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Vidya Balan, Anna lead big NY parade Details on page 31

VOL 19, No. 988

August 23, 2013

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Periodical Postage

'PAK MILITARY RAISING TENSION WITH INDIA' WASHINGTON: Pakistan military is deliberately ratcheting up tension with India to prevent any meaningful peace talks and demonstrate that it still calls the shots on bilateral ties, an eminent American expert has said.

"It is possible the Pakistani military establishment is deliberately ratcheting up the tension to demonstrate to the Sharif government that it still calls the shots regarding India-Pakistan relations," Lisa Curtis of The Heritage Foundation said.

The Pakistan army may be trying to warn Sharif off from pursuing any meaningful peace initiatives like he did when he previously served as prime minister in the late 1990s, she added.

"Back-channel negotiations with India over the status of Kashmir had made significant progress under Sharif's previous tenure in 1999 until the Pakistani military took over Indian military positions in the heights of Kargil, precipitating a brief Indo-Pakistani border war," she said. Details on page 5

Weather adds to charm of India Day in Chicago

Shivshankar Menon

Menon in US to prepare for PM’s visit Details on page 6

Jindal gets 50 pc approval in internal poll Details on page 6

Musharraf indicted in Bhutto case

Details on page 23

Details on page 7

Rita Singh FIA puts up a grand India Day show

Sanjay Dutt seeks parole for treatment

Details on page 25

Details on page 5

Indians across world celebrate I Day with gusto

CONTENTS Bollywood -------------------------- 11 Classifieds ------------------------- 52

Details on page 6

Community Post -------------- 16-32 Date Book -------------------------- 36 Edit Page --------------------------- 54

INDIA POST SURVEY

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

survey@indiapost.com

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

This week’s question

Immigration Post ------------- 44-46

Indian Americans more enthused about Independence Day? Last week’s result

Indian Americans can influence Indian elections?

YES 32%

NO 68%

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

PRIDE & PATRIOTISM: Grand Marshal & Bollywood star Jimmy Shergill led the Festival of India parade with FIA Chairman Dr Romesh Japra at Paseo Padra Parkway in Fremont on August 18. Here they are seen with (from left) Bollywood singer Prem Bhatia, Consul General N. Parthasarathi, (sitting) a guest, State Senator Ellen Corbett and Ro Khanna, candidate for Congress. (Details on page 16)

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 14-15 TechBiz Post ------------------- 12-13 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 41-43

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n the occasion of her 66th Independence Day, India received a unique birthday gift from the Indian American community - $5 million in grants to usher in a new era for the Center for India Studies at Stony Brook University in New York.

These grants which include - and I cite from the communiqué received from the University - a donation of $1.25 million from Dr. Nirmal Mattoo, a permanent endowment of $1.25 from the Indian American community and a generous $2.5 million matching funds from the Simons Foundation Challenge Grant.

So what started as a tentative program with just two courses has today become a full fledged Chair in perpetuity to encompass a broad range of areas including art, esthetics, ethics, linguistics, literature, literary theory, philosophy, religion, spirituality, psychology, sociopolitical theory, and allied disciplines.

Over the years, the Center for India Studies has gained prominence not only as an academic center for excellence, but also a cultural and resource center to spread the India story through international news reports, mainstream media outlets and television documentaries.

But what makes the Center special for both India and Indian Americans is that, as Prof. S.N. Sridhar, the founding director of the Center says, it is a "proud community asset." Indeed, it is a prized possession of the community, built through tireless fund raising and ensuring a profile of excellence to attract the most outstanding of academic talent to its faculty and programs.

A perfect example of a successful partnership between a public university and the Indian American community, the Center has become an inspiration for other communities who want to start similar programs in other universities.

As a member of the Indian American community, besides thanking the visionary leadership of the University and generosity of the Simons Foundation, I commend and congratulate our own community leaders who made this Center such a tremendous success.

So here's to the India Studies Center, which, as Dennis Assanis, Provost of the University says, will be a treasury of human achievement - the intellectual heritage and history of a whole subcontinent. And, more importantly, an endowment for a classic civilization.

Romesh K Japra

rkjapra@indiapost.com

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Dost dost na raha Arjun Rampal and Shahrukh Khan's friendship has gone kaput. Arjun skipped Shahrukh Khan's grand Eid bash

Cover Story: Military gambit Pakistan military is deliberately ratcheting up tension with India to prevent any meaningful peace talks

Community: Festival of India On a hot weekend with temperature soaring, 21st Festival of India opened with a bang in Fremont, California

Immigration: Citizenship favored A high-profile bipartisan task force chaired by former governors and secretaries endorses citizenship for immigrants

Life Style: Gita translation Oxford scholar Gavin Flood and poet translator Charles Martin bestow on Gita the glorious gusto it deserves.

Techbiz: India hit The low growth in the Indian economy has consequences and implications for all the members of the BRICS nations

Travel: Pushkar Surrounded by hills on three sides and sand dunes on the other, Pushkar forms a fascinating backdrop for religious fair.

11 1 16 44 50 12 41

Cover/Top Stories

August 23, 2013

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'Pak military raising tension with India' WASHINGTON: Pakistan military is deliberately ratcheting up tension with India to prevent any meaningful peace talks and demonstrate that it still calls the shots on bilateral ties, an eminent American expert has said.

"It is possible the Pakistani military establishment is deliberately ratcheting up the tension to demonstrate to the Sharif government that it still calls the shots regarding India-Pakistan relations," Lisa Curtis of The Heri-

tage Foundation said.

The Pakistan army may be trying to warn Sharif off from pursuing any meaningful peace initiatives like he did when he previously served as prime minister in the late 1990s, she added.

"Back-channel negotiations with India over the status of Kashmir had made significant progress under Sharif's previous tenure in 1999 until the Pakistani military took over Indian military positions in the heights of Kargil,

Curtis said the US should take the recent border flare-ups seriously and do what it can to reduce the military tensions that risk developing into broader conflict

precipitating a brief Indo-Pakistani border war," she said.

Curtis said the US should take the recent border flare-ups seriously and do what it can to reduce the military tensions that risk developing into broader conflict.

"Washington should resist any calls for mediation, however," she said and praised the State Department to dismiss the idea of Washington appointing a special envoy to deal with Indo-Pakistani tensions.

"The specter of a visible, highprofile US role in the dispute over Kashmir would only risk exacerbating tensions by fuelling unrealistic expectations in Pakistan and its support for Kashmiri militants," she said.

"A more promising path to encouraging peace in the subcontinent and overall regional stability is for Washington to convince the Pakistani military to give up its policies of relying on extremist groups to achieve its foreign policy objectives," Curtis said. -PTI

Army Chief briefs Prime Minister India, Pak shouldn't waste resources on war: Sharif on LoC situation NEW DELHI: Against the backdrop of ceasefire violations along the Line of Control, Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh has briefed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the situation there and the retaliatory operations being carried out by the Indian troops.

The Army Chief held an "unscheduled" 40-minute meeting with the Prime Minister at his 7, Race Course Road residence and briefed him about the ongoing ceasefire violations on the Line of Control, sources said here.

The meeting comes soon after Defense Minister A K Antony made a statement in the Rajya Sabha in which he said the number of ceasefire violations by Pakistan has been rising and after the killing of five Indian soldiers on August 6.

He said 24 such violations have taken place since August six.

The Defense Minister said the army has mobilized troops and they are retaliating effectively and strongly.

The Army Chief has been holding meetings with his top officers including his three-star Principal Staff Officers including the DGMO and the DGMI to chalk out the response of the Army in view of

manders there for the failure to check the killing of five Indian soldiers earlier this month and the beheading of own troops in January.

The force is also preparing it-

ISLAMABAD: Describing Kashmir as the "jugular vein" of his country, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said India and Pakistan should join hands to tackle poverty and disease instead of wasting their resources on wars.

Kashmir is a "national issue and the jugular vein of Pakistan" and its resolution is as dear to him as other Pakistanis, Sharif said in his first address to the nation since assuming office in June.

Sharif cautioned that Pakistan cannot achieve any target without strengthening its economy.

"Alongside the Kashmir issue we will have to pay attention to strengthening our economy resolve our internal and external

"History bears testimony to the fact that progress and development of a nation is deeply linked to cordial relations with neighbors. It is because of this that we want good relations with all neighbors, including India," he said.

Sharif said he had "always wanted good relations with India" and the people had supported his contention during the general election in May. Without referring to clashes along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, Sharif said the country is "fully prepared to defend the motherland along with its valiant armed forces".

Sharif's PML-N party won the polls with a clear majority but has been struggling with an array of

Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh

the situation on the LoC. During his visit to the field formations along the LoC, the Chief had pulled up his com-

self for tackling the possibility of increased attacks by the Pakistan Border Action Teams (BAT) on the LoC. -PTI

Sanjay Dutt seeks parole for treatment PUNE: Actor Sanjay Dutt, serving a 42 months sentence in the 1993 Bombay blasts case, has sought to be let out on parole for treatment of an undisclosed medical condition, Yerawada jail authorities said.

Dutt's application, submitted around 20 days ago, is being processed, sources said.

While confirming receipt of an application from the 53-year-old actor for parole, Jail Superintendent Yogesh Desai declined to divulge any details about the ailment for which he intends to seek treatment.

"We have forwarded his parole application to the divisional commissioner, who will take a decision.

The divisional commissioner will

get a detailed report from the concerned police stations and then decide on the application.

While granting parole, the con-

Sanjay Dutt

duct of Sanjay Dutt will also be considered," Desai said.

The actor was convicted by a TADA court for illegally possess-

ing a 9 mm pistol and an AK-56 rifle, a part of the consignment of weapons and explosives brought to India for coordinated serial blasts that killed 257 people and injured over 700 in March 1993.

The Supreme Court had in March this year upheld his conviction under the Arms Act but reduced the six years to five.

He had already served a-yearand-half behind the bars before the apex court's judgment and is undergoing the remaining sentence of 42 months.

Dutt was sent to Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai on May 16 after he surrendered before a designated TADA court and was shifted to Yerawada prison six days later.PTI

Nawaz Sharif

problems and tackle the power crisis and terrorism," he said.

Referring to his desire to forge good relations with India, Sharif said both countries should realize that "instead of wasting their energies and resources on wars they should wage war against poverty ignorance and disease".

Pakistan and India will have to join their heads together to address common issues like poverty and ignorance, he said.

challenges, ranging from a crippling energy crisis to a Taliban insurgency.

Ties between Islamabad and New Delhi too have soured since five Indian soldiers were killed in an attack by Pakistani troops along the LoC. Turning to domestic issues, Sharif expressed his government's resolve to eliminate terrorism improve the economy and address the power crisis.-PTI

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Indians across world celebrate I Day with gusto BEIJING/MELBOURNE: Indians across the globe donned patriotic colors as they celebrated

to celebrate the Independence Day. A large gathering of Indian expatriates working in Beijing attended the ceremony.

Jaishankar read out President Pranab Mukharjee's national address and later hosted a reception on the occasion.

The national tricolor also fluttered proudly across southeast Asia, as Indians and friends of India thronged to witness the unfurling of the flag by Indian envoys in the region to Embassy of India Yangon: Flag Hoisting Ceremony mark India's 67th Infor Independence Day at Embassy Auditorium on dependence Day. 15 August In Bangkok, Students from Indian schools India's ambassador to Thailand Anil Wadhwa unfurled the flag in Singapore also performed durand read out the President's ing the cultural events.

Singh hosted a morning recepspeech.

School children sang patriotic tion for the Indian community and songs while 14 dancers from businessmen in Singapore.

In Australia, Indian Diaspora Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang district performed the Snow Lion celebrated the 67th Independence dance much to the delight of hun- Day by organizing flag hoisting dreds of Indians present at the ceremonies across the country followed by gala dinners and Embassy.

The tri-color was also unfurled events.

Speaking on the occasion,

by Indian envoys in neighboring Myanmar, Singapore, Laos, Indo- India's High Commissioner to

Ambassador Nirupama Rao unfurling the Indian National Flag on the occasion

year in Sydney which is expected to be attended by over 1000 participants across the region.

In the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, Consul General K Nagaraj Naidu hoisted the tricolor and read the President's address to the nation at the Indian Consulate.

The ceremony was attended by a cross-section of the local Indian community, including Indian students, a Consulate statement said. -PTI

Menon meets US officials to prepare for PM's visit WASHINGTON: National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon has met top officials of the Obama Administration to prepare for the scheduled visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the US next month.

"Deputy Secretary (of State William) Burns and NSA Menon discussed plans for Prime Minister Singh's upcoming visit to Washington, and affirmed our mutual commitment to continuing progress on civil-nuclear cooperation, regional security, economic cooperation, and combating climate change," a State Department spokesperson told PTI. Menon met Burns and has

held a series of meetings with other senior officials of the US Government in the White House and the Pentagon, during which he held consultations on a wide range of bilateral and regional issues.

"Burns also expressed his condolences for the personnel killed in the INS Sundhurakshak," the official said.

Prime Minister Singh is expected to undertake a six-day visit to the US from September 20, during which he will have a bilateral meeting with President Barack Obama in Washington besides attending the UN General Assembly in New York. -PTI

Jindal gets 50 pc approval in internal Republican survey

the country's 67th Independence Day, unfurling the national flag and organizing cultural events to mark the occasion.

India's Ambassador to China S Jaishankar hoisted the tri-color at the Embassy premises in Beijing High Commission of India, Singapore: Students from Indian schools in Singapore celebrate I-Day

India's Ambassador to Japan Deepa Wadhwa

Nanda further took note of Indian companies which have established joint ventures in Australia in the manufacturing sector in areas like auto components, aircraft manufacture, the manufacture of tractors and refining of vegetable oils.

"The Free Trade Agreement that we are now negotiating will diversify and deepen our economic engagement," Nanda said.

Indian government is organizing Regional Pravasi Diwas this

nesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam.

In Tokyo, India's Ambassador to Japan Deepa Wadhwa unfurled the national flag.

About 300 Indians and friends of India attended the function.

Patriotic songs were sung by school children from two Indian schools in Tokyo.

In Singapore, India's High Commissioner Vijay Thakur Singh led more than 500-strong Indian community in celebrating the Independence Day. Singh read out the President's message which was followed by three hours of cultural performances and singing of patriotic songs.

Australia Biren Nanda extended greetings to Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin in the country.

He said India's relations with Australia have grown from strength to strength since the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries in 2009.

"Our bilateral trade has reached USD 20 billion. There has been a very significant growth in twoway investment.

Indian companies have invested significantly in the resources sector and have propelled our economic relationship to the strategic level," he said.

WASHINGTON: Louisiana's Indian-American Governor Bobby Jindal - a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2016 has 50 per cent approval in internal party survey in his home state.

Jindal's internal polling puts his approval rating at 50 per cent in Louisiana, according to the Republican survey.

The survey found 55 per cent support the 42year-old potential presidential candidate's controversial decision not to expand Medicaid, with 37 per cent opposed, Politico news site reported.

Sixty-two per cent of Louisianans oppose Obamacare, 53 per cent strongly so. Only 33 per cent favor the law.

Jindal, reelected in 2011, is term-limited.

Four-fifths of Republicans fa-

vor his Medicaid position.

President Barack Obama's approval rating is 37 per cent in the state, according to the poll.

OnMessage Inc, Jindal's main

Bobby Jindal

consulting firm, surveyed 800 voters from August 12 to 15.

The poll was conducted for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. -PTI

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Musharraf indicted in Bhutto murder case ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf has been indicted by an anti-terrorism court in the 2007 assassination of ex-premier Benazir Bhutto.

Musharraf, who has been under house arrest for the last four months, was charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and facilitation of murder, said state prosecutor Chaudhry Muhammad Azhar.

The 70-year-old former president was brought under heavy security to the anti-terrorism court of judge Habibur Rehman in

Rawalpindi.

If convicted, Musharraf can be sentenced to death or life imprisonment.

Musharraf denied the allegation in the court and his legal team will continue to defend him in the case in which he has been falsely implicated, the information secretary of his All Pakistan Muslim League, Aasia Ishaq, told PTI. "He was not in the list of accused till 2008 but later his name was included on the basis of an email by Benazir to the US journalist Mark Segal," said Ishaq.

"When this email has been

Anti-superstition activist shot dead PUNE: In a setback to the progressive movement in Maharashtra, leading anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar was shot dead by two unidentified assailants while he was out on a morning walk here.

Known for his over two-decade long campaign against outdated and inhuman social practices, Dabholkar was currently engaged in mobilizing public opinion and holding discussions with Maharashtra government for passing an 'anti-superstition and

Narendra Dabholkar

black magic' law in the state legislature, opposed by certain sections of the society, including the Warkari sect.

69-year-old Dabholkar, who headed the 'Andhashraddha Nirluman Samiti' (anti-superstition movement), was out for a morning walk when two motorcycleborne unidentified assailants fired two bullets from close range into his head from behind, police said quoting an eyewitness.

The offence took place on the bridge near Omkareshwar Temple

in the city in the vicinity of 'Sadhana' magazine, which Dabholkar edited to propagate progressive thought to change social mindset.

Police said Dabholkar, who lay in a pool of blood on the bridge, was identified by a photo in his wallet and a cheque in the name of the Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (ANS). He was taken to Sassoon Hospital where he succumbed to injuries.

Four bullets were fired at the activist out of which two were lodged in his head, police added.

For Dabholkar, who hailed from Satara, spreading scientific temper and eradicating superstitions and undesirable rituals in the society was a lifelong mission which he carried with zest and rational thought, notwithstanding resistance from retrograde elements.

Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil, expressing shock and grief, said he had instructed top police officials to get to the bottom of the reprehensible act and book the culprits using all their "investigative skills".

Pune Police Commissioner Gulabrao Pol said the motive behind the murder was being investigated.

Prominent political leaders and social activists from the state including Union minister and NCP president Sharad Pawar condemned the killing of Dabholkar, describing him as a dedicated, selfless social activist who was committed to promote progressive thinking. -PTI

considered by the court, why it has not considered another email by her to Musharraf in which she nominated three people as culprits for her (future) murder."

Ishaq said that the court has fixed next hearing on August 28 and the former president will now face the trial in the case.

Bhutto was killed in suicide attack in 2007 in Rawalpindi when Musharraf was president of the country. Musharraf had blamed her

killing on Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, who denied any involvement. Mehsud was killed in a US drone strike in 2009.

Musharraf is currently being held at his farmhouse in Islamabad, which has been declared a "sub-jail". He was arrested shortly after he returned to Pakistan from self-exile in March to participate in general elections.

However, he was barred by a Pakistani court from contesting

polls for the rest of his life.

The former President is also facing charges in other cases, including the killing of Baloch leader Akbar Bugti in a military operation in 2006 and for taking unconstitutional steps by imposing emergency and removing judges in 2007.

His indictment is an unprecedented event in Pakistan that has been ruled by the military for half of its 66-year history.-PTI

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Bleeding rupee not to impact rating outlook MUMBAI: International rating agency Moody's has said the bleeding rupee, the twin deficits and weaker growth are already factored in the current Baa3 sovereign rating, and thus do not accentuate already weak fundamentals of the country.

"While the current rupee depreciation may be a new development, the factors that underpin it are not, and have been incorporated into the Baa3 rating," Atsi Sheth, Moody's Investors Service vice-president and senior credit officer at its sovereign

risks group, said in a note.

This is because the current sovereign rating of Baa3 incorporates the macroeconomic challenges of weaker growth, the steep plunge of the rupee and the twin deficits, Sheth said.

She also pointed out that even when the going was good for the country on the growth front, while averaging at 7-10 per cent, Moody's did not revise its rating outlook considering the weak fundamentals in terms of large government deficit and public debt, coupled with poor infrastructure.

Moody's became the first rating agency to retain the sovereign rating of Baa3 for the country after the rupee dived below 63 to the dollar.

It can be noted that Moody's is the only agency that has a stable outlook on the country's Baa3 sovereign rating, while others hold a BBB- rating with a negative outlook.

Citing lower-than-anticipated growth and a steep fall in the rupee, which lost 17.5 per cent since the beginning of the fiscal, Sheth said it will be "very challenging" for the government to meet fiscal deficit target of 4.8 per cent.

Sheth further said the problem the country now faces are a reflection of the current global growth and financial environment.

"What we are seeing now is that, as international growth and financial environment has turned less benign than it was in the last decade, India's long-standing mac-

Moody's is the only agency that has a stable outlook on the country's Baa3 sovereign rating, while others hold a BBB- rating with a negative outlook roeconomic challenges are revealed in weaker growth, current account and currency metrics.

"However, the credit analysis that underpins our rating for India has incorporated these long-standing challenges, and they were a constraint on the rating - that is, they prevented the rating from moving higher - even when growth was in the 7-10 per cent range," Sheth said.

She further said specifically, Moody's has assessed the low financial strength of the government due to high deficit and debt.

"Moreover, despite the economy being much larger relative to the global average and its average growth rate, savings rate and investment rates being higher than the emerging market average, we have assessed the country's economic strength as 'moderate', reflecting the infrastructure deficit, recurrent inflation and policy uncertainty which constrain potential growth as well as foreign investment," she added. -PTI

August 23, 2013

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Nawaz Sharif orders halt to executions ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered an immediate halt to death sentences, including that of many hard-core militants, till he has discussed the matter with President Asif Ali Zardari, an official spokesman said.

Sharif made the decision after Zardari wrote to him, saying he wanted to discuss the hanging of two dreaded Lashkar-iJhangvi militants amid calls from rights groups to cancel the planned executions.

The two LeJ militants are Attaullah alias Qasim and Muhammad Azam alias Sharif who were convicted by a counter-terrorism court in July 2004 for killing a Shia doctor and are scheduled to be executed between August 20-22 this year.

Zardari to face graft cases at end of term ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari will have to face several old corruption cases when he loses his immunity from prosecution at the end of his fiveyear term next month, a government official said here.

The end of immunity after Zardari leaves office on September 8 will trigger the reopening of six corruption cases in the second week of next month, said the government official, who did not want to be named.

"Now these cases will be reopened and heard at accountability court No 1 in Islamabad," the official, privy to developments about these cases, told PTI. The accountability courts hear cases registered by the National Accountability Bureau, the country's anti-corruption agency.

The end of immunity after Zardari leaves office on September 8 will trigger the reopening of six corruption The cases against Zardari including the ARY Gold, Cotecna, SGS, Polo Ground, Ursus Tractor and Assets cases. The charges date back to his slain wife Benazir Bhutto's two stints as Prime Minister.

They were being heard in three anti-corruption courts in Rawalpindi but were put off indefinitely when Zardari was elected President in 2008.

However, the official admitted that the conviction of Zardari will be difficult as the main accused - Benazir Bhutto and her mother Begum Nusrat Bhutto - are dead and their names have been removed from the list of accused.

The official said another 15 people accused along with Zardari have already been acquitted during the past five years.

Zardari will have to face trial in order to prove his innocence and get a clean chit from the courts, he said. -PTI

The official spokesman was quoted by TV news channels as saying that since the date of the executions was approaching and the President was away from the country, the premier had directed the Interior Ministry to withhold the execution of the death sentences till he holds a meeting with Zardari.

The stay would last until Zardari returns from abroad to discuss the matter with Sharif, a statement said.

"In due deference to the wish of the President, it has been desired that all executions of death sentences may be held

in abeyance till the discussion takes place," it said.

If the ruling PML-N goes ahead with the executions, it will end a five-year moratorium on death sentences that was put in place by the previous government led by Zardari's Pakistan People's Party.

The spokesman further said that reports that the President had stopped the implementation of the death sentences were incorrect.

The Pakistan government also halted the execution of a prisoner in Punjab province at the last minute.

"The process of execution of a deathrow prisoner has been halted last minute at the district jail Vehari (some 200 kilometers from Lahore) in pursuance of orders by the president to this effect," District Jail Superintendent Mohammad Ashraf said.

"All the arrangements were finalized for execution of a murder convict Munir Hussain when we received the presidential order in this regard," he told reporters.

According to official figures, Pakistan has over 7,000 prisoners on death row, one of the largest populations of prisoners facing execution in the world. -PTI

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Sports bar fined for discriminating Indo-Canadians TORONTO: A popular sports bar in Canada has been fined for racially discriminating against three Indo-Canadians by denying them entry for a graduation party two years ago.

The British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal ruled that Shark Club of Langley caused injury to the dignity and self-respect of Surinderjit Rai, Manjit Gill and Manjinder Gill by denying entry on December 9, 2011.

The tribunal awarded the men Canadian dollars 10,000 each.

According to the tribunal's decision, the men arrived 15 minutes late for their reservation and were told they could not join the rest of their 20-person party already inside.

The trio was then told by doorman Andrew Schmah that the restaurant had been reserved for a ticketed party and they could only enter if they purchased a

ticket or were on a reservation list, Vancouver Sun reported.

After offering to purchase tick-

ets and pleading with the doormen to let them in, the men asked several Caucasian customers whether they had reservations or

tickets and found several instances where that was not the case.

The situation worsened when Rai asked the doorman for his name and, not confident that he had been truthful, took a photo-

graph. Schmah then assaulted Rai and the group called police.

Tribunal member Norman Trerise described the incident as "disturbing" and noted Schmah and other respondents gave inconsistent testimony.

Trerise found the club's argument that the group was denied entry because Rai lacked proper identification was a fabrication.

The doormen's claims that Rai had been belligerent were found unsubstantiated.

"I find that the combination

of the Rai group's persistent inability to access the Shark Club, the continued refusal to admit them while allowing Caucasian patrons unrestricted access, the fabrication by the respondent's witnesses of the reason for denying them entrance and the physical assault on Mr Rai, all in the absence of alleged provocation, satisfy me that the Rai group's race, color and ancestry were factors in the actions of Mr Schmah," Trerise wrote in his report. -PTI

Canadian universities woo Indian students NEW DELHI: Delegates of "Indian students are sought nine Canadian universities arrived for their academic strength and here seeking Indian students to their rich contribution to student Canada as a premier destination life on Canadian university camfor higher education. puses. Each year we are seeing The tour is of special interest more Indian students choosing to Standard XI and Standard XII Canada as their first choice for students with strong academic study", he Finlayson added. standing, school guidance counselors and parents, a Canadian “Indian students are sought High Commission press for their academic strength release said.

The delegation is led and their rich contribution to

by Robert Finlayson of Carleton University in student life on Canadian Ottawa and Michelle Beaton of Ryerson Uni- university campuses� versity in Toronto.

The delegates will visit Mumbai, Dehradun, The team comprises of repreHyderabad, Bangalore besides sentatives of University of BritNew Delhi during their stay till ish Columbia, Carleton University, August 31 Concordia University, Guelph "India is a key undergraduate stu- University, McGill University, dent market for Canadian universities," Queens University, Ryerson Unisaid Robert Finlayson of Carleton versity, University of Toronto, University and Tour Director.

York University. -PTI

Train runs over 35 devotees, mob attacks train driver KHAGARIA, Bihar: A speeding express train ran over devotees waiting on tracks to stop it, leaving 35 persons dead and triggering angry protests by locals who attacked the train driver and set afire its coach besides engine of another train at Dhamara Ghat Station in Khagaria district.

The 'Kanwarias' (devotees of Lord Shiva) were on the tracks after alighting from the Samastipur-Saharsa passenger when they were run over by the Saharsa-Patna Rajyarani Express traveling at 80 kmph, officials said.

Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Law and Order S K

Bharadwaj told PTI that 35 pilgrims were killed.

A senior railway official also said that the toll could be around 35, but refused to be quoted.

Railway Board Chairman Arunendra Kumar said the train was not supposed to halt at Dhamara Ghat and was given clearance to pass through the area but the devotees were on the tracks thinking they could stop the train.

Though the driver applied emergency brakes, it was too late by then, he said, adding an internal inquiry has been ordered into the incident. -PTI

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 11 India Post

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August 23 , 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

A

rjun Rampal and Shahrukh Khan's friendship has gone kaput. Arjun Rampal skipped Shahrukh Khan's grand Eid bash and raised many eyebrows.

He rather chose to attend director Shaad Ali's party on the same day.

Says a source, "B-Town has been speculating about Arjun's no show at SRK's bash. His wife Mehr was spotted arriving solo for the event.

Mehr attended Shahrukh's Eid party alone but Arjun snubbed his bash. When Arjun celebrated his birthday at Morocco, Gauri Khan turned up sans her husband.

It is reported that Arjun and Shahrukh's relationship ended when Shahrukh was rumored to be dating Priyanka Chopra. It is said that when Arjun inter-

MEHR ATTENDED SHAHRUKH'S EID PARTY ALONE BUT ARJUN SNUBBED HIS BASH. WHEN ARJUN CELEBRATED HIS BIRTHDAY AT MOROCCO, GAURI KHAN TURNED UP SANS HER HUSBAND fered in his personal life, he turned furious. Their relationship strained around the release of 'Ra.One'.

The Khan and Rampal families were thick friends but today it is a past story. They avoid crossing paths.

At a special screening of D Day held at Mannat for SRK'S group of friends, Arjun was again conspicuous by his absence.

O ANOTHER

BREAK UP

f late, Salman Khan had found true love in Lulia Vantur but unfortunately it ended like any of his past affairs. Though the exact reason of their break-up is not known, Salman Khan's parents are not so impressed with this Romanian beauty. It seems Lulia is already married.

Salman accepted his parents' word and is said to have broken up with his new found love.

Recently, a picture of the duo in a family dinner at a restaurant was posted on site and it seemed that things were very serious between them and it had reached a higher level than just romance.

Another picture circulated on net where Salman in just shorts is spotted with his ladylove during Hyderabad shoot of 'Mental.

During this Eid, Salman Khan looked very silent and did not host any Eid bash unlike previous years. When he stepped into his car from his Galaxy apartment, he just waved to his fans and passed off. He looked disturbed.

Tech News Duty-free import of high-end TVs banned NEW DELHI: In its continuing bid to rein in CAD, the government has banned duty-free import of high-end flat screen plasma television, which will now attract a levy of 36.05 per cent.

Seeking to end more than a decade-old concession, the Revenue Department issued a notification that amended rules so as to "disallow import of flat panel (LCD/ LED/Plasma) television as part of free baggage allowance" with effect from August 26.

This would mean travelers bringing in LCD/LED/Plasma TV as part of baggage from August 26 would have to pay customs duty at the rate of 35 per cent, plus an education cess of 3 per cent on it. The effective rate of import duty would be 36.05 per cent.

As the Current Account Deficit (CAD) continued to swell at high proportions in the first four months on the back of surging gold imports, the government last week raised duty on gold, platinum and silver to 10 per cent.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram had also said that steps would be taken to compress import of non-essential goods.PTI

Dena Bank raises NRI deposits rates by 1 pc NEW DELHI: Dena Bank has raised interest rates on NRI deposits of over three years by 1 per cent, days after the Reserve Bank deregulated interest rates on such deposits.

The increased interest rates would be applicable on fixed deposits Foreign Currency NonResident Bank [FCNR (B)] by NRI in the US dollar, pounds, euro, Japanese yen, Canadian dollar and Australian dollar.

The fixed deposits between 3-4 years in US dollar would attract 4.78 per cent as compared to 3.78 per cent. Similarly, 4-5 years term deposit would earn 5.17 per cent against 4.17 per cent, it said.

For 5 years, term deposit the new interest rate would be 5.56 per cent as against 4.56 per cent, it added.

Similar one per cent hike has been made in case of term deposits in other currencies like pounds, euro, Japanese yen, Canadian dollar and Australian dollar.

Last week, the Reserve Bank deregulated interest rates on NRI fixed deposit schemes and exempted such term deposits from CRR and SLR requirement to attract foreign currency. -PTI

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August 23, 2013

Verizon to participate in $10 bn US govt contract

T

elecom services major Verizon says it has been selected to par ticipate in the US Department of the Interior's USD 10 billion 10year contract to provide cloud and hosting services.

This is potentially one of Verizon's largest federal cloud contracts to date, it said in a release.

Verizon is one of 10 firms that will compete to offer cloud-based storage, secure file transfer, virtual machine, and database, Web and development and test environment hosting services, it added.

The company is also one of four selected to offer SAP application hosting services, it said.

Low growth in India has implications for BRICS JOHANNESBURG: The current low growth in the Indian economy has consequences and implications for all the members of the BRICS nations, which calls for consolidation in our partnerships to establish a new growth trajectory, South African Trade and Industries Minister Rob Davies has said.

Davies said this during a press conference here at the two-day BRICS Business Council meet.

"While emerging economies and BRICS countries continue to be the places where there is growth in the world economy, what we have seen is that the levels of growth are not what they were a couple of years ago," Davies said.

"That is a fact and it has all kinds of consequences. So if there is lower growth in India or China or Brazil, as there is (in India), it has consequences and implications for all of us.

"The implications for us are that we need to strengthen and consolidate our partnerships so that we can establish a new growth trajectory in all of our countries that

is mutually beneficial", he said.

It also accelerates the need for us to build (a) new kind of symbiotic basis on which we can move further, Davies said as he de-

importance for the Council, which was established at the BRICS Summit held in Durban a few months ago.

"We as trade ministers have

Rob Davies

scribed the current world economic crisis as the greatest since the 1930's.

The South African minister said the inaugural meeting of business leaders from the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries was one of great

been meeting over the years and discussing ways in which we need to promote BRICS cooperation in the area of trade and investment.

"One of the very important conclusions that we have come to is that we are all industrializing economies in the BRICS group.

We need to promote a pattern of interaction in the area of trade which supports value-added production to each of our economies, "he said.

Davies said the trade ministers had formed the Contact Group on Economic and Trade Issues (CGETI) which will meet in November in South Africa to discuss a study that has been initiated on how to promote trade in valueadded products.

Davies was joined by the chairman of the Brics Business Council, South African mining magnate and philanthropist Patrice Motsepe, who was co-chairman of the India-South Africa CEO Forum until last year with Ratan Tata.

Motsepe said there would be no duplication with the work of that body and the Council.

"Ratan Tata and I had an informal agreement that when he steps down, so would I.E. stepped down last year and I have done the same.

But the CEO's Forum has done excellent work and I'm confident that they will continue to do outstanding work," Motsepe said. -PTI

Novartis lashes out at India for not respecting IPR NEW DELHI: Hitting out at India's way of dealing with Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues, drug major Novartis has said India is losing investments in research and development from MNCs to China due to lack of an ecosystem that fosters innovation.

According to the company, which lost a patent case for its cancer drug Glivec, India needs to have fast track courts to deal with IPR disputes.

"The recent cases that we have seen in the area of IPR do not in any way point to an environment that encourages innovation. A patent is granted then revoked. A patent is granted then violated. A patent is granted then a compulsory license is issued," Novartis India Vice Chairman and Managing Director Ranjit Shahani told PTI. He said that China has been able to attract leading global

companies to invest in Research and Development (R&D), while India has been unable to do so.

"What we certainly would like to see is an ecosystem that fosters innovation and fast-track courts to hear and decide cases involving IPR. China has drawn all

as food for thought," he said.

While the Supreme Court had rejected the company's plea for a patent on cancer drug Glivec in April, last year the government invoked compulsory license on Bayer Corporation's cancer-treatment drug Nexavar permitting

the leading global companies to invest in R&D there while India has not. That itself should serve

Hyderabad-based Natco Pharma to manufacture and sell the drug at a price lesser by over 30 times

charged by its patent-holder.

Shahani said the government needs to have a holistic approach and look at global companies as being part of the solution.

"All stakeholders must come together to find sustainable solutions that balance the need for innovation with the need for medicines that are affordable, all within a robust intellectual property rights environment," he said.

Setting up fast-track courts to address IP disputes would certainly be a step in the right direction, he added.

Espousing the cause of foreign capital in the Indian pharmaceutical sector, Shahani, who is also the President of Organization of Pharmaceutical Producers of India OPPI, said the foreign direct investment would lead to upgrading of the country's skills in the sector. PTI

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August 23, 2013

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Use forex reserves to curb Re volatility, says Basu NEW DELHI: With the rupee sliding below the 63 mark against US dollar, World Bank Chief Economist Kaushik Basu has said the country should use forex reserves to curb volatility in the currency market and not to look to IMF for funds.

"To use certain amount of your forex to buy and sell dollar I think (is) a good idea...(It) gives out signal that reserve has a purpose.

That is broadly the direction we should go and use reserves to curb turbulence", he said while delivering the 16th JRD Tata Memorial Lecture here.

Basu, who was Chief Economic Adviser in the Finance Ministry before taking over his assignment with the World Bank, said the government should not "overreact" to

depreciation of rupee.

"There was a sudden depreciation in exchange rate but we must

Kaushik Basu

not overreact to that. We do need steps to correct it.

The certain amount of buying and selling of foreign exchange is the technique that is done in floating exchange rate market...that method could be strategic intervention," he said.

On the possibility of India approaching the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for money, Basu said: "I don't think we are in a situation where there is any need for that. India has enough foreign exchange reserve. So, the question of having to turn to IMF is not there."

India has a foreign exchange reserve of about USD 280 billion. -PTI

India among top suppliers of paper to UAE DUBAI: India ranks among the top four suppliers of paper to the UAE alongside China, Indonesia and Germany.

China and Indonesia are the key source of import to the UAE, accounting for a quarter of paper brought into the UAE. Germany comes third, accounting for 8.1 per cent of Dubai's imports, followed by India (6.9 per cent) and United States of America (6.9 per cent), Italy (4.4 per cent) and Finland (3.6 per cent).

Other markets account for approximately 27.9 per cent of Dubai's imports, a statement released here by organizers of 'Paper Arabia 2013' said, quoting figures published by UN Comtrade.

The UAE imported around United Arab Emirates Dirham 4.6 billion worth of paper products in 2011, compared to United Arab Emirates Dirham 3.1 billion in 2007, representing cumulative annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10 per cent.

Dubai accounted for over 80 per

cent of paper imports valued at United Arab Emirates Dirham 3.8 billion.

The figures were highlighted at the announcement of 'Paper Arabia 2013', the Middle East and North Africa region's specialized event for paper industry, to be held in Dubai in September.

"Growth in import of paper products can be linked to rising incomes and lifestyle changes, and in part to Dubai and the UAE as a transit hub. Dubai is host to several hospitality and conference clusters, which continually need specialized printing services and paper products," Satish Khanna, General Manager of Al Fajer Information and Services, organizers of 'Paper Arabia 2013' said.

Key industry players will be showcasing their latest products and solutions for the entire production chain, from pulp to packaging, distribution, wholesales/ retailing, trading and marketing products in the three-day show.

The event comes at a time the paper industry is registering spectacular growth with several production centers and paper converting businesses flourishing.

Participants will include leading global names from France, USA, UK, India, China, Germany, Taiwan, Indonesia, Austria, Finland, Italy and other countries, he said.

-PTI

Punjab software export crosses Rs 2,000 crore CHANDIGARH: Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Mohali has crossed Rs 2,000 crore of software export mark, which is a milestone for a Tier-II city, Punjab Industries and Commerce Minister Anil Joshi said here.

He said that during the financial year 2011-12, the export from this region was Rs 1,942.82 crore and in 2012-13 the export was approximately Rs 2,143.70 crore, while also creating employment opportunity for 30,000 professionals.

Joshi said that Mohali has emerged as the top most Tier-II city in the northern India and has emerged as the second best tier-II city on all India basis.

"Our vision is to deliver statutory and data communication services in more effective way and create a centre of excellence with

a special stress on small medium entrepreneurs and young entre-

Anil Joshi

preneurs," the minister said in a statement here. -PTI

Chinese ship builder develops electronic propulsion technology BEIJING: One of China's major China Daily. shipbuilders claimed to have deThe development of integrated veloped cutting-edge electronic electric propulsion may resolve enpropulsion technology that will gine problems that have long help the country to modernize its haunted the nation and its navy. shipping and naval fleets and reOne of the major issues has duce dependence on imported been a lack of domestic companies parts in manufacturing ships. who can make gas turbine engines China Shipbuilding Industry to support long distance voyages.

Corp said its Wuhan Institute of Without domestically develMarine Electric Propulsion final- oped gas turbine engines, the Chiized its integrated electric propul- nese navy has been forced to imsion technology in midJuly.

It said the in-house It said the in-house develdevelopment will help the nation wean itself opment will help the nation off the longstanding wean itself off the dependence on imlongstanding dependence ported parts in manuon imported parts in manufacturing ships.

Most surface ves- facturing ships. sels in China use mechanical transmissions and are propelled by a motor or port foreign engines for its ships, an engine spinning a propeller. the daily quoted a military expert.

Many Western countries have Until an electric propulsion enadopted integrated electric pro- gine is more widely available in pulsion, in which gas turbines or China, most ships must run on an diesel generators produce elec- engine fuelled by diesel and gas. tricity that powers electric mo"Compared with other drive tors. methods, integrated electric pro"Chinese ships usually use pulsion has many advantages. It steam engines, multiple-stroke can save more space and is easier diesel engines or gas turbine en- to control. It helps reduce a ship's gines," said Wang Dan, deputy weight and noise," Wang said. editor-in-chief of Modern Ships "It also enables ships to cruise magazine. at a faster speed and for a longer "Chinese navy ships that need time." to reach fast speeds would have The new technology is also 'combined diesel or gas' propul- easier to operate and maintain, he sion systems," he told state-run said.-PTI

„

Realty Tidbits

WB to give India USD 100 mn for housing project NEW DELHI: The World Bank has signed an agreement with the Indian government to provide a USD 100 million loan to help lowincome families secure housing loans.

"The Loan and Project Agreements for World Bank (IDA) assistance of USD 100 million for low-income housing finance project were signed between Government of India/National Housing Bank (NHB) and the World Bank here," the Finance Ministry said in a release.

The agreement was signed by Department of Economic Affairs Joint Secretary Nilaya Mitash, NHB Chairman and Managing Director RV Verma and World Bank (India) Operations Advisor Michael Haney, it added.

The objective of the project is to provide access to sustainable housing finance for low-income households to purchase, build or upgrade their dwellings, it added.

Financing under the project aims to create incentives for lenders to focus on lower-income households through a net all-in reduction of the lenders' cost of funds of about 200-300 basis points, the release said.

"It is a financial intermediary loan for an implementation period of five years. NHB is the implementing agency," it added. -PTI

„ HDIL not to sell Kochi SEZ land; to develop IT infra MUMBAI: Following relaxation in SEZ norms, debt-laden property developer HDIL has decided to scrap plan to sell the 70-acre land parcel at Kochi Special Economic Zone and is now looking to construct IT infrastructure there.

"We have decided not to sell the Kochi land parcel. We will go ahead with our plans of developing IT and IT-enabled services infrastructure following the recent government decision to amend the SEZ Act, especially in the IT/ITeS sector, as this has given us the confidence to relook at our plans and to develop IT infrastructure," HDIL Finance Vice President Hari Prakash Pandey told PTI here.

The company had planned to set up an IT park on the 70-acre land with a planned investment of Rs 2,300 crore.

However, in June this year it decided to abandon the project and sell the land to mobilize funds and utilize it for debt repayment as well as for the expansion of the Mumbai metropolitan region. -PTI

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August 23, 2013

NYC museum exhibit shows virtues of living small NEW YORK: Many New Yorkers live in small apartments, yet most of them don't camp out in a micro-unit at a museum in order to demonstrate the virtues of living in tight spaces.

Challie Stillman and Lina Franco arrived at the Museum of the City of New York at 6 p.m. for a 24-hour stay in a studio apartment that's part of an exhibit called ``Making Room: New Models for Housing New Yorkers.''-PTI

Home affordability drops JUDY MARTEL

S

teadily rising prices signal happy days for home sell ers recovering from the beaten-down values of the recession. But it's a different story for buyers. Coupled with higher mortgage rates, they're finding it more difficult to afford a home.

Home affordability nationwide slipped during the second quarter, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index.

"Housing affordability has been hovering near historic highs for the past several years, largely due to exceptionally favorable mortgage rates and low prices during the recession," NAHB Chairman Rick Judson said in a release.

According to the index, 69.3 percent of new and existing homes sold during the second quarter were affordable to families earning the U.S. median income of

$64,400, compared with 73.7 percent of such homes sold during the first quarter. The second-quarter drop also marks the first time the index has fallen below 70 per-

cent since late 2008.

The second-quarter median price of all new and existing homes sold in the U.S. was $202,000, compared with the second-quarter median price of $185,000 a year ago.

Could it get worse?

David Crowe, NAHB chief economist, noted in a release that while rising mortgage rates and home prices are contributing to the drop in home affordability, there are other, looming factors that are a concern. Congressional discussions about reducing the mortgage interest tax deduction along with President Barack Obama's proposal to promote private investment in mortgages could make them more expensive for borrowers.-Courtesy Bankrate.com

Prices rise, affordability falls

Must seller be present at home inspection?

BY STEVE MCLINDEN O BANKRATE.COM

Dear Real Estate Adviser, When the home inspection is being performed, should the buyer, buyer's agent or seller (and agent) be present? I think the seller wants to be there. But what is best for me, the buyer?

-- Sherry B. Dear Sherry, Both you and your agent absolutely need to be present. As for the sellers and agent, umm, ideally no.

Your buyer's home inspection will not only give you and your agent an up-close assessment of what flaws and issues need to be addressed at the house and which items are minor and critical, it will

also serve as an informative primer on how the home works, where the fuse box and water shut-off valve are, where the furnace filter is changed and what components require regular maintenance, among a litany of other practical things.

And this way, you won't have to rely only on a written inspection report, which can be a little confusing, plus you'll get a valuable glimpse of some of the home's underpinnings from an expert.

Moreover, a trustworthy and seasoned agent should be able to chime in with important questions for the inspector that you might

not have even considered.

Why you don't want the seller around A seller's presence, on the other hand, can create tension and discomfort for the buyer and some-

commentary. Another recounted how her seller verbally resented a potential buyer's request for minor repairs and blew the deal as a result, even though the same seller would have ultimately have had no problem with the request, "had he

Most good seller's agents, by the way, know the protocol for keeping themselves and their clients out of the way and will advise accordingly, though some sellers will persist. times for the inspector, plus it tends to make the buyer more reluctant to comment freely or ask potentially sensitive questions about the home's condition. Most good seller's agents, by the way, know the protocol for keeping themselves and their clients out of the way and will advise accordingly, though some sellers will persist. In fact, Realtor chatter out there indicates that sellers tend to be showing up at inspections -and home showings -- more frequently these days.

One buyer's agent recently wrote how a seller followed her and the buyer from room to room, making the buyer visibly uncomfortable with her defensive running

not been there in the first place" to mess up things.

Why some sellers want to be there Sometimes, sellers flat-out don't trust strangers in their homes or may be afraid of a too-intrusive inspection that might nick up the place, particularly an older home.

While sellers always have the right to be present in their own homes, they'd still be well-advised to leave the inspector and buyer alone in these cases, then do a quick walkthrough after the inspection to allay any worries. If there are flaws or other issues in the home that need to be resolved, it's best to let the agents hash them out.

August 23, 2013

Real Estate Post

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DIPP looking at relaxing FDI norms for housing NEW DELHI: The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) is "favorably" looking at relaxing FDI norms for the housing sector, including easing the threeyear lock-in period, to attract foreign investment.

The proposal to ease the FDI guidelines for the sector was mooted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation.

The ministry has asked for relaxation in provisions, including easing three-year lock-in period for FDI in housing and townships. It has said that the minimum capitalization should be USD 5 million instead of the present USD 10 million for wholly-owned subsidiaries.

It has also suggested a cut in the minimum built-up area of 50,000 sq mts in case of construction development projects to 20,000 sq mts of carpet area.

"The DIPP is looking at it (all the demands) favorably.

There is a need to define the word 'completion' in the current policy on the matter of reducing three year lock-in period," a top official of the commerce and industry ministry told PTI. As per the current FDI policy, the lock-in period of three years applies to every tranche of investment brought in by a foreign player from the date of receipt or from the date of 'completion' of minimum capitalization whichever is later.

"The main objective of relaxing the provisions is to attract more FDI and provide houses at affordable prices to the people," the official said.

During April 2000 and May 2013, construction development including townships, housing and built-up infrastructure, the country has received FDI worth USD 22.16 billion or 11 per cent of the total FDI attracted by India during the period.

Press Note 2 (2005) of the DIPP allows FDI up to 100 per cent in townships with conditions.

The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) which deals with FDI related matter, issues provisions in the form Press Notes or consolidated circulars.

Limit on investing in overseas to dampen sentiment MUMBAI: The Reserve Bank of India's curbs on Indians investing in international real estate under the liberalized remittance scheme will dampen investor sentiment, property consultancy firm Jones Lang LaSalle said.

The RBI, seeking to support the battered rupee, had announced measures to reduce foreign exchange outflows.

The steps included disallowing the use of remittances by resident Indians to buy property overseas.

"The new restrictions have been introduced in an effort to stabilize the rupee. This move will have medium to longterm implications," JLL Chief Executive Officer (residential services) Om Ahuja said in a statement.

Individuals who were planning to buy international real estate at attractive valuations and planning for their kids' education and housing abroad will now see such plans challenged, he said.

"Currently, the variety of options available on the international property market offer very attractive rental yield and valuations. This, now becoming restricted, is going to make planning difficult. The new restrictions will put a dampener on the sentiment of Indian investors who were considering this route," Ahuja added. -PTI

Although 100 per cent foreign direct investment is allowed in townships, housing and built-up infrastructure and

construction developments, the government has imposed conditions. -PTI

Desi News Weather adds to charm of India Day Banquet & Parade A.Q. SIDDIQUI & HARISH RAO India Post News Service

CHICAGO: The Federation of India Associations (FIA) Chicago once again proved that it is the Asli (real) umbrella organization of diverse Indian ethnic community in Midwest and enjoys the full support of all sections of Indian community.

The three-day celebration of 67th India Independence Day led

by FIA Chicago was a crowded affair participated by a cross section of Indian Americans from around Chicagoland.

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

Details on page 31

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Optimism rules at Indo-Pak unity day RAS H. SIDDIQUI

Details on page 22

Rita Singh FIA puts up a grand India Day show SURESH SHAH & HARISH RAO

CHICAGO: Rita Singh, the first woman president of the recently set up Federation of Indian Associations, Chicago, displayed rare leadership quality in organizing and successfully executing the two-day celebrations of Indian Independence Day in Chicago suburb of Schaumburg.

Details on page 25

August 23, 2013

Festival of India held with great pride & patriotism

Details on page 23

MILPITAS, CA: A new group in the Bay Area called the Open Hearts Indo-Pak Initiative (OHIPI.ORG) held what can be termed as a "one of a kind" joint India-Pakistan Independence Day celebration at the India Community Center in Milpitas on August 11th, a week before the usual and very large and separate gatherings which are planned by each community at various cities throughout the US to celebrate August 14th and 15th, the Independence days of Pakistan and India.

This show was spearheaded by Deepaa Thakor and Rizwan Elahi plus his wife Zilehuma along with a number of friends and it certainly lived up to its expectations. Show sponsors were Imtiaz Ahmed CPA, Naeem Akram, Naeem Wahab, Shalimar, Harmesh Kumar and Zulki Khan. Over 300 Indians and Pakistanis joined together to celebrate their commonality for a change, through music, fashion and cuisine.

It was certainly a pleasant Desihungama here.

Anna Hazare, Vidya Balan lead biggest India Day parade

Dr Japra and Jimmy Shergill with Prem Bhatia in the lead carriage.

All pics Rakesh Kapoor, Neelu Kapoor & Vidya Sethuraman

VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

FREMONT: On a hot weekend with temperature soaring over 97F and summer coming to a close, 21st Festival of India opened with a bang in California, which has over 13.6% of Asian population.

Festival of India and Parade in Fremont organized by Federation of Indo Americans of Northern California (FIA) is the most awaited event of California and it symbolizes the unity, integrity, culture and best of the things that are hall mark of Indian community in Bay area.

It started as a local event some 21 years back and has now grown manifold. It showcases the perfect blend of fun, entertainment and national integration.

Today it has become a national event attracting participants from as far away as east coast.

Hosted by the Federation of Indian Associations of Northern California (FIA), the 21st

Festival of India was held with great pride and patriotism on August 17 and 18 at Fremont, California. More than 80,000 people participated in this grand event. The attendees were a mix of various

ethnic groups showcasing the diversity of California.

The celebrations kicked off and stroke. Dr Romesh Japra, Dr with a flag hoisting ceremony on Harpreet Dhillon, Dr Bhupinder August 15, 2013 at the San Jose Bhandari, Dr Veena Puri, Dr City Hall. The event was hosted Sarabjit Hundal, Dr Monika

by Councilmember Ash Kalra. The Chugh, Dr Charanjit Uppal, Dr event was attended by Consul Mohini Alexander, Dr Anupama General N. Parthasarathi, Mayor Patnaik and Dr Ahmed Sadiq were Chuck Reed, Dr Romesh Japra, a part of health fair physicians' Rajesh Verma to name a few. Dr team and counseled with the paJapra, Chairman and Convener of tients. the FIA, spoke about what the flag Cont’d on page 17-20 raising ceremony meant to him, "Every year it keeps getting better and bigger - I think we realize how fortunate we are to have this freedom, unlike many others. This flag hoisting makes us proud and makes us realize who we Dr Japra at Cardiology booth are and what we are."

The festival opened on August 17 at 10 am in Paseo Padre Parkway with the "Free Health Fair". The Health fair had about 30 Indian American physicians and other medical professionals providing free medical Dr Harpreet Dhillon and his production services and follow up. team at the Health Fair The fair was organized

by FIA team members with physicians and other medical professionals from Kaiser Permanante, Doctors Express, Uppal Dental care, Gateway eye care. The health fair was attended by over 2000 and lasted Drs examining patient at Health Fair for about four hours.

Doctors Express were the title sponsors for the health fair. Health fair testing included screening for high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, body analysis, risk assessment for heart attack Dr Bhandari and Lauran

Tom Cusumano Managing Partner Doctors Express Urgent Care Center

Hallers Pharmay team sponsor of Health Fair

August 23, 2013

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Festival of India held with great pride & patriotism

Sonia Sidhu with Dr Ahmad Sadeek

With Malik uncle & Monica

Lauran Fanning and his partner from JNJ, sponsors of Health fair

Jenny Feng with her team of Market America at Health Fair

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Festival of India held with great pride & patriotism

Situ & her team from Wells Fargo Bank with Sonia Sidhu

Sant Nirankari Mission Team

MC Donald's Team with Sonia Sidhu

Siddhart Kapil and his team from Bank of West

Dr Mihir Meghani (center) co founder & Director of Hindu American Foundation and his team

Air China & Low Fair Travel

New York Life

Ashish Parekh and his team from Citi Bank with Sonia Sidhu

Den Goldin from Meriwest Credit Union with Sonia Sidhu

August 23, 2013

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Festival of India held with great pride & patriotism Cont’d from page 16

Health fair was coordinated by Priya Nayar, Jenny Feng, Kushal Vepa.

Gala parade, the most awaited event started at 12:00 pm and lasted for over two hours on August 18, 2013. Grand Marshal Bollywood star Jimmy Shergill led the parade with FIA Chairman Dr Romesh Japra. The Parade route was on the main street of Paseo Padra Parkway. The parade was coordinated by Deepak Chhabra and there were about 12 floats showcasing the rich culture and heritage of India.

Many local ethnic gropes such as Bay Area Telugu association, Bay Area Tamil Manram, RANA, Kannada group, Telangana participated in the parade with colorful floats and entertainment programs highlighting the state's culture and heritage. Cultural events showcasing the talent of Bay area kids and adults went on for all two days. The cultural events were spread for two days under different categories of groups and solo in both Indian and Western dance forms.

This year's festival also marked the centenary of Gadar movement, 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and 100 years of Bollywood. Colorful floats and halls with exhibits on Gadar movement and Swami Vivekananda were an instant hit among kids.

The Ghadar Party was an organization founded in 1913

by Punjabi Indians in California, United States and Canada with the aim to liberate India from British rule. Key members of the movement included Sohan Singh Bhakna, Kartar Singh Sarabha, and Rashbehari Bose. After the outbreak of World War I, Ghadar party members returned to Punjab to agitate against British rule in India.

It soon caught on and resulted in revolutionary efforts.

Well-known revolutionaries like Subhash Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh were influenced by the movement. FIA celebrated this occasion with many activities and events about Gadar. The activities included kids' contests, exhibitions and showcases for the Gadar movement.

Swami Vivekananda's 150th birthday celebrations started at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland, where Swamiji gave his famous Vedanta lecture. There were many activities planned around his life and teachings. Tiny tots were dressed up as Swami Vivekananda and explained his teachings.

Bollywood, the giant Indian movie industry started 100 years ago with famous actors like Prithvi Raj Kapoor beginning their cinema journey. Many activities involving exhibitions, floats, and kids contests are planned to commemorate the anniversary.

L-R: Rajesh Verma with co Grand Marshals Sniti Mishra, Prem Bhatia and Grand Marshal Jimmy Shergill

The Festival of India, besides having the entertainment factor, is the best platform to market your business. The festival offers an opportunity for businesses to provide support, patronage and encourage events that increase and strengthen the cultural diversity and community involvement. There were around 110 trade booths and 15 food booths. The trade booths catered to wide range of business starting from fashion jewelry, clothing, mend designers, real estate, insurance, credit union etc. There were stalls carrying multi-colored and elaborately patterned fabrics of saris, shawls and kurtas; intricately designed bangles, toe rings, anklets and earrings.

FIA meal is one stop shop for all Indian designer needs.

Some of the vendors are seen in the FIA meal for over 15 years. Food booths offered a variety of delicacies from north and South India. The food stalls included Chole Bhature

by Go Chattz, mouth watering Dosas by Anandha Bhavan, authentic Hyderabad biryani by Peacock, to name a few.

Parathas from Delhi, Pongal from Madras, Vada Pav from Mumbai and sweets from Kolkata were all served under one roof.

Later in the day Grand Marshal Jimmy Shergill adorned the stage with Sniti Mishra, Sa Re Ga ma sensation, Nisha Kataria and Prem Bhatia, Bollywood singer. This was followed by welcome speeches by Dr Romesh Japra, Rajesh Verma and Yogi Chugh.

Sponsors who made this event possible are State Farm Insurance, Farmers Insurance, State Bank of India, Meri West credit union, CEFCU, Kaiser Permanante, Robson homes, Wells Fargo, Air China, Vonage, Citi Bank, Bank of West, India Post, McDonald's, P G & E, New York Life , Nurture Kids, Comcast, PCA, Low Fare Travels, Prince Reality , etc.

Commenting on the success of the Festival, Rajesh Verma, President FIA said, "This is our way of passing on the torch of our pride in our traditions to the future generations of American Indian youth." Festival of India is unmatched in performance, participation and organization by dynamic and talented spirit of Asian Indians.

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Festival of India held with great pride & patriotism

Dr Prince Nechikat & Ancy Nechikat, Prince Reality

Dr Uppal

Ashwin Rana

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Optimism rules at Indo-Pak unity day RAS H. SIDDIQUI

MILPITAS, CA: A new group in the Bay Area called the Open Hearts Indo-Pak Initiative (OHIPI.ORG) held what can be termed as a "one of a kind" joint India-Pakistan Independence Day celebration at the India Community Center in Milpitas on August 11th, a week before the usual and very

out the US to celebrate August 14th and 15th, the Independence days of Pakistan and India.

This show was spearheaded by Deepaa Thakor and Rizwan Elahi plus his wife Zilehuma along with a number of friends and it certainly lived up to its expectations. Show sponsors were Imtiaz Ahmed CPA,

their commonality for a change, through music, fashion and cuisine.

It was certainly a pleasant Desihungama here.

The event started around noontime with free admission with cultural entertainment, food booths and vendors selling Desi fashions (It was the first weekend after Eid

Organizers Rizwan & Zilehuma Elahi

Aditi Chadha, Parminder Guri & Farooq Taraz

large and separate gatherings which are planned by each community at various cities through-

Children at Indo-Pak Unity Day

Naeem Akram, Naeem Wahab, Shalimar, Harmesh Kumar and Zulki Khan. Over 300 Indians and Pakistanis joined together to celebrate

Event Emcees at Indo-Pak Unity Day

Dance at Indo-Pak Unity Day

so festivities were certainly in the air). The ticketed part began at around 6:00 pm, the first segment emceed by Smitha Deepak and Vishal Kapoor, which included dances by the "Nach K Dekh", and fashions by various collections (Ateka, Vama, Ravi, and special independent children's (i.e. Mom's) collection).

The interval was dinner catered

by Shalimar Restaurant, which was followed by more dances and a very popular Bridal fashion segment by Malabis Couture. This segment ended with an "Item Number" which included Deepak Arora playing actor Salman Khan.

The live singing finale was introduced by Aditi Chadha and it was certainly very well done. Featuring an array of local talent including Parminder Guri, Seema Varma, Assad Waince, Alka

Fashions at Indo-Pak Unity Day

Bhatnagar, Mandeep Singh and Arif Rizvi, the show also included Urdu and Punjabi poetry by Farooq Taraz.

To conclude, the organizers of this show need to be encouraged and congratulated for their optimism in putting it on. The LOC in

Kashmir is hot again but the hearts of many Indian and Pakistani Americans long for peace and humanity to prevail. The song sung

by Parminder Guri at this show pretty much sums it all. "Mein Na Hindu Na Musalman, Mujhe Jeenay Do."

Star Entertainment brings back 'Sunehri Yaadein' India Post News Service

NEWARK, CA: Peter Sahjani and Dahya Mistry of Star Entertainment are presenting "Sunheri Yaadein", the Bollywood Golden Era of 1950-1980. Bay area will experience a musical journey of yesterday years on Friday September 6 at Chandni Restaurant in Newark, CA with Live Band led by Robin John along with finest singers of Bay area.

Robin John the Lead Keyboard player will be accompanied by support Keyboard player Krishnamurthy Kalvai, Base Guitarist Faran Mohamed, Lead Guitarist Tamal Dey, Handsonic Raj Iyer, Drummer Arun Narasimhan and Gurjeet Hira on Tabla.

Finest singers of Bay area Mandeep Singh, Sachin Srivastava, Anuja Surlaker and

Rajini Vijay along with guest singers Ria Nilawar, Deepti Venkat, Sreedhar Ganapaty and Nidheesh Dubey will revive golden era of legendary singers Mohd Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle The show starts at 7:45 pm and audiences will be treated to an array of entertainment with professional dance segments by Jyotsna Bendapudi of Dance Dilse Group (Manthan Arts) and JB Fashion

Store, and well known dancer Elena Elsoukov who has been performing various dance styles in Bay Area for the past few years like Indian Classical, Belly Dance & Bollywood numbers. Audience also has a chance to win some raffles.

One of the highlights of the program will be a 1970s Retro-Style fashion show where models dressed up in 1970s style will showcase the collection on music of the

era. The finale of the fashion show will be enhanced by Saxophonist Puneet.

Smitha Deepak - Anchor of WomenNowTV and Jayshri Sharma - a tech professional and Radio Host of Radio Dehotties on 1170am will be the Emcees of the event.

Chandni Restaurant's scrumptious dinner includes veg & nonveg dishes along with appetizers and dessert.

Doors open sharp at 7:00 pm.

Guests are encouraged to wear costumes from Golden Era and best dressed male and female will win prizes from Bibi's Fashion.

The Grand Sponsor of the event are Dinesh Kumar of India Cash & Carry, Platinum sponsor Garry of Chaat Bhavan & Park Balluchi and the Gold sponsor Charanjit of Uppal Dental Care .

Other sponsors include ViBha, Zaris Passion drive Fashion, Shiva Beauty Salon, ARS Insurance Agency, Taj Imports and Rachna Dumra of Rachdee Design.

The Media Sponsors of the event are 1550 AM Radio Zindagi, Azmi Gill of US Urdu Newspaper, WomenNow TV, Sameer Khera of Gaata Rahe Mera Dil (GRMD), and INDTV USA. Shalini Raj Singh is the event Coordinator for Sunehri Yaadein.

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Weather adds to charm of India Day Banquet & Parade A.Q. SIDDIQUI & HARISH RAO India Post News Service

Flag hoisting on August 15 at Daley Plaza. Pics courtesy Asian Media USA

Start of FIA Gala Banquet at India House in Schaumburg Friday August 16

CHICAGO: The Federation of India Associations (FIA) Chicago once again proved that it is the Asli (real) umbrella organization of diverse Indian ethnic community in Midwest and enjoys the full support of all sections of Indian community.

The three-day celebration of 67th India Independence Day led

by FIA Chicago was a crowded affair participated by a cross section of Indian Americans from around Chicagoland. The celebration brought the entire com-

Entertainment program at Daley Plaza

Honda hosts forum to raise local exports India Post News Service

SAN JOSE, CA: More than 60 principals from Silicon Valley companies attended a forum hosted by Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.) and the U.S. Export-Import Bank aimed at increasing exports from local businesses.

According to a press release issued by the Honda team, the Congressman was joined by ExIm Bank board member Patricia Loui and economic experts from the Departments of State and Commerce for roundtable discussions on identifying overseas markets, protection from credit risk, and the variety of financial products available from the bank.

Remarked Rep. Honda at the event: "Increasing exports among small and mid-sized businesses here in Silicon Valley is key to growing the region's economy as we continue to gradually recover from the economic downturn. With such a valuable resource in the Export-Import Bank, I am glad that so many Bay Area firms could join

us today to put themselves in greater control of their sales and outreach."

"President Obama challenged the nation to double its exports by 2015," explained Director Loui in her opening remarks. "That's why

“The Ex-Im Bank's goal is to ensure that entrepreneurs know about the tools we can provide to limit risk, increase available capital, and expand business" the Ex-Im Bank and Congressman Honda are doing all we can to equip small businesses in Silicon Valley with the tools they need to successfully compete in global markets, particularly in Asia and the Pacific Islands. Given that the Bay Area is a direct commercial link between the U.S. and Pacific

FIA guests at the podium

Rim - and exports to Asia already represent a growing percentage of U.S. trade activity - business owners here face an excellent economic opportunity. The Ex-Im Bank's goal is to ensure that entrepreneurs know about the tools we can provide to limit risk, increase available capital, and expand business."

In addition to small business owners in fields as diverse as computer technology, construction supply, and organic food production, the event featured remarks from Dilawar Syed, a member of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Lorraine Hariton, Special Representative for Commerce and Business Affairs at the Department of State, and Joanne Vliet, Director of the Export Assistance Center at the Department of Commerce.

The Ex-Im Bank authorized nearly $60 million to companies in the 17th district in 2012. Silicon Valley is the nation's 5th largest region by export volume.

munity together and reminded that the spirit of unity prevails within huge diversity.

The seniors of FIA, Niranajn Shah, Sitaram Patel, Iftekhar Shareef, Babu Patel, Satish Gabhawala, Ranjit Ganguly, Anil Pillai, Sohan Joshi, Kantibhai Patel, Keerthi Kumar and others shared responsibilities above personal lines for the success of all events.

They were supported by FIA president Hina Trivedi, VP Ravi Harsoor, Dr Ram Gajjela and Hetal Patel. 'No stones were left

unturned' could well be applied for the presentation and preparation of all events. As has been its tradition, the FIA team headed

by Hina Trivedi, Iftekhar Shareef, Niranjan Shah, Sohan Joshi, Keerthi Ravoori and other members of the executive committee were joined by Secretary of State Jesse White, Cook County Clerk Dorothy Brown, Indian CG Dr Ausaf Sayeed at the flag hoisting ceremony at Daley Plaza in Downtown Chicago on August 15.

There was a huge crowd and many non Indians too were present who were treated to a wonderful entertainment program by local artists. Weather was bright and the sunny atmosphere added charm to the entire proceedings that lasted for well about two hours.

A gala banquet dinner on Friday, August 16 evening at India House Schaumburg was attended near to capacity. Over 100 tables with 10 chairs each were occupied for the event. The speeches apart, there was scintillating entertainment program that enthralled all those present.

Crowd gathered at Daley Plaza

Cont’d on page 25

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Rita Singh FIA puts up a grand India Day show SURESH SHAH & HARISH RAO

CHICAGO: Rita Singh, the first woman president of the recently set up Federation of Indian Associations, Chicago, displayed rare leadership quality in organizing and successfully executing the two-day celebrations of Indian Independence Day in Chicago suburb of Schaumburg.

The 67th Independence Day Gala Banquet was hosted on Friday August 9 at India House Banquet in Schaumburg and Independence Day Parade on Sunday August 11 at India House Plaza in

FIA team led by Ms Rita Singh (sitting third from left) with Banquet guest Minissha Lamba and Chicagoland elected officials

Flag hoisting At Plaza

Schaumburg.

The highlight of the colorful banquet dinner event was the presence of celebrities in the suburb elected officials like Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, State Representatives Michelle Mussman, Marty Moylan, State Senator Michael Noland, Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson, Hanover Park Mayor Rodney Craig, Village of Oakbrook Mayor Dr Gopal Lalmalani and top ranking Indian official Consul General of Chicago Dr Ausaf Sayeed.

Among the Indian leaders and

Lamp lighting by FAI team and guests

activists present were Sohan Joshi NFIA President, Raja Krishnamurthy, Ravi Rawat to name a few. Culminating them all was the beautiful and captivating presence of Bollywood star Minissha Lamba who endeared herself with those present with her graceful manners.

All VIP dignitaries along with Banquet Chair Neelam Dwivedi addressed the audience and wished everyone a very happy Independence Day. The banquet dinner evening was emceed by two very articulate emcees Sadhna

Kumar and Tarun Mullick M.D. who did the job admirably.

The evening began with a tradition of the American and Indian national anthems. American Idol contestant Ashika Sachdev sang the American anthem followed by Indian Anthem sung by Shreelekha Mohanty accompanied by students of Vishali Dhande.

Continuing the tradition, Rita Singh, President of FIA along with all the VIP dignitaries present at the event including Indian CG Dr Ausaf Sayeed, Cont’d on page 31

Weather adds to charm of India Day Banquet & Parade

FIA Gala Banquet Entertainment program eulogizing role of Mahatma Gandhi Cont’d from page 23

Soha Ali was the star attraction of the banquet dinner. Newly assigned Indian Consul General in Chicago Dr Ausaf Sayeed was present among other dignitaries.

No speeches were made. Soha Ali and Dr Ausaf Sayeed were requested to present awards for exemplary community work to select Indian Americans. Dr Rathna

Soha Ali Khan and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn mingle with crowd

Yallapragada, Katu Amin, Ajai Agnihotri, Pritam Khanna, Ramesh Soparawala, Esa Misri, Jyotindra Patel, Alka Shastri were among the recipients of the FIA annual awards.

An entertainment program followed the award ceremony. A touchy episode on national integration was presented followed by music and song programs. On Saturday, a flag hosting ceremony

Euphoria at the FIA Gala Banquet

followed by colorful parade was held on Devon and Western Avenue. Indian Consul General Dr Ausaf Syed, Niranjan Shah, Babu Patel and Iftekhar Shareef unfurled the national flag and lined up as Grand Marshals for the parade.

Bollywood star Soha Ali and Illinois Governors Pat Quinn, Dorothy Brown, clerk of the Circuit Court of the Cook County joined as Marshals for the India Parade.

FIA Gala Banquet Dance by young artists

Start of the FIA Parade on Devon Avenue on August 17 with unfurling of flag

he Parade continued to California Avenue. Soha Ali and Governor Pat Quinn greeted members of public on both sides of Devon Avenue. The dignitaries were led to a stage erected near California Ave. Soha Ali, Iftekhar Shareef and Governor Pat Quinn addressed the Indian community from the podium. Soha Ali expressed her joy and excitement for meeting with Indian community

FIA Parade floats

after a 24-hour long journey from Mumbai to Chicago. She thanked FIA for providing her an opportunity for a great experience. Iftekhar Shareef introduced the sponsors of the colorful floats as they passed by the stage.

As the curtain draws for the three-day celebration of India Independence Day, FIA Chicago remains a binding force for the Indian American community in Midwest.

AAM Party at the Parade

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India Day celebrations getting lusterless?

SURESH SHAH, HARISH RAO & ASIAN MEDIA USA

Flag hoisting by CG Dr Ausaf Saeed at Indian Consulate

CHICAGO: Things Change and many a time not in a way that one would like. The India Day celebrations fall into this category. In yesteryears, the celebration right from the kick off stage to the ending of colorful parades used to be really a grand and exhilarating affair with the Chicago Mayor thru its Event Office taking the lead in kicking off the celebrations days before the D Day- August 15. But this is no longer so for the past few years.

In good old days, the Indian Consulate in Chicago would invite elites to its Downtown office signaling celebrations on August 15 followed with a grand banquet in the evening. The tradition is continued but it is getting lusterless every year passing, especially the evening reception.

Indian Americans in large number would await the India Day events and participate wholeheartedly at all the different programs, be it the two different Parades or

Indian Americans in Chicagoland have multiplied more than five times in the past few decades only.

The intra community divisions, play of ego among leaders, unflattering news, stories of corruption

chanted. The Indian CG event in the morning charted the traditional line with flag salutation, reading of the Indian President Pranob Kumar Mukherjee's speech and a welcome address from the newly arrived CG Dr Ausaf Saeed. A good number of Indian Americans and Consulate staff was present during the event The evening reception at Chicago Cultural Center in Downtown turned out to be a routine affair with relatively thin attendance from the community members and the presence of a smaller band of elected Chicago officials at the event.

The saving grace was a beautiful speech by CG Dr Ausaf Saeed.

He underlined the importance of US India partnership and the helpful role of Indian Diaspora in cementing this tie. His ending was very gracious and could not have been more timely. Quoting from a remarkable book by Will Durant,

mother, through the Buddha, of ideals embodied in Christianity; mother, through the village com-

ering.

The main thrust of the speeches was that India has risen

Indian CG with a group of Indian American leaders

and scandals and unsavory political developments from motherland - all have sapped the morale and enthusiasm of the public at large.

a prolific American writer, historian, and philosopher, The Case for India, he said "India was the motherland of our race and Sanskrit the

Indian Consulate staff during India Day celebrations at Indian Consulate

three different entertainment programs. The participation from the community is there but the enthusiasm is on the wane. This is despite the fact that the number of

Cake cutting during India Day Banquet hosted by Indian Consulate at Chicago Cultural Center. Seen in the pic Ms Dorothy Brown, Dan Rutherford and Indian CG Dr Ausaf

Overall things this year too have followed the pattern set in the past few years. The community as a whole is getting less and less interested and more disen-

mother of Europe's languages; she was the mother of our philosophy; mother, through the Arabs, of much of our mathematics;

munity, of self-government and to become one of the world's largdemocracy. Mother India is in est and fastest growing economany ways the mother of us all." mies since gaining independence MC Madhumita Chakraborty in 1947, thanks to the remarkable welcomed all to the reception. This work ethic of Indian people. Even was followed by singing of Na- in the midst of the worst global tional Anthems of Republic of In- recession in half a century, India dia and the United States of remained a beacon of hope. ExAmerica by Lisa Mishra.

Cake-cutting by the Consul General fol- The saving grace was a lowed amidst clapping and cheers. Dan Ruth- beautiful speech by CG Dr erford, Illinois State Ausaf Saeed. He underlined Treasurer made brief remarks commending the importance of US India Indo-US relationship and congratulating Indi- partnership and the helpful ans. role of Indian Diaspora Dorothy Brown, Clerk, Circuit Court of the of Cook County, Special Guest panding and strong trade relationDr Rachard Lariviere, President, ship buffered with equally strong The Field Museum of Chicago, cultural exchanges enrich commuDaniel Goff representing the Of- nities in both the countries. fice of the Governor of Illinois; Yet another highlight of the reJenny Cizner from the Office of the ception was stellar performances by Mayor of Chicago, Nettie Lasko Saraswati Ranganathan and her Infrom the Office of Attorney Gen- strumental Music Group of six memeral of Illinois addressed the gath- bers which enthralled those present.

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Rita Singh FIA puts up a Anna Hazare, Vidya Balan lead biggest India Day parade grand India Day show NEW YORK: Anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare and Bollywood actress Vidya Balan led the largest Indian Independence Day celebrations overseas on August 18 with over two lakh people carrying the tricolor witnessing an impressive parade here which displayed the country's vibrant culture.

Colorful floats, marching bands and convertibles made their way down Madison Avenue in Manhattan with revelers cheering Hazare and Balan.

"Anna Hazare zindabad" "Corruption down down" rent the air of Manhattan as the veteran Gandhian rode past over two lakh people, most of them IndianAmericans, in the annual India Day Parade organized by Federation of Indian Associations (FIA).

The 76-year-old Hazare was cheered loudly at every intersection by large number of people while the fragile khadi-clad Gandhian waving from his vehicle that had to be stopped at several intersections, with people rushing to shake hands with him.

"I've never seen something as wonderful and heartwarming," said Balan, the parade's grand marshal.

The Indian-Americans waved

crusade has inspired thousands at home and abroad.

Anna was an instant hit among Americans too who had come in large numbers to see the man who took the government head on single handedly following the teachings of ahimsa propounded by his mentor Mahatma Gandhi.

The New York Police Depart-

The couple was loudly cheered by a large number of South Indians. There were non-stop shouts of 'Supreme Star' (referring to Sarath Kumar) and 'Chitti' (a character played by Radikaa in a TV serial) ment (NYPD) had a tough time in controlling the surging unprecedented crowd.

Balan drew huge crowds as people on both sides of the Madison Avenue cheered her when she

on seeing her and the fans had to be cleared by mild force near the review stand where the guests of honors assembled to deliver their speech. South Indian actors R Sarath Kumar, Radikaa Sarath Kumar and Jaishree Chandrasekhar traveled in the American Tamil Sangam float that had a huge banner of Statue of Liberty draped in a sari.

Sarath Kumar wore a traditional South Indian dress of dhoti and a khadi shirt while Radikaa came in a Kanjivaram silk sari.

The couple was loudly cheered by a large number of South Indians. There were non-stop shouts of 'Supreme Star' (referring to Sarath Kumar) and 'Chitti' (a character played by Radikaa in a TV serial), making the couple pleasantly surprised with the fan following in America.

The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Winston Baldwin Spencer, who rode in a Lamborghini car, wore a kurta and a pyjama and instantly connected with the Indian-Americans with his namaste.

The Speaker of the New York City Council and a Mayoral candidate Christine Quinn and other elected officials marched in the parade.

Cont’d from page 25

FIA members Dhitu Bhagwakar, Rita Shah, Bharti Desai, Shahid Rizvi, Shanu Sinha, Neil Khot, Mohd. Fareeduddin Sabiri, former FIA Presidents Onkar Sangha and Sunil Shah, sponsors, Banquet Chair Neelam Dwivedi gathered on the stage for the lamp lighting ceremony.

FIA President Rita Singh welcome all the guests and pointed out that our forefathers had to fight against British Rule to get Independence but Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi taught us the path of non-violence to get freedom.

A Runway Fashion Show 2013 was sponsored by Charisma Boutique, which was choreographed

by Mika Chadha and coordinated

by Sylvia Bhugra. The dazzling

worked relentlessly to bring India and USA together. Both the countries share an extensive cultural, strategic, military, and economic partnership". She added that FIA is recognizing for the first time seven community leaders with Community Service Excellent Award. These seven award recipients are Late J.B. Singha, former Vice President FIA, Vandana Jhingan from TV Asia, Ravi Rawat of India House, Suresh Bodiwala from Asian Media USA, Anil Loomba from Home Mortgage Solutions, Inc., and Dhitu Bhagwakar. They received the awards from Minissha Lamba and Rita Singh.

Along with speeches by prominent guests, the evening was filled with singing performances by local artists like Ashley Singh, Shariq Sidz and

Start of the Parade

Social activist Anna Hazare addresses the crowd at India Day parade in New York

the tricolor at Hazare and shouted that they stood by him in his crusade against corruption.

Hundreds of parade goers wore orange, green and white dress with a Gandhi caps "I am for Anna" to demonstrate their support to Hazare, whose anti-corruption

traveled in the FIA float along with FIA President Sanjay Amin, New York Consul General Dnyaneshwar Mulay and Gen V K Singh, former Indian Army Chief and leaders of the Indian-American community.

Balan gave flying kiss to her thronging fans that went berserk

According to Ramesh Patel, chairman of FIA the crowd was unprecedented in the history of FIA that started 43 years ago.

This is the 33rd India Day Parade in New York City.

Cont’d on page 32

fashion show was beautifully executed by local models. Minissha Lamba, the Chief Guest at banquet, was greeted on the stage with bouquet. In her brief address, she thanked FIA and specially FIA President Rita Singh for inviting her on this occasion. She was very pleased to see Indian Americans celebrating India's Independence Day with same enthusiasm and pride as they did back home in India.

Rita Singh, President FIA, in her speech said that "FIA Chicago is an umbrella body of Indian Americans Associations representing 300,000 Indian Americans in Chicago land. I feel very proud to be the first woman President of FIA Chicago. With the help of dedicated members, volunteers and community supporters, we have been able to organize this best FIA Independence Day Banquet event ever."

Continuing she observed "Today is certainly a day to celebrate the success of our democracy.

We Indian Americans have

Shreelekha Mohanty and dance performances by students from Bollywood Rhythm, Sonia Dance Academy, Payaliya Dance Studio, Pika Dance Academy and Gemini Bhimani.

On Sunday, August 11, the Independence Day Parade held at the intersection of Golf Rd. and Higgins Road in Schaumburg was a very lively affair with Chief Guest Minisha Lamba along with FIA President Rita Singh, Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod, State Representative Michelle Mussman, unfurling the tri-color Indian flag with loud applause from proud Indian Americans present.

Former FIA Presidents Onkar Sangha and Sunil Shah, Vice Presidents Dhitu Bhagwakar and Bharti Desai, Secretary Shahid Rizvi, Treasurer Shanu Sinha, Parade Chair Neil Khot, Ravi Rawat from India House along with many community leaders were present at the flag hoisting and Independence Day parade ceremony.

32 India Post

Community Across America

August 23, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Moneydart plans banking service in India RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

company's expert technology team. The high-end technology also ensures secure salary disbursement through user-friendly Cash Dispensing Machines. For more information, log on to: www.smartpaysolutions.com Flash enables real-time credit of money in any bank account. Our strong technology infrastructure and secure back-end processes empower you to send money directly to your loved one's bank account, real-time. XPay facilitates you to pay for your purchases using your mobile phones conveniently. This secure payment gateway allows you to pay without carrying hard cash, credit cards or even without a bank account. For more information, log on to: www.xpayindia.com

CHICAGO: Set up three decades ago, Moneydart Global Services headquartered in United Arab Emirates, is set to expand its activities horizontally and vertically across the globe.

Y.Sudhir Kuma Shetty, Chief Speakers Y. Sudhir Kumar, Promoth Manghat, Ajit Paul and Prabhaker Patel Operating Officer Global operations, said here that his company dent Global Operations, said the services provided by Moneydart fastest way one can send money has applied for a full fledged bank- company is doing exceedingly well and how it has helped it to win the to anywhere! Its secure, state-ofing license in India and that it was in New York, NJ and Chicgoland, confidence and trust of the public the-art technology infrastructure exploring opportunities to get into and has already decided to expand at large. He said that this wholly and reliable back-end processes banking business in this country its wings by having more agent owned subsidiary of UAE Ex- enable money to reach to the too. A decision on its license appli- locations in these areas, especially change had its direct presence in remitter's loved ones instantly and cation with the Indian government Illinois. over 30 countries with over 700 safe. For more information, log on is likely in the near future and this Prabhakar Patel, Asst. Vice branches and worked with over 150 to: www.xpressmoney.com will give a big boost to its opera- President Head Project America, correspondents globally employSmart Pay is a unique payroll tions in India, he said. ing 9000 plus professionals. processing and salary disburseTalking to newsSudhir Kumar Shetty ment platform built in-house by the men here at its Depointed out that his company von Avenue branch, also stands up for various sohe said that cial, humanitarian and environMonedydart would mental clauses joining hands also be entering a with several NGOs across the hitherto untapped globe. market in Latin Prabhakar Patel proposed a America and would vote of thanks and invited all expand its operations those present for a lunch at VISSIA DSOUZA in USA too opening Tiffin Restaurant.

Moneydart team with local staff members standing more facilities. "The Asian Media USA adds: from L to R Sumit Prabhakar, Promoth Manghat, Y. portal is already liAmong various services Sudhir Kumar, Ajit Paul and Prabhaker Patel censed to operate in rendered by Moneydart win23 States and the company is tar- said there would be 15 more such ning a large client base are: geting 50 licenses by 2014," he locations soon going up to 17 Money2anywhere offers an said. across Illinois. He also told this online remittance experience with Moneydart Global Services, he newspaper that the management a combination of competitive exadded, handled over $22.5 billion has already decided to have agent change rates, quick processing of in 2012 and would do better this locations in other Midwest States the remittance request and a year despite overall setback in like Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa friendly customer service team. It world economies. He said that Missouri followed by Ohio and uses cutting-edge technology to MKCA logo and pic from UAE Exchange, its parent com- Tennessee. "This would precede store clients' information in secure last year celebration pany, targets to operate directly starting full-fledged money remit- database and ensure total secuin 54 countries with a network of tance and transfer facilities in rity to each of their transactions.

1000 branches in the next two to these States," he added.

For more information, log on to: three years.

Ajit Paul, Regional Head www.money2anywhere.com Promoth Manghat, Vice Presi- America, elaborated on state of art Xpress Money is simply the CHICAGO: Mangalorean The Holy Mass will be celKonkan Christian Association ebrated with special flower offer(MKCA) has announced the cel- ing to Mother Mary. Children are ebration of Nativity of Mother encouraged to bring flowers for Mary in Chicagoland on Septem- 'flower offering' ceremony. TradiSURESH SHAH ber 7, 6 pm at Courtland Square tional home-made food with variCHICAGO: Irked and upset at at 11-30 am in the morning and Jitentra Diganvker, Shrinaryan Recreation Hall in Des Plaines, a eties of vegetarian dishes will be the unwholesome activities of stayed put there till 1 p.m. Some Chandhak, Vandana Jhingan, Raja north side suburb of Chicago. served along with "Roce". some government or government of the community members are Babu and Harendra Mangrola. aided agencies instigating military active in different community orThe group leaders then preconflicts against India or distur- ganizations. They were Shamkant sented a memorandum to the Pabances in the country, a good Sheth Prasad Yalamanchi (chair) kistani Consul General. The memonumber of community activists and his nephew, Nirav Patel, randum detailed the concerns of staged a peaceful protest against Sohan Joshi, Sridhar Damle, the Indian community at large. the Pakistani Consulate in ChiCont’d from page 31 cago on August 14, the day PakiKejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party. stan came into existence with the The organizers had ensured division of Indian subcontinent.

Sanjay Amin, FIA President that the central government offiThe activists were also induced said the police had estimated the cials and diplomats stationed in and incensed by passivity on the part crowd to be in the range of two New York are insulated from Anna of the Indian government. Many felt lakhs which was double than last Hazare and his slogan-shouting that the Indian Diaspora needs to year possibly due to the presence brigade to avoid any possible emmake up for this inactivity on the part of Anna Hazare and other digni- barrassment to them. of the Indian government and bring taries.

The crowd thronged to the this into sharp focus so that the conThere were more than 40 floats cultural programs arena and the certed interests in India and Pakistan representing institutions such as booth area where a replica of Red wake up try to resolve the problem.

State Bank of India, Bank of Fort was built in 80 feet x 10 feet.

Members of the group protesting Napak activities of Pak agencies A group of activists gathered Baroda, India Tourism and Arvind -PTI

MKCA to host Mother Mary celebrations

Indians protest against Na-Pak activities

Anna Hazare, Vidya Balan lead biggest India Day parade

India Post 33

August 23, 2013 www.indiapost.com

„ Health

Line

New call center for health insurance opens LEXINGTON, Ky.: Workers at a newly opened call center in Lexington will answer questions about how people can get health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The Lexington Herald-Leader and The Courier-Journal report the center employs 60 workers though that number is expected to increase to 100.

Gov. Steve Beshear said Kentucky is ahead of several other states in preparing to help people obtain insurance through the program for the first time. He said the call center is an important step toward aiding residents through a complicated process. -PTI

„ Kirk wants care for low-income stroke patients SPRINGFIELD, Ill.: U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk wants to see better care for low-income people who suffer strokes.

The Republican from Highland Park suffered partial paralysis to his left arm and leg as a result of a stroke he had in January 2012.

He told The (Springfield) State Journal-Register in an interview this week that he is working on legislation for what he calls ``the stroke agenda.''

Kirk says the problem for lowincome stroke patients treated under Medicaid in Illinois is that they can only get coverage for four sessions with a rehab specialist. -AP

„

Atlanta VA holds mental health summit

ATLANTA: The troubled Atlanta VA Medical Center is taking steps to improve mental health care.

The Atlanta VA hosted dozens of local health care organizations and mental health advocates at a community mental health summit.

WSB-TV reports the goal of the meeting was to share information and network.

The summit followed months of criticism of the center from federal investigators and members of Congress.

Federal investigators linked several deaths to the facility. One patient with a history of substance abuse and suicidal thoughts who was left alone in a waiting room at the center, where he got drugs from a hospital visitor and later died of an overdose.

-AP

Health Science Roche not to pursue patent for breast cancer drug 34

India Post

www.indiapost.com

August 23, 2013

Details on Page 35

26 new drugs permitted for sale without trials in India NEW DELHI: Notwithstanding strong warnings by the parliamentary standing committee on health, new drugs continue to be approved for marketing in the country without holding any clinical trials on Indian patients to test their safety and efficacy.

Sources in the Health Ministry admit that as many as 26 new drug molecules have been approved since 2010 without testing them through drug trials on local populations.

While eight new drug molecules of biologicals and non biologicals were approved by the country's apex drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), last year, two have already been allowed for sale so far this year.

As many as 13 such new drugs were approved in 2010 and three more were approved in 2011.

Officials of the health ministry say that new drugs have been ap-

proved without clinical trials after taking adequate caution.

They said such drugs are the ones used in medical emergencies and where trials are not possible

being approved.

Importantly, the approval to 26 new drugs sans local trials comes within two years of the parliamentary panel exposing how 38 new

in the country due to fewer numbers of patients and in cases where diseases are rare.

They said that it is only after expert opinion that such drugs are

drugs were approved without trials on Indians between January 2008 and October 2010.

While coming down heavily on the drug controller for allowing

untested drugs to be used in India, the committee had said that many such new drugs did not fall in the category of medicines meant for medical emergencies.

The report had focused nation's attention on the poor state of drug regulation in India and sought immediate corrective measures.

Following the report, the health ministry has introduced several new measures aimed at ensuring efficacy and safety of drugs.

The CDSCO has also written to states to prove within 18 months the safety and efficacy of all such fixed dose combination drugs which have been approved directly by states without seeking prior approval of the apex drug regulator.

The ministry is ready with a new Drugs and Cosmetics Act which deals with clinical trial regulation in a separate chapter. -PTI

Librarians aid in navigating health care changes TOPEKA, Kan.: Librarians at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library are gearing up to help residents learn more about the Affordable Care Act and the Health Insurance Marketplace so they can choose the best insurance plan to fit their needs and budget.

Lissa Staley, health information specialist at the library, said trained librarians will assist individuals with the Marketplace, which simplifies the search for health coverage by gathering all options in one place and allowing people to compare plans and explore free or low-cost programs for which they may qualify.

The library will offer technology assistance to those applying online and provide fliers and other informational materials about ACA and the Marketplace in an alcove in its Magazine Reading Room. ``But individuals must make their own decisions about what

plan to sign up for,'' Staley said. ``We will refer them to where they can find information on what the plans are so they can make the best decision for themselves.''

The law goes into effect Jan. 1,

nects librarians with CMS navigators and certified application counselors to whom they will refer difficult or complicated questions/customers.

Training provided to local librar-

In addition to librarians, an effort is being made to train K-State Research and Extension agents and staff members throughout the state so they also can help Kansans learn more about ACA and how it will affect them. and enrollment in health insurance through the Marketplace will run from Oct. 1 through March 31.

In early July, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services announced an initiative to get librarians ready to help people in every state learn about the new Marketplace.

In addition to providing public libraries with information about the health care law, the effort also con-

ians will include a demonstration of the Marketplace website by CMS staff members in mid-September. ``Training is in place, but we haven't done it yet,'' Staley said. ``A lot of groundwork is in place.''

The library is offering several public meetings and programs about the new health care law and the Marketplace, including: The library is offering public workshops, overviews of the Affordable Care Act and in-depth re-

views of how the Marketplace will work. Drop-in computer sessions to help people apply online and understand insurance options from in October and November.

Staley said the library typically allows a person to spend two hours per day on its computers. Those filling out Marketplace applications will be allowed an extra two hours per day.

In addition to librarians, an effort is being made to train K-State Research and Extension agents and staff members throughout the state so they also can help Kansans learn more about ACA and how it will affect them.

Roberta Riportella, professor of community health at Kansas State University in Manhattan, is heading up that effort. She has conducted four-hour workshops with Extension agents, as well as made community presentations and provided posters and other information at county fairs.-AP

August 23, 2013

Health Science Post

India Post 35

www.indiapost.com

Nurse joins Vt. Green Mountain Care Board MONTPELIER, Vt.: Vermont Gov. Peter titioner, physician assistant, health services Shumlin has appointed a nursing profes- researcher, and nurse educator. sor at the University of Vermont to the five``I am honored to serve and look forward member panel that is working to develop to adding my expertise to this endeavor that Vermont's new health care system. is so vital to Vermont families, businesses, Betty Rambur, a registered and health profesnurse and professor of nurssionals,'' she said. ing and health policy at the The five-memUniversity of Vermont, will fill ber Green Mounout the term of Al Gobeille, tain Care Board's who is replacing the departmission is to reing Anya Rader Wallack as duce the rate of chair of the Green Mountain growth in health Care Board. care costs, reguThe board is working to late hospital craft policies for containing spending and capicosts in health care and movtal expenditures, ing Vermont as close as posand curb the sible to a single-payer health growth in health Peter Shumlin care system beginning in insurance rates.

2017.

In addition to Gobeille, a Burlington busi``Betty brings two critical skills to the nessman, other board members are board,'' Shumlin said in a statement released Colchester physician Allan Ramsay; Karen by his office. ``As a nurse she has the hands- Hein of Jacksonville, an adjunct professor on health care experience of those who de- at Dartmouth Medical School; former Huliver care in our hospitals, clinics and doc- man Services Secretary Con Hogan of tors' offices. But she is also an expert in health Plainfield; and Georgia Maheras, the former policy, understanding the complex financing deputy commissioner of health care adminof care, as well as the special challenges of istration at the Vermont Department of Bankdelivering health care in rural areas.'' ing, Insurance, Securities and Health Care. Rambur has worked as a family nurse prac- AP

Roche not to pursue patent for breast cancer drug NEW DELHI: Swiss pharma major Roche Holding AG has said it won't pursue the secondary patent for its breast cancer drug 'Herceptin' in India.

"Regular reviews of our patent portfolio are a routine business practice. In this connection, Roche has come to the conclusion not to pursue Indian Patent No 205534 (the secondary patent for Trastuzumab) and the related divisional applications," a spokesperson of Roche Holding AG told PTI in an emailed response.

This decision takes into account the strength of the particular rights and the Intellectual Property (IP) environment in India in general, the spokesperson added.

Earlier this month, Indian government had "treated as withdrawn" patent applications by Roche Holding for offshoot medicines of its drug 'Herceptin' because the company did not comply with local norms.

"While the patent for Trastuzumab (also known Herceptin) may no longer be in force, it is important to note that there are currently no approved biosimilars of trastuzumab in India," the company said.

Herceptin, used to treat a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer, is Roche's third-biggest seller and notched up global revenues of 3.08 billion Swiss francs in the first half of the year.

"We support the Indian government's leadership in establishing a pathway and guidelines for the introduction of biosimilars onto the market that is based on science and is designed to ensure prod-

uct quality and patient safety," the company said.

The government is looking at a possible issuance of compulsory license for Roche's Herceptin. The Health Ministry in July submitted to the DIPP all the details of the drug, amid calls to make it affordable. -PTI

Datebook

36 India Post

August 23, 2013

www.indiapost.com

NEW JERSEY

NEW YORK

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

ILLINOIS

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Sat, Age 24

Sat , Aug 24

Fri, Aug 23

• The Journey of a Legend

• Grand Gala Star Night with Sarath Kumar & Radhika

• Vibe 2013

Venue: Hindu Temple Auditorium -NY, 143-09 Holly Ave, Flushing, NY 11355 Time: 6:30 pm Contact: 917-353-4545

Brea, CA 92821

Venue: George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 9734621695

Sat, Sep 7 • SEWA - Volleyball Tournament Venue: Gateway Little League Field, 43 Merseles St, Jersey City, NJ 07302 Time: 08:00 pm Contact: 646-494-7392

Thu, Sep 5

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

Sat, Aug 24 • Miss India America

• Spirituality In Daily Life

Venue: LAX Sheraton Hotel, 6101 W Cen-

Venue: Town Hall Theater, 123 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036 Time: 6:30 pm Contact: 212-354-9090

tury Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Sat, Sep 14

Sat, Sep 7

• Hariharan Live In Concert In NJ

• K. S. Chitra and M. G. Sreekumar With Symphony

Venue: Ritz Theater, 1148 East Jersey Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07201 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 732-277-6687

Venue: Colden Center , 65-30 Kissena Blvd, , NY 11367 Time: 9:00 pm Contact: 914-720-7891

Time: 6:00 pm

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

• J K Yog Satsang and Bal Mukund Hindi Classes are held every 2nd and 4rth Sunday of Month

Venue: LAX Sheraton Hotel, 6101 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 310-994-9500

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

Tue, Sep 3 • Bhagwat Katha by Swami

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

Sat, Aug 24 • MISS INDIA AMERICA w/ Mr. & Mrs. India America

Contact: 310-994-9500

Sat, Sep 8 • Gayatri Pariwar - Yug Niram Venue: Gayatri Pariwar – Yug Nirman, 22116 Pioneer Blvd, Hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716 Time: 10:00 am Contact: 562-924-3921

Nikhilanand Venue: Valley Hindu Temple, 18700 Roscoe Blvd, Northridge, CA 91324 Time: 7:30 pm Contact: 626-319-2064

Sat, Sep 7 • Udit Narayan - Alka Yagnik Live In Concert Venue: Anaheim Arena, 800 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802 Time: 7:30 am Contact: 310-753-8990

Sat, Sep 7 • "Yeh Hai Jalwa" with DJ Akbar Sami Venue: Ultra Suede Lounge, 651 N Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069 Time: 10:00 pm Contact: 657-622-1161

Tue, Sep 10 • Bollywood Pop Dance Classes by Project Pulse Venue: Ektaa Center, 2692 Richter Ave, Irvine, CA 92606 Time: 8:30 pm Contact: 949-572-4500

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

Sun, Sep 1 • 100 Year's Of Bollywood Red Carpet,Star Venue: Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates - Chicago, IL 60192 Time: 5:30 pm Contact: 847-227-8780

ATLANTA (Upcoming) 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

Sat, Aug 31: • Crescendo 2013 Venue: Georgia Tech Student Center, 350 Ferst Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 Time: 11:00am / Contact: 678-421-4216

India Post 37

August 23, 2013

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India Post 39

40 India Post

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August 23, 2013

41 India Post

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A PUSHKAR IS A CITY OF TEMPLES OF ALL SIZES, THOUGH NOT AS MUCH OLD OR IN NUMBER AS GENERALLY CLAIMED. THE MOST FAMOUS TEMPLE IS THE BRAHMA TEMPLE, SAID TO BE ONLY ONE TEMPLE DEDICATED TO BRAHMA IN INDIA

ccording to legends, Pushkar Lake was surrounded by 500 temples and 52 palaces (several rajas and ma harajas maintained palaces here for pilgrimage) at one point. The Brahma temple is the most important temple here and is, in fact, the only Brahma temple of India. It is interesting to note that Brahma is not worshipped, even though he is one of the Holy Trinity of Hinduism. Brahma, it is said, had descended on earth to perform a Yajna (fire-sacrifice). His wife Savitri was not with him at that time and the Yajna would be incomplete without her. Therefore, Brahma married a local girl and sat down for the Yajna. Meanwhile Savitri landed on earth and, upon finding this new bride sitting next to Brahma, cursed him that he would never be worshipped anywhere else on earth.

TOURISTATTRACTIONS Pushkar is a city of temples of all sizes, though not as much

August 23, 2013 old or in number as generally claimed. The most famous temple is the Brahma Temple, said to be only one temple dedicated to Brahma in India. A red spire marks the temple, and over the entrance gateway is the Hans (goose), the symbol of Brahma who is said to have personally chosen Pushkar as his place.

Another important temple is that of Savitri (wife of Lord Brahma) on a hilltop. It takes a one-hour trek to reach the temple, but it has a beautiful view of Pushkar Lake in the morning.

Other important places to visit in Pushkar are numerous ghats that run down the lake.

PLACES AROUND Kishangarh, a one-hour journey from Pushkar, was founded

by Kishan Singh in the 17th century. The city is famous for its unique style of miniature paintings, first produced in the 18th century.

Cont’d on page 43

42

India Post

Travel & Hospitality Post

August 23, 2013

www.indiapost.com

White House travel director moves Obama entourage VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass.: Even on a summer family vacation, President Barack Obama is followed by an entourage whose behind-the-scenes movements are juggled by a woman who was born into politics and has been with him since his Chicago days.

Ashley Tate-Gilmore heads the White House Travel Office, a fiveperson operation that handles precise logistics behind every presidential trip. The details usually go unnoticed by the public, unless something goes horribly wrong.

Tate-Gilmore not only acts as a high-stakes travel agent for White House press and staff, but a miniambassador who is often the first to arrive at presidential destinations.

She's used to being underestimated, a 29-year-old woman who

is quick to laugh and signs off every email with a smiley face. She said it was clear from her first meeting with foreign officials when she took over the job three years ago that they weren't expecting to take directions from a woman who looks so young. ``People are like, `Who are we meeting with?' I was like, `Me.' And mouths dropped,'' she said in an interview.

But anyone who thinks TateGilmore is just a sweet young thing is in for a surprise. She was raised in the rough-and-tumble world of Chicago politics - her mother got pregnant while working on Harold Washington's campaign to become the city's first black mayor and raised her daughter as a single parent on the city's South Side with help from her own mother.

B y Washington's reelection campaign, little Ashley was coming along to help. ``At 4 years old, Ashley was stuffing envelopes,'' said her mother, Desiree Tate.

Tate-Gilmore lives out of a bag, and her job requires that she be highly organized and think on her feet as she juggles planning for multiple White House trips. The eightday vacation to Martha's Vineyard required her to help set up a White House operation on the island at

Ashley Tate-Gilmore

peak season, when accommodations are hard to find. She helped reserve rooms for media, staff, Secret Service and others supporting the presidential operation in so many places across the island that she's lost count - booking rental

homes and even a trailer for staff to work out of when there were no more hotel rooms to be had.

Meanwhile, from the island she's dealing with visa applications for Obama's visit to Russia next month and setting up Obama's bus tour to New York and Pennsylvania. And she is planning to travel overseas next week to make arrangements for a future presidential trip.

Tate-Gilmore has learned to be no-nonsense in her dealings with local officials, hotels and venues Obama will visit. In preparation for his trip to Africa earlier this year, members of the White House advance party suffered bug bites staying in the press hotel. TateGilmore demanded the hotel hire an exterminator - and take along a photographer who could email her pictures back in Washington to prove all the rooms had been fumigated. -AP

Travel & Hospitality Post

August 23, 2013

India Post

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PUSHKAR Fascinating location for religious and cattle fair Cont’d from page 41

Another important point to visit is Ajmer, famous for its annual Urs Mela and a major city of Rajasthan.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS Rajasthan is at its colorful best during fairs and festivals. There are numerous festivals throughout the year, which brighten the otherwise hard and dreary lives of the villagers of the deserts.

One of the most popular and

charismatic fairs of the desert is the Pushkar Fair, held on the 11th day of the bright half of the moon.

The time of the fair corresponds to the western month of October/ November.

For five days in a year, all the gods visit Pushkar and bless the devout. This accounts for the unbelievable number of devotees who flock to the lake to wash

away their sins. Pushkar Lake is the most sacred lake in India.

From time immemorial, people have been gathering here annually during the month of Kartik.

During the days of the mela, the otherwise tranquil lake is engulfed by religious fervor. Thousands of devotees congregate to take a dip, sadhus descend from the Himalayas and people pray for salvation to the sound of verses from the holy scriptures that fill the air.

For the desert people, this

large congregation has tremendous economic implications.

These five days, apart from being a period of relaxation and merrymaking for the villagers, correspond to the largest cattle fair in the country. Animals, mainly camels, are brought from miles around.

Trading is brisk as several thousand heads of cattle exchange hands.

The camels are cleaned, washed, adorned, some are interestingly shorn to form patterns, and special stalls are set up selling finery and jewelry for the camels. One of the interesting sights is the piercing of a camel's nose.

Races and competitions are organized. Camels lope across the sands, sometimes throwing their riders on to the vast sands, amidst cheers and jeers from thousands of spectators. An interesting event is the camel beauty contest where they are adorned and paraded. They preen themselves before the crowds enjoying every moment of the attention they get.

Turbaned heads, the colorful veils and skirts of the women bring alive the arid desert. The village women are dressed in their best clothes and finery for the five-day mela.

As night descends upon the sand dunes, one can hear sounds of the ektara (a single-stringed instrument) and the soulful tunes of the Rajasthani folk songs.

Smoke rises from the makeshift and temporary fires where dinner is being cooked. People begin to retire to their respective tents and hotel rooms to rest until the next

Abu Dhabi tourism to launch campaign in Delhi DUBAI: Abu Dhabi's tourism authority and a leading travel company have teamed up for a monthlong campaign in New Delhi to further bolster the number of Indian visitors to the emirate.

The campaign, 'Abu Dhabi Month', will run throughout this month at Abu Dhabi-based TUI's flagship store in Delhi.

In the first six months of 2013, some 80,179 Indian nationals stayed in Abu Dhabi's 145 hotels and hotel apartments - a 22 per cent rise since last year.

"With much more to see and

do in Abu Dhabi as well as increased air access from the country following Etihad Airways' eq-

uity stake in Jet Airways, we expect to see strong growth in the

number of Indian guests choosing the emirate as their preferred holiday destination," said Bejan Dinshaw, the Country Manager in India of Travel and Culture Authority of Abu Dhabi.

"Robust growth to Abu Dhabi from India was evidence of the emirate's rapidly evolving leisure and business tourism offering, which is being increasingly factored into consumers' travel decisions," said Sunil Hasija, Executive Director of TUI India.-PTI

day when hectic activity begins once again.

Where to stay: With the increase in the popularity of Pushkar and the interest shown by the tourists abroad, the place has now many decent accommodation options available. One can

Rajasthan in the idyllic environment.

chose from a variety of options like budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodations.

A popular accommodation option nowadays is the tourist village where tourists stay in the tents. This is a good place to feel the culture and tradition of

Rail - Ajmer is the nearest railway station from where one can take trains for the major destinations in Rajasthan and other parts of India.

Road - Pushkar is connected to Ajmer by road, which is around 14 km away.

HOW TO REACH Air - The nearest airport is Jaipur (145 km), from where one can take flights for Delhi and Mumbai.

Goa to attract investments in backward talukas PANAJI: In a bid to attract more investors to Goa, the state government is planning relaxing rules for investments and providing a slew of incentives to companies intending to set up their plants in lesser developed talukas of the tourist destination.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar received the draft investment-cum-industrial policy prepared by the task force comprising industry captains.

Among other things, the policy refers to bringing in Rs 5,000 crore

investment and creating 50,000 jobs in next five years.

The policy, which would be put for public scrutiny till September 9, calls for bigger doles for the industries wanting to construct their units in the backward talukas of Sattari, Sanguem, Dharbandora and Pernem.

It has suggested 70 percent of the project cost incurred by companies in the backward talukas to be reimbursed over nine years through revenues like Value Added Tax (VAT) generated by the firms. -PTI

In Brief Alabama County changes marriage license policy MONTGOMERY, Ala.: An Alabama County has changed its policy of requiring applicants for marriage license to prove their immigration status.

The Southern Policy Law Center says the Tallapoosa Probate Office has changed its guidelines for marriage license applications.

The Law Center had sued the Montgomery County Probate Office in 2011 over a similar policy and added the Tallapoosa County Probate Office as a defendant last year.

The Montgomery County Probate Office changed its police earlier this summer by explicitly prohibiting the consideration of immigration status.

The Southern Poverty Law Center asked a federal judge to dismiss the lawsuits against the two counties as a result of the policy changes.

SPLC lawyer Sam Brooke called the policy changes ``a positive step forward to ensure everyone is treated fairly under the law.'' -AP

Foreigners can move MHA for visa extension NEW DELHI: Foreigners visiting India may now approach the Home Ministry directly if their applications for extension of visa are not resolved within 30 days.

The Home Ministry has decided that tourists can approach its foreigners division with the grievance if a decision is not taken by the concerned Foreigner Regional Registration Offices (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) within 30 days of making the request.

The Home Ministry, however, made it clear that foreign nationals must visit the concerned jurisdictional FRRO or FRO first for such visa-related services before approaching the Home Ministry as it involves avoidable inconvenience, waste of time and financial burden to them.

The foreigners can also visit the Home Ministry in cases of medical emergencies, an official order says.

The government also delegated various powers to the FRROs and FROs to offer services to visiting foreigners including registration, visa extension and visa conversion.

If any service is required by a foreign national which is not covered in the above-mentioned delegated powers, even then the foreign national first visit the concerned FRRO or FRO and put in a formal request for the service, the order says. -PTI

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DOL to delay H-2B wage methodology final rule Details on page 45

High-profile task force backs path to citizenship WASHINGTON: A high-profile bipartisan task force chaired by former governors and Cabinet secretaries endorsed eventual citizenship for immigrants living in the U.S. illegally as part of a package of recommendations.

The proposals were aimed at influencing the debate on immigration, with Congress on a five-week summer recess and Senate-passed immigration legislation stalled in the GOP-controlled House.

The immigration task force, convened by the Bipartisan Policy Center, is co-chaired by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, both Republicans; along with former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and former Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros, who are Democrats. Cisneros is a former San Antonio mayor.

The group's recommendations included calling for an independent commission to measure border security; a path to citizenship for the 11 million people living here without legal permission; and a strong visa program to bring foreign workers into the economy, coupled with stricter penalties for employers that hire or exploit work-

ers living here illegally. ``We find it's possible to reach common ground on some basic principles that do get a broad agreement from people coming at the problem with different political perspectives,'' Michael Chertoff,

ken the system currently is (and) will see that the value of coming up with a broad consensus reform far outweighs the benefit of the status quo.''

Several of the recommendations track generally with the Senate bill,

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

homeland security secretary under President George W. Bush and a member of the task force, said on a conference call with reporters. ``We're hopeful that the country, when we all take a deep breath over the summer, looks at how bro-

which aims for border security, improved legal immigration and workplace enforcement, and eventual citizenship for the millions already here illegally.

But the task force criticized the Senate's approach to border secu-

rity, a last-minute compromise aimed at securing Republican votes that sets aside $46 billion to double the number of agents along the U.S.-Mexico border, to complete hundreds of miles of fencing and to beef up technology from drones to helicopters to watchtowers. The approach ``does not provide outcome-based border-security metrics that are trustworthy and verifiable,'' the report said, calling for the creation of such measures that would be audited by an independent commission and made public.

Similar criticism is sometimes heard from House Republicans, who say that border security must be tackled before any other step is taken on immigration but generally dislike the Senate bill.

The task force recommendations amount to the latest example of establishment Republicans promoting comprehensive solutions on immigration in the face of balking by the conservatives who control the House. It comes as advocates nationwide, from business to labor to evangelicals, seek to exert pressure on House Republicans to take action once they return to Washington in September. -AP

Modi shall not be granted US visa: American official WASHINGTON: A top American official has opposed grant of visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi because of the "very serious" doubts that remain over his role in the "horrific" 2002 riots in the state.

"Modi shall not be granted the privilege of US visa because of the very serious doubts that remain and that hang over Modi relative to his role in the horrific events of 2002 in Gujarat," said Katrina Lantos Swett, vice chairwoman of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

The bipartisan government commission reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations and makes policy recommendations to the

US President, the secretary of State and Congress.

Narendra Modi

"There are many, many unanswered questions that remain,

there are at are many grave allegations, there are huge doubts," she was quoted as saying by the New York Times.

When asked about the possibility of Modi's nomination as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate for the next Lok Sabha polls, she said, "It is no outside nation's or no individual's role to tell them who should be the next leader of India."

"For the people of India, I think

it is important for them to consider very carefully who it is who they want to be their next prime minister," she added.

In 2005, the US denied Modi a diplomatic visa and revoked his existing tourist/business visa under the Immigration and Nationality Act, which makes a foreign government official who is responsible for particularly severe violations of religious freedom ineligible for an American visa, the NYT said.

"Obviously what happened in 2002 in Gujarat was sectarian violence on a really massive scale. I don't think you can say that that wasn't a religious issue.

It was a religious issue and the 2005 visa denial harks back to that," she said. -PTI

Immigration Post

August 23, 2013

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DOL to delay H-2B wage methodology final rule CYRUS D. MEHTA

T

he Department of Labor (DOL) proposes to delay indefinitely the effective date of the "Wage Methodology for the Temporary Non-Agricultural Employment H-2B Program" final rule (2011 wage rule) "to comply with recurrent legislation that prohibits the [DOL] from using any funds to implement it, and to permit time for consideration of public comments sought in conjunction with an interim final rule published April 24, 2013, 78 FR 24047."

The 2011 wage rule revised the methodology by which the DOL calculates the prevailing wage to be paid to H-2B workers and U.S. workers recruited in connection with temporary labor certifications

"[s]uch an occurrence would have rendered the H-2B program inoperable because the issuance of a prevailing wage determination is a condition precedent to approving an employer's request for an H-2B labor certification."

Subsequent appropriations legislation contained the same restriction prohibiting the DOL's use of appropriated funds to implement, administer, or enforce the 2011 wage rule and, the DOL said, necessitated subsequent extensions of the effective date of that rule.

The DOL therefore now proposes to delay the effective date indefinitely until such time as the rule can be implemented with appropriated funds.

delay of the effective date of the 2011 wage rule. Even if Congress lifts the prohibition of implementation of the 2011 wage rule, the DOL said it would need time to assess the current regulatory framework; consider any changed circumstances, novel concerns, or new information received; and minimize disruptions.

The DOL invites comment until August 9, 2013, on the proposed indefinite delay of the effective date of the 2011 wage rule. If Congress should no longer prohibit implementation, the DOL would publish a notice in the Federal Register within 45 days on the status of 20 CFR 655.10 and the effective date of the 2011 wage rule.

The FAQ also notes that spouses who were married in a U.S. state or foreign country that recognizes same-sex marriage, but who live in a state that does not, can file immigrant visa petitions for their spouses. The FAQ states that as a general matter, "the law of the place where the marriage was celebrated determines whether the marriage is legally valid for immigration purposes."

USCIS updates DOMA FAQ U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has updated its frequently asked questions (FAQ) on same-sex marriages under the Supreme Court's recent decision holding that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. The latest FAQ notes that U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents in same-sex marriages to foreign nationals can now sponsor their spouses for family-based immigrant visas.

Their eligibility will be determined according to applicable immigration law and they will not be denied because of a same-sex marriage.

The FAQ also notes that spouses who were married in a U.S. state or foreign country that recognizes same-sex marriage, but who live in a state that does not, can file immigrant visa petitions for their spouses. The FAQ states that as a general matter, "the law of the place where the marriage was celebrated determines whether the marriage is legally valid for immigration purposes."

The FAQ also includes information about applying for benefits, what to do about previous denials, changes in eligibility based on same-sex marriage, residence requirements, inadmissibility waivers.

The State Department also announced that non-citizen

to employ H-2B nonimmigrant workers. The 2011 wage rule was originally scheduled to become effective on January 1, 2012, and the effective date has been extended a number of times, most recently to October 1, 2013. The Department is now proposing to delay the effective date of the 2011 wage rule "until such time as Congress no longer prohibits the [DOL] from implementing" it.

DOL explained that, among other things, the appropriations bill enacted in November 2011 prevented funding but did not prohibit the 2011 wage rule from going into effect. The DOL explained that the 2011 wage rule would supersede and nullify the prevailing wage provisions at 20 CFSR 655.10(b) of the DOL's existing H2B regulations. Accordingly, in light of the November 2011 appropriations bill, the DOL decided to delay the effective date of the 2011 wage rule. If the wage rule had taken effect, the DOL explained,

Additionally, the DOL and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently promulgated an interim final rule, requesting comments, to establish a new wage methodology in response to CATA v. Solis, decided in 2013.

The interim final rule requires prevailing wage determinations issued using the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey to be based on the mean wage for an occupation in the area of intended employment, without tiers or skill levels. The comment period closed on June 10, 2013, and the DOL and DHS are reviewing the comments and determining whether further revisions to 20 CFSR 655.10(b) are warranted.

DOL explained that the confluence of the recent Congressional prohibition of implementation of the 2011 wage rule and the DOL's current review and consideration of comments made in response to the proposed new wage methodology require the indefinite

same sex spouses will be treated equally for visa processing at consular posts. This is what Secretary of State John Kerry announced on August 3, 2013: "If you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen, your visa application will be treated equally. If you are the spouse of a non-citizen, your visa application will be treated equally. And if you are in a country that doesn't recognize your same-sex marriage, then your visa application will still be treated equally at every single one of our 222 visa processing centers around the world...Now, as long as a marriage has been performed in a jurisdiction that recognizes it so that it is legal, then that marriage is valid under U.S. immigration laws, and every married couple will be treated

exactly the same, and that is what we believe is appropriate."

DOL Labor Certification Registry Goes Live The Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced implementation of the Labor Certification Registry (LCR) on the Office of Foreign Labor Certification's (OFLC) iCERT Visa Portal System website. The LCR is intended to provide the public with access to "appropriately redacted" copies of H-1B, H-1B1, E-3, H-2A, H-2B, and permanent labor certification documents issued by OFLC, as well as quarterly and annual case disclosure data. * 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

Immigration Post

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Is comprehensive immigration reform still possible?

KALPANA V. PEDDIBHOTLA

A

t this time there is no new immigration reform law. In order for a bill to become law both parts of Congress - the Senate and the House of Representatives - must agree on the final proposed legislation and the President must sign the bill into law. While the Senate's bill passage was historic, we still have a long way to go before Congress has a final proposed bill that can become law.

So what is the House of Representatives doing about immigration reform? Speaker of the House, John Boehner, has reiterated on several occasions that the House would not consider the Senate's bill. In light of this, after the Senate passed its bill, the House of Representatives had three potential options left that it could take: 1) Pass a bunch of small bills reforming various aspects of the Immigration system but not comprehensively overhauling our immigration system; To this end the House has pro-

posed at least 5 bills that have passed out of committee that provide for an agricultural guest worker program, tighter border controls, greater worksite enforcement, and expanding visas for

At the end of July, there appeared to have been limited movement on comprehensive immigration reform by the House. However, during the current August recess, with members of the House

During the current August recess, with members of the House back in their districts, they have been receiving a lot of heat from their constituents to pass comprehensive immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship to the more than 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. STEM workers. There is also legislation being proposed that would provide a pathway to "DREAMERs" - young people who were brought to the U.S. by their parents, and who in every aspect are American but for the lack of papers.

2) Propose their own comprehensive immigration reform bill; or 3) Do nothing.

back in their districts, they have been receiving a lot of heat from their constituents to pass comprehensive immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship to the more than 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. It was politics that thrust the immigration debate to the fore, and we suspect it will be political pressure that ultimately determines the course of immigration reform in the U.S.

Malaysia punishes Singaporean in prayer room row KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Malaysian authorities have revoked the immigration privileges held by a Singaporean man who offended some Muslims by allegedly letting Buddhists use an Islamic prayer room.

The case has provoked debate about whether the government in Muslim-majority Malaysia is increasingly bowing to pressure by religious conservatives who want stern penalties against people accused of insulting Islam.

Police detained the Singaporean-born owner of a southern Malaysian beach resort for several days earlier this month after he was believed to have allowed Buddhist tourists to meditate in the resort's Islamic prayer room.

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Muslim man has been stripped of his ``permanent residency'' status that enabled him to live and work in Malaysia without visa requirements.

The man has been released by police and is not formally charged with any crime, but the government's decision was ``based on the law in the interests of religion and the nation,'' Ahmad

Zahid wrote on Twitter.

Some Islamic groups accused the man of defiling the prayer room. Nearly two-thirds of Malaysia's 29 million people are Muslims, while the main minorities

sensitivities.

Last month, prosecutors charged two non-Muslims with sedition and inciting religious enmity after they posted a photograph on Facebook of themselves

Nelson laments partisanship in DC ORLANDO, Fla.: U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is urging the leaders of Florida's 410 municipalities to pressure their federal lawmakers into ending the partisanship that has kept legislation on immigration and transportation from passing in Washington in recent months.

Nelson made his plea at the Florida League of Cities annual

conference in Orlando.

Nelson said he finds it frustrating and disappointing that members of Congress nowadays can't seem to get along.

The U.S. senator says Florida's mayor and city council leaders can play a role by demanding that their federal lawmakers end the gridlock in Washington.-AP

Last defendant sentenced in deadly NJ robbery PATERSON, N.J.: A northern were at a party that night when New Jersey man who helped beat they decided to go out and rob and rob an immigrant who was left someone. unconscious in the road and evenWhen the group spotted tually run over by a passing car is Chiroy trying to hail a cab, they now headed to knocked him state prison. to the ground The Record re- Passaic County pros- and punched ports 21-year-old and kicked Corey Jenkins re- ecutors say Jenkins him until he ceived a 10-year was the only adult in was unconsentence. He had the pack of six scious and pleaded guilty to defenseless. robbery charges males that that atThey then and must serve tacked Antonio left him unnearly nine years Chiroy, the father of conscious in before he becomes the road, eligible for parole. four young girls. where a car Passaic County ran over him. prosecutors say Jenkins was the The robbery netted the group only adult in the pack of six males $12 and a cell phone. Some of the that that attacked Antonio Chiroy, juveniles were prosecuted as the father of four young girls. They adults and all eventually pleaded say the 31-year-old native of Gua- guilty to some role in the attack. temala was attacked in September Two people in the car that ran 2011 because he appeared to be over Chiroy were initially charged intoxicated. with causing a death or injury Chiroy was walking home to his while driving and leaving the Passaic apartment when he was scene of an accident that resulted attacked by the group. Some of the in death. But both later reached youths involved have said they plea deals in the matter. -AP

Guilty plea for ex-fundraiser for Rep. Grimm

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

are Buddhists, Christians and Hindus.

The Singaporean's case is the third in the past two months that involved the detention of people accused of disrespecting Muslim

eating pork while extending greetings during the Islamic holy month of fasting. They face up to eight years in prison if convicted. Consumption of pork is forbidden for Muslims.-AP

NEW YORK: A former campaign fundraiser for U.S. Rep Michael Grimm has pleaded guilty in New York to an immigration fraud charge.

Israeli businessman Ofer Biton pleaded guilty in federal court in Brooklyn to lying about his finances when he applied in 2010 for a special visa available to foreigners who invest $500,000 or more in a U.S. business.

A plea agreement calls for Biton to be sentenced to three years of

probation.

A lawyer for Biton had no comment.

The businessman was arrested last year amid an FBI investigation into money donated to Grimm's campaign by followers of an Israeli rabbi, Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto.

A spokeswoman for Grimm said the congressman had no knowledge of any improper donations or any other illegal activity involving Biton. -AP

Horoscope

August 23, 2013

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Your Weekly Future

by Pandit Parashar

AUGUST 23 RD - AUGUST 29 TH , 2013 (March 21 to April 20)

T

hings will misfire only on the last minute and you will very narrowly miss a great opportunity. Take a deep breath as another better and bigger opportunity only a week away. Some of you will be traveling to another state to meet some influential person. You may visit a holy place with family and participate in some special prayers.

(July 23 to August 22)

Y

ou will finally find the missing link. Confidence level will be at its peak. There is an overseas trip in the air. You will make frequent call to some one living far away. Chances of an addition in the family still strong. Payment coming this week may get delayed for another time. You will plan an outing with family to a nice restaurant.

(April 21 to May 20)

Y

ou will purchase some expensive but beautiful item for the house.

Money will come and disappear fast. You may have to withdraw some from your reserves in order to meet fresh commitments. Mind will start leaning towards religion and spirituality. Little prayers will do wonders. People in business will continue to gain edge over opponents.

(August 23 to September 22)

E

verything will move in the right direction but you will make all moves with extreme caution. Feel confident and move with full steam. Some money may go on legal procedure also. Some of you will be seriously looking for another job closer to home this time. You may learn some useful things from a person who was a pain in the past.

(May 21 to June 20)

N

ew partnership or relationship will be lucky. Planets will help you take all decisions very wisely and keeping long term benefits in mind. If you are persistent only then you will be able to get maximum out of a claim you filed in past few months. This is the right time to approach a government agency to get the necessary clearance.

(September 23 to October 22)

Y

ou will be tempted to make some hasty decisions about career.

Gamble may pay off starting next month. Money wise you will continue to do well and a property deal may get some extra cash though less than earlier expected. Transiting Sun in house of gains can get some money through lottery or other speculations. Party will be entertaining.

(June 21 to July 22)

E

ven impulsive decisions taken about career this week will prove to be a blessing in disguise in time to come. Do not hesitate to buy few lottery tickets for next several weeks. If you are offered any temporary assignment overseas, you should grab it. Next few weeks looks very favorable for all financial matters. Bank balance will shoot up.

(October 23 to November 22)

M

ars in ninth will bring confidence back. Diplomacy and correct approach will silence the opponents or people creating problems lately. You have some money coming through a claim filed with an insurance company. New assignment will come with enhanced powers and right team. Sign all contracts after careful examination of papers.

(November 23 to December 22)

E

xpect some favorable things in life this week. Issues pending and chewing up your time and energy will clear making room for big improvements in personal as well as professional life. Try to keep a proper distance with a new associate. Idea of taking a short trip overseas will continue to occupy your mind and you may start working on it.

(December 22 to January 19)

Y

ou will lay your hands on some real easy money this week. Few more road blocks will be removed in career and you will be excited. You may put some money away in savings. An old friend will call to invite you to a small party. Mail or letter you write will get quick and positive response. Spouse may have some aches and pains.

(January 20 to February 18)

C

ontinue working on your bright ideas and leave the results in hands of destiny. Results will come soon as long as you have faith in your work. Some of you may sign up for a short term program to kind of update your knowledge. Money wise you will continue to grow but at a very slow pace. You may have an meeting with an important person.

(February 19 to March 20)

D

iplomacy will not only help you gain an edge over your strongest opponents but they will offer their friendship. You will continue your search for an ideal place to move. Children will plan a small trip to a nice place never visited before. Very favorable week for people connected with health industry. You may spend some money on nice cloths.

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

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Book Review The Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation Gavin Flood And Charles Martin Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company Price: $13.95 Paperback Pages: 208

SURENDRA ULLAL

B

hagvad Gita (Song of the Lord) is one of the most popular religious texts in the world. It is undoubtedly one of the highly revered texts of the Hindus across the world, generally transcending all narrower aspects of caste and linguistic differences, which unfortunately continue to exist among them. Perhaps next only to Bible this is the most translated work in world literature, according to Win and M. Callewaert and Silanand Hemraj, who have made extensive studies on transcultural translation.

What strikes the reader at the outset, is the stark simplicity of the language that would be easily read by an eighth grade student and inspire his interest if only he likes to know more

about the Gita. And historically many devout scholars were about the same age, or even younger as they undertook study of the Gita. We have instances of Shankara, who was only eight-year old when he wrote a commentary on Gita.

Hundreds of students and scholars following him wrote commentaries on Gita, interpreting it as a philosophy according to their points of, which include, Advaita, Dvaita, Vishishtadwaita. Dwaitadwaitya, etc, to name but a few. These commentaries, especially, are focused on the Atma, translated as soul, which is enshrined in all living beings according to Hindu philosophy and upheld by most Vedic scholars.

Cont’d on page 51

I finally understand Bollywood: Priyanka

P

riyanka Chopra is happy to have made her way to the top in Bollywood with out the help of any godfather and the actress says she is finally at a place where

Priyanka Chopra

she is being offered challenging roles.

The 31-year-old former Miss World, who is doing commercially viable films like Zanjeer, Krrish 3, Gunday and Mary Kom biopic, says she finally understands the industry.

"I have never been to any acting school and didn't have any clue when I joined. I didn't have a godfather or boyfriend to guide me. I was 18-year-old and it took me a few years to understand the industry."

"I am very fortunate that in the last few years, I have reached a point where filmmakers can see me playing all kind of roles. So, now I want to have a mix bag of all kind of cinema," said Priyanka Chopra.

In her two upcoming

Cover of the book

films - Krrish 3 and Zanjeer - the focus is more on the male leads but Priyanka Chopra decided to take up the projects because she liked the script.

"Krrish and Zanjeer are both boy films.

But I had no apprehension about being a part of these films because I love to watch them. I am very spontaneous and I do films if I like the script. I don't consider other things."

The Barfi! actress, who is the brand ambassador of 'Our Girls Our Pride', said her upbringing helped her to understand the campaign in a better way.

"The cause of the girl child has been very close to my heart. My mother is a gynecologist and my father was a doctor.

Since my childhood, I have seen my mother with women and children and she has been a huge influence in my life also.

Our sex ratio is 840 girls out of 1000 boys, which is really absurd," said Priyanka, who

is also the Goodwill ambassador at UNICEF. Priyanka Chopra, however, wants to keep her movie career and her charity work separate.

Asked whether she would like to take up the cause in her films, the actress said, "No, that would be very unfair. Movies are entertainment and they are fiction. What I do as a person is very different to what I do as an actor. I don't think it is right to put that kind of pressure on movie business.

Nobody watches such films. Let's be realistic and not be delusional about it."

Priyanka Chopra, who now has a budding international music career, is also looking forward to the release of Disney's animated film Planes.

"I am lucky to be a part of Disney and I think it is every girl's dream to act in a film by them. I am really excited for 'Planes'"PTI

August 23, 2013

India Post 51 www.indiapost.com

A.R. Rahman turns producer Salim-Sulaiman for Hollywood M usic maestro A R Rahman wants to ex plore some aspects of filmmaking and hence has decided to enter into production. Under the banner YM Movies, Rahman wants to produce artistic movies with cinematic creativity.

Also, the Oscar Award winning composer wants to take his association with Eros International forward by collaborating with the company for his untitled film which will be a young romantic love story based on art and self discovery. Also, along with the production and music of the film, this music director has taken initiative in the story writing process along with his team of local and international talents. However, the cast of the film and other details are yet to be finalized.

A

fter capturing Bollywood, the music director duo Salim-Sulaiman are all set for their international venture.

The duo has been roped in for a Hollywood film Sold, which is to be produced by Academy Award winner Jeffrey D Brown.

Salim-Sulaiman, who have com-

A R Rahman

Gita: A new modern version Cont’d from page 50

The Sermon of the Lord (Krishna) begins on the battlefield of Kurukshetra in northern India, where two factions of warring cousins with equal claim to the kingdom are set to battle. Arjuna, third among the

gated to fight as the duty (Dharma) of a warrior (Kshatriya).

What follows is the legendary, Song of the Lord (Gita), a profound, insightful existential dialogue on life, death, the soul and morality in seven hundred of the most beautiful Sanskrit

With the scrupulous accuracy and poetic charm of a translation team composed of one of the world's foremost Hindu scholars and one of America's finest poets, Flood and Martin deliver The Bhagavad Gita to a new generation of scholars and English speakers increasingly interested in Eastern thought and yogic teaching.

Pandavas, sons of King Pandu, refuses to fight against his own brethren, teachers and relatives.

At this juncture, as the authors write, an unassuming charioteer begins to persuade him to fight and perform his duties as the one belonging to the warrior clan, who is obli-

posed music for films like Band Baaja Baaraat, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Fashion, Satyagraha and others, feel that it's a great opportunity to be a part of this project as the theme of the film is about human trafficking. The film is set in Kolkata.

verses ever written.

In their erudite work, The Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation, Oxford scholar Gavin Flood and award winning poet and translator Charles Martin bestow on this commendable work of Eastern religion the glorious gusto it deserves.

In dexterous and limber four-

line stanzas (Chatushpadi) Floode and Martin render this seminal document of world thought with all the otherworldly power and grace we would expect from a book that has come to influence many of the world's greatest thinkers from Gandhi to Einstein, Emerson to Jung.

"This world is bound by action" Krishna instructs early in the Gita, "therefore act without attachment to the fruits." Unencumbered by dated affectations, Flood and Martin's nimble translation allows us to fully enjoy Krishna's still-resonant message, his enlightened conception of "bliss" as action over non-action, detachment over desire.

Beyond the book's eighteen enlightening chapters, this new translation also includes, an illuminating 28-page introduction conceptualizing the significance of Bhagavad Gita in the epic Mahabharata, as well as its larger historical and cultural context; eighteen pages of brief, helpful, endnotes.

With the scrupulous accuracy

Salim-Sulaiman

and poetic charm of a translation team composed of one of the world's foremost Hindu scholars and one of America's finest poets, Flood and Martin deliver The Bhagavad Gita to a new generation of scholars and English speakers increasingly interested in Eastern thought and yogic teaching.

In their new translation, we have the most vibrant and accessible interaction of this scripture to date, and its publication is cause for celebration. This version of the Bhagavad Gita will undoubtedly be the gold standard for many years to come.

Gavin Flood is a professor of Hindu studies and comparative religion at Oxford University and the academic director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. He lives in Oxford, England.

Charles Martin is a poet, critic, and translator. His translation of 'the Metamorphoses of Ovid' received the Harold Morton Landon Award from the Academy of American Poets in 2004. In 2005 he received an Award for Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He lives in Syracuse, New York.

52

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Philosophy

August 23, 2013

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K

rishna clarifies (in Uddhava Gita) the characterization of a jiva as bound or emancipated is determined by its being subject to or not subject to the Gunas of Prakriti controlled by the Lord himself and has nothing to do with its essential nature. It is like experiencing happiness or sorrow in a dream which ceases on waking.

"So long as there is ignorance Jiva is taken to suffer the bodily sufferings which get cleared once the individual realizes the knowledge of the Self. The man of knowledge, though has a body, is not conditioned by it any more than a dreamer just awakened from the dream is unaffected by the experiences of his dream.

"The man of ignorance assumes that he is the doer of all actions which are actually done by organs of action and perception. He is really free who remains unaffected though his senses feed on objects of senses.

"If a man becomes a scholar in the scriptures but does not practice and become one with the Self is as useless as keeping a cow which does not give milk or an unchaste wife. A wise man who always chants the name of the Lord and hears his stories will surly attain to his state."

Extinction of the "I" sense Uddhava remarked that most SWAMI VIDITATMANANDA SARASWATI

Question: Is compassion something that exists only in human beings?

Answer: Compassion applies only to human beings because only human beings can be cruel.

The kind of violence that takes place in nature is meant for survival more than anything else.

There is natural cruelty in animals that kill other animals. But it is not an unnecessary violence.

There is a balance in nature that is maintained, such as ecological balance. So you find that there is no unnecessary violence in nature. Only man is capable of unnecessary violence and hence has a need to cultivate compassion. Animals are not cruel because they don't kill for the sake of killing, whereas, humans can kill for the sake of killing.

Q: Righteousness seems relative. What was not accepted 50 or 100 years ago seems perfectly acceptable today. What is right in one country or one faith is not right in another country or another faith. Should what feels right to me be the only guideline to be followed for critical or difficult actions?

A: Righteousness is a universal value. However, what righteous-

men know that the sensuous pleasures are baneful in their results, inviting endless troubles, yet like dogs, donkeys and goats they heartily plunge into them and asked why it is so.

The Lord answered: "It all begins with perverse sense of 'I 'which causes Rajo Guna to invade the mind and induces it to conceive the objects of enjoyment and the means of enjoying them. Brooding over such sensory objects creates an uncontrollable passion for them

established in me.

Path of Devotion Uddhava asks Krishna:" Various ways of liberation have been taught by various teachers. You also teach the path of devotion.

Are all these ways equally good?"

Krishna replies: "Many are the means described for the attainment of the highest good, such as love, performance of duty, self-control, truthfulness, sacrifices, gifts, austerity, charity, vows, observance

tee is very dear to me. His happiness is unconditional.

"Although he may not be a master of senses, he is not a servant to them, either. As fire kindled into a blaze burns the wood to ashes, devotion to me completely consumes all evil.

Neither by the study of scriptures nor by Yoga or by any other method could I be easily attained?

I, the Self, dear to the devotee am attainable by love and devotion.

Devotion purifies even the lowli-

Brooding over sensory objects creates passion

Lord Krishna

"Although he may not be a master of senses, he is not a servant to them, either.

As fire kindled into a blaze burns the wood to ashes, devotion to me completely consumes all evil.�

which overwhelms the mind and impels irrevocable actions.

"Although the perception of their evil consequences of such actions is present, the impetuosity of the passion is too strong to arrest them. But the man of discrimination exerts hard to control his infatuation and thus spares himself from the suffering. Such a man will turn his mind to me, away from everything else, and will be finally

of moral precepts etc. But of all these the path of love and devotion to me is the best.

"To the man who finds delight in me alone, who is self-controlled and even-minded, having no longing in his heart for anything other than me, the whole universe is full of bliss. Such a devotee who has surrendered himself to the Lord does not even desire salvation and finds bliss in me alone; this devo-

est of the low. Without love for me virtues and learning are unfruitful.

He who loves me is made pure and is a purifying influence upon the whole universe. Let not your mind run after worldly things. Give your mind to me, meditate upon me."

Then Krishna teaches Uddhava the process of meditating upon him.

Janmashtami, the birth of Lord Krishna, will be celebrated on August 28

ness means in a given context needs to be interpreted. Values are universal and objective, but their interpretation is subjective and based on time, place, and condition. For example, we can talk of Arjuna's confusion regarding the battle. What may be right

Righteousness also needs to be interpreted in today's context as opposed to that of 100 years ago. The interpretation of any value depending on the time, place, and condition calls for true maturity. Emotional maturity lies in being able to properly inter-

Q: Why is animal sacrifice mentioned in the Vedas? Does it not go against the fundamental concept of non-violence?

A: I do not know why animal sacrifice is prescribed at all. Generally, a ritual has an overall effect; we do not know what each step

Compassion applies only to human beings There is a balance in nature that is maintained, such as ecological balance. So you find that there is no unnecessary violence in nature. Only man is capable of unnecessary violence and hence has a need to cultivate compassion. in the palace is not right in the battlefield. Arjuna asks, "How do you expect me to shower arrows at them when they should be worshipped with flowers?"

In this situation, both actions are right; in the palace, they are worthy of being worshipped with flowers, but in the battlefield they are worthy of being worshipped with arrows! The determination of the right relationship is also subject to interpretation. Therefore, values are universal, but their practice is particular or individual.

pret a given value in a given situation.

Our practice, then, ultimately depends upon our interpretation alone. I may have the ability to interpret the truth, but how I interpret it decides what I do. That will depend upon my maturity in interpreting what truth means.

Therefore, while in itself righteousness is not relative, its interpretation in a given situation is relative and depends upon factors such as the context, time, place, and condition.

Swami Viditatmananda Saraswati

generates. It is difficult to determine the effect of each individual step of a ritual. Even in the abhisekam that we do at the temple everyday, we perform every step the way it is prescribed.

When animal sacrifice is prescribed as part of a ritual, it is not considered to be violence. Lord Buddha and Mahavir Jain protested against this aspect of the Vedic rituals. Basically, the Jain religion highlighted non-violence or ahimsä and Lord Buddha highlighted Compassion.

Knock, and He'll open the door; Vanish, and He'll make you shine like the sun; Fall, and He'll raise you to the heavens; Become nothing, and He'll turn you into everything.

-Rumi What is the self, or the not-self? What is thinking, or not thinking? What is good or evil? I sit in my own splendor.

-Ashtavakra Gita The build-up of samsaric propensities, primordially, is the pure dimension of being - pity him who has not noticed!

-Longchenpa In Love no longer 'thou' and 'I' exist, For Self has passed away in the Beloved.

-Attar of Nishapur Love is the funeral pyre where I have laid my living body. All the false notions of myself, that once caused fear, pain, have turned to ash As I neared God. -Hafiz God is nearer to me than my hands and my feet and my breathing ...God is Here and This is where He lives. This is the temple of the living God -Douglas Harding

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A US-Pak civil nuclear deal unlikely

India Post

IRANGA KAHANGAM

D

espite US Secretary of State John Kerry's reinvigorated foreign policy approach to Pakistan, the likelihood of a recently mentioned potential civilian nuclear deal remains doubtful.

Talks of a nuclear deal with Pakistan are often mentioned in comparison to the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal. This logic is flawed however, as the circumstances are different between both countries.

Several motivators for the Indian deal don't apply here: expected US business and commercial benefits, security guarantees regarding nuclear technology, domestic political tensions and global strategic interests.

The commercial activity stem-

tion is unlikely to expose itself to criticism regarding this deal, as nuclear nonproliferation and global zero are considerable parts of its foreign policy. Rather, the administration is likely to push for securing nuclear weapons and reducing fissile materials as mentioned in its 2010 Nuclear Posture Review.

Despite US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's comments in 2006 as a US Senator that a US-Pakistan nuclear deal was possible, these views were specifically his own and not the government's. The Pentagon's priority remains eliminating terrorist groups and militant threats, particularly ones that disrupt US forces in Afghanistan.

From the Pakistani perspective,

US Secretary of State John Kerry with Pak Primier Nawaz Sharif

ming from the Indian deal has been virtually nonexistent and was rejected legislatively in India; the US would do well to learn its lessons in basing another argument along the same reasoning.

Similarly, ongoing security concerns in Pakistan are unlikely to convince the US that the safety of nuclear technology would be protected as in India. Furthermore, given Pakistan's history of nuclear proliferation it would likely be seen as controversial if not almost tacit approval of such behavior.

With 60 votes needed these days to virtually pass anything in the US Senate, it is unlikely that this deal would get the strong bipartisan support needed.

Between those in government mistrustful of Pakistan, particularly following the Bin Laden raid, and vocal nonproliferation supporters, any deal is likely to be quickly rejected.

The White House too would be unlikely to further acquiesce on nuclear issues with Pakistan as it surprised many already by bringing drone strike negotiations out publicly. The Obama Administra-

the current political climate demands action against US drone strikes. Cooperation along these two lines will be America's biggest bargaining tool and likely the furthest engagement the Pentagon would be willing to address currently. Any capitulation on drone strikes is highly likely to not also be accompanied by a nuclear deal.

Think tanks and South Asia analysts mention a possible deal as a gateway towards normalizing Indo-Pak relations by placing both on the same level in the global nuclear order.

While a deal legitimizing Pakistan's nuclear program would theoretically elevate them to the NPT level and force India and Pakistan to be more stable vis-Ă -vis deterrence, these bilateral agreements only really circumvent the NPT. It also does not address a primary issue between both nations, which remains Kashmir.

The US-India deal was seen as a move to support India as a counterweight to rising Chinese power.

At the time of ratification, there was global support for the India deal including from the Nuclear

Supplier Group (NSG), a 46-country body that overseas the international transfer of nuclear materials. Currently, as China escalates its nuclear power cooperation with Pakistan, it has avoided getting a waiver from the NSG. China and Pakistan lack the global support for commercial nuclear activity, deterring the US from being induced into any sort of deal with Pakistan to avoid Chinese involvement.

Furthermore, alternative energy assistance to Pakistan from the United States already exists and is likely to be the major way forward, rather than a nuclear deal. By focusing on hydroelectric power and USAID projects that focus on minimizing power loss and theft, the US can promote energy without rocking the nuclear boat.

Current funding under the Kerry-Lugar bill gives billions of dollars to power generation in Pakistan but largely focuses on developing smarter grid technology, more accurate meters, mechanisms for revenue collection and overall increased efficiency of power distribution.

Alternatively, the arrival of a new Nawaz Sharif government more keen to normalize relations with India provides an opportunity to consolidate two of Pakistan's largest problems. As both sides look to reduce tension, increased trade particularly in the energy sector would go a long way. While admittedly far short of any sort of long-term energy solution, the current environment may be a ripe way to marry two issues in a productive manner.

While a large part of Islamabad's interest in a civilian nuclear deal lies in its desire to be placed on the same global stage as India in 2005, the US is unlikely to heed that request. Recent discussions to open up civilian nuclear talks are perhaps an attempt by Kerry to leave every option available as a new strategic dialogue begins.

Instead, the US may focus on providing direct alternative energy assistance and more broadly focus on drone strike negotiations to curb terrorism. As US interests decline in Afghanistan, it may not seek to prolong a complicated engagement in South Asia by bringing up such a nuclear deal. Instead they are likely content with their strategic Indian partnership and will promote less controversial ways of energy assistance in Pakistan.

The writer is Research Intern, Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS). Courtesy IPCS

T

Wake up call

he BJP leaders, including their trump card Narendra Modi cannot be enthused by what the latest opinion polls say about the likely verdict in 2014. If the polls were to be held today, says one of the polls sponsored by India Today, the UPA expectedly slumps very low but the NDA fails to gain anything and in fact ends up four short of the number it had in 2009. The BJP gains marginally from 116 in 2009 to 130 now and fails to gain from the anti-incumbency plaguing the Congress. It is the regional parties who are expected to do much better making the regional satraps put up their hats in the ring when the time comes. It encourages them to raise their price for support in case any of the national parties make a claim for power.

The abrasive personality of Narendra Modi is not designed to win friends. And there is no certainty as of now that Modi will indeed be the prime ministerial candidate if his attraction continues to be limited. That is why the BJP is hesitating to name him the PM candidate lest opposition to him unites disparate sections against the BJP. Modi did not win many friends when he launched a bitter attack on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his Independence Day speech. He accused him of serving one family at the cost of the 121 crore people of India. The Prime Minister's speech was as usual tame. Both of them failed to spell out how they intend to solve the country's problems.

While many have questioned the style of Modi, it is being argued nobody is asking the questions that the Congress triumvirate of Sonia, Manmohan and Rahul need to answer. Modi is one man who is doing so. It would be nice if Modi were to declare that, OK, I am not the PM candidate; I am not gunning to come to the Center. But as an Indian citizen I am entitled to ask some questions from those who are running and ruining the country.

And since everybody is trying to be nice to the first family, including some in the BJP and other parties, there is need for someone to stand up this charade and demand accountability. Every time Manmohan Singh is spared for his inaction and indecisiveness because he is a "nice man." Conceded that Modi is not a "nice man" but at least he is articulating what the common man feels about the failings of the present Congress-led dispensation. There are other opposition leaders who also criticize the government but the functionaries in the grand old party take notice only when Modi holds the stick. They have been complacent all along and the only threat they seem to sense to their prospects is this Modi phenomenon.

Just imagine the Prime Minister taking satisfaction the other day by saying the position is not as bad as in 1991 when India had to borrow from the IMF. Did he mean to say that there was still scope for the situation to be allowed to deteriorate? Probably this complacency is based on the hope that Modi fear will drive many voters back into the arms of the Congress.

Tavleen Singh in her column in Indian Express makes an interesting point. She says it is not what Modi says that gets him into trouble. "It is not what he did in 2002 that evokes such shivers in Lutyen's Delhi. Rajiv Gandhi remained totally acceptable after 1984. It is who Narendra Modi is that is the problem. He represents an India that has been so carefully kept outside the closed doors of the Lutyens' Delhi club. A rough, angry, passionate new India that does not recognize private clubs or their rules."

Will such an India pull its weight to break into this elite club, just as the so many small-town wallahs have broken into the Indian cricket team?

August 23, 2013

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