Indiapost 08 16 2013

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

AIA Award winners. Sitting L to R Film Producer Trilok Malik, Dr Sushil Gupta and Rep Danny Davis

AIA honors Rep Danny Davis and Trilok Malik Details on page 20

India Post Survey: It will be 'khichdi' again

VOL 19, No. 987

August 16, 2013

50¢

Periodical Postage

AMERICA TO SELL 145 HOWITZERS TO INDIA WASHINGTON: The US has decided to sell 145 stateof-the-art 155mm towed Howitzers to India worth about USD 885 million to improve the security of "an important partner" for political stability, peace, and economic progress in South Asia.

The US Department of Defense had on August 2 notified the Congress about the proposed sale.

The Indian Government has requested a sale of 145 M777 155mm light-weight towed Howitzers with laser inertial artillery pointing systems (LINAPS), warranty, spare

and repair parts, maintenance, and training equipment, the Department of Defense said in a notification.

The estimated cost is USD 885 million, it said.

"This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-India strategic relationship and to improve the security of an important partner which continues to be a ...for political stability, peace, and economic progress in South Asia," the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.

Details on page 12

Feasts & fun at Indo-Pak Unity Day Details on page 26

Sharif calls for 'new beginning' with India Details on page 6

Sonia son-inlaw's land deals paralyze Parl.

Details on page 5

Quinn hosts 'Iftar' dinner at Governor house

US urges India, Pak to improve trust

Details on page 22

Details on page 7

Hackers who hit US media are back

CONTENTS Bollywood -------------------------- 31 Classifieds ------------------------- 52

Details on page 6

Community Post -------------- 19-29 Date Book -------------------------- 36 Edit Page --------------------------- 54

INDIA POST SURVEY

HealthScience Post --------- 34-35

survey@indiapost.com

Horoscope ------------------------- 47

This week’s question

Immigration Post ------------- 44-45

Indian Americans can influence Indian elections?

Life Style ----------------------- 50-51 Philosophy ------------------------- 53

Last week’s result

Should India act tough with Pak? YES 76%

NO 24%

INDIA’S 'YES WE CAN': Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP election campaign chief Narendra Modi addressing the Youth Convention for a New India at LB stadium in Hyderabad on August 11 where he repeated the Obama mantra of 'Yes We Can'. (Details on page 5)

Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 32-33 TechBiz Post ------------------- 12-14 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 37-40

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

2

India Post

www.indiapost.com

August 16, 2013

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

India Post

3

4

India Post

August 16, 2013

India Post

IndiaNewsweekly 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 Sonia Sidhu Management Analyst Deepak Chhabra Promotions Harish Kalewar Promotions Priya Nayar Bureau Chief Gregg Nuti Sales & Marketing Director Rakesh Kapoor Correspondent Ratika J. Paul Photo Journalist Neeloo Kapoor Photo Journalist Sudesh Kumari Correspondent Rama Mehra Advertising Vidya Sethuraman Correspondent Ritu Maheshwari Correspondent Sujata Singh 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

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 L

ast week, was the 50th anniversary of Dr. Norman Borlaug's first visit to India in March 1963. That was indeed one momentous visit because it revolutionized the way India produced its food grains, helping to usher in the Green Revolution, transforming thus, the lives of millions of Indians.

Well, Dr. Borlaug's crusade against hunger was not limited to India alone, but other underdeveloped countries, and for that he earned the title of the "Man who saved a billion lives."

Many environmentalists and other critics may have found reasonably valid flaws in Dr. Borlaug's methods that are supposed to have only helped big American corporations like Monsanto, but I think he rightfully must be credited for helping India transition from dependence to self-sustenance for its growing population at a time when it was most needed.

It's interesting how relevant Dr. Borlaug's efforts in India become so relevant today, considering Indian lawmakers have just passed the Food Security Bill, which is aimed at giving subsidized food grains to at least 800 million of India's rural and urban poor.

Unlike Dr. Borlaug's work, which was motivated by his innate conviction to end hunger and human misery, the newly passed Food Security Bill in India reeks of narrow political gains and its real beneficiaries are suspect.

Consider the many ironies of India's food economy: while the country's warehouses are overflowing and thousands of tons of food grains are rotting for want of proper storage, nearly 42% of India's children are malnourished; while subsidies on food and agriculture have increased, and there has been a two-fold increase in farmers' pay in the last 10 years, the number of farmer suicides have gone up to an alarming extent; and while there is a surplus harvest, the prices of food grains have shot through the roof.

But the biggest question today is who will really benefit from this Food Security scheme? Will it be the UPA government in the upcoming general elections? Or will it be the farmers? Or the unscrupulous middle men who will continue to siphon off supplies before they reach the poor? Or really the poor?

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 Jitender Singh Rawat Graphics Vijender P Shah 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 Diana Gabriel Marketing 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

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

INFO-CENTER CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 1860 Mowry Ave # 200 Fremont, CA 94538 Tel: 510-797-7799, Fax: 510-790-2806; E-mail: info@indiapost.com E-SUBSCRIPTION: Vikram Paul Tel: 510-789-7520 Extn: 208; E-mail: subscribe@indiapost.com Classifieds: Tel: 510-938-8668; E-mail:classifieds@indiapost.com or Tel: 510-275-4467, E-mail: priya@indiapost.com Graphics Inquiry: Tel: 510-936-9490; E-mail: ghanshyam@indiapost.com For Editorial: Sonia Sidhu Tel: 510-797-7799; E-mail: sonia@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

12908 Indian Lane Norwalk, CA 90650 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

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 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

• Diana Gabriel Ismail Building, Veer Savarkar Road Fort Mumbai 400 001 Tel: 98200 28348 E-mail: drassociates.singh@gmail.com VADODARA

• Vaidehi Patel E-mail: v_patel83@yahoo.com Tel: 011 91 98797 79976

For editorial, contact: editor@indiapost.com or call 510-797-7799

HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Online queen Sunny Leone was searched online 3.5 crore times in June 2013, which is higher than all other stars from India

Cover Story: Howitzers for India The US has decided to sell 145 state-ofthe-art 155mm towed Howitzers to India worth about USD 885 million

Community: IP survey Iftekhar Shareef, front ranking community activist, says if election happens today, UPA will emerge the lead coalition

Immigration: Official fired Wisconsin has fired a high-ranking official for calling immigrants in the U.S. without legal permission criminals

Life Style: Who is Shahrukh?

"I don't know. Many days I don't know if I'm acting like Shahrukh, or 'Shahrukh Khan' is acting like Shahrukh,”says actor

Techbiz: Google awards Google has announced awards for Indian nonprofits who explain how to use technology to improve people's lives.

Travel: Andaman & Nicobar One can be escorted here by a school of dolphins or spot giant sea tortoise and enjoy the great pleasure of snorkeling

14 1 19 44 50 12 37

Cover/Top Stories

August 16, 2013

India Post

5

www.indiapost.com

US to sell 145 Howitzers to India WASHINGTON: The US has decided to sell 145 state-of-theart 155mm towed Howitzers to India worth about USD 885 million to improve the security of "an important partner" for political stability, peace, and economic progress in South Asia.

The US Department of Defense had on August 2 notified the Congress about the proposed sale.

The Indian Government has requested a sale of 145 M777 155mm light-weight towed Howitzers with laser inertial artillery

pointing systems (LINAPS), warranty, spare and repair parts, maintenance, and training equipment, the Department of Defense said in a notification.

The estimated cost is USD 885 million, it said.

"This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-India strategic relationship and to improve the security of an important partner which continues to be a ...for political

stability, peace, and economic progress in South Asia," the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.

"The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," it said

Sonia son-in-law's land deals paralyze Parliament NEW DELHI: Alleged dubious land deals of Sonia Gandhi's sonin-law Robert Vadra paralyzed proceedings in Parliament with Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha witnessing two adjournments following uproar by BJP. 'Congress ka haath, damaad ke saath' (hand of Congress is with the son-in-law) chanted BJP mem-

of making money, there is one highly connected person who did not go to any such school but has given a model where no investment is made but windfall gains of thousands of crores are made."

The Vadra issue dominated both the Houses which saw other issues too, including Telangana with TDP members continuing to

Sonia Gandhi with Rahul Gandhi and son-in-law Robert Vadra and Priyanka Robert Vadra

bers, seeking to draw the attention on the Vadra issue in the Lok Sabha.

This was met with counter slogans 'Congress ka haath, janata ke saath, garib ke saath' (hand of Congress is with the people and the poor) by ruling party members.

Taking an obvious dig at Vadra, Yashwant Sinha (BJP) said, "Though there are several business schools which teach models

storm the Well, wearing shirts with slogan 'Save Andhra Pradesh, Save Democracy'.

The Rajya Sabha also witnessed similar scenes, with the main opposition BJP forcing adjournment of the House till noon on the same issue, minutes after it assembled for the day.

BJP members shouted slogans which were countered by those from Congress.

As the din continued un-

abated, Chairman Hamid Ansari's remarks whether members wished the House to become a "federation of anarchists" added fuel to the fire.

With BJP members shouting slogans seeking probe and reply from the government on the Vadra issue, members from the treasury benches too were on their feet.

"Every single rule in the rule book, every single etiquette is being violated...If the Hon'ble members wish the House to become a federation of anarchists, then it is a different matter," Ansari remarked, amid strong protests from BJP members. He then adjourned the House till noon.

Uproarious scenes continued after the Upper House reassembled, with Rajiv Pratap Rudy (BJP) asking the Chair for his view on a Zero Hour notice to raise the Vadra issue.

"There is scam that has taken place. It has rocked the nation. It involves somebody very important," Rudy said, with his party MPs rising in support.

Soon Congress members were on their feet raising counter slogans, forcing adjournment of the House again till 2 PM. Lok Sabha witnessed uproar during Question Hour with opposition targeting the government on several issues including violence in Kishtwar, solar scam in Kerala as also the Vadra issue.

Congress members protested against BJP leader Yashwant Sinha's remarks against Vadra, with Sanjay Nirupam walking into the Well to protest against the charge.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath and his deputy Rajiv Shukla, both seated in the front row, were on their feet. BJP members countered them from their seats.-PTI

India intends to use the Howitzers to modernize its armed forces and enhance its ability to operate in hazardous conditions, DSCA said, adding that India will have no difficulty absorbing these weapons into its armed forces.

"The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," it said.

DSCA said implementation of this proposed sale will require annual trips to India involving up to eight US Government and con-

tractor representatives for technical reviews/support, training, and in-country trials for a period of approximately two years.

There will be no adverse impact on US defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale, it said.

The M777 155mm LightWeight Towed Howitzers made its debut in the war in Afghanistan.

In addition to the United States Army, it is also used by the Australian and Canadian armies. Saudi Arabia has also ordered for M777 Howitzers. -PTI

Modi addresses massive rally in Hyderabad HYDERABAD: Launching his Southern election campaign from here, Narendra Modi on Sunday August 11 appealed to all nonCongress parties to come together to dislodge the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre and to end "dynastic" rule.

In a bid to woo fresh allies, the Gujarat Chief Minister, who is the BJP's national election campaign chief, made a specific appeal to Telugu Demas (TDP), which has inherited the legacy of late N T Rama Rao, a former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, saying it was

in Andhra Pradesh here, what can be a supreme tribute to NTR than providing a non-Congress government," said Modi while addressing a huge gathering at the Lal Bahadur stadium here organized by BJP. Modi ended his 45-minute speech taking a leaf out of US president Barack Obama by making the crowd chant "yes we can".

The Gujarat Chief Minister also took the opportunity to praise L K Advani, who had sulked over his elevation as campaign committee chief.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu, AP BJP president G Kishan Reddy and others waving to the crowd during Navabharata Yuvabheri at Lal Bahadur stadium in Hyderabad

its duty to see that the government at the Centre be made Congress-free.

"Congress party is a burden on this nation. Today I want to remember NTR when I come here.

NTR did service not only to Andhra but the whole of India when he gave boost to anti-Congress politics. It was NTR's efforts that paved the way for formation of a non-Congress government at the Centre.

I appeal to all political parties

He said Advani went across the country in a Yatra seeking to bring back the black money stashed away abroad. The government rejected the demand.

"This raises a question, whose money it is protecting," he said.

Hailing the Public Distribution System implemented by the Raman Singh government in Chhattisgarh, he said if only the Centre adopted it, there was no need for a food security bill.

Cont’d on page 10

6

Top Stories

India Post

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Sharif calls for 'new beginning' Hackers who hit US with India media are back ISLAMABAD: Amid a spurt in tensions over incidents along the LoC, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called for a "new beginning" in ties with India so that all outstanding issues can be settled in a "friendly manner".

"Let us make a new beginning.

Let us sit together to resolve all outstanding issues in a friendly manner and in a peaceful atmosphere," Sharif said in a message telecast on a TV news channel.

Sharif, who has repeatedly spoken of his desire to improve relations with India since he became premier in June, said the two countries should become "good friends".

"We must become good friends. Hold each other's hands.

We must sit together with an open and clean heart," he said.

Addressing the people of India, he said: "We have a lot of love and affection for you and we must become good friends."

Speaking ahead of the Independence Days of both countries, Sharif said before 1947, the people of India and Pakistan used to live together. Now that 65 years of independence have passed, both countries need to improve their

ties for their betterment and prosperity, he said.

Clashes along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir since last month have increased ten-

ceasefire violations" along the LoC. It claimed a civilian was killed in firing by Indian forces at Rawalakot.

Sharif had expressed his sad-

Nawaz Sharif

sions between the two countries.

India accused the Pakistan Army of killing five of its soldiers in an attack along the LoC. The charge was rejected by Pakistan, which summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner Gopal Baglay to protest "continuous

ness over the incidents along the LoC that had resulted in the flaring up of tensions and the loss of "precious human lives".

He also said it was imperative for India and Pakistan to take effective steps to restore the ceasefire on the LoC.-PTI

US judge forces baby to change name from Messiah WASHINGTON: Thou shalt not be named Messiah! A US judge has forced a 7-month-old boy's name to be changed to mundane Martin from Messiah, saying the religious name was earned only by Jesus Christ.

Jaleesa Martin, mother of the baby, is now appealing the court's decision after the judge ordered her son's name be changed.

Messiah's parents could not agree on a last name, and which is why they ended up at a child support hearing in Cocke County Chancery Court, in Tennessee.

That is when the first name of the baby came into question by the judge, 'WBIR-TV' reported.

Judge Lu Ann Ballew ordered the baby's name be changed to "Martin DeShawn McCullough" which includes both parent's last names but leaves out Messiah.

"The word Messiah is a title and it's a title that has only been

earned by one person and that one person is Jesus Christ," Ballew said in the judgment.

Messiah with her mother Jaleesa Martin

"I was shocked. I never intended on naming my son Messiah because it means God and I didn't think a judge could make me change my baby's name because of her religious beliefs."

Martin said.

Ballew said it is the first time she has ordered a first name change. She ruled the decision is best for the child, especially while growing up in a county with a large Christian population.

"It could put him at odds with a lot of people and at this point he has had no choice in what his name is," Ballew said.

Martin's two older children are named Micah and Mason. She liked how the name Messiah sounded alongside the other two siblings and thought it was unique, the report said.

"Everybody believes what they want so I think I should be able to name my child what I want to name him, not someone else," Martin said.

Ballew said the parents will have to change the name on the birth certificate.

However, Martin is appealing against the judge's decision. -PTI

WASHINGTON: The hackers FireEye said its researchers who penetrated the computer net- "spotted the malware when anawork of The New York Times last lyzing a recent attempted attack year have resurfaced with an at- on an organization involved in tack on "an organization involved shaping economic policy." in shaping economic policy," exThe name of the organization perts warned. was not disclosed.

The security firm FireEye said The security firm said the the original perpetrators "appear malware "uses new network trafto be mounting fresh assaults that fic patterns, possibly to evade traleverage new and improved ver- ditional network security syssions of malware."

Revelations about the attacks on The New FireEye said it had York Times and Wall Street Journal height- detected "a retooling of ened tensions between Washington and what security researchers Beijing, prompting believe is a massive spying harsh comments from the White House and operation based in China" other US officials.

Chinese officials repeatedly denied responsibility for tems." the attacks, and since then the The New York Times said in United States has in turn been January that hackers stole its coraccused of penetrating foreign porate passwords and accessed networks through the spy pro- the personal computers of 53 emgrams revealed by leaker Edward ployees after the newspaper pubSnowden. lished a report on the family forFireEye said it had detected "a tune of China's Premier Wen retooling of what security re- Jiabao. searchers believe is a massive The Wall Street Journal said spying operation based in China." later its computers were also hit "The new campaigns mark the by Chinese hackers. The Journal first significant stirrings from the said in a news article that the atgroup since it went silent in Janu- tacks were "for the apparent purary in the wake of a detailed ex- pose of monitoring the pose of the group and its exploits," newspaper's China coverage" and FireEye researchers Ned Moran suggest that Chinese spying on and Nart Villeneuve said in a blog US media "has become a widepost. spread phenomenon." -AFP

MFN for India not under consideration: Pakistan ISLAMABAD: Amid a spike in tensions over clashes along the LoC, Pakistan has said it has no immediate plans to give MFN-status to India as there is a need to normalize bilateral relations.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, a close aide of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, said the government was not considering any proposal to grant Most Favored Nation-status to India.

"Giving MFN-status immediately is not under consideration," Dar told Geo News channel tonight.

"There is no consideration as of now. We need to normalize other things," he said in response to a question on whether MFNstatus would be granted in the wake of an increase in tensions over incidents along the Line of Control.

Pakistan failed to meet a deadline to give MFN-status to India in January as part of efforts to normalize trade relations. India granted MFN-status to Pakistan in 1996.

Dar said "some actors" in India were trying to "sabotage" a proposed meeting between Prime Minister Sharif and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September so that the situation in the region does not improve.

"If there is a conspiracy to spoil relations and scuttle the meeting, it is regrettable. We can't change neighbors and so, we should remain peaceful," he said.

Dar acknowledged that peace in the region and Pakistan's economic development were inter-related. "That is the future.-PTI

Top Stories

August 16, 2013

India Post

7

www.indiapost.com

3 Indians among Britain's most wanted LONDON: Three of Britain's 30 most wanted fraudsters and tax evaders are of Indian-origin who have cost commoners nearly 10 million pounds.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) published an updated gallery, 2013 Most Wanted, which includes Sumir Soni, Anish Anand and Sahil Jain. All three are in their 30s and have warrants issued in their name.

Soni, a British citizen from the Yorkshire region, is wanted in connection with evading duty of 3.6 million pounds from illegal sale and distribution of alcohol and importing nine million cigarettes illegally in 2007 and 2008. He failed to appear at Manchester Crown Court in January 2010 and is believed to be hiding in Kenya at present.

Anand, a non-resident Indian (NRI), failed to appear at Croydon Crown Court in April 2013 in relation to 6 million pounds VAT and film tax credit fraud. He was sentenced to seven years in jail in July 2013. According to HMRC records, he was director of a num-

ber of companies involved in fraud and is believed to be somewhere in the UK at present.

Jain, also an Indian citizen, is believed to be in Britain since his arrest warrant was issued in June

Anand, a non-resident Indian (NRI), failed to appear at Croydon Crown Court in April 2013 in relation to 6 million pounds VAT and film tax credit fraud. He was sentenced to seven years in jail in July 2013 8, 2012 in connection with VAT fraud of about 328,000 pounds. He failed to appear at the Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey in London in June 8, 2012.

The HMRC's most wanted list

was first released last year and resulted in leads in a number of cases. The gallery was viewed over 1.5 million times with new intelligence received from the public on the current whereabouts of 17 of the 20 named on the original list.

This year, the department has also launched an interactive map showing where the tax fugitives are believed to be hiding.

"Our message is clear; tax fraud and evasion is illegal and absolutely unacceptable. The government has invested hundreds of millions of pounds in HMRC's enforcement activities to enable them to pursue tax cheats like these relentlessly. We hope that the publication of HMRC's Most Wanted will help get them caught and ensure they are brought to justice," said UK Chancellor George Osborne.

However, opposition Labor party's Catherine McKinnell said it was a "huge failure" that one year on, so many on the mostwanted list had still not been caught.-PTI

India & Pak need to take steps to improve: US WASHINGTON: Expressing concern about recent violence along the Line of Control, the United States has said India and Pakistan need to keep taking steps to improve trust and improve their relationship.

"We're aware of these reports and are concerned about any violence, as we always are along the Line of Control, and we continue to press and hope that India and Pakistan will continue the steps they have recently taken to improve their bilateral relations," the State Department spokesperson, Marie Harf said.

The United States believes that the pace, scope, and character of India and Pakistan's dialogue on Kashmir is for those two countries to determine, she said.

"These are discussions that happen in those two countries among their own two govern-

ments, and that's the appropriate place for that determination to be made," she said.

Harf insisted that Kashmir and

Marie Harf

extremism are two separate issues.

"I think we're talking about two separate issues here. I'd want to make a distinction between the Kashmir issue and the broader issue of our concern about extremism in that region.

Our position on Kashmir has not changed, and I have nothing further to add on that," Harf said. -PTI

8

India Post

Top Stories

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Illegal immigrants in UK want to return to India LONDON: Amid a row over the UK government's controversial anti-immigrant campaign, a British Sikh leader has claimed

that many illegal immigrants from India are keen to return home.

Gurmel Singh-Kandola, secretary-gen-

eral of the Sikh Council, said that he believes there are a number of Indians from Punjab and Delhi, who entered the UK illegally and are now stuck here unable to work or fund their return without proper documentation.

"Many of them have been trafficked by unscrupulous agents who take a lot of money from them. In fact they are stuck.

They want to go home on a voluntary basis and what we need is processes to facilitate that," he said.

"Their plight is well known; they are sleeping very rough under bridges and in multiple occupancies, sometimes in sheds in the back of people's gardens. We have

been quite concerned about the abject poverty in which they are living," he said.

The Sikh Council has initiated talks with the Home Office to see how it can prepare to help illegal immigrants return to their home countries.

After receiving 60 complaints against the Home Office's "Go Home" ad-vans circulating around Britain in the last few weeks, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has launched an investigation.

"Complainants have expressed concerns that the ad, in particular the phrase 'Go Home', is offensive and irresponsible because it is reminiscent of slogans used by racist groups to attack immigrants in the past and could incite or exacerbate racial hatred and tensions in multicultural communities," an ASA spokesperson said.

"If it (ad van) said something like, 'If you want to go home contact this number' or 'assistance is available to return home', I think it would have been the same message but delivered more softly," Singh-Kandola told the Daily Mail.

The ASA's probe comes in addition to another investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) into a wave of immigration checks across the country.

The EHRC launched the probe after it was claimed that the spot checks - conducted at transport hubs up and down the country - were being carried out by border officials purely on the basis of ethnicity. PTI

Sikh groups seek prosecution of Sukhbir Badal in Canada WASHINGTON: Having failed multiple times to nail Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, North American Sikh groups have now sought prosecution of his son Sukhbir in a Canadian court in an alleged case of human rights violation.

Sukhbir is scheduled to visit Canada in September to hold meetings with the Canadian officials and business leaders.

The case against Sukhbir, the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, will be filed by the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and Canadian Sikh Coalition (CSC), a non-governmental organization representing over 50 Sikh Gurdwaras and societies.

This follows after the New York-based SFJ repeatedly failed to have a similar case filed against Parkash Singh Badal in a US court.

SFJ and CSC have alleged that several Sikh Canadians were abducted, tortured and extra judicially killed by Indian security forces for actively campaigning for Sikh rights.

SFJ and CSC are seeking the prosecution and arrest warrants for Sukhbir during his upcoming visit to Canada under the Criminal Code of Canada Section 269.1, which provides that "every official, or every person acting at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of an official, who inflicts torture on any other person is guilty of an indictable offence".-PTI

August 16, 2013

Top Stories

India Post

9

www.indiapost.com

'Nawaz to name new army chief before Kayani retires' ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif plans to name Pakistan's new army chief weeks before Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani's term ends in November to quell speculation about the issue, according to a media report.

Sharif's move is aimed at quashing an ongoing guessing game about Kayani's successor and ensuring a smooth transition at a time when the military is fighting militants on many fronts, The Express Tribune quoted its sources as saying.

Consultations have already begun to choose Kayani's successor. The government will not wait until November 28. The decision will come much earlier than the cut-off date, said an unnamed close aide to the premier.

Kayani, 61, was appointed the army chief by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in 2007. He was given an unprecedented three-year extension by then premier Yousuf Raza Gilani in 2010 and is set to retire on November 28.

The revelation by one of Sharif's close aides corroborates an earlier statement by

Two Indian nationals jailed for fake jewellery scam SINGAPORE: Two Indian nationals have been jailed here for a fake jewellery scam they carried out last year, according to a media report.

Gurpreet Ram Sidhu (22) and Jaswinder Singh Brar (38) were jailed for pawning goldplated copper items and raking in 55,310 Singapore dollars, The Straits Times said.

Sidhu was jailed for 15 months for his role in conspiring to cheat 11 pawnshops between April and October last while Brar has been awarded a ten-month sentence for pawning 30,360 Singapore dollar worth of fake jewellery.

The duo were in Singapore on social visit passes and could have been jailed for up to 10 years.

A third Indian national, Jagtar Singh (28), had approached Sidhu for the scheme of pawning fake jewellery, all of which was gold-plated copper with hooks and fastenings made of solid gold, according to the report.

Singh told Sidhu to wear the fake items, and remove them in front of the pawnshop staff showing that he owns them.

The staff would check the jewellery for number "916" ensuring that it was made of 91.6 per cent gold and carry out chemical tests on hooks and fastening, which were of solid gold.

Sidhu also got three other Indian national flat mates to pawn several items without revealing to them that the jewellery was fake. For his part in the scam, Brar convinced his girlfriend, Noor Mardiah Saleh (25), to help pawn the items and as Singaporean bargain for a better price.

Noor allegedly recruited three other Singaporeans for the scam.

The pawnshops paid out between 2,100 and 5,000 Singapore dollars for each item pawned.-PTI

senior PML-N leader Raja Zafarul Haq, who recently told reporters the government would soon complete consultations over appointing a new army chief.

Siddiqul Farooq, the spokesman for the ruling PML-N, only said a decision would be taken at an "appropriate time".

The appointment of the next army chief has gained wide attention in view of past difficulties faced by civilian governments in appointing persons to the coveted military post.

The previous government led by the Pakistan People's Party had a chance to

appoint a new army chief in November 2010 but instead opted to extend Kayani's tenure.

The PML-N's decision regarding the new army chief is under the scanner because of the party's "close yet troubled ties" with the powerful military establishment, which was twice involved in ousting Sharif from power, the report said.

Critics argue that during the previous two appointments by Sharif, Gen Waheed Kakar in 1993 and Gen Pervez Musharraf in 1998, the premier preferred loyalty over merit.

Recent public pronouncements by Sharif reflect a growing realization that he made a mistake in ignoring merit while making the crucial appointment.

If the principle of seniority is strictly adhered to, Lt Gen Haroon Aslam, currently Chief of Logistics Staff, will be the senior most general when Kayani steps down.

Aslam will be followed by Lt Gen Rashid Mehmood, Chief of General Staff, and Lt Gen Raheel Sharif. According to defense sources, Sharif would be sent a shortlist of three generals from which he would pick one. -PTI

Top Stories

10 India Post

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Narendra Modi gets invite Life sentence for Indian origin man in Fiji to visit Britain LONDON: Nearly 10 months after the British government warmed upto Narendra Modi, the India groups of the country's two main political parties have invited the Gujarat chief minister to visit the UK. The ball was set rolling by the Opposition party's Labour Friends of India when its chairman, Barry Gardiner MP, sent a letter to Modi last week inviting him to the House of Commons to speak on 'The Future of Modern India'.

"The invitation is a culmination of several years of engagement between senior representatives of the Labour Party and Narendra Modi," the Labour MP for Brent North said.

"I am sure people in the UK and indeed the international community would be very interested to meet and hear what Narendra Modi has to say first hand. He is a politician who cannot be ignored.

I believe it's in Britain's best interests that we engage with him as both the chief minister of Gujarat and also potential prime minister," he added.

"I, like many colleagues within the Labour Party, look forward to welcoming chief minister Modi to the UK. I last had the pleasure of meeting him in Gujarat in 2009. His return visit to the UK is long overdue," said Stephen Pound MP, former chair of Labour Friends of India.

In a rare show of political unity, the Conservative Friends of India issued their own invite for the chairman of the BJP's national election committee a day later on August 9.

Its co-chairman, Sailesh Vara MP, struck a personal note in his letter expressing a wish to "finally meet" Modi.

"It would be a great privilege for us to host an event for you. I very much hope that you will take us up on this invitation when opportunity allows," wrote Vara, the Tory MP for North West Cambridgeshire.

The UK government, like the US, had distanced itself from

deserve a change. Narendra Modi is someone who has all the talent to lead the world's largest democracy," Lord Noon said.

The Gujarat chief minister's office confirmed it had received invitations from both Labour and Conservative parliamentary groups. "Modi is grateful for the

invitations, but has no immediate plans to visit the UK," a spokesperson said.

October 22 last year, James Bevan, UK's High Commissioner in India, met with Modi, ending a 10-year boycott of the BJP leader

by Britain over the 2002 communal riots.

Earlier this year, European Union also ended its a decade-old boycott of the Gujarat chief minister over the issue when envoys and representatives of several EU member countries hosted a luncheon meeting for Modi in New Delhi.-PTI

Ace shooter Sodhi named for Khel Ratna, cricketer Kohli for Arjuna NEW DELHI: Trap shooter Ronjan Sodhi, the first Indian to win two back-to-back World Cup gold medals, has been recommended for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, while star cricketer Virat Kohli was among the 15 sportspersons picked for the Arjuna award by the selection committee in New Delhi.

Rising badminton player PV Sindhu, who became the first Indian woman shuttler to clinch a bronze medal at the recentlyconcluded World Champion-

ships, was also in the list of 15 chosen players for the Arjuna award, sources told PTI.

Ronjan Sodhi

to one count of murder and will re-appear in court on the ninth of next month.

"This accused has taken the lives of two very young men who had never even reached their prime, all in a fit of anger over a relationship that he perceived one of the deceased was having with his niece," Justice Paul Madigan said.

"The young men did not expect that sharing an evening beer would result in their violent deaths. The accused had in his interview with the police told them that he set out that evening with an intention to end Abhishek's life because of the relationship with the niece," Justice Madigan said, quoted by Fiji Times.

The judge ordered that Chand could only apply for pardon after serving a minimum of 25 years. PTI

Modi addresses massive rally in Hyderabad

Narendra Modi

Modi in the aftermath of the 2002 Gujarat riots. However after a series of meetings over the years, initiated by the likes of prominent British Indian economist Lord Meghnad Desai and Barry Gardiner MP, the Conservativeled coalition was forced to re-establish diplomatic ties with the Modi administration last year.

Lord Gulam Noon, a prominent British Indian Labour peer and one time critic of Modi, welcomed the latest invite for him to visit the UK. "I think it's the right thing to do and the right time to do it.

India's 1.2 billion people want and

MELBOURNE: An Indian origin farmer has been sentenced to life by a court in Fiji for murdering two fellow Indians.

The High Court in Labasa sentenced 31-year old Nilesh Chand to life imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to murdering Abhishek Kumar and Samuel Vikash Nand at Korosomo in Seaqaqa.

The bodies of Kumar and Nand were discovered in Korosomo, after their families reported them missing.

The court heard Chand had every intention of ending the life of Kumar who was in a romantic but platonic relationship with his niece, FBC News reported. Chand lured the two boys to Korosomo where they drank beer before he killed them.

A second accused, Tevita Dutaboto has pleaded not guilty

Apart from Sindhu, triplejumper Renjith Maheshwary, who won a bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games with a national record, and rising golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar were also picked for the Arjuna award this year by the selection committee headed by billiards legend Michael Ferreira.

Sodhi, who had a disastrous outing at the London Olympics last year, is a former world number one.

Cont’d on page 11

Cont’d from page 5

many years and the maximum number of suicides of youths are happening in these states," he said.

Modi also attacked Congress over the manner in which it decided to create a separate state of Telganana.

"What are these actions from the Congress party, which are creating wedge between two brothers," he asked, maintaining that while he always supported the creation of Telangana he had also

He also complimented his colleague Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for his schemes aimed at benefiting girl child.

Modi had a dig at the UPA's food security measure and its plank of inclusive growth.

"Congress has done nothing inclusive only excluded people.

Today the word Inclusive Growth is popular. Was this word there earlier? Why has it to be used today? Today Congress has made He recalled how NDA condition of poor such they have to talk of food government under Atal security," he said.

Bihari Vajpayee created Modi also praised the governance model three new states of of Tamil Nadu Chief Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and Minister J Jayalalitha of AIADMK in whom the Chattisgarh without any NDA sees a possible hostilities in any region ally.

Maintaining that development is the only way for- promised "no injustice will hapward to solve all problems, Modi pen to Seemandhra."

He recalled how NDA governsaid, "Congress refuses to walk on path of development because ment under Atal Bihari Vajpayee created three new states of they cannot answer the people."

Holding that corruption has Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and ruined the nation, Modi said, Chattisgarh without any hostili"There is nothing left where Con- ties in any region.

At the public meeting, Modi gress has not done corruption."

"You are concerned about In- took blessings from two senior dia. I am concerned about the citizens - a freedom fighter and a youths of the country. Congress woman - who made it a point to has a government in Andhra attend the rally though the event Pradesh and Maharashtra for was mainly meant for youth.-PTI

Top Stories

August 16, 2013

India Post

11

www.indiapost.com

I had a chance to score a triple hundred: Dhawan

O

pening batsman Shikhar Dhawan said he could have hit a triple ton but was happy with his whirlwind 248

happy with what I scored though.

It did cross my mind that I joined Sachin 'paaji' and Viru 'paaji' in scoring a double century in a one-

a favorite knock out of the three," he added.

This year, Dhawan has been in fine form scoring four interna-

tional centuries - one in Tests and three in ODIs. He was also the Man of the Series in the Champions Trophy that was won by India.

"I had scored 85 in the previous match (vs Australia A) and I wanted to score a big hundred for the team because our batsmen were all getting out in the 80s and 90s," he said.

"A big century was necessary

for setting a good total. Once I crossed 100, I was in a different flow. I thought my shot selection was excellent and things went my way," he added.

"This will remain one of my favorite matches because I scored 200 for the first time in a 50-over game. Unfortunately it wasn't broadcast live on television but that's fine because I loved batting," said Dhawan.

Will work with whoever wins in India: US WASHINGTON: The United States will work with whichever side emerges victorious in next year's general elections in India, the Obama Administration has said.

"We, as the US State Department and US Government don't

Shikhar Dhawan

in the 39-run win over South Africa A that took India A to the triseries final against Australia A. Dhawan Monday (Aug 12) fell 20 runs short of the world record List A (limited overs) score - England batsman Alistair Brown's 268 for Surrey vs Glamorgan at The Oval in 2002.

But Dhawan's 150-ball 248 was the highest by an Indian after Virender Sehwag (219 n.o) and Sachin Tendulkar (200 n.o). Earlier this year, Dhawan also struck the fastest century by a Test debutant.

"I was aware of the record and it felt really special to score these runs," Dhawan told bcci.tv.

"When I got out in the 44th over it occurred to me that had I batted till the end I had a chance to score a triple hundred. I am

day game," he said.

Dhawan enjoyed his innings against South Africa in their own backyard in a series that is a warmup for India's tour later this year.

"I especially enjoyed it as it came against a South African side in their own backyard. They are very tough to play at home and they play good quality cricket," Dhawan said.

The southpaw admitted that Sachin and Sehwag's double centuries were more important in the context.

"Those were two of the greatest innings in cricket history and they came at the international level. So, they are much bigger than my innings," Dhawan said.

"I've always loved watching them bat. But I love my batting as well. So, it's difficult for me to pick

Ace shooter Sodhi named for Khel Ratna, cricketer Kohli for Arjuna Cont’d from page 10

He was a double trap goldmedalist at last year's Asian

Virat Kohli

Games, besides being a silvermedalist at the Commonwealth Games.

Once his name is ratified by the Sports Ministry, the 33-year-old, who was conferred the Arjuna award in 2009, will become the seventh shooter to be honored with the Khel Ratna.

Interestingly, it is for the third consecutive year that a Khel Ratna award has gone to a shooter. Gagan Narang had been presented the award in 2011, followed by Vijay Kumar last year.

Vijay, a London Olympics silver medalist, was the joint winner along with wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, who won a bronze at the same event.-PTI

take sides and don't pick who we think should be winners of elections. We'll work with whoever the elected winners are at the outcome of that election," the State Department spokesperson, Marie Harf, said. -PTI

Tech News Andhra Bank eyes 17 pc business growth CHANDIGARH: State-owned Andhra Bank is eyeing 17 per cent growth in total business in current fiscal and plans to expand operations by opening 200 more branches with a focus on agriculture and SME sectors.

"We are expecting 17 per cent growth in our business in this fiscal which is more than the banking industry's anticipated 15 per cent growth," Andhra Bank CMD, B A Prabhakar told reporters here.

Total business of Andhra Bank stood at Rs 2.26 lakh crore comprising Rs 1.25 lakh crore of deposits for the last fiscal.

"Our focus will be on those sectors which are not affected by the slowdown like SME, agriculture and retail," he said, adding that the corporate loan would be restricted to the extent of working capital requirements.

He said that the bank was expecting the share of corporate loan in total advances to decrease by 52 per cent to 50 per cent this fiscal. In last fiscal, its share was 57 per cent.

On ramping up banking operations, CMD said the bank has plans to open 200 more branches taking the branch network to more than 2,000 in current fiscal.

"We intend to open 50 per cent of planned branches in Punjab, Haryana, UP, Bihar and Karnataka while remaining 50 per cent will be in Andhra Pradesh," said Prabhakar.-PTI

Common Facility Centers to act as boon for MSMEs: CII CHANDIGARH: Industry body CII has welcomed the Haryana government's move to set up 31 Common Facility Centers (CFCs), saying that it is a much needed step towards strengthening the MSME sector.

"This move will surely act as institutional support mechanism for the MSME sector which is facing severe slowdown.

The CFCs will act as a platform for testing and establishing newer designs and prototypes as well," said Jayant Davar, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Northern Region here.

CFCs under cluster format is imperative so as to make processes and products more cost effective, marketable and self-sustainable, he added.

Other northern states like Punjab, HP and J &K etc should also come out with such initiatives and set up Incubation Centers (workspace) facilities at low rents and help the youth with some capital investments to motivate them to implement their new and bright ideas, said Davar. -PTI

TechBiz 12 India Post

www.indiapost.com

August 16, 2013

Over Rs 2,150 crore tax evasion detected NEW DELHI: Stepped up efforts by Indian Finance Ministry to check revenue leakage have resulted in a detection of evasion of over Rs 2,158 crore in direct and indirect taxes in the last quarter of 2012-13.

The detection came through a unique initiative of online monitoring system of suspicious transactions, named 'Virtual Office', which was set up by the ministry earlier this year for real-time coordination among revenue intelligence agencies and dissemination of various inputs pertaining to movement of illegal funds.-PTI

Google to celebrate India's Independence Day with awards for nonprofits WASHINGTON: Ahead of India's Independence Day celebrations this week, internet giant Google announced launching of 'Google Impact Challenge in India', inviting Indian nonprofits to explain how they would use technology to improve people's lives.

At the end of the challenge, four nonprofits will each receive a Rs 3 crore (around USD 500,000) Global Impact Award and technical assistance from Google to bring their projects to life, the California-based tech major announced.

"On the eve of India's Independence Day, we're celebrating the spirit of creativity and entrepreneurship of the world's largest democracy by spotlighting the best local nonprofits that are using technology to make the world better," Nikesh Arora, senior vice president and chief business officer, Google said on a blog post.

"We're launching the Google Impact Challenge in India, invit-

ing Indian nonprofits to tell us how they'd use technology to im-

(around USD 500,000) Global Impact Award and technical assis-

Arora said registered Indian nonprofits can apply online until September 5. Googlers from India, and around the world, will review applications and announce the 10 best projects on October 21. "You can learn more about the top 10 finalists then, and cast a vote� prove people's lives. At the end of the challenge, four nonprofits will each receive a Rs 3 crore

tance from Google to bring their projects to life," he wrote.

Arora said registered Indian

nonprofits can apply online until September 5.

Googlers from India, and around the world, will review applications and announce the 10 best projects on October 21.

"You can learn more about the top 10 finalists then, and cast a vote for who you think should receive the Fan Favorite award," Arora said.

"On October 31, I'll join Ram Shriram, Jacquelline Fuller, Anu Aga and Jayant Sinha in Delhi to hear the 10 finalists pitch live. As judges, we'll select three awardees based on their potential impact, scalability and ingenuity. We'll also announce the winner of the Fan Favorite, according to your vote," he wrote.

"Growing up in India, I've seen firsthand the vibrancy and innovativeness of India's social entrepreneurs. I'm excited to see their projects and support their ideas for how to use technology and Rs 3 crores to change the world," Arora wrote. -PTI

Tata Steel rail contract to link S Arabia's holy cities DUBAI: Indian steel major Tata Steel has won an order to manufacture 60,000 tonnes of high-quality rails for a new highspeed line linking the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia, the company said.

The new railway will allow millions of pilgrims to cross the 444 kilometers between the two cities at speeds of 320 kmh. The line will cross the Arabian desert, withstanding temperatures ranging from freezing to 50 degrees celsius as well as sand storms, flash flooding and shifting dunes, the company said in a statement.

"This is a prestigious project which will see the holy cities being linked by rail for the first time. Tata Steel is delighted to be contributing to this highspeed line, which will have to overcome some major challenges presented by building a

high-capacity rail line across some of the most extreme terrain in the world," Gerard Glas, Rail Sector Head for Tata Steel said.

Steel for the project will be made at Tata Steel's Scunthorpe plant in UK before being rolled

into rail in lengths of 25 meters both there and at the company's plant in Hayange, Northern France.

Work on producing the rail will start at the end of this year and is expected to continue through-

out 2014.

Last year the Saudi Railways Organization awarded the contract for the final phase of completing, running and maintaining the Haramain High-Speed Rail Project to a group of Spanish companies.

The new line is expected to carry around 160,000 people a day and even more during the Hajj pilgrimage. They will be transported on a fleet of 35 new high-speed trains.

The project started in 2009, with an estimated cost of more than 12 billion euros. The new rail line is set to open to the public in late 2014 or early 2015.

Besides the two holy cities, the line will have three other stops, two in Jeddah for commuters and one in Saudi Arabia's under-construction King Abdullah Economic City.

-PTI

TechBiz Post

August 16, 2013

India Post 13

www.indiapost.com

Delhi's Taj Mansingh hotel to go under hammer soon NEW DELHI: Delhi's Taj Mansingh hotel will be auctioned soon and Tata-owned Indian Hotels, which has been running the renowned property for last 35 years, may not get the first right of refusal in the bid.

The Home Ministry will soon

Last fortnight, the Ministry had issued a show-cause notice to the NDMC asking it to clarify why the municipal body has been delaying the auction for the past two years.

"So far, the NDMC has not sent any reply, implying that it has noth-

give a direction to the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), which owns the property located in the heart of the national capital on Mansingh road, to do the needful for its immediate auctioning.

ing to say. So, we will soon give a directive to the NDMC to start the process of conducting the auctioning immediately," a senior Home Ministry official said.

Home Ministry is the adminis-

TCS signs deal with Aussie beauty & health firm NEW DELHI: IT services firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) says it has been selected by Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API) to unify the firm's IT systems across retail and wholesale operations.

The beauty and health retail firm's services include wholesale product delivery, retail services, marketing programs and business advisory services.

TCS, however, did not reveal the size of the deal.

After a series of mergers and acquisitions and fast-paced business growth, API needed to up-

date and replace many of its key IT systems, TCS said in a release.

"API selected TCS as its strategic partner and under the terms of the agreement, TCS will deliver API with a SAP ERP platform that integrates with API's legacy systems providing improvements in mission-critical business operations such as merchandising, sales and customer service, logistics and finance," it added.

API will benefit from enhanced customer service capabilities, improved logistics and finance processes, and better operational efficiencies, it said.

"API is a key win for TCS as we expand our footprint in retail, and further demonstrates our leadership as an SAP partner and solution provider of choice," TCS CEO (Australia and New Zealand) Deborah Hadwen said.-PTI

trative authority of NDMC. The property, constructed by NDMC, was given to Indian Hotels Company Limited on lease for 33 years. When the lease came to an end in 2011 and NDMC was about to renew the lease, the Urban Development Ministry intervened and asked it to auction the property.

As time was running out, the NDMC gave a year's extension to IHCL. While the company expected the lease to be renewed in October 2012, the process was stalled temporarily as NDMC could not take a final call. The property's lease was again extended. -PTI

'Britannia to focus on bakery and dairy biz to drive growth' KOLKATA: FMCG major Britannia Industries would focus mainly on the bakery and dairy businesses to propel growth in the near and long term, according to company chairman Nusli Wadia.

"Our plan is to grow the bakery and dairy businesses", Wadia told shareholders at the company's 94th annual general meeting here.

"We have serious intentions for our dairy business and going to invest in it", he said.

He said that for that purpose, the company would continue to invest in back-end operations and make substantial spends in advertising.

Wadia said that the company had set up two new units at Patna and Odisha, adding that another greenfield unit would also come up.

Later, managing director of Britannia Vinita Bali said at a news conference that the company had been able to register 92 per cent rise in post-tax profit in the first quarter by dint of better product mix and cost management.

"As the commodity prices have stabilized, we have posted healthy profits", she said.

Bali said that new bakery plant would come up at Gujarat at a cost of Rs 50 crore.

Referring to the dairy business, Bali said that it was very small compared to the bakery business as it contributed only ten per cent of the total revenue. "But the business has a huge potential for growth", Bali said. The business quadrupled in the last five years, she said. -PTI

14

TechBiz Post

India Post

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Dubai to unveil a home for super-jumbo A-380s NEW DELHI: Dubai airport is slated to open the world's largest business and first class lounges in January next year at the new concourse coming up at a cost of USD four billion to house 28 superjumbo A-380s at a time.

Apart from accommodating the double-decker Airbus A-380s, the 11-floor concourse, with a capacity of handling 11 million passengers a year, would have a five-star

business class lounge would house 2,500. The long lounges would have mirror foot- print, that is the same facilities would be provided on both sides of the floor, he told PTI from Dubai.

"The new concourse, a USD four billion project opening on January 2, will house 28 A-380s at one time. You can board the aircraft from the lounge itself through separate aerobridges connecting

and a four-star hotels with over 200 rooms.

Two lounges for First and Business Class passengers would occupy an entire floor each, extending to almost 900 meters or nearly a km long, said Don Surrendra, Manager (Product Development) of Emirates Airport Services.

While the first class lounge would have a capacity of accommodating 1,400 at a time and the

the aircraft. This is a unique facility not provided by any airline in the world so far," he claimed.

Asked how many Indian passengers used lounges on an average, Surrendra said a total of 1.5 million passengers used the Emirates lounges in Dubai in the last financial year. "Of this, roughly 11 per cent were from India, reflecting a very strong demographic trend."

With a capacity to handle 15 million passengers a year, the 'Home of the Emirates A380' would be equipped with unique doubledecker air contact bridges and direct lounge boarding for First and Business Class customers.

A unique feature would be duty-free shops inside the lounge area, which would enable passengers to shop there itself. It would also have a children's play area and prayer rooms, Surrendra said.

Apart from food and beverages, the lounge would have 15 spas, numerous showers, wi-fi facilities, business centers and TV lounges.

The menu at the food section, which is already very popular with regular fliers, is rotated every month and has vegetarian dishes for Indian passengers.

Dubai Airport has already invited bids from food and beverage operators and selective retailservice providers for awarding concessions to set up facilities at the concourse.

These would include 24-hour restaurants, licensed bars, coffee shops, specialty concepts and fast food.

Dubai airport connects customers to over 260 destinations in six continents on more than 140 airlines. Passenger numbers are expected to surpass 66 million in 2013 and exceed 78 million in two years.

Once complete, it would be home to the over 100 international airlines that currently use Concourse C and will serve up to 18 million passengers annually. -PTI

Car company's big plans haven't materialized TUNICA, Miss.: Four years ago, a startup car company announced with great fanfare big plans for the Mississippi Delta: Using money from foreign investors and other sources, it would build a massive auto plant to churn out a new line of energyefficient cars and bring thousands of jobs to the area.

It seemed like a win for everyone involved. The foreign investors who plunked down at least $500,000 for the venture would get the opportunity to stay in the United States and a path to citizenship, an impoverished area of Mississippi would get some desperately needed jobs, the state would generate tax revenues, and

the political leaders involved would be able to tout job-creation prowess.

Today, the place where the plant was to be remains mostly vacant except for a temporary construction trailer. The company GreenTech Automotive Inc. - is under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the probe is reverberating well beyond Mississippi's borders, bringing scrutiny to a Virginia gubernatorial candidate and the company run by the brother of former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. ``Back in 2009, it was a big deal,'' said 21-year-old casino employee Perry Turner, who lives across the

highway from GreenTech's mostly empty site in rural Tunica County. ``I haven't heard much else a bout it.''

Some analysts say it was a risky business plan and foreign investors may have been more interested in an easy way to get a visa and a chance at citizenship than trying to support a venture that had a high chance to turn a profit or create jobs.

On that overcast day in October 2009, GreenTech's owner, Chinese businessman Xiaolin ``Charles'' Wang, unveiled four prototype cars during a flashy ceremony and promised to build a $2 billon plant in the heart of the Mississippi Delta.-AP

GVK to sell stake in airport business HYDERABAD: GVK Group, which manages Mumbai and Bengaluru international airports, has received proposals from as many as five companies to sell stake in the airport business and a deal is likely to be sealed by this fiscal end.

According to Isaac George, director of finance and chief executive of GVK's construction business, four of the five companies which have evinced interest to pick up stake are strategic investors.

and Bengaluru Airports. It holds 37 and 43 per cent stake respectively in the airports.

According to George, four people have completed the due diligence and the company has signed term sheets with three companies.

Another investor is expected to give term sheet this week.

Meanwhile, George also said GVK requested IDBI and IDFC -the lead financiers for its power projects in Andhra Pradesh -- to allow the group to give an 'ex-

The other one is a financial entity.

"We are looking at Rs 2,500 crore. Depending up on the valuation, we may go for 25 to 35 per cent stake dilution," George said on sidelines of GVK Power & Infrastructure AGM. "We want to close this (due diligence) part by September end.

Then, we will see which one is the best. We will have to go to CCI, we will have to go to FIPB. (They are) all separate processes. It may take another 5 months after that" he added.

GVK currently runs Mumbai

tended moratorium', or deferment of the principal amount of loan by two years. This is because, as the plants are not able to operate due to gas shortage from Reliance D-6 field.

"It is an extended moratorium we are asking. IDBI is the lead banker and IDFC is also lent. Both of them have principally agreed.

They are working on the modalities," he added.

GVK has requested the lenders to shift the payment of principal amount which is two-year debt of Rs 500 crore. -PTI

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

India Post 15

16 India Post

www.indiapost.com

August 16, 2013

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

India Post 17

18 India Post

www.indiapost.com

August 16, 2013

Desi News Ro backs Obama on mortgage finance reform

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

India Post News Service

FREMONT, CA: Ro Khanna, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce and candidate for California's 17th congressional district, has issued the following statement on President Obama's call for mortgage finance reform: "I strongly support President Obama's proposal to phase out the mortgage lending giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Inadequate oversight of these agencies contributed to one of the worst financial disasters in history and cost taxpayers $187.5 billion.

Subsequent attempts at reform have been watered down in Congress through aggressive lobbying and campaign contributions. It's time to take politics out of the housing market by passing the President's plan. Congress should also support his call to help firsttime homebuyers and create more affordable rental housing, which is particularly important in the Bay Area with our high housing prices."

Honda plans bill to strengthen social security India Post News Service

FREMONT, CA: At a press conference in Fremont, Rep Mike Honda (D-Calif.) outlined a proposal he will introduce in Congress that will increase Social Security's solvency and expand benefits to current and future recipients. He was joined by Fremont Mayor Bill Harrison and Newark Mayor Alan Nagy, as well as constituents from the 17th district who currently receive Social Security benefits and would positively benefit from the changes.

Said Rep. Honda at the event: "Now is the time for us to work together to strengthen Social Security to make current and future retirees more secure. The federal government must fulfill its promise to its people, and that starts by asking all Americans to pay their fair share into a system that benefits everyone. The greatest tragedy of all would be allowing our seniors to enter their retirement stripped of dignity and financial safety."

Also speaking at the event were 17th district constituents who rely on Social Security and would benefit greatly from Rep. Honda's legislation, including Pat Danielson, a Newark resident who provides health information services to Bay Area hospitals, and William Alexander, a retired plumber from Fremont with long-term health issues.

Feasts & fun at Indo-Pak Unity Day Details on page 26

19 India Post

www.indiapost.com

August 16, 2013

2014 will herald another 'khichdi' at Center SURENDRA ULLAL India Post News Service

I

ndia Post, as has been its tra dition, had conducted a sur vey among Indian American leaders with regard to the forthcoming national elections in 2014.

The questions were put to assess their views on the possible outcome, inflow of foreign funds influencing the elections, the misuse of government machinery to change the election outcome and lastly, their choice of PM. The consensus that we had last week was that there would be another 'khichdi' government at the Center and that the impact of foreign funds would be not much.

There was no clear choice about PM but most agreed that Rahul Gandhi would not be a good choice.

Janab Iftekhar Shareef

Here we have a few more Indian American leaders expressing their views: IFTEKHAR SHAREEF, a front ranking community activist and Trustee Board chair of FIA, said the elections in 2014 will be a neck to neck race between UPA and NDA with both very much balanced with their allies. For the last three elections minority votes have been the deciding factor. If election happens today, UPA will emerge as the lead coalition, he observed.

"But any small factor does make a big difference amongst Indian voters. We remember 1999 elections NDA won because of simple onion prices going up. Today we have issues of corruption, atroci-

ties against women, soaring petrol, diesel and cooking gas prices, recent calamities and many other such issues", he said. However he felt that 2002 Gujarat incident can hurt BJP nationwide, especially among minorities. But if things are neck to neck, I strongly believe that UPA will form the new

the post of PM. There are more senior qualified leaders in the party like Chidambaramji, Salman Khursheed ji, Shusheel Kumar Shinde, Kamalnath ji and more.

"In case of the BJP, Narendra Modi should wait a little more and clear himself from the 2002 incidents as cases are still pending

“In case of the BJP, Narendra Modi should wait a little more and clear himself from the 2002 incidents as cases are still pending against him and investigations are still on.

Modi Ji needs to take into confidence all the minorities including Muslims, Christians, Dalits and other caste people” government in 2014.

Iftekhar did not feel that money from Indian-Americans will have anything to do with funding in the elections of India. "First of all India does not allow any funds from foreign sources. May be from Gulf countries Indians as they are still holding Indian citizenship, they legally could support the process.

In States like Kerala, Gujarat and Punjab, heavy presence of NRIs and their funding may be justified," he said.

About muscle power and misuse of government machinery, Iftekhar said that media is playing a big role in the process. "I do not think any manipulation or misuse is possible. Everything is computerized. It is a little different in rural areas where money could play a significant role," he pointed out.

against him and investigations are still on. Modi Ji needs to take into confidence all the minorities including Muslims, Christians, Dalits and other caste people.

There are more qualified leaders like L.K Advani Ji, Rajnath Singh Ji, Arun Jaitley Ji and Shivraj Singh Chauhan; even Sushma Swaraj Ji," he opined.

LAJ MADAN a prominent businessman and jeweler said that he would like to be proven wrong "but I am a bit pessimistic and believe that because of the role of big money, the Congress Party will survive at the Center." The party is also be aided by two big factors: vote bank politics and pseudo-secularists, who are "incurable cowards."

With regard to flow of funds from abroad, Madan said that with-

‘The ruling cabal has no compunction in using any and all available means at its disposal which range from abusive use of CBI to launch motivated investigations to employing henchmen to launch smear campaigns, misuse of the compliant press and so many dirty tricks’ His views on choice of PM candidate were that one can suggest one's own candidate "but it is the matter for party to decide who will be its PM candidate "In my view Rahul Gandhi is still not ready for

out discounting foreign funds, the current ruling establishment is awash with ill gotten wealth in the hands of domestic mafia, working directly and conniving at the behest of this ruling dynasty.

The ruling cabal has no compunction in using any and all available means at its disposal which range from abusive use of CBI to launch motivated investigations to employing henchmen to launch smear campaigns, misuse of the compliant press and so many dirty tricks in helping create communal disinformation.

Responding to question about future Indian PM, he observed that "seriously, it will amount to no less than a natural disaster and one of the greatest misfortunes a nation could suffer if Rahul Gandhi were to become the Prime Minister of our great nation. " DR RAM GAJELA, former president of Indo American Democratic organization and a community activist, said that multiplicity of parties, including a good number of regional parities influenc-

Dr Ram Gajela

ing elections at the local level, would not ensure a single national party to gain upper hand in the 2014 elections for Federal government. "Coalition will be the rule of the day," he observed.

Responding to the question of influence of money on the elections outcome, Dr Gajela said that much would depend on the caliber and popularity of the candidates seeking elections. "If the electorate likes a particular candidate, money would not pay a significant role. At micro level, it could be but not at macro level," he felt.

Besdies, the same yardstick would apply to the use of muscle power or/ and misuse of government machinery.

Cont’d on page 22

Community Across America

20 India Post

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

AIA honors Rep Danny Davis and film producer Trilok Malik SURENDRA ULLAL & ASIAN MEDIA USA

CHICAGO: It was not easy sailing for Congressman Mike Quigley attending the Association of Indians in America (AIA) Awards Banquette here last week when he was urged to explain his stand on a letter that he co-signed with other US lawmakers last November urging the government not to issue visa to Gujarat CM Narendra Modi.

An Indian American community activist and a TV correspondent Vandana Jhingan asked Quigley if had all the facts before him before he appended his signature to the letter addressed to former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton for denying visa to Modi in the context of riots that rocked the State of Gujarat ten years ago.

She asked Congressman Mike "What was the reason you signing that letter because the alleged involvement of Modi that was not the whole truth."

Mike Quigley said that he had been informed by people about the happening but then he had no input from the other side. He said that he would like to get enlightened and that "I am open to meet other people also and will consider looking into that." "He sounded honest and sincere to me",

AIA Award winners. Sitting L to R Film Producer Trilok Malik, Dr Sushil Gupta and Rep Danny Davis with AIA Natioanl President Dr G Pandey, Rep. Bill Foster and Rep. Mike Quigley. Standing AIA ofiicals and guests. Pics Asian Media USA

from 51 the way some people in our community do and in turn are misguiding elected officials and that is not a healthy sign," she observed Asian Media USA adds: The Association of Indians in America (AIA) Illinois organized an AIA Awards Banquet on Sunday August 4 with Cultural and Entertainment program at Ashyana Banquets, in Downers Grove,

Governor Pat Quinn, and Indian community activists and members from different walks of life. He congratulated Honor Awardees Rep. Danny Davis and Mr Trilok Malik and also the Special Awardee Dr Sushil Gupta.

Congratulating Awardees and welcoming special guests, National President Dr Ghanshyam Pandey said that the Award Banquette event was the continuation

AIA speakers L to R Dr G. Pandey, Naren Patel, Dr Ram Gajela and Ashish Sen

Vandana told this paper, "and he provided me with his office card and telephone number asking to be in touch with him."

"I am not a Gujarati but I am a human being and I cannot stand injustice being done to someone.

I read book from page 1 and not

Salil Mishra, President AIA Illinois Chapter served ably as MC. Naren Patel, National Vice President, welcomed all including dignitaries including Rep Danny Davis, Rep Mike Quigely, Rep Bill Foster, Bob Peickeut of Dupage County, Theresa Mg, representing

of a great tradition that AIA established to honor the pioneers who have significantly contributed in promoting a healthy relationship between India and the US in their own way, and those individuals of Indian origin who are high achievers in areas like sci-

The dance team members who entertained the guests

ence, education, arts and politics.

In this respect, he pointed out that AIA has conferred Honor Awards to several Nobel Laureates like S. Chandrasekhar, Bharat Ratna Amartya Sen, Sitarist Ravi Shankar and several congressmen.

"In line with this tradition, we are honoring two very distinguished persons, Congressman Danny Davis, and film producer Trilok Malik, and a Special recognition award to Dr Sushil Gupta" he said.

He highlighted a variety of achievements of AIA, adding that it continues to work on the issuance of Diwali stamps by the US Postal Service. He urged Congressmen Davis, Quigley and Foster to support the issuance of the Diwali stamps by the US Postal Service.

Ashish Sen, Member, Executive Committee AIA introduced U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, a very influential Congressman and a member of Ways and Means Committee.

Rep Danny Davis applauded the activities of AIA and expressed pleasure at it serving the cause of the community and assured his support.

Rep Mike Quigley, representing 5th Congressional district of Illinois, was introduced by Balvinder Singh. Rep Quigley conveyed his greetings and thanked AIA for their continued service to communities nationwide and abroad.

Rep Bill Foster who represents Illinois' 11th Congressional District, asked AIA to work for boosting economic development thru activity like reviving American manufacturing, refurbishing/reviving Wall Street, fiscal responsibility, energy, health care, science

and technology and education etc.

Vinod K. Bansal, Chair, AIA Board of Trustees, emphasized uniqueness of AIA amongst Indian organizations for its non-religious, non-linguistic and non-provincial association.

AIA awards for highest achievement were given to Rep Danny Davis, and Trilok Malik, movie producer and director. His Apple Productions has produced many films since 1990.Special Rec-

Mike Quigley with TV Interviewer Ms Vandana Jhingan

ognition Award was given to Professor Sushil K. Gupta. All enjoyed sumptuous dinner and enjoyed cultural and entertaining program.

Members of National Executive Committee are President: Ghanshyam Pandey; Vice Presidents: Virendra Gupta (GVC); Naren Patel (IL); Surinder Rametra (NY); Durgesh Thakur (FL); Treasurer: Lucy Pandey (IL); Secretary: Salil Misra (IL)

August 16, 2013

Community Across America

India Post 21

www.indiapost.com

Chicago Muslims celebrate Eid UL Fitr in special congregation ends the Ramadan month of fasting.

It is a thanks giving by Muslims to God Almighty for enabling them to complete the 30 days of fasting. Beginning with Eid Namaz (prayer), Eid is celebrated till late night hours. Soon after Namaz, families visit each other and enjoy the Eid sweets known as Sheer Khurma and Sewaiyyan (noodles in milk). Biryani is the afternoon recipe for Eid day.

Indian Consul General Dr Ausaf Sayeed joins Eid prayers with other Muslims across Chicago at Holiday Inn Skokie. Pics Asian Media USA

AQ SIDDIQUI India Post News Service

accompanied by Chicago's well known community leader and FIA trustee Iftekhar Shareef and Eid Committee Chairman Amjad Hashmi.

The Indian Consul General joined the Eid prayers along with other prominent Chicago Muslims community leaders. Soon after

CHICAGO: Thousands of Muslims all over North America celebrated Eid Ul Fitr on Thursday, August 8 after a belated moon sighting announcement was made on Wednesday evening. Illinois and Chicago Muslims thronged local mosques or Islamic centers for the Soon after prayers, many Eid Ul Fitr prayers with Chicago Muslim commufamilies. Most mosques scheduled Eid prayers nity members were seen at early hours. greeting the Indian Consul In Chicago over 10,000 Muslims gath- General and Iftekhar ered at Holiday Inn Shareef. Eid greetings were Skokie for Eid prayers.

Many Muslims joined also exchanged by others. prayers at Jama Masjid on Devon, Muslim Community Center on Morton prayers, many Chicago Muslim Grove, and Takaful Islamic Center community members were seen (ICC) on Lincoln Avenue also. greeting the Indian Consul GenThe largest crowd in Chicago was eral and Iftekhar Shareef. Eid greetseen at Holiday Inn Skokie, where ings were also exchanged by othMuslims were delighted to meet ers. Eid Ul Fitr prayers begin the Chicago's newly assigned Consul day long Eid celebrations for General Dr Ausaf Sayeed, who was Muslims. The Eid Namaz offered

Indian CG Dr Ausaf Sayeed with Sheila Lakahani (left) CEO Holiday Inn and FIA Trustee Chair Iftekhar Shareef (right)

The Eid day is considered as a feast of God. Everything cooked and enjoyed on Eid day is considered as the feast of God for completion of month long fasting. Prophet Muhammad advised Muslims to take their families and children to Eid prayers, enjoy the day as a special day, distribute Zakah (alms to poor) and greet each other.

Many Muslim businesses were closed in North America for Eid celebrations.

Community Across America

22 India Post

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Gov Quinn hosts 'Iftar' dinner Rajan Zed welcomed at Executive Mansion at Eid event BEGUM NANZNIN

SPRINGFIELD: On July 28, Governor Pat Quinn joined dozens of Illinois Muslim American leaders to celebrate Ramadan with a traditional "Iftar" meal at the Ex-

tion.

Governor Quinn noted the rich diversity of Illinois' Muslim American community, which is reflected in the Governor's Advisory Coun-

"This council's composition reflects the rich diversity of Illinois' more than 400,000-person Muslim community, and this report reflects their thoughtful analysis and com-

Iftar Party by Gov Quinn in Springfield

ecutive Mansion, marking the first time an Illinois Governor has ever hosted such an event.

Gov. Quinn also formally accepted the inaugural report submitted by the Governor's Muslim American Advisory Council. He greeted those present with "Ramadan Mubarak." He declared, "Ramadan is a sacred time of fasting and sacrifice. The Iftar is a joyous way to end the fast and I'm honored to open up the people's house in Springfield to host this great tradition."

President Thomas Jefferson is credited with being the first to celebrate Ramadan in the White House with a sunset dinner for a Tunisian envoy. President Barack Obama has continued that tradi-

cil. The Council submitted its firstever Semiannual Report to the governor, and called for "partnership and positive engagement."

The panel - the first of its kind in the nation - offered a dozen recommendations concerning community and economic development, education and public safety

India Post News Service

NEVADA: In a remarkable interfaith gesture, Muslims welcomed Hindu community activist Rajan Zed to their "Eid al-Fitr" celebrations in Sparks, Nevada.

Speaking on the occasion at Northern Nevada Muslim Community (NNMC) Center, Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed the need of religions to work together.

Zed expressed warmest greetings on the Eid festival wishing that it brings joy, happiness and cheer to all the Muslims.

American Muslims of Bangladeshi, Somalian, Pakistani, Ethiopian, Jordanian, India, Moroccan, Mauritanian, Egyptian, Palestinian etc., origins came to "Eid al-Fitr" celebrations in their ethnic dresses to a sumptuous dinner which included various

President Dr Sherif A. Elfass listed various projects and achievements of NNMC and distributed the awards. A temporary children's playground containing inflatable bounce houses and slides was created for the occasion.

According to an estimate, there are about 2,000 Muslim families in northern Nevada of about two dozen national origins, with Bangladesh having the highest numbers as compared to other countries. NNMC was launched in 1980.

"Eid al-Fitr" is celebrated on the breaking of the fast of Ramadan, the blessed ninth month of the Islamic year. Islam is the second most widespread religion in the world after Christianity with about 1.6 followers and Muslims constitute majority in about 50 countries and a considerable minority in many

mon sense solutions to problems facing Illinois," he said.

"The Council recommendations to Governor Quinn are broadly focused on the support of Illinoisans of all faiths and the overall development of American society," said Kareem M. Irfan, Council Co-Chair."

He greeted those present with "Ramadan Mubarak." He declared, "Ramadan is a sacred time of fasting and sacrifice. The Iftar is a joyous way to end the fast and I'm honored to open up the people's house in Springfield to host this great tradition."

Rajan Zed (fifth from left) with northern Nevada Muslim leaders and others during "Eid al-Fitr" celebrations in Sparks.-Pic Diane M. Black

chicken and other meat dishes, biryani and other rice formations, vegetables and lentils, sweet vermicelli, kheer, puddings, etc., to name a few.

Prayers from Quran (the scripture of Islam) were read and NNMC

others. It is the third largest religion in USA. Word "Islam" means "submission/peace". Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about a billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.

2014 will herald another 'khichdi' at Center Cont’d from page 19

"Both will have small impact, if the right candidates and having pull with the electorate are fielded in different constituencies."

He was cautious in answering question about his choice for PM - Rahul, Modi or any other candidate. He said "let the people of India choose their candidate. I will go with that," he said SALIL K MISHRA, president of the Association of Indians in America Illinois chapter, said that in the near future there is no possibility of any single party forming government at the Center given the stranglehold wielded by

regional satraps in various States of the country. BSP and SP in Uttar Pradesh, DMK-AIDMK in Tamil Nadu, TMC in West Bengal, BJD in Odisha, JD (U) in Bihar, Akalis in Punjab and a few smaller parties in Jharkhand, Assam, Haryana, J&K and now in the AndhraTelengana region are bound to play a major role in the next elections. In this scenario, I would say Congress could be the winner after the break down of relationship between Nitish Kumar and the BJP. With regard to the flow of funds from abroad and their influence on elections, Mishra observed "it will have no impact on the outcome as it is very small

Salil K Mishra

compared to the real expenses an Indian election normally entails.

The amount spent on Indian elections is huge even though not all the expenses and inflow are well accounted for. The real issues would be religion, caste, rich-poor divide, corruption and of course the strong regional aspirations," he added.

The Government misuse or political manipulation in Indian elections is a thing of the past. Muscle power has a say but its real impact on the final outcome will be negligible, he said.

With regard to the likely head of the government and his choice of the PM candidate, Mishra men-

tioned "I do not have any personal preferences for any candidate. But I predict it could be Rahul Gandhi as the Congress party is capable of stitching together a credible coalition to form a government. Modi is largely untested for a bigger role but remains an exciting promise. He has to convince a larger swathe of the electorate. Also, Modi has less name recognition in States other than Gujarat and the north. Rahul benefits from being the scion of the most famous political dynasty in India. I would keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best man to win the job."

August 16, 2013

Community Across America

India Post 23

www.indiapost.com

Kavacham ceremony for Lord Balaji at Grayslake Mandir ties are in one hall and that is also a unique feature of the temple.

In a talk to this paper, he said that the Mandir conducts other activities besides celebrating different festivals

RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Formally launched six years ago, one of the most unique Hindu temples in Chicagoland, Hindu Mandir of Lake County, will add one more feather in its cap of growing achievements - adorning Lord Balaji with gold Kavacham.

Spurred by sixty plus of its devotees, the Mandir Management has announced hosting a two-day celebration of Kavach Samarpan and Pushpa Yagam on Friday August 23 evening and on

Idols of Lord Ganesha, Ram Parivar and Radha Krishna

Grayslake Hindu Temple

Saturday August 24 from morning to well past noon at its facility in Grayslake. The celebration combining with ceremony involves placing of gold Kavach on the idols of Lord Balaji, a normal practice with the Lord's idols in India and many other places.

The ceremony on Friday will commence at 6 pm with Vishnusahastra Parayan and end by about 8 pm with Ashtotram and Satmurai.

The Saturday program is very crowded with lot of religious activities beginning with Sri Ve n t a k s h w a r a Subprabhatam at 8 pm and followed immediately by a procession carrying Kavacham by devotees around the Mandir. The Kavacham, called adornment, will be placed at 10.30 amid chanting of Mantras by priests and devotees.

The devotees who took initiative and came out with funds for Kavacham would be honored at noon and there would be Darshan of Lard Balaji with Kavacham after that.

Prasadam will follow.

The Mandir houses idols of most of the Gods and Goddesses highly revered by Hindus beginning with Lord Ganesha, Radha Krishna, Lord Ram Parivar and Hanumanji, Lord ShivaParvati and Kartikyeaswami, Goddess Nav Durga, Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Laxmi. Jain Tirthankars and Guru Bhairavnath ji.

It is probably at this Mandir only in Chicagoland that one can find Bhairavnathji.

As put by President Dr Harsh Kumar, all the dei-

too. For instance, it holds Yoga and Education classes. Very recently, it decided to honor Senior Citizens as part of Guru Purnima celebrations and 64 seniors were honored on the day in the presence of 300 plus devotees and guests. The Mandir's popularity is on an increase judging from the large number of devotees, many coming from as far as Wisconsin, participating regularly or during festival celebrations.

The Mandir has two highly talented priests and they conduct Puja and rituals. Priest Anil Joshi is well versed in astrology and helps read charts or takes out Muhurats for devotees too. The Mandir is managed by highly committed executive team headed by Dr Harsh Kumar, Vice President Yogidner Kumar, Secretary Kumar Naatesiyer and Treasurer Yogesh Datt, besides a dozen committee members.

Community Across America

24 India Post

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

IIT BHU Global Alumni Meet on Sept 21 HARISH RAO

CHICAGO: The IIT BHU Global Alumni Association (BGAA) has scheduled its third Global Meet on the East Coast at the Double Tree Hotel in Somerset, NJ on Saturday, September 21, according to Dr Mnu Vora, Secretary of the association.

The Theme of the Meet is "A Journey of Excellence at IIT BHU." The Meet will include keynote address by noted IIT BHU alumni and four panel discussions on important topics.

Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Dr Lalji Singh and Director of

IIT BHU Prof. Rajeev Sangal will be the Chief Guests at the Meet.

The program will contain a fun filled

walk down the memory lane with cocktails and dinner. Participation of alumni from all over the United States, India, and

other countries is expected. Well over 230 people have already registered and around 400 attendees are expected.

BGAA Meet in NJ

Major Kalsi honored for his role in US army THAKAR BASATI

CHICAGO: Major Kamaljit Singh Kalsi and his dad visited the Palatine Gurdwara on Saturday August 3 to attend a private function by a Sindhi family.

Prof Kulwant Singh Hundal, an activist, updated the sangat how Major Kalsi fought two years to join the Army with Kesh and Turban. It did open the door for S Tajdeep Singh Rattan and S Simranpreet Singh

Major Kalsi being honored at Sikh Gurudwara

Lamba who are currently serving in the US army.

Dastaars were given to Major Kalsi and S. Amandeep Singh director of Sikh Coalition by Head Granthi Bhai Gurjant Singh on behalf of Palatine Gurdwara Sangat since both of them fought for the symbol of Sikh faith "Dastaar".

Posters of "Sikhs Contribution in World Wars" were also given to them by Major Gurcharan Singh Jhaj. Both thanked the Sangat indicating how their childhood friendship came so close to help this worthy cause. Both promised to come to Palatine during regular Sunday Diwan.

The Gurudwara management is considering if it should have American Flag in the Gurdwara premises.

August 16, 2013

Community Across America

India Post 25

www.indiapost.com

Free eye camps in UP and Punjab THAKAR S BASATI

FLORIDA: Maheshwar Foundation of Florida, USA will be holding free eye camps in UP (Uttar Pardesh) and Punjab from October 10 to November 4.

The Foundation is holding these free medical camps for past few years. Many US trained physicians, nurses and other paramedical staff travel at their own expenses to serve in medical camps. Local lodging and travel is generally provided by Maheshwar Foundation and hosts in India.

Some of the patients have not seen a fully trained doctor in their entire life. Some can't afford, some are afraid to go even for a checkup.

With local volunteers they feel comfortable and it is the practice of Maheshwar Foundation to have at least one relative present with the patient so that patients fully understand the procedures, medicines and post-operative care if needed.

The Foundation has arranged Cardiac, Eye, Orthopedic camps in

various places for years. Free medicines are also provided. Follow up is done by local doctors. For eye camps, medicines and lenses are purchased locally by the Foundation and sometimes provided by US pharmaceutical companies which make it easy for US doctors to treat.

Last year an Orthopedic camp was held at Baba Balwant Singh Charitable Hospital in Urmar Tanda, Dist.Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India under the guidance of Baba

Interfaith welcome for new clergy in Nevada India Post News Service

presided over this event.

Stressing the need for interfaith dialogue, Rajan Zed points out that we are all looking for the truth and in our shared quest we can

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd lead "Amazing Grace" and well-known musician Jim Eaglesmith gave a multi-language interfaith number in which audi-

NEVADA: In a remarkable interfaith gesture, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Jewish religious leaders came together in Reno, Nevada, on August 7 to provide a warm welcome to new Methodist and Presbyterian pastors and Jewish rabbi.

According to Rajan Zed, an organizer of the event, this multi-faith reception was held to welcome Reno First United Methodist Church Pas- Some of the participants of multi-faith welcome reception to new clergy. Sitting, from left to right, are Rabbi Ethan Bair, Mayor Geno R. Martini, Hindu activist Rajan Zed, Pastor tor Kristen A. Marshall, Kristen A. Marshall, Pastor Howard R. Dotson.-Pic George A. Anastassatos Temple Sinai Reno Rabbi Ethan Bair and Spanish Springs Presbyterian Church learn from one another and thus ence also joined in. Representatives from the offices of US SenaSparks Pastor Howard R. Dotson come closer to the truth.

St. Anthony Greek Orthodox tor Harry Reid, US Senator Dean to the area, who recently stepped into their respective positions. Church Presiding Priest Stephen Heller and US Congressman Mark Sparks Mayor, Geno R. Martini, R. Karcher provided the invoca- Amodei presented testimonials to tion while Toni de Salvo of the new clergy.

Sikh Society talk designed to face emergencies SURENDRA ULLAL India Post News Service

CHICAGO: August 5 marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin and Memorial Anniversary was held to honor those whose lives were lost or were injured on that day.

The tragedy of Oak Creek is a reminder that emergencies and disasters can strike at any time, and with little or no warning. In an effort to help prepare our communities and our neighbors, the Cook

County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) have begun a new program to train and educate resident volunteers to help keep our communities safe.

DHSEM has worked diligently to support residents and communities to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from all types of incidents, both man-made and natural. It has announced the development and implementation of the Cook County Community Emergency Response Program (CERP), designed to provide

free resources to communities that help educate, inform, train, and equip residents to respond to and recover from emergencies while caring for themselves and their neighbors in the event of a disaster. Sikh Religious Society Palatine has organized a CERP informational event on Sunday, August 25 at 9:30 am at its facility DHSEM Executive Director Michael Masters is slated to speak to interested community members and friends about the program and how to become a CERP Team member.

File pic of Eye Camp in UP

Gurdial Singhji (caretaker of Baba Balwant Singh Charitable ...not for profit) Hospital. Many free eye camps have been held at Rampur, Bilaspur in Uttar Pardesh.

Beauty of camps in Bilaspur is that it is a Jain Hospital, patients are mostly Muslims and free food is provided by local Sikh gurdwara. "You feel the presence of God in these camps," says Dr Deepak Kapoor...the founder of Maheshwar Foundation.

Some students accompany the teams to get a feel of charity work and to see India. Some sightseeing

is arranged for visitors when time permits. If you know of anyone who can take advantage of these camps or if anyone wants to join and help, kindly contact Dr Deepak Kapoor at 321-610-4265, Daljit S Saini at 847-7366092Basatit@aol.com.

The donations received are used exclusively for the benefit of the patients. Maheshwar Foundation has no salaried persons, no administrative or other expenses...

The Foundation is approved by the IRS section (501) (c) (3) and the donations are tax-deductible.

Community Across America

26 India Post

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Feasts & fun at Indo-Pak Unity Day VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

MILPITAS, CA: Rizwan Elahi along with his wife Zilehuma Elahi

This is the beginning for us to put religion and politics aside and enjoy our life to fullest with unity and peace, says Rizwan Elahi, Founder of OHIPI. This is the be-

Ro Khanna, Joe Johal, Imam Sahab and Mayor Bill Harrison

presented the Indo-Pak Unity Day on August 11 from noon to 11:45 pm at the India Community Center at Milpitas. The event was hosted

by Open Hearts Indo-Pak Initiative, an organization founded by Rizwan and Zilehuma. The organization works towards bridging the gap to peace and promote unity among immigrants from India and Pakistan residing in the Bay Area.

ginning of something , which will be looked back as a very special day in the history.

There were Indo-Pak cultural programs featuring talented tots from both Indian and Pakistani communities living in Bay Area.

There were trade booths offering variety of Indo-Pak cuisines, clothing and fashion jewelry.

The event was attended by Dr Romesh Japra, Ro Khanna, Mayor of Fremont Bill Harrison, Joe Johal, Imam Sahab, Imtiaz Ahmed, Waqar Rizvi, Ashwani Bhakhri, Choudhary Yaquob to name a few.

Dignitaries welcomed the initiative and spoke on Indo-Pak unity and how we can make a difference by staying together. India and Pakistan have a common culture and a long-shared common history and should always stay together, said Dr Romesh Japra.

DesiHungama Fusion 2013 started at 7 pm with kids perform-

This is the beginning for us to put religion and politics aside and enjoy our life to fullest with unity and peace, says Rizwan Elahi, Founder of OHIPI. This is the beginning of something , which will be looked back as a very special day in the history. There were Indo-Pak cultural programs featuring talented tots from

Dr Romesh Japra, Vijay Bhatia and Yogi Chugh

ing the National Anthem of India, Pakistan and United States. The evening was attended by many Indian and Pakistani guests and dignitaries from all walks of life.

Fashion shows were based on unique theme and beautiful models walked the ramp for Vama collection, Ateka Collection, Celebrations Jewelry and Malabis Couture.

Dance performance was by students of Jhankar Beats and Nach K Dekh. The evening was made memorable by scintillating music performance by Bay Area performers Alka Bhatnagar, Parminder Guri, Arif Rizvi, Assad Waince, Dr Deepak Sachdev and Seema Verma.

India Post 27

August 16, 2013 www.indiapost.com

28 India Post

Community Across America

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Interfaith leaders at CAIR-LA Iftar India Post News Service

ANAHEIM: On July 30, over 50 people shared a Ramadan Iftar at CAIR-LA's Anaheim office.

The night included an international menu that was seemingly endless - spaghetti and meat sauce, samosas, Libyan soup, hummus, batengan (eggplant

dish), noodle and rice dishes, pastas, and a wide array of delectable desserts were all served.

What was reflected however, was the diversity in not just the dishes that were served but, particularly, in the guests that attended the event. Attendees represented individuals from various backgrounds and walks of life. Individuals from different faiths were

represented. There were also a good number of community leaders and young people who attended.

"As we look around this room, full of our brothers and sisters from the Muslim community, the interfaith community, civil rights advocacy organizations, and other communities of color, we cannot

truthfully exclaim that we are alone in the work we do to improve our greater society," said CAIR-LA Programs Coordinator Zienab Abdelgany in a speech addressed to attendees. "We are a good many who represent a good many more."

"The act of fasting during this month, of denying ourselves food and drink from sunrise to sunset, reminds us of the multitudes who don't have the circumstance or time or state of mind to eat a good, hearty meal in relative safety in the company of dear friends," Abdelgany said. "Let's take a moment to remember and pray for the true fasters, whose stories inspire us to work, to work hard and to work together."

In the spirit of remembering God's blessings, attendees shared a moment of silence, contemplation, and prayer to think of and pray for those who are struggling around the world.

August 16, 2013

Community Across America

India Post 29

www.indiapost.com

Suisun City Council to open with Hindu prayers SONIA SIDHU India Post News Service

SUISUN, CA: City Council of Suisun City, established in 1850s, will start its session with Hindu mantras for the first time on August 27, containing verses from world's oldest existing scripture Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism and an Interfaith leader, will deliver the invocation from ancient Sanskrit

Bill more painful than snake bite!

WASHINGTON: For this snake-bite victim, the sting didn't hurt as much as the hospital bill!

A US woman was shocked when she was presented with a staggering USD 55,000

hospital bill for treating her snake bite.

Jules Weiss stopped for a scenic overlook near the Potomac River in suburban Virginia last month when she was bit on the foot by a poisonous copperhead snake, 'NBC Washington' reported.

"It felt like a bad bee sting. I got to my car, turned on the light and there were two fang marks with liquid coming out," Weiss said.

Within an hour, her foot started to balloon, turning a "grayish" color. Weiss went to Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, where doctors gave her three doses of anti-venom over the course of 18 hours.

As if the experience wasn't horrifying enough, Weiss received a hospital bill for nearly USD 55,000.

"I kind of went numb... I don't know if there's a way to process that," Weiss said.

While insurance can bring treatment cost down to a few hundred dollars, Weiss' insurance had just lapsed, the report said.

Anti-venom is made through a complex process of milking many snakes, making treatment costly. It has even reached a whopping USD 780,000 for one woman's cure.

The treatment can cost USD 40,000 or more to obtain anti-venom, according to hospital officials. -PTI

Glimpse of Suisun City, CA

scriptures before the City Council. After Sanskrit delivery, he will read the English translation of the prayer. Sanskrit is considered a sacred language in Hinduism and root language of Indo-European languages.

Zed, who is the President of Universal Society of Hinduism, will recite from Rig-Veda, the oldest scripture of the world still

in common use, besides lines from Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita(Song of the Lord), both ancient Hindu scriptures.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. There are about three million Hindus in USA. Suisun City, adjacent to about 84,000 acres Suisun Marsh, claims to be "San Francisco Bay Area gem with a touch of Cape Cod charm". Pete Sanchez, Mike Hudson and Suzanne Bragdon are Mayor, Mayor Pro-Tem and City Manager respectively.

30 India Post

www.indiapost.com

August 16, 2013

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Zinda: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 2 Mera Yaar: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 3 Titli: Chennai Express 4 Ye Tune Kya Kiya: Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobara 5 Alvida: D-Day 31 India Post

www.indiapost.com

August 16 , 2013

6 Maston Ka Jhund: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 7 Get On The Dance Floor: Chennai Express 8 Chugliyaan : Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobara 9 Tum Hi Ho: Aashiqui 2 10 Lungi Dance: Chennai Express

S

unny Leone continues to reign online. The adult star-turned-Bollywood actress was searched 3.5 crore times in June 2013, which is higher than all other stars from India, as per the cumulative data gathered from Google, YouTube and The Times of India website.

R

Katrina Kaif is in second place with 1.85 crore searches.

And Bollywood's current box office superstar Salman Khan is the only man in the top five. He is placed between Kareena Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Ironically, five amongst the ten most searched celebs are hitched. Clearly, marriage has nothing to do with popularity.

akesh Roshan directed and Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra starrer 'Krrish 3' is getting bigger and bigger. Now it is heard that Hrithik and Priyanka will have a steamy lip-lock in the film.

In the sequel of the original they did not have a lip-locking scene. It was a plain and simple love story but this time the makers have decided to take the film to a new height with ample romance, actions and emotions.

During the launch of the highly anticipated movie, Kangana Ranaut, Anil Kapoor and Vivek Oberoi were present along with

Hrithik Roshan. The trailer shows Hrithik, a messiah, born to destroy the evil.

Going by the trailer, we can say the film is made on international standard. Vivek plays a villain and Kangana a mutant.

'Krrish 3' directed by Rakesh Roshan is the third installment of the blockbuster 'Krrish'. Both the original and the sequel sparked magic at the box-office and now it is expected that 'Krrish 3' will achieve a new height.

R

ecently, Katrina Kaif's bikini picture with her boyfriend in Spain went viral on net and depressed Kat penned an open letter to media as how she was depressed with the entire episode. Taking a dig at Kat, Deepika Padukone, Ranbir's ex girlfriend, said that a public figure should be careful.

Deepika asserts that a celebrity should be careful in a situation like this. "If I am a public figure and if someone has captured me, then I feel I should have been a little careful," the actress told an international broadcast corporation in an interview.

"It has never happened with me. I believe if you are a celebrity or public figure, these things are bound to happen. And I don't think you can accuse anybody of anything," Padukone added.

After the leaked images, Katrina vowed that she will never wear bikini on-screen as well as off-screen. She dropped the idea of wearing a two-piece in YRF's 'Dhoom 3'.

„

Realty Tidbits

Lease deeds, Power of Attorney to be compulsory NEW DELHI: A bill to amend the century old Registration Act to help check the loss of revenue to the state seeks to make registration of lease deeds of immovable properties and Power of Attorney compulsory irrespective of their term.

The Bill also makes it mandatory for every person presenting the document at the registration office to affix his passport size photograph and get photographed by a digital camera on the document.

The Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2013, to further amend the Registration Bill, 1908, introduced in the Rajya Sabha today by Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, also seeks to make provisions for the recovery of deficit registration fee and refund of excess fee.

It also provides that Wills or authority to adopt a Will and any document notified by the state government may be registered at the option of the parties.

The Bill also provides that immovable property can be registered only in the state in which it is actually located, but the Central or State government can allow a particular document to be registered in any registration office.-PTI

„ Realty sector can double its share in GDP NEW DELHI: The realty sector can more than double its contribution to GDP to 13 per cent by 2025 on rising housing demand, if the government removes bottlenecks in infrastructure, lowers borrowing cost and makes process of approvals shorter, global property consultant CBRE said.

The share of the real estate sector in GDP is likely to be 6.3 per cent in 2013, CBRE said in a report titled 'Assessing the Economic Impact of India's Real Estate Sector'.

The size of country's gross domestic product (GDP) was USD 1.8 trillion in 2012-13 fiscal.

The report projected that the realty sector will generate employment for 17.2 million people and supply 8.2 million sq ft by 2025, more than double the figures for the current year.

"India's real estate sector is poised for significant growth in the coming decade as it benefits from significant opportunities such as increasing urbanization, demand for new housing and the expanding urban fabric of tier II and tier III cities in the country," CBRE said in the report.-PTI

Real Estate 32

India Post

www.indiapost.com

August 16, 2013

DVC plans industrial parks to leverage idle real estate KOLKATA: Power major Damodar Valley Corporation today said it is planning to utilize its unutilized real estate to boost revenue.

"We have land in our command area and now we want to invite industry. We got the idea at the Mumbai meeting," DVC chairman R N Sen said here.

"We also want to set up industry parks after talking to West Bengal and Jharkhand. Initially, we have identified 250 acre at Panagarh and 1000 acre at Panchet," he said.-PTI

Obama reveals housing plan POLYANA DA COSTA

P

resident Barack Obama has outlined a plan to overhaul the U.S. housing finance system, help more homeowners refinance their mortgages and make it easier for some homebuyers to get access to mortgages.

Obama wants to wind down the two mortgage giants that own or guarantee about half of mortgages: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. While the government must continue to support the housing system and will continue to play a role in funding home loans, private lending "should be the backbone of the housing market," Obama said during a speech in Phoenix.

Lenders won, taxpayers lost "For too long, these companies were allowed to make big profits buying mortgages, knowing that if their bets went bad, taxpayers would be left holding the bag," he says. "'It was 'heads we win, tails you lose.' And it was wrong."

After the financial crisis, Fannie and Freddie went into receivership and the government rescued the companies with a $187 billion taxpayer-funded bailout.

"The era of expecting a bailout after your pursuit of profit puts the whole country at risk is over," Obama says.

The Obama administration says the business model of the two entities must be changed so private investors are on the hook for losses on bad loans. Legislation to reform the mortgage giants must also ensure that homeowners continue to have access to 30-year fixed-rate mortgages.

Is the housing market ready for changes?

Many consumer advocates support the president's view.

"We've been waiting a long time for the president to weigh in, and we cannot be more pleased," says Julia Gordon, director of housing and finance policy at the Center for American Progress.

business of housing," Quercia says.

But these changes won't happen overnight, or at least not until Congress agrees on a plan.

A plan for refinancers and homebuyers Some of the ideas proposed by Obama aren't necessarily new, but if approved, many underwater bor-

President Barack Obama

If done right, the reform of Fannie and Freddie could help the housing market, she says.

"Right now there's so much uncertainty that is keeping (private) investors out of the (mortgage) market," she says.

The president's speech should be a "wake-up call to others in Washington about the urgent need to put in place a finance system to house current and future generations," says Roberto Quercia, a professor and director of the UNC Center for Community Capital at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"I am encouraged by the president's remarks, as they bring attention back to the unfinished

rowers would be able to refinance their loans.

The Obama administration is once again calling for a government-sponsored plan that would allow borrowers with loans that are privately owned to refinance their loans even if they owe more than their homes are worth.

Even though mortgage rates are rising, the move isn't too late yet.

"It's especially not too late for people with private-label mortgages who are underwater and haven't been able to refinance," Gordon says. "Some of them are still stuck with 6 (percent) or 7 percent mortgages."

Among several ideas aimed at helping homebuyers, the Obama administration says the FHA is working on an initiative that will help borrowers regain access to FHA mortgages. The program would help buyers who went through financial difficulties due to job loss and who have found jobs again.

"Now that we've made it harder for reckless buyers to buy homes they can't afford, let's make it easier for qualified buyers to buy homes they can," Obama says.

"We should simplify overlapping regulations and cut red tape for responsible families who want to get a mortgage, but who keep getting rejected by banks. And we should give well-qualified Americans who lost their jobs during the crisis a fair chance to get a loan if they've worked hard to repair their credit."-Bankrate.com

Expert panel to develop global norm for measuring property NEW DELHI: An expert committee has been set up for developing a global standard for measuring property to address the problem of inconsistent methodology adopted across the world for measurement of real estate.

"This week the International Property Measurement Standards Coalition (IPMSC) selected 19 real estate experts from around the world to join its Standards Setting Committee to develop a global standard for measuring property," Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said in a statement.

RICS, the worlds leading standards setting body within the built environment, along with 15 other worlds prominent property organizations came together in

the month of May at the World Bank, Washington DC, to address the need to create a universal method of measuring property.

"The Standards Setting Committee will start work on the drafting of the new methodology immediately and aims to have a draft ready for widespread consultation in the early part of 2014," the statement said.

"Currently, the way property assets - such as office, residential, retail and industrial - are measured can vary considerably from country to country. With so many different methods in use, it makes it difficult for global investors and occupiers to accurately compare space," the statement said.

August 16, 2013

Real Estate Post www.indiapost.com

Unique residential venture in Lucknow LUCKNOW: Realty major Shri Infratech has announced a distinctive association with Sporting Edge, a venture founded by Steve Waugh, the Australian cricket legend.

This venture will culminate in the future development of 'Cricket County' - a residential township project in Lucknow, promoting a healthy lifestyle with distinctive Sports Facilities inside the township. Sporting Edge aims at providing world class sports facilities and expert coaching to enable children and budding sportspersons to achieve their potential nationwide.

The township project comprises villas, value homes, retirement homes, offices, shopping facilities and a unique Arts Village with recreational amenities and other social infrastructure. The venture with Sporting Edge will provide access to sports training not only in Cricket but also Swimming, Tennis and other sports by well known sporting icons and institutions to nurture sports talent in the city.

Present on the occasion, Steve Waugh - Founder Sporting Edge and Former Australian Cricket Captain commented: 'Cricket County township is a really remarkable, one of its kind project. Sporting Edge's association with Shri Infratech shows our commitment towards providing a better quality of life to the people of India. This stems from the fact that Cricket County will have sporting facili-

ties which will provide for a healthy lifestyle. Sporting Edge is proud to be on board for this exciting new venture.'

Manoj Dwivedi - CMD Shri Infratech commented: 'We at Shri Infratech, have been involved with various townships in the past but this is the first time that we have tied up with an International Organization for developing a very special township in Lucknow called 'Cricket County'. The sports facilities will provide families specially children, an opportunity to participate in a healthy competitive environment.'

Sporting Edge has been founded by Steve Waugh who, after twenty five years of touring India and engaging with Indians from various backgrounds, had the vision to provide Indian families and especially their children, opportunities in sports to enable them to lead a healthy lifestyle and fulfill their potential.

Sporting Edge provides an end-to-end solution to real estate developers to help them differentiate their product offering by incorporating branded sport elements in residential townships. Sporting Edge works with clients start-

ing from conceptualization up to implementation and ongoing management.

Shri Infratech is a reputed name in the field of bulk land acquisition and infrastructure development. It is an ISO 9001:2000 company, maintaining the highest quality standards. They also offer allied real estate services which include services in Legal Consultancy, Township Planning, Land Development work etc.

India Post 33

„ Health

Line

Shabana joins VLCC board as director NEW DELHI: Beauty company VLCC Health Care says Bollywood actor and social activist Shabana Azmi has joined the company's board as an independent director.

Azmi would be the fourth independent director in the eightmember VLCC board, VLCC Health Care Ltd said in a statement.

"We, at VLCC, are very grateful to her for agreeing to join the VLCC Board and provide us the benefit of her guidance as we strive towards becoming a more socially inclusive organization globally," VLCC Group Chairman Mukesh Luthra said.

VLCC, is one of the largest chain of slimming, beauty and fitness centers across Asia and also runs Asia's largest chain of vocational education academies in beauty and nutrition, the company said.

Besides, the company manufactures and retails a comprehensive range of skin care, hair care and body care products through over 80,000 retail outlets.

With nearly 6,000 employees, the company is present across 16 countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Singapore, Malaysia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.-PTI

„ Wearing naturally dyed clothes may boost health LONDON: Wearing particular colors may not only improve your mental health but also boost the body as it absorbs natural dyes, a new study suggests.

A researcher from University of Derby in UK is investigating whether garments dyed using traditional, natural colorings can directly improve physical wellbeing, as minute amounts are absorbed through the skin of the wearer.

Using different colors to stimulate positive moods, or color therapy, is a known practice in complementary medicine.

The study by Dr Kate Wells, Senior Lecturer in Textiles at the university pointed out that many of the plant extracts once commonly used to dye clothing - such as indigo and woad (blue), turmeric (yellow) and henna (red) would also have been used in traditional medicines.

She is looking at the possibility that, by wearing naturally dyed cloth next to the skin, people might directly absorb health-improving extracts.-PTI

Health Science British Indian dentist 'bullied and harassed' before suicide 34

India Post

www.indiapost.com

August 16, 2013

Details on Page 35

US to hike fees for generic drug makers; Indian firms to be hit WASHINGTON: Many Indian drug makers will soon have to bear higher costs for sale of products in American markets, as the US health regulator FDA is hiking the fees for generic drug makers by up to 48 per cent from October.

India is the second largest drug exporter to the US, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Indian drug makers mostly specialize in manufacturing of generic versions of innovative drugs at a fraction of cost after their patent expiry and are estimated to command 10 per cent share in the USD 30-billion US generic drug market.

The US regulations require the companies to pay user fees to supplement the costs of reviewing generic drug applications and inspecting facilities.

However, the FDA's proposed hike in fees for generic drug makers is expected to push up the overall costs for companies from India and other countries, including US itself.

The FDA said it is aware that industry is adjusting to the new requirements and fees, and it has

minimized the increase in fees "as much as possible".

The increased fees have been published in the Federal Register - the official journal of the US gov-

the existing USD 51,520.

An ANDA contains data which when submitted to FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Generic Drugs,

A DMF submission is required to be made to the USFDA to provide detailed information about facilities, processes, or articles used in the manufacturing, processing, packaging, and storing of one or more human drugs. ernment - and would be effective from October 1, 2013. The fees would be reviewed after a year.

The new Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) fee has been fixed at USD 63,860, which is around 24 per cent higher than

provides for the review and ultimate approval of a generic drug product.

Similarly, the Prior Approval Supplement (PAS) fees for fiscal year 2014 (from October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014) has been

hiked by 24 per cent to USD 31,930. The PAS application includes change to be made to approved products.

The steepest increase has been made in Drug Master File (DMF) fees, which has been hiked by 48 per cent to USD 31,460.

A DMF submission is required to be made to the USFDA to provide detailed information about facilities, processes, or articles used in the manufacturing, processing, packaging, and storing of one or more human drugs.

The annual facility fees for finished dosage forms (FDF) have been increased by about 25 per cent. The domestic FDF facility fee has been revised to USD 220,152 and foreign FDF facility fee to USD 235,152.

However, the FDA has lowered the annual active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) fees for both domestic and foreign API facilities.

FDA says that these fees help it reduce the backlog of pending applications, cut the average time required to review generic drug applications for safety, and improve the risk-based inspections.-PTI

Analysis shows overall NY hospital care improving ALBANY, NY: A new analysis of New York hospital data showed a reduction in surgical death rates and improvements in treating serious illnesses over a decade despite higher postsurgical infections and deaths from operations where part of the skull is removed.

The Niagara Health Quality Coalition reported collective gains for 230 hospitals in most patient-safety categories, though post-operative sepsis, or systemic inflammation caused by severe infections, rose from 1.1 to 1.4 percent.

Statewide surgical mortality rates improved about 50 percent, according to lead researcher and coalition President Bruce Boissonnault. He noted that deaths from aneurysm repairs, for example, declined from

8.5 percent in 2002 to 2.6 percent in 2011.

For coronary artery heart bypass grafts, the death rate fell from

Bruce Boissonnault

3.7 percent to 0.6 percent, while in surgeries opening a patient's skull, called craniotomies, the rate rose from 7.1 percent to 10.4 percent.

Mortality rates for hospital inpatient conditions declined from 10.1 percent to 5.5 percent for heart attacks, from 13.1 percent to 12.3 percent for acute strokes and from 8.2 percent to 3.6 percent for pneumonia.

Boissonnault cites two main factors for the decline in death rates: required reporting of outcomes that has pressured individual hospitals to improve results and ongoing advances in health care.

The nonprofit called for a regional surveillance system for the most dangerous infections, like antibiotic-resistant bacteria, extending to all hos-

pitals and long-term care centers because they transfer patients. ``We see infection rates for what can be measured well going up every year,'' Boissonnault said, despite some hospitals' more determined efforts. ``The chain of infection control is no stronger than its weakest link.''

New York this year became the first state to require hospitals to adopt best practices for early identification and treatment of sepsis, a top priority, state Health Department spokesman Bill Schwarz said, noting it's the leading killer in hospitals. Other efforts against hospital-acquired infections include annual hospital-specific infection data collected since 2008, which is available on the state's Open Data Portal, he said.-AP

August 16, 2013

Health Science Post

India Post 35

www.indiapost.com

British Indian dentist 'bullied and harassed' before suicide LONDON: A British Indian dentist from Yorkshire committed suicide after allegedly being "bullied and harassed" by the National Health Service which threatened disciplinary action against him over keeping of records at his clinic, an inquest heard.

Dr Anand Kamath, 42, was under investigation by the National Health Service (NHS) over record-keeping at Rothwell Dental Surgery, which he ran with his wife and fellow dentist Dr Rajni Prasad in the city of Leeds.

An inquest heard last week that the father of three felt "bullied and harassed" and took his own life after receiving a letter from the NHS warning him that he could be reported to the General Dental Council.

"They behaved like bullies and drove a loyal NHS servant over the edge. He just couldn't take the anxiety," his 42-year-old wife told the inquest.

"When the letter came, that was the final straw. He gave everything to the NHS. His reward for caring for thousands of patients no other practice would

take was to be threatened with the most severe disciplinary action over administrative matters which we agreed straightaway needed improvement," she added.

According to the Sunday

Their record-keeping suffered in the process and Rajni Prasad found her husband with his wrists cut at their home in Pudsey, near Leeds, in December last year.

The British Dental Association has called for an inquiry into the circumstances behind the suicide of Dr Kamath.

"There had been a comRecording a verdict of suicide, Wakefield coroner plaint and an investigaDavid Hinchliff said: "There tion, not about his ability had been a complaint and an as a dentist, but in rela- investigation, not about his ability as a dentist, but in retion to recordkeeping lation to recordkeeping which had put him and his which had put him and wife under an intolerable his wife under an intoler- strain."

"It seems he was in grave able strain." danger of being removed from the list of practitioners Mirror, Dr Kamath and his wife which would have ended his cahad for 10 years treated only NHS reer. patients in an area of Leeds where It appears all of this just bethere were no other NHS govern- came too much and he had taken ment-backed dentists. action to end his own life," he The couple had taken on said.

10,000 patients, four times that of Hinchliff added that unreathe average practice, to help out sonable pressure exerted on Dr patients who could not afford the Kamath by the trust "pushed a high costs of private dentistry. good man over the edge".-PTI

Calif. won't use health insurer ratings on site LOS ANGELES: The state's consumer website for health insurance coverage won't post quality ratings alongside the monthly price for plans, drawing complaints from some consumer groups and health insurers.

State officials decided to drop the rankings as part of Covered California, the new health exchange under the federal health care law, because they say the ratings are outdated and don't reflect many of the new offerings.

The latest state rankings examine performance from plans in 2011, and the new health plans will be offered for the first time after the state's new health exchange opens Oct. 1, so provider networks and coverage may vary.

As many as 5 million Californians are expected to shop for health insurance next year.

Some higher-rated insurers such as Kaiser Permanente say this vital information should be included on the state's health exchange.

Health policy experts worry that waiting to develop ratings could take up to two years, leav-

ing consumers in the dark. They argue the delay rewards low-performing insurers. ``We think it's important for consumers to have information on quality in year one, even if it's not everything we want,'' Beth Capell, a lobbyist for the consumer group Health Access, told The Los Angeles Times. ``If for five bucks more a month I can get a 4-star plan instead of a 2-star plan, I should have that information,'' Capell said.

Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee agreed that quality ratings are important, but highlighting current data could be misleading because some insurers have substantially cut their roster of physicians and hospitals to hold down premiums for the new policies. ``These factors raise substantial concerns that the historic performance of plans may not be representative or complete enough to allow for direct comparisons between plans,'' Lee told the Times.

Critics vow to ask the board to reconsider its decision at its Aug. 22 meeting.-AP

Datebook

36 India Post

NEW JERSEY Upcoming Sat, Aug 17

• Heart To Heart With Gazal Maestro Pankaj Udhas Venue: North Brunswick High School, 98 Raider Road, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 7186392881

Sun, Aug 18

NEW YORK Upcoming Sat, Aug 17

• Ratha Yatra Parade Venue: Sri Sri Krishna Balarama Mandir, 111-14 101st Ave, Jamaica, NY 11419 Time: 1:00 pm Contact: 347-480-5357

Sun, Aug 18

• Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam

• Speech Series - Narad Bhakti Darshan

Venue: Ukrainian Cultural Center, 135 Davidson Ave, Franklin Township, NJ 08873 Time: 10:00 pm Contact: 609-297-8797

Fri, Aug 23

Sat , Aug 24

• The Journey of a Legend Venue: George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 9734621695

Venue: Hanuman Mandir, 256-9 Hillside Ave, New York, NY 11001 Time: 9:00 pm

• Grand Gala Star Night with Sarath Kumar & Radhika Venue: Hindu Temple Auditorium -NY, 143-09 Holly Ave, Flushing, NY 11355 Time: 6:30 pm Contact: 917-353-4545

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Upcoming

Sat, Aug 17 • Acharya Rakesh Prasad to bless Vadtal Dham site Venue: New Temple Site Event At 48437, Warm Springs Blvd. Fremont CA Hari-Yag & Maha-Puja Time: 8 am To 12 pm Sri Krishna Janmashtami Time: 3:30 pm To 6 pm Mahaprasad Time: 6 pm To 8 pm Contact: 805-404-9836

Sat, Aug 17 • 21st Festival of India and Parade

Venue: Corner of Paseo Padre and Walnut Ave., 39439 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont, CA 94538 Time: 10:00 am Contact: 510-565-9993

Sun, Aug 18 • Satsang with Swami Premodaya

Venue: Bhakti Yoga Shala, 207 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401 Time: 7:30 pm Contact: 310-497-1899

Sat, Aug 24 • Krishna Janmashtmi Mela Venue: Pasadena Hindu Temple, Pasadena, 676 S Rosemead Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107 Time: 5:00 pm Contact: 626-795-5539

Sat, Aug 24 • MISS INDIA AMERICA w/ Mr. & Mrs. India America Venue: LAX Sheraton Hotel, 6101 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 310-994-9500

Sun, Age 18 • Satsang Premodaya

with

ILLINOIS Upcoming

Swami

Venue: Bhakti Yoga Shala, 207 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 310-497-1899

Sat, Age 24 • Vibe 2013

Venue: Curtis Theatre , Civic Center Cir, Brea, CA 92821 Time: 5:30 pm Contact: 682-554-6301

Sat, Aug 24 • Miss India America Venue: LAX Sheraton Hotel, 6101 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 310-994-9500

ATLANTA Upcoming Sat, Aug 17

• Bombay Lounge - Independence Day Spl Edition Venue: Haven Restaurant & Lounge, 375 Rockbridge Rd, Lilburn, GA 30047 Time: 10:30pm Contact: 864-907-2003

Sat, Aug 24

• Festival Of India 2013 Venue: Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 404-317-5474

Wed, Aug 28

• Sri Krishna Janmastami Venue: Atlanta Hare Krishna Temple, 1287 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 Time: 4:30pm Contact: 404-377-8680

• 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 Website: www.jkyog.org/bal-mukund

Fri, Aug 16 • India’s Independence Day Gala Banquet Venue: India House, 1521 W Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60194 Time: 6:30 pm Contact: 630-951-0012

Fri, Aug 23 • Gujarati Play - Bairi Mari Blood Pressure Venue: Jain Center, 435 South IL-59, Bartlett, IL 60103 Time: 6:30pm Contact: 630-913-6660

37 India Post

I

n Andamans one should let oneself go completely, to recharge the body and collect new ideas. The Andaman Islands, despite lying more than 1,000 km east of the Indian mainland and only about 300 km west of Bangkok, run the same time as Delhi i.e. the Indian Standard Time. On a trip to these islands, one should make sure to bring a lot of good books, some strong sun lotion, a hammock and snorkeling equipment.

Tourist attractions: Port Blair, the only sizable town on the islands, serves as the administrative capital. The center of the town is the lively Aberdeen Bazaar. Constructed entirely of wood, it has been razed to the ground several times in the past. However, every time, reconstruction was completed in no time and now it is as colorful as ever. Port Blair is the only place to do some sightseeing. The major attraction here is the Cellular Jail, slowly being claimed back again by nature, overgrowing with plants and moss. Today, the jail is a memorial to the freedom fighters, who laid down their lives to make the country independent.

www.indiapost.com

The library here has some interesting books for those interested in knowing more about the indigenous tribes.

The Anthropological Museum displays some tools, dresses and photos. An interesting place is the Marine Museum, which covers the history and geography of the islands and the Fisheries Museum displays the rich marine life of the Andaman Sea. Day trips from Port Blair offer various natural and historical excursions. One can either take a boat to Ross Island, the early administrative center of the British, or hike up Mount Harriet. Scuba diving is an option available in Wandoor, 30 km southwest of Port Blair.

Languages: Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Nicobarese, Telugu Best Time to Visit: December to early April Places around The easiest accessible islands from the capital are Neil and Havelock. Small boats leave the Phoenix Bay Harbor four times a week to Havelock, usually docking at Neil on the way.

Cont’d on page 40

August 16, 2013

38

India Post

Travel & Hospitality Post

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

West Virginia's Mystery Hole celebrates 40th anniversary ANSTED, W.VA.: The charm of the Mystery Hole has remained mysterious throughout the decades.

echoes a question. ``Just look at this place.''

The Mystery Hole is located in a bend of U.S. 60 near Hawk's Nest and has a

Located in a bend of U.S. 60 near Hawk's Nest, the Mystery Hole is a fun and different tourist stop that has charmed visitors throughout the decades

Current owners Sandy and Will Morrison intend to keep it that way as the unique tourist attraction celebrates its 40th anniversary. The couple want it to be just as it was when it first opened. ``Why did we buy it?'' Will says as he

Volkswagen jammed into the side of it. The metal portion of the structure is a Quonset hut, and the main entrance is wood. Aside from the VW Bug, a gorilla and a clown atop the building also attract attention.

There is a souvenir and gift shop through

the main door with an interesting array of ever, the Morrisons believe it took him a items, from tie-dyed T-shirts, fly swatters few years to complete and say their research and Frisbees to coffee mugs, key rings and shows it opened in 1973, making this year coal figurines. However, the most popular the 40th anniversary. item is the Mystery Hole bumper sticker. ``It was closed in 1997 and 1998 when Those brave enough to take the under- Mr. Wilson was ill with cancer,'' Will said. ground tour may have flashbacks of HalAccording to newspaper accounts, Willoween haunted houses. son died Feb. 21, 1998, after a battle with A sign warns, ``People with high blood prostate cancer at the age of 80. pressure or heart ailment, please do not enThe Morrisons regret that they never ter.'' had a chance to meet him.

It's a bit difficult to describe what hapTo keep the Mystery Hole just as Wilpens along the tour, and Will makes sure no son had it, they have studied videos of his electronic devices are allowed inside that could record the happenings. A video A sign warns, ``People with showing up online could hurt business, high blood pressure or heart he said.

However, it's hard to believe there ailment, please do not enter.'' could be any substitute for being there Those brave enough to enter in such a charming atmosphere.

Those brave enough to enter the gate the gate of wood and chains of wood and chains are in for a fun, if not are in for a fun, if not startling, startling, experience. Visitors meet charexperience. Visitors meet acters such as Miss Mystery Hole, Miss Hawk's Nest and Miss New River Gor- characters such as Miss Mysgeous, frozen in time throughout the de- tery Hole, Miss Hawk's Nest cades. Inside the ``He-She Room'' is the head nut who is sure to make visitors and Miss New River Gorgeous, jumpy. Other tour highlights include a room that throws one's equilibrium into a tour spiel and talked to visitors who enwhirl, a ball that rolls uphill and water that joyed it over the years. does the same, and the hillbilly chair that ``We wanted to leave it just the way Mr. can be used on the floor or the wall.

Wilson had it,'' Will said. ``It's what he creThe tour ends in the souvenir shop ated. People enjoyed it then and are still where assorted merchandise is available for coming back to see it.'' commemorating the experience.

Olivia Brogan, 16, who works the cash The Morrisons are from Michigan and register and cleans, says she has the best never saw the Mystery Hole until they vis- job ever. ited the establishment with a Realtor and ``I get to see a lot of different people,'' bought the whole shebang.

Olivia said. ``Sandy and Will are nice. We It had been closed for a while due to the always have good days. You are never death of the original owner, and they had bored.'' some refurbishing work to do before reopenWill notes that visitors come from seving it. Will, who has family living in the area, eral states and then return with friends. A said he passed the building many times teenager loves it so much that she comes growing up but never went inside as a kid. twice a year and has taken the tour 30 times, ``We saw it Thanksgiving 1998 for the he said. There are customers who visited first time, purchased it Feb. 20, 1999, and opened Memorial Day weekend,'' Will said.

Will, 53, and Sandy, 51, have homes in Erie, Mich., and near Ansted.

His other business was building storage buildings, and she has worked in retail. Their focus now is mainly on the Mystery Hole, where the season runs from April Sandy and Will Morrison display some of the more popular items sold at the Mystery Hole. The Michigan couple bought the popular attraction through October.

Feb. 20, 1999, and strive to keep it original The Mystery Hole was designed and built by Donald R. Wilson. In a 1985 the Mystery Hole as kids and now bring interview with the Daily Mail, Wilson said their children and grandchildren. people from several states had asked him to ``There are people who have been comdesign a Mystery Hole for them but he de- ing here 40 years and are still coming back,'' clined. he said.

He said he did not have the time and was Cost of the 15-minute tour is $6.50 for not interested in making a lot of money. He ages 12 and up, or $5.50 for those under 12. said he was there just to have a good time. Children under 12 must be accompanied by He said he began work on it in 1970. How- an adult.-AP

August 16, 2013

Travel & Hospitality Post

India Post

39

www.indiapost.com

S Korea tests 'electric road' for public buses GUMI, South Korea: A South Korean city has begun testing an "electrified road" that allows electric public buses to recharge their batteries from buried cables as they travel.

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), which developed the system, said it would be tested over the next four months on a 24kilometre (15-mile) route in the southern city of Gumi.

Pick-up equipment underneath the bus, or Online Electric Vehicle (OLEV), sucks up power through non-contact magnetic charging from strips buried under the road surface.

It then distributes the power either to drive the vehicle or for battery storage. As a result it requires a battery only one-fifth the

size of conventional electric vehicles.

The system also eliminates the

need for overhead wires used to power conventional trams or trolley buses.

The technology does not come cheap, with each OLEV costing around 700 million won (USD 630,000).

"The technology is readily available but the question is how to bring down the cost," said Park Jong-Han, manager of the company that produced the OLEV prototypes.

"Once the cost goes down, I believe more cities will be interested in commercializing the new transport network," Park told AFP. The system has already been partially tried on a much smaller scale at an amusement park and on the KAIST campus. -AFP

A Pakistani's account of 'Delhi by heart' NEW DELHI: Seeing the parallel between his hometown Lahore and Delhi was perhaps the easiest point when Pakistan's Raza Rumi embarked on his book writing journey "Delhi by heart: Impressions of a Pakistani Traveler".

The book, a sensitively written account of Delhi's "grand theatre of the past and present", is sure to make many nostalgic about "the composite identity of India" that got lost in 1947. "Since I come from the so-called 'enemy country' I had to double, triple check facts and had to be as careful as possible," he said, at the book release function which was chaired by renowned academic Prof Mushirul Hasan.

Rumi, a Pakistani civil servantturned-development professional,

launched his book in the city. The book is already a sell-out in Pakistan.

"All the terrorists are reading my book," he chuckled at the wellattended book launch.

Prof Hasan did not make it any easy for Rumi. "Is the two-nation theory wrong?"; "Why are Sufi shrines being bombed in Pakistan?"; "Why are Shias being killed in your country?"; "Is it time for an interfaith dialogue?"

Rumi dodged such loaded questions with what could have otherwise passed off as humor, but was unfortunately a sad commentary on his country. "Mushir Sahab you are forgetting that I have to go back to Pakistan. I have no intention of seeking asylum here...." he said, as everyone laughed.-PTI

40

India Post

Travel & Hospitality Post

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Andaman & Nicobar Be escorted by dolphins, spot giant tortoise Cont’d from page 37

One can be escorted by a school of dolphins or spot giant sea tortoise and flying fish. It is worth spending a few days on Neil. Basic accommodation is provided in the small settlement near the jetty.

Havelock, lying north of Neil is one of the islands chosen by the government to turn into a luxurious tourist destination. The coral reef here is still intact and is what makes snorkeling a great pleasure.

Only the northern part of Havelock is populated. To make it easy

to remember locations, they are numbered from one to seven. The boat docks at no 1. The best accommodation is at no 5 and when one plans to take a stroll on a beautiful beach he should head for no 7 then turn left at the junction at no 3.

How to reach Air - Five weekly flights between Calcutta and Port Blair and four flights between Chennai and Vishakhapattnam connect the islands to the mainland.

Sea - There are around three to four ships sailing between Haddo Jetty, Port Blair in the Andamans and Calcutta and Chennai on the mainland. There is one sailing from Vishakhapattnam every two months. The Shipping Corporation of India runs these sailings. The distances between Port Blair and some of the important cities on the mainland

are Calcutta - 1255 km, Chennai 1190 km and Vishakhapatnam -

1200 km. A journey by ship takes 48 hours from Chennai and 56 hours from Kolkata.

Local transport: The Directorate of Shipping Services maintains regular inter-island foreshore and harbor ferry services to cater to the needs of interisland commuters. There are local buses, bicycles, motorcycles, auto rickshaws, and taxis available for local transport on the islands.

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

India Post 41

42 India Post

www.indiapost.com

August 16, 2013

India Post 43

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

New York (Hicksville)

AIRWING TRAVELS INC.

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

Est. 1991 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

In Brief Obama: Senate immigration bill would pass House WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama says he is ``absolutely certain'' that the U.S. Senate's comprehensive immigration bill would pass the House of Representatives if majority Republicans brought it up for a vote.

Speaking at the White House, Obama said he would like to see the House act on the Senate bill in September, as soon as they return from summer recess. He urged the House to put forward a bill that could pass, even if does not match the Senate bill. The versions could be reconciled later.

But Republicans say they'll bring up a series of narrow bills instead.

The Senate-passed bill includes billions of dollars for border security and a path to citizenship for 11 million immigrants in the country illegally. -AP

Snowden's father gets visa to visit son in Russia WASHINGTON: National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden's father has secured documents to visit his son in Russia and plans to discuss how he could fight espionage charges, Lon Snowden and his attorney said.

Neither Lon Snowden nor his attorney Bruce Fein has spoken directly with the former NSA analyst since he fled the United States and received asylum in Russia, they said.

But the father and lawyer also said they look forward to meeting with Edward Snowden to consider options for the leaker to return to the United States at some point.

"As a father, I want my son to come home if I believe that the justice system ... is going to be applied correctly," Lon Snowden said.-AP

Fugitive in Fargo drug ring caught in Cambodia FARGO, N.D.: Federal authorities say a suspect in a Fargo-area drug ring has been arrested in Cambodia.

The Forum reports that Cambodian authorities arrested 37year-old Christopher James Peterson on immigration charges.

The U.S. Marshals Service High Plains Fugitive Task Force in Fargo says a warrant was issued in June for Peterson's arrest, charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.-AP

Immigration 44

India Post

www.indiapost.com

August 16, 2013

Can an H-1B employee pay premium processing fee -II Details on page 45

Wis. DOT executive fired over Facebook posting MADISON, Wis.: Gov. Scott Walker's administration has fired a high-ranking state Department of Transportation executive after he posted comments on Facebook calling immigrants in the U.S. without legal permission criminals and likening them to Satan.

DOT spokesman Robert Miller said in an email statement to The Associated Press that Assistant Deputy Secretary Steven Krieser was no longer employed at the agency. He declined to elaborate.

Krieser made $97,971 annually.

Krieser confirmed in emails to the AP that he wrote the comments and apologized for them. ``I am deeply sorry and remorseful for my hurtful comments.

I sincerely apologize to all who took offense. I have learned from this humbling situation, and can ask only thay (sic) people can find it in their hearts to forgive me.''

The remarks come as Republicans across the country are wrestling with immigration reform.

Walker, a potential GOP presidential candidate in 2016, has said the United States must remake its ``cumbersome'' immigration system and it makes sense to permit immigrants already here without

legal permission to pursue citizenship as part of the fix.

Walker spokesman Tom Evenson called Kreiser's comments ``repugnant'' in a statement.

Germantown gas station that read ``Illegal Immigrant Hunting Permit ... No Bag Limit Tagging Not Required.''

Responding to a comment

Scott Walker

``Governor Walker condemns his views, and they do not represent the governor or his administration in any way,'' the statement said.

Krieser's remarks were part of a Facebook discussion about a bumper sticker on sale at a

that Jesus would be considered a non-English-speaking foreigner if he appeared in the United States, Krieser commented that the sticker ``is probably over the top.'' But he went on to call immigrants who have entered the country with-

out permission criminals, saying they've crushed southern states' social safety nets and education systems and skewed the service and agricultural sectors against natural-born Americans. `` ... You may see Jesus when you look at them. I see Satan. And if they don't like it here, hey, the door they came through to get here swings both ways,'' Krieser wrote.

Rep. Josh Zepnick, D-Milwaukee, also took part in the Facebook discussion about the bumper sticker, writing that Jesus didn't preach violence or resentment toward the poor and gays. He said in a phone interview he couldn't believe what Krieser wrote. ``This guy didn't put just one or two sentences in,'' Zepnick said. ``He went on a whole tirade.''

Krieser made news in 2011 when he sent an email to Division of Motor Vehicles staff telling them to issue free identification cards only if customers asked for them.

The free ID option is part of a Republican-authored law that requires voters to show photo identification at the polls. A Dane County judge has blocked the law from taking effect. -AP

Australian quits election race after Islam gaffe MELBOURNE: A woman candidate from an anti-immigration party in Australia, who was widely mocked after she mistook Islam for a country in a TV interview, has apologized and quit the election race.

Stephanie Banister, 27, of One Nation Party was contesting a seat in Queensland. She had only been in politics for 48 hours.

Banister also confused the term "haram" (forbidden) with the Koran and suggested Jews worshipped Jesus Christ.

The interview went viral on social media.

"I don't oppose Islam as a country, umm, but I do feel that their laws should not be welcome here in Australia," Banister told Seven News.

She later announced her withdrawal from the September 7 national election.

"With the way Channel Seven edited my interview, I was left quite

Stephanie Banister

the fool," Banister said in a brief statement.

"I'd like to apologies to One Nation, to my friends and family, for any embarrassment this has brought to them."

The leader of One Nation, Jim Savage, said Banister continued to have the "full support" of the party executive.

He said she had been under "enormous pressure", including threats to her and her family.

One Nation spokesman Rod Evans said Banister "knows very well" that Islam is not a country but simply

misspoke.

Banister denied that she was unprepared to fight a federal election but admitted she was "possibly inexperienced" and "still learning about the politics side of life," Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Commentators compared Banister to Sarah Palin, the gaffe-prone Republican vice-presidential candidate in the 2008 US election.

The mother-of-two rose to prominence when she was arrested for going into a supermarket and putting stickers saying "halal food funds terrorism" on Nestle products.

She is facing charges of "contaminating or interfering with goods". If convicted before polling day, she would have been barred from standing. -PTI

Immigration Post

August 16, 2013

India Post 45

www.indiapost.com

Can an H-1B employee pay premium processing fee -II CYRUS D. MEHTA & MYRIAM JAIDI

Continued from last week

O

ne interesting question is whether the premium processing fee could be deducted from a benefit such as a performance bonus. Cash bonuses are considered a "benefit" under the DOL regulations. The regulation states as follows: "Benefits and eligibility for benefits provided as compensation for services (e.g., cash bonuses; stock options; paid vacations and holidays; health, life, disability and other insurance plans; retirement and savings plans) shall be offered to the H-1B nonimmigrant(s) on the same basis, and in accordance with the same criteria, as the employer offers to U.S. workers."

Thus, a company is required to 'offer' H-1B employees the same benefits as US workers. However, another section of the regulation makes clear that the H-1B employee may choose to turn down benefits: "The benefits received by the H-1B nonimmigrant(s) need not be identical to the benefits received by similarly employed U.S. workers(s), provided that the H1B nonimmigrant is offered the same benefits package as those workers but voluntarily chooses to receive different benefits (e.g., elects to receive cash payment rather than stock option, elects not to receive health insurance because of required employee contributions, or elects to receive different benefits among an array of benefits)" The upshot is that there is a strong argument to be made for

the conclusion that where an employee demands premium processing of an H-1B petition solely for the employee's benefit, that premium processing fee should not be deemed an "employer business expense" such as to trigger a wage/hour analysis of the offered wage that could result in a finding

ing the employer pay the premium processing fee. However, as noted above, it is defensible to have the employee pay the premium processing fee where it inures solely to the employee's benefit.

What are the risks? The regulations provide for various penalties relating to LCA violations. A DOL

If an employee complains and the DOL determines that the premium processing fee worked a reduction in the required wage, the employer would be required at the very least to reimburse the employee for the premium processing fee. against the employer.

In addition, the fee could be deducted from the performance bonus so long as the employee has been offered benefits on the same basis and using the same criteria as offered to US workers, but opts for a different benefit.

If an employer takes this approach it would likely be best to get the employee's agreement in writing that they are opting out of the full bonus because of their own need for premium processing on an H-1B petition to accommodate their personal circumstances, and that the premium processing is not done for the employer's benefit.

Obviously, given the conflicting positions taken by USCIS and the DOL regarding premium processing fees, this remains a gray area and the most risk adverse and cautious approach would be to avoid any question of the employer paying the appropriate wage by hav-

action would only likely come to pass in the event of an employee filing a wage and hour complaint with the DOL, and based on a single complaint on any LCA issue, the DOL could audit all of the LCA files of an employer.

If an employee complains and the DOL determines that the premium processing fee worked a reduction in the required wage, the employer would be required at the very least to reimburse the employee for the premium processing fee. Assuming in the worst case that the DOL misconstrues the premium fee to be like the training fee, which is what the ALJ did in the 2008 decision noted above, the DOL may also impose a $1,000 fine per violation.

As a practical matter, an employee may first make a demand for reimbursement or back wages before complaining to the DOL, and under those circumstances, it would be advisable for the em-

India expresses concern over US Immigration Bill NEW DELHI: India has raised its "strong" concerns over the US' proposed Immigration Reforms Bill saying that it would adversely impact domestic IT industry, Parliament was informed.

The issue came up for discussion during the recent visit of Commerce and Industry Minister

Anand Sharma to the US. In meetings with US Trade Representative, US Commerce Secretary and other representatives of industry and business, Sharma has "expressed India's strong concerns over the proposed US Immigration Reforms Bill and its adverse impact on the Indian IT industry".

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Sharma said that he has conveyed that the temporary movement of skilled professionals should not be equated with immigration.

He said that no agreement was proposed by the Indian government as the bill is pending before the US Congress.-PTI

ployer to reimburse the employee for the premium processing fee.

The regulations provide for enhanced penalties for "willful" failure to pay the required wage such as fines up to $5,000 and debarment from filing new H-1Bs. However, this is truly a worst case scenario speculation, based on collective experience with DOL investigations where DOL auditors have taken the position that the fee was not an employer's business expense and have not required the employer to reimburse the employee for payment of the premium processing fee. The expectation would be that an employer would be able to present a strong argument that this is a gray area and there was no willful failure here.

We hope that the DOL and USCIS will coordinate their positions on premium processing in H-

1B cases and recognize that it is often employees, not employers, who truly need premium processing on their H-1B cases, and thus should be able to make the payment in those cases to facilitate their own personal plans. Moreover, premium processing is not directly related to the filing of an H-1B petition. It only expedites the petition, which has in any event been filed, and the employee often then desires that the H-1B petition be expedited for personal reasons. In such cases the premium processing fee should not be viewed as an employer's business expense, thus allowing both the employer and employee the best outcome.

Concluded * 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 www.indiapost.com

SKY WORLD TRAVEL 1-888-695-0005

August 16, 2013

If You are looking For the BEST & the MOST AUTHENTIC VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT IN TOWNCome to One and Only One Place

CONSOLIDATORS (INTL. & DOMESTIC) : 3HWHUVRQ 6WH &KLFDJR ,/

SPECIAL LOW FARES TO BOMBAY, DELHI, MADRAS, CALCUTTA, DHAKA, KARACHI, LAHORE etc.

Tel: 773-728-9071 773-315-8597

E-mail us at: skyworldtravels@hotmail.com

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

MATCHLESS EXPRESS TOURS 2600 W. Peterson Ave., Suite 105 Chicago IL 60659 Experienced Travel Consultants Pasport and Visa Services available * Confirmed seats (Even in High season) * Low Airfares * Courteous Service 2240-42 West Devon Chicago IL 60659 Ph# 773-338-4080 Fax# 773-338-4088

Call and Contact

Tel. (773) 338 6260

TRAVEL NEEDS INTERNATIONAL DOMESTIC AIR INDIA AND ALL OTHER MAJOR AIRLINES. PACKAGE DEAL TAJ TOUR-SOTC

CALL:

Sita Ram Patel @ 847-568-0535

Horoscope

August 16, 2013

India Post

47

www.indiapost.com

Your Weekly Future

by Pandit Parashar

AUGUST 16 TH - AUGUST 22 ND , 2013 (March 21 to April 20)

Y

ou will continue to move in right direction as far as the career is concerned. People in business will be spending more on advertising. Bold and timely actions will take you closer to your bigger goals in life. You may plan a very short trip to an exciting place with spouse. Time you spend on phone calls will help you save some money for long time.

(July 23 to August 22)

S

uccess will bring back smile and confidence. You may feel like celebrating and in fact invite few close friends at your place for dinner. A property deal may get some extra cash in your pocket.

Legal matters will finally take a favorable turn and final judgment could be delivered soon. You will receive few valuable gifts this week.

(April 21 to May 20)

Y

ou will successfully resolve an issue with a high ranking government or an agency. Financial pressure will continue to escalate with no break from unexpected expenses. Some of you may sign up for a short term course to update your knowledge. Transiting Saturn in sixth will help those looking for a possible change in career this week.

(August 23 to September 22)

L

ife will take a sharp turn and things will once again start going your way. A female will be helpful and give some practical and useful hints. People in business will be successful in recovering some old debts. You have strong chance of getting some money through legal channels. You will attend couple of parties this week.

(May 21 to June 20)

Y

ou will become very health conscious and make big changes in diet. Results will be encouraging. Professionally you will continue to move in right direction but at a slow and steady pace. There will be some last minute change in your travel plans. It will be better to seek professional opinion before you make any big financial commitments.

(September 23 to October 22)

E

ven impulsive actions will pay off and you will reap rich rewards.

Time is very favorable for all money matters. Business trip will be fruitful as the contract will get signed on the spot. New relationship will be time consuming but you will enjoy it. Only your firm stand and attitude will get many important things done.

(June 21 to July 22)

M

ind will be slightly restless and you may have to take a trip to attend to some important business. Property deal may take some more time to finalize. Mind will be full of bright ideas and you will start your search for ideal partners to implement them. You may take spouse to a nice place for dinner and even buy some nice and valuable gifts.

(October 23 to November 22)

G

ambling instincts will pay off in a big way. It will not be less than some kind of jackpot. Even next few weeks are favorable for all career related matters. Boss will stay on your side on all issues and will make necessary recommendations to move you to next level.

You may travel with family to meet an old friend this week.

(November 23 to December 22)

L

uck is definitely on your side and things will start rolling again in the right direction. Expect some interesting and favorable developments in career if not this week but in next few weeks for sure.

Very light medication will help tackle health issue. Jupiter's presence in seventh will help those who looking for a partner.

(December 22 to January 19)

P

lanets are in order to help you in big way. Few road blocks will be cleared with little effort. week favorable for people connected with health industry. Spouse may get a small cut or burn in kitchen or handing some sharp object. Extra time spent at work will reap rich rewards. You will hear some good news from a distant place.

(January 20 to February 18)

Y

ou may have to wait for another week to see the results for your efforts and this should not be a reason to feel disheartened or depressed. You will have a great opportunity to spend quality time with some successful and famous people. There can be minor changes in your travel plan. sale of some stocks will get you extra cash.

(February 19 to March 20)

S

trong Sun in sixth will help you gain an edge over your opponents and even clear a highly competitive exam without any difficulty. Transiting Venus in seventh can hook you up with an interesting person but only for a short period. You need to cut down on caffeine and start meals at proper time. You may watch a movie with family.

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

510-886-4370 website: www.parashar.com

48 India Post

www.indiapost.com

August 16, 2013

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

India Post 49

www.indiapost.com

50 India Post

August 16, 2013

Shahrukh Khan & Deepika Padukone, the lead actors of Chennai Express, at the satellite press conference

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: A satellite press conference with Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone was conducted at the Bryant Park Hotel with a live video feed from Mumbai. The stars were at hand to talk about their film Chennai express and interact with the press from New York.

According to a report on the Examiner.com, the press conference took on an existential note when Khan was questioned, "Who is Shahrukh Khan?"

"The lines are very blurred," he conceded. "I don't know. Many

days I don't know if I'm acting like Shahrukh Khan, or 'Shahrukh Khan' is acting like Shahrukh Khan."

But he said that while he made compromises with his time and in his family life, he never compromises when it comes to his work.

"I always do a film for the right reason - always from the heart," he said, "and I always leave a part of me behind."

The cars and houses may have "gotten bigger" over the years, he said, "and they allow me in First Class now." But Khan would still be excited as an actor, he said, without these ameni-

Mohijit Mukerjee, Associate Manager - Marketing, North America, Studios, UTV Motion Pictures and Dr. Shazya Wahedna of Shazya Entertainment flanked

by Team Touchdown.-Pics Gunjesh Desai/MasalaJunction.com

ties.

"I still lead a very simple life," he said. "I never had a tangible way of looking at success, [but] feel it's never-ending - it should not have a finish line."

"Of all the people who made me who I am," Khan concluded, "I want to say thank you to them in my work, for all I've got from the people who watch me."

SRK recited popular dialogues from his past films for the press core and even sang a few lines from a popular song of the film. Deepika too recited some dialogues and enthralled the audience with anecdotes from the set.

Chevrolet Spark for Miss India-Canada India Post News service

TORONTO, Canada: For the first time ever, the winner of Miss India-Canada title will walk away with the keys to a brand new

Chevrolet Spark

Chevrolet Spark. This year's 23rd annual show, which is being presented by Chevrolet, will be held on Saturday, August 17 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Toronto.

Brita is returning as an associ-

ate sponsor. With nearly 23 years of glamour, the Miss India-Canada organization has continued to transform the annual Gala into a unique evening that allows an affluent South Asian community to come together to celebrate their cultural heritage.

"Chevrolet is proud to support Miss India-Canada 2013. We are really looking forward to the event and further strengthening our relationship with Canada's vibrant South Asian community," said Rob Assimakopoulos, general director, marketing and communications, General Motors of Canada.

UK Bhangra Ambassador Jassi Sidhu will be this year's guest of honor. The former lead singer of British Indian Bhangra band B21, went solo in early 2000, where his career continued to skyrocket.

This year's show will be telecast after the event on Zee TV Canada, the exclusive broadcast partner. Zee TV Canada also announced they will be awarding one lucky delegate from the event the opportunity to host one of its Canadian episodes.

Jassi

August 16, 2013

India Post 51 www.indiapost.com

Women resent going Dutch on dates

L

ess than 50 percent of the women confessed that they get bothered when their male partner wants them to share expenses for their dates, a study has revealed.

suggest gender should not determine who pays for the entertainment expenses.

This research examines the extent to which people embrace or reject these competing notions af-

David Frederick co-authored the study with Janet Lever, of California State University, Los Angeles, and Rosanna Hertz, of Wellesley College.

Conventional notions of chivalry dictate that on a "date," the man pays, whereas egalitarian ideals

ter nearly 50 years of feminism. It is known that most marriages (8 in 10) today are based on sharing the breadwinner's burden, so one question was whether that role is shared prior to marriage and, if so, how early in the dating process.

Consistent with conventional

norms, most men (84 percent) and women (58 percent) reported that men pay for most expenses, even after dating for a while.

Over half (57 percent) of women claim they offer to help pay, but many women (39 percent) confessed they hope men would reject their offers to pay, and 44 percent of women were bothered when men expected women to help pay.

Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of men believed that women should contribute to dating expenses, and many feel strongly about that: Nearly half of men (44 percent) said they would stop dating a woman who never pays.

A large majority of men (76 percent), however, reported feeling guilty accepting women's money.

In terms of behavior, even if men are paying a larger proportion of expenses, 4 in 10 men and women agreed that dating expenses were at least partially shared within the first month, and roughly threefourths (74 percent of men, 83 percent of women) reported some sharing of expenses by six months.

Pay with a kiss at Sydney's coffee shop

A

recently-opened French café at Hyde Park Metro mixed business with pleasure when it started offering free coffee to those who kissed their partners in full view, while at the café.

Cafe staffers were off limits for the offer, which lasted all of June, between 9 and 11 am at St. James Cafe.

Photos of kissing couples was uploaded on the brand's Facebook and Instagram feeds.

While the offer is no more valid, it has left lakhs of internet surfers discussing the idea.

The YouTube video posted by the café has received over 8,16,922

some of the examples.

However, some people bashed the idea saying that it was not 'single-friendly'.

Besides promoting the offer on Facebook, the owner of the café also spoke 'If I come in by myself, can I about the idea on kiss the waiter?', 'If I kiss five Sydney radio, six days into the campaign. people do I get five free "This will bring coffees?' and 'If I come back the romance," alone could I kiss a stranger media reports quoted him as saying. who is also alone?'

While the kissing season is over at 110 people do I get five free coffees?' Elizabeth Street Sydney, it might and 'If I come alone could I kiss a set the cash registers ringing at stranger who is also alone?' are the café. views in just three months.

What's more? The page views are flooded with hilarious doubts.

'If I come in by myself, can I kiss the waiter?', 'If I kiss five

A political action thriller M

adras Café, the political action thriller is set against the backdrop of the tumultuous and controversial Sri Lankan civil war of the 1990s.

The film stars John Abraham as an Indian Army Intelligence Agent sent to Sri Lanka to break

a resolute rebel group. Once there, he meets a charismatic female journalist, played by Nargis Fakhri who is determined to uncover the truth about the civil war. Together the pair uncover a deeper, sinister conspiracy by a faceless enemy.

USF student completes walk across the country TAMPA, Fla.: A University of South Florida student has completed a walk across the country in a personal quest he hopes will inspire others to become active.

Tw e n t y - t w o - y e a r - o l d Harrison Milanian walked from Tallahassee to Laguna Beach, Calif., in a little over 11 weeks, The Tampa Tribune reports. ``I wanted to do something challenging,'' Milanian said.

Milanian got the idea for the walk after he started going on 20mile walks with his golden re-

triever, Captain.

He then began training to walk across the country, even though friends and family urged him not to. It was a personal challenge but also part of a larger mission to raise awareness about fitness. ``This country has such a sedentary lifestyle,'' he said. ``We are indoors, we are docile in front of our computers.''

Milanian began walking on May 7 with a sign on his back that read: ``America on Foot.''PTI

52

India Post

Classifieds www.indiapost.com

RECEPTIONIST WANTED IN CHICAGOLAND Looking for a receptionist with website (online) technology for A Chicago based company for its Romeoville office.

Good compensation to right person Contact Immediately

(312) 497 6700 or (312) 421 6800

August 16, 2013

Philosophy

August 16, 2013

India Post 53

www.indiapost.com

Page Sponsored by Sahanis SRI AUROBINDO

I

ndividual salvation can have no real sense if existence in the cosmos is itself an illusion. In the Monistic view the individual soul is one with the Supreme, its sense of separateness an ignorance, escape from the sense of separateness and identity with the Supreme its salvation. But who then profits by this escape? Not the supreme Self, for it is supposed to be always and inalienably free, still, silent, pure.

Not the world, for that remains constantly in the bondage and is not freed by the escape of any individual soul from the universal Illusion. It is the individual soul itself which effects its supreme good by escaping from the sorrow and the division into the peace and the bliss.

There would seem then to be some kind of reality of the individual soul as distinct from the world and from the Supreme even in the event of freedom and illumination.

But for the Illusionist the individual soul is an illusion and nonexistent except in the inexplicable mystery of Maya. Therefore we arrive at the escape of an illusory non-existent soul from an illusory non-existent bondage in an illusory non-existent world as the supreme good which that non-existent soul has to pursue!

For this is the last word of the SWAMI DAYANANDA SARASWATI

W

hat is uparati, or as the author of the Tattvabodha calls it, uparama? He answers, svadharmänuñöhänameva. This is a very interesting meaning.

Uparama is getting back to yourself. There is a tendency to omit what I have to do, and do what I need not do, do something else.

This is the tendency that everybody has. A withdrawal from that, and doing what is to be done is uparama, svadharmaanuñöhänam eva. Svadharma: sva means one's own; dharma, here, is what is to be done. What is to be done is to be done. We can't say, "I don't feel like doing it," and not do it. This is a certain abuse of freedom.

Even though you don't feel like doing it, sometimes it has to be done. So what is to be done, you do, even though you don't feel like doing it, and what is not to be done, even if you feel like doing it, you don't. That is what he calls uparama.

Uparama is also translated as sannyäsa, renunciation - taking to a life of renunciation for a dedicated pursuit. In fact, this is a

Knowledge, ``There is none bound, none freed, none seeking to be free.'' Vidya turns out to be as much a part of the Phenomenal as Avidya; Maya meets us even in our escape and laughs at the triumphant logic which seemed to cut the knot of her mystery.

These things, it is said, cannot be explained; they are the initial and insoluble miracle. They are for us a practical fact and have to be accepted. We have to escape by a confusion out of a confusion. The

regard my personal escape from bondage as real while other souls who are equally myself remain behind in the bondage!

It is only when we put aside all irreconcilable antinomy between Self and the world that things fall into their place by a less paradoxical logic. We must accept the many-sidedness of the manifestation even while we assert the unity of the Manifested. And is not this after all the truth that pursues us wherever we cast our

at being bound without incurring a real bondage. Its chain is a self-imposed convention, Its limitation in the ego a transitional device that it uses in order to repeat its transcendence and universality in the scheme of the individual Brahman.

The Transcendent, the Supracosmic is absolute and free in Itself beyond Time and Space and beyond the conceptual opposites of finite and infinite.

But in cosmos it uses Its lib-

Multiple unity of subconscient, conscient and superconscient We arrive at the escape of an illusory non-existent soul from an illusory nonexistent bondage in an illusory non-existent world as the supreme good

As rivers, flowing down, become indistinguishable on reaching the sea by giving up their names and forms, so also the illumined soul, having become freed from name and form, reaches the selfeffulgent Supreme Self -Mundaka Upanishad

Sri Aurobindo

individual soul can only cut the knot of ego by a supreme act of egoism, an exclusive attachment to its own individual salvation which amounts to an absolute assertion of its separate existence in Maya.

We are led to regard other souls as if they were figments of our mind and their salvation unimportant, our soul alone as if it were entirely real and its salvation the one thing that matters. I come to

eyes?

Is not this after all the perfectly natural and simple mystery of Conscious Being that It is bound neither by its unity nor by its multiplicity? It is ``absolute'' in the sense of being entirely free to include and arrange in Its own way all possible terms of Its self-expression.

It is so free that it is not even bound by its liberty. It can play

erty of self-formation, Its Maya, to make a scheme of Itself in the complementary terms of unity and multiplicity, and this multiple unity It establishes in the three conditions of the subconscient, the conscient and the superconscient.

Excerpted from the Life Divine. The 141st birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo will be celebrated on August 15.

more suitable meaning for all of us. But here, he says that it is svadharma-anuñöhänam eva, whatever is your dharma, whatever is to be done at a given place and in a given situation, that you do, whether you like it or not.

taneous.

It is something like a doctor telling you that every day you must eat an apple, and you saying, "Oh, that's wonderful, I love apples." When you love apples and somebody advises you to eat an apple daily, you can enjoy

Why? It has to be taken.

And so, what we like is not going to be what is to be done every time, and what we don't like is not what is not to be done every time. No, what we don't like sometimes is to be done, and what we like is not to be done.

Doing what we dislike and avoiding what we like

Swami Dayananda

that; there is no conflict.

But then, if they say that you have to take this bitter gourd juice every day, then you have to take it, even though you don't like it - and I don't think anybody will ever like it. Certain things you can learn to like after some time, like blue cheese, I suppose. But I don't think anybody will learn to like bitter gourd juice. Still, you take it.

The mind that is attached to sense-objects leads to bondage, while dissociated from sense-objects it tends to lead to liberation.

-Amrita--Bindu Upanishad Dissolve the self in the supreme Self as the potspace is dissolved in infinite space -Adhyatma Upanishad What matters it to the sky in the pot, whether it (the pot) is destroyed now or exists for a long time.

-Varaha Upanishad

Svadharma-anuñöhänam eva, whatever is your dharma, whatever is to be done at a given place and in a given situation, that you do, whether you like it or not.

That is how we gain a certain mastery over our own likes and dislikes. Otherwise they dictate our behavior all the time, and that is a meaningless life, really speaking.

As long as these likes and dislikes conform to dharma, they are fine. If what is to be done conforms to dharma and you like it, and it is good for you, and you do it, in fact, you will be spon-

Who sees multiplicity But not the one indivisible Self Must wander on and on from death to death.

-Kathopanishad

And therefore, what shall we do? If you go by what you like and don't like, you'll become a derelict, so what is to be done you do, and what is not to be done, you avoid. This becomes uparama. It avoids conflicts, and it gives you a sense of satisfaction.

The 83rd birth anniversary of Swami Dayananda Saraswati will observed on August 15

Having cast off all (objects), assimilate yourself to that which remains.

-Annapurna Upanishad Bondage is the imagination prompted by the desire for the eight powers.

-Niralamba Upanishad

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 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

LoC attack: Tactical offense or strategic defense?

T

he recent killing of five soldiers in Poonch confirms the calculated and tested strategy of the Pakistan Army. Pakistan's dubious track record of such events since the killing of Captain Saurabh Kalia and five other soldiers on May 15 1999 to the killing five of our brave men on August 5, 2013, inside our LoC are indicative of a revival of such dehumanization.

The emotions and concerns raised by the nation each time may well be justified, but undue intensity in responses and reactions may often go to consolidate success of the perpetrators. In a contextual perspective, recurring events of this nature fall in line

any action taken by the Indian Military and reiterated by every single Pakistani participant during television debates or panel discussions . Perhaps our responses need to be fearless, timely and appropriate at the tactical level, and beyond glare of the media.

While objectives of such or similar actions identified by India's Security and Defense experts during recent debates and discussions are extremely relevant, the outcome intended this time may well be more subtle and strategic. It is pertinent to bring here the internal security dynamic and declining influence of the Pakistani Military in the post election scenario.

The divergence in the civil mili-

Army Chief General Bikram Singh in Jammu after laying wreaths at the bodies of the five jawans killed in an ambush by Pakistan soldiers in Poonch

with the processes of authorization, routinization, and dehumanization, used by Kelman and Hamilton in studying My Lai and related events, to explain the dimension of Pakistan's Military psychology.

Pakistan military can learn from its record of atrocities in Bangladesh with larger ramifications of isolation in international relations, a possibility that Nawaz Sharif Government cannot allow.

At a tactical level, Pakistan's military psychology may be seen focused on a sense of achievement Vis a vis India within the vacuum created by enormous disparities of conventional combat power or as a moral ascendancy/supremacy in the prevailing imbalance.

While the daring exhibited in this raid may certainly be a shot of adrenaline for the Pakistani military, but this may not be without a risk of escalation.

India therefore, cannot and need not be cowed down by the hyped responses and talks of nuclear retaliation built up by Pakistani military establishment, to

India Post

LT. GEN. ARVINDER S LAMBA

tary relationship between the Army, the PML-N and PTI on several security issues has been increasing. India's role in Afghanistan and cooperation between India and Pakistan towards peace and tranquility may well be the most serious differences that may threaten peace.

In its first steps towards its strategic objectives of return to constitutional hierarchy, the Government's focus is on the place of the Military, denying it its traditional space of decision making on national issues.

The federal government's recent decision to initiate a high treason case against former military dictator Pervez Musharraf for subverting the constitution of Pakistan twice, which led to exile of Nawaz Sharif, and landing the shame/ humiliation of Kargil upon Pakistan are significant.

Commencement of investigations, fully supported by the PTI and PPP, have added to concerns of the Military, as any such prosecution would threaten many to similar fate.

Silence of the Army chief General Kayani during the entire process of campaigning and elections and of keeping the Taliban at bay while propagating opportunities of their conditional return to mainstream, while a step in the good and orderly direction, was viewed with serious reservations from many quarters within the Army.

The implicit intent of the civil government may well be the nemesis of the Pakistan Army from a place of pre eminence and control, to a place of irrelevance or relative insignificance.

The only field left where the Military can draw or perhaps redraw its significance is the LoC and issues of terrorism that may turn focus from civilian engagement to military incidents that tend to rally nations and people against each other thus reversing the entire process of restoring peace.

Katharine Houreld from Reuters on May 20 this year quoted Lieutenant General Talat Masood who viewed the past five years significant in this context, in that, while the military remained the most powerful force behind the scenes, it no longer wanted to take direct power.

Musharraf, the last military dictator, was in detention, Generals had been hauled up before Pakistan's feisty courts and accused of vote-rigging, corruption and extrajudicial killings. The army does not have the monopoly of the power it once did.

With a judiciary supportive of the Prime Minister and a pro-government media, an Army with a reformed, pro-democracy mindset, will complement the underpinnings for change in the overall environment in both Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Towards this, Nawaz Sharif will have to address the singular and greatest obsession of the Pakistan Military leadership and the rank and file, from its perceptions of India being the entire raison d'ĂŞtre of its existence to one of relevance in national interest and internal contingencies.

The fragile peace between India and Pakistan is once again under threat, but this time, the unease and tension may not be between India and Pakistan but between Pakistan and Pakistani Military establishment.

For the latter, it may be a last strategic defense for the Military's relevance than a tactical victory vis a vis India.

The writer is former Vice-Chief of Army Staff. Courtesy IPCS

Need for caution

N

arendra Modi drew a huge crowd at his campaign rally in Hyderabad. His speech, as expected, was an assault on Congress rule and Congress culture. It is easy to attack a down and out Congress after its nine-year complacent rule at the Center. Everybody knows what ails the Congress. Beating it again and again does make for good drama and people enjoy it. But as a responsible political party which hopes to come to power in 2014 the BJP needs to present its own blueprint. What alternative model of development and progress does it present? Will the Modi model of Gujarat development create communal disharmony? By encouraging industries and industrialists will the poverty problem be addressed?

In the Hyderabad speech, Modi can be accused of ratcheting up the war rhetoric with neighbors China and Pakistan. The Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China are difficult issues harboring past history. A semblance of calm was being maintained there after difficult negotiations. Now with imminent American withdrawal from Afghanistan, Pakistan finds itself able to transfer troops from the Afghan theater to the eastern border with India. The design is to resume fomenting trouble in Kashmir.

China with a new leadership at the helm is flexing its muscles to demonstrate it is in control. The need at both fronts therefore is to conduct careful and calm diplomacy. The BJP cry to call off the coming meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in New York next month is short sighted. To raise temperatures at this moment is not a wise thing to do. You can pressurize a weak Manmohan Singh to do your bidding but there will be regrets later. The BJP itself, under the leadership of Vajpayee, never stopped talking to Pakistan or China in spite of incidents on the border and the brazen attack on Parliament.

Modi in his speech hailed both Telengana and Seemandhra and asked the "brothers" not to fight with each other whatever the Congress politics behind its moves. The Congress announcement of a separate state of Telengana has been an ill-thought out move.

The timing also is suspect, just before the elections, a stratagem to please a large group of people. But obviously the Congress overlooked the consequences which were obvious to any intelligent person. If one separate state demand is conceded, there will rise up demands of other regions like Gorkhaland and Bodoland which have also been agitating for separate states. It has led to bandhs and violence with the Congress unable to silence these demands nor has it come up with an answer to the query, why only Telengana, why not us also?

The BJP is also trying to please as many people and parties as possible. They have been raising expectations and will find it difficult to fulfill them if and when they happen to come to power.

As he moves along the campaign trail, Modi will find the need to temper his rhetoric to win friends which the BJP must know are few on the horizon. Already in his Hyderabad speech he sought to woo the Telugu Desam party of Chandrababu Naidu who was once with the NDA but feels the Muslims in Andhra Pradesh deserted him because of his proximity to the BJP and that is how he lost the last elections. So he would be wary this time too. Modi also praised Advani and the chief ministers of BJP states so as to reduce the internal strife in BJP. The crowds at Modi rallies will keep coming as he seems to articulate their anger over the Congress which continues to play by old rules of vote bank politics. With Modi also now in an appeasing mood, is there a guarantee there would not be a vote bank politics from the BJP too?

August 16, 2013

www.indiapost.com

India Post 55

56 India Post

www.indiapost.com

August 16, 2013