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Cheryl Cook-Kallio

Cheryl has a Pleasanton growth plan Details on page 19

Indian couple makes hefty donation Details on page 20

Consulate reception in honor of Preenet Details on page 5

Nicknames in note help police nab baby killer Details on page 5

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VOL 18, No. 947

November 9, 2012

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Periodical Postage

BOEING TO SUPPLY 15 IAF CHOPPERS

NEW DELHI: US defense major Boeing has won the deal to supply 15 heavy-lift helicopters to the Indian Air Force defeating its rival Russian Mi-26 in the tender expected to be worth around USD one billion.

The Chinook CH47D has emerged as the lowest bidder in the tender and would be offered the deal to supply 15 of these helicopters to the IAF, Defense Ministry officials said here.

The Ministry will now hold commercial negotiations with the US firm to determine the price and finalize the procurement.

According to Indian defense procurement procedures, the firm emerging as the lowest bidder in the contract and fulfilling all the requirements of the tender is awarded the contract.

FIRST ASSIGNMENT: Newly promoted as External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid shakes hands with Bangladeshi Leader of Opposition Begum Khaleda Zia at a meeting in New Delhi on October 30.

As law minister, Khurshid was the target of corruption charges by India Against Corruption leader Arvind Kejriwal, who commented after the Cabinet reshuffle, "The corrupt are not just protected but also rewarded.'

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

2012 Diwali Mela sets off with a bang!

Details on page 16

South Asian Vote Obama drive launched Details on page 21

Pace University celebrates 'India Day' Details on page 21

Details on page 5

See pages on 24-35

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 40-41 Classifieds ------------------------- 52 Community Post -------------- 16-23 Date Book -------------------------- 49 Edit Page --------------------------- 54 HealthScience Post --------- 10-12 Horoscope ------------------------- 50 Immigration Post ------------- 44-45 Life Style ----------------------- 42-43 Philosophy ------------------------- 53 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate ------------------------ 38 TechBiz Post ------------------- 13-15 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 36-37

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Publisher’s Diary

O

ne would not think of electoral politics in the face of a Frankenstorm (bless the people who coin such terms) like the one that hit the US east coast, but it is heartening to see that all those concerned from Washington DC to state governments and respective campaign offices seem to have restrained themselves from "using" the calamity to gain political brownie points.

President Obama has, of course, always risen to occasion in times of need, although it might be said that at times in the past, he too succumbed to grabbing political gains out of a bad situation like he did when Arizona lawmaker Gabrielle Giffords and others were shot at or killed by a lunatic a couple of years ago.

Remember how he addressed a stadium full of people becoming then the 'mourner-in-chief" and milking the situation to the hilt through not just rhetoric but near drama on stage?

In any case, for all those partisan reporters in the electronic media who like to judge calamity handling by politicians in terms of elections, I think New Jersey Governor Chris Christie had a fitting reply. He said on Fox channel that for him the storm was bigger than the elections, while ostensibly praising President Obama for all his assistance to the state in its relief efforts.

This time around, Sandy, the monster storm was too big to play around with politics. Just the sheer size of the storm, something one hasn't seen on the American coast in more than a generation, is overwhelming; and the scenes from storm-ravaged New York City appear straight out of a Hollywood filmmaker's fertile imagination.

No amount of weather forecasts, civic warnings and preventive disaster management measures can withstand nature's wrath it would seem. It is of course left for weather experts and environmentalists to understand if this freakof-nature storm was out of the ordinary or a routine climatic phenomenon.

Sandy may have come and gone, but much needs to be done in terms of cleaning up, literally. Too bad if elections happen to have been caught up in this storm.

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Too shy Priyanka Chopra may have gone international as a singer but the actress says she is too shy to sing in Bollywood.

Cover Story: Boeing choppers US defense major Boeing has won the deal to supply 15 heavy-lift helicopters to the Indian Air Force.

Community: Diwali Mela In the biggest celebration in three decades, FIA and the Fremont Hindu temple celebrated Diwali Mela on a grand scale.

Health: Rape remarks President Barack Obama chose to go full throttle against the Republicans over controversial rape remarks.

Life Style: Grand Trunk show Komal Anand started The Grand Trunk in 2005 as a dream which has now turned to be a passion in her life.

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Boeing to supply 15 IAF choppers NEW DELHI: US defense major Boeing has won the deal to supply 15 heavy-lift helicopters to the Indian Air Force defeating its rival Russian Mi-26 in the tender expected to be worth around USD one billion.

The Chinook CH47D has emerged as the lowest bidder in the tender and would be offered the deal to supply 15 of these helicopters to the IAF, Defense Ministry officials said here.

The Ministry will now hold commercial negotiations with the

US firm to determine the price and finalize the procurement.

According to Indian defense procurement procedures, the firm emerging as the lowest bidder in the contract and fulfilling all the requirements of the tender is awarded the contract.

The IAF will use these helicopters to supply heavy-duty equipment in the higher reaches in the northern and northeastern states and will replace the existing fleet of Mi-26 choppers acquired by it in the Soviet era.

In this contract, the IAF determined the lowest bidder by taking into account the cost of operating the chopper through out its life span of 30 years and not merely the per unit cost of the participating machines, they said.

In the last four weeks, this is the second major helicopter deal awarded by the IAF to Boeing which has bagged most of the defense deals awarded by India to the American defense firms.

It has so far bagged the deals to supply 10 C-17 heavy-lift air-

Consulate reception in honor of Preenet Kaur India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The Consulate General of India in New York organized a reception-cum-dinner at the Consulate Ballroom in honor of India's Minister of State for External Affairs Preenet Kaur, to meet members of the IndianAmerican community as well as the media on October 18. Other dignitaries who graced the occasion included Anand Kumar, MP and former minister, Derek O'Brien, MP, and Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri, Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations. Over 80 people, including leading Indian Americans, entrepreneurs, professionals and members of the media attended the function.

Consul General Prabhu Dayal said the Consulate has had the

able contribution in the Ministry of External Affairs, he highlighted the welfare measures initiated by

privilege of hosting her at the Consulate during her previous visits to USA and thanked her for gracing the occasion despite her busy schedule. Admiring her valu-

her in the Ministry. He also warmly welcomed Anand Kumar and Derek O'Brien.

Ms Preenet Kaur, while thanking Ambassador Dayal for host-

ing an impressive event which enabled her to meet the vibrant Indian-American community, eulogized the Diaspora for playing a stellar role in improving relations between India and USA. Commenting on the Indian economy, she said she was highly optimistic about Indian economy's resurgence, despite a temporary slowdown.

Admitting that, unlike the first global economic meltdown in 2008, the second one has somewhat affected the nation, she expressed her optimism in the resilience of the Indian economy. Stating that she was proud of being an Indian, she advised all to uphold the honor and dignity of India and the first priority should be given to the motherland.

Anand Kumar and Derek O'Brien, in their brief speeches, thanked Ambassador Dayal for providing an opportunity to meet the Diaspora. Both of them referred to the vibrancy of the Indian democracy and its economic resilience.

craft worth USD 4.1 billion, 12 P8I maritime surveillance aircraft for USD 3.1 billion, 22 Apache attack helicopters for USD 1.4 bil-

lion along with successful sales of Harpoon and other missiles to the Navy and the IAF. PTI

Nicknames in note help police nab baby killer WASHINGTON: For USD deliver USD 50,000 the "Baha 50,000, a 26-year-old software en- Fresh" at the ACME store comgineer from Andhra Pradesh kid- plex. napped and killed his family Investigators determined friend's 10-month-old baby "Lata" is a reference to Chenchu, Saanvi, whose body he stuffed in wife of Venkata and only some a suitcase, but nicknames used by close friends call her with that him in the ransom note provided name. critical clues that helped police "The first word in the ransom nab him. note is 'Shiva'. During the interRaghunandan Yandamuri was view Vankata told the investigaarrested on charges of kidnapping tors that his full name is Venkata and killing Saanvi Venna and her Konda Siva Prasad Venna, and 61-year-old grandmother some of his close friends and famSatyavathi Venna, who was found ily members call him 'Siva'," the dead at an apartment complex in affidavit said.

Upper Merion Township on OcAccording to a Chapter 7 banktober 22. ruptcy filed by Raghunandan Yandamuri, who used to live in early this year, Yandamuri used to the same complex, was produced work for Sarayu Consultants Inc, before a Pennsylvania court after an Illinois-based software conpolice recovered the body of Saanvi from the men's locker room of his He told the detectives that apartment's gymnasium he targeted the apartment of in the King of Prussia, hidden inside a dark Venkata Venna, 41, and wooden sauna under a Chenchu Latha Punuru deep bench, with blood because he believed they marks on her white had money as they both dress.

Court documents in- were employed dicate that Yandamuri moved to King of Prussia, in Upper Merlon Town- sulting firm. ship of Pennsylvania from San Sarayu Consultants, in a stateJose in California. Being held with- ment to PTI, said Yandamuri left out a bail, he does not have a law- the company in April this year. yer.

"He is not working with Sarayu He told the detectives that he anymore. He left Sarayu in April targeted the apartment of Venkata 2012 and joined another company.

Venna, 41, and Chenchu Latha He worked for almost one year for Punuru because he believed they Sarayu," the Sarayu Consultant had money as they both were said. employed.

More shocking to the Telugu The 10 copies of the ransom community in the US was the fact note demanding USD 50,000 that that Yandamuri, after the kidnaphe had left in the apartment at the ping of Saanvi, was not only contime of the incident led to his ar- soling the family of his friend but rest. also organizing the community in The ransom note asked vigil for Saanvi and distribution Venkata that "Lata" be asked to of flyers.-PTI

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Australia to teach Hindi in schools MELBOURNE: Declaring that Asia's rise is "unstoppable", Australia has unveiled an ambitious plan aimed at forging deeper links with India and other booming economies of the region, including through teaching languages like Hindi and Mandarin in its schools.

"While Australia was changing Asia was changing too. Whatever else this century brings, it will bring Asia's return to global leadership, Asia's rise," said Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who was recently on her maiden official visit to India.

"This (Asia's rise) is not only unstoppable, it is gathering pace," Gillard said, releasing a sweeping policy blueprint entitled 'Asian Century White Paper' aimed at maximizing links with Asia which will power Australia into the world's top 10 wealthiest nations by 2025.

Above all, success for an open Australia in a middle- class Asia

starts in the classrooms, training centers and lecture theatres of this nation, the Prime Minister said.

This (Asia's rise) is not only unstoppable, it is gathering pace," Gillard said, releasing a sweeping policy blueprint entitled 'Asian Century White Paper' aimed at maximizing links with Asia which will power Australia into the world's top 10 wealthiest nations by 2025 All Australian schools will engage with at least one school in Asia to support the teaching of a priority Asian language -- Man-

darin, Hindi, Indonesian or Japanese, she said.

"Unlike in ages past, we will not settle for a student sitting at the back of the class not learning and then drifting away from school early. We can no longer tell ourselves this is all OK because a manual job will materialize for the child who cannot read, write or count," she said.

Gillard also mentioned that Australia was a friend to all countries.

"We are supporting the stabilizing presence of the United States, a strong Defense Force, building habits of trust and cooperation in our region," she said, adding "We have an ally in Washington respect in Beijing and more, an open door in Jakarta and Delhi, Tokyo and Seoul."

Focusing on Asia, she said the region will be home to most of the world's middle class by as early as 2025. "This is good news for Australia and it should drive a

CA given life term for creating hijack scare NEW DELHI: A chartered accountant has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a court here for triggering a mid-air hijack scare in February 2009 by claiming aboard a Goa-Delhi Indigo airlines flight that he had infected needles and a gun.

"The accused Jitender Kumar Mohla is awarded life imprisonment under section 3(1) (d) of the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation," District Judge I S Mehta said.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 7,000 on him.

According to the police, Mohla had entered into the cockpit on February 1, 2009 and had sparked panic by claiming that he had hijacked the plane.

Mohla had also warned the crew members that he was one of the accused in the infamous Kandahar hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane in 1999 and was carrying needles with which he would "infect" others if they resisted him, it had said.

Police had said Mohla's behavior had forced the Indigo pilot to send a hijack alert, leading to a scare and panic at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport here. The plane had made an emergency landing and was kept in isolation for two and a half hours The court, which had also convicted Mohla under sections 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 170 (impersonating a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code, awarded him varying jail terms which were set off against the period spent by him behind bars since his arrest on February 2, 2009.

The crew members and some passengers, however, had overpowered Mohla and he was arrested the next day.

Police had said Mohla's behavior had forced the Indigo pilot to send a hijack alert, leading to a scare and panic at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport here.

The plane had made an emergency landing and was kept in iso-

lation for two and a half hours after it was confirmed that the landing took place due to unruly behavior of Mohla.

The court, in its judgment convicting 45-year-old Mohla, had said he had intimidated the crew members by claiming to be an official of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

It had also said that Mohla was aware that his "terrifying act" would have endangered the safety of the 160 passengers and the crew members on board.

The court, in its judgment, had said every person on board a flight should observe certain "standards of behavior" as per the norms laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the DGCA as India is a signatory to the Montreal Convention.

The court had, however, acquitted Mohla for the offence under the Anti Hijacking Act saying that nothing incriminating was found from his possession at the time of his arrest.

Mohla has been in judicial custody since his arrest in February 2009 as his bail plea was earlier rejected by the sessions court and the Delhi High Court after which he had approached the Supreme Court which too had refused to entertain his plea. -PTI

profound change in our thinking about our economic relationship with Asia." But, Gillard cautioned,

Australia will also make it easier for low-risk people to visit and encourage more tourists from China and other key Asian markets.

"These are important, immediate steps for government," Gillard said. "They are the beginning for our long-term national plan." the opportunity posed by this middle-class boom would not "fall into our laps."

"The world will still be a competitive one where we must make our own living and our own way," she said. "But with the right plan, we can make the new middle-class Asia a new market for a high-wage, high-skill Australia."

By 2025, Gillard said Australia's GDP per person - a measure of personal wealth - would jump into the world's top 10, joining the likes of Qatar, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

It is currently ranked 13th, according to the IMF. Gillard said Asia was not a threat to Australia's high-skill, high-wage road. "It is a reason to

stay on it."

Australia's challenge was to ensure Australian workers received the benefits. "Success in this century will be hard fought and hard won. We must have a clear plan to shape our future," she said.

Objectives for 2025 and the pathways across five key action areas have been identified which would include boosting Australia's economic strength, building its capabilities and knowledge of Asia, better integration with Asian markets, building security in the region and deeper relationships with the region's most important countries.

The government will provide 12,000 Australia Awards to Asian nations over the next five years to promote people-to-people links between Australia and the region.

It will support business missions through an Asian century business engagement plan led by Trade Minister Craig Emerson.

Australia will also make it easier for low-risk people to visit and encourage more tourists from China and other key Asian markets.

"These are important, immediate steps for government," Gillard said. "They are the beginning for our long-term national plan."

Stating that the White Paper was a "plan for national success" which would engage governments at all levels, business, as well as the community, Gillard said "We can only win in this century if every sector of our economy is dynamic, productive, engaged." -PTI

UN EVACUATED: Diplomats from all over the world were forced to evacuate from United Nations Headquarters building by the Fire Department on October 24. An employee of the UN said he has not seen any evacuation in the UN Building in the last 30 years.

Pic Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia

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Gen V K Singh Hazare's new Kejriwal?

MUMBAI: A joint media briefing by Anna Hazare and former Army chief Gen V K Singh here indicated the latter has replaced Arvind Kejriwal in the social activist's scheme of things.

On more than one occasion, Singh replied to queries directed at Hazare, expounding on the new strategy of the anti-graft movement.

He was seen fielding "tricky" questions addressed to Hazare, coming out with his own explanation while doing so.

Hazare had also served in the Army and his admiration for the General was evident as he announced their plan of a nationwide tour.

"We are not just two people.

Lakhs and crores will come onto the streets to support the movement," Hazare said.

On his part, Gen Singh slammed the current system for "completely ignoring" the principle of a welfare state enshrined in the Constitution and surrendering to market forces.

"The existing governmental system has completely disregarded the soul and spirit of the Constitution. Part 4 of the Constitution, the Directive Principle of State Policy, has been blatantly ignored. Not just the government but also the Opposition is silent over this issue.

"The question that comes up

Al-Qaeda's 'Burkha Brigade' to hit Western targets LONDON: Al-Qaeda has formed an all-female 'Burkha Brigade' whose cadres are being trained to infiltrate and hit military bases and official buildings in the Western nations as they are less likely to attract suspicion than men.

A film posted by fanatics online shows the all-female unit of al-Qaeda using a fearsome array of weapons, including machine-guns, grenade rocket launchers and sniper rifles during their training session at an unknown place.

The women are thought to have been recruited from the wartorn Russian republic of Chechnya by an al-Qaeda-linked group, with bases in Pakistan and Afghanistan, British tabloid The Sun reported.

The films carry the symbol of 'Islam Awazi' or 'Voice of Islam, an al-Qaeda linked terror group based in Russia's Caucus region.

The report has raised concerns among authorities and experts who say the global terror network has formed such units as women are less likely to attract suspicion than men and can easily infiltrate the security barriers.

In recent months, cases of female suicide attackers successfully hitting targets have emerged in different countries. Such bombers generally hide the explosives beneath their abaya - a woman's black cloak worn from head to toe.

The report raises concern as several women terrorists have been arrested in the West that includes America's Colleen LaRose alias Jihad Jane and Germany's Filiz Gelowicz.

In September, a female suicide bomber in Afghanistan rammed an

explosive-laden car into a mini-bus carrying foreign aviation workers to the airport in the Afghan capital Kabul, killing at least 12 people including eight South Africans.

In August, a 30-year-old Russian actress who converted to Islam killed Dagestan's top Muslim spiritual leader Sheikh Said Afandi and six others in a suicide attack.

In war-torn Iraq, several cases have been reported in the past in which female suicide bombers have targeted security officials, killing scores of people. -PTI

Anna Hazare and former Army chief Gen V K Singh during a press meet in Mumbai on October 29

is as to who has given the right to ignore the core philosophy of Constitution? Government policies are supposed to be for the well-being of poor masses but these are somehow being made to help the private companies to make profit. No one is questioning these policies in Parliament," he said. "Let all political parties put forward their stand on this breach of trust and let the people decide whether they want a government to be run according to the soul and spirit of the Constitution or driven by the market of neo-liberal policies," Singh said.

"On the issue of water, forest, land and mineral wealth people have lost faith in the government.

Rivers and all possible sources of water are being privatized. Forests are being sold to private companies in the guise of mining, and consequently tribal people are being displaced from their traditional habitat and occupation.

"The governments are not even hesitating in selling cultivable land to private companies after acquiring it from farmers.

The land that should naturally belong to the people of the coun-

try is being distributed among private companies," he said.

The price of cooking gas has been arbitrarily increased on the pretext that petroleum companies are suffering losses whereas company accounts only show profits, he said.

"On one hand the common man is suffering while on the other large numbers of political leaders in power are being charged with corruption. It appears that the mantra of collective responsibility of cabinet in democracy has been forgotten by the Prime Minister," he said. -PTI

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„ Health

Line

UPMC faces another hepatitis C lawsuit PITTSBURGH: A new complaint filed against a Pittsburgh hospital over possible exposure to hepatitis C by a jailed radiology technician is seeking class-action status.

The estate of a man who was diagnosed with cirrhosis following surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is among the plaintiffs who filed suit against UPMC and the temporary staffing agency that employed David Kwiatkowski.

The suit alleges they failed to report Kwiatkowski to authorities after UPMC discovered he was swiping needles. -AP

„ Hospitals alert patients who got recalled drugs BELLEVILLE, Ill.: The Food and Drug Administration has updated a list of facilities that may have received recalled products from a Massachusetts pharmacy linked to a multi-state outbreak of fungal meningitis, and Illinois now has more than 130 clinics and hospitals on the list.

Among them are two Belleville hospitals that are advising more than 200 patients to watch for signs of infection.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports that St. Elizabeth's Hospital and Memorial Hospital are contacting patients who received medications produced by New England Compounding Center. -AP

„ UNICEF calls for continued efforts against polio UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has called for continued dedication in "finishing the job" in eradicating polio, while also applauding India for being "declared polio free" for the first time in history.

UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake said in a statement released here on World Polio Day, which fell on Oct. 24, that "fewer children than ever before suffer the debilitating effects of this cruel disease" and "for the first time in its history, this year, India was declared polio free."

However, Lake stressed that the world must continue to concentrate its efforts in reaching children that are most at risk: children with disabilities, living in extreme poverty and in conflict zones in remote areas. -news.xinhuanet.com

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November 9, 2012

Pregnant urged to get whooping cough shot ATLANTA: An expert panel is urging every expecting mother to get a shot preventing whooping cough, preferably in the last three months of her pregnancy to help protect her baby.

Details on page 11

Obama attacks Republicans on abortion rights WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama chose to go full throttle against the Republicans over controversial rape remarks by a GOP candidate, contending that attempts to redefine rape make little sense and a predominantly male political class should not be making decisions for women.

Appealing to his women constituency, Obama said healthcare decisions for women was not something that politicians need get involved in.

"These attempts to re-define rape in some way make no sense to me. And I don't think they make sense to the vast majority of women across the country," Obama said in an interview to NBC news.

"But more broadly, I think what these episodes point to is the fact that you don't want politicians, the majority of them male, making a series of decisions about women's

Appealing to his women constituency, Obama said healthcare decisions for women was not something that politicians need get involved in. "These attempts to re-define rape in some way make no sense to me" President Barack Obama

health care issues," he said.

The Obama campaign has seized on remarks by Indiana senate candidate Richard Mourdock, who said that pregnancy after rape was God's will.

Abortion rights for women has become a major subject of con-

tention in the election, with the Democrats trying to corner Mitt Romney over the issue.

"I don't know how these guys come up with these ideas," Obama said.

"Let me make a very simple proposition: Rape is rape. It is a

crime. And so these various distinctions about rape don't make too much sense to me - don't make any sense to me," he said.

Obama said he is very proud of his track record when it comes to having confidence that women can make their own decisions.

"I think that it is important for women to have confidence that their president knows this is a set of decisions for them to make in consultations with their families, their clergy.

"It is not something that politicians need get involved in," he said.

The Obama campaign also released a new television ad highlighting Romney comments on the abortion issue and his plan to try and cut funding for planned parenthood.

Mourdock apologized for his comments after a series of Republicans distanced themselves from his views.-PTI

Modern people get angry 336 times in a year

T

he average modern adult sees "the red mist" 28 times a month, or 336 times in one year, a latest study has found.

Financial worries and lack of sleep were found to be the main contributors to the feelings of anger, along with hunger, cold callers, rudeness and being lied to.

Researchers studied 2,000 people to discover how tempers impact on our lives, the 'Daily Express' reported.

They found that six in 10 people are regularly annoyed by trivial day to day matters without even knowing the reason behind it.

As many as one in four people confessed they sometimes reach a level of anger where they risk "losing control".

The research was commissioned by Benenden Healthcare in the UK, where spokesman Lawrence Christensen advised

seeking help for anger management.

"Britons are letting their angry

side get the better of them, 28 times a month seems a staggering frequency, almost once a

Day to day factors like cold callers, bad customer service and supermarket self-checkouts are some of the most anger-inducing experiences

day," he added.

One in four people said anger has an impact on their overall relationship, while one in three have a particular incident they regret to this day after losing their temper.

A sharp tongued 64 per cent say their anger makes them likely to snap at people, while a third say they deal with it by just going very quiet, researchers found.

Day to day factors like cold callers, bad customer service and supermarket self-checkouts are some of the most anger-inducing experiences of modern life, while rudeness, last minute cancellations and internet faults are likely to put the average person in poor mood.

Respondents cited mornings as the most likely time to experience being angry, with the worst time of the week found as Monday lunchtime.

November 9, 2012

Health Science Post

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11

www.indiapost.com

Pregnant urged to get whooping cough shot ATLANTA: An expert panel is urging every expecting mother to get a shot preventing whooping cough, preferably in the last three months of her pregnancy to help protect her baby.

The advice follows a frightening resurgence of the dreaded childhood disease.

More than 32,000 cases, including 16 deaths, have been reported so far this year, and 2012 is on track to be the nation's worst year for whooping cough since 1959.

It's only the second time a vaccine has been advised for all women during pregnancy. Flu shots were first recommended for them in the 1990s.

The new advice was approved in a vote by the government's vaccine advisory panel. Federal health officials usually adopt the group's guidance and promote it to doctors and the public.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious disease. Its name comes from the sound children make as they gasp for breath.

Despite long-standing childhood immunizations, cases have been climbing in the past decade. Most are infants two months and younger too young to be vaccinated because their immune systems are too immature.

Health officials increasingly have pushed to get older children and adults vaccinated, to reduce the number of carriers who might infect vulnerable infants. An estimated 30 to 40 percent of infected new-

borns got the disease from their mothers.

In recent years, a combination vaccine that included protection against pertussis - was offered to women immediately after

during the third trimester for it to really have an effect, she said.

Despite the overwhelming vote tally, several members of the panel voiced un-

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious disease. Its name comes from the sound children make as they gasp for breath. Despite long-standing childhood immunizations, cases have been climbing in the past decade. Most are infants two months and younger too young to be vaccinated they gave birth. Then after a whooping cough epidemic in California, the panel last year recommended a one-time dose of a combination vaccine for expectant mothers, either before or during pregnancy.

But fewer than 3 percent of pregnant women have gotten the vaccination, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Worse, recent research has shown the whooping cough vaccine's protection doesn't last as long as previously thought.

A recent study found women vaccinated within two years of their pregnancy had relatively few antibodies to pass on to their newborns. That included women vaccinated early in their pregnancy, said Dr. Mary Healy, the Baylor College of Medicine researcher who led the study. That suggests women need to be vaccinated

easiness with a lack of data on how effective and safe such a recommendation will be for mothers and newborns.

CDC officials acknowledge they have data on only hundreds of women who got the shots during pregnancy. What's more, the vaccine is only licensed to be given to adults once. Under the new recommendation, women who raise large families may be getting the vaccine three or four or more times.

But CDC experts repeated there's no evidence of serious risk to either mothers or newborns. And they estimated that enacting the recommendation could reduce whooping cough cases by 33 percent, hospitalizations by 38 percent and deaths by 49 percent. ``The benefits of vaccination outweigh the theoretical risks,'' said Jennifer Liang, a CDC epidemiologist who presented the benefit estimates to the panel. -AP

12

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Health Science Post

November 9, 2012

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TB, Diabetes linkage calls for integrated response CHIEF K MASIMBA BIRIWSHA

W

ith diabetes largely associated with over-consumption of sugar by many Zimbabweans, it is hardly surprising that its link to tuberculosis (TB) is hardly a public health matter. TB kills more than 3,500 people each day worldwide, leading to approximately 1.4 million deaths every year. One-third of the world's population is currently infected with the causative agent of TB, and 8.8 million new cases of active TB are estimated to occur around the world each year.

Among African nations, Zimbabwe is one of those most heavily affected by TB. The deadly combination of TB and HIV epidemics is igniting a silent and uncontrollable epidemic of drug resistant TB that will negate previous national health gains.

The 2011 Global Tuberculosis Control Report from the World Health Organization (WHO) ranks Zimbabwe 17th among 22 countries worldwide with the highest TB burden. Zimbabwe had an estimated total number of 47,557 notified TB cases in 2010, with an estimated incidence rate of 633 cases per 100,000 population.

TB is fuelled by several social and economic factors, such as poverty and/or malnutrition, as well as other infectious diseases, such as HIV. In recent years, strong evidence has been gathered to confirm a link between TB and yet another disease: diabetes mellitus.

According to public health activist, Godsway Shumba, there is very little knowl-

edge of the link between TB and diabetes among Zimbabweans.

"Ordinary people really don't know about this linkage between the diseases awareness raising is needed. Even the media do not talk about it. There are very few stories on diabetes in the local media. Most of the stories are all AIDS-related stories," he said to Citizen News Service (CNS).

Shumba added that most people are only aware of the linkage between TB and HIV and increased public health

(WHO) and The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) released a report acknowledging the association between TB and diabetes and similarly calling for increased collaboration between TB and diabetes control efforts.

According to PLoS Medicine, a major impediment to expanding diabetes care in the developing world is the high cost. One study in Tanzania showed that the monthly cost of insulin treatment represents 25%

"Ordinary people really don't know about this linkage between the diseases - awareness raising is needed. Even the media do not talk about it" awareness is required around TB and diabetes as well. "Community health workers should be trained so that they can talk about those issues at community level but they need capacity building through the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare," he said.

Several recent publications have described the association between diabetes and TB, specifically the increased prevalence of active TB among patients with diabetes and the poorer treatment outcomes in these patients when compared to those without diabetes.

In 2011, the World Health Organization

of the minimum wage, while another showed that the yearly cost of diabetes treatment with insulin amounted to 75% of the per capita income in Mozambique and 61% in Mali.

"In addition to the expenses linked to insulin and oral hypoglycemic medications, the direct costs of diabetes care include outpatient visits, inpatient admissions, and the management of the micro and macrovascular complications of this disease," states PLoS Medicene. Although expanding TB treatment to include diabetes care would be expensive, perhaps exist-

ing health systems used for TB could be adapted to diabetes management, which may help control costs.

Dr Anthony Harries, senior adviser, The Union, said to Citizen News Service (CNS): "We have always known about the linkages between diabetes and TB but till recently we had never really thought about them seriously. It was only in 2008 that studies suggested that diabetes increases the risk of TB by a factor of 3. If we do not seriously think about the link between TB diabetes my feeling is that it may begin to derail some of the good advances made in the field of TB control, especially in China and India which together constitute 40% of the world's diabetes population of 400 million people which is likely to go up to half a billion by 2020."

He further added: "People will have to make life style modifications in order to lessen the impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes. It is good to link up smoking with diabetes, hypertension which are all chronic diseases. The big issue with chronic diseases is that you cannot cure them, you can just treat them. We can cure TB but we cannot cure HIV/AIDS, we cannot cure diabetes. We can only control them."-CNS (The author, born in Zimbabwe, is an Editor with Citizen News Service (CNS), a children's writer, poet, playwright, journalist, social activist and publisher. He has extensively written on health. His first published book, 'The Dream Of Stones', was awarded the Zimbabwe National Award for Outstanding Children's Book for 2004)

Tech News IAEA team reviewing safety at Rajasthan n-plant JAIPUR: An in-depth operational safety review of two atomic power plants at Rawatbhata in Rajasthan by an expert team from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has begun here in the first such exercise in India after the Fukushima nuclear accident.

A 12-member Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) of the IAEA will review the program and activities essential to plant operation based on the global nuclear watchdog's safety standards and proven good practices.

A Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) release said the team consisting of experts from countries including Canada, Germany and Romania will carry out review by having plant tours, job observations and interaction with plant personnel.

The review is being carried out at the unit 3 and 4 of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) station in Chittorgarh district, about 300 km from here, and is scheduled to be completed by November 15, the release said.-PTI

More trouble ahead for Kingfisher Airlines

NEW DELHI: Kingfisher Airlines, which days ago emerged out of an impasse over salary payment to its staff, is likely to face more trouble soon with the Revenue Department deciding to move the Supreme Court to expedite recovery of about Rs 330 crore dues.

The department's decision to move a Special Leave Petition comes in the backdrop of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) also asking it to vacate two hangars in Kolkata and Chennai airports to recover dues worth Rs 293 crore, official sources said.

The SLP, which is to be filed jointly by the Income Tax and Service Tax departments, would apprise the apex court "of the magnitude of pending dues to the government" and seek vacation of a September 26 Karnataka High Court order restraining the I-T department from making "further recovery".

Following this, the I-T department had lifted its attachment orders on the airline's bank accounts -PTI

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FM unveils fiscal roadmap to boost growth NEW DELHI: Seeking to promote investment and growth, Finance Minister P Chidambaram has unveiled a five-year fiscal consolidation roadmap to contain deficit and move ahead with taxation and expenditure management reforms.

"As fiscal consolidation takes place and investor confidence increases, it is expected that the economy will return to the path of high investment, higher growth, lower inflation and long-term sustainability," Chidambaram said.

The government, he said, would continue efforts to restrict fiscal deficit in the current financial year at 5.3 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), lower than 5.8 per cent a year ago.-PTI

Narayana Murthy receives 2012 Hoover Medal India Post News Service

SEATTLE, WA: N.R. Narayana Murthy, an engineer, entrepreneur and philanthropist who has used his business success to "give back" to his native India, has been named recipient of the 2012 Hoover Medal.

The Hoover Medal was established in 1930 to recognize great, unselfish, non-technical services by engineers to humanity. Previous awardees include former presidents Herbert Hoover, Dwight D. Eisenhower and James Earl Carter.

Murthy, who is the 70th recipient since the medal's inception, is being recognized for establishing a foundation that forges outstanding improvements in healthcare, social rehabilitation, rural uplift and education following his formation of Infosys, an innovative company that provides business consulting, technology, and engineering services in over 30 countries.

Murthy received this honor on October 23 at the Global Humanitarian Technology Conference in Seattle, Washington, that brought together communities and individuals interested in applying tech-

nology to develop effective solutions for the challenges facing the world's underserved. Representing Hoover Medal Board was its Vice Chairman Prof. P. Somasundaran of Columbia University and IEEE President Dr. Gordon W. Day. One of the world's most ad-

India's success in information technology outsourcing. Infosys was the first listed Indian IT services company to reach revenues of 1 billion mark, but more important than the money Murthy has made is what the success of Infosys has meant to India as a country.

Infosys incorporates a strong val-

N.R. Narayan Murthy accepting Hoover Medal and Certificate from Columbia University professor Dr. P. Somasundaran and IEEE President Dr. Gordon W. Day

mired business leaders, Murthy founded Infosys Limited in 1981.

The Global Delivery Model pioneered and designed by Murthy has become the cornerstone of

ues system, promotes fairness to its employees and emphasizes merit, innovation and excellence across its operations. Through Infosys, Murthy has instilled

throughout India the hope that even people from humble backgrounds can create a successful company by applying vision, passion and hard work.

Using his own wealth and through the Infosys Foundation and other company programs, Murthy has created opportunity for India's rural areas and underprivileged population. The Infosys Foundation was established in 1996 to improve healthcare, social rehabilitation, education, art and culture in India.

Among the Foundation's many notable accomplishments, it has set up a hospital that serves poor patients, has provided medicine to elderly patients suffering from cancer and other diseases and has distributed funding to ensure that underprivileged patients can continue to receive needed treatment.

The Foundation has provided occupational training for destitute women and has provided relief efforts for those affected by natural disasters. Other important contributions include donating books, building libraries and refurbishing school facilities as part of one of the largest rural education programs in India.

Cont’d on page 14

Entertainment & Media sector will grow 17% India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: India's Entertainment & Media sector is expected to grow steadily over the next five years as per CII-PwC's latest report titled 'India Entertainment & Media Outlook 2012'.

The industry is expected to exceed INR 175,000 crores growing at a CAGR of 17% from 2012 to 2016. The CII-PwC report, 'India Entertainment & Media Outlook 2012 was released at the "India-Big Picture" CII-Media and Entertainment Summit.

Advertising segment in India is dominated by the television

and print sectors with combined contribution of over 80% in the total revenue pie. Both these segments are expected to continue to be dominant in the next five years.

The Indian E&M industry is among the top 15 markets in the

world and the fastest growing one, followed by China, Russia and Brazil. This growth is largely coming from the burgeoning internet segment which has the potential to outshine the print sector by 2014.

The Potential Game Changers in this area are going to be the Advertising Spend, Consumer spend, infrastructure and policy support.

The advertising spend contributes approximately 35% of revenues in the E&M industry.

The Potential Game Changers in this area are going to be the Advertising Spend, Consumer spend, infrastructure and policy support.

The advertising spend contributes approximately 35% of revenues in the E&M industry.

However, compared to other countries, the advertising spend as a percentage of GDP is very low at 0.3%. It is expected that entertainment content being accessed through different mediums and innovation in digital content will drive the advertising spend.

Cont’d on page 14

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India to become a teleport hub India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: The Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry is actively considering steps to make India a teleport hub enabling the country to become an up-linking/downlinking centre like Hong Kong and Singapore. The Ministry will soon hold consultations with industry to discuss, modalities, challenges and road map for making India a teleport hub.

This was disclosed by Mr Uday Kumar Varma, Secretary, I&B Ministry while addressing "India-The Big Picture", the CII Media & Entertainment Summit 2012 in New Delhi. Mr Varma said that India becoming a teleport hub could be instrumental in attracting accelerated flow of foreign direct investment (FDI). State-of-the-art technology

and can help move up in the value chain in content generation. The recent decision of the government to allow 74 per cent FDI in DTH, IPTV, mobile TV etc. are some of

Uday Kumar Varma

the steps that have been taken in this direction and underscored that those steps would be game chang-

ers to make India a digitally happening place.

Mr Varma said that many positive steps would be taken in revamping the FM Radio to enhance

talent and restructuring its financial flows.

Mentioning that the government would be celebrating 100 years of cinema of India with the

Mentioning that the government would be celebrating 100 years of cinema of India with the support of the film industry, Mr Varma invited the doyens of the Indian film industry to join the tableaux to be presented at the Republic Day Parade 2013 in New Delhi by walking down the Rajpath that day its reach and content. The empowered Group of Ministers are looking into some of the grey areas in the auction of 839 new FM radio stations across over 290 towns and cities in the country.

"We hope to complete the auction of the first tranche of the stations by the end of the financial year," he added.

The government is also taking steps to restructure National Broadcasting Corporation by enabling Prasar Bharti to recruit fresh

support of the film industry, Mr Varma invited the doyens of the Indian film industry to join the tableaux to be presented at the Republic Day Parade 2013 in New Delhi by walking down the Rajpath that day. He also mentioned about the proposed National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM) with the objectives of undertaking frameby-frame picture and sound restoration of more than 2500 films that are an important component of the Indian film industry.

Russia threatens arbitration on 2G license NEW DELHI: Stepping up pressure on India, Russia has warned it that it will go for international arbitration if the issue of cancellation of 2G license involving Russian telecom giant Sistema was not resolved in Indian courts.

"If the issue of cancellation of 2G license to Sistema is not resolved in Indian courts, we will go for international arbitration," Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin said on the sidelines of a cultural event.

"We are upset about the decision," Kadakin added.

Russia, which has been conveying its unhappiness over the issue time and again, had earlier said the row over Sistema will have "great repercussion" not only on Indo-Russian bilateral cooperation but also for foreign investments in India.

Sistema holds 56.68 per cent stake in Sistema Shyam Teleservices Ltd whose 21 out of 22 licenses were cancelled by the Supreme Court in February on the grounds that the 122 permits issued by the then Telecom Minister A Raja were "arbitrary and unconstitutional". Russian government holds 17.14 per cent stake in SSTL.-PTI

Narayana Murthy receives 2012 Hoover Medal Cont’d from page 13

The Infosys Science Foundation was created in 2009 to promote science research in India.

Murthy believes such research is needed to address the country's developmental problems. The Infosys Science Award is awarded to honor outstanding researchers who will make a difference to India's future. Other examples of Murthy's commitment to engineering excellence include training programs for teachers throughout India, Infosys Fellowships that

fund doctorate programs at many Indian universities and exposing students to real-world projects at Infosys.

Among his many achievements, "The Economist" ranked Murthy among the 10 most-admired global business leaders in 2005, and he topped the "The Economic Times" list of India's most powerful CEOs for three consecutive years (2004 to 2006).

His many awards include CNBC Asia Pacific Lifetime Achievement Award (2011), IEEE Honorary Membership (2010),

the Padma Vibhushan from the government of India (2008), the Legion d'honneur from the government of France (2008), Honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire from the Queen of England (2007).

He received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Mysore, India, and master of technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. Murthy is currently the Chairman Emeritus, Infosys Limited, Bangalore, India.

Entertainment & Media sector will grow 17% Cont’d from page 13

The key consumer spend segments include television subscription, film admissions and print circulation. The average annual spend per capita is at a low of USD 7 in as compared to USD 22 in China and USD 65 in Brazil. Rising disposable incomes in India combined with macro economic stabil-

ity will drive rapid growth in consumer spend on E&M. "Working to attain the target of USD 100 billion in the coming years will not only benefit industry but also create large scale employment, and help achieve India's goal of being a knowledge driven economy through effective media" said Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, Confederation of

Indian Industry.

"Increased advertising and consumer spend will take the industry to desired heights. This will be fuelled by technological innovation leading to better quality of media content being consumed.

Internet access will be a key enabler in driving growth." Said, Smita Jha, Leader - Entertainment & Media Practice, PwC India

November 9, 2012

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Jaipal Reddy's shift out of Petroleum triggers storm NEW DELHI: The shifting of S Jaipal Reddy from Petroleum Ministry has created a political storm with the decision coming under attack and the minister himself is said to be unhappy over being moved to Science and Technology Ministry.

70-year-old Reddy, who was made Petroleum Minister in January 2011, maintained he has no regrets over losing Petroleum but some wry answers he gave at a press conference indicated his apparent sulk.

As BJP and civil society leaders attacked the Prime Minister's decision to take Reddy out of Petroleum Ministry as having been dictated by corporate pressure, the Andhra Pradesh veteran kept away when his successor M Veerappa Moily took charge of the portfolio.

Reddy himself assumed charge of Science and Technology before which Moily

came to his residence and held consultations with him in an apparent bid to assuage his feelings.

"Many a times it happens (that) you avoid taking decisions. That is not a solution. Avoiding or delaying decision is not a solution. And this is where we need to very seriously work on," Moily said on taking over in remarks interpreted as oblique reference to Reddy's stint.

Decisions, he said, would be taken keeping national interest in mind and not to "benefit one or two individuals or companies."

He promised quick decisions and a conducive environment for investment to flow-in.

Reddy denied he was unhappy about the shift. He said the Prime Minister took him into confidence about the change in portfolio and "that was enough for me." He, however, gave no reasons for the decision.PTI

JLR gets Chinese govt nod for JV with Chery BEIJING: Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR) proposed joint venture with Chinese automaker Chery Auto has been approved by the country's National

Development and Reform Commission.

Quoting Chery Auto, Chinese official news agency Xinhua said the approval came about six months after the company had announced the 12-billion-yuan (USD 1.89 billion) venture with JLR in March, although most similar joint ventures normally take a year to get approval.

"The process was short because Chery was familiar with the approval procedure and did not waste time," the agency said quoting a spokesman of Chery Auto.

The joint venture's new automobile plant, located in the city of Changshu near Shanghai, is expected to have an assembly line, an en-

gine factory and a research centre.

As per the agreement between the two partners, the plant will have a capacity of 1,30,000 units a year - mostly Land Rover and Jaguar vehicles, but also joint venture brands. It is scheduled to be operational in 2014, the report said.

China is one of the biggest markets for JLR and sales reached 53,000 units in the first nine months of the year, up 80 per cent from a year earlier, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the report said.

On the other hand, Chery, which has been successful in the domestic low-end market, saw its sales drop by 11.5 per cent to 4,12,500 units in the first nine months of the year, it added.

In the passenger vehicle sector, the SUV segment remained the fastest growing segment with sales up 24.46 per cent to 1, 64,300 vehicles, according to China Automotive Review.-PTI

S. Jaipal Reddy taking charge as the Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, in New Delhi on October 29

Desi News Yoga book among Amazon bestsellers India Post News Service

DANVILLE, CA: Satya Kalra's book, "Yoga Beyond Asana: The Complete Guide for Blissful Life" has climbed the Amazon charts to become a national bestseller in record time in both Kindle digital format and in hardcover.

With body, mind, and spirit awareness at the forefront of today's health-conscious society, Yoga Beyond Asana integrates the physical and spiritual components of yoga practice, resulting in a total holistic approach to the mindbody experience.

The book comes complete with a 30-day yogic meditation 'plan of action' and guidebook, assisting the reader toward a path of peace, centeredness, and bliss.

Satya Kalra has taught yoga and meditation for 35 years. A former corporate CEO in the biotech industry, Satya deftly creates a natural bridge for right and left brain thinkers to help them incorporate yoga into their lives. She is the author of several books, including "My Questions and God's Answers-Bhagavad Gita," "Enjoy Worry-Free Life in 30 Days," "Lasting Forever Birth, Death and Beyond," "Prosperity Forever through Art of Work," and "108 Mantras to Awaken Your Soul."

All proceeds from the book are donated to charity.

Cheryl has a plan for Pleasanton's growth RITU MAHESHWARI India Post News Service

C

heryl Cook-Kallio is running for mayor of Pleasanton in the upcoming election. A teacher at Irvington High with four children, Cheryl has been involved in local politics since she was seventeen, and has a plan for Pleasanton's economic and cultural growth. The following are excerpts from her interview with Ritu Maheshwari:

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

Indian doc couple makes history with hefty donation Details on page 20

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2012 Diwali Mela sets off with a bang!

Fireworks marking the triumph of good over evil (left). The fireworks concluded with a beautiful display- HAPPY DIWALI!. Pics by Neeloo Kapoor

RITU MAHESHWARI India Post News Service

FREMONT: In the biggest celebration in three decades, FIA and the Fremont Hindu temple celebrated Diwali Mela on a grand scale. Thanks to the Fremont Hindu Temple, 2012's Diwali Mela took place on October 27, and it appeared as if all of Bay Area had gathered to celebrate Diwali for a colorful and melodious evening.

Thousands of devotees thronged Alameda County's sprawling fairgrounds to greet each other and participate in a day filled with fun activities.

Everywhere people were smiling and laughing, enjoying themselves while celebrating the biggest Hindu festival of the year. The crowd filed through the Alameda County Fairground, stopping at booths along the way to try festive food and play games. Thrilled children rode a horse as it took

them for a ride. Over four hours, fifty dance groups, composed of children, adults, and senior citizens, took the stage to wow the crowds with their beautiful dresses

key reasons for organizing the Mela was to help Indian-American youth learn their ancestors' culture and heritage. He added that the holiday season begins with Diwali,

Today, he said, ten thousand people participated, and numbers are growing. Dr Japra also said that the main message of Diwali Mela is to understand and emu-

Mr Jha, Govindji, Lara Calvert-York, Teresa Cox, Cheryl Cook-Kallio, Anu Natarajan, Manormaji, and Dr Japra

and dances.

Dr Romesh Japra, Chairman and Convener of FIA, highlighted the grand scale of Diwali Mela in his speech. He said that one of the

which signifies the victory of good over evil, and that the Mela provides a festive opportunity to teach children about Indian culture.

late values from the Ramayana about relationships between brothers, fathers and sons, and husbands and wives.

Cont’d on page 18

Details on page 19

Hundreds enjoy Navratri festival in NJ India Post News Service

SOMERSET, NJ: A fabulous Navratri festival was held at Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, New Jersey on October 12 & 13 and October 19, 20.

Details on page 19

Ramayan played by the kids

Kids performing

November 9, 2012

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November 9, 2012

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2012 Diwali Mela sets off with a bang!

A function on such a scale conveys this message of family unity to not only the Indian community, but to all of Fremont.

The day started with prayers to goddess Lakshmi and a special grand puja was conducted by priests from the Fremont Hindu temple. As the day continued, crowds surged, and all stalls had brisk sales and people were excited.

Young children participated in cultural programs and gave scintillating performances. Vijay Asuri of FIA coordinated and ensured a flawless program.

The Ramayana came to life with the Ram Lila performance. Participants wore colorful costumes and re-enacted scenes from the Ramayana.

Many local dignitaries and community leaders participated in the celebrations. Fremont Vice Mayor Anu Natarajan (running for Fremont Mayor), Cheryl Cook-Kallio, Pleasanton City Council member (running

for Pleasanton Mayor) and Ro Khanna (former Assistant Deputy Secretary of Commerce in the Obama Administration) attended and emphasized the importance of cultural integration and the contributions of the Indian community. Ro Khanna also said that he hoped one day 'Happy Diwali' will be as common as 'Happy New Year' and 'Merry Christmas'.

The highlight of the evening was a live, thrilling concert performance by famed international singer Harjeet Mehndi. He is the brother of Daler Mehndi and Mika Singh, also well-known singers. He had the crowd dancing to his hit numbers and sang songs ranging from movie songs to Bhangra tunes.

His band brought down the roof with their gusto and fast numbers.

Finally, the Mela concluded with a round of colorful, beautiful fireworks. Letters lit up, spelling out "Happy Diwali", and onlookers smiled at the beauty. The sky was set ablaze, and the visitors to the festivities looked up, basking in the glow of Diwali.

Mahesh Mishra, Harjeet Mehndi, and Selina perform for the cheering crowds

Rhythm-n-Steps group children performing

Cont’d from page 16

A beautiful parade float featuring Lakshmi, goddess of wealth

Cheryl Cook Kallio addressing the crowd

GovindP, Rajesh Verma, Rakesh Kapoor, Romesh Japra

The children's fancy-dress competition attracts some GRAPE entries

Anu Natarajan speaking to the Crowd

Shopping patrons at Apsara Style

A truly amazing Ram Leela ends with the cast posing as Hanuman, Lakshman, Rama, & Seeta

India Aangan Bollywood Dancers display their talents

Tarana group dancing in the cultural Program Anu Natarajan, Cheryl Cook, Lara Croft

Kids enjoying Horse ride

Pandit Jogindraji performing a puja, with an amazing temple by volunteers from the Fremont Hindu Temple

Neelu Kapoor, Priya Nayar, and Ritu Maheshwari stand ready at the India Post booth

Crowd watching the show

Award ceremony

November 9, 2012

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Cheryl has a plan for Pleasanton's growth RITU MAHESHWARI India Post News Service

C

heryl Cook-Kallio is running for Mayor of Pleasanton in the upcoming election. A teacher at Irvington High with four children, Cheryl has been involved in local politics since she was seventeen, and has a plan for Pleasanton's economic and cultural growth. The following are excerpts from her interview with Ritu Maheshwari: India Post: Tell us about your early years.

Where did you grow up and study? How long have you been in Pleasanton?

Cheryl: I grew up in Fremont. I have a B.A. degree from University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I have three teaching credentials in Social Science, English and Spanish from San Jose State. I have a M.A. in History with an emphasis on the U.S. Constitution from San Jose State. I am a James Madison Fellow (CA 97). It is a merit scholarship, where they choose one teacher per state per year to study the U.S. Constitution. Through that fellowship I studied at Stanford and Georgetown.

I currently teach in Fremont at Irvington High school and coach the 'We the People' team. I have lived in Pleasanton for over 25 years. I have been married to my husband, John for 33 years and we have raised 4 children. We have twin girls who are married and live out of state and a son who lives in Chico and a daughter who lives in Southern California What motivated you to get involved in the community and politics?

I was among the first group of 18 year olds to vote after the 26th Amendment was passed in 1971. In the Spring of 1972 when I was still 17, I organized a voter registration drive to get out the vote aimed at young voters. That experience taught me the value of involvement. It is the reason I teach what I teach to high school students.

Tell us about your journey to City Council This is my 36th year of teaching history and government. In that capacity I have been very active in politics and have sought

SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH CHERYL COOK-KALLIO on my community as an elected official, and my students basically telling me to follow my own advice, I entered the race and won. I won re-election in 2010.

Being a woman, did you find it easy or

Cheryl Cook-Kallio

difficult in political field?

I can't say that I have found it difficult although I do lament the fact that there are still too few women in elected office. I am always in the minority except on my own council where there have been three women these last six years.

Last few years have seen a big economic turmoil in the country. What have you seen in Pleasanton?

We are a well planned city. We currently have a 25 million dollar reserve and approximately 178 million in assets. Our debt includes the municipal golf course and the unfunded liability in pensions that all cities in California are facing. We have taken steps to fix that by saving 6.1 million in personnel costs per year over the last four years or so and paying more than required into our pension fund. We have to continue to be vigilant. We have been able to do this with consolidation of departments, a soft hiring

We are a well planned city. We currently have a 25 million dollar reserve and approximately 178 million in assets. Our debt includes the municipal golf course and the unfunded liability in pensions that all cities in California are facing. We have taken steps to fix that by saving 6.1 million in personnel costs per year over the last four years to encourage young people to get involved in the community in which they live. I asked them if not you, then who? The first step to being involved is to show up.

In 2002 I served Senator Feinstein on the judiciary committee as a Madison Congressional Fellow. In 2005 I served the Federal Courts Administrative offices as a Madison Fellow.

Through my work as a teacher and my work in those offices, I established a huge network.

In 2006, a number of people approached me to run for office in Pleasanton. I always knew I would run at some point. After a lot of conversation about the positive impact I could have

freeze and attrition. We continue to monitor the economy and will take appropriate steps to make sure Pleasanton remains solvent.

What is your contribution as City Council member towards Pleasanton's development?

I have been proactive and effective in my approach. I believe that everyone should have a voice. I was the leader in seeing that the Stoneridge Drive connection is built creating needed infrastructure in the city and the region. I have served as cochair for the Hacienda Transit Oriented Development and the Housing Element Task forces. I met with local residents dealing with

affordable housing issues and I meet regularly with businesses both small and large, to make sure the city is assisting in making it attractive to do business in Pleasanton. I was a leader in making sure that we have a state certified housing element making Pleasanton attractive to new business. A state certified housing element presumes that we are compliant with state law and then also make areas like Hacienda Business Park eligible for grant opportunities to enable the business park to redo their PUD. Pleasanton today is a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities.

What changes have you seen in Pleasanton over the years?

I grew up and then taught in Fremont where I have seen a similar pattern. In my mind this increased diversity has brought an increase in the richness of what is now the American culture. All of us were newcomers at one time or the other in our nation's history. Most of us came to this country to ensure a better life for us and our children. This quest for betterment of ourselves and our communities helps bridge the gap among people and leads to better understanding. We are all more similar than we are different. We love our families; we want to live in a quality community with great

schools and an increase in opportunity. I am pleased to see this richness and I think my early experience with increased diversity helps me understand the needs of our community here in Pleasanton.

What is your vision for the city?

I want to leave the city in a better condition than when I first took office. I feel the honor and responsibility of doing what is right for all very deeply. We must make sure we do what we can to make sure the city is fiscally sustainable while providing the city services that are desired. I want the schools to continue their journey of excellence in serving our young people. I want to see our businesses thrive so that people can work and live here in the town. I want the development that comes before the council to be of the same or better quality of what we have become accustomed to in Pleasanton.

I want this to be a safe community with great amenities for all of us to enjoy.

How can people get involved to support you in campaigning?

This is the last weekend of the campaign and we always can use people to walk precincts. Most importantly, I want people to vote for me and tell their friends to vote for me and why. Make phone calls; send emails, anything to get the word out! I think it is crucial to have a proactive, effective Mayor who understands the make up of Pleasanton and is willing to serve ALL the people. I am that person. I want to be your Mayor. More information can be found at www.votecookkallio.com

Readers Write... www.indiapost.com

Election choices - None of the above B

oth President Obama and flip-flopper Romney have surrendered their souls to special interests who will demand their pounds of flesh after the election. Both are relatively unconcerned with the plight of Middle America but are inexplicably rewarding Wall Street banks with their fourth bailout to the tune of $40 billion a month, euphemistically called, quantitative easing.

Al-Qaeda influence is not waning. The Taliban has neutralized any US gains in Afghanistan. Predictably, Karzai is campaigning for the absence of election monitors so he can remain in power unopposed.

Drone attacks and night raids have turned the vast majority of the Afghan and Pakistan people against the presence of US troops. A staggering 98% of drone victims are civilians.

We continue to send huge shipment of arms to the undemocratic regimes of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Yemen who have waged war on their people. Obama has abandoned the aspirations of the Palestinians and continues to provide massive economic and military aid to Israel ignoring their cruel and inhumane polices towards the Palestinians. We flexed our military muscles in Libya but display impotence to the mass killings in Syria. We have imposed harsh economic sanctions on Iran but have given Israel a free pass on its huge stockpile of nuclear weapons. On the home front, Obama authorizes the killing of so called 'enemies of the state' bypassing the rule of law and due process. Unfortunately, the Green, Justice and Constitution Parties were denied a debating platform. Each has far more progressive agendas.

Jagjit Singh, Los Altos, CA Disclaimer :- India Post does not endorse opinions expressed in the letters.

20 India Post

Community Across America

November 9, 2012

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Indian doc couple makes history with hefty donation be used efficiently and optimally so that their indiscriminate and wanton use does not create environmental as well as ecoCHICAGO: Two prominent Indian com- nomic problems for the generations to come munity activists and philanthropists from . The doctors' total contribution to USF with Florida, Dr Kiran Patel and Dr Pallavi Patel, the recent donation comes to almost $26 did it again - announcing a hefty donation million and that is expected to give a big of $12 million to the University of South push to the decade-long effort at USF for a sustainable global development and Florida (USF) last month.

The donation is for expanding the Patel healthcare.

The Patels made the announcement on School of Global Sustainability turning it into the College of Global Sustainability that October 2 at a meeting with USF president would focus more intensively on research Judy Genshaft, Patel school director Kala and community involvement for protecting Vairavamoorthy and students in the proglobal environment with judicious use of gram. With the additional findings, the College will expand graduate enrollment and available natural resources. faculty, besides pepping up more research, the USF sources said. Previous donations had led to the construction of the Patel Center for Global Solutions and the Patel School of Global Sustainability, according to the USF sources.

In a talk to this paper, Dr Kiran Patel said that the burgeoning global Dr Kiran Patel being greeted by USF Presdient Judy Genshaft. population and indisLooking on are Dr Pallavi and Dr Abdul Kalam criminate use of natural The school founded in 2010 seeks to resources would prove ruinous to the fucreate awareness across the world that ture generations unless conscious efforts whatever resources Nature has bestowed are made to focus on these problems and on us planet are limited and hence, need to seek solutions.

RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

Dr Kiran and Dr Pallavi Patel with other members of the College team: Drs. Pallavi and Kiran C. Patel, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (former President of India), USF President Judy Genshaft, Patel School of Global Sustainability Executive Director Dr. Kalanithy Vairavamoorthy, Ms Varanie Vairavamoorthy, USF Provost Ralph Wilcox

"Not only do we need to create aware- egy partnership with the UN-Habitat Partness about the huge adverse impact on en- ner University Initiative. Together, USF vironment but also to find ways and means and UN-Habitat will establish the first for more efficient and optimum ways of us- United Nations Urban Futures Research ing our limited resources," he said. The re- Hub in the U.S., promoting education and christened College of Global Sustainability professional development in emerging citaims exactly at doing this, he added. ies, the USF sources said.

"The Earth is God's gift to humanity and Right here in Tampa, the current Patel we believe that the current generation needs School has created a multiyear learning and to understand this while meeting its present research partnership with water manageneeds," said Dr Pallavi Patel. "We should ment in the Netherlands called Resilient not undermine our environment as the Tampa Bay. An effort to prepare the region world's rapidly depleting resources and for potential urban flooding challenges growing population require us to become brought by hurricanes and rising sea levmore efficient and think of new ways to de- els, the program is guiding future develvelop sustainable and renewable sources opment in an attempt to protect areas vulof clean water, energy, food and transporta- nerable to severe flooding. tion," she added Through a series of donations and According to Judy Genshaft, the USF matching state funds, the Patels have foPresident, the new college will give the new cused their endowments and attention on generation the tools it needs to build a sustainable global development and healthier and more sustainable future for our healthcare through supporting the Dr. planet and its people. The school currently Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions offers training to 50 students. As a college, Endowment Fund, USF Health, the Dr. the enrollment could reach up to 120 stu- Kiran Patel Center for Global Solutions dents. A plan is afoot to expand the curriculum to include a doctoral program, Patel said.

USF spokeswoman Vickie Chachere said that with this donation, faculty also will be able to earn tenure, and the school will take on larger projects. The changes are pending USF In Florida that has now established College of Global based on the review of Sustainability with Indian doctors' donation school officials. Besides class work, students must finish projects overseas to complete the Operating Fund and the Patel Center for graduate program. Past projects were con- Global Solutions. ducted in several countries, including EcAccording to Genshaft, the Patels leaduador, Ghana and Singapore, Chachere ership, influence and donations have added. helped USF become one of the top 50 reThe Patel School of Global search universities in the nation. The Sustainability, which Pallavi Patel calls a Patels have made their fortune from found"do tank, not a think tank," has conferred ing a managed health care company and 23 master's degrees in global sustainability. medical software companies.

Upon university approval, the new Patel Dr Kiran Patel is actively involved with college - which could begin accepting stu- a number of community organizations indents as early as January 2013 cluding the American Association of Phywill bring the current work of the Patel sicians of Indian Origin. He has facilitated School of Global Sustainability to a new setting up a medical clinic in Zambia which level, allowing it to focus on improved ur- even now is regarded one of the best ban systems, water and transportation. places in the country for primary The school has worked with several or- healthcare. Dr Kiran and Dr Pallavi Patel ganizations, including the United Nations have established school and college in and has become the first North American Gujarat, India and have developed cenuniversity to obtain a research and strat- ters for empowering women.

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India Post 21

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South Asian Vote Obama campaign launched event. Raja emphasized that all Indian Americans must come out for voting in this election. Voting in large number makes

A.Q. SIDDIQUI India Post News Service

CHICAGO: President Obama's pioneer supporter from Indian American community, Balvinder Singh announced launching of a South Asian Vote Obama campaign office on Devon Ave. In a media and community meeting held at Punjabi Dhaba Restaurant, Balvinder Singh along with other supporters of Democratic party spoke about the campaign office mobilizing South Asian community support for President Obama's election.

The political icon of Illinois Indian American community, Raja Krishnamoorthy was invited as the chief guest for the

Pace University celebrates 'India Day' India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The Consul General of India, New York hosted a reception on October 19 at New India House in recognition of the Pace University celebrating this day as 'India Day'. Guests numbering about 100, comprising high

level officials of the Pace University, select students, members of the Pace Alumni, members of the Indian American community, media persons, officials of the Consulate and others attended the event.

Initiating the program for the evening, Consul (Education), P. K. Mohanty gave a brief overview of the education sector in India and the recent developments in the IndiaUSA Educational Cooperation.

Consul General Prabhu Dayal said that celebration of 'India Day' by Pace University was indicative of the close relationship between India and the United States. He recalled Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's words that IndiaUS relations were better than ever before and that the best was yet to come. He praised the role of the Indian academic community in USA which has earned a high reputation for excellence while at the same time promoting closer understanding between the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Provost of the University, Dr. Uday Sukhatme, thanked the Consul General for hosting the evening reception as a part of the 'India Day' celebration held at Pace.

Cont’d on page 22

your presence felt in a democracy, he said. The Voters registration drive is in full swing and Harendra Mangrola, President of Indo American Center, said that it is important for quickening the pace as the D Day is approaching fast Balvinder Singh, the main organizer of the Obama Campaign Office in the heart of India-town in Chicago, thanked

all for joining the event. He briefly talked about the prime objectives of the proposed Vote Obama and Democratic Party campaign office. A team of expert counselors from President's office will be visiting his team of campaigners for the formal campaign training, he said.

Balvinder said the campaign office will work round the clock with 50 telephone active lines. The volunteers will speak in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu and other Indian languages. The campaign volunteers will speak community to members in their own language and explain the need for President Obama's re-election. The campaign office will provide breakfast, lunch and dinner to the volunteers. He expected enthusiastic volunteers to join the campaign office immediately. Balvinder also announced a kick off ceremony for the campaign office.

The meeting was attended by prominent Indian-Pakistani community members and media persons. Vinesh Virani, Vinod Choudhry, a political advisor from Gujarat, Amar Paul Singh and Rajput Sher Mohammed were among the guests.

Community Across America

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November 9, 2012

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Hundreds enjoy Navratri festival in NJ India Post News Service

SOMERSET, NJ: A fabulous Navratri festival was held at Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, New Jersey on October 12 & 13 and October 19, 20. It was arranged by community leader and Navratri Raas Garba Organizer Pradip [Peter] Kothari, President of Indo American Religious and Cultural Center and Patel Brothers [Swad Brand]. The function started with auspicious lamp lighting ceremony on the decorated huge stage. Among those lighting the lamps were Mafatbhai Patel,

Mrs. Surekha & Mahendra Patel, Mafatbhai Patel (Chicago) of Patel Brothers, Congressman Frank Pallone and Mayor of Franklin Township Mr. Brian Levine lighting lamp at opening ceremony.-Pics Gunjesh Desai & Deval Parikh

Large crowd enjoying Navratri Garba

owner and founder of Nationwide giant Patel Brothers Indian Grocery stores along with Mahendrabhai Patel, Harshadbhai Patel and other family members; Pradip Kothari & Mrs Nandini Kothari, Congressman Frank Pallone Jr., Mayor of Franklin Township Brian Levine, Dy. Mayor of Franklin Township Philip Kramer, Councilman Rajiv Prasad and other council members of Franklin Township, Edison Coun-

cilman Dr. Sudhanshu Prasad, Woodbridge Councilman Mr. Bob Luban, other elected officials, various sponsors and other community leaders.

Mr. Kothari introduced the dignitaries and spoke about his 22 years of promoting Indian/ Gujarati culture and Indian religious and traditional values as well as engaging the younger generation to this meaningful celebration. He thanked his generous

sponsors.

The Navratri celebrations had a huge carpeted floor, booths selling food and other products, nice seating bleachers arrangements, tight security, ample parking, VIP lounge facility for VIP Guests with snacks and beverages and best musical group to entertain full house crowd.

The renowned singers from India with talented musicians captivated the young and energetic Raas Graba participants. Excellent sound system, four big screens displaying current Garba kept the audience enthralled.

After two marathon hour long Garba sessions, Mataji's Arti was performed in the presence of honorable guests, VIPS, sponsors and public at large. Post Arti was the

Mahendrabhai Patel & Mafatbhai Patel (Chicago) presenting Sponsors Patel Brothers and H. R. Shah of TV Asia. Also seen is Pradip (Peter) Kothari

mesmerizing Raas and Dandia session. Hundreds of nicely dressed

young and old enjoyed the world famous Dandia Raas.

Nandini & Pradip (Peter) Kothari on stage with singers

Huge community support for Bob Dold

W

ith huge support from Asian American community Republican Congressional candidate Bob Dold is heading for a victory in the 10th District race.

The Democratic challenger Brad Schneide appears to have evoked less support from the Asians. One of the reasons for Bob Dold's popularity is that he took initiative in sponsoring the

bill with other lawmakers for letting foreign students to stay in the country after finishing higher education in US Universities, said Madhu Patel, founding president of NRI Press Club.

Pace University celebrates 'India Day' Cont’d from page 21

He felt honored in organizing the event at the behest of Prof.

Kaushik and thanked his fellow colleagues for their cooperation in making it a success. He briefly described the University's activities at national and international level and its vision for the future.

Vice President of the University, Ms. Robina Schepp made a pre-

sentation on the Pace University's activities, undergraduate and graduate studies, scholarships, placements etc.

Other speakers for the evening included Professor Surendra Kaushik, Dean Emeritus Dr. Richard Ottinger, Trustee Suresh Munshani, Prof Greg Julian and Pace Alumnus Rumit Mehta. The evening concluded with a dinner reception.

November 9, 2012

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India Post 23

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NFIA convention held successfully HARISH RAO

Indian CG Mukta Tomar (third from right) being recognized for her services to the Indian community here. On her right is newly elect President Sohan Joshi

CHICAGO: The Annual Convention of the National Federation of Indian Associations held in Chicago last month met with a degree of success, judging from the attendance and the program conducted. Two of the seminars were noteworthy - one was on Investment n India and the other a tele-

cast address by globally famous Dr Pankaj Naram who exposed the ancient science of pulse reading and curative value of Jadibuttis (herbs).

The Convention elected Sohan Joshi as NFIA President and also recognized a number of Indian Americans nationally. Among

Dr Hemant Patel (right) of NY felicitated at NFIA Convention.

Seen with him is Sohan Joshi

them were India woman business entrepreneur Hema Potla of Chicago and Dr Hemant Patel, a former president of AAPI. Indian Consul General Ms Mukta Tomar attended the Kick Off and was recognized for her exemplary service to the Indian community. Congressman Joe Walsh endeared himself with his speech lauding India and Indian Americans for their contributions. He actively took part in the cultural program.

Smt Hema Potla, an Indian businesswoman being recognized

US Congressman Joe Walsh (center) with active participation endeared himself at the Convention

Navratri & Vijaydashmi celebrated in St Louis ASHWIN PATEL

ST LOUIS: Hindu Temple of St. Louis celebrated Navaratri for ten days beginning Monday Oct 15, culminating on Wednesday Oct 24 with Vijayadashmi.

All 10 days the Devi was blessing the devotees in 10 different forms. Durga Jagran was performed on Saturday Oct 20 until midnight. On Vijayadasmi Day, the Devi was blessing as Raja Rajeshwari. Samuhika Kumkum pooja was performed by hundreds of devotees. The temple was open all day long and Sai Homam was celebrated in the morning. Thousands of devotees visited the temple on Vijayadashmi Day. The Temple administration ar-

Devotees throng Hindu Temple in St Louis during Navratri and Vijayadashmi celebrations

ranged the overflow parking in the nearby church and shuttle service

was provided for the devotees.

Mahaprasadam was served at the

Raj Rajeshvari Devi

end of the pooja on Navaratri days. Arrangements are in

Sai Baba

progress for the upcoming big festival of Deepavali on November 13.

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November 9, 2012

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Better days ahead for US But corruption big drag on India SURENDRA ULLAL & RAMESH SOPARAWALA

CHICAGO: Diwali, the festival of light that signifies the victory of good over evil, is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

Commemorating the return of Lord Ram after fourteen years of exile, Diwali also marks the end of a Vikrram Samvant Year and the start of the New Year. It is no doubt one of the biggest events and festivals among Indians, whatever part of the world they may be in.

The year that has gone by may have turned out to be bad or not that satisfactory, but now that it has ended makes one feel to look forward and assess the coming year hoping it would be turn out better.

It is stock taking period for the individual, the family and even for the people at large. It is in this context that India Post in an effort to feel the pulse of Indian Americans, posed a question to prominent Indian Americans, eliciting their views about shape of things that they reasonably expect here and back home in India.

The consensus that emerged was that the US should fare much better in the coming year, whoever heads the government but most were not optimistic about India, politically and economically, in the wake of endemic corruption and prospects of a Khichdi government at the Center.

DR BHARAT BARAI Dr Bharat Barai, a front ranking Indian community activist and oncologist from Indiana, exuded confidence that the US economy should

The consensus that emerged was that the US should fare much better in the coming year, whoever heads the government but most were not optimistic about India, politically and economically, in the wake of endemic corruption perform better in the coming year irrespective of the fact who wins the Presidential elections.

He was however, of the opinion that a government headed by Mitt Romney would do better because of his pragmatic business-friendly policies and reduced State regulations. President Barack Obama's administration has imposed many regulations on the businesses and this has stifled the growth. Besides, the country has accumulated huge debt burden and deficit.

As far as India-US relations are concerned, Dr Barai observed that they would improve and

Dr Bharat Barai

this is out of necessity rather than any special love for India or any political party heading the Indian government.

Dr Barai was not very sanguine about Indian political or economic scene and felt frustrated about the endemic corruption and divisive politics played by a major political party to gain power. Most of the politicians and their henchmen are out just to loot the country and enrich themselves and this is sapping the morale of business, industry and the people at large. "If India throws up a leadership that is honest and assertive, showing courage to book the looters and bring them to justice, India would not only notch huge economic progress but will become a world power to reckon with," he said.

Cont’d on page 26

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Better days ahead for US but corruption big drag on India Cont’d from page 24

He also decried efforts to divide the country on the basis of religion, caste and creed. The divide and rule policy followed by British has sadly become a modified tool in the hands of Congress leaders for short term political gains Dr DAYAL MESHRI Dr Dayal Meshri, an Indian scientist heading one of the largest chemical research companies in Tulsa Oklahoma, said, "At present both countries are going through political football game. Each one has its own strategic problems.

Until elections in USA are over and new Congress sits in session, nobody is going to make a drastic change in the current policies."

In 2013, the Congress government will be strongly challenged as Obama is being challenged by Romney! Congress or UPA Government will have no time or will not be in the mood to make any drastic changes in foreign commerce policy. At the same time, the index of U.S. economy may drop due to deficit, new taxes, more welfare, control of business if Obama is elected. We will have more unemployment and actual number of

Dr Dayal Meshri

taxpayers will decrease and increase on taxes on business and $200,000+ earners will not match the deficit which will bring bad, bad news. Our current economy already has started downhill.

The troops from Afghanistan will be returning back so the GI's will be looking for jobs which may add to unemployment. In short, we will not be in a better position than what we are today. If Romney is elected (chances are slim), the business community will be relieved, they may start thinking of new projects, keep their current employment and may hire new addition. Stock market will go up and number of tax paying people will go up, deficit will go down and economy will improve.

India does not depend on outside economy. Majority of the goods produced in India have a great market in the country, number of higher middle class is growing gradually and need for goods

is increasing. Political turmoil will continue, number of big shots or party leaders may be indicted but a thief is not going to catch a thief.

No powerful policeman or court is there to catch the thief. A few hand slaps may happen to calm down the general public! We have seen Hazare and Ramdev trying to change things but corrupt organizations are so powerful they will not be silenced by firecrackers. And there is not going to be a

Dr Kiran Patel

cannon blast.

In short, the economy will remain the same without a major break.

DR KIRAN PATEL Dr Kiran Patel, a former head of AAPI and a philanthropist who made a hefty donation of $12 million to the University of Florida recently, said that "India is now a rising economic power and is one of the engines in pulling the world out of recession and as such USA has no choice but to be a good economic partner." Geo-politically also to balance the Chinese influence, US needs to align more with India, he felt.

Unfortunately I feel India is not getting the true respect it deserves as an economic force. India will have to play a more dominant role in the Asian and global economy to earn that respect. The culture of nepotism and corrup-

ganization, had no hesitation in asserting that incumbent Barack Obama will be elected for the second term in the tight Presidential elections. He felt that the initiatives he had taken in the current year will bear fruits in coming months. The economy, he felt, has shown signs of revival although the pace is not quick but there are all chances that it would show greater strength and resilience in the coming year.

The two big problems that India faces relate to inadequate infrastructure and corruption.

Manufacturing units in most part of the country face energy and transportation problems. Unless intensive measures are taken on this front, economic progress would be slow Corruption has been haunting the country for years and it requires a strong and honest leadership at the national level to tackle it. He hoped that the coming elections would bring about a political change for the better. He observed that the global slowdown would be a drain on Indian

tion at the highest level of government and the politicians continuing to indulge in it without any punishment is probably a strong negative factor Dr RAM GAJJELA Dr Ram Gajjela, a former head of Indo American Democratic Or-

Ajit Gandhi

Harendra Mangrola

dard it should be marginal.

It has to watch out on a differ-

Corruption has been haunting the country for years and it requires a strong and honest leadership at the national level to tackle it.

He hoped that the coming elections would bring about a political change for the better economy NAREN PATEL Naren Patel, a national office

Naren Patel

Dr Ram Gajjela

candidates has a magic wand to usher in an era of prosperity soon," he observed India is in a different situation.

It has a huge domestic market for its products and services. And there is a huge pent up demand as well. The global slowdown in consumption or demand is not a deterrent to its economic progress.

Albeit, that will have an impact on its exports and to that extent there will be a slowdown, but by all stan-

bearer of Association of Indians in America, said that one thing that "appears certain to me on the economic front in this country is that it would not come out of its economic morass soon, whoever wins the Presidential election."

However, the things would be decidedly better with Gov Mitt Romney ascending to power as he is expected follow policies more favorable for the growth of business and the industry, especially medium and small. President Obama is inclined to follow more populist policies and is leaning more towards taxing the rich and it may have an adverse impact on investment. "Let us see but none of the

ent front however, and that is "global outsourcing business." It has to watch out for competitors in this area. China is fast emerging as an alternative source of supply with Taiwan not lagging behind. Philippines and Indonesia are there, of course. Qualitatively we should keep our standard higher.

HARENDRA MANGROLA Harendra Mangrola, president of Indo American Democratic Organization, felt that the US economy should show a greater degree of recovery in coming year in the light of changing fortune of the housing market and improvement in construction industry. He said the recovery process would quicken if the Democrats get a control of the Congress.

Mangrola was not very sanguine about India as endemic corruption is undermining the gains and sapping the moral of the general public. The political scenario is far from encouraging in view of multiple parties seeking control at the Federal level. Referring to Gujarat, he said that the BJP would retain the control despite the opposition from Congress and newly set up party of Keshubhai Patel. If the country is fortunate to have a strong leadership at the Federal level, the country would do well.

In the international field,

Mangorla felt that the US should do better in as much as it has started disengaging from the war zones and siding with democratic forces.

AJIT GANDHI A prominent financial advisor in Chicagoland, Ajit Gandhi, said that "it will be status quo of the last two years, may be slightly better due to the FDI permission for the retail giants like Wal-Mart entering India. There will be a show of rhetoric by politicians and businessmen in both countries but that will be only a show. Romney or Obama - that will make no difference. Business will go on anyway.

THAKAR BASATI A Sikh community activist, Thakar Basati was emphatic saying that "Obama will win while India will still struggle with corruption and Khichdi government at the Center."

There will be concern over outsourcing. India has gained a lot from outsourcing and a recent

Thakar Basati

hype against outsourcing everywhere is a development to watch.

India should keep its track record straight. It should not get blamed for letting the global patrons down qualitatively. It seems that it couldn't keep up standards expected in servicing. The thought that prevails among many Indians is that they can "successfully cheat and won't be caught."

More often than not they get away with it as they know someone who will bail them out. Both countries would be good business partners but they will need to work better on quality work and dependable reliable accomplishments.

Cont’d on page 28

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Non-stop Chicago flight back in popular demand Exclusive interview with AI Manager Rishikant Singh AQ SIDDIQUI India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Air India flights from Chicago, New York and New Jersey are fully sold out for the month of November and December. This is an indication that the Indian flag carrier is back to full form and its traditional glory. The delivery of the first batch of Dreamliner aircraft to Air India fleet is an economy booster for the airline that has suffered losses recently.

The Chicago non-stop flight to Delhi is back to normal and popular demand. And Air India Chicago new Manager Rishikant Singh has good reason to assert that good days are ahead for Air India and its travelers. Rishikant Singh has

service in Air India's long haul Chicago Delhi flight is planned in such a way that travelers first feel the feast of Air India on its first meal service and wonder if the food is cooked on board for the subsequent services.

We have ovens in our service galleys and as soon as the first meal service is finished, the crew on board starts preparing the food for the next meal service. That makes Air India food service an exemplary one and also an attraction for the travelers.

The economy class seat configuration on Air India's Boeing 777W long haul flight is planned for the comfort of passengers.

There is ample legroom space between the rows so as to make easy

AI Manager Rishikant Singh

recently taken over from Jude Crasto in Chicago. Speaking to this newspaper, Rishi Kant Singh emphasized how the Indian travelers feel the touch of homeland the moment they step in an Air India aircraft. Rishikant also spoke about other attractions Air India usually has for passengers.

"You feel at home the moment you board an Air India aircraft,"

movement for passengers. A foot rest on each seat makes it more comfortable for the travelers. Each seat is equipped with monitors for continuous entertainment. The choice of Bollywood and Hollywood movies, TV shows, News channel and games for kids and adults make long haul flight more comfortable.

A passenger reclining in his

‘There is ample legroom space between the rows so as to make easy movement for passengers. A foot rest on each seat makes it more comfortable for the travelers. Each seat is equipped with monitors for continuous entertainment’ he said. It is that traditional hospitality and environs that make passengers feel the touch of India. The "food on board" has always been an attraction for Air India travelers. Earlier the focus was on traditional Indian taste and recipe. However, the new Air India menu is based on health guidelines, he said. Food rich in cholesterol is replaced by health promoting items, yet the taste of India is well maintained. The meal

seat would not affect the viewing of monitor for the rear row passenger. Unlike other airlines, the meal is "served" on Air India flights and not "distributed". That again, makes Air India onboard cabin service an exemplary one. It is observed that many other airlines' crew "distribute" the food packets to passengers for the second or third meal service. They put the food packet in passenger's hand or in lap if a passenger is

sleeping. This type of "food distribution" is a refugee camp practice. Air India treats the travelers

safety of our passengers", Rishikant pointed out. Air India Ground Service Department com-

‘We have ovens in our service galleys and as soon as the first meal service is finished, the crew on board starts preparing the food for the next meal service’ with traditional Indian hospitality in each meal service.

"We have no compromise on

prises best engineers and technicians who are licensed in aviation industry. Each aircraft is carefully

checked before being allowed to take off. Air India engineers would not allow an aircraft to move unless they have checked all engines and important aircraft technical specs."

Speaking about Chicago, New York and New Jersey non-stop flights, Rishikant pointed out that each service is reaching passengers to various Indian destinations in the fastest way possible. Air India Chicago is a direct fastest route for Hyderabad passengers.

Cont’d on page 34

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Better days ahead for US but corruption big drag on India Cont’d from page 26

Political Infighting in India will keep the country from achieving its goals and prevent improving of standards of living, especially for the poor. US will stabilize more and try to help Mid-east gain more peace.

ANIL SHAH Anil Shah, CEO and President of a leading exchange firm, World Money Exchange, said, "It is very hard to say which direction USA would be heading until results come out on elections here.

In India more or less the same situation prevails as the country is heading for general elections soon.

At this stage, Governor Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama are running neck to neck.

May be Romney will win election with small margin. Politically on the world stage, the impact would be different with Romney opting

for a stronger shift in favor of supporting democracies, even with higher military involvement.

Anil Shah

Economically, it does not look good so far with either candidate winning. It t will take almost 3-5 years for the US economy to recover. India is a slightly different ball game. It would continue to advance but with a much slower pace as global meltdown is going to have some impact.

BADRI ALI GODHARAWALA

Badri Ali, president of Commercial Capital Investment, said that the US economy is set for recovery, if a steady upsurge in stock values and small improvement in real estate field, is any guide. This is a sequel to a number of initiatives taken by the Obama administration in re-

with India should help USA to play an effective role in world politics as well as sharpen its image as a truly world leader. It will also lead to the containment of China politically and economically. The need is now to get Latin American countries involved so that the US gets stronger eco-

For India, the Khichdi politics would continue but whoever forms the government will have to be more responsive to the public need as there is a mass awakening among people. In the absence of any strong opposition party, the ruling Junta whichever be the party or parties, will have to have the Janata with them and follow its wishes cent years, domestically and globally.

At the global level, a more people friendly policy for Mideast and forging closer alliance

nomically and politically in the international arena.

For India, the Khichdi politics would continue but whoever forms the government will have to be more responsive to the public need as there is a mass

Badri Ali Godharawala

awakening among people. In the absence of any strong opposition party, the ruling Junta whichever be the party or parties, will have to have the Janata with them and follow its wishes.

Interestingly, the new generation is getting tech-savy and would be playing a major role in the spread of their views, feelings and grievances. "It will be difficult to ignore them by anybody in power," he said.

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Indian scientist's firm celebrates silver jubilee

Sanjay Meshri ARC Mg. Director with Dr Dayal Meshri

RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: With MS and PhD in inorganic chemistry and working for a leading American company Ozark-Manhoning Co for over a decade and half, Dr Dayal T Meshri had for long had the itch to do something on his own and contribute innovatively to the scientists community even when he was a student at Gujarat University in India.

He left his well paying position at Ozark and launched his own company Advance Research Chemicals, Inc in 1987 realizing his childhood dream. With hard work and application, he turned ARC

Dr Dayal Meshri with Daune Nellis President of Idaho University

into one of the largest inorganic fluoride specialty chemical producers in the world. Dr Meshri and the eighty members of ARC

While products of Dayal Meshri's ARC are not visible as far as general public is concerned, they are widely used in everything

Dayal's son Sanjaya Meshri is the Vice President and Managing Director of the company and has been working for 20 years.

He is highly qualified, graduating from the University of Tulsa with a bachelor's degree in Chemistry staff celebrated 25 years of service to the community last month hosting a two-day glittering celebration in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the ARC headquarters.

from iPods to dryer bars to car washes and importantly, for batteries in cars measuring automatically the tire pressure gauge readings. In a talk to this paper, he said

Dr Dyal Meshri with Indian journalists in Mumbai

that he learnt that quality consistency of products is the hallmark of fluoric chemistry industry and that he has diligently worked to see that the quality standards are never compromised.

"Many of the chemicals we produce are highly sensitive and must be manufactured and managed carefully if they are to be used effectively. Any change in quality, even the slightest, or the change in temperature or production method can destroy the chemicals' ability to be used in a product. And if it is an iPod used by teenagers, it would be a nightmare for them," he said. ARC does not manufacture or sell iPod but produces chemicals used by the

manufacturers.

Dayal's son Sanjaya Meshri is the Vice President and Managing Director of the company and has been working for 20 years. He is highly qualified, graduating from the University of Tulsa with a bachelor's degree in Chemistry through the department of engineering and applied sciences along with Continuing Education at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) at Harvard University.

He said that "our start was humble but we have carved out a name in our industry largely because of our core belief that safety, Cont’d on page 34

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Gujarati version of Ambassador's memoir released RUCHIT SHAH

AHMADABAD: Former Indian Ambassador KH Patel has acquitted himself as a writer too by penning his memoirs during his tenure as Indian diplomat at UN, Consul General at France Reunion Island, High Commissioner to Uganda and Rwanda.

The book in English was released last year but its Gujarati version Rajdoot Na Sansmarno was done recently at Grand City

KH Patel in his brief address said he was motivated to write the Gujarati version so as to reach his fellow Gujarati brethren across the globe Hotel in Ahmedabad in the presence of city elites. Launching the book, Justice GT Bhagvati observed that besides making an interesting reading, it takes an in-

Justice GT Nanavati addressing a gathering at City Grand Hotel during the launching ceremony of Rajdoot Na Sansmarno (Memoir of an Ambassador) Sitting L-R Ramesh Tanna, Journalist, KH Patel, former Ambassador and author of the book, Prakash Bhagvati, President Gujarat Chambers and Prof S Zala of Gujarat University

sider look at international diplomacy and provides wealth of information not only to readers but also to the Indian diplomatic community. The book in English has already found its way to the

libraries of Indian missions abroad.

KH Patel in his brief address said he was motivated to write the Gujarati version so as to reach his fellow Gujarati brethren

across the globe. He gave an honest and objective assessment of the developments during his tenure abroad. Patel is retired now but has been actively associating himself with a number of

social organizations serving the community. He is a member of Gujarat Chambers of Commerce and Industry and is chairman of the Non Resident Gujarati Center.

London City of Canada to celebrate Diwali India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Indians and Canadians in London, Ontario, will be joining thousands of Indians across the globe to celebrate one of the most celebrated festivals, Diwali, on November 17.

This festival of Light that symbolizes lighting away the darkness of ignorance and ushering an era of peace, prosperity and tranquility will be celebrated with professional fireworks display in the Canadian city of London (Ontario), probably for the first time Besides fireworks in Virginia Park, the elaborate Diwali will include Lakshmi Puja, Bhajans

(singing devotional songs), quiz on Ramayan with costumes and settings, Rangoli competition, Mithai (sweets) exchange, Diya painting competition, full course dinner, music, entertainment and dancing.

In addition to Hindus of IndiaNepal-Bhutan-Caribbean-Sri Lanka-Canada descent, Sikhs and area non-Hindus are also expected to participate, making this event titled "Diwali Dhamaka 2012" an inclusive celebration. Srishti Canada is the organizer.

Indian Americans have welcomed this development with newly elect president of National Federation of Indian Associations (NFIA) saying celebration of

Sohan Joshi, NFIA president

Diwali need not be a regional, sectarian and religious event as it signifies triumph of righteousness over evil. Echoing the same senti-

Nand Kapur

too.

Rajan Zed, president of Universal Society of Hinduism commended the London Diwali orga-

In addition to Hindus of India-Nepal-BhutanCaribbean-Sri Lanka-Canada descent, Sikhs and area non-Hindus are also expected to participate, making this event titled "Diwali Dhamaka 2012" an inclusive celebration.

Srishti Canada is the organizer

Diwali fireworks

ment and Kapur, former chief of Association of Indian Americans, said that the day should not be far off that this event gets a national recognition in this country

nizers for keeping the heritage and traditions alive. It was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many dis-

Rajan Zed

tractions in the consumerist society, Zed added.

"We had to go through hoops to get licenses/permits/insurance from city, fire and police officials and get sponsorship to do fireworks which is tightly regulated in Canada, for safety reasons", Vinod Varapravan, one of the members of the organizing team, says and adds that purpose of the event is to restore fun and symbols back into our festivals, otherwise our younger generations will tune off.

Diwali, which falls on November 13 this year, aims at dispelling the darkness and lighting up lives. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil.

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Indian scientist's firm celebrates silver jubilee Cont’d from page 31

quality and customers' satisfaction are cornerstones of success and we put that core belief in practice."

ARC, which started in 1987 in Catoosa Oklahoma, has a staff of 80 working in locations in USA, Mexico and India. It is not only in business that the Meshri family has excelled. Yet another core belief of Dayal Meshri is giving back to the community that has helped you prosper and progress. On top of the capital campaign gifts to the University of Tulsa and a major scholarship program at OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Meshri

Center in Chicago for its expansion project. Besides, he has helped a number of organizations in India for the spread of education including helping set up a primary school and college in his home town Patan.

Migrating from Pakistan after the partition of British India with his family, Dayal Meshri had a hard time acclimatizing to the new surrounding in Patan (Gujarat); language being the big barrier. Not only did he survive and overcome initial hardships and handicaps, but excelled himself in studies getting his B.Sc in chemistry from Gujarat University with First Class Honors.

He came to USA for higher stud-

Gaining international recognition, he is currently working with French, German, Belgian, Russian and Ukrainian scientists to develop the products of tomorrow family has helped setting up a Park at 31st and Peoria in honor of late Indu Meshri, Dayal's wife.

Meshri has also a distant connection with Chicago as he was here for a while in eighties. He has donated $50,000 to Indo American

ies on scholarship and carried out his research for Masters at M.R. Institute of Science under Prof.

B.C. Helda. He did his Ph.d. from the University of Idaho under Dr. Jean'ne M. Shreeve and did postdoctoral work at Cornell Uni-

versity under Prof W. T. Miller.

Well equipped academically, he joined Ozark-Manhoning Co. Penwalt Corp. as Head of Research and Research Director. But his itch to do his own thing and contribute to the science world made him leave the company after 18 years and launch his own company Advance Research Chemicals Inc in 1987. With hard work and quality consciousness, he made ARC one of the largest inorganic Fluoride Specialty Chemical Producers in the world.

Dr Meshri's research interests vary from rocket propellants to semiconductor materials, high energy battery systems, new material for electronics etc. He is an author and co-author of many technical papers, patents, books, and encyclopedias of chemical technology. Gaining international recognition, he is currently working with French, German, Belgian, Russian and Ukrainian scientists to develop the products of tomorrow.

He has been a member of the American Chemical Society since 1965. He served as sectional chairman twice of the New York Academy of Science; American Association for Advancement of Sciences; Electrochemical Society,

Society of Sigma XI; Society of Automotive Engineers Inc; CoChairman Business Advisory Council (National Republican Party). Presently, he is Director of

American Institute of Chemists and Board member of OSACT of Oklahoma state, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate in this position.

Non-stop Chicago flight back in popular demand Cont’d from page 27

Leaving Chicago at 2.30pm it arrives in Hyderabad next day 7.15pm. No other airline takes you to India faster than Air India. The Ahmedabad passengers land 7.35pm, Kolkota passengers reach 7.15pm, Kochi, Amritsar, Bangalore, Chennai and most other destinations are reached before 8pm.

Rishikant has served in Kuwait and revenue management before taking over Chicago office. He has an instinct for planning and insight for development. Asked what best he looks for in the future of Air India Chicago flight operation, he smiled and said he would like to add another flight from Chicago non-stop to Mumbai or stopping somewhere in Europe. Rishikant

also wishes that Dreamliner aircraft serve US destinations.

Flying Dreamliner on long haul flight will be a very comfortable experience. With low pressure and increased humidity in the cabin, it will be less tiring for the long haul passengers. Speaking about Air India joining Star Alliance, he said Air India has complied with all the requirements of the 27airline group partnership and expect joining it soon.

Rishikant is a friendly and community-oriented person. As soon as he took over charge, he joined FIA led Parade on Devon Avenue and other events in India Independence Day celebrations. "I would reach out to the Indian American community members whole heartedly and would always be with them." he said.

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36

T

he Nubra Valley, once on the trading route that connected eastern Tibet with Turkistan via the famous Karakoram Pass, is the most recently opened area of Ladakh.

Nubra invites you to a trip back in time into a nearly forgotten 'Shangri La'. With breathtaking views and delightfully hospitable inhabitants, it is quite an experience.

Ladakh's harsh winter makes this crossing possible only during the summer months - from June to August. The valley itself lies at a lower elevation than the Leh Valley, making it very

fertile with many kinds of grains and fruits, including peaches, being cultivated there.

Tourist Attractions Diskit is the administrative center of the Nubra Valley. It is nestled on the edge of a desert on the Shyok-side valley, eight hours away, on the other side of the Khardong La (La means Pass). To reach this place one should carry along plenty of water, because the increase in height by over 2000 meters, can give anybody severe headache and nausea. The road is paved till south Pulu, a military check post, where the permits are

India Post

checked and the details entered.

This is an unforgettable excursion that makes Indiana Jones look like a kindergarten excursion.

Surrounded by the majestic Himalayas, the distinct smell of smoky kitchens, goats, chang (local brew) and butter tea, the fatal edge of the 100-meter sheer cliffs is always closer than one really appreciates. One can spot various modes of transportation hundred meters below, at their final resting place.

Surrounded by the rising mountains of the Himalayas and superb views down the Leh valley, the thrill is replaced by a feeling of utmost beauty. Snow lingers all year round on the mountains with prayer-flag topped peaks. A literally breathtaking experience.

Descending into the valley, only the first few km are tricky. Soon, following a mellow stream, one would come into a surprisingly green land-

Prayer flags at Khardong La

changed from 'moon-land' on top of the Khardong La to a green oasis, one would enter a desert, easily

Surrounded by the majestic Himalayas, the distinct smell of smoky kitchens, goats, chang (local brew) and butter tea, the fatal edge of the 100-meter sheer cliffs is always closer than one really appreciates. One can spot various modes of transportation hundred meters below, at their final resting place scape with rugged stone formations rising up into the sky with the peaks in the background. They look like they have been poured over with sugar. A real fairy tale landscape. As drastically as the landscape had

November 9, 2012

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comparable to the Thar in Rajasthan.

Diskit seems like a ghost town, an oasis of tranquility. An enjoyable day's walk brings one to Somoor, half way to Panamik. Army trucks are the only means of trans-

portation in the valley.

A Ladakhi meal is served sitting around the massive black stove in the kitchen, the most important room in any Ladakhi house. It is the place to warm up on a freezing winter night, the place where the family meets, the homework is done and the prayers are said.

Kyagar (called Tiger by the Indian Army), is only another three km towards Panamik. It makes an easy afternoon stroll, inhaling the beauty and the calmness of the impressive, stimulating countryside. Coming across a local, one can be sure to be greeted with a warm smile.

Cont’d on page 37

November 9, 2012

Travel & Hospitality Post

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Nubra Valley: A trip back in time to a forgotten ‘Shangri La’ Cont’d from page 36

The furthest place the permit allows one to visit in the valley is Panamik, the last settlement of any size before the Tibetan border. It's not very wise to proceed further than the provided barrier at the northern edge of the town since this is a rather sensitive border area. It is completely controlled by the Indian Army, usually with very friendly soldiers.

The 250 years old Ensa Gompa, nestled on top of a rock overlooking snow-peaked mountains across the valley is much further away than it looks.

It takes at least a six-hour walk to reach, which involves crossing the river at Hargam. The hot springs on the outskirts of Panamik invite one for a literally sizzling bath experience, which will most probably be the first contact with hot water since one leaves Leh. The Nubra Valley is one of the

Ensa Gompa

last treasures of our planet, living in sheer isolation for most of the year in the heart of the great Himalayas. A real Shangri La, with no 'Baywatch', no mobile phones and no Ray Ban sunglasses.

How to Reach

By Road - There are regular buses run by the Jammu and Kash-

mir State Transport Corporation to cover the distance of 150 km from Leh to Diskit, the administrative headquarter. The roads are maintained by the army and sudden changes in the weather are common. One should be prepared to face natural hazards when visiting Nubra Valley.

IATA claims of 'intense coordination' rejected India Post News Service

ALEXANDRIA, Va.: The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and Business Travel Coalition (BTC) has rejected the claim

by IATA that the new "standard" it has developed for retail distribution was the "culmination of 12 months of intense coordination across the value chain with participation from airlines, global distribution systems, the travel agency community including online travel agencies

and IT providers and their respective trade organizations." IATA made the assertion in a press release at the end of its World Passenger Symposium in Abu Dhabi recently.

"The claim of participation by 'the travel agency community' and its 'trade organizations' is an illusion, plain and simple," said Nina Meyer, president and chief executive officer of ASTA. "We and fellow travel agency organizations around the world have been denied transparent participation in the development process for what IATA calls the New Distribution

Capability (NDC). IATA cannot legitimately claim this is an 'industry effort' on the grounds that one or two individual agencies were present. And the claim that it will enhance competition is called into question in light of NDC's apparent preclusion of full price transparency and comparison."

"Let's call a spade a spade.

IATA recently assured us that NDC was in its very, very early stages and that technical standards to be adopted in the upcom-

ing working session in Montreal were just the beginning of a long development process. However, the setting of direction usually needs to precede the development of technical standards.

As such, the likely reason organizations representing travel agencies and corporate travel departments were excluded from the process, including the Montreal meeting, is because decisions about direction and business models have already been taken; there is no role left, no opportunity for input from these organizations," said BTC chairman Kevin Mitchell.

"To state as IATA has that 'the key attributes of the NDC include that: The NDC is built on the principles of collaboration, transparency and innovation,' is an insult to corporate customers who largely underwrite the global aviation system."

About BTC Founded in 1994, the mission of Business Travel Coalition is to interpret industry and government policies and practices and provide a platform so that the managed travel community can influence

"The claim of participation by 'the travel agency community' and its 'trade organizations' is an illusion, plain and simple," said Nina Meyer, president and chief executive officer of ASTA issues of strategic importance to their organizations About ASTA The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.

Panamik

'States must do more to attract tourists' BANGKOK: The Indian government has built a solid base to woo international tourists but now it is up to each State to work on it to bring in foreign visitors, a top official said here.

"Tourism is not just about dollar spending visitors. Tourism leads to creation of opportunities which will generate jobs, it is about the economic impact it comes with" Madhu Dubey, Regional Director,

Australasia of India Tourism said.

The share of India in international tourist arrivals is only 0.64 per cent.

Dubey was here on the last leg of a three-nation roadshow organized by Incredible India, India Tourism where Indian tour operators held 'business2business' meets with local travel agents in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. -PTI

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Realty Tidbits

CCI dismisses complaint against Dwarkadhis Projects NEW DELHI: The Competition Commission has rejected a complaint against Dwarkadhis Projects which alleged that the real estate developer abused its dominant position.

Dismissing the complaint, the fair trade regulator said there was no prima facie evidence to suggest abuse of dominance by Delhibased Dwarkadhis Projects.

"As much, dominance of the Opposite Party (Dwarkadhis Projects) in the relevant market is prima facie not established and so there is no question of abuse of the same," the Commission said in an order on October 11.

It said that there is no prima facie case for directing the Director General to carry out investigations into the matter. The informant - A K Jain - had purchased a dwelling unit in one of the housing project in Haryana's Rewari district.

Apart from delaying the handing over of the unit, it was alleged that the entity sent a demand letter seeking payment of Rs 3,29,012 as charges for carrying out improvement work. -PTI

Brys to build 300-metre housing tower NEW DELHI: Real estate firm Brys Group says it will develop a 300 meter tall residential tower in Noida, offering flats for up to Rs 9 crore a unit.

The company has earmarked an investment of Rs 1,000 crore to develop 285 premium apartments over the next four years.

"This will be the tallest building in NCR. There is a dearth of premium and iconic properties in NCR. With this 300 meter high and 81 storey structure, we will try to create a landmark," Brys Group Chairman Rahul Gaur told reporters here.

The company will construct 285 premium housing units in the project, which will be developed in an area of 10 acres, he added. -PTI

Real Estate 38

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Casa Grande aims to become Rs 1,000-cr firm by 2016 CHENNAI: Buoyed by consistent growth in last eight years, real estate developer Casa Grande is aiming to become a 1,000-crore company by 2016 by developing several properties across the region, a top company official said.

The Chennai-based company reported revenues of Rs 130.09 crore last year and hopes to mop up revenues of Rs 240 crore this financial year, Casa Grande Pvt Ltd, Managing Director, M Arun Kumar said. -PTI

Realty developers expect pick-up in demand MUMBAI: Despite sluggishness in the real estate sector, top developer body MCHI-Credai expects an increase in demand from buyers during the festive season on the back of new project launches and easing of funding norms by financial institutions.

"Home buyers have literally been sitting on fence due to various reasons. But now prices have stabilized. With more and more new projects coming up and easing of funding norms, we expect a huge demand from buyers which may also translate into them purchasing properties," MCHI-Credai Secretary Boman Irani told reporters.

MCHI-Credai is organizing a four-day expo at Bandra-Kurla Complex, where 15,000 properties will be showcased and over 120 developers would participate.

The expo, showcasing properties from across Mumbai and adjoining areas, will feature housing units ranging from one to 5 BHKs, studio apartments, duplex, penthouses, row houses, bungalows besides second and holiday homes.

"Some developers may offer freebies in view of the ongoing festive season. This will further fuel demand. Reduction in interest rate is a positive indication for home buyers” Irani said, "The properties to be showcased at the expo have received necessary approvals and have clear titles."

"Some developers may offer freebies in view of the ongoing festive season. This will further fuel demand."

Irani said reduction in interest rate is a positive indication for home buyers.

"Funding norms have been eased by financial institutions and this will boost the decisionmaking for the genuine home buyers. One per cent interest subvention for loans up to Rs 15 lakh and 0.5 per cent rate cut in CRR and repo rate have improved consumer sentiments."

Khemka wanted hilly areas excluded CHANDIGARH: After detecting abuse of the land consolidation scheme in Gurgaon and Faridabad districts by "vested business-politico-bureaucratic interests," Haryana's whistleblower IAS officer Ashok Khemka had

recommended to the government that uncultivable areas like "pahaar" (hilly terrain) must be excluded from the scheme.

Claiming that huge investments were made to purchase land in Kot (Faridabad), Anangpur (Faridabad), Bandhwari (Gurgaon) and Rozka-Gujar (Gurgaon) villages through companies, Khemka sent a letter to the government saying that all these deals must be investigated to find out the actual owners of these investing firms.

"It seems that huge amounts of black money have been invested to purchase land in these villages through companies. Their real owners need to be disclosed through an independent investigation," he said in the letter sent to the government on August 27.

He was transferred from the

land holdings department to Haryana Seed Development Corporation on October 11.

Khemka observed, "Some senior public servants misused their position for a favorable exchange for themselves or their relatives or

of interest must be made by all public servants involved in the consolidation scheme to the government. Like insider trading, nondeclaration of any conflict of interest should be made a penal offence by amending the consoli-

"It seems that huge amounts of black money have been invested to purchase land in these villages through companies. Their real owners need to be disclosed” their companies floated for this purpose. Huge investments of black money and ill-gotten money have been made through companies in the purchase of land in some villages in Gurgaon and Faridabad districts to benefit from the consolidation scheme."

"A declaration of non-conflict

dation Act. Consolidation officer, settlement officer, assistant director (consolidation), divisional commissioner and director (consolidation of holdings) must not own or have any interest, either direct or indirect, in the villages under consolidation.

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TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Gustakh Dil: English Vinglish 2 Aashiyan: Barfi!

3 Phir Le Aya Dil: Barfi!

4 Barfi!: Barfi!

5 Badla Nazara: English Vinglish 40

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November 9, 2012

6 Radha: Student Of The Year 7 Navrai Majhi: English Vinglish 8 The Disco: Student Of The Year 9 Tujhpe Fida: Heroine 10 Saiyaan: Ishkq in Paris

P

riyanka Chopra may have gone international as a singer with her new single "In My City", but the actress says she is too shy to sing in Bollywood.

"I was offered to sing whether it's

by Salim-Suleman or VishalShekhar, but I was too shy for it. I used to try singing on the mike at their insistence but then I used to feel shy and back out saying `I can't do this`. I had even recorded a song with Vishal and Shekhar for `Bluffmaster`, but the song was not released," Priyanka told reporters.

A

fter Priyanka Chopra, looks like now it is Deepika Padukone's turn to be the desi girl.

The tall, sporty lass is not leaving any stone unturned for the character she is playing in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's most anticipated project Ram Leela, with Ranveer Singh.

For the role of a Gujarati girl in the film, she is busy with some festive shopping. With her stylist in tow, Deepika has been visiting the hub of Gujarati fineries for some exquisite and elaborate ghaghra cholis. After completing the basic requirement during the first round of shopping, Deepika and her stylist and designers waited for Navratri for the second round of shopping as they could get

the best collection of Gujarati clothes and traditional wear.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is meticulous about the tiniest details and doesn't want to goof up when it comes to the actor's look. Especially since, the film is based in his homeland, Gujarat. For Deepika's character, he wants her to wear authentic traditional clothes worn by Gujarati women in the interiors.

And after the success of her last release Cocktail in which Deepika's portrayal of the endearing Veronica put her in a different league, the actress is putting all the efforts as she wants to rise a notch higher. Looks like Deepika is set to surprise her audiences once again.

"But now as I have already launched my own album, I can think about it. But I'll be selective as I am really shy," she added.

Her single "In My City ft. Will.i.am" has also been chosen as the key feature of Blender`s Pride Fashion Tour.

The actress says she's honored to have got a chance to work with international artist Will.i.am on her debut international album.

"Will.i.am is an extremely talented musician and artist. It was an honor for me to work with him. We have heard so much about him, we love their music. It was a really new experience. There are other international collaborations in this album too, you'll get to know about it as I keep unraveling my songs in the album," she added.

Bollywood

November 9, 2012

www.indiapost.com

E DHANUSH

injured D

hanush, whose composition Kolaveri di became a worldwide sensation, is busy making his Bollywood debut op-posite Sonam Kapoor in Raanjhnaa directed by Anand Rai. However, the actor has injured his shoulder during the filming of an action sequence of a Telugu film that he shot just before Raanjhnaa. He has been strictly prohibited from any strenuous activity.

The injury has led to an entire song-anddance sequence featuring Dhanush to be postponed. Said a source, "Shooting outdoors in Varanasi has never been easy for directors. It is a volatile location as the crowd tends to get excited watching stars shoot. Director Anand Rai was hoping to finish shooting as planned. But then Dhanush's shoulder injury has prevented the actor from participating in the dance sequence. Anand will return to Varanasi after the actor recovers."

A

sha Gupta had always admired Prakash Jha as a filmmaker, even before she started working in films. The actress did Chakravyuh just for the experience of working with Prakash Jha film.

A close friend of the actress confirms, "She loves the way he creates a world and she wanted to be apart of the same. Coming from Prakash Jha, she knew that the film is going to be hard hitting one and she did not want to miss such a brilliant opportunity of working in it".

Her role might not be a central character in the film but length was never an issue. "In fact at one stage Esha Gupta felt that she should get a special appearance credit instead of main credit with Abhay Deol, Manoj Bajpai and Arjun Rampal".

Before Chakravyuh, Esha Gupta has done two films - Jannat 2 and Raaz 3 and both have had record openings.

fter being the showstopper for many events recently, Parineeti Chopra says that acting is way better than modeling. The latter only gives one a chance to look beautiful.

"Acting is more interesting. Modeling gives us an option to look more beautiful at times," the cute actress said.

The actress walked the ramp for designer Maheka Mirpuri and during the recent Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, she was the showstopper for Manish Malhotra.

She looked stunning in a pink and golden lehenga by Mirpuri.

She also spoke about marriage. Parineeti said she doesn't plan to tie the knot at least for the next ten years. "I have just started working. At least ten more years, I am not getting married."

India Post 41

42 India Post

www.indiapost.com

November 9, 2012

Benchmark in Indian fashion

The Grand Trunk SHOWS THE BEST VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

FREMONT: Komal Anand started The Grand Trunk in 2005 as a dream which has now turned to be a passion in her life. Started as a studio which had the best of Indian fashion under one roof, the

store has now grown into a well known entity and has gained in name and recognition for being the best in terms of Indian designer ensembles.

With many new collections and preview shows happening twice a year, it features the best of garments. The Grand Trunk is well and truly, on its way to setting a benchmark in Indian fashion statements.

The Grand Trunk is the first official store to carry Sabyasachi Mukherjee, JJ Valaya and Anamika Khanna in US. Komal is credited with producing and choreographing the first Sabyasachi Fashion show in US in 2004 at Miami Fashion Week. In 2006, The Grand Trunk and Sabyasachi hosted the first and only Trunk show along with designers Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Shantanu & Nikhil at Atherton, CA. They carry the largest collection of saris, suits and lehangas from Sabyasachi Mukherjee, JJ Valaya and Anamika Khanna. With over 18,000 clients all over the globe, they specialize in bridal outfits from India's top designers.

They are the official retail partners for the top Indian designers and ship globally to over 20 countries.

Komal explains, "Sabyasachi Mukherjee is now a global name and he believes clothes are just extensions of one's intellect. He is

a passionate admirer of saris and feels it as the best female dress non-aggressive, lyrical, feminine.

Top Bollywood actresses like

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee and Vidya Balan flaunt his collections."

Cont’d on page 43

November 9, 2012

India Post

43

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Casteism behind India's decline VINOD DHAWAN India Post News Service

H

N Verma of Sunnyvale is a scholar of world history known for his works like '100 Great Indians' and 'Decisive Battles of India.' He has now turned his attention to the deadly flaws in three largest religions of the world - Jihad in Islam, caste in Hinduism and conversions in Christianity.

'Jatpat or Caste - The Curse of India' is the second in the trilogy; the first on Jihad in Islam having won high acclaim.

Unlike Islam and Christianity, whose main defects hurt other religions, casteism, according to Verma, eats into the own vitals of Hinduism.

Because of the caste divisions the Hindus failed to stand up unitedly against invaders and India became easy prey for Muslim and British conquerors.

Verma traces the origins of casteism through history and Indian scriptures down the ages and

opines that the original purpose was an orderly organization of society through division of labor.

The function of Brahmins was to conduct religious rites, Kshatriyas to protect society; Vaishyas business and trade; Shudras manual services and untouchables to do menial jobs. The varnas were designated to a person based on one's aptitude, quality, mental state and characteristic.

The degeneration of this system began with the top three varnas, led by the Brahmins, wanting to establish and maintain their superiority. Hierarchical Indian society through the ages has been marked by lack of competition. One way of maintaining your superiority is to suppress those who might compete with you in skill and conduct. The Brahmins found that for survival, their intellectual attainments were not enough. They evolved rites and rituals to help their sustenance and material prosperity. Exploiting the belief of Hindus in multitudes of gods,

BOOK REVIEW they would downgrade and throw out as outcastes those opposing their diktat, as divine punishment administered by the Brahmins.

Practices like Yajnopaveet were used to legitimize certain privileges to the Kshatriyas and Vaishyas but

Patang wins best picture award India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Writer/Director Prashant Bhargava and Producer Jaideep Punjabi were the recipients of the Rising Star Film Awards for Best Director and Best Picture for the feature film Patang (The Kite). The awards ceremony was held in New York City on October 23.

The jury comprised Indian film critic Rajeev Masand; India Abroad editor Arthur Pais, singer/songwriter and Goldspot frontman Siddhartha Khosla; American actress and musician Janina Gavankar and American actor Maulik Pancholy.

Patang is one of the most critically celebrated Indian films of the year.

Patang had its world pre-

miere at the Berlin Film Festival and its North American premiere in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film has gone on to play at 30 film festivals worldwide and won numerous accolades including Best Feature Narrative at the Hawaii International Film Festival, Best World Narrative at the Indy Film Festival, Special Jury Award and the Best Feature Narrative at the DC Apa Film Festival and the Special Jury Award at the Osian's Film Festival (New Delhi).

Hollywood director Jay Chandrashekar and Bollywood actress Sunny Leone hosted a distinguished evening that recognized the extraordinary achievement of South Asian Rising Stars in films.

denied to the Shudras, who were also denied education. Another ploy was non-availability of scriptural texts in the people's languages thus confirming the Brahmins vested interest in keeping the masses ignorant.

The book is divided into two parts. Part one gives an overview of the Hindu scriptures and through them the evolution of the caste system. Part two deals with the caste system in historical perspective during the alien rule of Islam and the British, and after Indian independence. Verma says that neither the Islamic rulers nor the British interfered in the caste system or attempted to improve the lot of the Dalits. Giving examples, he says that during Islmaic rule, Brahmins prohibited sea voyage for Hindus. Narrow minded Dharmacharyas gave harsh punishments to those who dared to go abroad. Justice Bannerjee of the Calcutta High Court could not leave India in response to an invitation from the Royalty for fear he would be branded outcaste, and the Maharaja of Travancore suffered punishment for sea voyage.

After Independence several aspects of prejudices of the caste

system have declined but an emphasis on group identity has strengthened. The policy of reservations has done a good deal for the Dalits but in practice the Dalits complain of discrimination from colleagues. Even the rich Dalits are treated with disdain.

Verma quotes one report about a rich Dalit called Pippal of Agra who owns a hospital, a shoe factory, car dealership and a publishing company, lives in a rich colony but is still treated as a Dalit. Dalit students living in hostels complain of excesses by the higher caste students.

Changing India into an open competitive society will require some doing. Verma has done a great job in highlighting flaws in Hindu society. It can help Indian administrators in taking corrective measures.

Mr Verma's book could have become more readable if he had taken care about spellings and misjoining of words. These could easily have been remedied by a spellcheck. The title of the book is also confusing. The Hindi word 'Jatpat' means "quickly" and it is a verb. The correct spelling to denote caste should have been "Jaatpaat.'

The Grand Trunk shows the best Cont’d from page 42

The Grand Trunk show for bridal collections is held twice a year - around February and one during Diwali. The latest show was held on October 27 and witnessed elite clients of the Bay area.

Over 200 guests checked out the event for their Diwali collections.

GT gets the garments straight from designer workshops in Calcutta. It brought the Sridevi sari and many more Sabyasachi classic collections to the show on 12th and 13th October in New Jersey, and the show was a huge success.

In Brief Immigrant detention center considered in Joliet CHICAGO: A plan to build a federal detention center in the Chicago area to house illegal immigrants facing deportation is again under consideration after a previous attempt was blocked by intense opposition from activists.

Joliet officials are in early discussions with the federal government and a private company that would run the facility about possibly locating the center in the city about 40 miles southwest of Chicago, said City Manager Thomas Thanas. An earlier plan to build the facility in the nearby village of Crete was rejected by village trustees in June after months of protests. -AP

SC immigration unit says it's been successful COLUMBIA, SC: A special South Carolina law enforcement unit that investigates criminal cases against illegal immigrants has been successful in its first few months, the governor and the state's top public safety official said. ``Washington, D.C., has fought us on our illegal immigration situation for a very long time,'' Gov. Nikki Haley said during a news conference at the Statehouse. ``But we, right now, have one of the best immigration organizations.''

Department of Public Safety Director Leroy Smith said the eightperson unit focused on making cases against illegal immigrants suspected of breaking laws in the state has made numerous arrests and secured some convictions for both felonies and misdemeanors since it started in June. However, officials would not say how many arrests the unit has made. -AP

US to return 4,000 archaeological items to Mexico EL PASO, Texas: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will return to the Mexican government more than 4,000 archaeological pieces seized at several locations across the United States by customs agents and investigators.

ICE spokeswoman Leticia Zamarripa says the cache of items mostly date from before the landings of European explorers on the North American continent. The lot includes pre-Columbian stones used to grind corn and other grains, statues, figurines, copper hatchets and other artifacts. -AP

Immigration 44

India Post

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November 9, 2012

Modi visa application to be handled as per law: Burns WASHINGTON: US would handle the visa application of the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as per the country's immigration laws, a top US diplomat said. At the same time, the official said, US supports the business interests of American companies in Gujarat. -PTI

Young activists wary of delayed deportation policy ATLANTA: Viridiana Martinez has been on the front lines in the debate over immigration reform, organizing protests and getting arrested in acts of civil disobedience. But when President Barack Obama announced a policy allowing young people like her to temporarily avoid deportation, she was anything but elated. ``It's all political theater,'' said the 26-year-old who came to the U.S. illegally from Mexico when she was 6 and grew up in North Carolina. ``For me, at this point, applying for deferred action would be like accepting that theater, and I can't do that.''

The lukewarm responses of Martinez and other leaders of the so-called DREAMers movement come after they have spent months or even years traveling the country while openly declaring themselves ``undocumented and unafraid.''

They have gotten themselves arrested, boldly given interviews to the press and allowed their pictures to be taken, and many are known to immigration authorities, who have taken no steps to deport them.

The policy shift announced by

the president in June provides a two-year protection from deportation to certain young people brought to this country illegally and the chance to apply for a work permit. Now the young activist leaders are deciding whether it's worth accepting a deal that falls far short of what they're asking for.

Some, like Martinez, are reject-

vocal and active critic of a policy that effectively bars students who can't prove their citizenship or legal residency from attending Georgia's most competitive state colleges and universities. She's skeptical of the new program, but decided to apply. ``If I do get deferred action, I can legally work and help sustain my family financially,'' said the 21-

Some, like Martinez, are rejecting the program because its narrow scope doesn't provide a path to legalization or any security for their families. But others have decided to apply despite misgivings, lured by the chance to get a driver's license ing the program because its narrow scope doesn't provide a path to legalization or any security for their families. But others have decided to apply despite misgivings, lured by the chance to get a driver's license and qualify for instate tuition in some states and to get a work permit.

Keish Kim, brought from South Korea when she was 8, has been a

year-old Syracuse University student. ``That means a lot to a lot of undocumented families.''

The government began accepting applications Aug. 15. The Migration Policy Institute estimates that as many as 1.7 million people could be eligible. By Oct. 10, about 180,000 people had applied and nearly 4,600 applications had been approved.

Throngs of young people have turned out at events nationwide where immigration lawyers have offered free guidance on completing applications. Still, some are concerned about signaling their presence to immigration authorities. And there are other obstacles: the $465 application fee and the extensive documentation required to prove eligibility.

Mohammad Abdollahi, 27, who grew up in Michigan after being brought here illegally from Iran at age 3, said he is concerned about applicants who might get rejected. The leader of many protests around the country said he doesn't plan to apply until the guidelines are more inclusive. ``Getting a work permit would help me,'' he said. ``But I know there are so many other people who are not out and are not organizing that are not going to qualify or their applications are going to get rejected.''

Many critics say the policy which they contend falls short even as a stopgap measure - is a way for Obama to pander to the growing Latino voting bloc ahead of the elections. -AP

Foreign income exclusion can hurt naturalization GARY ENDELMAN & CYRUS D. MEHTA

M

aintaining continuity of residence is paramount if one wants to naturalize and become a US citizen. For an in depth discussion, we refer you to our prior blog Naturalization In A Flat World, (http://blog.cyrusmehta.com/ 2010/07/naturalizing-in-flatworld.html,) and Gary Endelman's recent article, The Enigma of Disruption: What Continuity of Residence In Naturalization Really Means, 17 Bender's Immigration Bulletin 1437, August 1, 2012. Even though a naturalization applicant meets all the eligibility criteria, an examiner can still deny an application for failure to maintain the continuous residence requirement. Tax issues can further trip up the appli-

cant, especially when one is trying to shield foreign earned income from US taxation, which this article will focus on.

But before we do so, we provide the basic eligibility criteria for naturalization.

sided continuously within the US for at least five years after being lawfully admitted for permanent residence. If the applicant has been in marital union with a US citizen spouse for three years, the continuous residence requirement is

INA § 316(b) states that an absence from the US of more than six months but less than one year during the 5-year period immediately preceding the filing of the application may break the continuity An applicant must meet certain threshold eligibility criteria in order to become a US citizen. Pursuant to § 316(a) of the Immigration & Naturalization Act (INA), the applicant must establish that immediately preceding the filing of the application, he or she has re-

three years instead of five years.

Moreover, under INA § 316(a), the applicant must also establish that he or she has been physically present in the US for periods totaling at least half of that time and has resided within the State or district of the Service where the ap-

plicant filed the application for at least three months.

Furthermore, INA § 316(a)(2) also requires the applicant to establish that he or she has resided continuously within the US from the date of the application up to the time of citizenship.

INA § 316(a)(3) requires the applicant to establish, inter alia, that he or she is still a person of good moral character during the relevant 5 or 3-year period.

INA § 316(b) states that an absence from the US of more than six months but less than one year during the 5-year period immediately preceding the filing of the application may break the continuity of such residence.

Cont’d on page 45

Immigration Post

November 9, 2012

India Post

45

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Calif Latino grocery chain fights immigration woes FRESNO, California: Two decades ago, Mi Pueblo Food Center began modestly as a small butcher shop run by an illegal immigrant. Now, the supermarket that caters to the Latino immigrant community has grown into a popular chain of 21 stores in California.

But with growth and success have come scrutiny from federal immigration authorities and clashes with a union that wants to represent Mi Pueblo's 3,200 workers and is leading a consumer boycott.

The predicament is thorny for a family-owned firm that relies almost exclusively on Latino immigrants for its workforce and its customer base.

The company is under pressure from an ongoing immigration audit and its decision to use a controversial federal program that screens the eligibility of new employees to work in the United States. ``We are feeling what is happening to us in a way that most companies might not, because we are founded by an immigrant and

depend on immigrants to survive,'' said Perla Rodriguez, spokeswoman for the San Jose, California-based company.

She said the company did not knowingly hire any illegal immigrants.

To San Jose-based United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5, which has been organizing Mi Pueblo workers around the state, the company's move to E-Verify in mid-August meant one thing only: the self-styled immigrant-friendly employer was cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The Obama administration has increasingly relied on workplace audits as an alternative to immigration raids in which agents with weapons handcuffed workers and placed them in deportation proceedings.

But the move toward the socalled ``silent raids'' - which have increased from 254 to 2,736 in the past five years - has carried unintended consequences for some

employers. They have to fire workers who lack employment authorization, but they also can face the ire of labor unions.

Experts say immigration audits can cause a particular di-

Mi Pueblo officials say they were ``forced'' to use the E-Verify program by immigration officials after the government started conducting an audit of the company's hiring records lemma for companies that cater to immigrants. ``There's a great irony for companies who serve immigrant communities, because of the possibility that many of their customers are undocumented. They can

Foreign income exclusion can hurt naturalization Cont’d from page 44

INA § 316(b) notes that should such a presumption arise, it may be rebutted if the applicant can establish that he or she in fact did not abandon his or her residence during such period.

What precisely is continuous residence? INA § 101(a)(33) defines residence as follows: "The term 'residence' means the place of general abode; the place of general abode of a person means his principal, actual dwelling place in fact, without regard to intent." But that only tells us what residence means, not continuous residence.

The regulation, on the other hand, at 8 C.F.R. §316.5(c) (1) (i) tells us what is not continuous residence. It says that an absence of between six months and one year shall disrupt the continuity of residence unless the applicant can establish otherwise to the satisfaction of the Service. Thus, un-

less the applicant was outside the US for six months or more but less than a year, he or she should argue that there was no disruption of continuous residence. Yet the authors have known of naturalization examiners improperly clubbing two back to back lengthy trips although each one was less than 180 days.

If an applicant is out of the US for more than 180 days but less than one year, it will cause a disruption of continuity of residence but there is still hope. 8 C.F.R. § 316.5(c) (1) (i) provides examples of the types of documentation which may establish that the applicant did not disrupt the continuity of his or her residence.

Specifically, the regulation provides the following examples that an applicant can submit to rebut an allegation of disruption of continuity of residence: (A) The applicant did not terminate his or her employment in

the US; (B) The applicant's immediate family remained in the US; (C) The applicant retained full access to his or her US abode; or (D) The applicant did not obtain employment while abroad.

While one is already treading on thin ice while trying to demonstrate continuous residence, shielding foreign-earned income from US taxation can create yet another chink in one's armor when trying to rebut an allegation of disruption of continuity of residence.

Many accountants may not know this, but tread with caution if you wish to naturalize and are planning to shield foreign earned income from US taxation that can protect you up to $92,900.

(To be continued)

* Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com

serve them, but they're not supposed to hire them,'' said Aarti Kohli, an immigration policy expert at the University of California, Berkeley. ``I think sometimes community members feel, here is a company that wants us to buy their services and in return, what are they doing for us?''

In response to the audit, Mi Pueblo defended itself on the radio and in community meetings, and launched a campaign to promote immigration reform.

Mi Pueblo officials say they were ``forced'' to use the E-Verify program by immigration officials after the government started conducting an audit of the company's hiring records to ensure Mi Pueblo was not employing illegal immigrants.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials would not

confirm the audit, because the agency releases information only if an investigation results in fines or criminal convictions.

ICE spokeswoman Virginia Kice said audits are usually triggered by leads or complaints from various sources and that investigators don't force companies to use E-Verify, which is a voluntary program.

The early journey of Juvenal Chavez, founder and CEO of Mi Pueblo, may mirror that of some customers and workers. A former teacher from the Mexican state of Michoacan, Chavez came to the U.S. illegally in 1984 at age 24.

He did odd jobs - working as a janitor and bartender and washing glassware in laboratories at Stanford University. He took adult education classes to learn English, and his company says he gained legal status. -AP

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Datebook

November 9, 2012

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

NEW YORK

NEW JERSEY

ILLINOIS

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Fri July 20 to Sat Dec 15 • Turning Rumi: Singing Verses of Love, Unity and Freedom Part2 : The Art of Salma Arastu Venue: Dominican University of California, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael, California Time: 2:30pm to 4:30pm (Artist Reception on Sat Sept 15at Community Gallery, Alemany Library) Contact: 415-482-2453

Fri Nov 09 • Diwali celebration

by Gujarati Art Venue: India community center, 525 Los Coches St, Milpitas, CA 95035 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: Gujarati ART Literature, Phone: 408-761-6079

Fri Nov 10 • Children’s Day Venue: Windmere Ranch Middle School, 11611 E Branch Pkwy, San Ramon, CA Time: 1pm Contact: 615-397-2066

Sat Nov 10 • Deva Mani Raga Sagara - Music for healing and meditation Venue: Montgomery Theater, San Jose, 271 N Market St, San Jose, CA 95110 Time: 6:30 pm Contact: 9499032553

Sun Nov 18

Sun Nov 11 • HDF Los Angeles Chapter - Annual Fundraising Dinner Venue: Knott's berry Farm Hotel, 7675 Crescent Ave, Buena Park, CA 90620 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 8474900100

Fri Nov 16 • Sikhlens: The Sikh Arts & Film Festival Venue: Dodge College of Film and Media Arts - Chapman University, 283 North Cypress Street, Orange, CA 92866 Time: 1:00 pm Contact: 7147594723

Sun Nov 18 • Ayyappa Mandala Puja & Maladharana Venue: Campbell Siddhi Vinayaka Temple, 1300 White Oaks Rd, Campbell, CA 95008 Time: 5:00 pm Contact: 4847278424

Sun Nov 18 • The Empowerment Conference Venue: The Olympic Collection, 11301 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064 Time: 2:00 pm Contact: Phone: 213-399-3820

Sun Nov 18 • Music Concert by Mauli Dave Venue: La Mirada Theater For the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd, La Mirada, CA 90638 Time: 5:00 pm Contact: 5623352349

• Naathemenum Koyililae - A Grand Diwali Light Music Concert

Sat Dec 1

Venue: Chabot College Performing Arts Center, 25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94545 Time: 4:00 pm Contact: 4089664363

Venue: Norwalk Presbyterian Church, 11345 Rosecrans Ave, Norwalk, CA 90650 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 8053283932

• DYFC Invites You to Christmas KickOff Party

Thur, Nov 15

Sat Nov 10

Fri Nov 9

• Bollywood Couples Night

• Kali Puja 2012

• Bhangra Night!

Venue: The Empire Room, 350 5th Avenue 33rd Street between, New York, NY 10001 Time: 10:00 pm Contact: 9173240000

Venue: Judd Elementary School, 1601 Roosevelt Ave, North Brunswick, NJ Time: 2pm Contact: 732-816-5302

Venue: Old Town School of Music-Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL Time: 8:30pm Contact: 773-728-6000

Mon Dec 10 & 11

Sat Nov 10

Sat Nov 10

• Deepavali Celebrations

• Kiran Ahluwalia

Venue: East Brunswick Performing Arts, 200 Rues Ln, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 Time: 3:00 pm Contact: Telu Fine Arts Society, 9737158944

Venue: Old Town School of Music-Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL Time: 7:30pm Contact: 773-728-6000

• Childrens Film Festival: Celebrating Children's movies from Bollywood Venue: Plainview Old Bethpage, Public Library, 999 Old Country Road, Plainview, NY 11803 Time: 5:30pm Contact: 516-349-7119 Highlights: Festival Starting with the movie curated by Award winning Producer and Director Mr. Tirlok Malik (Little magician).

Fri Nov 16 • Diwali - Festival of Lights Venue: Akbar Restaurant, 2nd St, Garden City, NY 11530 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 917-715-2883

Sat Nov 24 • Jaya Jaya Sree Rama Venue: P.S. 115 Auditorium, 80-51 261st St, Floral park (Queens), NY 11004 Time: 3:30 pm Time: 914-484-5291

ATLANTA Upcoming Tue Nov 13 • Diwali 2012 Atlanta BAPS Temple Venue: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Atlanta, 460 Rockbridge Rd NW, Lilburn, GA 30047 Time: 5:00 pm Contact: 6789062277

Sun Nov 18 • Enlightening Talks in English

By Swami Mukundananda

Sun Nov 11

Venue: Hindu Samaj Temple, 243 W Ramapo Ave, Mahwah, NJ 07430 Time: 3:00 pm Contact: 201-280-6938

Venue: Holiday Inn Rolling Meadows, 3405 Algonquin Pkwy, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Time: 11:00 AM Contact: 8474096224

• South Asian Bridal Show 2012

Horoscope

50 India Post

November 9, 2012

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Your Weekly Future

by Pandit Parashar

NOVEMBER 9TH to NOVEMBER 15TH (November 23 to December 22)

(March 21 to April 20)

E

B

xpect some serious prosperity from now and on. Project you had been working on will be accepted opening new doors. A new member will be added in the family soon. You will also overcome few difficulties in life. Mind will stay calm and you will make excellent choices this week. Hard work and patience will yield rich rewards in very near future.

usiness will pick up suddenly and things will be better at work.

Jupiter's transit in ninth brings an end to lots of uncertainty clouding your mind in the past. You may visit a holy place or making some contribution to a noble cause. Expect some last minute delay in ongoing legal matters.

(December 22 to January 19)

(April 21 to May 20)

J

upiter will bring financial relief. Money stuck for long can also come this week. You may be able to get out of the project or a property draining you out for long. People in power will extend helping hand and will really deliver. You may also replace an old vehicle with newer model.

T

here will be big change on financial front. Suddenly you will feel relieved. Expenses will stay under control and new opportunity will bring in extra cash. You will be slowly planning a trip also. Do not disclose your strategy to every one right away. Planets in third will make you take some courageous steps to get out of rat race.

(January 20 to February 18) (May 21 to June 20)

R

ight help is only a phone call away. Once again things will start moving in right. You will receive useful tips and leads from a matured and elderly person. Business will pick up suddenly and you will be more optimistic about life. You may get out of a bad relationship also.

Y

ou will spend lots of time on phone and writing emails. Commitments made long ago will keep draining you out financially. Health will be better and you will be more confident about your actions.

Meetings will go very well and you will be given green signal also.

Spouse may not agree on everything but support you on major ones.

(February 19 to March 20)

S

ome of you may need to travel out of state for business purpose.

Listen to spouse carefully, the idea is not bad. Money wise you will stay comfortable and meet all commitments on time. Strong Venus can take you closer to an adventurous person. New job offer will not be bad and you may be slightly reluctant to take the risk at this point in life.

(June 21 to July 22)

Y

ou will be spending lots of money on family. Some money will also go towards a future trip. You may be suggested minor surgery to overcome a health issue bothering for quite some time. Stick your terms and soon the others will agree. Spouse may have some unnecessary fears in mind, talking will really help calm things down.

(July 23 to August 22)

D

eal will be good in short as well as long term. You will make new friends and one of them will give you good leads. Sibling will call to give you very good news. You will spend money on an upcoming trip also. You will be tempted to take a big risk but something will pull you back on last minute. You will relish your favorite items this week.

(August 23 to September 22)

C

hanges may start taking place at work. Some of you will be offered opportunity little away from home. Pending issues with government are about to be decided in your favor. You will be paying more attention to spouse and try to entertain more often. Some of you may decide to appear and start preparing for a highly competitive exam.

(September 23 to October 22)

U

ncertainty will clear in career and you will escape the worst.

Jupiter's aspect on Saturn will bring an end to lots of anxiety and bring peace in mind. Some of you will be shifted to another position at job. Money wise you will continue to do fine and find time and resources to entertain yourself.

(October 23 to November 22)

S

ome of you may feel discontent with the changes at work and start looking for a new and better environment. You will be taking more interest in a child and try to resolve important issues. Some one from a different culture will make an interesting offer. You may be confused whether to go on a trip. It will be better to think twice before actions.

Kajol & Ajay Devgan make a wonderful couple

O

ne is bubbly and full of life and the other is intense and serious, but together they make a wonderful couple. Kajol and Ajay Devgan have been together for more than twelve years now and their relationship continues to grow stronger. Feelings between the two initially blossomed when they worked together during the shooting of the movie Hulchul in 1995.

The Bollywood actors had worked together in movies like Pyar To Hona Hi Tha (1997) and Dil Kya Kare (1999) and eventually got married on 24th February, 1999. They are blessed with two beautiful children, Nysa and Yug. Kajol and Ajay Devgan's relationship shows a strong compatibility ratio. Ajay's moon sign is Virgo. The natives of Virgo are analytical and their perfection-oriented worldview makes them extremely efficient and diligent workers. Kajol's moon sign being Aquarius, she is loyal, sincere and philanthropic.

Both Virgo and Aquarius give importance to their families and will like to have long lasting relationship. The natives are considerate and believe in the feeling of give and take.

2012 will be a favorable year for their relationship. They will be spending more quality time together and will work towards resolving their past issues.

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

925-833-7170 website: www.parashar.com

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Philosophy

November 9, 2012

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T

hat which projects and sustains the universe also knows how to look after it in the best possible way, without our fussy, well-meaning interference, although we may be duly used. If one has such firm faith and clear awareness, then our ambitions and desires to change the world drop away.

More and more, maturely developed people do not lose their intelligence and activity in old body age. They remain radiantly wise to the end of their lifespan.

Inner development evidently overrules the influence of age in such people. The content prevails over the outer shell. It innerstands at joyous ease. The developed consciousnesses transform their bodies to their needs and aims.

On one level of ego-consciousness, duality, sex, desires and fears reign supreme, while on another level they cease to matter: we are free in them. In a third mode of awareness, they cease to exist.

On this plane, vibrations and intuitions ("the peaks of intelligence") are reflected as consciousness, or acting intelligence. The majority of us cannot imagine existence without the visible world that surrounds us. Innerstand: live your Self in conscious awareness, or aware consciousness.

There is also unconscious awareness and affectionate de-

DEEPAK CHOPRA

I

see evil not as an intrinsic property of the universe, but rather as a by-product of ignorance - lack of self-knowledge.

Evil actions are born of a deep misunderstanding of what one is and what one is not.

You can look at ignorance and knowledge as opposites, but I don't think of knowledge as needing ignorance as a required contrasting experience. We may find ourselves in a state of ignorance and the suffering that comes with it, but that doesn't mean suffering is necessary.

Coming into full self-realization, or enlightenment, puts a permanent end to ignorance and suffering. Having attained that knowledge, there is no losing it or going back into ignorance.

Keeping Up with Meditation Bear in mind that meditation is the best preparation for your daily activities. It will save you time by making you more efficient and will make you less stressed and tired by making everything easier. Once you have set your meditation practice as a daily priority over the other million things you are doing, then you no longer need to waste energy in deciding whether to do it or

tachment. Sahaja Samadhi is just pure Being Awareness Grace, the silent and all embracing wisdom, the Light that is without shadow.

Be in the world and not of it. Be a witness, not participating in all that happens around you, in all conditions. Do not be attached to these conditions but, in affectionate detachment and affectionate awareness, be free in the interplay.

It is Swadharma in Swalila.

The one thing that matters is to

A great teacher tells us, "I and the Source are One. I came from the Source, not to do my own will, but to do the will of the Source that sent me."

Sahaja Samadhi, in which there are no desires and no fears, is the grace of Eternity, which we awared in the eyes and being of Ramana Maharishi. He said that the biblical formula of God, "I am That I am," depicts the whole truth, as can be attempted to express it in

is simply beyond all expectations, anxieties and strivings. One is sincerely aware that everything is as it should be. Awakened Beings do not care whether or not their actions and wisdom be recognized.

The whole secret of conscious Self awareness lies in inner experience and not in study, learning, standing "under" or "over" or in "mere" happiness. "We inner-stand at joyous ease," says Sri Wuji.

Reality does not assert itSelf. It

Be a witness, not participating in all that happens

Sunyata

The one thing that matters is to find, aware and experience the inner silence and not merely talk about it. Rare are those who find, and numerous are those who talk without having had due experience

find, aware and experience the inner silence and not merely talk about it.

Rare are those who find, and numerous are those who talk without having had due experience. Silence is the best. It is Self-revealing.

The man who has reached absolute detachment from all illusions and everything relative has no individual will anymore. He wants nothing for himself - and his will is necessarily one with the omnipresent will of the whole. You may call It God.

speech or in words.

The whole secret of attainment or awakening lies in personal, inner experience. Samadhi alone can reveal the truth of integral Being. A flash of intuitive wisdom, without thinking, can illuminate the whole.

Yet, for awakening into conscious awareness, ripeness is a deciding factor. No visions or other abnormal applications are a guarantee that the state is not a mental delusion or ecstasy. One

just naturally radiates - like the sun.

Its language is Self radiant Silence.

We may be utterly unconscious of the fact of invisible assistance and guidance, but our Wujies are "divinely indifferent," whether or not their guidance be mentally recognized by egojies or not. In Sahaja Samadhi, man (the persona, the ego mind) as we know him, "does not exist."

The 122nd birth anniversary of Sunyata was observed on October 27

when to do it. You simply do it automatically, without giving it much thought, like brushing your teeth.

This straightforward attitude will help you ride through the rough patches too, because you aren't reevaluating whether to do it everyday based on your mood or expectations - you know it is helping re-

compasses the entire range of life body, mind, and spirit.

Some desires through ignorance and habit have twisted the normal evolutionary intelligence in desire.

These distorted desire patterns lead to further imbalance, such as eating disorders, drug addictions, or other unhealthy dependencies.

Overeating You need to recognize that your desire to eat is disconnected from your body's intelligence and it's messages of when you need to eat, what you need to eat and how much you need to eat. Presently your desire to eat has become an unconscious

Evil actions are born of a deep misunderstanding

Deepak Chopra

gardless so you just do it.

Desires of the Body Desires are the force of evolution manifesting in our life, so the underlying intent of every desire is to bring real fulfillment and union with God. We don't need to eliminate desires of the body, but rather we need to listen to and satisfy the deeper drive underneath superficial desires, for that will always lead to greater awakening. Spirituality en-

Once you have set your meditation practice as a daily priority over the other million things you are doing, then you no longer need to waste energy in deciding whether to do it or when to do it These desires are really compulsions that are counterproductive and distract us from our path to fulfillment. In that situation one must discriminate whether the desire is coming from the part of you that seeks wholeness and harmony, or whether it is a pattern of imbalance that seeks to perpetuate itself.

Then locate the deeper spiritual intent at the source of the desire and follow that.

impulse to placate your anxiety.

That is why no amount of food is satisfying because you are trying to satisfy an emotional need with physical food. To separate these two confused impulses, you need to become fully present and aware when you eat. Get back in touch with your body's inner intelligence.

The 66th birth anniversary of Deepak Chopra was observed on October 22

One must go into solitude to attain this divine love. To get butter from milk you must let it set into curd in a secluded spot; if it is too much disturbed, milk won't turn into curd. Next, you must put aside all other duties, sit in a quiet spot, and churn the curd. Only then do you get butter.

-Ramakrishna Fear must exist as long as there is an urge to be or to become, which is the pursuit of success, with all its frustrations and tortuous contradictions.

-J.Krishnamurti An untroubled mind, No longer seeking to consider What is right and what is wrong, A mind beyond judgements, Watches and understands.

-Buddha Tuition means somebody else is giving it to you. Intuition means nobody is giving it to you; it is growing within yourself.

-Osho I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians.

Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.

-Mahatma Gandhi

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A regional solution for Afghanistan: Demystifying 'Plan B' of the West J JEGANAATHAN

E

ver since President Obama announced the pullout of US troops (almost 33,000) from Afghanistan by summer of 2012, the international community is in a quandary to find a face-saving exit from Afghanistan. Multiple scenarios have been proposed and discussed as to what will happen to Afghanistan after the withdrawal, though the exact nature of troop drawdown is not yet known.

Overall, except the incumbent Afghan government headed by President Hamid Karzai, everyone seems to have resigned to largely pessimistic (bad, worse and worst case) scenarios on Afghanistan.

Yet, the West has promulgated what it believes to be a "Regional Solution" for Afghanistan.

Is this a feasible strategy?

What does this signify? This article demystifies the international community's effort to push forward the idea of 'Regional Solution' as their last resort to escape from this quicksand.

'Regional solution' for a stable and secure Afghanistan seems to be one of the multiple strategies that have been suggested to deal with the Afghan quagmire. This could be the best plausible 'Plan B' for the western powers to exit Afghanistan without disgrace.

However, what exactly does the West mean by this 'regional solution'? To understand this, it is imperative to know the various factors that have kept Afghanistan politically fragile and volatile despite a decade-long US-led international military campaign to stabilize and civilize Afghanistan.

On the whole, the US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Military mission in Afghanistan has failed dramatically due to three major reasons: its inability to eliminate Taliban and control insurgency, unsuccessful attempts to

seen as a bridge between South Asia and Central Asia connecting two grand civilizations and two distinct regions. Given this fact, the Obama Administration has been placing greater emphasis on a regional strategy for Afghanistan, especially after Osama's death.

By pronouncing a Regional Solution for Afghanistan what the US means is to pursue a regional strategy that would enable the regional actors to deal with the Afghan problem. One should not forget the core objective of the US in

American troops in Afghanistan

the so-called war on terror campaign that lasted for a decade is to eliminate al-Qaeda and its leaders.

With that objective achieved, it would be naive to believe or expect that they would stay in to modernize or civilize a country which struggles to retain its medieval legacy. Perhaps, the tacit meaning of this strategy could be to keep the Taliban and other insurgents out, India and Turkey in and Pakistan and Iran down.

Regional Solution has rather become a safe "exit strategy" for the US and its allies for two reasons.

First, the Afghan National Force (ANF) is not capable of undertaking their national security responsibility once the NATO troops vacate.

Second, there is less guarantee of financial aid flowing into Afghani-

It is quite obvious that Turkey has taken a regional leadership role in fostering security cooperation in the region to solve the Afghan crisis. India has taken a lead role in building Afghan economy build a new Afghanistan with strong political, economic and military institutions to withstand both internal and external adversities and incapacity to contain Pakistan's dubious role as a source for instability in Afghanistan.

Is "Regional Solution" a "Strategy of Abandonment"?

Geographically, Afghanistan is

have been organized by the US from April 2011 onwards with specific focus on Afghanistan. Of these two regional initiatives are important: Istanbul process on Afghanistan in November 2011 and the Delhi Investment Summit in June 2012.

The Istanbul Summit on Afghanistan was held in November 2011 under the rubric of "Friendship and Cooperation in the Heart of Asia", and emphasized regional security cooperation for a secure and stable Afghanistan.

stan from western countries after the withdrawal because of rampant corruption and nepotism in the present government. So, the best way is to hand over the country to regional players who claim direct or indirect stakes, to decide its political fate and future.

As part of this strategy, a series of international conferences

Turkey, a NATO member from this region was the flag-bearer of this idea, and initiated it with the full backing of the US. It advocates regional cooperation and mechanism to solve the Afghan problem through multiple levels of dialogues on variety of issues concerning Afghanistan's future.

On the other hand, the Delhi Investment Summit on Afghanistan held in June 2012 promised to build Afghanistan's economy through foreign investments.

It is quite obvious that Turkey has taken a regional leadership role in fostering security cooperation in the region to solve the Afghan crisis. India has taken a lead role in building Afghan economy by foreign investments in mining sectors. Both India and Turkey enjoy the blessings and backing of the US and western countries, which needs a trustworthy partner or ally from this region.

If this tacit reading of the regional strategy is accurate, then it is easy to conclude that the west is preparing to abandon Afghanistan in the near future. The most plausible scenario then would be the bifurcation of Afghanistan into two provinces: Northern and Southern Afghanistan governed by different Loya Jirgas. Though not a highly desirable endgame, but bifurcation of Afghanistan would still be better than its balkanization along ethnic lines.

The writer is Research Fellow, IReS, IPCS

Rahul's hand

B

y elevating Salman Khurshid as External Affairs Minister Manmohan Singh has given the message that corruption charges are like pin-pricks in a country's administration and that he has to get on with the job. Another reason is that he has to make do with whatever talent he has at his disposal. Salman Khurshid has experience as the junior minister in the foreign ministry during the prime miinistership of Narsimha Rao. The previous incumbent, octogenarian SM Krishna, had given evidence of his lack of grip when he began reading the address of Portuguese foreign minister at the United Nations, apart from a couple of other faux pas. But this doesn't mean that youth has been given the due representation in this last reshuffle of the Union ministry before the 2014 elections. Three of Rahul Gandhi's proteges -Jitendra Prasada, Jyotiraje Scinida and Sachin Pilot - have been given independent charge of ministries without Cabinet rank. A comparatively lesser scam-tainted Shashi Tharoor has been brought back again as junior minister in the HRD ministry. It is a mystery why an Indian who contested the post of Secretary General of United Nations as an official candidate of India cannot be trusted with charge as senior minister.

Overall the reshuffle gives the impression of appeasing regions which are going for polls with Andhra Pradesh getting the lion's share of five ministers. The Congress faces there a rebellion by the son of a former powerful chief minister and the growing agitation for a separate Telengana. On both these issues the Congress High Command in Delhi is unable to make up its mind.

At the swearing in ceremony, Rahul Gandhi was sitting in the second row, seemingly away from the limelight. He has refused the invitation of the Prime Minister to join the government because he prefers to pull the strings from behind the scenes. Like his mother, he wants to take credit for the populist schemes but refuses to share blame if the policies do not succeed. As a minister in the government he would have to take a decision and be judged for it. Behind the scenes, he is not culpable. By this policy he cannot win confidence for heading a government in 2014. His reluctance to take on responsibility has affected the chances of young talent, whatever there is, in the Congress. No young leader has been entrusted with cabinet rank portfolio lest he makes a mark in it and overshadows the aspirant from the dynasty. Thus he would neither take on responsibility himself nor let other young people take it thus leaving the future of the Congress frozen.

The issues of corruption and price rise, which the cabinet reshuffle sought to put behind, are not going to go away. The perception of the government as one step forward and two steps backward is not going to change. For that the government as well as the party have to communicate sincerely with the people and tell them what are the motives behind their actions. Heir apparent Rahul Gandhi was found making fun of the media for their speculation that the reshuffle had his imprint, that he would now get the number two position in the Congress party as the working president and that he had already been calling shots preparing for the big test of 2014. If the media speculations are wrong, or even if right, the blame for their resorting to speculations lies squarely on his shoulders. Representatives of the people are supposed to communicate with those they represent.

If they do not tell them what they aim to do and how successful they have been, the people will be left wondering what is happening. Why is their lot not improving and if someone's is in charge, why is he not delivering. If Rahul Gandhi doesn't provide the answers, all kinds of guesswork will mushroom and he will pay for the wrong perceptions.

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