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After Rajan, Urjit Patel to be RBI Governor Details on page 36

Anjali, Tina named White House fellows

VOL 22, No. 1143

August 26, 2016

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U.S. TELLS PAK TO ACT AGAINST TERRORISTS WASHINGTON: The US blocked USD 300 million military aid to Pakistan as it failed to get a Congressional certification for "satisfactory" action against the dreaded Haqqani network, the Pentagon has said as it asserted that it was in Islamabad's interest to take action against terrorists.

The Haqqani network has carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghani-

stan, the Afghan government and other civilian targets.

The group is also blamed for several deadly attacks against Indian interests in Afghanistan including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people.

The Pentagon said it was in Pakistan's interest to take action against terrorists in "as many ways as possible".

Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar

Parrikar to sign logistics agreement in US Details on page 5

Automatic voter registration veto hurts community Details on page 16

Details on page 5

Details on page 5

Bharara against overturning Gupta's case

Rajnath to visit US for security dialogue

Details on page 37

Step-mom faces life-term for girl's murder

Details on page 6

225 US Sikhs removed from blacklist

Details on page 5

CONTENTS

Details on page 6

Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29

INDIA POST SURVEY

Classifieds ------------------------- 48

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Date Book -------------------------- 47

This week’s question

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

Community Post -------------- 16-27

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

Will Rauner’s veto help Republican candidates?

Horoscope ------------------------- 14 Immigration Post ------------- 44-46

Last week’s result

Do you approve of Modi’s tough policy towards Pak? YES 92%

NO 08%

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

HUGE GATHERING: Bollywood Actor Abhishek Bachchan greets Indian Americans on the occasion of

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

Indian Independence Day Celebrations in New York on August 21. (Details on page 8)

TechBiz Post ------------------- 36-39 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 30-33

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

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e Indian Americans feel equally proud whenever our compatriots in India earn laurels for whatever talent they may have. And just as well, we also feel concerned over issues that chronically dog the subcontinent if its inefficiency curbs such talent.

So it is with much pride that I celebrate the achievements of two of India's women athletes - the only two from among the 117-strong Indian Olympic contingent - who won medals at Rio last week, proving a point to the country's patriarchal sports domain; and at the same time, I feel compelled to join the chorus that repeatedly questions the utter lack of sporting talent in India when it comes to such international events as the Olympics.

I am being facetious of course when I point out that India did better than 21 countries that managed to get just one medal in this Olympics and 120 countries that didn't get even that. But couldn't they at least have managed to do better than Turkey, which despite its toxic political situation, won three medals.

I am not patronizing them when I wonder what ails a country of over 1.2 billion people that it cannot win more medals or simply do better at competitive athletics. I'd hazard a guess at geography being the cause of their genetic shortcomings.

So there is no dearth of 'experts' who sit lazily in their armchairs and either ridicule the hardworking athletes, most of who are from small towns that woefully lack in sporting infrastructure; or give lame suggestions although they themselves have never lifted a competitive finger on any playground. Like, for instance, pop author Chetan Bhagat, who thinks a Rs. 80 contribution from every Indian, can miraculously change the sporting fortunes of the country. Well, it so happens that 80 percent of those Indians cannot afford to spare even that 80 rupees, so how about the state governments in India and more importantly the deep pocketed industrialists sit with real athletes and ask them what they need to do better.

My own two pence suggestion is: Keep politicians far, far away from sports.

They are part of the problem, not the solution.

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: End of marriage After months of 'Yes' and 'No', it is finally confirmed that Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora Khan have separated

Cover Story: US advice to Pak The Pentagon has asserted that it was in Islamabad's interest to take action against all kinds of terrorists.

Community: Rauner's veto Community has expressed disappointment with Illinois Governor Rauner's veto of Automatic Voter Registration

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Immigration: Extreme vetting Trump proposes to suspend immigration from dangerous parts of the world and impose a system of ``extreme vetting''

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New RBI Gov A soft-spoken but effective Urjit Patel is to take over as RBI Governor from an outspoken and rockstar-like Raghuram Rajan

Shillong Shillong, 1500 mtr above sea level, is picturesquely located within the Umiam ravine and Diengiei hills

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US tells Pak to act against terrorists WASHINGTON: The US blocked USD 300 million military aid to Pakistan as it failed to get a Congressional certification for "satisfactory" action against the dreaded Haqqani network, the Pentagon has said as it asserted that it was in Islamabad's interest to take action against terrorists.

The Haqqani network has carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan, the Afghan government and other civilian targets.

The group is also blamed for several deadly attacks against In-

dian interests in Afghanistan including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people.

The Pentagon said it was in Pakistan's interest to take action against terrorists in "as many ways as possible".

"We continue to have a close relationship with Pakistan with regard to terrorism and fighting terrorism. (But) It's obviously in Pakistan's own interest and the United States interest to combat terrorism in as many ways as possible," Pentagon Press Secretary

Peter Cook told reporters.

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter did not give Congressional

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter did not give Congressional certification to Pakistan for satisfactory action against the Haqqani network

certification to Pakistan for satisfactory action against the Haqqani network this year, Cook said.

In the absence of the certification, the Pentagon blocked disbursement of USD 300 million to Pakistan under Coalition Support Fund, which is essentially reimbursement money for the expenses made by Pakistan Army in support of US operations in Afghanistan.

"With regard to that USD 300 million, there was a (June 30) deadline in terms of whether or not to

transfer that money or to use that money in other ways, and it was determined that at this moment in time, it was best to reprogram that money in other directions," Cook said.

The Washington Post, which first reported about it, has described the withholding of the US military assistance to Pakistan as a "potential blow" to US-Pak ties.

The Pentagon press secretary, however, said the US will continue to work "closely with Pakistan and we've seen significant efforts on the part of the Pakistanis." -PTI

Anjali, Tina named White House fellows WASHINGTON: Two IndianAmerican women have been selected for the prestigious White House Fellow program that offers firsthand experience of working at the highest levels of the US federal government.

Astrophysicist Anjali Tripathi from California and physician Tina R Shah from Chicago are among the 16 White House Fellows appointed from across the nation for the year 2016-17, officials said.

Shah is a Pulmonary and Critical Care physician-scientist focused on transforming healthcare delivery for patients with chronic diseases.

She recently completed her clinical fellowship at the University of Chicago (UC), where she redesigned the care cycle for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), dra-

matically reducing hospital readmissions.

As the recipient of the inaugural UC Innovations Grant, Shah also led an inter-professional research team to evaluate this valuebased care delivery program.

Shah was a trustee for the Chicago Medical Society and has held leadership positions in other medical societies to advocate for her patients and for a sustainable medical workforce. She received a BS and an MD from the Pennsylvania State University/ Jefferson Medical College accelerated six- year medical program and MPH from Harvard.

Tripathi, an astrophysicist recently at Harvard University, focuses on the formation and evolution of planets.

She has pioneered the characterization of planet forming envi-

ronments and developed the first 3D simulations of planets evapo-

Anjali Tripathi and Tina R Shah

rating due to extreme atmospheric heating.

Tripathi has also been involved in modeling the Milky Way and

Step-mom faces life-term for girl's murder NEW YORK: An Indian-origin woman faces 25 years to life in prison in the US for strangling her 9-year- old step-daughter to death as federal prosecutors charged her with the murder and her ex-husband for obstructing the investigation.

Arjun Shamdai Pardas, 55, was

is not premeditated - of Ashdeep Kaur.

Pardas, who faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted, was ordered held without bail.

She will return to court on September 2.

Pardas' former husband Raymond Narayan, 65, is being

"This is a horrifying case of a child, a defenseless nine-year-old, who was left in the care of her stepmother who allegedly strangled her to death. Her actions, if true, are beyond comprehension and must be severely punished," Brown said arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Gerald Lebovits on a criminal complaint charging her with one count of second-degree murder - an intentional killing that

held on charges of obstructing governmental administration and faces up to a year in jail and a USD 1,000 fine if convicted.

Queens District Attorney Rich-

the search for dark matter. Previously, she has conducted particle

ard Brown said Pardas' actions are "beyond comprehension" and she will be brought to book.

"This is a horrifying case of a child, a defenseless nine-year-old, who was left in the care of her stepmother who allegedly strangled her to death. Her actions, if true, are beyond comprehension and must be severely punished," Brown said.

Queens Assistant District Attorney Michael Curtis said Pardas repeatedly and on numerous occasions threatened to kill the victim, "most recently doing so this past Tuesday. On Friday, she made good on that threat."

Kaur had arrived in the US from India three months ago and was living with her father Sukhjinder Singh and Pardas in an apartment in Queens that was shared with another couple.

Cont’d on page 8

physics, seismology and engineering research at Fermilab, Caltech, MIT, and NASA JPL, as part of the mission operations team for the Mars Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity.

Her commitment to improving her community has been recognized by Harvard, MIT, and the

American Red Cross.

Tripathi will receive her Ph.D. in Astronomy from Harvard, where she earned an AM in Astronomy as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow. She received M.Phil in Astronomy from Cambridge University as a Marshall Scholar and SB in Physics, with a minor in Applied International Studies, from MIT. The White House Fellows Program was created in 1964 by President Lyndon B Johnson to give promising American leaders "first hand, high-level experience with the workings of the Federal government and to increase their sense of participation in national affairs".

Selection as a White House Fellow is highly competitive and based on a record of professional achievement, evidence of leadership potential and a proven commitment to public service. Each Fellow must possess the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute meaningfully at senior levels of the Federal government. PTI

Parrikar to sign logistics agreement in US NEW DELHI: India and the US are likely to sign a key logisitics agreement later this month which will enable both the countries to use each other's assets and bases for repair and replenishment of supplies.

The agreement called the 'Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement' (LEMOA) is likely to be signed during Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar's visit to the US, starting August 29.

The agreement was announced during the visit of US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter in April this year.

The move will allow both the countries to use each other's bases as well as assets for replenishment of supplies and refueling.

However, it will not allow stationing of troops in each other's bases.

Other issues that are likely to be discussed include project under the Defense Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI) and the aircraft carrier project.

The US is also likely to push its case for manufacture of American fighter jet plane in India under the 'Make in India' initiative. PTI

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Rajnath to visit US for security dialogue NEW DELHI: Enhancing antiterror cooperation, sharing intelligence inputs and offering easy travel to each other's citizens would be high on the agenda during the visit of Home Minister Rajnath Singh to the US next month.

Singh will lead the Indian delegation at the Indo-US Homeland Security Dialogue to be held in Washington in September-end

ceedings, official sources said.

Further cementing anti-terror cooperation, real-time sharing of intelligence inputs, cyber security and critical infrastructure protection, countering illicit finance, global supply chain security, megacity policing and science and technology are some of the other key issues to be discussed at the strategic meeting.

This senior-level exchange be-

Home Minister Rajnath Singh

with the US team to be headed by Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Charles Johnson.

The new dates have been fixed after the bilateral dialogue was postponed last month as Parliament was in session and the Home Minister was busy with the pro-

tween India and the US will reinforce the strategic homeland security partnership and enhance operational cooperation in investigations, capacity building, and countering threats, sources said.

Upcoming law enforcement engagement proposals include

sharing lessons learned and best practices in police training and responding to mass casualty exercises, improving both nations' capabilities to respond to terrorist incidents and natural disasters.

Besides, there will be discussions on two key recently-signed agreements - Global Entry, a US Customs and Border Protection program that permits speedy clearance for pre-approved, lowrisk travelers upon arrival in America; and the Homeland Security Presidential Directive-6 (HSPD-6), which allows access to information on terrorists.

The US has been pressing for India's inclusion in the Global Entry so that high dignitaries like former presidents, former prime ministers, former Union ministers, film stars, top industrialists and frequent flyers could visit America without any hassle.

There will be extensive discussion on the Global Entry during the dialogue, the sources said.

Initially, the names of around 2,000 prominent Indians could figure in the coveted list, which would be expanded gradually after proper background checks of each individual.

Incidents like brief detention of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan recently at the Los Angeles airport would be avoided when the Global Entry will be implemented. -PTI

3 of 9 addresses of Dawood in Pak incorrect UNITED NATIONS: Three of the nine places cited by India as addresses of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in Pakistan have been found incorrect by a UN committee, which has removed these from its list.

One of the addresses which have been dropped by the UN Security Council's Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee was found similar to that of a residence of Islamabad's envoy to the UN Maleeha Lodhi.

However, the six other addresses provided by India have not been amended. India, in a dossier, had cited these nine addresses as those frequented by Dawood.

The Security Council's ISIL and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee amended its entry concerning Dawood, the mastermind behind

the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, with "underline and strikethrough".

Dawood Ibrahim

In the amendment, the Committee has stricken through the address "Main Property at Margalla Road F- 6/2 Street no.22, House No.07, Islamabad number 29 in

Karachi. This address was later found to be similar to that of a residence belonging to Lodhi."

When asked about the amendment, a top Indian official here told PTI that one address of Dawood in the listing entry was incorrect. The address was "of Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi, and not Dawood Ibrahim", the sources said.

"The amendment also strikes through other addresses "8th Floor of Mehran Square, near Pardesi House-3, Talwar Area, Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan" and "6/A Kjauabam Tanzeem, Phase-5, Defense Housing Area, Karachi, Pakistan."

Cont’d on page 8

Indian people on Afghan side: Modi NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reaffirmed India's support to Afghanistan in his message on the occasion of the inauguration of the Storay Palace which was recently rehabilitated with the support of India.

Speaking through video teleconference to the ceremony participants, Modi said the inauguration of the palace in Kabul has more fundamental dimensions of the friendship between the two

thanked the government and people of India for their support to Afghanistan.

"Let me express my most sincere thanks to the government and people of India for standing beside us in days of happiness and sorrow," President Ghani said.

President Ghani added "We are inaugurating Storay Palace which is a symbol of Afhganistan's diplomacy in modern era, restored with the generous assistance of

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Mohammad Ashraf Ghani jointly inaugurating the renovated Storay Palace in Kabul through video-conferencing, in New Delhi on August 22

countries.

Modi added that the palace is a reminder of the glory of the rich traditions of Afghanistan.

He said India remains committed to help Afghanistan make progress, insisting that 1.25 billion of people will be on Afghanistan's side in a bid to help build a prosperous Afghanistan and help bring peace and security to the country.

In his turn, President Ghani

India."

India has played a crucial role by participating in the rebuilding of Afghanistan following the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001.

Since 2002, the Government of India has committed USD 2 billion dollars to the socio-economic rebuilding of the Afghan state and society in accordance with the development priorities of the Government and the people of Afghanistan.- Khaama Press (KP)

225 US Sikhs removed from blacklist WASHINGTON: Calling it a "step in the right direction", SikhAmericans here have welcomed the Indian government's decision of removing the names of 225 Sikhs from a blacklist.

"This is a step in the right direction and a promise fulfilled by the Modi government," said Jasdip Singh Jasse, founder of Sikhs of America, at a joint news conference with the Overseas Friends of BJP-USA, which was attended by leaders of Sikh American community.

Last year, a delegation of SikhAmericans led by Singh had sub-

mitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he visited the Silicon Valley.

Singh, along with a delegation of OFBJP-USA, had also submitted a similar memorandum to Home Minister Rajnath Singh last year.

Names of 225 Sikhs, chronicled in the government's blacklist for their alleged involvement in subversive or anti-India activities, have been removed over the last four years.

The pruning has been done in a list of 298 Sikhs which was prepared at different levels by security agencies since 1980s. -PTI

August 26, 2016

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Thousands attend I-Day celebrations in NY NEW YORK: Thousands of Indians in traditional finery celebrated India's 70th Independence Day here at one of the largest parades outside the country with the iconic Empire State Building lighting up in Indian tricolor.

The 36th India Day Parade by the Federation of Indian Associations - New York, New Jersey, Connecticut ON August 21 ran through about 13 streets in Madison Avenue in Manhattan and featured tableaux by various Indian-American groups, marching bands, police contingents and cultural performances by young Indian-Americans.

Chief Guest at the event Yoga guru Baba Ramdev said India represents the glory of the past, the present moment's strength and is moving forward with hopes and dreams of a brighter future.

"India has made its mark through its strength, culture, heritage and honesty," he said, expressing hope that the Indian tricolor continues to fly high around the world.

Amid loud cheers and applause, Ramdev, speaking in Hindi, said the world today recognizes India's strength and its tremendous contribution to health, education, political and spiritual system.

"Combining its spirituality and modernism, the country is moving forward," he said and called on Indians living in the US and abroad to work together to take

the nation, its cultural heritage and "Indianness" to greater glory.

India's over a billion-strong population and its Diaspora

ward.

Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, the Grand Marshal of the parade, said it felt "wonder-

people thronged to click pictures with him and shake his hand.

Amitabh tweeted, "And this Abhishek in New York a short

Grand Marshal Abhishek Bachchan interacts with chief Guest, Baba Ramdev at the Indian Independence Day parade in New York on August 21

spread across the world are working for the country and contributing to its growth and glory from wherever they are, Ramdev said.

Underscoring the importance of Yoga, he said it is not just a physical exercise but a "complete medical science, life science and way of living" and promotes nonviolence and harmony.

"Ayurveda, non-violence, truth, harmony, co-existence and brotherhood are India's culture and heritage," Ramdev said, adding that the people of India have to take this ancient practice for-

ful" to be the part of India's Independence Day celebrations in New York.

He recalled that the last time he had attended the parade was in 1997 when his father, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan was the Grand Marshal.

The senior Bachchan had participated in the 50th anniversary of India's Independence Day 19 years ago.

"It is a huge honor to be here and represent the beautiful nation of ours," Abhishek said, waving out to the crowd from a stage, as

while ago... Grand Marshall for the India Day Parade in Manhattan NYC, USA. A proud moment... I was appointed the same years ago... now son follows".

India and the US share common values of plurality, secularism and justice for all, Jain spiritual leader Acharya Lokesh Muni said in a statement.

The Indian Diaspora has contributed significantly to America's progress and now under flagship programs such as 'Make in India', 'Digital India' and 'Startup India', India is emerging as the land of opportunity for American companies.

India's Consul General in New York Riva Ganguly Das, along with

several Indian-American leaders, witnessed the parade.

Tamil actor Vikram was also the Chief Guest at the parade. Organizers of the event said they were expecting a crowd of about 75,000100,000 people for the day-long celebrations, which also included special food stalls, cultural extravaganza and special floats by various Indian organizations based in the US such as Air India and State Bank of India.

On the occasion, the iconic Empire State Building was lit up in the Indian tricolor. People chanted patriotic slogans such as 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', 'Vande Mataram' and 'Jai Hind' and carried banners, placards along with Indian and American flags as they witnessed the floats and celebrities from the barricaded pavements along the parade route.

Indian music and popular Bollywood songs reverberated through the air as people celebrated with a fervor of patriotism.

Several Americans also watched the event.

Families had travelled from nearby states such as Connecticut, New Jersey and Massachusetts to witness the parade, which has been an annual fixture in the city's calendar since 1981.

There was a large presence of personnel from the New York Police Department against the backdrop of security concerns doing such large gatherings.

The parade showcased India's cultural richness as well as the achievements of the Diaspora through colorful floats.-PTI

3 of 9 addresses of Dawood Step-mom faces life-term in Pak incorrect Cont’d from page 6

In evidence to show that Dawood Ibrahim is holed up in Pakistan, a dossier prepared by India had listed nine residences of the underworld don in that country and stated that he is known to frequently change his locations and addresses there.

"On 22 August 2016, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) enacted the amendments specified with underline and strikethrough in the entry" concerning Dawood on its ISIL (Da esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List of individuals and entities subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo, it said.

Dawood's other addresses mentioned in the listing "Karachi, Pakistan (White House, Near Saudi Mosque, Clifton)", "House Nu 37 - 30th Street - defense, Hous-

ing Authority, Karachi, Pakistan" and "Palatial bungalow in the hilly area of Noorabad in Karachi" have not been amended.

The addresses were included in a dossier prepared by India in August last year that had listed nine residences of the underworld don in Pakistan as evidence to show that he is holed up in Pakistan.

Islamabad has consistently denied that Dawood is living in the country.

The information about the residences in Pakistan, including one bought near the house of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, son of late former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, in Karachi two years ago is contained in the dossier that had been prepared to be handed over to Pakistan's National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz during talks with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval, which were later cancelled.

"Dawood is known to frequently change his locations and addresses in Pakistan. He has amassed immense property in Pakistan and moves under the protection of Pakistani agencies," the dossier had said.

Another amendment enacted by the Committee concerns details of his family.

The information "Father's name is Sheikh Ibrahim Ali Kaskar, mother's name is Amina Bi, wife's name is Mehjabeen Shaikh" has been underlined in the listing.

Dawood was listed on November 3, 2003 and the entry has been amended in March and July 2006, July 2007 and March 2010.

Being a UN designated terrorist, he is subject to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.

The amendment further struck out "Bombai" as his place of birth, noting instead that it is "Kher, Ratnagiri in Maharashtra".-PTI

for girl's murder

Cont’d from page 5

The housemate had seen Kaur go in the bathroom with Pardas, who later came out alone and left the building. She allegedly said that Kaur was taking a bath.

The charges added that on the evening of August 19, the housemate saw Pardas leaving the house along with Narayan, and her two grandchildren aged 3 and 5.

When the housemate asked Pardas about Kaur, she allegedly said that the child was in the bathroom and was waiting for her father to pick her up.

The housemate had observed that the bathroom light had been on for several hours and called Kaur's father.

She was instructed to break open the bathroom door at which

time she found Kaur's lifeless naked body in the bathtub. There were several bruises on her body.

A report filed by the Medical Examiner's Office determined that the cause of death was manual strangulation.

It is further alleged that New York Police Department detectives went to Narayan's residence and found him, Pardas and the two grandchildren inside the apartment.

Pardas refused to come out and refused to allow entry to the police for over one hour. Narayan later opened the door and both defendants were apprehended.

Kaur's relatives said the young girl had been previously allegedly abused by Pardas, who had been entrusted with her care while Singh worked in a local restaurant.

-PTI

Top Stories

August 26, 2016

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9

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Swaraj offers 'all help' to Myanmar NAY PYI DAW: India is ready to give "all help" was the message given to the Myanmar's leadership by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is here on the first high-level visit from India after the new government came to power in March following decades of military rule.

Swaraj, who called on President U Htin Kyaw here, also held talks with State Counselor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi. Congratulating Suu Kyi for the victory in the "first genuine election", Swaraj assured her of "all help".

"India is committed to strengthening your democratic institutions and socio-economic development of your people," Swaraj said during her meeting with Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy party won

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj with Myanmar's Minister of Foreign Affairs Aung San Suu Kyi in Nay Pyi Daw on August 22

a historic landslide election last year that finally brought an end

to five decades of military rule.

Swaraj said this was the mes-

Indian team in UK learning sports excellence LONDON: Coaches and sports scientists from India have teamed up with experts at Britain's University of Birmingham to learn how their athletes can boost their performance, following Team GB's outstanding Olympic success.

A 25-member team of coaches and sports scientists from India commenced their two-week-long program, a university spokesman told PTI. The group includes 'India's

fastest man' and 100 meters national record holder Anil Kumar Prakash, now an athletics coach, and is led by Rajdeep Kaur Talwar, Dean of Faculty of Sports Sciences at National Institute of Sports, Patiala.

Experts from the School of Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation Sciences and University Birming-

ham Sport have put together a comprehensive program for the visitors.

The university has seen student Lily Owsley and alumna Sophie Bray win gold in the women's hockey, whilst alumnus James Rodwell scooped silver with the Rugby Sevens part of Team GB's record haul of 67 medals in Rio. The Indian group includes coaches from athletics, hockey,

volleyball, kabaddi, swimming and gymnastics.

Indian sports scientists from a range of disciplines including nutrition, sports medicine and physiology have travelled to Birmingham.

Put together by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the group's arrival in Birmingham fol-

lows Martin Toms' discussions with the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and SAI about how the university could help the country's athletes boost their performance.

"We're delighted to welcome our sporting guests to Birmingham. Everyone is looking forward to sharing our expertise with them and learning from their wealth of experience," said Toms, Senior Lecturer in Sport Pedagogy in the School of Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation Sciences.

The two-week program will see visits to Wa r w i c k s h i r e County Cricket Club, Birmingham City FC and the Football Association HQ at St George's Park, Burton-on-Trent.

"The UK and India have a long history of sharing expertise to our mutual benefit...

India is a country with undoubted sporting talent, and I am hopeful that this initiative will be instrumental in helping Indian athletes realize their full potential in future sporting events," said Lord Bilimoria, the university's Chancellor and the first Indian-born Chancellor of a Russell Group University in the UK.-PTI

sage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee.

The one-day trip by Swaraj, accompanied by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and other senior Ministry of External Affairs officials, is the first high-level visit from India since the civilian government took over earlier this year.

Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of Myanmar and a Nobel laureate besides being a democracy icon, thanked Swaraj for the support.

Banned from becoming president by a junta-era Constitution, Suu Kyi has a strong control over the country's first civilian-led government.

The Constitution effectively bans her from the top post as it rules out anyone with foreignborn children or spouses from becoming president. Suu Kyi mar-

ried and had two sons with a British national.

The military also retains control of the key home, defense and border affairs ministries, while 25 per cent of parliamentary seats are reserved for unelected soldiers.

Incidentally, Swaraj's visit comes just days after Suu Kyi made a high-profile trip to China.

India and Myanmar share close relations with a robust development cooperation program in areas such as agriculture, IT, human resource development, infrastructure development, culture among others.

The visit reaffirms India's commitment to heighten partnership with Myanmar in the areas of priority by the new government of Myanmar, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said. -PTI

Sikh candidate's billboard graffitied with 'ISIS' MELBOURNE: A Sikh candidate, who is running for a place in the city council of Hamilton in New Zealand, has had one of his election billboards defaced with the word 'ISIS' plastered over it in black paint.

Yugraj Singh Mahil, the first Sikh to run for a place on Hamilton's city council, was pictured on the billboard with another candidate Anna Casey-Cox, Radio New Zealand reported.

Both are first time candidates in the city's east ward, standing as part of the Community Voice group.

Mahil said the campaign had been going well until he received the news that one of his billboards in the suburb of Hillcrest was graffitied with the word "ISIS".

"It's more than insulting.

People mostly change the appearance of the person but tagging such a group is very harsh, very distressful," he was quoted as saying.

Mahil said in his 17 years in Hamilton he had never faced this sort of behavior.

"I think this is due to the turban; that happens sometimes, people get confused, they think only Muslims wear turbans," he said.

However, with Hamilton's gurdwara the first to be established in New Zealand, he said, most people in the area were more aware.

"Sometimes these sort of things, I think teenagers or kids they do it, they don't have enough knowledge about the religions and they don't know the difference," he said.

Anna Casey-Cox said she found out when she saw a photo

of the billboard on Facebook and within 20 minutes they were able to take the billboard down and clean off the words.

She said it was one thing to deface a billboard with something like a moustache, but painting the name of the violent extremist group was sick and ignorant.

"This was a different kind of defacing of a billboard and it was just at a whole different level. And I think it's just somebody who's not even thinking. It's just someone who is relatively ignorant has done it," she said.-PTI

10 India Post

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Singapore's Indian-origin ex-Prez passes away SINGAPORE: Indian-origin former Singapore President S R Nathan died at a hospital here, days after suffering a stroke.

A veteran public servant, 92year-old Nathan passed away peacefully at Singapore General Hospital, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

He was also closely associated with the country's founding leader Lee Kuan Yew. "The Prime Minister and his

Cabinet colleagues are sad to learn of the passing of Mr S R Nathan and would like to convey their condolences to his family," the statement said.

"Arrangements for the public to pay respects and for the funeral will be announced later."

Nathan had been warded at Singapore General Hospital since suffering a stroke on July 31.

He was the sixth and longestserving President of Singapore

Geelani for Kashmir solution through UN SRINAGAR: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi pressed for a lasting solution to Kashmir problem, hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has said it lies in India adhering to the United Nations resolution. "...Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Geelani said for the lasting solution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the Indian state must shun state violence and uphold international law, respect and adhere UN charter and especially the UN resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir," a spokesman of the Hurriyat said.

"By fulfilling its promises and

obligations towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir, we understand the universal principle of 'right to self-determination' is the only road through which peace can be achieved in Jammu and Kashmir," the spokesman added.

Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Aasiya Andrabi said people must not pay heed to the "useless activities" of mainstream politicians of Kashmir.

"All they want is power and nothing else," she said. Andrabi said Modi's response to these pro-India politicians explains their "uselessness" with regard to resolution of Kashmir issue. -PTI

Air Force to build new Aerospace Museum NEW DELHI: The Air Force will build a sprawling new Aerospace Museum in the national capital, focusing on the nation's rich aviation history.

The new Aerospace Museum will be close to the international airport. Spread over 43 acres, it would have extensive indoor and outdoor displays including huge aircraft parked and hanging in flying attitude with mural depicting the golden era of the Indian Air Force.

A proposal for new Air Force Aerospace Museum was cleared

by Ministry of Defense and final financial sanction on the Detailed Project Report is awaited. After the approval, the new museum would be ready for the tourists within 35 years.

The museum is not only meant to preserve the glorious tradition of the IAF, but also to create awareness in general public about India's rich Aerospace heritage.

The IAF believes that the museum would be a popular tourist attraction and a landmark in country's capital city.

A dedicated children's area would be part of the museum where children could enter cockpits of displayed aircraft and get the feel of flying controls.

A video arcade would also be created. As per the plan, the internal displays would have a history section in which all IAF Squadrons' history would be displayed along with aviation legends, major campaigns and wars fought by the IAF.-PTI

S R Nathan

and served two terms from 1999 to 2011.

He officially stepped down as President on August 31, 2011 af-

ter announcing that he would not seek a third term. Nathan was succeeded by President Tony Tan Keng Yam.

After stepping down as President, Nathan took up appointments as Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies and at the Singapore Management University's School of Social Sciences.

Prior to becoming President, he held key positions in the civil service, as well as in security, intelligence and foreign affairs.

He was appointed as Singapore's High Commissioner to Malaysia in 1988 and later Singapore's Ambassador to the United States of America from 1990 to 1996.

Nathan also served as Singapore's Ambassador-atLarge, and later pro-chancellor of the National University of Singapore. Nathan is survived by his wife, daughter, son and three grandchildren. -PTI

12

India Post

Perspective

August 26, 2016

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I

ndia has a plethora of political parties, the number exceeding1400. Yet, the emergence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2012 was quite phenomenal. Born out of "India against Corruption" (IAC) - a civil society movement led by Anna Hazare - AAP appeared as a lode star at Indian political horizon. AAP founders claimed that merely launching a political party was not enough; they wanted to bring vyastha parivartan and an alternative model of politics.

Along its commitment to bring Jan Lokpal Bill, AAP promised that it would

Dr Munish Raizada

change the course of Indian polity in three fundamental ways: 1. Use of only white money in political funding 2. End of high command culture and instituting inner part democracy (Swaraj): AAP professed that it would be a cadre based organization with a bottom up approach and stressed that the candidate selection for elections would be done in what we know as primaries or caucuses in the Western word. In nutshell, AAP promised to introduce a qualitative version of 'inner party democracy' never seen before in India.

At the governance level, AAP stressed that participatory democracy would be its plank. The phenomenon of 'Direct Democracy' will manifest in way of mohalla sabhas, and taking wider opinions.

Thus, it should be noted that AAP wanted to infuse Swaraj at the party level as well as governance level. It is important to underline this distinction because deviation from Swaraj has become a bone of contention among its idealist supporters and sycophant careerists.

3. Internal vigilance of its own party functionaries and elected lawmakers: For this, an Internal Lokpal (ombudsman) panel was constituted headed by Admiral L Ramdas.

It was widely publicized that party volun-

How Kejriwal is undoing a phenomenon called AAP DR MUNISH RAIZADA

upon which Kejriwal muttered that the mandate was scary.

However, much water has flown under the Yamuna Bridge in last 4 years. Today AAP stands as a model of broken promises. Here are 7 ways how Arvind Kejriwal has undone (or, is fast undoing) a revolutionary phenomenon called AAP. Party (Organizational) Level: The biggest disappointment from the party has been at the organizational level. A party that was supposed to usher an era of alternative politics has been reduced to merely one other party. The compromise with principles has been quick; the moral debasing of the party has been swift.

1. The principle of Swaraj has been crucified giving way to a totalitarian regime. A party formed to end high command culture is today a living example of 'one man' show.

Arvind Kejriwal has increasingly shown dictatorial tendencies with little patience for a differing view. Only a handful of sycophants are running the party. So insecure is Arvind Kejriwal that he does not let systems take shape in the party lest 2nd rung leadership should develop. In Punjab, where the party is focusing on assembly elections, the show is being run by "Dilli Durbar" of Kejriwal.

So much for a party that came into politics promising decentralization of power.

2. The office of Internal Lokpal has been practically decimated, even though the party wants us to believe the contrary. After the unceremonious exit of L Ramdas, Kejriwal reportedly wanted a panel of three Lokpals who were 'willing to sign on dotted lines'.

As of now, two have left, the remaining single member Lokpal office is dormant.

3. The principle of White Money exists only on papers. The party has carefully devised ways where it only shows the inflow of money, but fails to provide honest and meaningful details of its expenditure. And within the party, there is a culture of soliciting undisclosed money.

4. Political mileage by hook or crook: A party formed with a focused agenda of fighting corruption and make life easy for an aam addmi, Kejriwal soon started hobnobbing

Delhi state Jan Lokpal bill (JLPB) was a hoax: Not only Kejriwal desperately attempted to pass a much-diluted version of JLPB, he wanted political control on the legislation. His intellectual dishonesty was apparent when he wanted to widen the scope of the Bill so that he could lay hands on Central government officers. teers and party members would be empowered with the arsenals called Right to reject and Right to recall.

Since its launch with much enthusiasm in 2012 and backed by a national level goodwill and watchful expectancy, AAP made rapid strides. In February of 2014, it got a landslide victory with 67 out of 70 seats,

with issues like Dadri beef case, Rohit Vemulla death, and JNU's Kanahiya Kumar.

His free for all style has transformed him into a politician trying to encash eagerly on whatever and howsoever manner.

Governance level: AAP government in Delhi has been char-

acterized by three things: blame game, hit and run politics, and hype rather than the substance.

5. Governance has taken a back seat, Realpolitik has kicked in: A Chief Minister - chosen on the premise of "Paanch saal Kejriwal" (5 years for Kejriwal) - appears to be in a hurry to jump to national scene. Rather than accepting the mandate of people with full humility and trying to bring succor to the lives of people through good governance, Kejriwal started changing tack within weeks of assuming power. In the last 18 months, Delhi government has been in the news for constant confrontation with the Center, challenging and name-calling the Prime Minister and blaming BJP for letting it not perform.

During the previous regimen of Sheila Dixit-led Congress government of Delhi, AAP portrayed that she was fully responsible for failure of law and order issues, even though Delhi Police was under the Center. Delhi's constitutional situation

demanding complete statehood for Delhi, appointing 21 MLAs as Parliamentary Secretaries to passing Jan Lokpal Bill in Delhi assembly, Kejriwal has shown a clear streak to twist constitutional propriety to his suitability.

Delhi state Jan Lokpal bill (JLPB) was a hoax: Not only Kejriwal desperately attempted to pass a much-diluted version of JLPB, he wanted political control on the legislation. His intellectual dishonesty was apparent when he wanted to widen the scope of the Bill so that he could lay hands on Central government officers. Arvind's intention was very clear: Pass a bill at assembly level which a Central level govt. will never agree.

In conclusion, AAP is characterized by hype rather than substance.

Governance requires a mix of political will, diplomacy and the ability to get things done.

Even if Delhi is a partial state, you can still make a difference with the quantum of power and privileges you have. No one is preventing Kejriwal to bring traction to the system with the current resources.

An RTI filed by a BJP leader recently revealed that no details are available within Delhi government on the meetings called by Delhi C M

Arvind Kejriwal

remaining the same today, when Kejriwal is the CM of Delhi, he owes no responsibility for law and order situation! This intellectual dishonesty and sheer hypocrisy has become apparent now.

It seems that the last thing he wants to do is governance.

6. Fighting Corruption: Not only the spirit is weak, but flesh is also weak Within days of assuming power, his unwillingness to take a firm action on the fake degree case of his law Minister Jitender Tomar was a clear indication to party insiders for things to come for a party born to fight corruption and bring transparency. Of course, if you ask Kejriwal, his pet answer: "The LG has taken over Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), so I cannot fight corruption."

7. Fiddling with Constitution: Whether

on the law and order situation and women security. Does not this reveal this government is only interested in noise than substance?

The latest case of one AAP MLA Kartar Singh Tanwar getting in trouble with recovery of Rs 130 crore by CBI in disproportionate asset case has literally collapsed his castle of clean politics. As the saying goes, as you sow, so shall you reap. Arvind had the best of goodwill from society, and the nation. Talented and committed aam aadmis joined him to bring about a change in the way politics is done, but he has squandered the advantage due to his selfish motives, narrow mindedness, and lack of statesmanship.

The writer is a Chicago-based columnist and chief editor of NewsGram. Twitter @DrMunishRaizada

August 26, 2016

India Post 13 www.indiapost.com

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Horoscope

14 India Post

August 26, 2016

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August 26th - Sept 1st 2016 Please send your birthday, place of birth and time, so I can give you your zodiac sign, according to Vedic astrology. Send to Jaysastrology@gmail.com

T

he professional matters continue to face obstructions but are little better. The week makes you emotional and strong. The health of father may need care. Handle all matters including relationship matters with patience. It is better to avoid haste and conflicts. Avoid driving. Take care of your health and don't get involved in arguments.

Patience is the Mantra for you.

he professional matters look up. Some of you may be rewarded and your work gets recognition. Those expecting promotion may get the same if birth planets are strong. Social interaction and communications increase.

The new professional opportunities are likely. Avoid conflicting situations during 2016, and take due care of your health. Exercise patience and avoid over ambitiousness.

P

he professional matters look better. Social communications increases among friend circle. Handle relationship matters with patience. Child may need help.

Avoid haste, conflicts, speculation, aggressive behaviour and unnecessary driving.

Conflicts and financial concerns are likely to continue.

Take care. Enemies are likely to trouble. Conflicts will put you to harm.

rofessional matters look better. Handle relationship matters with patience.

Take care of health of child.

It is better to excercise patience and avoid speculations, conflicts and unnecessary driving. Prolonged transit planetary influences caused by Rahu/Ketu are difficult for those whose ascending degree is around 18 or some planet is around 18 degree in odd signs up to 15th November, 2016.

T

T

eek is good for those who are in job and for students who are appearing in competitions. Some of you are likely to get promoted, if birth planets are strong. Those who are appearing in selections may get good results. Better to avoid new ventures up to September, 2017. Week may bring some concerns. Child may also bring some happy news.

W

P

rofessional matters need care, Avoid arguments and conflicts at work.

Be patience with coworkers.

Some gains through real estate assets are likely. Some sudden obstructions, setbacks and delays are likely.

The week is better for parents.

Better to avoid unnecessary driving. Work with patience. Take care of relationship matters.

Some immune disorder is likely.

Enjoy home life with family.

ortune helps. The professional matters are looking up. Some of you may get the reward or recognition in job. The week is good for students and for those who are appearing in selections. The prolonged transit planetary influences caused by Rahu/ Ketu are difficult for those whose ascending degree is around 18 or some planet is around 18 degree in odd signs.

F

he professional matters are looking up. Better mental peace is seen. Some additional expense is likely.

Stay away from manipulations.

Take care of your health. Avoid aggressive behaviour and haste up to September, 2016.

Silence is golden for you. Better to avoid driving and conflicts. prolonged transit planetary influences caused by Rahu/Ketu are difficult for those whose ascending degree.

T

T

T

T

T

he professional matters look better. Keep new ventures pending. Work with patience. Take care of your health and see doctor is required. Avoid haste, conflicts, unnecessary expenses and driving/travel. Sudden setbacks, obstructions and delays likely. Handle obstructions and relationship matters with care up to September, 2016. Some additional expenses are likely.

he professional matters are looking up. Some additional income is likely.

The new business opportunities should be put on hold up to January, 2017. The child may need special attention upto September, 2016. Avoid speculation. Patience is the best medicine during this year. The prolonged transit planetary influences caused by Rahu/Ketu are difficult for those whose ascending degree is around 18.

he professional matters look good. Some new gainful opportunities are likely. Delays and obstructions are likely in the sources of income. Manage obstructions with patience. It is better to avoid anipulations. The prolonged transit planetary influences caused by Rahu/Ketu are difficult for those whose ascending degree is around 18 or some planet is around 18 degree in odd signs.

he professional matters start looking up. The incidence of conflicts, obstructions and sudden setbacks continues. Health of spouse may cause concerns. It is better to avoid driving. Manage persisting difficulties with patience. The prolonged transit planetary influences caused by Rahu/Ketu are difficult for those whose ascending degree is around 18 or some planet is around 18 degree in odd signs

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

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

August 26, 2016

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India Post 15

Desi News Indian Consulate celebrates India Day with all RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Indian Consul General Dr Ausaf Sayeed may have limited success in getting rival and competing factions within the Indian community getting united for the good of the community at large, but he can definitely have satisfaction in seeing them one piece during Flag Hoisting ceremony at Chicago Daley Plaza on the Indian Independence Day. The ceremony primarily at the instance of Chicago Indian Consulate was well attended by community elites and members of general public in the morning of August 15. The near two hours event went very well with only a few relevant speeches and live entertainment program by local artists and many second generation Indians.

Details on page 19

Naperville I-Day shines with Parade, Mela & Concert ASHFAQ HUSEIN SYED

NAPERVILLE: The second India Day Parade and Celebration organized by Naperville Indian Community Outreach (NICO) in association with City of Naperville and Indian Consulate General to observe the 70th anniversary of India's independence was a big success.

It was Sunday morning with bright sun ready to witness a historical moment for Naperville when community started to pour in from all directions to Naperville Central High School. It was attended by thousands of participants and spectators, several of whom came from neighboring states and suburbs.

Details on page 20

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

16 India Post

JAYANTI OZA & RAMESH SOPARAWALA

Details on page 26

BRANDON LEE

CHICAGO: Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner vetoed last week the Automatic Voter Registration bill that had been endorsed by over 50 community organizations in Illinois, and passed the General Assembly with overwhelming, bipartisan majorities.

Speaking on behalf of the statewide coalition on Monday, August 15, Kathleen Yang-Clayton of Asian Americans Advancing Justice/Chicago expressed deep disappointment with Rauner's decision.

"At any time, the Governor could have raised his concerns with SB 250, but instead he waited until the last minute and vetoed a good bill," Yang-Clayton said at a press conference hosted by Cook County Clerk David Orr. "Automatic Voter Registration increases access to the ballot box, which is a crucial step to a more engaged electorate."

Automatic Voter Registration would have removed the language barrier that keeps many from taking that first step to participation and it would automatically register approximately 60,000 new Asian Americans in Illinois. In addition, Automatic Voter Registration would simplify the voter registration pro-

Kathleen Yang-Clayton of Asian Americans Advancing Justice addressing the gathering opposed to Governor's veto

cess, increase election security by preventing fraud, and save the state money in the long-run.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice/Chicago and members of the Pan-Asian Voter Empowerment Coalition, which includes Indo-American Center, South Asian American Policy and Research Institute, and Muslim Women Resource Center, among others, endorsed Automatic Voter Registration this year, and worked

with their legislators and community members to pass the bill Recently, a lawsuit was filed threatening to stop Election Day Registration in Illinois, which has already been signed into law. The law permits eligible voters to register and vote on Election Day at polling sites in large cities, and at Clerks' offices in less populous counties. Combined with the veto of Automatic Voter Registration, "this signifies a major step back-

wards for voting rights in Illinois," continued Yang-Clayton.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice/Chicago says they will be leading the effort on both the legislative side as they seek to override the veto of Automatic Voter Registration, as well as lead the legal battle to preserve Election Day Registration. "Both laws are necessary as we strive to make Illinois a national leader in voting rights," said Yang-Clayton.

Raveena Tandon felicitated by FOG SAN FRANCISCO, CA: Indian actor Raveena Tandon was felicitated for her contribution towards empowerment of the girl child by the Festival of Globe (FOG) in Silicon Valley, San Francisco on Au-

India Post News Service

CHICAGO: The India Day Parade on Sunday August 20 on Devon Avenue and the next day Banquet at Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows , both part of India Day celebrations by the Federation of Indian Associations headed by Minhaj Akhtar, turned out to be a dismal affair not worth remembering.

Details on page 22

August 26, 2016

Automatic voter registration veto disappoints community advocates

India Post News Service

FIA Parade - an affair not worth remembering

www.indiapost.com

Clintons pay tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Raveena Tandon

gust 13.

FOG is an annual event held to empower and integrate global cultures and communities through Film Arts, Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Folk Arts. This year, FOG took up the cause of Empowering Youth to fight Sex Crimes.

An actor, producer, columnist and a former model, Tandon has been Ashtar Sayed (Director) and Michael Pellico (Writer and Executive Producer) receiving a strong advocate of the award on behalf of Raveena Tandon at Festival of Globe Silicon Valley (FOGSV) fighting the stigma around single motherhood. She herself adopted two motherhood and women's rights. said, "It gives me immense pleagirls when she was just 21. Tandon Her next release is Ashtar Sayed's sure to receive this award. has since been actively involved 'The Mother.'

Cont’d on page 20 in many initiatives associated with A delighted Raveena Tandon

August 26, 2016

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India Post 17

18 India Post

Community Across America

August 26, 2016

www.indiapost.com

Star to present Musical Journey of Golden Era India Post News Service

NEWARK, CA: Star Entertainment of Bay Area, LLC is once again proud to present by public demand "Sunehri Yadein" , a blockbuster musical Live-Band

Nayar, Laxmikant Pyarelal, SD Burman & RD Burman, on Friday, September 9, at Chandni Restaurant, Newark.

Six Bay area leading singers Mandeep Singh, Vikas Singh, Geetesh Iyer, Anuja Surlaker, Ria

Standing from left: Arif Rizvi, Geetesh Iyer, Rajeshvar Singh of Melody Makers, Vikas Singh, Ria Nilawar.

Seated Organizers from left: Peter Sahjani & Dahya Mistry

event, tributing to the legendry award winning music directors of Golden Era Naushad Ali, Shanker Jaikishan, Madan Mohan, O.P

Nilawar, Puja Purandare and guest singer Arif Rizvi will thrill the audience with their melodious voices singing super hit songs. The

Golden Era classical Bollywood dances will be presented by Bay area famous dancer Elena Elsoukov.

The popular Melody Makers will play the unforgettable nonstop musical tunes with their entire band. The Emcee of the evening will be popular Sunny Moza, and sound and production will be Adil Maharaj of Pacific Sound.

The ticket prices in all three categories, includes Veg and Non-Veg full dinner in sit down buffet style ball room, of venue Chandni Restaurant Newark.

The door will be open at 7:00 pm and the program will start sharp at 8:00 pm The platinum sponsor of the event is Fremont based Cosmic Automotive and other sponsor includes Mountain Mike's, B& B Entertainment, Chaat & Curry, Park Balluchi, Janki Patel and event is supported by Ray and Kay Walia.

Media Partners of the event are Azmi Gill of US Urdu News, Radio Zindagi 1550 AM, India Post and IND TV USA.

Puja Purandare and Anuja Surlaker

Dahya Mistry, Mandeep Singh and Peter Sahjani

Community Across America

August 26, 2016

India Post 19

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Indian Consulate celebrates India Day with all RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Indian Consul General Dr Ausaf Sayeed may have limited success in getting rival and competing factions within the Indian community getting united for the good of the community at large, but he can definitely have satisfaction in seeing them one piece during Flag Hoisting ceremony at Chicago Daley Plaza on the Indian Independence Day. The ceremony primarily at the instance of Chicago Indian Consulate was well attended by community elites and members of general public in the morning of August 15. The near two hours event went very well with only a few relevant speeches and live entertainment program by local artists and many second generation Indians.

Besides reading of the message

Indian Consul General Dr Ausaf Sayeed and Consul Meena addressing the gathering and Indian CG with a group of Indian community members

Cultural Program at Daley Plaza

Artists with Indian CG and guests

Crowd at Flag Hoisting in Chicago Downtown

from the Indian President Pranab Mukherjee by Dr Ausaf Sayeed and concluding vote of thanks by Consul OP Meena, the other highlight was a speech in Hindi by

Lokesh Muni who applauded the role of Indians abroad, especially in this country, in contributing to the welfare of society.

Various Indian cultural organi-

zations did a remarkable job in presenting varied Indian culture thru classical dances and songs. Child artists were galore and the program had great measure of success.

Consulate event brings on flavor of India CHICAGO: The Consulate also had India Day celebrated in the evening in a grand way by hosting a cultural program at the Chicago Cultural Center in Downtown. The event was attended by 350 plus invitees and guests, many non Indians. The cake cutting ceremony commemorating the birth of India as an independent Indian CG with guests

Cake cutting ceremony

nation was well received.

In his welcome, address CG Dr Ausaf Sayeed touched upon the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters - leaders and citizens alike, belonging to different faiths, speaking different languages, hailing from urban as well as rural and tribal areas who shed their sweat and blood so that we can breathe the air of freedom. He observed that as a country India boasts of endless diversity in every aspect of life. India's multi-cultural, multilingual and multi-religious society offers a unique and incomparable

model of peaceful co-existence and inclusive growth, which is often described as India's 'Unity in Diversity'.

"Today, India has emerged as the fastest growing economy in the world with GDP growing over 8%. This speaks a lot about all the things that are being done right consistent economic reforms, tight fiscal policies and measures undertaken towards ease of doing business and improving the investment climate in India. Significant thrust is being given to boost the manufacturing sector in India,

enhance skills and to put in place a better ecosystem for startups and technologies so as to ignite and rekindle the 'India Story' and lead the country on a path of sustainable development," he observed Talking about the US-India bilateral relationship, he said that the relations were never better as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited the United States four times since assuming office while President Barrack Obama has visited India twice.

Cont’d on page 20

Community Across America

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Naperville I-Day shines with Parade, Mela & Sunidhi Concert ASHFAQ HUSEIN SYED

NAPERVILLE: The second India Day Parade and Celebration organized by Naperville Indian Community Outreach (NICO) in association with City of Naperville and Indian Consulate General to observe the 70th anniversary of

Central High School. It was attended by thousands of participants and spectators, several of whom came from neighboring states and suburbs.

A colorful procession of over 80 entries with 40 intricately deco-

Naperville Mayor

India's independence was a big success.

It was Sunday morning with bright sun ready to witness a historical moment for Naperville when community started to pour in from all directions to Naperville

rated floats sponsored by various communityorganizations, businesses and restaurants wended its way along the parade route in Hillside and West St in Naperville.

Several dance groups representing the diverse dance forms and

music of India were part of the procession which ended in Knock Park, Naperville.

The Parade Marshal was multiaward winning Indian singer Sunidhi Chauhan. Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico, Indian CG Dr. Ausaf Sayeed and Lieutenant Governor Sanguinetti were the Chief Guests of the event. Congressman Bill Foster, Senator Mike Connelly, Commissioner Tim Schneider, Mayor Gopal Lalmalani along with many other State and local elected representatives plus prominent leaders of Chicago and Naperville participated in the parade and celebrations.

Besides, over 15000 enthusiastic Indian Americans and members of Naperville community lined the procession route waving flags of the United States and India and attended the meal followed by Sunidhi concert.

Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti said that she hailed the diversity that was being celebrated, adding there is need for more diverse cultures in leadership so that all the races and colors can be adequately represented.She was in full action walking in the Parade and hand shaking each and

Naperville Honors Dr Nirav Patel

every spectator with respectful greeting 'Namaste' and clicking pictures with children and families.

Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General, said that the Indian American community is an integral part of United States, enriching it with color, music, food and dance. He also lauded the Indian American Community for contributing to the business and cultural heritage of the country.

He presented Outstanding Service Awards on behalf of NICO to Director Dr Nirav Shah, Director James Joseph and Secretary Hardik Bhatt of State of Illinois.

Naperville Mayor Steve, who spoke at the event, said he was pleasantly surprised to note the

overwhelming response to the parade and celebration given the fact that this was the second such event by the Indian American community in Naperville. He applauded the great contribution by Indian American to United States and especially to Naperville. The Mayor also read the Proclamation signed by Governor Bruce Rauner declaring August 15 as official India's Independence Day in State of Illinois.

Krishna Bansal, Chairman of NICO, said that this celebration is part of the outreach initiative to engage Indian American community into mainstream fabric of Naperville.

Cont’d on page 21

Floats - multi religious and multi lingual

Consulate event brings on flavor of India Some of the vendors

Cont’d from page 19

He pointed out that the state of Illinois has already proposed 'MoUs for Smart State Cooperation' with the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The state of Michigan is keen to forge partnership with Maharashtra and there

are other similar endeavors to link our regions together and to learn from mutual experiences.

Undoubtedly, the 3.2 million strong Indian-American Diaspora in the US, including over 700,000 in the US Midwest, has played a significant role in advancing the relationship between India and

United States by acting as a strong and effective bridge between our two great democracies, he added.

He then invited the guests to enjoy the flavor of India during rest of the evening watching a colorful cultural program and tasting some delicious Indian dishes.

Raveena Tandon felicitated

by FOG Cont’d from page 16

I am proud to join hands with Festival of Globe in their fight against sex crimes and their drive for empowering youth towards a brighter tomorrow."

Ashtar Sayed, the Director of the film 'The Mother said, "I am thrilled for Raveena and on behalf of the entire team of The Mother. I would like to congratulate her and appreciate her social work specifically aimed at saving the girl child."

August 26, 2016

Community Across America www.indiapost.com

Naperville I-Day shines with Parade, Mela & Sunidhi Concert Cont’d from page 20

There are already many Indian American owned businesses that are looking to come to Naperville and many more looking to get involved with the city as volunteers.

Chirag Jani, Board Member said that the parade this year was second one and has surpassed expectations in both magnitude and participation. "We are constantly working to raise the bar to showcase Indian Americans as the best," he added.

The parade was followed by a celebration and Concert event at Knock Park featuring food, jewelry, apparel, music and dance. Kick-off the celebration was with the strong rendition of US National Anthem

by High School Senior Avni Limdi and Indian National Anthem by singer Nipa Shah.

Viral Shah, NICO Treasurer stated that the event was free for public. This was made possible with the help of over 50 sponsors including Patel Brothers/SWADas Grand Sponsor and Wintrust Bank as Event Sponsor.

The Parade and Celebration continued with concert by the highly acclaimed Indian playback singer, Sunidhi Chauhan. She was supported by a state-of-the-art symphony orchestra, leading musicians, and talented vocalists, performing live and mesmerizing Bollywood music lovers. The singing sensation kickstarted the scintillating evening with unforgettable melody, always raging in the hearts of music lovers, and super hit songs.

The audience was mesmerized for over

two hours with a fusion of singing by talented of Sunidhi and the music of her team.

"What a beautiful performance by Sunidhi the lead singer and her team. This is what music is all about; it touched the souls, regardless of language, color, creed, and geographical boundaries", said Matt Gambs, an American in the audience, who seemed to have enjoyed the evening as thoroughly as his counterparts and Indian Americans.

The successful culmination of the event was also a tribute to members of the NICO team, who were led from the front by Krishna Bansal along with Board Members Chirag Jani, Dharmisth Patel, Dinkar Karumuri, Gautam Grover, Keyur Shah, Madhur Limdi, Narayan Tata, Rahul Saigal, Saily Joshi, Shammi Mittal, Vasavi Chakka, Vinod Vasisth and Viral Shah and a strong army of Volunteers.

Krishna Bansal specially recognized and thanked sponsors, partners, dignitaries, volunteers and everyone who attended the event. He promised to be back next year with an India Day with an even better program and urged everyone to join the outreach efforts and encouraged to visit www.napervilleindian.com for more information.

Naperville I-Day Parade

India Post 21

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FIA Parade - an affair not worth remembering JAYANTI OZA & RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: The India Day Parade on Sunday August 20 on Devon Avenue and the next day Banquet at Meadows Club in Roll-

ing Meadows , both part of India Day celebrations by the Federation of Indian Associations headed by Minhaj Akhtar, turned out to be a dismal affair not worth remembering.

It was a big let down to the community as the much trumpeted

Flag hoisting at the start of the Parade. -Pics Jayanti Oza & Suresh Bodiwala

Babul Supriyo, an Indian Minister and an acclaimed artist in his own right as well as Bollywood famed Harshita Bhatt did not come and so also many a community elite and dignitaries.

The only saving grace , if at all one can pinpoint, was an assurance by one of the honored guests, Dr Deepkant Vyas that he would help erecting Mahatma Gandhi statue on Gandhi Marg on Devon Avenue on space availability.

The crowd was thinnest and the best estimate would put it not more than 500 which usually would range anywhere from 3000 to 7000. FIA President Minhaj Akhtar however put it at "thousands." The number of floats were barely 16 and many waded by without anybody manning it. Minhaj put the number much higher over 25 while Kanti Patel, a Trustee

Floats in the Parade

placed it at 18. The floats covering a near one mile route was a lusterless affair with hardly counton-the-fingers crowd to cheer them Another saving grace was the presence of 80 years old Mohan Master who clad in Gandhi cap and traditional Indian dress, Kurta and Pyjama urging everyone to

Parade marching to California Avenue FIA honoring Dr Vyas

FIA Banquet guests and officials

FIA guests and officials on the podium

shout Bharat Mata Ki Jai. On the podium were the Parade Chair Smita Shah, Co- Chair Syed Hussaini, Dr. Bharat Barai, Congressional candidate Raja Krishnamurthi, Bhailal Patel, Kanti Patel, Sohan Joshi, Sitaram Patel, Iftekhar Shareef, Hina Trivedi, Keerthi Ravoori, Dorothy Brown and Jan Schakowaski. They greeted Indians and gave them good wishes on the 70th Indian Independence Day. The banquet in the evening of August 21 was also a big let down.

Hardly 200 attendees came to the Meadows club while the expectation was about 400. Minhaj said there were 325 members, guests and invitees present. It was here that Dr Vyas followed up a suggestion for erecting a Mahatma Statue on Gandhi Marg - Devon Avenue. Cultural program was good and local artists acquitted themselves well.

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India Post 23

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I-Day celebrated at Gandhi Memorial in Dallas

MGMNT Board members India Post News Service

DALLAS, TX: Mahatma Gandhi Memorial of North Texas (MGMNT) celebrated India's 70th Independence Day on August 15 with hundreds of jubilant Indian Americans at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza, Irving that houses the largest Gandhi Memorial in the USA. Addressing 600 plus Non Resident Indians who came to celebrate the event, Mrs Shabnam Modgil, MGMNT Board of Director, paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. Rao Kalvala, MGMNT Secretary, in his welcome address said that celebrating this event at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza is more relevant and significant as our "Father of the Nation" played a vital role in attaining Indepen-

Saluting the Indian flag, he said that we are all very fortunate and indebted to this great country USA where freedom and democracy prevail and celebration of events like these are allowed. He paid rich tributes to freedom fighters and national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Lala Lajpat Rai, Chandra Sekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and many others.

Taiyab Kundawala, MGMNT Board of Director, recited the favorable Bhajan of Gandhiji raghupati raghava raja raam and requested all to observe a moment of silence to pay tribute to all fallen heroes in the freedom struggle.

Jack Godhwani, MGMNT Board of Director, extended his

A section of the crowd

dence through peaceful means.

He added that Gandhiji's messages are key to the progress of mankind in and have huge relevance even today. He urged all those attending to join the upcoming Annual Gandhi Peace-Walk to be held on October 2 at the same venue.

Dr. Prasad Thotakura, MGMNT Chairman, hoisted the Tri-color Indian Flag in the midst of cheering, thundering applause of crowd waving both Indian and US flags.

best wishes in Hindi to all on the occasion of India's 70th Independence Day. Salman Farshori, MGMNT Board of Director, thanked attendees, volunteers and all supporters who had helped making the event successful.

The MGMNT team inaugurated the "Seating Area" with four park benches and "Plant a Tree" donor recognition pedestal at this event and thanked all the donors who made this possible.

Attendees singing National anthems of both countries

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Hundreds attend I-Day celebrations in Aurora MADHU PATEL

A section of the crowd which attended the event at Philips Park in Aurora.

-Pic Madhu Patel

AURORA: Aurora's Indian American Community Outreach Advisory Board hosted Indian Independence Day celebration with the launch of the first-ever Bollywood Night to share the country's rich and diverse culture. The event was held at Philips Park and attended by several hundred people.

The evening featured a showing of "Om Shanti Om," a popular Indian film that featured movie stars Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone.

Families seated below the sledding hill in the park came to see local dance troupes perform to music of DJ Dhiraj Gupta and get a taste of India's cuisine as well as watch the movie.

The Indian cuisine featured onion pakoda, deep fried onion fritters, tandoori grilled chicken kebabs, samosa potato filled pastry and Indian chai, a brewed spice tea made with milk.

"Every state has its own rituals and customs in India," said Roopa Anjanappa, a member of the Indian American Community Outreach Advisory Board. "The northern and southern regions are different but everyone knows about one another's ways.

It's the acceptance that puts us all together."

Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner observed: "If you look at Aurora's history, it has always been a city of varied cultures."

The IAC board also collaborated with the city in hosting a Diwali festival, which drew thousands of people in only its second year last October.

This year Diwali will be held at the Waubonsee High School on October 22.

"Our mission is to share Indian culture and encourage Indian Americans to integrate in the American culture - bridge the gap," Gautam Bhatia, chairman of the board said.

"An understanding of different cultures enriches one's own experience in life," Bhatia said. "At the end of the day we all have similar needs."

Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner and his wife, Marilyn, served as Peace Corps volunteers in the Solomon Islands during the 1980s."The different ethnicities are what make Aurora strong today. They have a great work ethic, value education and have become the fabric of America and Aurora," the Mayor said. "We were the guests in the Peace Corps and learned to appreciate other cultures as part of that experience."

August 26, 2016

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India Post 25

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Bal Vihar & Arts Museum celebrate India Day SRINIVAN PINDIRI

ST. LOUIS: Bal Vihar of St. Louis (Center for Indian Culture and Education) joined hands with St. Louis Art Museum in celebrating India's 70th Independence Day on 14th August. The program started in the presence of hundreds of guests and members with flag hoisting and children playing both American and Indian national anthem on strings.

Bal Vihar of St. Louis kids

Flag hoisting

demonstrated, performed activities like group yoga and Indian cultural dances for the visitors.

Surekha Bidep and her team organized number of activities for the visitors.

Indian traditional clothing station was set up for visitors to try on, Mehndi (palm decoration) station for artwork on hands, coloring station for kids etc. Indian flag was hoisted with Bal Vihar's own student orchestra,

trying simple yoga positions.

Later the event was moved over to the auditorium. Addressing guests and invitees, Dr Sudhir Brahmbhatt, President of Bal Vihar, talked of the challenges endured by India after independence and also India's commitment for several programs like Make in India, Swaccha Bharat etc. Dr. Brahmbhatt reminded that the Indian national flag represents India's long struggle for freedom.

It signifies the status of India as an independent republic.

Dr. Hamsa Subramanian acted as Master of Ceremony for the event. Later additional performances were held which included Indian traditional dance, music, songs. More than 500 people attended the event. At the end of the event, art museum distributed Indian flag colored cookies and juice to all the attendees.

Dance performance by students

Entering into its 24th year of service, with the enrollment of 400 + students for the upcoming school year 2016-2017, and having served more than 2000 children in the Metro St. Louis Indian community, Bal Vihar continues to help the future citizens and achievers of America to discover their cultural identity, and to appreciate its application in their life and in the multicultural and multifaceted society that they live in.

Visitors and guests

Music, dances mark I-Day in Boston GEETHA PATIL

BOSTON: On a beautiful warm day, India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB), a leading IndianAmerican organizations in the Greater Boston area-Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, celebrated the 70th Anniversary of India's Independence on Sunday, August 14 at the Hatch Memorial Shell, Boston.

Hatch Shell is an outdoor concert venue on the Charles River Esplanade in the Back Bay section of Boston with a grass pavilion in front of the stage where thousands of colorfully dressed families with lots of children gathered to watch the program.

Jeyanthi Ghatraju, Director of IAGB welcomed all the dignitaries, guests, invitees and the audience to the function. Flag hoisting was performed while Sonica Vaid sang both the national anthems. Syed Ali Rizvi introduced Guest of Honor Ashraf Dahod, President and CEO at Altiostar, who gave an inspirational speech to the audience.

This year's 'Recognition of Service' award was given to Dr Anil Saigal, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Tufts University and IAGB Volunteer Award was grabbed by Jatinder Sharma who joined IAGB in the early 1970s as a volunteer.Sanjay K. Gowda, Praveen Naduthota and Avinash Patil were honored with IAGB Youth Excellence Awards.

Boston audience in India Day

Many kids and adults, both boys and girls from various dance schools in the Greater Boston area presented dances mostly from Bollywood films with loud beats, then the classical and folk dances based on India's Indepen-

dence theme and patriotism to show and teach our younger generation about our rich heritage and sacrifices made by our forefathers. Late start, abrupt ending and the technical difficulties of the function created a little dis-

appointment among the audience.

"Our children's program was scheduled at 6:10pm but performed at 7:15pm due to late start and on the top of that there were technical difficulties. My friends' children did not even get a

chance to present their performance. Our children and we are disappointed and hope it will improve in future with better leaders in the organization," said mother of a dance troop participant.

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South Asian poets share creative talent GEETHA PATIL

Lexington: A South Asian Poets' group of New England (SAPNE) presented 'Garland of Poetry-A Festival of Creative Compositions' on August 13 at the Lexington Community Center, Lexington, MA to encourage the voices of South Asia in New England area.

The organizers invited original poems in all languages and put them together into a beautiful garland.

The seed of SAPNE sprouted in 1997 when an India Poetry Reading event was organized at Harvard University by the Professor & Chair Leonard van de Kuijp, Department of Sanskrit and Indian Studies on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of India's independence. With its continuous efforts SAPNE as an organization runs its meetings by volunteers.

Bijoy Misra, an organizer, mentioned in his introductory remarks that they were achieving the goal of SAPNE. He was glad to see its growth over the years into a big tree with its matured and new, talented and creative poets, composers of Ghazals, devotional and non-devotional songs and Shayari. South Asians have maintained a commercial and intellectual connection with New England since the first immigrants who arrived in 1789.

More than two hundred thou-

Poets at Sapne Meet

L to R: Neena Wahi, Sapna Ray, Jaspal Singh and Shrilaxmi

sand South Asians have made New England their home and are participating as professionals in acad-

emy, industry and business. Prof.

Jaspal Singh, the evergreen conductor of poetry recitation ses-

sions, welcomed and thanked all the poets, distinguished guests and audience for their time and

participation. Several well-known poets of New England presented their beautiful poems and expressed their natural human emotion in different languages. SAPNE said it was grateful to Lexington Community Center for having lent their space for the meeting.

Neena Wahi, one of the participants expressed, "Thanks to SAPNE for hosting such meetings and bringing all poets of this area together on one platform and providing them with a rare opportunity to share and learn and enrich their creativity" The organizers of the event were Sanjeev Tripathi, Sunayana Kachroo, Chandu Shah and Bijoy Mira.

Clintons pay tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj India Post News Service

F

ormer Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Former U.S. President Bill Clinton conveyed their sincerest condolences on the passing of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Secretary Clinton wrote, "Pramukh Swami's deep sense of devotion led him to spend his life revitalizing communities in need‌His example helped his followers find more harmony - both with others and within themselves.

And we hope that humanity will build upon his legacy for generations to come."

In her statement, Secretary Clinton specifically highlighted the core reason that millions around the world had called Pramukh Swami Maharaj their spiritual guru: "Pramukh Swami didn't just teach virtues - he lived them every day."

Secretary Clinton fondly recalled that President Bill Clinton was "fortunate enough to visit with his Holiness, both here in the United States and at the Akshardham Mandir in Gujarat."

President Clinton first met Pramukh Swami Maharaj on October 4, 2000, beginning a unique

friendship with the late Guru of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. At this first meeting where President Clinton learned about BAPS' humanitarian, spiritual, cultural, educational, environmental, and medical activities, the highlight remained a touching moment of spiritual connection when Pramukh Swami Maharaj presented a sanctified rosary to President Clinton and showed him how to chant the rosary in a traditional Hindu manner.

President Clinton then met Pramukh Swami Maharaj on April 5, 2001, at Swaminarayan Akshardham in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. President Clinton learned a great deal about the work that BAPS had performed in helping Gujarat recover from a devastating earthquake. President Clinton was so touched by Pramukh Swami Maharaj's work that he told Swami that he had a "heart of gold." Indeed, during that same meeting, President Clinton had stated, "When I look into his eyes, they are filled with integrity . . . The first time Pramukh Swami met me in Miami, I saw in his eyes that he is a man who has not come ahead by eclipsing others. He has come for-

ward by always placing others before him."

At the conclusion of this April 5, 2001, meeting, President Clinton remarked to Pramukh Swami Maharaj, "On meeting you I feel and believe that I am fortunate. It is a great thing for me to be blessed

Pramukh Swami Maharaj, one of India's most commonly known Hindu ascetics revered by millions around the world. The fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha departed his mortal body on Satur-

File photo of Bill Clinton with Pramukh Swami Maharaj

by you here today."

Just two days before the Secretary Clinton and President Clinton offered their condolences, millions of tearful devotees had gathered for the cremation rites of His Holiness

day, August 13 at the age of 95.

Over 2.1 million devotees from around the world rushed to the village of Sarangpur in Gujarat, India, to pay their last respects before his final rites were performed on

Wednesday, August 17. The atmosphere was filled with comforting friends and strangers sharing memories with each other of their uplifting interactions with Pramukh Swami Maharaj, reminiscing upon the heartfelt connection that cemented his influence and wisdom in their lives.

Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, visited Sarangpur, Gujarat from Delhi and addressed saddened devotees before the funeral rites saying, "His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a stalwart among humans who embodied compassion and humility‌Today you have lost a Guru, but I have lost a father."

Secretary Clinton's thoughts echoed the sentiments from heads of states in all parts of the world, including British Prime Minister Teresa May, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and HRH Prince of Wales. "His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj exemplified the values of British Hindus whose contribution helps make the United Kingdom one of the world's most successful multi-cultural, multi-faith democracies," stated Teresa May.

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PENA celebrates 1920 Suffrage Movement GEETHA PATIL

BOSTON: Encuentro5's PENA commemorated and celebrated the 96th Anniversary of the Suffrage Movement of 1920 for Women's Right to Vote, at 9 Hamilton Place, Boston, on Aug 23, by presenting melodious Spanish songs and an English theatric performance. The play described how the African and colored women were excluded and rejected while the White women demanded the right to vote, and their reactions to suffrage refusal.

The program coordinator, Sergio Reyes, a well-known singer in Boston area, structured the event very meticulously.

Encuentro-5 is popularly known as 'E5'. It is an event room since 1940 that provides a much-needed venue for cultural and political

Pena audience

dience, singers, artists and performers to the historic event of the evening. He introduced Daria and Tia to the audience as emerging artists of Boston area, who took the floor and rocked the evening

Sergio playing guitar with Daria singing

programming to help attract and inspire new people to this movement. It has been the largest progressive gathering in New England for over a decade. E5 brings together organizations from di-

with emotional songs written about women's suffrage. Through these songs women of that time said that women brought all voters into the world; they should get the vote and how it took them 50

Pampi and Neel Agarwal performing at the PENA event

verse sectors, fostering an ongoing exchange of skills and experiences.

Sergio Reyes welcomed the au-

long years of struggle to get ratified the suffrage amendment.

A group of young community theater performers namely Pampi,

Aparna Das and Neel Agarwal presented a powerful performance that conveyed the message: asking freedom and tools for the empowerment of colored women is not a crime. There is always a struggle between white and colored women for their own space like haves and have-nots. Now, the women are asking earnestly to equate the distance between these groups. They symbolically used two bottles one fully filled with water and other one with onefourth water and asked audience

suggestions about how to have equal water in both these bottles.Their performance was not only educative and thought provoking but also involved audiences' active participation as well.

Sergio and Neel Agarwal used very artistically both Indian and African beats on Indian Tabla to suit the African dance in the performance. Even though some in the audience did not understand Spanish songs but they felt the emotions of writers through the gestures of the singers. Reyes also

gave a wonderful singing performance and he also thanked the audience, and singers and performers for their time and dedication to E5 programs.

Sandra, from E5 prepared delicious food which the audience enjoyed both during and after the program. From the audience, Ms. Christina said, "E5 is a great place that invites intellectually uplifting talks, concerts, and discussions on various topics with like-minded people. It helps us to make our lives and communities better."

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Kala Chashma: Baar Baar Dekho 2 Tere Sang Yaara: Rustom 3 Jag Ghoomeya: Sultan 4 Sau Tarah Ke: Dishoom 28 India Post

August 26, 2016

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A

fter months of 'Yes' and 'No', it is finally confirmed that Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora Khan are all set to end their 17 years long relationship.

Actor-filmmaker Arbaaz Khan himself confirmed that they are separated as of now. According to the report in Mumbai Mirror, Arbaaz Khan said "At this point of time we are not together, we are separated."

Arbaaz's recent post asserts that he is in a relationship with Goa based hotelier Yellow Mehra. The duo shared pictures from the Goa vacation in which Arbaaz wrote how he is enjoying quality time with Yellow.

The rift in their relationship first came into forefront when Arbaaz started to make single appearance on the reality show 'Power Couple', which was actually hosted by the duo. In the midway, Malaika walked out of the show.

The couple has a 14year-old son Arhaan.

Y

RF is planning on the fourth installment of the successful 'Dhoom' series. It is learnt that the makers have roped in Shahrukh Khan to play the antagonist and Abhishek Bachchan has been replaced by Ranveer Singh to play the good cop.

Says a source, "Salman was approached before SRK, but he's very clear right now about not playing a negative character.

Shah Rukh has done it in quite a few films before, so he has no reservations. Also, it's not a baddie in the true sense of the word. Dhoom baddies are cool and stylish. It's more in the Don space, which works for SRK." The source adds. "Adi's strategy worked with each Dhoom being bigger than the earlier one at the box-office In Dhoom Reloaded, while Ranveer will now be ACP Jai Dixit, Uday Chopra, who played Ali, will sit out of this project."

Salman was approached before SRK, but he's very clear right now about not playing a negative character.

5 Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai: Sultan 6 Toota Jo Kabhi Tara : A Flying Jatt 7 Sau Aasmaan: Baar Baar Dekho 8 Tu Hai : Mohenjo Daro 9 Ikk Kudi : Udta Punjab 10 Beat Pe Booty : A Flying Jatt

K

ajol, who has been away from the silver screen for quite some time, will play a single mom in her next project. The film will be helmed by Kajol's classmate ad filmmaker Rakesh Sathi. The untitled film co-written by Robin Bhatt and Anand Gandhi will mark Sathi's Bollywood debut.

According to the latest buzz, the film revolves around the actress, who will play single mom to an eightyear-old. It will see how Kajol deserted by her husband faces many hardships to raise her only child. It's a story of her hardships and strong determination.

The film covers eight years of the motherchild's life and ends at a point at 1 6 yearold when her child gets enrolled in a college.

The untitled film co-written by Robin Bhatt and Anand Gandhi will mark Sathi's Bollywood debut

Bollywood

August 26, 2016

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L

isa Haydon has been cast opposite Kartik Aaryan in Abhishek Pathak's upcoming film, Athithi in London. The modern love story revolves around a London-based couple, with Paresh Rawal stepping in as the troublesome guest.

"Kartik is surprised by a middle-aged couple who are his relatives and are in the Queen's City for some

work. Supriya Pathak is expected to enact the role of Paresh's wife.

A source reveals, "Lisa plays a London girl taking on odd jobs to make a living and afford a decent lifestyle in the expensive city. The atithi's arrival causes an upheaval in the household as the couple is already facing a cash crunch."

G

lobal icon Priyanka Chopra recently revealed that if given a chance, she would love to try her hand in Urdu language. In a recent question and answer session on Twitter, when asked, if she could speak another language what would it be? The former Miss World promptly replied, "Urdu". "If there was another language I could speak, it would be Urdu and French. Love them," said the 'Quantico' star. Further in the interaction, she revealed that best thing she likes about acting is that it gives a liberty of being "anybody."

On the work front, Priyanka has

recently completed her Hollywood debut 'Baywatch' and is presently shooting for the second season of her American television thriller 'Quantico'. She will also soon be seen judging the 15th season of American television series 'Project Runway'.

S

he may be best known for her glamorous and girl-next-door roles but Jacqueline Fernandez says she now wants to try her hands at playing the villain.

"I would love to play a villain because this year also my roles have been very glamorous or very girl-next-door. I feel now I want to get into more villain kind of roles," Jacqueline told PTI. When asked about her favorite genre of cinema, the Sri Lankan beauty, who will be next seen in superhero action film 'A Flying Jatt', says she enjoys fantasy the most. "I love fantasy and anything to do with superhero or fairy tales or even magic, I just love that."

The actress says she is open to Hollywood projects and it is her dream to work with 'The Revenant' star Leonardo DiCaprio, who is her childhood celebrity crush.

"I would love to play a villain because this year also my roles have been very glamorous or very girl-next-door. I feel now I want to get into more villain kind of roles

„

Realty Tidbits

Govt asks developers to live up to promises NEW DELHI: Amid buyer complaints of realtors not delivering housing projects on time, senior government functionaries have asked developers to live up to their promises, and ensure consumers do not suffer endless delays in possession.

"There is a huge responsibility on all of you to be equally responsible to ensure that consumers don't suffer. Consumers have suffered at the hands of many real estate companies across India.

They promised houses, and not delivered in time," NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer Amitabh Kant said addressing a NAREDCO conference.

Asking the industry to work with "self discipline", he said that credibility of the sector will go if consumers suffer at the hands of developers.

"I hope that you will discuss that because if the consumers suffer, the credibility of industry goes and nobody will trust the industry in future. That is why, it is important that we live up to our words... We ensure that there is greater level of professionalism," he added.

Echoing the sentiments, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said given that India's aspirations and expectations are changing, not sticking to delivery timelines will lead to "complications". -PTI

„

Altico invests Rs 200 cr in Legacy group

NEW DELHI: Non-banking financial company Altico Capital says it has invested Rs 200 crore in real estate firm Legacy Group.

"Altico Capital has entered into a portfolio based funding with Bangalore-based real estate developer Legacy Group," the company said in a statement.

The portfolio includes several projects spread across Central and North Bangalore which are at various stages of execution including those at late stage nearing completion, providing multiple and diversified sources of cash flows for debt servicing.

The funding would be made in tranches and is proposed to be used by the developer towards refinancing existing debt and for construction funding across projects.

Legacy group has delivered over a million square feet with another 4-5 million sq ft under various stages of execution.

Altico has made investments into Century and Unishire Group in Bangalore market over last 12 months. -PTI

Real Estate 30 India Post

www.indiapost.com

August 26, 2016

Indiabulls raises Rs 30 cr via NCDs NEW DELHI: Indiabulls Real Estate says it has raised Rs 30 crore through issue of non-convertible debentures (NCDs) on private placement basis. In June, the Mumbaibased company had announced that it proposes to raise up to Rs 200 crore through issue of NCDs on private placement basis. In a BSE filing, Indiabulls Real Estate informed that the "company has allotted NCDs aggregating Rs 30 crore". The coupon rate for the NCDs is 10 per cent, it added. -PTI

Bengaluru favored destination for NRI investment in housing V NAGARAJAN

BENGALURU: As a vibrant IT hub and the highest revenue generating STPI location in the country, Bengaluru has the largest concentration of IT and ITES-BPO companies. With over 664 MNCs, 2116 IT companies, 248 BPOs and 183 biotechnology companies having their presence in the city, it is no wonder that NRIs are looking back at the garden city for resettlement.

The city has an enviable record of four Fortune-500 companies in its fold and 11 companies with a turnover of over US$1 billion in just one year and has 850,000 IT/ITES employees. The city has yet another record of the largest quantum of office space absorption in the country consecutively for

years together.

The impact of sluggish growth has also impacted the pensioner's paradise. With the dip in project launches and cautious approach

Bengaluru's primary residential market stands at Rs 5,333 per sqft.

It has marginally increased by 1.4% during the second half of 2015 as compared to the first half.

by developers, there has been a spurt in the number of enquiries from homebuyers.

The average capital value for

According to LJ Hooker analysis, residential property market has witnessed a dip in its absorption trend and reached an all-time low

sales velocity of 1.12% in the second half of last year.

The value of unsold inventory of residential development in the city increased by 4.3%. The unsold inventory size increased to 137.1 million sqft in the second half of last year from 131.7 million sqft in the first half, which is a 4.1% increase.

Months' inventory level alarmingly increased to 31 months which is a 40.9% surge from the first half of 2015, an all time high record since 2012.

The market witnessed a 52% decline in the size of new launches in the second half of last year from the second half of 2014 in the residential apartment development; and on a yearly basis, the year 2015 new launches has dropped by 40% compared to the year 2014.

The average price of apartment segment in the new launched projects has decreased from Rs 5,852 per sqft in the first half of 2015 to Rs 4,998 per sqft in the second half of 2015.

Cont’d on page 31

7 years jail for benami transactions NEW DELHI: People keeping 'benami' properties to evade taxes will get up to seven years rigorous imprisonment and fine, as per a new law aimed at checking black money in real estate sector.

President Pranab Mukherjee has recently given assent to the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016 and it has been notified by the government, officials said.

The law has strict provisions to confiscate benami properties and stiff penalty for entering into such transactions, they said.

A transaction is considered as benami (meaning nameless) where a property is transferred to or is held by a person and the consideration for such property has been provided or paid by another person.

In these cases, the property is held for the immediate or future benefit, direct or indirect, of

the person who has provided its payment.

The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Bill, 2015

Under the old law, the penalty for entering into benami transactions is imprisonment up to three years, or a fine, or both. was introduced in Lok Sabha on May 13, last year by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. It was then referred to the Standing Committee on Finance which gave its report on April 28.

Lok Sabha passed the bill on July 27 and Rajya Sabha gave its

nod on August 2.

As per the new law which has amended Benami Transactions Act of 1988, whoever is found guilty of the offence of benami transaction shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year, but which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine which may extend to 25 per cent of the fair market value of the property.

Under the old law, the penalty for entering into benami transactions is imprisonment up to three years, or a fine, or both.

The Act also has a provision of penalty for providing false information.

Any person, required to furnish information under this Act, knowingly gives false information to any authority or furnishes any false document shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment

for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to five years and shall also be liable to fine which may extend to 10 per cent of the fair market value of the property, the law said.

However, no prosecution shall be instituted against any person under this law without the previous sanction of Central Board of Direct Taxes.

The new law will check domestic black money especially in real estate sector, officials said.

The legislation has provision for setting up of an authority as "Administrator" which shall have the power to receive and manage the benami property confiscated under the Act. The new Act mandates central government to designate one or more courts of Session as Special Court for trial of offence punishable under it. -PTI

Real Estate Post

August 26, 2016

India Post 31

www.indiapost.com

World Trade Center mall reopens NEW YORK: The reopening and reinvention - of the World Trade Center mall reflects how much lower Manhattan has changed since the 9/11 attacks.

Once a scene of massive destruction, the area is now a vibrant one of office towers and upscale hotels, with three times the number of residents as before the attacks, weekday employees in industries beyond Wall Street, and millions of tourists visiting every year.

ter, with about 60 opening and the rest by the winter holiday season.

Ford Motor Co. is set to open this fall the first FordHub, a showroom for innovations that's not a dealership. Shoe purveyor Aldo Group Inc. is using the opening to launch an app feature for its store, which will be rolled out to other locations.

Digital billboards include a 280foot-long one.

Food options include Eataly's second Manhattan location, which features foods from Italy

Crowds gather for a celebration for the opening of the Westfield World Trade Center mall in the oculus of the Transportation Hub

Shops from Apple to Forever 21 to H&M to John Varvatos will serve the increasingly diverse area where real estate experts say people have been eager for new stores and restaurants. The new spaces also let customers tap into technology, as some retailers use the space for their latest ideas.

The location is a ``symbol of hope, opportunity, progress and perseverance,'' said Bill Hecht, chief operating officer of Westfield Corp.'s U.S. division.

Westfield manages the retail properties, while the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey owns the real estate.

More than 100 stores will occupy the 365,000-square-foot cen-

and coffee and gelato bars.

It stretches along a four-block underground network that spans the bases of three office towers.

While mostly below street level, light beams in through the windows of the winged Oculus, designed by Santiago Calatrava, that top the transportation hub of 13 subway trains and river ferries.

More than 300,000 commuters use it on a daily basis, many for jobs beyond finance in advertising and media. ``When you look at how many people now live in the neighborhood, how many commuters work in the neighborhood and how many tourists now are coming to the memorial, emotionally it was a

no-brainer and financially it was a no-brainer,'' Angela Ahrendts, Apple's retailing chief, said at the store's opening.

More than 60,000 residents live within blocks of the World Trade Center area, about three times the number from right before 9/11. The former shopping mall in the World Trade Center was one of the most successful properties in the world, but catered to daytime weekday shopping, said Robin Abrams, vice chairman of The Lansco Corp., a real estate advisory firm.

The new mall is expected to have a vibrant night and weekend atmosphere, and Hecht noted a deliberate move to include shops with necessities like drugstore Duane Reade.

Westfield says 15 million travelers are expected to visit the areas from the U.S. and around the world next year to see the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and other nearby places of interest. There is no signage on the side of the mall that faces the 9/11 memorial. ``We have huge respect for this site,'' Hecht said. On the anniversary of the attacks, the skylight of the Oculus - meant to symbolize the image of a dove released from a child's hand - will open to bring in a slice of the open New York sky.

Westfield said ensuring safety and security at the mall is the highest priority for it and the Port Authority. Uniformed police and private security will be present at the mall, Port Authority spokesman Joe Pentangelo said, but declined to give specifics about any other measures. ``As with any high-profile public location and transit center, there are extensive security measures that have been put in place with

Housing prices to remain muted for six months NEW DELHI: Housing sales are likely to remain stable or improve in next six months while price appreciation is expected to be muted, according to a report by FICCIKnight Frank India.

Releasing the latest findings of the Real Estate Sentiment Index for April-June 2016, the consultant said: "After a lull that lasted six quarters, the future sentiment scores are strengthening and witnessing similar trend as during Q1 2016."

This signals a robust optimism of stakeholders going forward as

the real estate sector in India is going through an interesting phase, it added.

Indian real estate market has managed to show positive tractions in the last six months and the projections look positive too.

"Office space absorption is going from strength to strength while the residential market that was reeling under tremendous pressure for the last three years has shown signs of recovery," the report said.

On residential market, Knight Frank India said that there is a con-

siderable improvement in the sentiments for the residential sector.

"The number of respondents with a positive outlook for the sector has gone up substantially in Q2 2016, especially for the sales volume," it said.

More than 95 per cent of the respondents feel that the sales volume will either be at the same level or improve in the next six months.

Despite an expectation of a better sales scenario in the future, the stakeholders feel that the residential prices will remain muted. -PTI

law enforcement and others,'' Westfield said.

The lower downtown area has about $6.5 billion in annual buying potential, said Jessica Lappin, head of the Downtown Alliance, which manages the downtownlower Manhattan business improvement district. Hecht expects the mall will eventually generate about $1 billion in retail sales annually, making it one of the most productive of the company's sites.

Smythson of Bond Street, a British maker of luxury stationery and leather goods, has a store in midtown Manhattan but is ``really excited to be downtown,'' said Ruby Victor, the head of marketing.

Given all the foot traffic, she hopes being there will raise awareness of the company. ``We're still a niche brand,'' she

said.

Real estate experts believe the mall will complement the nearby Brookfield Place, which opened in 2015 and features high-end shops like Gucci and Hermes. It will also be different from the Seaport Mall, which is being reopened next year and is focusing on catering to local residents. In addition to retail, a Beekman Hotel and Four Seasons Hotel as well as a performing arts center are coming, part of the $30 billion poured into the downtown area from public and private investment since 9/11. ``Our sense is that there has been demand for a long time that wasn't met,'' said Lappin. ``There may be some bumps along the way. This is an area that needs places to shop and eat.'' -AP

Bengaluru favored destination for NRI investment in housing Cont’d from page 30

Out of 137.1 million sqft of unsold apartment development, 91% is from the under construction projects (82,572 units), whereas 9% contributes to the ready and/ or nearing completion projects (8,434 units).

The north-east region has the largest stock of unsold inventory valued at Rs 28,528 crore in under-construction projects.

The budget homes (Rs 30 lakh - Rs 60 lakh) holds the largest unsold stock of 37,834 units (valued at Rs 17,825 crore), which is 35% of the total unsold units.

The unsold inventory of 23,334 units of premium homes category is valued at Rs 36.044 crores.

The average price of underconstruction project are quoted

lesser than the ready and/or nearing completion units i.e Rs 5,147 and Rs 5,236 per sqft respectively.

The sales velocity of ready and/or nearing completion apartments is at 0.57%, while the under construction apartments is at 1.33%.

Value of the unsold inventory of the apartment development in Bengaluru touched Rs 74,150 crore, which is a result of Rs 3,290 crore value addition during the second half of 2015.

Plotted development had the highest sales velocity of 2.3% in the first half of 2015 now has come down to 1.36% in the second half of 2015.

Apartment, villa and row house development also has low sales velocity of 1.11%, 1.28% and 0.74% respectively, which is lower than the first half of 2015.

Row house developments' months inventory reached to 42 months.

The apartment development has witnessed a 2.9% increase in its average ticket size, whereas the row house and villa development has increased by 6.6% and 3.1% respectively in the second half of 2015.

V Nagarajan is a property consultant and columnist on NRI investment in real estate. He can be reached through nagarajan53@gmail.com

„ Health

Line

Goa health plan to cover 1 lakh households PANAJI: After delaying the implementation of its ambitious health insurance scheme by a fortnight, Goa government expects to cover at least one lakh households under it by September 1.

The state government postponed the launch of Deen Dayal Swasth Seva Yojana (DDSSY) to September 1 from its earlier announced date of August 15.

"The number of cards available with the state-run Goa Electronic Limited (GEL) was not sufficient compared to the number of forms filled by the people due to which the scheme was postponed," State Health Secretary Sudhir Mahajan told PTI. The scheme which was announced earlier had 1.10 lakh families applying for the cards, of which only 50,000 cards were ready. It prompted the government to reschedule the formal launch, he said.

"By September 1, we will be able to generate at least one lakh cards under this scheme. The rest of the cards would be ready later," Mahajan said.

The scheme which was recently discussed on the floor of the House had drawn criticism as Opposition benches claimed that majority of the medical procedures covered under it were not conducted in Goa Medical College and Hospital.

Mahajan said the scheme has empanelled 20 private hospitals, majority in Goa and few outside the state, while audit of three to four more such facilities (hospitals) is in progress. -PTI

„ Michigan grants for access to healthy food DETROIT: Grants have been awarded to 20 programs designed to improve access to healthy food for children and senior citizens in southeastern Michigan.

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan says the $2 million in funding is part of Healthy Food Connect.

The two-year regional initiative connects children and senior citizens to people, places, programs and services necessary to ensure they have healthy food options each day.

Funding includes $200,000 to support a program that makes surplus fresh produce easier to obtain in Washtenaw County. Another $200,000 grant is expected to improve senior citizen participation in regional food assistance programs. -AP

Health Science

Clinton campaign refutes poor health allegations

32 India Post

www.indiapost.com

August 26, 2016

Details on Page 34

After years of war, Afghans wary to talk of mental health KABUL, Afghanistan: Soheila Hashemi has hardly slept since a suicide bomber targeted a rally in the Afghan capital last month, killing more than 80 people and wounding scores in the deadliest attack in Kabul since the war with the Taliban began 15 years ago.

She is tormented by feelings of guilt for surviving the carnage and for encouraging fellow Hazaras to come to the protest that called for an end to discrimination against their community, Afghanistan's poorest ethnic and religious minority.

Hashemi says she needs ``professional help'' but with the dearth of psychologists in the war-ravaged country, she feels there really isn't anyone she can turn to. ``I encouraged people to attend the demonstration and yet I wasn't there when the explosions happened,'' said the 23-year-old university student. Many of her close friends were killed or wounded in the July 23 bombing.

Hashemi had already left the rally when the bomber struck. As the explosion shook Kabul, she ran back to Demazang Square, only to faint at the horrific scene

psychologist, Hashemi believes she'd be branded as ``crazy'' for admitting to psychological and emotional problems after the attack.

An Afghan patient is seen on the bed as a father weeps in the Mental Health and Drug Addicts' Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan.

of dead bodies, scattered body parts and pools of blood.

For days afterward, she was quick to lose her temper and felt herself becoming aggressive for no reason. Even if she found a

After almost 40 years of conflict and crisis, experts say the vast majority of the Afghan population suffers from some form of post-traumatic stress disorder, yet arcane societal attitudes on men-

tal health are holding back many from seeking help.

Hundreds of psychologists have been trained over the past decade to work at clinics across the country, many funded by foreign donors - but the stigma associated with ``being crazy'' remains a barrier.

Hashemi says she has been able to use social media to express some of her feelings. She said others who went through similar experiences wrote back, encouraging her to ``talk it out.'' It's the simplest solution, she said, in a country where ``if you ask a person to visit a psychiatrist, they will get angry and tell you they are not crazy.''

With all the wars, violence has become embedded in the fabric of Afghan society.

The Soviet invasion of 1979 lasted for 10 years, followed by three years of war against the installed communist authorities. Then came a civil war in which warlords destroyed much of Kabul.

Cont'd on Page 35

Bananas may become extinct in 5 to 10 years Bananas - one of the world's top five staple foods - may become extinct in just 5 to 10 years due to fast-advancing fungal diseases, scientists have warned.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis discovered how three fungal diseases have evolved into a lethal threat to the world's bananas.

The discovery better equips researchers to develop hardier, disease-resistant banana plants and more effective disease-prevention treatments.

"We have demonstrated that two of the three most serious banana fungal diseases have become more virulent by increasing their ability to manipulate the banana's metabolic pathways and make use of its nutrients," said Ioannis Stergiopoulos, from UC Davis.

"This parallel change in metabolism of the pathogen and the

host plant has been overlooked until now and may represent a 'molecular fingerprint' of the adaption process," he said.

The banana is one of the world's top five staple foods.

About 100 million tonnes of bananas are produced annually in

nearly 120 countries.

However, the global banana industry could be wiped out in just five to 10 years by fast-advancing fungal diseases.

That would prove devastating to millions of small-scale farmers who depend on the fruit for food, fiber and income.

Already, Sigatoka - a three-fungus disease complex - reduces banana yields by 40 per cent.

The Sigatoka complex's three fungal diseases - yellow Sigatoka (Pseudocercospora musae), eumusae leaf spot (Pseudocercospora eumusae) and black Sigatoka (Pseudocercospora figiensis) -emerged as destructive pathogens in just the last century.

Eumusae leaf spot and black Sigatoka are now the most devastating, with black Sigatoka posing the greatest constraint to banana production worldwide.

All commercial "dessert" bananas are of the Cavendish variety and are grown from shoot cuttings.

"The Cavendish banana plants all originated from one plant and so as clones, they all have the same genotype - and that is a

recipe for disaster," Stergiopoulos said, noting that a disease capable of killing one plant could kill them all.

Researchers sequenced the genomes of eumusae leaf spot and black Sigatoka, comparing their findings with the previously sequenced yellow Sigatoka genome sequence.

They discovered that this complex of diseases has become lethal to banana plants not just by shutting down the plant's immune system but also by adapting the metabolism of the fungi to match that of the host plants.

As a result, the attacking fungi can produce enzymes that break down the plant's cell walls. This allows the fungi to feed on the plant's sugars and other carbohydrates.

The research was published in the journal PLOS Genetics. PTI

August 26, 2016

Health Science Post

India Post 33

www.indiapost.com

National program for injury control soon NEW DELHI: The Centre will soon come out with a national program on injury control to provide trauma healthcare services to lakhs of road accident victims, a move which comes after latest data showed that 52 people die every hour in India due to road accidents.

Noting that road traffic injuries are among the three leading causes of death of people between 5 and 44 years of age, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said that such injuries are predicted to become the fifth leading cause of death in the world, resulting in an estimated 24 lakh deaths each year unless immediate steps are taken.

"The government is ready and intends to go forward for a national injury control program. We need the inputs of experts on this," he told the third World Trauma Congress, 2016 here.

He said it is generally the "productive age or the younger generation" which is involved in accidents because of which there is an economic burden attached to it.

As much as 1.5 per cent of the GDP worldwide gets affected because of this trauma.

In India it is 3 per cent of the GDP. This is because we are not able to give solutions at the level in which trauma is taking place and there is huge gap, the Minister said.

"We want to initiate national injury control program.

It will be a holistic view and this program will focus on how all types of trauma can be addressed.

"How to develop human resource, fulfilling of gaps, providing financial help to address trauma, all these issues will be worked out through a multi-dimensional approach," Nadda said.

An official Health Ministry statement quoting latest statistics said that in India 52 people died every hour in various accidents in 2014 and the major causes of accidental deaths are 'traffic accident, drowning, poisoning and accidental fire'.

It also said that India has the highest road crash mortality in the world.

trauma care infrastructure cannot cater to the needs of 'multiply injured patients' while Emergency Medical Services Legislation also needs to be addressed and adapted uniformly. He said that rehabilitation facilities were practically "non existent".

He hoped that the Trauma Congress will provide an opportunity to assess the lead taken so far and the road ahead.

Union Health He said that to meet the Minister J P Nadda challenge of trauma care and to better meet the needs of trauma patients, there is a need to advance not only clinical practice and medical technology, but also the organization of our healthcare system and resources.

Referring to a recent accident in which a man died after being hit by a vehicle in Delhi as none of the passersby came to his rescue, Nadda said Nadda said that every year nearly 16 lakh that there is a need to develop the culture people die in road mishaps with more than of being a good samaritan.

3,000 such deaths daily worldwide.

Noting that finance is not a problem and He said that about 2 to 5 crore more the government is ready to spend on people sustain non-fatal injuries from a healthcare, he said 11 new AIIMS are becollision and these injuries are an impor- ing set up with a cost of more than Rs 1,000 tant cause of disability worldwide while ninety per cent of road traffic deaths occur in low and middle-income countries, which claim less than half the world's registered vehicle fleet.

He also rued that in India there is nonavailability of trauma systems and absence of pre-hospital care.

Nadda said the present in-hospital

Robotic surgery institute launched in Bengaluru NEW DELHI: Healthcare provider Narayana Health has joined hands with Infosys Foundation to launch Infosys Institute of Robotic Surgery in Bengaluru.

The da Vinci robotic surgical system in Narayana Health City will be used primarily for prostate, kidney, colorectal, gynecological and select head and neck cancer surgeries.

"Our partnership with Narayana Health... is aimed at encouraging rapid adoption of robotics in healthcare in India," Infosys Foundation Chairperson Sudha Murthy said in a statement.

Through this endowment, the Foundation also intends to provide impetus for further research in this area, and enable the masses to reap the benefits of affordable and highquality treatment, she added.

"Infosys Foundation always believed in the power of technology to transform the world and address the human sufferings. With that objective, Infosys Foundation donated da Vinci Surgical Robot to develop Infosys

Institute of Robotic Surgery to train robotic surgeons for the future," Narayana Health Chairman Devi Shetty said.

The philosophy of creating the institution is to train any surgeon with a passion to learn robotic surgery and certify them to start robotic surgical program in different parts of the country, he added. Established in 1996, Infosys Foundation is philanthropic arm of Infosys. -PTI

Robotic Surgical System.

crore. Right input should be given at the right time.

Asserting that working in silos has become a habit, Nadda said there is a need for inter-departmental cooperation and understanding as far as policy on trauma care is concerned.

Health Secretary C K Mishra said that the 3rd World Congress was a call for action to all stakeholders to end all deaths due to trauma.

"Not only their effective treatment, but it is important to think about ways and means to rehabilitate the patients so that they continue to add to the productivity of their own communities and the nation as a whole.

"As policymakers it is time to think of building capacity of individuals also that that injury and trauma can be prevented through enhanced levels of awareness and better capacity to deal with them," he said.

The Congress is being organized by the J P N Apex Trauma Centre of AIIMS in New Delhi and co-hosted by the Indian Society for Trauma Acute Care (ISTAC) and the World Coalition for Trauma Care (WCTC).

It aims at exchanging ideas, experiences and lessons learned about the role of internationally accepted systems and protocols in the field of trauma care, mass causality incidents and disasters. -PTI

Health Science Post

34 India Post

August 26, 2016

www.indiapost.com

Centre ask states to open Amrit pharmacies NEW DELHI: The Centre has asked state governments to consider opening AMRIT pharmacies, which sell drugs at a highly discounted rate, to reduce the expenditure incurred by common patients on treatment of cancer and heart diseases.

"We have now 12 Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) outlets across the country.

More than 2141 drugs (including cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, stents, etc) for treatment of cancer and cardiovascular dis-

The three outlets were inaugurated by him through video conferencing at North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong, the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, and All India Institute Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Jodhpur in the presence of Minister of State for DONER Jitendra Singh.

"The AMRIT clinics have sold drugs worth Rs 28 crores as per the MRP. However, the costs to the patients through these outlets

The AMRIT clinics have sold drugs worth Rs 28 crores as per the MRP. However, the costs to the patients through these outlets have only been Rs 9 crores. This has resulted in saving of Rs 19 crores eases are being sold through AMRIT at a discount of more than 70 per cent to the patients," Health Minister J P Nadda said while inaugurating the three outlets.

have only been Rs 9 crores. This has resulted in saving of Rs 19 crores out of pocket expenditure to the patients," Nadda said.

Nadda said that the benefits of the AMRIT clinics can be availed

by both in-patients as well as outpatients and around 300 outlets will be started by the end of this year while the basket of choices of drugs will also be enhanced.

"We are exploring the possibility of scaling up the facility and also making it accessible to larger number of people in various parts of the country.

"The state governments have been informed about the AMRIT pharmacies and have been advised to consider opening such pharmacies," Nadda said while adding that he would urge medical colleges in states to come and take up this facility.

AMRIT project has been floated in a tie-up with government-owned HLL Lifecare Ltd (HLL) which is mandated to establish and run the AMRIT chain of pharmacies across the country.

Jitendra Singh said that this initiative is going to be a big boost to the healthcare in the region.

"It will not only go a long way in providing cost-effective medicines to lower strata of the society but through this we will also have a healthcare system that will be more trustworthy," he said. -PTI

Befriend thin people to lose weight

Y

ou may be able to shed those extra kilos if you in clude thinner people in your social life, a new study suggests.

Ironically, people who want to lose weight are more likely to experience weight discrimination and feel more comfortable with people whose body mass is similar.

However, spending time with them may undercut success at weight loss, researchers from Baylor University in the US said.

The findings were based on an analysis of 9,335 people aged 18 to 65 in American households.

Researchers supplemented the data with questions, tracking for one year the participants' self-reported social networking changes and body mass outcomes.

Respondents identified the four adults with whom they spent free time most frequently, whether household members, relatives or friends.

They also rated each contact's

body mass relative to their own.

"For the study, we relied on how people perceived those in their network rather than actual weight measurements," said Matthew Andersson from Baylor University.

Individuals were asked whether they wanted to lose, maintain or increase weight.

The study also assessed how often participants interacted with

Frequency of contact played a major role. With fewer than 100 interactions with an individual during a year, changes in weight were linked to a fraction of a pound.

But as interactions reached hundreds and even thousands, weight differences became more substantial, researchers said.

"Also, the desire to lose weight in itself may be linked to other

those they identified as frequent contacts, whether in person or by phone, email, texting or social media, Andersson said.

health traits, such as whether they smoke," said Anderson.

The findings were published in the journal Obesity. -PTI

Clinton campaign refutes poor health allegations WASHINGTON: Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's campaign has refuted allegations that her health is failing and criticized Republican rival Donald Trump for parroting "lies" based on fabricated documents.

"While it is dismaying to see the Republican nominee for president push deranged conspiracy theories in a foreign policy speech, its no longer surprising," Jennifer Palmieri from Clinton campaign said in a statement.

"Donald Trump is simply parroting lies based on fabricated documents promoted

by Roger Stone and his right wing allies," she alleged, a day after Trump at an election rally alleged that Clinton "lacks the mental and physical stamina to take on ISIS".

Clinton, she said, has released a detailed medical record showing her to be in excellent health plus her personal tax returns since 1977, while Trump has failed to provide the public with the most basic financial information disclosed by every major candidate in the last 40 years.

"Its time for him to stop using shameful distractions to hide his own record," Palmieri said as the Clinton Campaign statement said that Trump confidant and discredited conspiracy peddler Roger Stone and his right-wing allies

have been pushing fake medical documents supposedly leaked from Hillary Clinton's physician that purport to show grave health problems.

The Clinton campaign also issued a statement by her doctor.

"As Secretary Clintons long time physician, I released a medical statement during the campaign indicating that she is in excellent health," said Lisa Bardack, Hillary Clinton's real internist and Chair-

Hillary Clinton

man of the Department of Medicine at CareMount Medical.

"I have recently been made aware of allegedly leaked medical documents regarding Secretary Clinton with my name on them.

These documents are false, were not written by me and are not based on any medical facts. To reiterate what I said in my previous statement, Secretary Clinton is in excellent health and fit to serve as President of the United States," Bardack said. -PTI

Smartphones free up brain but ruin memory

E

ase of accessing online con tents through smartphones, tablets and laptops can free up brain space, but it makes harder to remember details when unaided, affecting our ability to recall information, British researchers said.

Growing options of wireless devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops can free-up mental resources by outsourcing unnecessary tasks to the gadgets.

However, their scientific evidence also found the ease of access to online searches is making it harder for humans to remember information without the help of a computer.

"Remembering your shopping list or an appointment is not the most effective use of your cognitive resources and if you can be

reminded of that task it frees-up more space which can be used for a number of things," said Sam Gilbert, a research fellow in cognitive neuroscience at University College London and one of the authors of the review published in 'Trends in Cognitive Sciences'.

This so-called "cognitive offloading" - or the use of tools to reduce the demand on our brains - should strengthen our memories but other studies the experts considered showed technologies are affecting our ability to remember details.

Research into sat-navs showed drivers who used Global Positioning System remembered less about their journeys and struggled to complete the routes again when unaided. -PTI

August 26, 2016

Health Science Post

India Post 35

www.indiapost.com

Sitting for long can bring heart disease

S

itting for too long may increase the risk of developing heart disease and stroke, a new study has warned.

"Regardless of how much physical activity someone gets, prolonged sedentary time could negatively impact the health of your heart and blood vessels," said Deborah Rohm Young, director of behavioral research at Kaiser Permanente Southern California in the US.

Sedentary behavior may be associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, impaired insulin sensitivity (linked to diabetes) and an overall higher risk of death from any cause, researchers said.

"There are many important factors we don't understand about sedentary time yet.

The types of studies available identify trends but don't prove cause and effect,"

said Young.

"We don't have information about how much sedentary behavior is bad for health - the best advice at this time is to 'sit less and move more'," Young said.

Instead of lumping all the exercise into

After years of war, Afghans wary to talk of mental health each of Afghanistan's 34 provinces - have left the profession to return to their homeAn estimated 80,000 people were killed towns, said Fareshta Qudees, managing in the city between 1992 and 1996. director of the International Psychological The Taliban ruled for five years - a time Organization in Afghanistan. when women were stoned to death for disQudees says there are plans to train 250 obeying their strict version of Islamic law, more in the coming months. Around 200 or Shariah, and severed hands of alleged clinics nationwide provide counseling criminals were hung up in bazaars. The 2001 though most treat drug addicts, whose US-led invasion ousted their brutal regime numbers are rising in the country responbut also marked the start of a 15-year sible for producing most of the world's Taliban insurgency. heroin.

Now, new players have emerged, such ``The Afghan society is still very tradias Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State tional and mental health problems are a tagroup, which claimed responsibility for the boo subject,'' said Khetab Kakar, director July attack on the of the Mental Hazara protest. UnHealth and Drug like most Afghans ``If a person becomes Addicts' Hospital who are Sunni, the in Kabul's western Hazaras are Shiites sick, they will be advised suburb of Kart-eand IS regards them against going to a doctor, Sei. as apostates. ``Psychology rather than to a shrine or The UN mission is new to Afghaniin Afghanistan, a mullah.'' stan,'' Kakar said. which began track``If a person being Afghan civilian comes sick, they casualty figures in 2009, says almost 23,000 will be advised against going to a doctor, civilians have been killed by the war and rather than to a shrine or a mullah.'' But another 41,000 have been wounded. In a there are signs modern psychology is makpopulation of around 30 million, that means ing inroads, especially among women, who very few have been unaffected by the vio- are among the hardest hit by the fallout of lence in one way or another. war in this male-dominated society, their Khalil Rahman Sarwary, who teaches suffering compounded by discrimination, psychology at Kabul University, says war widespread restrictions on their movement ``has the most destructive effect on human and domestic violence. behavior, conduct and life.'' His research, Zia Jan, 45, says she has benefited from he says, has found that up to 75 percent of counseling she received at Medica AfAfghan people suffer ``from stress and ghanistan, a non-profit, non-governmenother psychological pressures because of tal organization helping traumatized women the war and insecurity.'' across Afghanistan. ``Around 25 to 30 percent of Afghans After the Taliban killed her son, wounded have very high stress, anxiety and other her husband and burned her uncle alive, psychological issues - the toll is getting Zia Jan sank into a deep depression. Her higher day by day,'' Sarwary said. family decided she had been possessed by Also, ancient superstitions prevail, with djinn. many across Afghanistan still attributing ``People started saying I had a djinn, my mental illnesses to being possessed by family took me to the mullah a few times, demons. An afflicted person can be locked and he said I had a djinn,'' she said. The up in a cage or left chained at a shrine for mullah even performed an exorcism, but she days on end. only got worse.

Families often call in mullahs when they After years of torment, she finally found think a loved one has become ``possessed her way to Medica Afghanistan. by a djinn'' - a mythical spirit in Islam, simiPsychologist Yalda Ahmad said Jan was lar to an angel, which can take human or unable to talk when her treatment began: animal form and influence behavior for ei- ``She could only cry.'' ther good or bad.

Now, after eight years of regular sesMany of the hundreds of counselors sions, Jan says she feels she is finally able who were trained by a variety of organiza- to cope with the memories, though they will tions - with the aim to have at least two to ``always burn'' in her mind. -AP Cont'd from Page 32

one or two days, the goal is to encourage more consistent activity, Young said.

However, the researchers found that moderate to vigorous physical activity does not cancel out the impact of sedentary time. Even physically active people who spend a lot of their time being seden-

tary appear to have increased risk.

Sedentary behaviors include sitting, reclining, or laying down while awake as well as reading, watching television or working on the computer.

These "inactive activities" mean energy expenditure is less than or equal to 1.5 metabolic equivalents, or METs. L i g h t housework or slow, leisurely walking uses about 2.5 METs, moderate to vigorous physical activity usually requires 3.0 or more METs. Another issue, according to Young, is that it is not clear whether people should replace prolonged sedentary behavior with simple movement or moderate to vigorous physical activity.

The study was published in the journal Circulation. -PTI

Tech News AcadGild, IL&FS partner for tech education NEW DELHI: Tech education startup AcadGild and IL&FS Skills Development Corporation have partnered to offer technology and business oriented courses to students aimed at improving their employability potential.

The pact eyes skilling over two lakh Indian students by 2019, the companies said in a joint statement.

The partnership will enable IL&FS Skills to expand beyond its current vocational and skill-based training programs to tech courses like Android Developer, Big Data & Digital Marketing conducted by AcadGild which will now be offered at more than 100 IL&FS centers across the country, it said.

"The partnership is aimed at addressing skill-gap in the country. With IL&FS Skills network, our reach has expanded exponentially enabling even those who do not have access to computers the opportunity to benefit from the courses we conduct," Vinod Dham, CEO and Co-Founder, AcadGild, said.

"The partnership will help us to expand our offerings beyond school drop outs to graduates and engineering students and enable us to deliver high-quality technology and business courses to youth across the country," RCM Reddy, Managing Director and CEO IL&FS Skills said.-PTI

How to fix flood damages to car repair shop?

GONZALES, La.: With up to $150,000 in flood damages to his southeast Louisiana car repair shop and no flood insurance, Lap Nguyen wasn't sure how he was going to repair his life.

He's spent the past few days cleaning out Gonzales Car Care 20 miles southeast of Louisiana's capital, and hadn't thought about the next step. ``I didn't go check with the bank yet. We did come to clean up the floods,'' he said in a telephone interview.

Like thousands of other south Louisiana residents, he had to deal with the malodorous muck left after torrential downpours swamped drainage systems, including rivers and streams.

The floodwaters that killed at least 13 people are slowly falling, giving way to the hard slog of cleaning out, rebuilding, or just finding somewhere to live.

Cont’d on page 39

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August 26, 2016

Railways to showcase heritage through Google NEW DELHI: Indian Railways will collaborate with Google for digitizing and showcasing its heritage on digital platforms.

Google has agreed to partner with Railways to digitize its heritage assets and help create a digital repository for universal online access free of cost, said a senior Railway Ministry official.

Indian Railway has a huge list of heritage assets including bridges, steam locos, buildings, artifacts and museums which can be showcased for global audience.

Details on page 39

After rockstar Rajan, it's time for soft spoken Urjit Patel MUMBAI: As the Mint Street readies for a new sheriff, industry and markets want much more than a change in the quintessential signature on currency notes when a soft-spoken but effective Urjit Patel takes over from an outspoken and rockstar-like Raghuram Rajan.

"Figuratively and symbolically, the change in personality that Patel brings in to the top job at RBI appears to be very comforting to the industry and bankers who were often at the receiving end of the barbs, mostly in form of policy actions, from Rajan," a veteran banker said.

While everyone has been effusive in showering praise on Patel being chosen to succeed Rajan, many industry leaders, top bankers and influential marketmen said they are also keeping their fingers crossed on whether Patel will continue as the 'inflation warrior' he was for his current Governor or his corporate and finance background would help taper down RBI's "hawk-eye fixation" on checking inflation and the 'deep surgery' to remove bad loans.

The wish list that 'Dr Patel', as he is commonly referred to as, faces is long and could be difficult to fulfill on many fronts - lower

ending demands for rate cuts, and also clean up books of the banks from bad loans including those induced upon them.

The top functionary also told the industrialists and bankers present there that Rajan had been

Raghuram Rajan with Urjit Patel

rooting for Patel as his successor as RBI Governor, presumably to ensure that his legacy continues and a continuity ensues in the monetary policy - an idea which also gained currency with the government which did not want any further negative publicity or any adverse impact on currency, bonds and stock markets.

The government and corporates are hopeful that Patel, who has kept a low profile so far, would keep away from the rockstarlike public utterances and candid views that Rajan used to utter on each and every topic under the sun, except for 'dance and music' as himself admitted the rates, go easy on banks and borrowers, be liberal with grant of banking licenses, safeguard foreign reserves and beefing them up.

Ironically, Patel himself was the "Brahmastra or the master tool", as described by a top functionary at an informal industry gathering here, that Rajan used in his battlefield - where RBI is required to control inflation without hurting growth while also catering to un-

made the surprise announcement on a Saturday that he would not take a second term after his current three-year tenure ends on September 4, which interestingly will be a Sunday.

After Rajan's announcement,

"This was also precisely the reason, why the government decided to make the announcement of Patel's appointment on a Saturday - that is to ensure that the markets do not see any knee jerk reaction and influential marketmen and banks are asked to ensure availability of sufficient liquidity of securities as well as cash," a high-level source said.

Incidentally, Rajan had also

elaborate arrangements were made to ring-fence and beef up the risk management and surveillance systems to check any mishaps and the same exercise has been kicked off in run up to the opening up of various financial markets, sources said.

In what could be probably just another coincidence, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was in Mumbai, the country's financial capital and home to RBI's headquarters, on the day Patel was named as the next RBI chief.

The government and corporates are hopeful that Patel, who has kept a low profile so far, would keep away from the rockstar-like public utterances and candid views that Rajan used to utter on each and every topic under the sun, except for 'dance and music' as himself admitted to by the former chief economist of IMF. As he has worked with the Finance Ministry as well as corporates like Reliance Industries, IDFC and Gujarat State Petroleum Corp Ltd, besides his tenure at IMF and other organizations, they expect "better understanding" by Patel when he would be faced with various demands from the industry, government or the bankers.

To start with, Patel also seems to have got a favorable rating from BJP MP Subramanian Swamy, who was among the most vocal critics of Rajan and appears to have even dismissed concerns about his reported Kenyan roots.

It was Swamy's scathing remark calling Rajan "mentally not fully Indian" which prompted Rajan's public retort against such "ad hominem" attacks.

On his part, Rajan never admitted being a hawk - a central banker is said to be hawkish if he or she prefers keeping rates extra high and once famously quoted Patel as telling him repeatedly that they at RBI "are neither a hawk nor a dove, but an owl which is symbol of wisdom".-PTI

Patel will contribute to growth story: Jaitley NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley exuded confidence that Urjit Patel will contribute to India's economic development as the next Reserve Bank governor.

"I'm sure he will successfully lead the Reserve Bank & contribute to India's economic development," Jaitley tweeted while congratulating Patel, who is currently Deputy Governor at the RBI. Cont’d on page 38

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley

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Bharara against overturning Gupta's conviction NEW YORK: India-born former Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta's latest bid to have his insider-trading conviction over-

torney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara said Gupta's conduct of repeatedly tipping his business partner Raj

Asserting that there is no legal basis to overturn Gupta's verdict, Bharara said Gupta was convicted by a jury in a "fair trial" Preet Bharara

turned should be rejected, prosecutors have told an appeals court here, asserting that he got a fair trial and the jury convicted him for his "criminal" conduct.

In a lengthy brief filed before the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit this month, US At-

Rajaratnam with material non-public information in "ways that furthered Gupta and Rajaratnam's shared financial interests" remains "criminal" and he is "not actually innocent".

Bharara said Gupta's appeals from an order denying his motion

Jaitley blames Nehruvian economics for slow growth MUMBAI: Former Prime Min- liberalizer." ister Narasimha Rao was not a Jaitley blamed the now much "big liberalizer" and he initiated maligned Hindu rate of growth to reforms out of "compulsion" due the Nehruvian economics. to failure of Nehruvian economics "While in the 1950s and the 60s which held India back while its we had limited resources, the 70s Southeast Asian neighbors and 80s were wasted decades, marched ahead, Finance Minister which contained our growth rates Arun Jaitley has said. at 1-2 per cent per annum," he said.

Jaitley said that Rao, under "When Japan, Korea and Taiwhom economic reforms were ini- wan were on the path of economic tiated in 1991, was forced to come success, we're impacted by the out of the Nehruvian mindset to Nehruvian thought as there was a help avoid a sovereign credit de- thinking that there were some work fault and added that the Congress leader was "not a great reformer" or "When Japan, Korea and a "big liberalizer".

Citing an incident Taiwan were on the path mentioned in a book on of economic success, Rao (Half Lion: How PV Narasimha Rao trans- we're impacted by the formed India), Jaitely Nehruvian thought� said, "When Rao was the law minister of Andhra, his first decision was that that only the government can do," all private colleges should be abol- Jaitley said ished and only government As an example, he cited the should run the colleges." growth of the telecom sector after "But when he became the prime the entry of private sector. "From minister, he found that there was 1947 to 1995, the government no foreign reserves left in its kitty, thought that giving telephone and that the country was heading connection was something which towards bankruptcy. So, the re- it should only do it. In the first 50 forms were brought in due to that years, less than one per cent of compulsion, due to failure of that the Indians had telephones. system," told a gathering of the "But when private sector enBJP workers here. tered the telecom sector, the numContesting the assertion that ber of telephone connections inRao was the force behind the lib- creased to over 80 per cent in just eralization drive, he said, "It was 20 years," Jaitley said, adding "we not that former Prime Minister came out of the Nehruvian mindset Narasimha Rao was a big only out of compulsion". -PTI

to vacate, set aside, or correct his sentence should be rejected and he is not entitled to the relief he seeks.

In May, Gupta, 66, had filed an exhaustive brief in the appeals court, arguing that the judgment of the Manhattan district court finding him guilty of insider trading "should be reversed" and his "conviction should be vacated".

Gupta's appeal came on the back of a landmark ruling by the Manhattan appeals court that for an insider trading conviction prosecutors must show that a defendant received a personal benefit for passing illegal tips. Gupta's lawyers have cited the ruling that led to the reversal of insider convictions of hedge-fund managers Todd Newman and Anthony Chiasson in December 2014.

Asserting that there is no legal basis to overturn Gupta's verdict, Bharara said Gupta was convicted by a jury in a "fair trial" for "re-

Come back, Swaraj tells laid-off workers in Saudi NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has appealed to the Indian workers, who have lost their jobs in Saudi Arabia, to file their claims for unpaid dues with their employers and come back home soon and said the government will bear the cost of their return.

"Indian workers in Saudi Arabia - please file your claims and return home. We will bring you back free of charge.

"When Saudi Government settles with the companies which have closed down, your dues will also be paid," Swaraj said in a series of tweets.

She said that settlement of claims will take time and that there was no point in waiting in Saudi Arabia indefinitely.

Earlier this month Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh Singh had rushed to Saudi Arabia after large number of Indian workers sought Indian government's intervention in taking up their difficulties with the Saudi authorities.

He had also gone to Saudi Arabia last week to resolve the matter.

The Saudi government, then, had agreed to swiftly resolve plight of the laid-off Indian workers including providing them free passage to return to India and clearing their unpaid dues.-PTI

peatedly and brazenly" disclosing material non-public information to Rajaratnam in violation of the fiduciary duties Gupta owed to Goldman Sachs and Procter and

Rajat Gupta

Gamble, companies on whose boards of directors he served.

"This conduct, which was motivated by Gupta's substantial financial entanglements with Rajaratnam and his multi-billion dollar hedge fund, is as criminal today as it was before Newman," Bharara said.

"Gupta received a fair trial before a properly instructed jury; that jury simply agreed with the government's evidence of guilt, rejected Gupta's proffered de-

fenses and convicted Gupta for the conduct he committed. There is no legal basis to disturb that verdict," he said.

The top federal prosecutor in Manhattan noted that at no point did the District Court instruct the jury to convict Gupta based on a Newman-invalidated "mere friendship" theory of benefit.

"Indeed, the 'friendship' does not appear in the jury instructions at all. The District Court instead instructed the jury that tipping in furtherance of Gupta's good and frequent business relationship with Rajaratnam would suffice under the law. Newman says nothing to the contrary," he said.

Gupta is a free man now, having completing his two-year prison term on insider trading charges in March this year.

Gupta was convicted in 2012 of passing confidential boardroom information to now jailed hedge fund founder Rajaratnam. He is currently subject to a term of supervised release. -PTI

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India cuts exposure to US govt securities WASHINGTON: For the second-straight month, India trimmed its holdings of American government securities to USD 117.2 billion in June.

Neighboring China, which is the largest holder of such securities, too cut down its exposure

billion in June from USD 118 billion in the previous month.

At the end of April, India held American government bonds worth USD 121.6 billion.

Among the BRIC nations, India has the third largest holding of these securities after China and

Net purchases by private foreign investors were USD 36 billion, while net sales by foreign official institutions were USD 28.4 billion," the Treasury Department said last week. to USD 1.241 trillion during the same period from USD 1.244 trillion in May. Latest data from the US Treasury Department showed that India's holdings fell to USD 117.2

Brazil, whose exposure stood at USD 251.6 billion in June.

During the same time, Russia's holding touched USD 90.9 billion.

The second largest holder of US government securities is Ja-

pan whose exposure rose to USD 1.148 trillion at June end.

In May, the same stood at USD 1.133 trillion.

"Foreign residents increased their holdings of long-term US securities in June; net purchases were USD 7.6 billion.

Net purchases by private foreign investors were USD 36 billion, while net sales by foreign official institutions were USD 28.4 billion," the Treasury Department said last week.

Overall, net foreign sales of long-term securities are estimated to have been USD 38.9 billion in June, it had said in a release.

In the three months ended June, American economy expanded 1.2 per cent whereas in the first quarter real GDP rose 0.8 per cent. -PTI

Protest in Dhaka over IndoBangla power plant DHAKA: A citizens group in Bangladesh held a day-long protest here demanding that the government cancel the proposed 1,320 megawatt Indo-Bangla joint venture power plant near the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest.

The National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports asked the Bangladesh government not to proceed with the Rampal power plant project as it will cause severe harm to the Sundarbans.

It announced to hold several rallies in Dhaka and divisional and district headquarters throughout September, October and November in support of their demand.

The protesters plan to submit an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after holding a

protest march in front of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, the Daily Star online reported.

Its member Anu Muhammad announced to hold "Cholo, Cholo Dhaka Cholo" protest march soon

all projects - including the power plant - that will cause harm to the Sundarbans. Eminent personalities of the country attended the protest.

"Among the 16 crore people in this country, not even 1600 people

The protesters plan to submit an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after holding a protest march in front of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, the Daily Star online reported. to press home their demand.

It will hold a grand rally in Dhaka on November 26.

The committee started the sit-in program demanding cancellation of

are in favor of the Rampal power plant. The government ought to cancel this project," columnist Syed Abul Maksud told the gathering. -PTI

Swamy attacks Arvind Subramanian again NEW DELHI: BJP MP Subramanian Swamy has launched a fresh attack on Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian, terming his continuance in job as "tolerance".

"Arvind S called Namo a mediocre leader, efficient in riots & asked US to grill India in WTO for drug cos mkt access, is CEA!

Tolerance!!," Swamy tweeted.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had debunked Swamy's call for sacking Subramanian saying "Government has full confidence in CEA. His advice to government from time to time has been of great value".

Seemingly unrepentant Swamy had then tweeted: "If an

Indian, held patriotic, can advise a foreign nation where he works, to twist India's arm, is to be forgiven, then I suspend my demand."

Subramanian was appointed CEA by the BJP government in October 2014 after his predecessor Rajan moved to the RBI as Governor in September 2013.-PTI

It will be idiotic to attack Patel: Swamy NEW DELHI: Urjit Patel's appointment as new RBI Governor appeared to have support of BJP MP Subramanian Swamy who had launched a series of attacks against the outgoing Governor Raghuram Rajan.

In a string of retweets and replies to his Twitter followers, Swamy said it will be utter "idiotic" to think he will attack Patel because he was born in Kenya.

S w a m y, who has been extremely critical of Rajan's policy of not lowering interest rate to check inflation, hoped that Patel will not be as "hawkish".

When one of his followers criticized Patel for being a Kenyan national, Swamy replied: "He is not a Kenyan citizen, but was. R3 was born Indian and chose to continue his US green card even though in India from 2007."

R3 is the acronym he uses for referring to Raghuram Rajan whom he had on several occasions attacked for keeping interest rate high and hurting growth.

When someone else said if Patel will be as hawkish as Rajan, Swamy replied: "Don't be an idiot like presstitudes."

His tweets led to his followers proclaiming that he was backing Patel's appointment.

Swamy even retweeted a follower's comment: "Looks like @Swamy39 approves Urijit Patel's appointment."

When a twitterati posted, "I am so dead sure that Swamy is not happy with this appointment", the BJP MP shot back, saying "rub-

Subramanian Swamy

bish".

Swamy also retweeted a follower's tweet that said: "Bye Raghuram Rajan. Pick another hobby. Thanks @Swamy39. Welcome @UrjitPatel_ #TransformingIndia #RBI #AchheDin." Swamy had earlier alleged Rajan is "not appropriate for the country" and alleged that he has "hiked interest rates in the garb of controlling inflation which has damaged the country".-PTI

Patel will contribute to growth story: Jaitley Cont’d from page 36

Named as 24th Governor of the Reserve Bank, Patel will take over as head of the central bank from Raghuram Rajan on September 4.

Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia also conveyed his best wishes to Patel.

"Congratulations to Patel on becoming RBI Governor. I wish him all the best," he tweeted.

Government think-tank NITI Aayog's CEO Amitabh Kant said Patel is a "great choice" and has good understanding of macroeconomic scenario of the country.

Commenting on the appointment, former advisor to the erstwhile Planning Commission Pronab Sen said, "This is indicative of continuity. International

investors will like that."

SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya said, "Patel has been at the helm of institutionalizing the inflation targeting regime in the monetary policy framework.

His appointment signals continuity of policy intent, both on part of RBI and the government."

ICICI Bank MD and CEO Chanda Kochhar said, "As the Deputy Governor of RBI, Urjit Patel has played a key role in developing the new monetary policy framework that has focused on reigning in inflation and has imparted stability to the currency. "His appointment would ensure a smooth transition and continuity in monetary policy, as India puts in place major structural reforms to transition to a higher growth path." -PTI

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Jivi to invest Rs 200 cr in mobile manufacturing NEW DELHI: Home-grown mobile phone maker Jivi Mobiles plans to invest up to Rs 200 crore in setting up a new manufacturing unit in Lonavala with initial production capacity of 5 lakh units per month.

"We are selling around 3-3.5 lakh feature phones per month. By Diwali, we expect to reach sales of 6 lakh units a month. Based on demand, we expect to sell 10 lakh units per month by 201718 for which we are setting up additional plant in Lonavala with investment of Rs 180200 crore," Jivi Mobiles CEO Pankaj Anand told PTI. Jivi at present has a mobile assembly unit in Delhi where it produces 33.5 lakh mobile feature phones per month.

"We could have opted for a contract manufacturer but due to issue of quality control and supply issues, we have started our own unit in Delhi with investment of Rs 150 crore," Anand said.

He, however, said that recent announcement by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of increasing minimum wages to about Rs 14,500 will adversely impact its

mobile phone business which is a very low margin business.

"We get average discount of about 13 cents, which is around Rs 35, when we bring parts of mobile phone to India such measures to mandate minimum wage will hamper growth prospect in Delhi.

That is one more reason that we are now planning expansion in

Lonavala," Anand said.

The company will hire 500 skilled people to work at Lonavala plant.

"The Lonavala plant will have 10 assembly lines. We will use 1-2 assembly for mobile phone acces-

sories-- battery and charger. We expect that plant to produce 30 thousand mobile batteries and 1520 thousand chargers per month, " Jivi Mobiles Director Gurdeep Singh said.

Jivi has plans to enter into low cost smartphone market to cater both 3G and 4G users which will help company ramp up its sale.

"We will sell smartphones in the range of Rs 2,000-5,000 because Chinese players with their government support are giving tough competition in smartphone priced above Rs 5,000 a unit. It is really tough for Indian companies to compete with Chinese smartphone companies," Anand said.

He said the company is focusing on offline retail and presently reaches out to 25,000 retail outlets across the country.

"In this fiscal year, we will double distributors from 550 to 1,000 and accordingly sell out products from 40-50 thousand retail outlets," Anand said.

He also said that Jivi sells 50 thousand feature phone units per month in the US and 25,000 units every month in Nepal.

"Some people still like to carry feature phone along with smartphone which is the reason we see demand for our phones in the US. We are in talks to expand sales in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar," Anand said. -PTI

How to fix flood damages to car repair shop?

Cont’d from page 36

An estimated 60,000 homes have been damaged, but assessments are continuing so the number may change, Mike Steele, spokesman for the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said.

He said 102,000 people have registered for federal help.

Some homes flooded up to their eaves. Nguyen's shop got two feet of water - but it got into compressors, diagnostic computers, and other electrical and electronic machinery.

His estimate of the dollar value: ``At least over $100,000, easy.

Maybe around $150,000.''

Four miles away in Sorrento, Giovanni DeCarlo needed a boat

to get his mother-in-law's clothes, linens, mementos and curtains out of her house trailer. It was on blocks about 41/2 to 5 feet high, but still took on about 11/2 feet of water, he said.

With 31/2 feet of water still on the ground, he put Laura Allbritten's belongings into heavy plastic bags, and then into the boat. Another family member was dealing with the flood-inflicted heaps of laundry, he said.

Allbritten, 59, is staying with another daughter and the daughter's husband and son in Ponchatoula.

She's lived in the trailer for 22 years, she said. ``That's 20 years of housekeeping you've got to move out before you can begin repairs,'' she said.

The trailer itself is 30 years old. ``The cost to repair it will probably be greater than what it's worth,'' she said.

She has flood insurance, but doesn't know what it will pay, or when the adjuster will be by. ``They tell me three to five days. ... Because of the volume of customers in the area, it could take a week or two.''

In nearby St. Amant, about 20 relatives and coworkers were helping Sheila Siener muck out her house, removing furniture, appliances, carpets and wallboard. ``It's much worse than I expected,'' she said. ``The water, the dirt, the smell. Water in the cabinets. Everything's filthy. I've never been through a flood, so I really didn't know.''-AP

Railways to showcase heritage through Google

NEW DELHI: Indian Railways will collaborate with Google for digitizing and showcasing its heritage on digital platforms.

Google has agreed to partner with Railways to digitize its heritage assets and help create a digital repository for universal online access free of cost, said a senior Railway Ministry official.

Indian Railway has a huge list of heritage assets including bridges, steam locos, buildings, artifacts and museums which can be showcased for global audience.

An agreement in this regard will be signed soon between National Rail Museum and Google Cultural Institute (GCI).

GCI is a non-profit organization that partners with cultural organizations to bring world's cultural heritage online.

GCI builds online tools and offers them to institutions for showcasing and sharing cultural assets.

The official said collaboration will not only make NRM accessible online and offer virtual tours but also help digitize the national transporter's entire heritage inventory which includes more than 20 museums, hundreds of steam locos, coaches, station buildings, bridges among others.

"Once these are placed online, it will act as a great tourist attraction," he said.

GCI generally works with government organizations and not for profit groups to provide digital collection management systems and storytelling tools free of cost.

Various ministries and institutes of the government have already collaborated with GCI for displaying and preserving India's cultural heritage digitally.

Currently Google is working with the railways in providing free Wi-Fi service at 100 stations.

Indian Railway is preparing a

comprehensive conservation management plan to preserve and promote its heritage assets.

Besides, a dedicated rail heritage website under Railway Board's website is operational for dissemination of information. -PTI

Indian in Dubai gives cash prize to Rio heroes DUBAI: An Indian businessman here has announced a cash prize of Rs 5 million for India's silver-medalist ace shuttler P V Sindhu and Rs 2.5 million for wrestler Sakshi Malik for winning the bronze medal at the Rio Olympics 2016.

Mukkattu Sebastian, who is based in UAE for four decades, announced Rs 5 million for Sindhu, who became the youngest and the first-ever woman to win a silver medal at the Rio Olympics, the Gulf News reported.

Sebastian also announced Rs 2.5 million for Sakshi Malik, who is the first-ever woman to win a

medal in wrestling at the Olympics, the first medal for India.

"These two girls saved the face of India at Rio. I am so proud of them and wanted to honor them with a cash award," Sebastian said. "I am not a very rich person.

But I want to do whatever I can," he said.

Sebastian, who is from Kottayam district in Kerala, also owns Mukkadan Plantations there and Autobahn Car Rentals in Bengaluru. He said he had kept Rs 10 million as the cash prize for gold medalists and had hoped Sindhu would win gold.-PTI

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hillong, the capital of Meghalaya takes its name from the deity Shyllong or Lei Shyllong. This city used to be the capital of Assam for over century since 1874 till Meghalaya became a separate state.

The city is based on an elevated swathe which lies almost 1500 mtr above the sea level. The city is picturesquely located within the Umiam ravine from north and the Diengiei hills from the north-west making it a prey to natural blessings as well as vagaries (incessant rains during June-September). One such incident almost wiped out Shillong from the face of earth in 1897 when a strong earthquake destroyed the city. The hard working people of Meghalaya reconstructed the city completely.

Shillong was born in the laps of nature and offers everyone its bequeathed element for exploration. The amazing series of waterfalls, the mystic mountain peaks, crystal clear water lakes, breathtakingly beautiful golf courses, museums and zoo; Shillong has a different façade for everyone. Behdienkhlam, one of the famous and recreational festivals of Meghalaya is held in the Jowai Town every year during the months of June and July.

The itchy feet may decide to venture a little farther and discover the limestone caves and the oldest Presbyterian Church.

The People of Meghalaya are extremely courteous and friendly and any interaction with them is bound to end in a laugh riot.

These wonderful people are full of life and the same is reflected in the products they offer. The hand-woven shawls, cane works, handicraft decoration and the special orange flower honey; each offering is special and unique.

Places to visit Butterfly Museum One of the most amusing sights even for an adult is to watch a delicate little butterfly land on hands and perform a balancing jig before it takes off again to regale another bystander. The Butterfly Museum at Riatsamthiah presents some of the finest and rarest species of butterflies and moths. The museum had initiated the breeding program for butterflies with an eye on the mounting commercial market.

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Centre promoting medical tourism in a big way: Sharma NEW DELHI: Medical tourism has witnessed a growth of around 28 per cent in the last three years, Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said and asserted that the Centre is promoting this sector in a "big way" by initiating the process of granting e-medical visas for tourists.

Observing that medical tourism can become the strength of India, Sharma said that to promote this sector, a national medical and wellness tourism board has also been constituted.

"Medical tourism can be the strength of India. We have a growth of 23-28 per cent in last three years in medical tourism. We are trying to address medical tourism in India in a big way by initiating the process of emedical visa... "...and forming a national medical and wellness tourism board where we propose that all of our healthcare institutions which will be providing medical tourism facilities to tourists they will be standardized...," he said.

He was speaking at the 3rd International Congress of the World Coalition for Trauma Care and 8th Annual Conference of the Indian Society for Trauma and Acute care.

Sharma had earlier this year, chaired the first meeting of the National Medical and

Gujurat, Railways pact to develop Surat station SURAT: The Railways, Gujarat government and Surat Municipal Corporation have signed an agreement to develop Surat station under the Public Private Partnership model.

This tri-party agreement was signed here in the presence of Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and Surat mayor Asmita Siroya.

Prabhu told reporters that private investment is the best way to expedite the upgradation of railway stations in the coun-

try.

"This station will be India's first and distinctive railway station upon its completion.

It will also have a multilayer park having a slew of facilities, which are usually found in airports. I am sure that it will turn out to be a tourist destination," the Minister said.

"This project will be carried out under PPP model, as the government alone cannot bear all the expenditure. If we do so, we have to raise taxes to collect the required capital.

Thus, the best way is to involve private players. For this project, 36 business entities have already shown their interest," said Prabhu.

The Minister talked of increasing non-railway income to boost development in the railway sector.

"We have only two income options at present - freight and passenger fares. In Japan, one third of railway income comes from non-railway operations. We need to understand and incorporate such business model to raise funds.

"After Surat, we are planning to develop Gandhinagar station and many other (stations) across India," Prabhu added. -PTI

Closure of liquor bars hits Kerala tourism THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Tourism Minister A C Moideen has sought a "relook" on closure of liquor bars in tourist hotspots in the state which has seen a fall in arrivals causing a loss to the tourism industry.

The previous UDF government had decided to close down 700-odd liquor bars attached to hotels below five star categories in 2014.

Kerala has seen a severe dip in tourist arrivals and fall in revenues following the closure of bars.

"The present excise policy has dealt a severe blow to the tourism industry in Kerala," Moideen told reporters here.

"There has been a severe fall in the growth of tourist arrivals in the state. With hotels not serving liquor, conferences have come down and the state is losing out," he

said, adding, liquor should be made available in bars in tourist hotspots.

Tourism Departments report has been submitted to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, he said.

In Kerala, while the domestic arrival of tourists touched 124,65,571 in 2015, a growth of 6.59 per cent, figure for foreign tourist arrival was 9,77,479 (5.86 per cent growth), he said.

In 2014, domestic tourist arrivals stood at 116,95,411 (7.71 per cent) against 9,23,366 (7.60 per cent) of international visitors, while in 2013 it was 108,57,811 (7.75 per cent) and foreign tourists 8,58,143 (8.12 per cent).

During 2014, the state earned Rs 6,398.93 crore in foreign exchange earnings showing a 15 per cent increase, while it was Rs 6,949.88 crore last year with a dip of 8.6 per cent. -PTI

Wellness Tourism Promotion Board and assured all help to the stakeholders, including easing of visa process for such travelers.

Speaking on trauma care, Sharma said

that the government is trying to address various issues including non-availability of ambulances and bureaucratic problems.

Noting that there has been an increase in both traffic and value of life, Sharma said that trauma services play a big role in the golden hours and there is a need to update and upgrade to meet the challenges and new requirements in this field.

He noted that medical profession is facing a crisis not only in India but also worldwide and there are issues like consumer protection laws worldwide, students not opting for medical profession and working conditions of doctors among others. PTI

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However, the program has now developed into a full fledged butterfly and moth anthology.

The museum also provides a rare

Bishop's Falls The Bishop's Waterfall is often referred to as the twin brother of the Beadon Waterfall since both tumble down the same escarpment

spectrum. The emerald pool formed at the bottom is inviting and it's a fantastic idea to trek up or down the hills along the stream discovering the marvels of nature. Although a few hotels and local vendors offer grub for the famished, do not expect a five star spread from these simple souls who are untouched by the mean grasps of bottomlines and profits.

Crinoline Falls Smack in the middle of Shillong City is another natural splendor.

The Crinoline Falls cascading down the luxuriant woodland creates a graceful waterfall. The pool created by the fall has been creatively carved out to serve as a well sustained swimming pool. An attached restaurant provides relief for the tired spirits and the adjacent area nourishes the heart with some soul stirring cultural programs.

insight into the life cycles and habitat of these fragile mortals.

Beadon Falls Waterfalls in Meghalaya are unique. They are always at their full glory and rarely dry up or become a trickle as the case with waterfalls in rest of the country.

The Beadon Waterfall is surrounded by verdant forests from every side. The sight of the creamy torrent gushing down almost 100 feet to crush the resilient rocks below is awe inspiring. The clear water stream and the picturesque surroundings make for a memorable sight. It provides an excellent opportunity to relax and enjoy a half day trek cum picnic with the entire family.

An operational hydroelectric powerhouse is situated at the base of the falls.

into a yawning gorge. As the gushing stream of water plunges and crashes into a cavernous lagoon the sprinkled droplets create a mystic rainbow that stretches across the

Elephant Falls The Elephant Falls located 10 kms outside Shillong City provides a unique sight where the water column carves out its way and surrenders to gravity at two

successive locations. The gigantic stream accumulated just at the pinnacle comes crashing down the terrain and rebounds only to cover a short distance and once again leaps into a daunting gorge. The very sight of natural pandemonium is enough to make one miss a heartbeat and leap with joy. The surrounding basin sheltered by the sky like green vegetation provides a perfect backdrop to this enchanting picnic spot.

Shillong Peak The Shillong peak stands at a whopping 2000mtr above sea level. The peak dedicated to the city is also the highest point in the state. An ideal picnic spot, the Shillong Peak offer breathtaking bird's eye view of the city and the scattered villages around the peak. A sanctum offering curtsy U Shulong is located at the peak's summit. The spiritual pastor of Mylliem State offers prayers at the sanctum during springtime. If the view of the human abode below is breathtaking during daytime, the view at nighttime is absolutely awe inspiring. The city and other dwelling lights provide the ground below an aura of the night sky.

Sweet Falls Situated near Happy Valley, the Sweet Falls travel a stomach wrenching dive of an incredible 96 mtr before it pounds the black rocks in the crevice below. It is very popular amongst the local populace and it is common to find a swelling crowd there during weekends. The place has been developed as a tourist spot and basic facilities for travelers and tourists are available at affordable prices.

Wards Lake The story goes like this. A Khasi prisoner, bored with the penitentiary routine requested the warden for some creative release by permitting him to create some construction over the Wards Lake. He was permitted to do so and what stands today is a marvelous site of the Wards Lake or Polok's Lake as the locals prefer to call it. This century old picturesque (horseshoe-shaped) artificial lake lying beneath the Raj Bhavan (Governor's Residence) is located at the heart of the city and is extremely popular for its garden walks and boating.

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Tourists learn on guide-training safaris MARA NORTH CONSERVANCY, Kenya: It's not just a safari. It's a master class in the untamed world, a behind-the-scenes education with experts who are the talking Google gods of wildlife.

That's what it's like on safaris that let tourists learn alongside locals who are training to be guides.

The guides, members of Kenya's Maasai tribe, spend three weeks on a training mission traversing East Africa's Maasai Mara region under the tutelage of senior guiding experts. And tourists can come along for the Land Cruiser rides.

The three-week expedition, called Pyramids of Life, moves from Kenya's Mara North Conservancy, which borders the country's famous Masa Mara region, to Tanzania's northern and southern Serengeti. But unlike other safaris I've been on, this one is not just about drive-by photo opportunities. It's about learning to become attuned to the sights and sounds of nature so you're able to predict and identify what may be moving about in the plains.

On a typical safari, you're rushed off from place to place to make sure you bag photos of all the Big 5 game - lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino. But on this trip, instead, you immerse

yourself for hours watching incredible scenes unfold.

As we wound our way through the plains each day under the heat of a penetrating sun, we saw lions mating, impalas galloping by, hungry hippos and giraffes on the hunt for water. We witnessed a wildebeest giving birth and saw

teeth crushing the wild pig's bones sent shivers down my spine.

Topi antelopes stood guard on mounds of dirt to warn others of impending danger. Zebras used their tails to swish insects off their pals. We even learned about creatures I'd never heard of, like the

A zebra as seen on a safari in Tanzania’s Serengeti region

her newborn calf stumble to gain its footing, falling and rising several times in those first few moments of life. Then, as the mother began sauntering off to join thousands of other wildebeests in a migrating herd, we were stunned to see the newborn running too.

We also saw a warthog torn to pieces by a lion. In the quiet of the night, the sound of the big cat's

hyrax, a small rodent-like animal that we were told is actually related to elephants.

Pyramids of Life is offered by Alex Walker's Serian tour company.

Walker says when he first started in the business 20 years ago, he used to conduct 45-day safaris. ``Back in the day, you really got to know the landscape and understand the animals,'' Walker said.

Shillong

Mystic mountains, amazing waterfalls, friendly people

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The lake is chock-full of fish it's a common sight to see tourists feeding fish from the bridge. The lake is encircled by a winding walkway and is inter spread with gently sloping flowerbeds and innovative illumination, edged in by luxuriant greens.

Fun & Entertainment Bara Bazaar (Lewduh Market) The Lewduh market or the Bara Bazar, as many old timers still prefer to term it, is one huge colorful jamboree. The market becomes the hub of a million activities on the Iewduh (the very first day of the

Khasi week) when populace from the entire spectrum from Meghalaya arrives in vibrant bunches and enhances the festive atmosphere. The vendors offer some of the best Meghalay products for the most reasonable prices.

Shillong Golf Club Considered to the first 18 hole Golf Course in India the Shillong Golf Club (an altitude of 5200 ft) is any Putters dream come true. The Shillong Golf Course is sometimes equated with "Glen-eagle Course" in the United States because of its beauty and unique location. The Golf Course has been charted in a surging valley full of thick pine groves and rhododendron trees.

The course initiated as a 9 (nine) hole course in 1898 was later converted into a full fledged 18 hole course by Capt Jackson in 1924.

This enchanting Golfing paradise is also often visited for the enormous panoramic view it presents of the Shillong city and against the backdrop of snow-covered Himalayan ranges.

Best time to visit Shillong has a cool climate all through the year and can be visited any time of the year. But the best season is from September to May. Winters (November to February) are freezing and minimum temperature reaches 2°C. Fog forma-

``Your newspaper was reading the sounds of animals and birds to indicate what was happening in the bush. It was like a chess game, trying to work out where things were.''

Today, most game drives have been condensed to one or two days out in the plains. ``The idea of safari has been compacted into photos and soundbites,'' Walker said.

The idea behind the Pyramids of Life tour is ``to bring that real-lifeconnect-the-dots back. We want to teach you to read the plains.''

Serian's Maasai guides know the bush, having grown up here, but they have ``differing levels of knowledge.'' The training allows them to share what they know with each other and with the guests, and provide an overlay of information about what they're seeing. ``It's about reconnecting with nature and allowing for the time to take it all in,'' Walker said.

We also watched as the guides and their trainers developed relationships, sharing information, giggling at mistakes and patting each other on the shoulder when they learned something new. And we partook in a walking safari to learn the ways of the Maasai. We were shown plants used for healing, others used as deodorant. At one point, they showed us how to make fire with sticks and how they once

hunted with a bow and arrow. ``I like being a guide because I can spend time in the bush, showing others my land. You're an ambassador to them. On this safari you get to learn about everything by seeing things happen right in front of you. We share our knowledge with guests, while learning at the same time, it's great! I started in the kitchen as a cook but now, here I am, getting to tell others about things I'm interested in, such as birds,'' said Maasai guide Mark Taga. ``Being a guide makes me so happy,'' said another guide, Judy Koya. ``I knew when I was a child that I wanted this to be my office.''

At night, we congregated around a fire, discussing the wonders of the day. ``Imagine this was how field trips were conducted when you were a kid in school,'' said co-safari guide trainer Clint Schipper. ``You'd never want to leave.''

As he spoke, a bonfire burned in front of me, a starry sky glittered above and my mind filled with images of the hippos, crocodiles and cheetah we'd seen that day. The night surrounded us with a cacophony of sounds - insects buzzing, birds calling. Schipper was right: This was the ultimate school field trip, and I didn't ever want to leave. -AP

tions are common during winter.

Summers (March to June) experience a maximum temperature of 24°C and a minimum temperature of 15°C. This time is good for enjoying sightseeing and adventure activities.

Monsoons (June to September) offer average to heavy rainfalls sometimes accompanied by heavy winds.

airport. You can get to Shillong in four hours from there in a hired taxi or a chartered bus.

By Rail: There are no railway lines inside Meghalaya. The nearest railhead is Guwahati, 128 km from Shillong. Buses and taxis then connect to Shillong. It would take you about four hrs from Guwahati railway station to Shillong.

By Bus: You can drive from Guwahati to Shillong in four hours and from Silchar to Shillong in nine hours. The drive from Guwahati is scenic.

How to Reach

By Air: Borjhar Airport in Guwahati, Assam, is the nearest

In Brief Utah won't house immigrants at jail PROVO, UTAH: Utah County officials have approved a request to terminate a 20-year agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to house those who have been convicted of entering the country unlawfully.

The Daily Herald reports that under the agreement, Utah County allowed ICE to detain immigrants at the county jail. The request from the Utah County Sheriff's Office to end the deal was recently approved by the Board of Commissioners.

Undersheriff Mike Forshee says the decision comes as the jail is running out of space.

Last week, immigrants awaiting deportation or appeal hearings made up nearly a third of the jail's population cap.

A spokesman for ICE says the agency is working to remove the detainees from the jail within 120 days, as requested by the county.AP

„ Arab museum to reflect wave of immigration DEARBORN, MICH.: The Arab American National Museum is updating permanent exhibits to boost representation of immigrants and refugees from a broader range of countries.

The museum based in the heavily Arab Detroit suburb of Dearborn says it's making the changes with a $45,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The facility aims to document recent migration from

places such as North Africa that aren't represented in exhibits and programming.

Museum officials say they want ``to give recent arrivals a more proportionate voice in Arab American history.'' The effort will start with research and planning, and then the museum will seek another grant to build and install the updated exhibits.

The museum's grant is among nearly 300 projects and programs nationwide receiving a total of $79 million from the federal agency.-AP

Immigration

New airport immigration facility in Hawaii soon

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Trump's immigration plan raises many unanswered questions YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO: Donald Trump's speech on foreign policy focused in large part on his proposal to suspend immigration from dangerous parts of the world and impose a new system of ``extreme vetting'' that would subject applicants to questions about their personal ideology. ``We should only admit into this country those who share our values and respect our people,'' said Trump, proposing what he called an ``ideological screening test.'' ``The time is overdue to develop a new screening test for the threats we face today. I call it extreme vetting. I call it extreme, extreme vetting. Our country has enough problems,'' he said.

Trump didn't offer many specifics in his speech, raising a number of questions about how he would implement his proposals.

Here a look at some of the questions the Republican presidential nominee didn't answer:

WHAT DOES `EXTREME VETTING' MEAN? Trump defined it this way: ``In addition to screening out all members or sympathizers of terrorist

Those who do not believe in our Constitution, or who support bigotry and hatred, will not be admitted for immigration into our county.''

US immigration officials already

Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks in Youngstown, Ohio

groups, we must also screen out any who have hostile attitudes toward our country or its principles - or who believe that Sharia law should supplant American law.

vet potential immigrants, conducting background checks on those who seek to live or work in America. Visa applicants already must answer questions about

whether they have ever engaged in, or intend to engage, in any form of terrorist activity, along with questions such as whether they've ever ordered, incited, called for, committed, assisted, helped with, or otherwise participated in activity that includes ``limiting or denying any person's ability to exercise religious beliefs.''

What would be different under Trump's plan? To start, aides said, he would consider adding a review of social media accounts and conducting interviews with an applicant's friends and family.

But it's unclear how Trump's system would determine a potential immigrant's position on what could be highly subjective issues.

What some may consider to be ``support (for) bigotry and hatred'' may be, in another person's view, an expression of free speech protected by the First Amendment.

That raises questions about where a Trump administration would draw the line.

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Rauner vetoes automatic voter sign-up SPRINGFIELD, Ill.: Gov. Bruce Rauner has vetoed automatic voter registration in Illinois, saying that despite overwhelming support in the General Assembly, the legislation doesn't do enough to safeguard against fraud.

Although embracing the concept and pledging to work on revisions, the Republican's veto message battered the plan for what he perceives as weaknesses that invite breakdowns in the system's integrity. ``The consequences could be injurious to our election system,'' Rauner wrote. ``We know that non-citizens have registered to vote in Illinois after obtaining a driver's license and voted in recent elections. ... Each of these cases of voter fraud was caught by immigration officials, not the state of Illinois.''

Rauner signaled all spring he liked the idea, telling reporters at the opening of the Illinois State Fair that he advocates ``making

sure that everybody who should vote gets out and votes and to ease the process.''

The veto caught proponents on their heels.

Ill. Governor Bruce Rauner

``What a jerk,'' said House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, a Chicago Democrat and co-sponsor of the proposal. ``On what grounds for heaven's sake? I thought he was in favor of the bill.''

The plan would allow visitors to a handful of state government

agencies - the Department on Aging and the Departments of Human Services, Healthcare and Family Services, Employment Security and the Secretary of State to be automatically registered to vote unless they opt out.

Oregon does it. It's been OK'd in several other states and two dozen states are pondering the plan.

But Rauner said the Illinois version doesn't live up to its promise. He said it doesn't comply with federal requirements that a voter be told of his or her eligibility, that he or she affirms eligibility and that an application is signed. He said it puts too much responsibility on the State Board of Elections to verify voter eligibility. Elections officials say a onestop verification system prompted by legislation last year did not meet

the July 1 deadline for implementation and it's still not ready.

Sen. Andy Manar, a Bunker Hill Democrat who sponsored the plan, pointed out the measure was one of the few areas of agreement last spring between Democrats and Republicans. ``The governor talks a lot about the need to streamline bureaucracy and cut government waste,'' Manar said in a statement. ``Automatically registering voters would have allowed us to do exactly that.''

Manar says he'll continue pushing the idea.

Rauner isn't ruling out the idea, suggesting the agencies registering voters use available data to verify citizenship instead of relying on the elections board - with which they can't legally share that information. He wants agencies to notify visitors if they're already registered, and at what address, so if they want to change voting information, they can without duplication. -AP

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August 26, 2016

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Friends call Imam slaying a hate crime NEW YORK: The daylight slaying of a mosque leader and his associate set off fear and anguish among the Bangladeshi Muslim community in a New York City neighborhood and some say the killings appear to be an anti-Muslim hate crime.

But police say there is no evidence of that so far a day into the investigation.

Mashuk Uddin just couldn't believe it was true, shaking as he heard the news that his brother, Thara, a devout Muslim, had been gunned down alongside an imam just blocks from their New York City mosque as they left afternoon prayers.

Police continued searching for answers in the killing of Imam Maulama Akonjee, 55, and Uddin, 64, near the Al-Furqan Jame Masjid mosque in Queens.

And while investigators have not established a motive in the attack, a sentiment of fear has come over the neighborhood's Bangladeshi Muslim community, who worry the slayings could be rooted in intolerance.

Deputy Inspector Henry Sautner, of the New York Police Department, said there was ``nothing in the preliminary investigation to indicate that they were targeted

But neighbors who gathered on the quiet residential street where the men lived in the Ozone Park neighborhood of Queens, said they just didn't believe that could

People gather near a crime scene for a demonstration after the leader of a New York City mosque and an associate were fatally shot in a brazen daylight attack as they left afternoon prayers.

because of their faith.'' Both men were wearing traditional religious attire and Akonjee was carrying about $1,000 in cash. The money was not taken during the shooting.

be the case. ``This was a hate crime. One hundred percent, there's no doubt about it,'' said Monir Chowdhury, who worshipped daily with Akonjee and Uddin.

He said he had moved to the community because of its large Bangladeshi immigrant population, but in recent months has been harassed by people shouting anti-Muslim epithets. In one incident, a man called him ``Osama'' as he walked to the mosque with his 3-year-old son.

As the culprit remained uncaptured, Chowdhury decided it would be best to drive to prayer services. ``I have no freedom,'' he said. ``A lot of neighbors said, `Hey, don't take your kid with you.'

People, they just hate us.''

Chowdhury said he has felt the mood in the neighborhood change drastically in the last few months and blamed Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump for spreading what he believes is anti-Muslim rhetoric. ``This neighborhood is getting crazy because of this election and Trump. He hates Muslims,'' he said. The imam had $1,000 in his pocket ``and they didn't take anything. I love this neighborhood and now I'm scared.''

Trump's campaign said in a statement that it was ``highly irresponsible'' to blame a political candidate for the violent attacks.

Naima Akonjee, 28, one of the imam's seven children, said she rushed to her parents' home after the shooting. She said her father was a caring man who would call her just to check up on whether she had eaten properly.

Members of the Bangladeshi Muslim community served by the mosque said they want the shootings to be treated as a hate crime. More than 100 people attended a rally and chanted ``We want justice!''

Police said they were reviewing surveillance video showing the victims being approached from behind by a man in a dark polo shirt and shorts who shot them and then fled south on 79th Street with the gun still in his hand.

Police released a sketch of a dark-haired, bearded man wearing glasses. Police said witnesses described the shooter as a man with a medium complexion.-AP

Images show crowded, dirty Border Patrol cells TUCSON, ARIZ.: Images filed as evidence in a lawsuit against the U.S. Border Patrol citing inhumane conditions in Arizona detention facilities show men jammed together under a thin thermal blanket trying to stay warm and a woman using a concrete floor strewn with trash to change a baby's diaper.

The photos made public are from cell surveillance video inside least four Border Patrol stations.

They were submitted in a lawsuit against the Border Patrol for conditions described as disgusting in the agency's Tucson sector, which makes up most of Arizona.

The National Immigration Law Center and the ACLU argued in court that the images should be made public to help prove allegations that the Border Patrol routinely holds immigrants in extremely cold and dirty cells.

Government lawyers representing the Border Patrol argued for the photos and other documents to be kept from public view, saying their release would violate privacy rights of migrants and Border Patrol and could raise security concerns.

The faces of people that show up in the images that were released were blacked out. Pictures made public in June showed rusty toilets, dirty toilet paper on the floor and a malfunctioning water

fountain in the detention areas.

Another image released showed a child crawling on a cell's concrete floor.

Some of the most troubling photos showed children sitting around trash, said Nora Preciado, a staff attorney for the National Immigration Law Center. Others

``I have visited many detention facilities in my 11 years as an attorney and I have to say what the Border Patrol facilities look like really is deplorable and disgusting,'' Preciado said.

The Border Patrol issued a statement that did not directly address the images but insisted it is

The cells shown in the images are designed to provide shortterm shelter for detainees until they can be processed, the agency said.

Migrants are usually deported or transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which has long-term detention centers.

U.S. Judge David C. Bury in September issued sanctions agains0t the Border Patrol over destruction of surveillance video evidence in the case.

The coalition that filed the lawsuit was then allowed to inspect and photograph four of the eight stations with holding cells. It now receives continuous surveillance video from the Border Patrol as ordered by Bury, Preciado said.

The lawsuit was originally filed on behalf of three immigrants who said they were held in freezing cells while waiting to be transferred.

It was turned into a class-action lawsuit and the groups that sued have interviewed more than 75 former detainees who described cells as filthy and lacking basic needs such as beds.

The lawsuit also accuses the Border Control agency of failing to adequately screen detainees for dangerous medical conditions and for failing to provide adequate access to medical treatment from health care workers.

The Border Patrol said last year that agents ``make every effort to ensure that those in our custody are given food, water, and medical attention as needed.''-AP

PRADEEP ROY-SINGH B.A. LL.B. M.B.A. J.D.

U.S. Border Patrol surveillance video shows a child crawling on the concrete floor near the bathroom area of a holding cell, and a woman and children wrapped in Mylar sheets at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection station in Douglas, Ariz.

showed empty cells filled with sleeping mats while nearby cells had people in them but no mats.

The images also showed more than 20 men crammed into one cell, covering themselves with thin thermal blankets made of extremely thin material.

``committed to the safety, security and welfare of those in our custody, especially those who are most vulnerable.''

The holding facilities are also subject to unannounced inspections by the Department of Homeland Security, the statement added.

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Immigration Post

46 India Post

August 26, 2016

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New airport immigration facility in Hawaii soon HONOLULU: The state of Hawaii aims to finish building a new immigration facility at KailuaKona's airport one month before Hawaiian Airlines begins direct flights there from Tokyo.

Department of Transportation Deputy Director Ross Higashi said the state is ``feverishly moving'' to get the facility ready by November. Hawaiian plans to start flying to Kona from Tokyo on Dec. 20.

The immigration facility will be

ing to comply with federal standards.

Higashi estimated a permanent facility would cost $50 million. The department plans to seek money from the state's general fund to cover the expense, he said. That's because the new flight from Tokyo will generate general excise tax, transient accommodations tax and corporate income tax revenue that will feed the general fund, he said.

Kona is the second most popular destination in Hawaii for Japanese visitors after Honolulu.

That's unique, he said, in that Maui comes in second for travelers from other nations like Australia and South Korea. temporary, Higashi told industry leaders at a meeting of the Pacific Asia Travel Association's Hawaii chapter in Waikiki. The department plans to later build a permanent Kona international arrivals build-

Hawaiian's new route will bring a regularly scheduled direct flight from Japan to the Big Island for the first time since 2010. That's the year Japan Airlines stopped flying its Tokyo-Kona route.

Peter Ingram, chief commercial officer for Hawaiian Airlines, told the PATA meeting that Kona is the second most popular destination in Hawaii for Japanese visitors after Honolulu. That's unique, he said, in that Maui comes in second for travelers from other nations like Australia and South Korea. ``That's why we thought there was a very unique opportunity to reinitiate international service into Kona. We're really excited for that,'' Ingram said.

Hawaiian plans to fly from Tokyo's Haneda International Airport to Kona three times a week.

He said the airline is selling tickets for the route already.

Hawaiian estimates the Kona route will generate $35 million a year in visitor spending and $12.5 million in wages and benefits.

The airline plans to fly an Airbus A330 aircraft, which seats 294 passengers, on the route.-AP

Trump's immigration plan raises many unanswered questions Cont'd from Page 44

WHO WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE IMMIGRATION BAN? Trump proposed temporarily suspending immigration ``from some of the most dangerous and volatile regions of the world that have a history of exporting terrorism.''

Which countries exactly?

That's TBD. Trump says that as soon as he takes office, he would ask the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security to identify ``a list of regions where adequate screening cannot take place.''

Trump said, ``There are many such regions'' and he vows to ``stop processing visas from those areas until such time as it is deemed safe to resume based on new circumstances or new procedures.''

Also unclear is whether such a ban would apply only to people seeking to immigrate to the US to live and to work, or would affect tourists, too. Trump used both ``immigrants'' and ``visitors'' during his speech, raising the prospect he could scrap an existing waiver program that allows people from friendly countries to

visit the US as tourists without a visa.

posed, she said, would likely be ``extraordinary.''

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? Trump has not broached the topic of how much it would cost to set up and run his new vetting system.

The US already screens every-

DOES HE STILL WANT TO BAR MUSLIMS FROM THE US? Trump's unprecedented call in December 2015 ``for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on'' is still listed on his campaign website, and he has yet to personally denounce the controversial proposal.

Following the June shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Trump appeared to introduce a new standard, vowing to ``suspend immigration from areas of the world where there is a proven history of terrorism against the United States, Europe or our allies, until we fully understand how to end these threats.''

Trump's aides described the new language as a replacement for the religious test, but Trump has described it differently. ``I actually don't think it's a rollback. In fact, you could say it's an expansion.

I'm looking now at territory,'' he said in a July interview with NBC News, suggesting the change was more about language. ``People were so upset when I used the word Muslim. -AP

“We have very sophisticated vetting programs in place The costs of an expansion of that system as Trump has proposed she said, would likely be extraordinary.'' one who enters the country, said Doris Meissner, who heads the Migration Policy Institute's U.S. immigration policy program. ``The fact of the matter is we have very sophisticated vetting programs in place,'' she said, noting that the country has invested billions in improving systems and information sharing since the 9/11 attacks.

The costs of an expansion of that system as Trump has pro-

Teen who fled Honduras released from jail DURHAM, N.C.: A teen-ager in federal immigration custody since January is back in Durham with his family as he seeks asylum.

A group that advocates for undocumented immigrants announced that 19-year-old Wildin Acosta was released from Stewart Detention Center in rural Georgia.

His mother and members of Alerta Migratoria picked him up hours after paying his $10,000 bond in Charlotte.

Acosta fled Honduras in 2014 after he said a gang member threatened to kill him.

He was a senior at Riverside High and on his way to school when federal immigration agents arrested him. His deportation was temporarily halted in March.

Alerta Migratoria member Viridiana Martinez said a GoFundMe page quickly raised the bond money. An immigration hearing has not been set.-AP

Restaurateur's deportation to get another look HARBERT, MICH: A southwestern Michigan restaurateur originally from Turkey is getting his deportation order reopened - allowing him to remain in the U.S. at least until his legal case is resolved.

The U.S. Board of Immigration has granted a motion to re-examine a 2004 case against Ibrahim Parlak, who has won deferrals. The owner of Cafe Gulistan in Harbert argues he'd likely be tortured or killed if returned.

He came to the U.S. 25 years ago after being convicted in Turkey of supporting the Kurdish separatist movement and was granted asylum. He says torture was used to gather evidence against him.

U.S. prosecutors say he failed to disclose movement ties or mention the Turkish conviction. Parlak was arrested in 2004 and jailed for 10 months until a federal judge ordered his release.-AP

Immigration advocate accused of fraud ALEXANDRIA, VA.: The leader of a Virginia organization for Latino immigrants has been accused of defrauding her clients by pretending to be an immigration attorney.

The Washington Post reports that Rose Sanchez-Canete is expected to face a trial after having been charged with four felony fraud charges and a misdemeanor charge of practicing law without a license. The charges could lead to

as many as 40 years in prison.

Sanchez-Canete is the director of the Latino Federation of Tenants Association, a group based in Alexandria that started during the 1980s.

Prosecutors say she led more than a dozen clients to think that she is an immigration attorney and then charged them thousands of dollars for services that, in many instances, she didn't provide.

Sanchez-Canete has denied the accusations.-AP

Datebook

August 26, 2016

India Post 47

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NEW JERSEY Upcoming Fri, Sep 16 • Ladies Night Out 2016 Venue: Royal Alberts Palace(Grand Ball Room), 1050 King Georges Post Road, Edison, NJ 08837 Time : 7:00 pm Contact: 732-485-7504

Sat, Aug 27

NEW YORK

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Upcoming

Sat, Sep 10 • MAST MAST 2016 in New York Venue: York College, 94-20 Guy R Brewer Boulevard, NY 11451 Time : 7:30 pm

Sat, Sep 10

• South Asian Theater Festival 2016

• Desi New Yorks Weekly Night DesiParty Featuring Bollywood Beats

Venue: George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingstone Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ Time: 2:30 pm

Venue: LEXICON, 226 E 54th St, New York, NY 10022 Time : 10:00 pm

Fri, Sep 9 • Bollywood Gents/Boys Night Out

Sun, Sep 11

Venue: Akbar Restaurant, 21 Cortlandt St, Edison, NJ 08837 Time: 07:00 pm

Venue: The Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036 Time : 7:00 pm

• Salim Sulaiman Live In New York City

Sat, Aug 27 Kannada •

Drama By Bannadavesha: Yayathi & Brief Casina Case-u Venue: Mission City Center for Performing Arts, 3250 Monroe St,, Santa Clara, CA 95051 Time: 5:30 pm

Wed, Aug 31 • gFive Event Venue: The Comedy Store (Main Room), 8433 Sunset Boulevard , Los Angeles, CA 91502 Time: 01:00 pm

Sat, Sep 3 • Desi RockStar Reloaded 2016 - Bay Area Venue: Chabot College, 25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94545 Time: 7:00 pm

Sun, Sep 4 • BAYVP Picnic 2016 Celebrations - Postponed Venue: Lake Elizabeth Park (Central Park), 40000 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont, CA 94538 Time: 11:00 am

Sun, Sep 18 • Sonu Nigam and Atif Aslam Live in Concert - Los Angeles Venue: Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, 300 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802 Time: 6:00 pm

Sat, Oct 1 • Raas Garba With Hemant Mehta & Leena Benjamin Group Venue: Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802 Time: 07:30 pm

CHICAGO

Upcoming Sat, Sep 10 • Ilayaraja Exclusive Telugu Live Music Concert 2016 Venue: San Jose Event Center, 290 South 7th Street, San Jose, CA 95192 Time: 06:00 pm Contact: 408-785-2282

Sat, Sep 24 • Swara Sanjeevini 2016 Venue: Cabrillo High School Auditorium, 2001 Santa Fe Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90810 Time: 05:00 pm

ATLANTA Upcoming Fri, Aug 26 • Imagine Music Festival Venue: Atlanta Motor Speedway, U.S. 19, Hampton, GA 30228 Time: 3:00 pm Contact: 770-240-0377

Sat, Aug 27 • Onam Festival 2016 Venue: Mountain View High School, 2351 Sunny Hill Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30043 Time: 10:00 am

Fri, Sep 16 • Sonu and Atif Live in Concert 2016 Atlanta Venue: Infinite Energy Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097 Time: 8:30 pm

ILLINOIS Upcoming 1st and 3rd Sunday of Month • Chicago Children's Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes Venue: Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60192 (Next to Nissan Dealership) Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807

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

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

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

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

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Philosophy

August 26, 2016

India Post 49

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U

p to now it was difficult to think that a man of religion carried a flute and played it. We could not imagine that a religious man wore a crown of peacock feathers and danced with young women. It was unthinkable that a religious man loved somebody and sang a song. A religious man, of our old concept, was one who had renounced life and fled the world.

How could he sing and dance in a miserable world? He could only cry and weep. He could not play a flute; it was impossible to imagine that he danced. It was for this reason that Krishna could not be understood in the past, He looked so irrelevant, so inconsistent and absurd in the context of our whole past.

But in the context of times to come, Krishna will be increasingly relevant and meaningful. And soon such a religion will come into being that will sing and dance and be happy. The religions of the past were all life-negative, defeatist, masochistic and escapist. The religion of the future will be life-affirming. It will accept and live the joys that life brings and will laugh and dance and celebrate in sheer gratitude.

If someone lost his wealth, went bankrupt and could not bear it, he took to sannyas in sheer despair.

An unhappy person, a person ridSADHGURU JAGGI VASUDEV

O

ver 15,000 years ago, in the upper regions of the Himalayas, a yogi appeared. Nobody knew where he came from or what his origins were.

He just came and sat still - absolutely still. People gathered in huge numbers because his presence was quite extraordinary.

Slowly, people began to drift away. The miracle they were waiting for did not happen. He was obviously beyond the physical, but people missed that. Everyone left, except for seven hardcore beings who hung on.

These seven people followed the yogi wherever he went. When his attention fell upon them, they pleaded with him, they wanted to experience whatever was happening to him.

He dismissed them. "This is not for people who are seeking entertainment. This takes something else. Go away." But they hung on.

Looking at their perseverance, he said, "Okay, I'll give you a preparatory step. Do this for some time.

After that we'll see." The seven men began to prepare. Days rolled into weeks, weeks into months, months into years, but the yogi's attention did not fall upon them again.

den with sorrow and pain, escaped into sannyas. Sannyas stemmed from unhappiness and not from happiness. No one comes to sannyas with a song in his heart.

Krishna is an exception to the rule.

To me he is that rare sannyasin whose sannyas is born out of joy and bliss. And one who chooses sannyas for the joy of it must be basically different from the general breed of sannyasins who come to it in misery and frustration. As I say that the religion of the future will stem from bliss, so I also say that the sannyas of the future will flow from the joy and ecstasy of life.

because his love turns sour, but because one person is now too small to contain his overflowing love - and he has to choose the whole earth as the object of his love.

And they alone can understand Krishna who understands this kind of sannyas that flows from the acceptance of life, from the juice and bliss of life.

Spiritual pursuit in the past was meant to mitigate suffering, it did not aim at bliss. And, of course, a traveler on this path does succeed, but it is a negative kind of success. What he achieves is a kind of indifference to life, which

If Shankara interprets Krishna, he is bound to misinterpret him; he is the antithesis of Krishna.

His interpretation can never be right and just. Krishna could not be rightly interpreted in the past, because all the interpreters who wrote about him came from the world of sorrow.

They said that the world is unreal and false, that it is an illusion, but Krishna says this world is not only real, it is divine. He accepts this world. He accepts everything; he denies nothing. He is for total acceptance - acceptance of the whole. Such a man had never trod this earth before.

Krishna's sannyas was born out of joy & bliss In the context of times to come, Krishna will be increasingly relevant and meaningful. And

What matters is to live in the present, live now, for every moment is now. It is your thoughts and acts of the moment that create your future. The outline of your future path already exists, for you created its pattern by your past.

-Sai Baba

soon such a religion will come into being that

Lord Krishna

will sing and dance and be happy. The reli-

This is my simple religion.

gions of the past were all life-negative

There is no need for temples; no need for com-

One will take sannyas not because his family tortures him, but because his family is now too small for his expanding bliss - and so he adopts the whole world as his new family. He will accept sannyas not

is only unhappiness reduced to its minimum. That is why our old sannyasins seem to be sad and dull, as if they have lost the battle of life and run away from it. Their sannyas is not alive and happy.

Excerpted from 'Krishna: The Man and His Philosophy', translation of Osho's talks given in Hindi from 20-7-70 to 5-10-70.

Krishna Janmashtami is being celebrated on August 25.

84 years of hard sadhana had passed by, and one day, the yogi once again took notice of the seven men. He saw that for 84 years these people had been preparing themselves. They had become shining receptacles; he could not ignore them anymore. He watched them keenly, amazed that these people had become so wonderfully receptive.

On the very next Full Moon day,

opened up the possibility for a human being to evolve consciously. For the first time, the entire science of how a human being can evolve into his or her ultimate possibility was taught to these seven men, the celebrated Saptarishis or Seven Sages.

Adiyogi put seven different aspects of yoga into these seven different people. This became the foundation for the seven basic

Asia, one to South America, another to North Africa and the Middle East, another to South East Asia, another came down to the lower parts of the Himalayas, which is now considered as the Indian Himalayas, one stayed with him, and the last one came to the southern part of India.

This was Agastya Muni, and he ensured that every human habitation south of the Deccan had a spiri-

Origin of Yoga and its seven forms

plicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.

-Dalai Lama

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

-Buddha

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

Guru Purnima is a significant day in the yogic tradition, because this was the first time Adiyogi opened up the possibility for a human being to evolve consciously. For the first time, the entire science of evolution was taught the yogi turned south and sat as a guru to these seven men. Because we did not know his name, we did not know who he was, we call him Adiyogi - the first yogi. That full moon day is still observed today as Guru Purnima.

Guru Purnima is a significant day in the yogic tradition, because this was the first time Adiyogi

forms of yoga. Even today, yoga has maintained these seven distinct forms.

Adiyogi expounded these mechanics of life to the Saptarishis for many years. When all of the seven disciples had fully attained, he told them, "Go out into the world and spread this." Legend has it that he sent one to Central

Lord Shiva

tual process - not as a teaching, a philosophy, or a religion - but as a way of living. Even today, his work is still visible in the culture around here. For this part of the world, the only goal has always been liberation.

Excerpted from 'Classical Yoga: An Introduction to the Origin of Yoga' by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

-Jesus Christ

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50 India Post

NEW DELHI: Children living in the slums here are showing what it is to live in the city through a series of photographs which they have clicked.

'My City Through My Eyes' is part of Habitat Photosphere, the year-long photography festival initiated by India Habitat Centre (IHC) in collaboration with Save the Children and is being displayed at the Mandi House Metro Station till September 30.

Launched along with Save the Children's new global campaign 'Every Last Child', the exhibition captures the city as seen by chil-

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dren from the slums of Jahangirpuri, Sriniwaspuri and Madanpur Khadar (North and South East Delhi).

It showcases some of the critical urban challenges, such as lack of clean drinking water, risks emerging from industrial waste for resettlement colonies, status of education and health and lack of safe play spaces for children.

"The key theme of Photosphere festival is sustainable develop-

August 26, 2016

‘My City Through My Eyes’ is part of Habitat Photosphere, the year-long photography festival initiated by India Habitat Centre (IHC) in collaboration with Save the Children

ment and this exhibition ties in beautifully with it," says Alka Pande, artistic director and curator of Habitat Photosphere.

"This exhibition highlights that the environmental hazard affect everyone, however the most vulnerable are those children and families who are living on the streets and unau-

thorized slums," she says.

Cont'd on Page 51

August 26, 2016

India Post 51 www.indiapost.com

Katrina & Sidharth appear on CNN NY India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Katrina Kaif and Sidharth Malhotra and the lead

stars of the film Baar Baar Dekho performed live to the hit Bollywood track, Kala Chasma, on CNN International's flagship pro-

gram Quest Means Business in New York.

Performing to 350mn + viewers worldwide, this may well have

Feats of tiny light-powered caterpillar robot LONDON: Scientists have developed a tiny bio-inspired soft robot capable of mimicking caterpillar gaits in natural scale that can climb slopes, squeeze through narrow slits and transport loads.

The 15-millimetre long soft robot harvests energy from green light and is controlled by spatially modulated laser beam.

Researchers at the University of Warsaw in Poland used liquid

ing soft bodies. Earthworms, snails and larval insects can effectively move in complex environments using different strategies.

Previous attempts to create soft robots were limited to larger scale (typically tens of centimeters), mainly due to difficulties in power management and remote control.

Liquid Crystalline Elastomers (LCEs) are smart materials that can exhibit large shape change under

Caterpillar robot biologically inspired engineering roboticssoft robotics university of warsaw smart material biomimetics biotechnology materials science nanotechnology fuw

crystal elastomer technology to develop the robot.

For decades scientists have been trying to build robots mimicking different modes of locomotion found in nature.

Most of these designs have rigid skeletons and joints driven by electric or pneumatic actuators.

However, a vast number of creatures navigate their habitats us-

illumination with visible light.

With the recently developed techniques, it is possible to pattern these soft materials into arbitrary three-dimensional forms with a pre-defined actuation performance.

The light-induced deformation allows a monolithic LCE structure to perform complex actions without numerous discrete actuators.

Researchers, including those from European Laboratory for Non Linear Spectroscopy (LENS) in Italy and Cambridge University (UK), developed a natural-scale soft caterpillar robot with an optomechanical liquid crystalline elastomer monolithic design.

The robot body is made of a light sensitive elastomer stripe with patterned molecular alignment. By controlling the travelling deformation pattern the robot mimics different gaits of its natural relatives.

It can also walk up a slope, squeeze through a slit and push objects as heavy as ten times its own mass, demonstrating its ability to perform in challenging environments and pointing at potential future applications.

"Designing soft robots calls for a completely new paradigm in their mechanics, power supply and control. We are only beginning to learn from nature and shift our design approaches towards these that emerged in natural evolution," said Piotr Wasylczyk from the University of Warsaw, who led the project.

Researchers hope that rethinking materials, fabrication techniques and design strategies should open up new areas of soft robotics in micro- and millimetre length scales, including swimmers (both on-surface and underwater) and even fliers.-PTI

been the first time that two major Bollywood stars have performed live to a Bollywood track on a US news network as part of their film promotion.

Their appearance on CNN is only the latest chapter in Baar Baar Dekho's global domination. It comes after the film's song, Kala Chashma, broke the internet with over 47 million views on YouTube and sparked a massive viral dance

phenomenon called the #KalaChashmaChallenge that has taken over the world.

The craze has since gone global and has even been played for the Indian hockey team at the Olympic Games in Rio. The filmmakers have released a new song from the film - 'Teri Khair Mangdi' - a soulful melody which speaks about love and its complexities.

Slum kids turn photographers Cont'd from Page 50

"Forums such as this exhibition highlight the creative ability of portraying reality as seen from the eyes of the children," says Avinash Kr Singh, Senior Manager, Delhi State Programs, Save the Children.

'Long and Lonely Walk' is a photograph taken by children from Madanpur Khadar JJ colony and portrays a child walking on a pipe, leading to a pushta, an embankment of industrial waste from a thermal plant in SouthEast Delhi.

'Behind The Smoke' has been clicked by a child photographer from Sriniwaspuri slum, who takes a photo of the smoke that surrounds the area.

According to WHO, Delhi is

the most polluted city in the world, reeling under severe particulate pollution and air toxins. The growing air pollution adds to the maternal and child health challenges for the most vulnerable.

'Delhi The City of Dreams' portrays a boy standing in front of a moving train, representing the fact that the city continues to attract

migration.

This often acts as a barrier for continuous education for many children from migrant families.-PTI

52 India Post

August 26, 2016 www.indiapost.com

Asha's awarded song that was never picturized!

NEW DELHI: Do you know that Asha Bhosle won the Filmfare Best Singer award of 1974 for a playback song that did not figure in the movie at all?

The award was for 'Chain se hum ko kabhi aap ne jeene na diyaa', the last song she sang for composer O P Nayyar which was supposed to be used in the movie 'Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye' but was not done.

This interesting fact figures in music historian Raju Bharatan's new book 'Asha Bhosle: A Musical Biography', published by Hay House.

Also soon after her marriage to Bhosle, Asha wanted to give up singing and just be a housewife.

"All that I sought, then, was to keep house and play the mother to my first-born: Hemant. But my husband would not hear of my giving up the mike. He forced me to continue singing.

Left to myself, I would have definitely quit," the author quotes Asha as saying.

On the Filmfare award thing, he says, "In fact I don't think that this feat of hers has been matched by

any singer in the world."

He terms the song as a torch song recorded as we were set to move into the Asha-OP 'cut-off' month of August 1972.

"It was recorded during an hour in which both Asha and OP knew that they were through. Yet, at the end of it all, there was always in this remorse that you could not retrieve...," he writes.

Soon Asha and Nayyar parted ways after an association of 15 years.

The song, penned by S H Bihari, was first played in November 1973 on Radio Ceylon and the film which was supposed to picturise it was released on January 18, 1974.

And when the Filmfare awards ceremony came to be held in March 1975, Asha had no motivation left to receive her prize.

Bharatan cites another anecdote connected with the episode.

Anticipating Asha's absence, Nayyar in a "malicious maneuver calculated to rile her" telephoned the Filmfare editor to say that he would be happy as the song's composer to receive the award on

"behalf of his best lady singer ever".

Bharatan's book is woven mainly around Asha's musical journey with Nayyar, S D Burman and R D Burman. So why a book on Asha with special focus on her association with Nayyar and the Burmans?

"From the outset, I was clear in my mind that this book intrinsically, is going to be about Asha vis-a-vis OP, SD and RD. Individually, OP, SD and RD have been written about extensively. But no one has attempted a book that places SD at the 'traditional' Asha core while having OP modernizing her, in one era, and RD revolutionizing her in another age. ...Therefore, a book on Asha Bhosle woven around these three - even while spanning the full range of film music and film music makers has to be different. It necessarily has to offer personalized glimpses into a chain of events," the author says.

An Asha-OP recording had the look of a romantic interlude, according to him.

"The two might not have been

Adorable big-eyed squid found undersea A team of scientists and technicians scanning the rocky ocean floor off Southern California couldn't contain their excitement when they spotted a bright-purple, googly-eyed stubby squid.

They let out a collective ``whoa'' on video posted on the Exploration Vessel Nautilus' Facebook page as a camera on a remote-operated vehicle came across the iri-

tic observer. ``Get close! Get close!'' urges another.

One suggested it resembled a child's dropped toy, and another said the creature's eyes appeared to be painted on. ``It looks so fake,'' says one member of the Nautilus' team.

The creature looks like a cross between a squid and an octopus but is closely related to a cuttle-

Big eyed squid

descent cephalopod with giant round eyes.

Then the jokes started. ``He has weird eyes!'' said one enthusias-

fish, according to the Nautilus Live website.

The find could be more than just bemusing.

``In addition to the googlyeyed cuteness, there is one thing biologically interesting about this observation,'' said cephalopod expert Michael Vecchione of the Smithsonian Institution. The creature could be a new species, he wrote in an email to the expedition.

It was spotted at nearly 3,000 feet deep, which is unusual, but not unheard of. But, on top of that, the stubby squid didn't have chromatophores, cells that allow it to change color, as members of its species do, Vecchione said.

The question can't be answered because this particular stubby squid remains deep in the ocean, out of scientists' reach.

The Nautilus team is part of a four-month Ocean Exploration Trust expedition to map underwater fault zones from Canada to California and understand ecosystems around them.

The team spends hours scanning the barren ocean-scape, ``then to come across something adorable like that - it's a real treat,'' Exploration Vessel Nautilus spokeswoman Susan Poulton said.-AP

exactly ennobling to watch but they cared two hoots for what the world thought of them. Come to think of it, never was Asha selective even about with whom she mixed in the recording room.

the pinnacle all by herself. Against odds that would have driven any other woman into quitting.

No quitter ever, Asha, as the supernova supreme, just went on to underline the adage: 'No power

Maybe such an approach was in harmony with Asha's audacious outlook."

Bharatan, who has previously authored 'Lata Mangeshkar: A Biography' (1995); 'A Journey Down Melody Lane' (2010); and 'Naushadnama: The Life and Music of Naushad' (2013), gives enthralling behind-the-scenes happenings that shaped the advance of Asha with a remarkable range and a noteworthy body of work.

This book captures Asha in her numberless shades. It is about how - in her silken rivalry with elder sister Lata Mangeshkar - she moved with panache from Nayyar to the Burmans. It is about how she served a galaxy of composers; about how, in the end, she reached

like woman power'.

The book is also replete with a great number of statistics related to singers and musicians like Asha sang 324 Nayyar compositions, much more than Geeta Dutt's 62 and Shamshad Begum's 39.

Asha sang 840 R D Burman compositions and a staggering 880 songs with Mohammad Rafi and 656 duets with Kishore Kumar.

He also claims that Asha sang 7595 film songs, more than Lata's total of 6541 songs.

According to him, Asha's first film song is 'Gareeebon ke data gareebon ke waali' rendered along with Zohrabai Ambalewali for the 1947 film 'Andhoki Duniya' and not 'Saawan aaya' from 'Chunaria' (1948) as is widely believed. -PTI

Nice joins French towns banning burkinis PARIS: The city of Nice, still shaken by last month's deadly extremist attack, has joined a growing number of French resort towns to ban the body-covering burkini swimsuit.

Political leaders argue that the swimwear, resembling a full-body wetsuit with a hood, oppresses women and violates France's secular principles. But many see the bans as discriminatory.

Nice was devastated when a man drove a truck into crowds watching fireworks on July 14, killing 86 people in violence claimed

by the Islamic State group. The death of the 86th victim, a man hospitalized with injuries, was announced more than a month after the attack.

About a third of the victims were from Nice's large Muslim community, which is both in mourning and fearing a backlash.

The Nice administration issued an order banning swimwear with religious connotations, citing security concerns. Several other cities on France's Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts have banned burkinis this summer.-AP

August 26, 2016

India Post 53 www.indiapost.com

24-hour subways signal new era for London LONDON: London bills itself as a global city, the world's biggest financial center and a creative hub to rival New York. Until now, though, getting home after midnight meant taking the bus.

Not anymore.

The London Underground is starting its first-ever overnight service, a move city leaders hope will make the British capital a truly 24-hour city and bolster the local economy.

The new service will only run on weekends and initially be available on just the well-traveled Central and Victoria lines. But the initiative reflects London's growing population and cosmopolitan mentality, marking a coming of age for a city that many in the Big Apple regard as quaint and sleepy. ``It's a psychological step because metros and subways and the Underground are always such totemic parts of cites,'' Tony Travers, an expert on urban issues at the London School of Economics, said. ``They are like the circulation system of a city.''

Economists like to point out that London is already a 24-hour city, with West End theaters, Michelinstarred restaurants and trendy nightclubs attracting customers from around the world well into the wee hours. Thousands of doctors, cleaners and maintenance workers also work graveyard shifts.

But the expanded Tube service comes at a good time for London,

which has been anxious to reassure the world that the city is open for business and ready to welcome tourists despite Britain's recent vote to leave the European Union.

Efforts to keep the city humming

said in a statement.

Unlike New York, where a fourtrack subway system makes it possible to keep lines running while doing repairs at night, London's two-track system previously meant shutting the Tube from just

Passengers pass an advert for the night tube on a platform at Oxford Circus underground (tube) station, in London. The London underground launches a ‘Night Tube’ service for the London mass transport system

around the clock have already produced 40 billion pounds ($52 billion) of economic benefits for the city, and the Night Tube service could be worth another 77 million pounds ($100 million), according to the business group London First. ``At a time of economic uncertainty - particularly following the Brexit vote this is a welcome boost to London's economy,'' London First

after midnight until the early morning for daily maintenance, and even more limited hours on Sunday.

London Underground managers now believe they can complete all necessary maintenance work on weeknights, allowing them to offer overnight service on weekends.

Until now, the main late-night option for most Londoners was the city's famous double-decker

buses. London's iconic black cabs and, more recently, ridesharing services like Uber, also have allowed people to get around after dark.

But the Tube, with its sturdy reliability and uniformity, offers a security blanket for commuters and tourists. Riders never get stuck in traffic, as you might on a bus. The stops never vary, whether you are watching for them or not.

The unionized workers that keep the Tube running were less excited about moving to the world of 24/7. Issues were raised about maintenance, security and quality of life that took three years to sort out. ``The truth is that it is not politicians and their top officials who will deliver a Night Tube for London,'' National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers General-Secretary Mick Cash said in a statement. ``It is the cleaners, station staff, drivers, engineers and all the other grades working anti-social hours who will be transforming London into a 24hour city.''

Some 100 British Transport Police officers will patrol the network on Friday and Saturday nights, offering assurance to revelers, commuters and tourists on the system. ``It can be a middle-aged clubber like me coming home after a late night out with your

missus, not being stressed about the time of the last Tube,'' London Mayor Sadiq Khan said.

Planning for the change was meticulous. To get ready, Transport for London tested the service last weekend.

During the dress rehearsal, cleaning crews sopped up chicken soup flung around the carriages to simulate vomit. Staff members pretended to be loud and obnoxious passengers having a bit too much fun on a night out, a test in the diplomacy skills of station staff. ``We don't want a big bang (with) errors and mistakes,'' the mayor said.

Some regular riders have reservations. Manolis Zografakis, a digital consultant who runs a website called BrokeinLondon.com, wonders how plausible overnight subway service will be in a culture that often encourages binge drinking. ``They only qualm I have is that when people drink too much, they can be unstable,'' he said.

Finn Brennan, a district organizer for the driver's union, ASLEF, acknowledges that the new service is a nod to London's emergence as a 24-hour city.

Whether or not the Tube runs late, Brennan insisted with a dollop of civic pride, the city has no peers in the night life department. ``I'm sure we surpassed NY a long time ago,'' he said.-AP

Is synthetic turf making young athletes sick?

Luke Beardemphl, a standout Tacoma soccer player during his years at Stadium High School, died last year at 24, following a seven-year battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

But Luke's parents, Mike and Stephanie Beardemphl, now worry about the kids who will come after him, running, rolling and diving into the more than 11,000 artificial turf soccer fields around the country - including at more than a dozen schools in the Tacoma School District - just as their goalkeeper son did.

Most of those synthetic turf fields are cushioned with a material called crumb rubber, made from ground-up used tires. The tiny pellets are loosely distributed as infill between artificial blades of grass woven into a carpet-like base. Modern turf fields are the successors to the original 1960sera AstroTurf. Athletes who play on today's fields that use crumb rubber infill are familiar with the

``little black dots'' that are kicked up during a game or practice, reported The News Tribune.

Families such as the Beardemphls have added their voices to a growing chorus of concern about whether the rubber specks that stick to skin, hair and clothing, and that get in players' eyes, mouths and open wounds, contain toxic substances that contribute to cancer in young athletes. ``To me it's obvious,'' said Stephanie Beardemphl. ``There is a problem, and there needs to be more action by the government.''

Her husband Mike compares crumb rubber to materials like asbestos or the pesticide DDT both thought to be useful products until their dangers were discovered.

Turf industry: No studies prove cancer link Synthetic turf and crumb rubber became popular with schools and parks throughout the coun-

try during the 1990s, and recycling used tires was billed as positive for the environment.

Groundskeepers liked that it didn't need water, fertilizer or herbicides, never needed mowing and could withstand year-round use even in the soggy Northwest.

The Atlanta-based industry

They point to studies such as one from Connecticut in 2010 that found playing on synthetic turf fields containing crumb rubber did not elevate health risks. However, the Connecticut researchers also noted that their study was limited to measuring chemicals from five artificial turf fields, and did not

A turf council statement reads “we strongly reaffirm that the existing studies clearly show that artificial turf fields and playgrounds with crumb rubber are safe and have no link to any health issues.'' group known as the Synthetic Turf Council maintains that crumb rubber has been well-studied for decades in the United States and Europe and that dozens of studies have failed to prove a link between crumb rubber infill on sports fields and cancer.

explore the potential risks of ingestion or skin exposure. They called for more study.

Other studies have been conducted in New York, New Jersey and by federal agencies. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: ``Limited studies

have not shown an elevated health risk from playing on fields with tire crumb, but the existing studies do not comprehensively evaluate the concerns about health risks from exposure to tire crumb.''

In February, the federal government announced a new study that will try to probe more deeply.

Industry representatives say they welcome examination of their product. ``We have consistently said that we support all additional research,'' a turf council statement reads. ``At the same time, we strongly reaffirm that the existing studies clearly show that artificial turf fields and playgrounds with crumb rubber are safe and have no link to any health issues.''

The turf council points out that the same kind of recycled rubber used on synthetic turf fields is used to make a variety of other products, including sneakers and garden hoses.

But those kinds of reassurances don't satisfy critics.-AP

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Communication strategy is key in Kashmir

India Post

LT GEN (RETD) SYED ATA HASNAIN

R

ecently, this author was in Singapore interacting with that city state's marvelous intellectual and strategic institutions. The issue of J&K raised no apparent interest there but scholars were aware about the strife in the streets. It bodes well for India that Pakistan's efforts to internationalize the issue find little favor thus far.

However, the UN Secretary General's gentle observation and the UNHCR's demand to send a team to Srinagar must not be taken lightly either. There are Pakistan sponsored organizations that are attempting to raise the temperatures on J&K. The lack of any success so far must not lull India into complacency.

On the ground in the Valley, the virtual lock down is a test for the administration and the security forces. Rumors are rife and the Separatists are making effective use of the limited means of communication available to them.

The 'Chalo' programs are reminiscent of the 2008 strategy. The strategy in itself looks at using a landmark to gather large masses with people travelling to the event, commencing resistance from the moment they are obstructed by security forces.

This ensures that instead of just the weight of strength at the an-

time to keep important towns in a state of turbulence.

The government has to go beyond the ordinary methodology of obstructing with use of police forces. Only when the streets are quiet will a counter strategy of communicating with the masses become effective.

Foremost must be the understanding that the Separatist leadership is now beyond repair and any chances the government had of employing it for a future dispensation are now passĂŠ.

The top and middle leadership, along with the important rising stars from the towns have to be neutralized through detention away from the Valley.

There are still many sensible people in Kashmir who are silent due to fear. The local media is also helping in promoting this fear psychosis. A perception is being attempted to project that the Governments in Delhi and Srinagar are incapable of any further initiatives and Azadi is but a matter of time.

A similar sentiment was witnessed in 1989-90 and to an extent in 2010. It is dangerous if people believe this because fence-sitters commence moving to the other side.

That is why communication is the key. It is by gestures, actions, events, direct communication, word of mouth, and communicators.

This is something people outside Kashmir do not understand and blame the security forces for excesses. It is this very blame game which is part of the communication strategy adopted by the Separatists nounced landmark, there are smaller fires too that are burning at different spots all along the National Highway and the feeder roads.

This type of resistance alongside 'Chalo' programs will inevitably add to the numbers of casualties as police forces have no other means to control mobs; and nonlethal weapons do not work in the face of such suicidal resistance.

This is something people outside Kashmir do not understand and blame the security forces for excesses. It is this very blame game which is part of the communication strategy adopted by the Separatists.

They have been working on this for many years and have an effective system to communicate through couriers. A decentralized system of command works over-

Firmness is the first of the gestures, the resolve that street resistance cannot get a nation of 1.3 billion and an Army of 1.3 million to its knees. There is a thin line dividing routine human rights and the rights of those who choose to challenge the authority of the state through usage of violence.

The governments have exhibited all norms of openness and democracy in ensuring that no curbs have been placed on the local media.

This issue must be appreciated by the international community to which it should be projected. The views and position of the Central and State Governments must continue receiving space in the local media; and it cannot be a one sided affair in which the local media only espouses the cause of separatism.

The Governments must use the local media as a platform to com-

municate with the people and use their authority to do so.

The other connectors are politicians who in the face of the anger on the streets cannot easily move about and meet people. Yet, at some stage they will have to.

The Army, which otherwise has ensured that it did not directly intervene except in a few stray cases, is probably the best organization to bring the politician to the people and open new channels.

All suspicions about employing the Army for such unconventional tasks is a denial of the tremendous capabilities of the Indian Army. In 2010, it is the liaison and hold of middle level Army officers over local populations which saw them being officially tasked to prevent surge of mobs from rural areas towards the National Highway.

There may be a belief that stamina usually runs out of such movements. It is never good to rely on that although chinks do start appearing and curfew weary people commence counter resistance against mob leaders. Already the taxi unions and tourist operators are indicating their displeasure.

Before long, orchard owners will start doing the same. In 2011, the total number of apple laden trucks which left the Valley crossed the 100,000 mark adding Rs 3000 crores to the pockets in the Valley.

This is where the mind games begin and the power of the State to play these if done intelligently can be simply immense. What may be lacking is just ideation.

Lastly, before long, the resistance will peter out. However, the one thing that cannot be allowed to happen is a surge in terror activity. The attack on a night convoy at Baramulla is indicative that the terror leadership is also thinking. The surge in infiltration attempts in Uri and Lipa sectors although fully countered by the army is an indicator of more to come.

The JKP's intelligence capability is bound to take a hit so there will be less success in the hinterland and more losses in stray hits against policemen or convoys.

The army must keep a tight control on all this and not hold back from continuous advice to the Government.

A fresh communication and outreach strategy must be placed on the drawing board even as the situation improves.

The writer is Member, IPCS Governing Council, and former GOC, 15 Corps, Srinagar

Military thumb A

fter 69 years of invasion, terrorism, indoctrination and ethnic cleansing across the border in Kashmir, Pakistan now feels it is time to move in for the kill and grab Kashmir. It has been hoarse recently crying for a dialogue on Kashmir so that the world can hear. But the world is hardly listening as it knows from experience how Pakistan has been the source of terrorism everywhere.

Cessation of hostilities is necessary for a dialogue to succeed.

Pakistan's fear is that with the cessation of hostilities, India will feel comfortable with status quo and its demand to grab Kashmir will not be met.

There have been occasional sane voices within the occasional civilian governments in Pakistan but their voices have been drowned in the military led anti-India cacophony. India has offered to discuss all issues, including trade, with Pakistan but the edgy neighbor has put everything hostage to Kashmir "solution" which means India surrendering it to Pakistan.

Ever since independence, there has always been military rule in Pakistan. Even when there was a break, the supposedly civilian government was led by a General who would bend all rules to his and military's advantage. Even when there has been an actual democratically elected government, like the present one under Nawaz Sharif, it is unable to act independent of the military. The present situation has also been created by the military.

After sending its proxies to attack in Indian areas, it has been able to weaken the government of Nawaz Sharif by accusing him of corruption and of being close to Indian PM Narendra Modi. To refurbish his tarnished image, Sharif has been forced to reject the initiatives taken by Modi to befriend him. Although it was his prerogative to appoint the Army Chief, the latter has been running the show from behind the scenes.

As for the dialogue, there is a history of previous India-Pak discussions and agreements which the military-led Pakistan plainly doesn't honor. There was the Shimla agreement under which Pakistan had promised in writing that it will not allow its soil to be used for attacks on India. The agreement has been forgotten and Pakistan continues to send its army trained jihadis to launch attacks in India.

Even if a dialogue between India and Pakistan takes place now, where is the guarantee that Pakistan will honor the commitments made? A dialogue with the civilian government is meaningless because if the army refuses to endorse its outcome, it will remain in the dustbin. The civilian government is a mere façade. There never has been a time when the army was not dominating the politics of Pakistan.

Creating turmoil in Kashmir serves the purpose of turning the attention of Pakistani people from their daily travails. The Army has a score to settle. Ever since it was badly mauled in the Bangladesh war and 90,000 of its soldiers were made prisoners in India, the Pakistani Army has been wanting to hurt India.

With meticulous planning its units have been designing ways to harm India without it having to face the consequences. India has also played into its hands by refusing to cross the "red" lines meaning a counter-attack. India has confined itself to making its internal defense stronger which obviously comes after an attack has taken place.

For the first time India has crossed the bar of conventional and goody-goody response with the Prime Minister from the ramparts of Red Fort declaring sympathy for the Balochistan people who are being oppressed and suppressed by the Pakistani army. Narendra Modi has also declared his concern for the atrocities on the people of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Gilgit. This has riled Pakistan no end.

All previous strategies of dealing with Pakistan have failed because of its rogue army. Unless the civilians take courage in their hands and show the army its place, the mischief from Pakistan will continue.

August 26, 2016

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