost.com
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Upcoming
Upcoming
Sat, Aug 9 • Brahma Kumaris Silicon Valley Meditation Center to celebrate Raksha Bandhan Venue: Jain Temple, 722 South Main St., Milpitas, CA 95035. Time: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm Contact: rsvp@bksiliconvalley.org.
Sat, Aug 9 • BATA Cup (San Ramon)- All proceeds go to Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF) Venue: Bay Area Telugu Association, 39120 Argonaut Way, Fremont, CA 94538 Timet: 8 pm
Sat, Aug 9 • GurdasMaan Live in Concert Venue: San Jose Center for Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd, San Jose, CA 95113 Contact: 408-802-5128
Sun, Aug 10 • Meet & Greet With Siddharth Venue: Tirupathi Bhimas, 1208 S Abel St, Milpitas, CA 95035 Contact: 408-629-0554
Sun, Aug 17 • Sri Krishna Janmashtami Puja Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago
Venue: 14630 Lemont Road, Homer Glen 60491 Time: 11 am Contact: chicagovedanta.org
Sat, Aug 16 • 22nd Festival of India and Parade Venue: Corner of Paseo Padre and Walnut Ave., 39439 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont, CA 94538 Contact: 510-565-9993
Sun, Aug 10, 2014 • Pratham Charity Organization Presents Arijit Singh Live In Concert Venue: The Orpheum Theater 842 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA Time: 6 : 00pm. Tickets: $39,$49,$59,$79,100,$150, VIP Contact:404-576-8909 www.parachaentertainment.com
Sat, Aug 23 • Aa Family Komedy Chhey - Gujrati Drama Venue: James Logan Performing Arts Center, 1800 H St, Union City, CA 94587 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 510-648-0596
ATLANTA Upcoming Sun, Aug 10 • Sri Kashi Vishveshwara Siddhi Venue: The Hindu Community Center Inc, 433 Canton Rd, Cumming, GA 30040 Time: 6:00 pm z
Fri, Aug 15 • Double Dhamaal Comedy Venue: Berkmar High School, 405 Pleasant Hill Road, Lilburn, GA 30047 Contact: 404-786-7860 Time: 8:45 pm
Sun, Aug 17 • Shreya Ghoshal Live In Atlanta Venue: Cobb Energy Performing Art Center Center, 800 Galleria Pkwy SE, Atlanta, GA 30339 Time: 7:00pm
ILLINOIS Upcoming • J K Yog Satsang and Bal Mukund Hindi Classes are held every 2nd and 4rth Sunday of Month Chicago Satsang Information: J K Yog, Chicago - Swami Mukundananda Venue: Clarion Inn/Waterford Banquets, Board Room, 933 South Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, IL 60126 Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807 Website: www.jkyog.org
1st and 3rd Sunday of Month • Chicago Children's 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
Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105
Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Where: Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105
„
Realty Tidbits
VNCT Ventures forays into Coimbatore COIMBATORE: Chennaibased VNCT Ventures is launching a housing project with 48 designer apartments at a centrally located place in the city. The building, conceptualized and designed by Sussanne Khan, is coming up in 1.25 acres with three separate blocks of international standard design, Nagu Chidambaram, Chief of VNCT Ventures, told reporters here. Ranging from 1,400 sq ft to 3,000 sq ft, the apartments would cost Rs 7,500 per sq ft and will be completed in the next 20 months, for which bookings have already started, he said. Stating that the Rs 100 croreproject has European architecture, he said the company plans to replicate the project in Chennai and Madurai as well. -PTI
„ Delhi Urban Shelter Board did not start housing NEW DELHI: Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board did not initiate any new housing scheme for relocation of slum residents, Comptroller and Auditor General said here. "The Board didn't form the Urban Shelter Consultative Committee and Basti Vikas Samitis and did not initiate any new housing scheme for relocation of residents of jhuggi jhopri bastis," a CAG report said. The CAG pointed out that though the Board was set up with an aim to provide better living conditions for residents of JJ Bastis, it did not initiate new housing scheme. "The Delhi government released Rs 1.20 crore during 20102012 for study and preparation of perspective plan for Delhi slums for the next 20 years, out of which a fund of Rs 15.58 lakh was spent during 2010-2013 but no perspective plan was prepared," CAG said. -PTI
Real Estate 48
India Post
www.indiapost.com
August 8, 2014
Wave Infratech launches realty project LUCKNOW: The central government is encouraging the real estate sector and the sector will show its due potential in the near future, an official of a realty company said. "Due to the overall economic slowdown, the sector has a lackluster time in the past. But with the government now encouraging the sector with required impetus, the real estate sector is due to show its due potential in the near future," Wave Infratech Executive Director Amar Sinha said. -PTI
India asks States to review illegal property deals by foreigners NEW DELHI: Amid foreign nationals buying immovable property illegally, the Centre has asked state governments to review suspicious transactions and exercise caution while registering new sale/ purchase deeds. "It has come to notice of the central government that foreign nationals are buying immovable property illegally in some parts of the country. Many organizations and social groups have also made representations to the central government expressing their serious concerns in this regard," the Finance Ministry said in a statement. In view of the above, the Ministry said "all, including the authorities concerned in the State
Governments, are hereby advised to be extra vigilant in such matters and satisfy themselves about the eligibility under FEMA before registering sale or purchase of im-
The finance ministry has said many organizations and social groups have expressed concern over foreign nationals buying immovable property illegally
Tata Housing forms JV for project in Kolkata NEW DELHI: Realty firm Tata Housing has announced a joint venture with Keventer group for a 3-acre luxury residential project in Kolkata. "Tata Housing has enhanced its land bank of premium locations through JV with Keventer group for a 3 acre (approx) land parcel at New Alipore in Kolkata," the company said in a statement. With realty sector facing slowdown, Tata Housing said it has been utilizing this opportunity to strengthen land bank to create ultra-luxury projects across prime locations in major metros across the country.
movable property in India". It further said the enquiries may include both the intending buyers and sellers and the relevant travel documents and the nature
Commenting on the announcement, Tata Housing MD & CEO Brotin Banerjee said: "We believe this is the right time to increase our foot print of quality land parcels in city centers of major metros as the demand will start picking with improvement in macro economy by end of this year."
This joint venture is in line with Tata Housing's vision to expand their presence in the fast growing segment, he added. Keventer group Managing Director Mayank Jalan said: "We are extremely delighted to partner with Tata Housing for this land parcel. This is just the beginning of our long term relationship with Tata Housing and we will be doing many more projects." -PTI
of visa may also be verified before registering such sale/purchase. "Where appropriate, the authorities may consider reviewing registration of sale/purchase already made to determine their compliance with legal requirements," it said. It has also been observed, the
Ministry added, foreign nationals coming to India and staying beyond 182 days on a tourist or other visa meant for a certain period are illegally acquiring immovable property in India in violation of the extant rules and regulations under FEMA. As per the extant law, a foreign national residing in India for more than 182 days during the course of the preceding financial year for taking up employment or carrying on business/vocation can acquire immovable property in India. As per the Foreign Exchange Management Regulation, an Indian citizen resident outside India and a Person of Indian Origin resident outside India may acquire immovable property in India other than farm land, plantation or a farm house. Also, a foreign company, which has established a branch office or other place of business in India under relevant provisions, can acquire immovable property which is necessary for or incidental to carrying on such activity. -PTI
India plans real estate development bill HYDERABAD: The Centre is considering bringing in a real estate development (regulation) bill to safeguard the interests of the consumers and also to streamline the sector, Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said here. The government is in the process of holding consultations with stakeholders like CREDAI and the bill could be introduced in the winter session of Parliament, he told reporters. Naidu felt that the fruits of development would fully reach the people if the Centre, states and the urban local bodies (ULBs) worked together. Observing that the ULBs needs to be strengthened, he said the 74th Constitutional amendment (that calls for providing adequate funds, functions and functionaries to the ULBs) should be
implemented effectively by the states.
Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu
There is a need for change in the mindset of the ULBs as they need to take responsibility of collection of taxes and in ensuring transparency and accountability in spending them. -PTI
August 8, 2014
Classifieds
India Post 49
www.indiapost.com
NEEDED PERSONAL ASSISTANT Personal Assistant to see to my Art Gallery business errands in my absence, This is a Part-time job offer USD500 weekly. INTERESTED APPL cants should reply with below details Name- Address A ge Mobile Phone Number Employment Status. =Jane Williams
workingart001@aol.com website: janewilliamsart (dot) biz
(218).203.2960
For Classifieds Ads Call NORTHERN CA (Priya) Tel. 510-275-4467 priya@indiapost.com SOUTHERN CA (Shashi Trivedi) Tel: 562-441-5511/
SUBSCRIBE TO INDIA POST E-PAPER
Mail to:
Fax: 562-947-0632
subscribe@indiapost.com
shashi19@yahoo.com
or login to
CHICAGO
www.indiapost.com/ subscribe/
http://
(Ramesh Soparawala) Tel: 773-973-7394 / Fax: 773-973-7396
NEWS
sramesh@aol.com NEW YORK (Pinky) Tel: 908 338 3752 pinky@indiapost.com
on your desktop www.indiapost.com
50 India Post
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
nyone who has ever had a brother, sister, cousin, or a sibling equiva lent knows the trials and tribulations that accompany such unique relationships. They tend to make your life miserable, reveal your closely guarded, though foolishly-shared secrets, expose your weaknesses in public, and come to your rescue when you need it, defend your honor, and pick you up when you are down...all at the same time! They enrich our lives like no other. Is blood thicker than water? Sharing the DNA, childhood home, games, hiding places, secrets forges a special bond that no one else can relate to, or is privy to. Shared childhood memories persist years later, and in moments of adult distress draw us back to the safe haven of yester years. Selective amnesia plays a role
trated to find myself losing at every card game, only to realize later that the siblings had "rigged" the outcome; shunned in the party as the siblings socialized with their friends and ignored the sister that tagged along because she had to be babysat. And what about the time when my sister won't let me in the room where she and her friends were dressing up in sarees for a wedding party, despite my copious tears and my mother's requests? In retrospect why I would have wanted to watch this memorable event seems silly, but it was really important at the ripe old age of ten! In the blink of an eye, I also remember playing "chor sipahi" (cops and robbers) from behind sofa "ships" and battling with wooden clothes hanger
in restoring only the good memories, reliving only the pleasurable experiences, thus everything about childhood becomes rosy! Having grown up in a bustling and large household, with siblings, relatives and friends dropping by constantly, I have had my share of moments, so well depicted in a recent movie song: 'I love you (like I hate you)"! I have been reduced to tears to find my precious doll "hanged" from the doorknob; embarrassed to beetroot redness to have my friend (who happened to be a boy), interrogated mercilessly by an outraged brother as to his intentions; frus-
"guns", and running around on, and sometimes falling from, the high boundary walls of the house as part of a sibling team. My brothers, on occasion indulged in playing house, and even constructed a prized dollhouse from cardboard boxes, with working internal lighting and hand crafted wooden furniture. When we tired of dolls and cooking, my brothers gamely played hopscotch in the front yard with me, in full view of passers by. Years after the no entry to the saree dressing event, my sister surprised me with a hand stitched suit for my birthday, as part of her sewing class project. I loved the pink polka dot, double breasted suit
A
ARCHANA ASTHANA
VARANASI: This 'Rakshabandhan' festival will be special for hundreds of elderly widows of Varanasi as they plan to send 1,000 'Rakhis' along with sweets to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who made his parliamentary debut in May from this temple town. The event is part of efforts to bring these women, who have been socially ostracized for ages and kept away from festivals and other celebrations, into social mainstream. A group these women, mostly in their 80s, are engaged in making colorful 'Rakhis' (decorated sacred thread) in Birla
and Durgakund widow ashrams here for the festival which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. "We have planned a target of sending around 1,000 Rakhis to our 'brother', our prime minister," said one of them at Birla ashram. Social worker Bindeshwar Pathak feels that such an initiative will not just bring cheer in the lives of these women, but will help bring a change in social outlook. "Widows after death of their husbands still face humiliation and
with white satin pants, and the matching nail polish she added, maybe to erase her guilt! It is interesting to see the ease with which these relationships run the gamut. Taking a page from the older generation, unconditional love compensates for a lot of other things. How they made you feel is what we remember the most in any human interaction. All things were shared...space, time, clothes, books, toys. The concept of privacy was non existent. The bathroom was the only undisputed place for private ablutions, thoughts and reflection. Not only was your own family privy to your actions, pretty much the entire neigh-
In a unique gesture, widows of Varanasi will send 1,000 Rakhis and sweets to Prime Minister Narendra Modi
borhood was. More pairs of eyes on you meant more careful consideration of the consequences of your actions, as you were accountable also to the neighbor three houses down, and the "doodhwala" (milkman)!. It does take a village! Summer holidays saw the most bonding, maybe because of the sheer amount of time we were thrown in each others' company. Along with the fun of playing concocted games, this time was also meant for preparing for the half yearly exams that followed right after the summer holidays. Cont'd on Page 51
insult from their family members. They are even restricted from attending any auspicious function in their families. They are even not allowed to wear colorful saris, ornaments and have to wear only white clothes. "So, my idea is how to change the thoughts, behavior and attitude of the people of this country towards widows of India, who are their mothers and sisters," said Pathak, who is founder of NGO Sulabh International which is helping improve the life of around 1,500 such women in Varanasi, Vrindavan and Kedarnath Valley. Cont'd on Page 51
August 8, 2014
India Post 51
Oh, Brother!
The fragile thread of Rakhi is strong
Cont'd from Page 50
I followed my brother's diligent lead in setting aside a daily quota of study time, neatly chunked for morning and afternoon slots. Imagine my hardship in following the same pattern when he left to go to college and I had to find my own pattern of study time and play time. When he did come home from college during my exam time, we would try to stay up all night with a thermos of coffee, suppos-
edly to study, but ended up with more bonding sessions than study sessions. There was also the time when a bunch of us ten year old girls climbed up on an asbestos roof in a friend's house which caved in...fortunately no one was hurt,
just our pride. To my great surprise, that incident was never mentioned at the dining table, even though it had been witnessed by at least two brothers and their friends. Every time it rains in my home in the Bay Area I am transported back to the giggling ritual of praying for more rain on Monday morning, as we got ready for bed on Sunday night, so the next day would be a "Rainy day holiday". We would get dressed for school and wait for the school bus, pray-
ing even harder, and when our prayers were answered, change into home clothes with glee and sit on the window sill watching the rain run into rivulets from the rooftops and enter the swelling flood on the street below. We would float paper boats in
www.indiapost.com
the flooded streets pretending it was in the midst of a raging sea, eat our lunches which had been packed for school as if it were the last ration of food in a shipwreck, and take turns watching to see how far the boat floated before being swept into a drain. Years wear on...siblings leave the nest, and seek their fortunes in all corners of the globe. Some keep in close touch, others not so much. Family reunions are still spirited, recalling the past follies and foibles, solidifying those memories while making some more. Interactions change as spouses and children are added to the growing family circle...some become closer with friends of their choosing who they supplant as surrogate family, others add friends to the core family. Adult sibling relationships become more complicated. Some fall prey to perceived wrong doings, imagined insults and conjured up slights, some are riddled with rivalries for inheritance, while others are a casualty of neglect and indifference. True, nothing is forever. There are also those that blossom despite separation of distance. Siblings and their families show up to celebrate your special occasions - weddings, birthdays, arrival of a new child, and hug you tight with their tears mingling with yours as we jointly mourn the loss of a parent. The childhood is truly gone once the parents are, who are indeed the "keeper of the memories". The passage of time teaches you the true value of mental health in the emotional bonds we make throughout our lives...the most important are the ones you
Widows of Varanasi preparing 'Rakhis' for Modi Cont'd from Page 50
Apart from around 900 widows, 200 children from various schools of Delhi and Mathura-Vrindavan will take part in Rakhi celebration which will be organized at Meera Sahabhagini ashram on August 9. The widows will also tie Rakhis to local saints and brahmins. "We will organize many such programs for them in near future," Pathak said. Breaking shackles of social
stigma, these women had taken part in Holi, Diwali and Durga Puja celebrations following efforts of the NGO. Sulabh International, an NGO known worldwide for promoting the concept of low-cost sanitation. It started taking keen initiative in the welfare of widows after the Supreme Court took strong exception last year to the manner in which the bodies of widows, who lived in government shelter homes at Vrindavan, were dis-
posed. Every widow is given Rs 2,000 per month by the NGO which takes care of their health and other needs. The NGO has provided the government-run shelters in Vrindavan five ambulances along with medical equipment for timely and adequate medical attention. Arrangements have also been made to impart education to them in three languages - Hindi, Bengali and English.-PTI
are born with...you are stuck with them for life! As parents today, we seek to make our children's childhood memorable and unique and provide them with coping tools in the form of a strong family unit and extended family of relatives and close friends. When we hold our young ones in close embrace, our hearts beating as one, I hope they realize one day, how fearfully the parents navigate parenthood, trying to be perfect in the improbable task of turning this sweet
young thing into a mature, productive and responsible adult. We proudly hand them our relationships and trust them to move them forward, as the love of those we love is a part of our children's inheritance. As we celebrate the occasion of Rakshabandhan, let us put our faith in the simple thread of Rakhi to keep the sibling relationships threaded together. The fragile thread of Rakhi is strong‌leave this as a legacy for the next generation.
'English Vinglish' continues dream run NEW DELHI: Sridevi-starrer "English Vinglish" has amassed USD 420,000 at the Japanese box office, as it continues its dream run in international markets. It is said to have become the second highest Hindi film in Japan after "3 Idiots". The movie, backed by Eros International, set the cash registers ringing at the Japanese box office with earning of a bumper 42,608,115 yen (USD 420,000 approx) and continues to run successfully in theatres. Directed by Gauri Shinde, the film tells a moving tale of a homebound woman who doesn't know English, but an overseas trip helps her to bring out the best in her. In Japan, the film released across 33 screens June 28. The grand premiere of the film held in Tokyo May 27 was a huge success and was attended by Sridevi along with First Lady of Japan, Akie Abe and famous Japanese singer, Agnes Chan.
The buzz for the film in Japan began last year itself when direc-
Sridevi
tor Shinde was invited to attend the prestigious Aichi International Women's Film Festival in August 2013 for the film's screening.
Horoscope
52 India Post
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
Your Weekly Future by Pandit Parashar
AUGUST 8TH - AUGUST 14TH, 2014 (March 21 to April 20)
C
ombination of planets will bring your positive qualities and talents on surface. You will have several reasons to celebrate with family. A big reunion is also in the air. Money will just pour in from various directions and you will be the talk of the town. Spouse may feel little exhausted of running around and may injure moving stuff in the house.
(September 23 to October 22)
P
hysical activities will not only get back you in shape but boost your self confidence too. You may finally get to meet an impor tant person and quickly get the assurance. Some one lot younger in age will be very helpful. You may finally locate the property of your choice and make the offer. Spouse will have different opinion on all matters.
(October 23 to November 22)
(April 21 to May 20)
S
ituation will be unexpected and challenging but with diplomacy you will turn the tables. Your decisions will reflect confidence and determination. It will be an excellent week for people working as brokers. Some of you may be traveling away from home for business purpose. Do not hesitate if some one offers to start business in partnership.
Y
ou may spend some money towards repairs or buy some electric gadgets for the house. Positive changes in career you had been awaiting for , can take place now. Opportunity will come with added perks and easy terms. Chances of an addition in the family are strong. You will also make final payment on an old debt and trim few other liabilities.
(November 23 to December 22)
(May 21 to June 20)
Y
ou may be getting ready to invest in a great venture. More time will be spent on reaching out and connecting with old business partners. You should try to limit alcohol when attending a party this week. Planets specially favor those in retail business. You will be taking a short trip with family to meet a close friend. Bank balance will grow rapidly.
H
ard work will finally pay off and you will get the break you always wanted. You may be able to dispose off some prop erty this week. A log distance trip is also in the air. Bachelors may find some one slightly younger in age and experience relationship already bringing good luck. You may be touch with an experienced person for advice.
(June 21 to July 22)
G
ood deeds performed in the past will reward you in big way. Miracle you had been waiting for, can happen. There will be interesting development in career and some of you may finalize the deal to purchase a running business. Suddenly you will become more popular in society. You will get to spend an evening with famous people this week.
(December 22 to January 19)
B
e careful when dealing with another female colleague this week. Tough you will be working hard and efforts will be sincere, still you will keep missing your goals narrowly. You may spend time with people politically established. New contract you sign will bring much needed extra cash. Valuable lead and advice coming from a matured person.
(July 23 to August 22)
A
ctions will reflect lack of confidence but still you will hit the bulls eye. Deal will close and you will need to do lots of jug gling in order to meet fresh commitments. Try to stay calm on phone unless you want to have things delayed. Be little careful when handling any tools. You may also relocate something important, you thought was lost.
(January 20 to February 18)
C
hildren will plan something exciting. You may dispose off some profit making stocks and put that money away. Extra running around and weather may have some negative impact on health but you will recover with little rest. A visitor may also confirm his date of arrival. You will be in touch with an old friend to start a business in partnership this week.
(August 23 to September 22)
Y
ou may invite few old friends at your place this week. If you stick to your guns, the other side will not take much time to come to your terms. Business will pick up all of a sudden and you may also sign a long term contract this week. There is a strong chance of finding an ideal property also. Try to cut down or red meat and spicy items.
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)
P
eople in business will be successful in recovering some old dues. Mind will stay calm and you will continue to take rational decisions in life. You may attend couple of functions this week with family. People will benefit from your advise. You will continue your search for an ideal property. Health will improve drastically with change of diet and walking.
510-886-4370 www.parashar.com
Philosophy
August 8, 2014
India Post 53
www.indiapost.com
Page Sponsored by Sahanis LAO TZU
T
he Tao (Way/Reality) that can be told is not the eternal (ch'ang) Tao (or: the Way that becomes a "way" is not the true Way). The name that can be named is not the eternal Name. The nameless (wu-ming) is the Origin of Heaven and Earth. The named is the Mother of all ten thousand things. Ever desireless, you realize/observe the hidden mystery/subtlety (miao). With desire, you see the manifestations (chiao). These two arise from the same source but differ in name. Their identical nature is a mystery (both are called profound dark [hsüan]). Where dark is darkest-the gateway to all wondrous mystery (miao). When people know some things as lovely, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad. The sage manages affairs without action (wu-wei), and imparts teaching without speech. Ten thousand things arise and he does not initiate them, they come to be and he claims no possession of them. He works without holding on, accomplishes without claiming merit. Because he does not claim merit, his merit does not go away. Do not honor the worthy, so that people will not contend with one another. Do not value hardto-get objects, so that the people SHENG YEN
T
he method of silent illumination is also known in Zen as shikantaza, from the Chinese zhiguan dazuo. In the West this has also become known as "just sitting." If this method is used incorrectly, you may as well make tea by soaking stones in cold water. Misusing it can also amount to escaping into the demon cave to weave dreams of unconcern. The practitioner who does not understand this method can become like an old turtle buried in an ancient well for centuries. Suddenly one day it is dug up and comes back to life, but this turtle is still a turtle-it hasn't changed into a phoenix! One surmises that all of this time the old turtle was not really cultivating practice, because "just sitting" is not the same as "having nothing to do." To avoid the fate of the turtle, it is important to understand the proper use of this method. In silent illumination your mind focuses on the awareness of your body sitting in meditation and nothing else. Therefore, correct posture is critical. Do not focus on parts of the body, but be aware of the totality of the body as a unity. Your body parts may have different feel-
will not become thieves. Do not show off desirable objects, so that people's minds/hearts do not get excited/disturbed. Therefore, when the sage rules, he empties people's minds, fills their bellies (their cores), weakens their will/ambition, and strengthens their bones/resolve. He makes them guileless (wu-chih; without cunning knowledge) and desireless (wu-yü) so that the crafty don't act. By acting without action (wu-wei), nothing is not in order.
called the basis of heaven and earth. Continuous! It seems to exist. Yet in use it is inexhaustible. The sage, putting himself behind/ last, finds himself at forefront. He puts himself away, and yet always remains. (Or: he treats his person as if foreign to him, yet that person is preserved.) Is it not because he is selfless (wu szu), that he fulfills himself (has his ends realized)? The superior man (or: supreme good) is like water, whose goodness benefits all things without
depart/deviate from it? In attuning your breath/vital force (ch'i) to induce softness/gentleness, can you be like an infant (ying erh)? In cleansing the mirror (lan) of the dark (hsüan) (profound insight), can you make it spotless? In the opening and closing of heaven's gate (t'ien men), can you be the female (tz'u)? In being all-comprehending / enlightened (ming), can you do it without knowledge? In loving the people and guiding the state, can you practice wu-wei?
The name that can be named is not eternal Name
Lao Tzu
When people know some things as lovely, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad. The sage manages affairs without action and imparts teaching without speech
Tao is whirling emptiness (ch'ung), yet in use is inexhaustible (ying). Fathomless (yuan), it seems to be the ancestor/fount (tsung) of the ten thousand things…. It apparently precedes the Creator. Much talk often leads to exhaustion. Better concentrate on the center (chung). The Valley Spirit (ku shen) never dies. This is called "fathomless female" (hsüan p'in). The channel of the fathomless female: This is
contention. Situated in (lowly) places disdained by others. This is why it is so like the Tao. In dwelling, value the earth. In heart-mind, value depth. In being-with, value kindness. In words, value reliability. In rectifying, value order. In social affairs, value ability. In action, value timing. Not competing, there's no indiscretion/reproach. In bringing your spiritual (hun) and bodily (p'o or p'u) souls to embrace the One, can you never
Giving birth yet not claiming possession, acting yet not holding on, leading yet not dominating, this is called dark/profound/secret virtue (yüan te). Clay is fashioned into vessels; but it is on the empty hollowness (wu) that their use depends. Doors and windows are hewn out to make rooms; it is on the empty space that their use depends. Lao Tzu was a philosopher and poet of ancient China. Excerpted from Tao Te Ching
ings and sensations, but be aware only of the whole body. Your awareness of you just sitting there should fill your mind. If your awareness falters, check and correct your posture, then resume being aware of your sitting, and its sensation as a total unity. While you are practicing just sitting, be clear about everything
your body. Whatever enters the door of your senses becomes one totality, extending from your body to the whole environment. This is silent illumination. From this it should be evident that it is not a matter of having nothing in your mind but, rather, that "you are thinking of what does not think." Your mind is fully alert
If in illumination silence is lost, Then distinctions will be perceived... If in silence illumination is lost, Then murkiness will lead to wasted teachings. In the Platform Sutra the Sixth Patriarch said: "While you are in
'Just sitting' does not mean 'having nothing to do'
but not stuck on forms. As Chan Master Hongzhi Zhengjue (1092-1157) explained in his Inscription on Silent Illumination: In silence and serenity, words are forgotten; In clarity and luminosity, all things manifest... Only this silence is the supreme speech, And this illumination, the universal response.
Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy. - Thich Nhat Hanh Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are. - Chinese Proverb You can explore the universe looking for somebody who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and you will not find that person anywhere. - Buddhist Saying Knock on the sky and listen to the sound! - Zen saying
Your awareness of you just sitting there should fill your mind. If your awareness falters, check and correct your posture, then resume being aware of your sitting, and its sensation as a total unity going on in your mind. Whatever you feel, be aware of it, but never abandon the awareness of your whole body sitting there. Shikantaza is not sitting with nothing to do; it is a very demanding practice, requiring diligence as well as alertness. If your practice goes well, you will experience the "dropping off" of sensations and thoughts. You need to stay with it and begin to take the whole environment as
The purpose of a fishtrap is to catch fish, and when the fish are caught, the trap is forgotten. The purpose of words is to convey ideas. When the ideas are grasped, the words are forgotten. Where can I find a man who has forgotten words? He is the one I would like to talk to. - Chuang Tsu
Sheng Yen
samadha, prajna is in samadhi, and while you are in prajna, samadhi is in prajna." Silence is samadhi, and illumination is prajna. When samadhi and prajna are not two separate things, this is silent illumination. Sheng Yen (1930-2009) was a Buddhist monk, a religious scholar, and teacher of Chinese Chan Buddhism. Excerpted from Attaining the Way- A Guide to the Practice of Chan Buddhism
One may explain water, but the mouth will not become wet. One may expound fully on the nature of fire, but the mouth will not become hot. - Takuan They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom. - Confucius The no-mind not-thinks no-thoughts about nothings. - Buddha
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
54
Edit Page
India Post
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
India's pragmatic policies on Gaza conflict
T
he creation of Israel in Palestine was a Western venture to expiate their guilt for their historical ill treatment of the Jews, and, at the time it was finally done, also to implant a permanent base for safeguarding their own interests for the future in the vital West Asian region. The Western 'divide and rule' policies and the arbitrary drawing of boundaries were at the heart of imperial control of colonized peoples and territories. The legacy thereof continues. Unfortunately, history and international relations are not about fairness but about the exercise of power in one's own interest. Meanwhile, Israel has become fully integrated economically and politically into the international comity of nations. Many nonWestern countries, including China and India, have developed
sider Hamas a terrorist organization. In strong contrast to each of the earlier such confrontations, except for Qatar's support, Hamas is politically isolated in the Arab world this time. Another stumbling block is that Hamas does not officially recognize the existence of Israel. The uncomfortable truth is that each of these parties, without exception, is cynically pursuing its own broader geopolitical agenda. The minimum fundamental requirement for meaningful forward movement on the Palestinian issue, including the lifting of the Israeli economic blockade of Gaza, is substantive unity amongst the Arabs. The Arab world has enormous financial clout which has never been concertedly used for the Palestinian cause. In the absence of this, the rest of the non-Western world cannot meaningfully pressurize Israel. It is all these factors that have made
The establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992 was a right decision courageously taken by the Narasimha Rao Government as part of a sorely needed revamp of India's economic and foreign policies strong relations with Israel. The leading Arab country, Egypt, and Jordan have had diplomatic and stronger than merely normal relations with Israel for decades. Turkey had exceptionally close relations with Israel until a few years ago; so did Iran under the Shah; Oman and Qatar have had quasi-diplomatic relations with Israel; Tunisia and Morocco have had interactions with Israel; several GCC countries, and Saudi Arabia in particular, have encouraged an increasingly close working relationship between their intelligence services and that of Israel's, especially over the past three-four years. The current hostilities in Gaza are essentially a war between Hamas and Israel and not a war between Israel and Palestine; that is how governments of many Arab countries as well as the Palestinian National Authority are viewing the conflict. And they, not excluding Fatah, are also treating it as an intrinsic element of the current strong confrontation between the Muslim Brotherhood, of which Hamas is an offshoot, and its Arab opponents. Egypt and Saudi Arabia con-
India Post
RANJIT GUPTA
possible Israel getting away with the extreme brutality of its current onslaught on Gaza.
India's policy This broad brush backdrop must be kept in mind in evaluating India's policy in relation to ongoing events in Gaza. What is the objective of a foreign policy? It should primarily be to promote and protect the country's national interests, national security and national welfare. An important guiding principle must be to avoid taking stances that will have zero impact on realities on the ground but which could adversely affect important bilateral relationships. Though difficult, emotion and ideological biases must be eschewed. The establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992 was a right decision courageously taken by the Narasimha Rao Government as part of a sorely needed revamp of India's economic and foreign policies. Since then, Israel has emerged as a particularly important defense equipment supplier and a multi-sectoral hi-tech partner of vital strategic significance.
However, this has not come in the way of India maintaining excellent relations with Arab countries in general; and with the GCC countries, in particular. The latter developed mainly in the past decade and a half. This relationship is in fact India's most spectacular foreign policy success. Meanwhile, India continues its strong traditional support for the Palestinian cause consciously, deliberately and rightly. There is no contradiction in simultaneously pursuing these approaches that are politico-strategic imperatives for India. In the context of the current crisis in Gaza, India has maintained complete continuity with past stances in relevant international fora and in statements made by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Nevertheless, India's reactions and policies have come in for strong domestic criticism focused on two counts: first, regarding mention of the use of rockets by Hamas in the MEA spokesperson' statement of July 10. In 2008, when Israeli retaliatory actions killed 1417 Palestinians in a much shorter conflict, it was mentioned in the MEA spokesperson's statement on 27 December, 2008. Both times, these statements accorded factually with observable ground realities. Another reason for criticism is rejection of a demand for a Parliamentary Resolution. There was neither a demand nor any initiative for a resolution when the UPA government was in power. It is wrong to politicize issues of national interest. Adopting resolutions on foreign policy issues should be avoided as it does not promote solutions but only constrains governmental flexibility and options. However, discussions in Parliament should not be prevented. There have been demands to stop buying military equipment from Israel. This would hurt Israel only marginally but will be an utterly devastating self-inflicted wound on ourselves; and no Indian government has or should consider such an utterly absurd and irresponsible proposal. India's stance is highly unlikely to adversely affect relations with important Arab countries as these are based on symbiotic mutually beneficial pragmatism, not emotion. The writer is Distinguished Fellow, IPCS, and former Member, National Security Advisory Board (NSAB)
We knew it
I
t is not as if nobody knew why Sonia Gandhi declined prime ministership in 2004. Though she gave it an air of "sacrifice" and attributed the decision to her "voice of conscience" we knew it was to safeguard the life of her family given the history of assassinations of her husband Rajiv Gandhi and mother-in-law Indira Gandhi when they were holding the high position of prime minister of the country. Through the body language and utterances of Rahul Gandhi and his conspicuous reluctance to confront the burning issues of the country we knew was the fear that holding a high post was a danger to his life. So the latest revelations by Natwar Singh, once member of the inner circle of Sonia Gandhi, are not exactly a bombshell. We may not have known the details but the public knew the first family was eager to control power without endangering their safety. It did not matter to the public that Sonia Gandhi was running the government by remote control. It saw it as an internal matter of the ruling party. As long as the economy was doing well, everyone in India was willing to ignore how the country was being run. When the average household began to feel the pinch of high prices and saw the exposure of scam upon scams of the ruling party and their defense by the Prime Minister and the Congress party or their silence over the misdeeds of Congressmen, the support for the ruling coalition began to decline. So ultimately it doesn't matter who the ruler is. What matters is what he is doing for public weal. Days of secularism rhetoric are long gone under whose garb the then ruling party thought it could get away with anything. Sonia Gandhi has promised to put the record straight by writing her own book to counter that of Natwar Singh. It will be good entertainment and stuff for gossip. Why they lost and Narendra Modi won was the evidence of having done something. In its last few years UPA-II was dithering so much that its second term was throughout like a lame duck government. In contrast Modi held up the progress of Gujarat as a model of governance. He has rightly been given a chance to demonstrate the same effective governance at the Center also. And he has begun well. It is good that the Modi government believes in doing things and not in talking. The lax bureaucrats have got the hint and are at their desks at 9 am and delivering. Two months on and already infrastructure projects have got going and begun to create jobs. The urgency of repairing relations with neighbors have brought in great results. In contrast to the earlier gruffness in relations with Nepal, Modi during his recent visit not only extended a credit of $ 1 billion; he also offered to change the 1950 treaty with Nepal in the way the neighboring country wants. He also assured India won't interfere in the affairs of Nepal. Modi government is about to change some archaic labor laws enhancing employee benefits and making it easier to do business. In the matters of taxes, the dreaded inspector raj is being abolished and simpler rules are being introduced. For the ordinary Indian, the shift to self-attestation of documents is a great relief. For submitting birth certificates, mark sheets etc, it was necessary to have them attested by a gazetted officer and affidavits had to be attested by notaries. With the introduction of self-attestation miles of red tape has been cut and a 150-year old process decolonized. It is this kind of sensitiveness to the needs of the people which earns gratitude of the people and an approval rating for the government. Another good move has been Modi's restoration of Aadhar for technology linked payments through mobile phones. It will save thousands of crores and lead to accountable governance.
August 8, 2014
www.indiapost.com
India Post 55
56 India Post
www.indiapost.com
August 8, 2014