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Richard Verma named US envoy to India Details on page 8

8 Indians in list of powerful AsiaPacific women Details on page 12

VOL 20, No. 1045

September 26, 2014

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FIFTY ENGAGEMENTS LINED UP FOR MODI WASHINGTON/NEW YORK: From meeting President Barack Obama to delivering his maiden speech at the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have his hands full during his visit to the US, where he is expected to undertake more than 50 engagements over 100 hours of stay.

A hectic agenda awaits Modi in the US as he would utilize his stay to meet top global leaders, address thousands of cheering crowds, make a speech at the UN General Assembly

(UNGA) and interact with CEOs of the Fortune 500, in addition to his Oval Office meeting with President Obama.

The series of engagements - estimated to be over 50 - in a little over 100 hours from the time Air India One touches down at the John F Kennedy international airport in New York on September 26 till the wheels are up at the Andrews Air Force Base in Washington on September 30 evening are all aimed at achieving Modi's goal of a resurgent India.

Details on page 5

Dr. Japra announcing Diwali Mela and Fireworks

FIA lines up spectacular Diwali programs Details on page 16

Ficci team in US ahead of PM visit Details on page 12

IDCA to host job fairs in New York, Dallas Details on page 24

Democratic leaders at IADO dinner meet

Indo-US Energy Summit in Washington

Details on page 18

Details on page 9

Afghanistan's Karzai takes one last swipe at US

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 30-31 Classifieds ------------------------- 52

Details on page 10

Community Post -------------- 16-26 Date Book -------------------------- 47

INDIA POST SURVEY

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

survey@indiapost.com

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

This week’s question

Horoscope ------------------------- 51

Will Indian-American envoy prove more effective?

Immigration Post ------------- 44-46 Life Style ----------------------- 48-50

Last week’s result

Modi needs to control cadres in UP? YES 77%

NO 23%

Philosophy ------------------------- 53 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4

BEFORE THE KILLING: The irate White Tiger staring at 20-year old Maqsood who fell in its enclosure at the Delhi Zoo on September 23. (Details on page 9)

Real Estate -------------------- 37-38 TechBiz Post ------------------- 12-13 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 40-43

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t's the best news one has heard in a long time in the context of US-India relations. The announcement by President Obama expressing his intent to nominate Richard Rahul Verma as the next US Ambassador to India is a diplomatic coup of sorts by the President as it hits so many targets on cue.

Whether intended or not, the arrest of Devyani Khobragade, former deputy consul general of India in New York, last year had soured a lot of relations at various levels between the two countries, so much so that the US Ambassador to India at the time, Nancy Powell, resigned from her post in March this year, and returned home. Not wanting to push any more wrong buttons, the Obama Administration took its time until now to find the "right" candidate.

It is not surprising the timing of this announcement, what with the Obama Administration's all out efforts to reach out to India's new Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to visit the US Sept 26 - 30. The US, of course, has a lot more ground to cover in greeting Modi than the latter does in meeting Obama, having blacklisted the Indian leader from being granted a US visa since 2005.

More than anything, the Modi visa issue had been a prickly one for many Indian Americans. They had made it a life mission to somehow bring Modi to the US. And now, what may be a triumph of sorts for these Modi admirers is shaping up into a mega celebration at New York's Madison Square Garden over this weekend.

It would be unfair though to undermine Rich Verma's nomination as merely a diplomatic maneuver. Because, as can be expected of an Indian American, Rich Verma comes with a truck full of impeccable credentials. And when confirmed by the Senate later this year - which I have no doubt he will be - he would be the most influential Indian American in India.

And that's what makes this situation a win-win for all concerned - the US, India and Indian Americans. So let's take a bow, guys, it's verily our day under the bilateral sun.

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Amazing dancer Hrithik Roshan, considered one of the best dancers in Bollywood, has done some high octane moves in 'Bang Bang'

Cover Story: 50 engagements PM Narendra Modi is expected to undertake more than 50 engagements over his 100 hours of stay in the US

Community: Diwali Mela FIA in association with Fremont Hindu Temple has announced its third Diwali Mela and Fireworks 2014 on Oct 25.

Hope on immigration Immigrant advocacy groups hope that when Obama does act, he will be aggressive and leave a mark for posterity.

Life style: Disney in India Disney’s Khoobsurat movie marks a new stage in the US group's faltering attempts to expand in India’s crowded market.

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Ficci team in US Ahead of Modi's visit, Ficci has sent a multi-sectoral innovation and technology-led business delegation to US

Dwarka A great devout centre with much mythological relevance, Dwarka is the epitome of spiritual enlightenment.

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Fifty engagements lined up for Modi WASHINGTON/NEW YORK: From meeting President Barack Obama to delivering his maiden speech at the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have his hands full during his visit to the US, where he is expected to undertake more than 50 engagements over 100 hours of stay.

A hectic agenda awaits Modi in the US as he would utilize his stay to meet top global leaders, address thousands of cheering crowds, make a speech at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and interact with CEOs of the Fortune 500, in addition to his Oval Office meeting with President Obama.

The series of engagements estimated to be over 50 - in a little over 100 hours from the time Air India One touches down at the John F Kennedy international airport in New York on September 26 till the wheels are up at the Andrews Air Force Base in Washington on September 30 evening are all aimed at achieving Modi's goal of a resurgent India.

In his interactions with top American CEOs, a majority of whom are said to be from Fortune 500, the Prime Minister would be rolling out his policy of "red carpet and not red tape" to invite them to come, invest and make in India.

In his interaction with leaders like American business magnate and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Modi would be listening to his experience of smart cities.

In his address to nearly 20,000 Indian-Americans and in his subsequent meetings with the Indian Diaspora, Modi is expected to seek their "partnership" in a resurgent India, which occupies its due place in the international

Ahead of his main summit at the White House on September 30, Modi would visit the Martin Luther King Memorial and Lincoln Memorial in Washington and pay

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi's statue in front of the Indian Embassy.

This would be for the first time that an Indian Prime Minister would have so many public and private engagements during a US visit.

With an unusually lean and thin delegation on board, the Air India One would land at the John F Kennedy Airport on September 26 afternoon, where Modi would be

On Saturday Modi would meet Bloomberg, mainly because of his involvement in smart city projects. The Prime Minister is interested in seeking his views on the ambitions 100 smart cities project that his government has undertaken after coming to power in May community.

Modi would also be meeting top American political leadership ranging from former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to IndianAmerican South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.

Modi will be hosted for tea by Speaker of the US House of Representatives Joe Boehner and more than 50 lawmakers during his stay either in New York or Washington.

9/11 memorial New York, after which he is expected to drive down to the United Nations headquarters to address the 69th annual session of UN General As-

received by Indian Ambassador to the US S Jaishankar and Indian Ambassador to the United Nations Asoke Mukerji.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio would make a courtesy call on the Prime Minister on the day of his arrival.

He would also meet Noble Laureate Harold Eliot Varmus, who is the current Director of the National Cancer Institute.

Modi would begin the next day, September 27, with a visit to the

sembly.

His speech will be televised live in India.

Following his address, Modi is scheduled to have a series of bilateral meetings with a host of world leaders. He would also meet UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon.

On Saturday Modi would meet Bloomberg, mainly because of his involvement in smart city projects.

The Prime Minister is interested in seeking his views on the ambitions 100 smart cities project that his government has undertaken after coming to power in May this year.

The same day, the Prime Minister will drive down to the historic Central Park to address the annual Global Citizens Initiative, which aims at building a sustainable world community for all.

Modi is expected to deliver an address to the thousands of people who would gather at the Central Park for the event.

Later in the evening, Modi would meet a small group of eminent Indian-Americans, with whom he would like to talk essentially about the role the community can play in achieving his goal of inclusive growth, resurgent India and to strengthen India-US relationship.

September 28 is a day dedicated to the Indian Diaspora on

his calendar, wherein he would address some 20,000 IndianAmericans - from 48 American States and five Canadian provinces - at the Madison Square garden, with several thousand people watching them live at the iconic Times Square.

He would also meet Haley before heading to Madison Square Garden event.

Several Congressmen, including Indian-American Ami Bera are scheduled to either listen to Modi's speech at the Madison Square Garden or attend the community dinner hosted in his honor by the Indian Ambassador later in the evening.

On Monday, September 29, Modi is expected to begin his day with a meeting with top American CEOs. While the list of attending CEOs has not been released, a significant majority of them are likely to be from Fortune 200 and almost all of them from Fortune 500, thus reflecting the new energy and enthusiasm about India among the top American corporate executives.

A select group of top Ameri-

can CEOs are likely to call on Modi separately on a one-on-one basis.

Thereafter the Prime Minister has a meeting with former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

After meeting them, Modi will drive down to the Council on Foreign Relations, a top American think-tank where, he would interact with the who's who of the US think tank community on foreign policy matters.

Soon after that, Modi would head towards the airport and land at the Andrews Air Force in Washington DC later in the afternoon.

In the evening, Obama will host a private working dinner in Modi's honor at the White House.

Next morning, on September 30, Modi will visit the Marin Luther King Jr memorial and Lincoln memorial, and would pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi's statue in front of the Indian Embassy in Washington DC. He would also spend some time inside the Embassy and interact with the Embassy staff - a practice that he has started during his overseas trips.

Cont’d on page 8

Big rallies planned to welcome Modi WASHINGTON: Ahead of when Modi is scheduled to hold Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with the US President three day visit to the US, hun- Barack Obama in his Oval Office. dreds of Indian-Americans from While the New York event is across the country have joined being organized by Indian hands to give him a rousing American Intellectual Forum in welcome in front of the United association with several other Nations headquarters and the organizations, the White House White House.

Rally has been planned by US 'America Welcomes Modi' India Democracy Forum. rallies are being planned in front "There is an unprecedented of the United Nations headquar- level of support for Modi in the ters in New York on September 27, when Modi is to Scores of Indian-Americans deliver his maiden from the national capital address to the UN General Assembly. and from its suburbs in The organizers nearby Maryland and are also preparing Virginia are preparing to huge banners, posters and specially hold welcome rallies made T-shirts with slogans 'America Welcomes US... Indian-Americans from as Modi', to be distributed among far as Chicago and Houston are the participants. flying to New York to welcome Similarly in Washington DC, the Prime Minister in front of scores of Indian-Americans from the United Nations when he the national capital and from its delivers his address to the Gensuburbs in nearby Maryland and eral Assembly," said Narain Virginia are preparing to hold Kataria of the Indian American welcome rallies in front of the Intellectual Forum.

White House on September 30, Cont’d on page 8

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Visa on Arrival facility likely Several anti-Modi groups plan protests for US tourists NEW DELHI: India is working on a proposal for Visa on Arrival (VoA) facility for US tourists, one of the big-ticket announcements expected to be made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high-

nalize it in time for the Prime Minister's visit, according to government sources.

MHA in consultation with the Tourism ministry is working on the Tourist VoA under which visa can

Under the new proposal, the stay limit is expected to be 30 days. Initially, in January 2010 TvoA scheme was introduced for citizens of five countries and now, the facility is available for citizens of 11 countries profile visit to the US beginning September 26.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is working overtime to finish the work on the VoA proposal to fi-

be granted to US citizens who do not have a residence or occupation in India and whose sole objective of visiting India would be recreation, sightseeing, casual

visit to meet friends and relatives, etc, the sources said.

Under the new proposal, the stay limit is expected to be 30 days.

Initially, in January 2010 TvoA scheme was introduced for citizens of five countries and now, the facility is available for citizens of 11 countries - Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia and South Korea.

However, even despite being strategic partners, there is no TVoA facility for the citizens of India and the US in each other's country. As per some estimates, the annual flow of US tourists stands around 10 lakh currently.PTI

US takes note of Modi's 'dietary preferences' NEW DELHI: In view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Navratri' fasts to be observed during his US visit which includes a private dinner by President Barack Obama, India has indicated the "dietary preferences" to the host and the preparations are being done accordingly.

"It is normal diplomatic practice that when we discuss any engagement which may entail any meal or any other food... for the host to request and for the guest, that is the Indian side, to indicate what are the dietary preferences.

"And let me assure you that those dietary preferences have been indicated to the host and they have taken note of it and have prepared everything accordingly," External Affairs Ministry

Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said here.

According to sources, the 64year-old Prime Minister has been

keeping the fast for many years during Navratri and this year will be no exception.

He will be taking "fruits and lime-water" during his US stay, which coincides with the festival in the honor of Goddess Durga this year, they said.

Navratri, derived from the ancient Sanskrit words 'nine nights', falls this year from September 25 to October 3.

However, PMO sources had already clarified that his fast won't impact on any engagements he will have during his official visit to the US.-PTI

Swaraj to meet over 100 counterparts during US visit NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is scheduled to meet nearly 100 Foreign Ministers during her 10-day visit to the US from September 24 and will join the delegation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will reach New York on September 26.

Swaraj, who will attend a series of plurilaterals including meetings of foreign ministers of G-4, SAARC, IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa), G-77, BRICS countries, will also hold bilateral meetings with her counterparts with whom

she has not met before like UK foreign minister Philip Hammond, MEA Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.

Asked if Swaraj would be accompanying Modi when he goes to the US, the Spokesperson said she will precede the Prime Minister and will stay back to attend a UN event to mark Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary as 'Day of Non-violence' on October 2.

The External Affairs Minister will join the Prime Minister's offi-

cial delegation and will accompany him for rest of his engagements including in Washington when Modi will be meeting US President Barack Obama on September 30, he replied further.

The External Affairs Minister will also attend a meeting on Palestine in the UN. Giving the details of Swaraj's program, Akbaruddin said she will also attend meetings of foreign ministers of G-15, Commonwealth countries among other plurilaterals. -PTI

WASHINGTON: Several antiModi groups in the US will hold a series of protest rallies against Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he travels to New York and Washington this month.

The recently formed Alliance for Justice and Accountability (AJA) has announced that it will show black flags to Modi when he heads to the Madison Square Garden in mid-town Manhattan in New York on September 28.

The Sikh For Justice announced to convene a "Citizens' Court" to "indict" Modi at a park in front of the White House on September 30, when the Prime Minister would be meeting US President Barack Obama at his Oval Office.

"The 'indictment' proceedings will be conducted in a replica court room set up in the President's Park right in the front of the White House. The 'charge sheet' issued

by SFJ lists actions of Modi" during the 2002 Gujarat riots, a statement from the Sikh group said.

"Black Flags for visiting PM Modi," said the AJA in a flyer sent to its members.

AJA mostly comprises Indian-

American organizations and individuals who were part of Coalition Against Genocide (CAG), which had successfully campaigned against US visa to Modi, when he was the Gujarat Chief Minister.

"Alliance for Justice and Accountability is a coalition of individuals and organizations that are concerned about the rapid erosion of human rights and religious freedom in India," said Dr Shaikh Ubaid, a founding member of the Coalition Against Genocide, who is now instrumental in forming this new alliance.

"The Alliance has been formed in the wake of increasing violence and incendiary rhetoric against minorities led by organizations and parties aligned with the Sangh Parivar. Its initial objective is to use the high profile visit of Narendra Modi to draw attention to the threats to India's pluralism," Ubaid told PTI. "Come join us as we stand in protest of Narendra Modi's visit and talk in New York City at Madison Square Garden on September 28th," the alliance said in a Facebook Post. -PTI

PM to meet Jewish groups in NY NEW YORK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet USbased Jewish groups during his visit to the US followed by a meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Israeli counterpart.

According to sources here, Prime Minister will be meeting Jewish groups on September 28, the day on which he will also address thousands of Indian-

Americans at the famous Madison Square Garden.

An influential American Jewish group had congratulated Modi soon after his electoral victory and hoped that under his leadership, India's ties with the US and Israel will strengthen further.

Swaraj will hold bilateral talks with her Israeli counterpart Avigdor Lieberman on October 1.-PTI

To stay at President's official guest house NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will stay at the US President's guest house - the 190year-old Blair House - when he travels to Washington on September 29, nine years after his predecessor Manmohan Singh stayed there.

Singh always preferred a hotel during his US visits, except in 2005 when he stayed at the President's guest house.

"Built as a private home in 1824, Blair House has played an important role in nearly 190 years of American political, diplomatic and

cultural history - from Andrew Jackson's 'Kitchen Cabinet', to private chats with Abraham Lincoln, to Harry S Truman's crucial leadership as World War II ended and the Cold War began.

"Now, as then, US Presidents continue to rely on Blair House as a significant foreign policy tool," as per the official information.-PTI In New York, Modi, like Singh, will stay at the New York Palace Hotel in Manhattan when he arrives on September 26 late afternoon.-PTI

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Richard Verma named US envoy to India PRAKASH M SWAMY

WASHINGTON: Richard Verma, an Indian-American who served as assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs at the State Department in the Obama administration from 2009 to 2011, has been named as next US Ambassador to India by President Barack Obama.

Verma is currently a senior counselor at Steptoe & Johnson law firm and the Albright Stonebridge Group, a business advisory company, led by former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

White House officials said Verma has close relationships with Obama's White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, National Security Adviser Susan Rice, and senior adviser John Podesta. He will be the first Indian-American to do the job.

If he is confirmed by Congress,

Verma will replace Nancy Powell, who resigned in March. The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is currently headed by a charge d' Affairs, Kathleen Stephens.

Rich Verma, a senior counselor in Steptoe's Washington office, has more than two decades of international and senior-level US government experience. He is a leading practitioner in the fields of national security law, international regulatory compliance and public policy.

He has handled a number of government investigations, including several high-profile congressional investigations, and managed numerous crisis situations impacting his clients.

Verma has also worked extensively on US export controls and economic sanctions, and helped his clients resolve a wide range of global legal and regulatory issues,

particularly in emerging markets.

Verma most recently served in the Obama Administration as the Assistant Secretary of State for

Richard Verma

Legislative Affairs. As a principal adviser to Secretary Clinton, he led the State Department's budget and policy efforts on Capitol

Hill, handled over 200 Senate confirmations and managed several major congressional investigations.

He was also the Administration's lead negotiator with Congress on Iran sanctions and the ratification of the New START Treaty. Verma remained a senior outside adviser to the Secretary throughout her tenure at the Department.

Earlier in his career, Verma served as the Senior National Security Adviser to the Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid.

For five years, he provided strategic counsel to the Senate

Leader, oversaw key pieces of the Senate's national security agenda, and played a lead role in shaping many consequential legislative initiatives in the post-9/11 era involving counter terrorism, homeland security, and intelligence reform.

From 1994 to 1998, Verma served as an officer in the US Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps where he tried over 20 criminal cases. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal.

He has also worked in the House of Representatives for the late Congressman John P. Murtha and has served as a Country Director for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in Eastern Europe.

Cont’d on page 10

Fifty engagements lined up for Modi Cont’d from page 5

Thereafter, Modi would drive down to the White House for meeting with Obama at his Oval Office.

A joint statement is expected to be issued at the end of the meeting. Modi would then be hosted for lunch by Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department.

Following the lunch, Modi would go to the Capitol Hill for a tea hosted in his honor by the

Speaker of the US House of Representatives.

A large number of US lawmakers are expected to attend this despite their being busy in their election campaign.

The US India Business Council (USIBC) would then host the final public engagement for Modi, which would be attended by a large number of American CEOs. Modi is likely to deliver a speech here, before the wheels are up at the Andrews Air Force Base in the evening of September 30. PTI

Big rallies planned to welcome Modi Cont’d from page 5

Kataria said Modi's supporters in Chicago have printed 'America Welcomes Modi' t-shirts, which would be distributed to the participants. A number of large posters and banners are also being printed for the participants to display prominently during the event, expected to be attended by some 900 people.

Many of the participants would be wearing Modi masks, while two life-size cut outs of Modi would be put in display in front of the United Nations for people to take pictures with their popular leader, Kataria said. Not everybody has

been able to get a ticket for the public reception being hosted in honor of Modi, because of space constraints.

Three days later a similar welcome rally is being planned in Washington in front of the White House coinciding with the ModiObama meeting.

"Come celebrate the official 'US-India Partnership Day' September 30th. Join us for the festivities for recognition of this day by the US government," a flier of the event said.

Earlier this week, the US Senate had unanimously passed a resolution designating September 30 as 'US-India Partnership Day'. -PTI

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TERI, Yale to hold Indo-US Energy Summit PRAKASH M SWAMY

WASHINGTON: The Energy and Resources Institute North America (TERI NA) in association with Yale University is to organize the 5th edition of the US-India Energy Partnership Summit, titled 'Accelerating Resilient Growth and Development' from September 30 to October 1at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park, Washington DC. Eminent participants who would lead the Summit deliberations would include Dr Ernest Moniz, United States Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman, US Deputy Secretary of Energy Bruce Andrews, Deputy Secretary of Commerce, US Department of Commerce (TBC),Amos Hochstein, Acting Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs, Bureau of Energy Resources, US Department of State, Ambassador Carlos Pascual, Former Special Envoy and Coordinator International Energy Affairs, and Dr Rajiv Shah, Administrator, USAID. The panel would discuss

Smart Solutions for Sustainable Cities in India (Smart Cities): Industry's potential for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 100 Smart Cities and Institutional Investment in Renewable Energy: To explore greater avenues to finance renewable and clean energy projects to name a few, according

United Technologies Corporation India, Venkatesh Valluri, Chairman, India Region, Ingersoll Rand India, Inderpreet Wadhwa, Founder & CEO, Azure Power, Dr Jennifer Holmgren, Chief Executive Officer, LanzaTech and Eric Roston, Sustainability Editor, Bloomberg.

The inaugural session of the Summit will be held on Oct 1. The speakers will include Dr R K Pachauri, President, TERI North America & Director-General, TERI, Dr PeWashington Marriott Wardman Park ter Salovey, President, to Dr Annapurna Vancheswaran, Yale University and Upendra Vice-President, TERI North Tripathy, Secretary, Ministry of America & Director, Sustainable New and Renewable Energy, GovDevelopment Outreach, TERI ernment of India.

A High Level Corporate DiaThe keynote address will be logue will take place on Sept 30 delivered by Dr Rajiv Shah, Adand the speakers will include Dr R ministrator, USAID. The session K Pachauri, President, TERI North will discuss Clean Technologies America & Director General, TERI, for Decentralized Energy Access, Ajit Gulabchand, Chairman & Energy and Climate Change: The Managing Director, Hindustan Road Ahead for US-India CoopConstruction Company, Zubin eration, Sustainable Habitats: InIrani, Senior Managing Director, creasing Energy Efficiency.

Youth killed by white tiger in Delhi Zoo NEW DELHI: In a spine-chilling incident, a 20-year-old youth was on Sept 23 mauled to death by a white tiger when he fell into its enclosure at the Delhi Zoo. Video footage of the horrific incident caught on mobile phone cameras by visitors showed that Vijay, the seven-year- old tiger, was initially clueless when he found the youth in his enclosure and both of them stood face to face for several minutes.

The video showed, after repeated provocation by some onlookers, the tiger picked up the man by his collar and dropped him briefly. Then he took him to a corner and pounced on him before killing him.

The incident also brought to the fore the lack of quick response mechanism in the zoo to rescue a person from such a situation by tranquilizing the animal or by any other method.

Maqsood, a resident of Anand Parbat area with a history of mental illness, was scrounging himself against a wall as the wild cat looked menacingly at him from close quarters.

There were various accounts of how Maqsood fell into the tiger's enclosure. Some eyewitnesses claimed that he was leaning against the two-feet wall of the enclosure when he slipped into it.

Zoo officials and some other eyewitnesses said he crossed the iron fence preceding a brick wall and jumped into the enclosure.

"There is a stand-off barrier before the wall of the enclosure. He had crossed it at least two-three times and was repeatedly warned by the security guard stationed there.

Meanwhile, some schoolchildren reached the spot and the guard's attention was diverted when he jumped in and landed 18 feet below in the dry moat," National Zoological Park curator R A Khan told PTI. The incident, the first of its kind in the zoo's history, took place around 1 pm.

Some eyewitnesses claimed security guards at the zoo could do nothing to help the youth when he was being dragged away by the tiger as they did not have tranquilizer guns.-PTI

10 India Post

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September 26, 2014

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Afghanistan's Karzai takes one last swipe at US Excellent choice, says Joe Crowley

KABUL: Outgoing Afghan President Hamid Karzai used his farewell speech to take one last swipe at the United States, capping a long-testy relationship with the accusation that America hasn't wanted peace in Afghanistan.

The only president Afghanistan has known since the 2001 US-led invasion said the United States wanted war in Afghanistan "because of its own interests."

Karzai's relationship with the US has grown increasingly fragile in recent years, but the US-Afghan relationship may get a

reset when President-elect Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai is sworn in.

The United States has spent more than USD 100 billion on aid in Afghanistan since 2001 to train and equip the country's security forces, to pave crumbling dirt roads, to upgrade hospitals and to build schools.

But Karzai in his speech thanked a slew of countries for their help India, Japan, China, Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Germany without mentioning the US. The speech fingered the US and the

military leaders of neighboring Pakistan as the powers backing perpetual war.

"If America and Pakistan really want it, peace will come to Afghanistan," Karzai said. "War in Afghanistan is based on the aims of foreigners. The war in Afghanistan is to the benefit of foreigners. But Afghans on both sides are the sacrificial lambs and victims of this war."

More than 2,200 US forces have died in Afghanistan operations since 2001.

Nearly 20,000 have been wounded.-AP

WASHINGTON: Top American lawmakers and eminent Indian-Americans have hailed President Barack Obama's decision to nominate Richard Rahul Verma as his next envoy to India, noting that he would make an excellent ambassador.

"With over two decades of senior foreign policy experience, Rich Verma is a skilled and accomplished professional who will make an excellent ambassador to India," Congressman Joe Crowley, Co-Chair of the Congressional India Caucus, said.

"He (Verma) is committed to building the US-India relationship, has access to the highest levels of the White House, and is exactly who we need at the helm as we look to further strengthen US-India relations," Crowley said soon after Obama's announcement.

At a critical time for growing India-US relations, Congressman Ami Bera said Verma is an experienced professional who will make "an outstanding ambassador" at such an important moment.

"He has many years of foreign policy experience as a high ranking official with the US Department of State, as an adviser in both the US Senate and the US House of Representatives, and during his years in the US Air Force," he said.

"I know he understands the importance of strengthening the US-India partnership, and I look forward to working with him toward that goal as he takes on this new role," said Bera, who is the only Indian-American in the current Congress and only the third ever.

Noting that the relationship between the two countries is of critical importance, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard said the US needs an Ambassador who understands India, and who can grow the friendship and advance their shared interests.-PTI

Richard Verma named US envoy to India Cont’d from page 8

He was awarded the State Department's Distinguished Service Award (2013), appointed to Secretary of State's Foreign Affairs Policy Board (2011), recipient of the National South Asian Bar Association "Pioneer Award" for years of distinguished public service (2011), member of the Presidential Department of Defense Transition Team (2008), appointed to the Congressional Commission chaired by former Senators Graham and Talent on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism in May 2008. He is a co-author of the commission's report "World at Risk."

In June 2007, Verma was selected by India Abroad as one of the 50 most influential Indian-Americans in the United States.

He co-authored the 2003 National Academy of Sciences Report "Critical Information Infrastructure Protection and the Law: An Overview of Key Issues."

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Tech News Gujaratis flocking to learn Chinese languages AHMEDABAD: With Gujarat hoping to boost trade ties with China after President Xi Jinping's recent visit, more and more Gujaratis are thronging institutes here imparting training in various foreign languages especially to learn Chinese with a view to explore business opportunities in the neighboring country.

Several pacts were inked between the two countries when President Xi visited Gujarat during his three-day India tour.

This included an agreement of sister city pact between Guangzhou in China and Gujarat's mega city Ahmedabad besides a deal on setting up of an industrial park in the state.

The people of Gujarat did not wait for such events to happen and had already started sensing business opportunities in the land of Mao Zedong earlier.

But according to city-based teachers and students of Chinese language, the trend to learn Chinese recently got a big push after Xi's visit.

"There is an increasing trend amongst Gujaratis to learn Chinese languages. “

Singapore firm explores India's lab market SINGAPORE: Singapore-based Measurement & Metrology Group is exploring business potential in India's educational sector, offering a wide range of technologies in the form of laboratory equipment.

"We are aiming to supply our products to labs in India's technical schools, having marketed these products in Southeast Asia and Africa," said Tandy Fong, M&M's business development manager, a mechanical and marketing expert who has been studying the Indian market since 2000.

"It is the right time to enter the Indian market with M&M products," Fong told PTI before leaving for the 'Productronica India 2014', a trade exhibition being held in Bangalore.

"Going forward, India would need a strong technically-trained workforce for its massive industrial sector," noted Fong in assessing the market potential for his company.

"In the ever-changing technology era, it is important to train students in managing advance technologies," he stressed.

M&M would be showcasing its globally recognized lab testing equipment during the exhibition in Bangalore.-PTI

TechBiz 12 India Post

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Bollywood actress Chitrangada Singh and Faisal Siddiqui, Vice President & Country Head, India HTC, take selfie at the launch of new HTC Desire 816G dual sim mobile phone in New Delhi on September 23

September 26, 2014

Ficci team in US ahead of PM visit NEW DELHI: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, industry body Ficci has sent a multi-sectoral innovation and technology-led business delegation to showcase Indian innovations to investors, venture capitalists and angel investors in the Silicon Valley.

The delegation, which comprises about 60 companies from sectors as diverse as information technology, healthcare & pharmaceuticals, clean energy, education and electronics, left on September 23 and will depart from the US on September 26.

"Ficci has mounted this delegation with an aim to further strengthen the Indo-US strategic relations in the field of innovation and technology. Our endeavor is to match make highly innovative

Indian enterprises with the US investors and businesses for global outreach of Indian innovations," Ficci Secretary General A Didar Singh said.

The prime objective of the visit

tors and technology commercialization centers and interact with representatives from the US federal labs and industries in Austin and Arlington.

The delegation has participa-

Board Member, School of Inspired Leadership and Padmaja Ruparel, President, Indian Angel Network.

The visit has been planned in partnership with the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum, TiE

The visit has been planned in partnership with the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum, TiE Silicon Valley, IC2 Institute at the University of Texas, Austin, Center for Innovation at Arlington and Global Organization of People of Indian Origin. is to showcase Indian innovations to the US investors, venture capitalists, angel investors in the Silicon Valley; learn best practices from leading technology incuba-

tion from senior leaders, including Saurabh Srivastava, Chairman, Steria; Yogesh Andlay, CoFounder, Nucleus Software and Polaris Financial Technology &

Silicon Valley, IC2 Institute at the University of Texas, Austin, Center for Innovation at Arlington and Global Organization of People of Indian Origin.-PTI

8 Indians in list of powerful Asia-Pacific women

Chanda Kochhar

Arundhati Bhattacharya

Nishi Vasudeva

Shikha Sharma

NEW YORK: As many as eight Indian women, led by ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kochhar, have made it to the Fortune list of 25 most powerful women "shaping the new world order" in the Asia-Pacific region.

Kochhar, ranked highest among Indian women, has been ranked second across the region, while three others - State Bank of India (SBI's) Arundhati Bhattacharya (4th), HPCL's Nishi Vasudeva (5th) and Axis Bank's Shikha Sharma (10th) - have also made it to the top-10.

The list is topped by Australian banking major Westpac's chief Gail Kelly.

Other Indians on the top-25 list include Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (19th), National Stock Exchange CEO Chitra Ramkrishna (22nd), HSBC's Naina Lal Kidwai (23rd) and TAFE Chairman and CEO Mallika Srinivasan (25th).

Releasing the latest rankings, the Fortune magazine said that

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

women around the world are continuing to win the top jobs, so much so that more than a third of the women on this Asia-Pacific list are making their debut in the coveted list, including two from India.

PepsiCo's India-born CEO Indra Nooyi has been ranked third among world's most powerful business woman by Fortune in its worldwide list.

The two Indian new entrants are Bhattacharya and Vasudeva.

"More and more businesswomen are taking tougher jobs and helming bigger firms. More than a third of the women on our Asia-Pacific list are making their MPW (most powerful women) debut," Fortune said.

Chitra Ramkrishna

Naina Lal Kidwai

Among Indians, Bhattacharya is ranked second after Kochhar and is the first woman to hold the three-year post at SBI, who oversees a 208-year-old institution with USD 400 billion in assets and 218,000 employees dispersed among 16,000 bank branches across India.

On the other hand, Vasudeva, 58, became the first woman to head an Indian oil company and is "and one of only four women to helm a Global Fortune 500 firm in the AsiaPacific region". National Stock Exchange (NSE's) Ramakrishna is the only woman on the list heading a stock exchange.

Meanwhile, PepsiCo's Indiaborn CEO Indra Nooyi has been ranked third among world's most powerful business woman by Fortune in its worldwide list. Nooyi is only Indian-origin woman on this year's global list, which has been topped by IBM Chairman and CEO Ginni Rometty and General Motors CEO Mary Barra. -PTI

Mallika Srinivasan

TechBiz Post

September 26, 2014

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SCO membership to help India access energy NEW DELHI: India will get a major boost in its quest for greater access to hydrocarbons in Central Asia as it is all set to get full membership of the Shanghai Corporation Organization, comprising all major energy producing nations of the region and dominated

by China and Russia.

India, one of the largest energy consumers in the world, is keen to get the membership of the grouping as it will help it play a major role in the SCO energy club which was set up to create a unified energy market as well as to ensure cooperation among major oil and gas companies from the member nations.

Three major suppliers of energy - Russia, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan - have been playing crucial role in the SCO energy club and the Indian government feels getting membership of the bloc will give it greater access to a number of key energy projects

in the region.

Government sources said SCO membership will also help to make headway in the proposed pipeline project from Russia to India, be-

India had formally applied for membership of SCO in its summit meeting in Dushanbe on September 12 where External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had said India was ready to step up engagement with the grouping. ing billed as one of the most ambitious initiatives in recent years in the energy sector in the region.

India does not want the pipe-

Delhi Metro trains to display ads NEW DELHI: Now, Delhi Metro trains will soon display advertisements.

To augment non-operational revenues of DMRC through advertisements, the Delhi Metro has awarded exclusive advertising rights for displaying advertising materials including pictures, printed material, electric/electronic media, smart posters, holographic

with advertising materials for the first time.

Exclusive advertising rights have been given to two agencies, which shall be valid for 10 years.

DMRC will monitor the activity, so that it contributes to the aesthetical value of the Delhi Metro through high quality advertising comparable to world class airports and metros railways, the

images and visual displays on the external part of its coaches, a DMRC official said.

So far, DMRC has been advertising inside Metro trains apart from station premises.

The exterior of some Delhi Metro trains will be made available for advertisements as the corporation will permit train wrapped

official said.

Currently, DMRC operates a fleet of over 200 train sets with over 60 eight-coach trains and over 80 six-coach trains.

The 'train wraps' shall be permitted on 10 per cent of the total train sets available on the operational lines of Delhi Metro network. -PTI

line, which may cost over USD 40 billion, to enter India through Pakistan and may look for alternative route including through China.

"The SCO membership will help India get a foothold in major energy projects involving Central Asian countries. It will ensure India's integration with the region," a top government official told PTI. India had formally applied for membership of SCO in its summit meeting in Dushanbe on September 12 where External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had said India was ready to step up engagement with the grouping.

India is almost certain to get the SCO membership within a year as China has backed the move. India has been an observer at SCO since 2005 and has generally participated at the ministerial-level at summits of the grouping which focuses mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian space. -PTI

Airlines oppose Govt policy on connectivity NEW DELHI: Airlines and private charter operators have opposed the government's draft policy on air connectivity to regional and remote areas, saying it will have severe impact on their financial strength.

Almost all major airlines, including the proposed Tata-SIA carrier Vistara, and business jet operators have submitted their opinions to the Civil Aviation Ministry over the past few days opposing various provisions of the draft policy, and called for further deliberations.

To discuss the policy and other issues like high taxation on jet fuel with top airline officials, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju has convened a meeting here, official sources said.

The revised draft policy on air connectivity to regional and remote areas was made public last month by the Ministry, which proposed a major shift in the route dispersal guidelines and promised several incentives and exemption from various charges to airlines which fly to such unconnected places.

Terming the state governments as major stakeholders in improving air connectivity in the hinterland, the policy asks them to take financial measures like slashing VAT on jet fuel and underwriting of some seats to encourage aviation growth.-PTI

SelectUSA road shows to attract investments COIMBATORE: SelectUSA, set up with an aim of showcasing the US as the world's premier business location, is organizing road shows in several cities in the country in the first half of 2015, to attract and retain more investments from India, a top official has said.

India has registered at the fourth fastest year-on-year growth in investments into the USA last year and the road shows would help investors to directly interact with officials of various departments in the Federal Government, Vinai Thummalapally, executive Director, selectUSA said.

The cumulative investments made by Indian companies in the US stood at around 11 billion USD and "the US has become more

competitive in recent years. We are quite bullish about the growth prospects", Thummalapally said.

Trade between the two countries has grown to around $100 billion, he said, adding, it can increase five-fold in the coming years.

"We have only scratched the surface. There are strong opportunities for companies to grow their business," Thummalapally, on a five-city visit to promote Indian investments into the US, said.

The second SelectUSA Investment Summit would be held near Washington in March next year, he said, adding, total investments into the US had grown from 166 billion USD in 2012 to 197 billion USD in 2013. -PTI

US firm in China meat scandal lays off 340 staff BEIJING: A U.S. meat supplier said it is laying off most of the workforce of a Chinese subsidiary accused of selling expired beef and chicken to McDonald's, KFC and other major restaurant chains.

Shanghai Husi Food Co. has been under investigation since a Shanghai TV station reported in July it repackaged and sold old meat. Six employees were arrested in August on suspicion of producing substandard products.

Its owner, OSI Group of Aurora, Illinois, said it will lay off 340 people at the Shanghai unit. It said a small number of employees would be kept on while the investigation is underway. The website of Shanghai Husi says it employs about 500 people.

``Over the past two months, Shanghai Husi has experienced significant financial and customer losses,'' said an OSI Group statement. ``It is very unlikely that production will be resumed soon.''

The scandal has alarmed Chinese diners and disrupted operations for fast food brands.

Product safety is unusually sensitive in China following scandals over the past decade in which infants, hospital patients and others have been killed or sickened by phony or adulterated milk powder, drugs and other goods.

KFC owner Yum Brands Inc. and McDonald's Corp. said they immediately stopped using products from Husi.-AP

14

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Desi News Strong Democratic presence at IADO dinner meet SURESH BODIWALA

CHICAGO: It was an important day of celebration for the Indian American Democratic Organization (IADO) that witnessed a very strong support from the entire Democratic leadership at their 35th annual fundraiser which was held at Holiday Inn Skokie on Sept 21.

Starting from Governor Pat Quinn, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, US Senator Dick Durbin, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congressman Bill Foster, Danny Davis, Dan Lipinski, State Senator Daniel Biss, State Rep Lou Lang, Rep Michelle Mussman, Rep Robyn Gabel, Rep Elaine Nekritz, Rep Al Riley, Rep Laura Fine, President of the Illinois Senate John Cullerton, Alderman Ameya Pawar, Water Reclamation District Commissioner Frank Avila, Candidate for Lt. Gov Paul Vallas, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Cook County Clerk David Orr were all in attendance at this event.

Details on page 18

A big feather in Anila Sinha Foundation cap RAMESH SOPARAWALA & ELIZABETH CHALIER-V

CHICAGO: Anila Sinha Foundation (ASF), an Illinois based no profit organization that promotes classical Indian dance Kathak in this part of the world, did it again - organizing International Kathak Festival in league with University of Chicago.

The three days festival beginning Friday September 12 was the third of its type and it could have been an affair to remember for many years but for the visa problem that came in the way of Kathak artists coming inform India.

Details on page 19

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16 India Post

IDCA to host job fairs in New York, Dallas Details on page 24

September 26, 2014

FIA lines up spectacular programs for this year's Diwali Mela RITU MAHESHWARI India Post News Service

FREMONT: Federation of Indo Americans of Northern California (FIA) in association with Fremont Hindu Temple has announced its third Diwali Mela and Fireworks 2014. Building on previous huge successes, this year's Diwali, Festival of Lights, will be held in the sprawling Alameda County Fair Grounds in Pleasanton on Saturday, October 25.

Diwali is perhaps the most sacred and joyous festival of all in Hinduism. There are many reasons to celebrate it and a beautiful folklore that accompanies it.

As the celebration of the victory of good over evil, the worship of Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, and an occasion for families to come together to enjoy delicious feasts, buy new assets or enjoy beautiful fireworks, Diwali is an exciting occasion for young and old alike.

Diwali is celebrated every year to commemorate Lord Rama's victory over the demon Ravana. For many Indian businesses, this is

also start of a new year. Diwali is traditionally a five-day festival with specific rituals and prayers every day. The main festival is held on new moon day in Octo-

and invite friends and family over prayers and feasts. Night is lit up with lights and fireworks. Goddess Lakshmi, goddess of wealth is main deity on Diwali. People

Dr. Japra announcing Diwali Mela and Fireworks

ber. This is best described as an amalgamation of Christmas and 4th of July celebrations.

Everyone wears new clothes, decorates their houses with lights

pray for continued prosperity, wealth and health this day.

Raas Garba is the new addition to the Diwali event. It is a colorful dance dedicated to goddess

Durga. It is a beautiful event to participate in and watch as thousands of men and women don colorful dresses and dance to the devotional songs, with goddess idol at the center.

Describing the importance of the event, Dr Romesh Japra, President and Convener, FIA said, "It is a very special occasion for the community to come together and inculcate the culture and values to our children. This is the only way we can keep our heritage alive and thrive. Only when we have strong roots, can we grow and prosper in this land of opportunities."

FIA's Diwali celebrations will include: • All day long cultural programs and kids contests • Jewelry, clothes and food booths • Kids talent show and animal rides • Dazzling Parade 6 pm-7 pm • Concert by Harjeet Mehndi 7 pm - 8pm • Spectacular fireworks & laser show 8:30 pm - 9 pm • Raas Garba 9 pm to midnight

Bay Area receives words of wisdom from Didi Maa India Post News Service

FREMONT, CA: More than 300 people received the blessings

more than 100 devotees gathered at the temple entrance to welcome Didi Maa with aarti and the traditional chanting of mantras by the pundits.

vice (seva) - the Karma Yoga.

At Sunnyvale Hindu temple also devotees were waiting eagerly for her blessings and her speech.

flawless Hindi.

She talked about Paropakar altruism - in the most sublime manner. If a cow is nurturing her

CORRIGENDUM

I

n one of our earlier dispatches on Devon Ka Raja published in September 12, 2014 issue, we erroneously identified Gurbachan Kaur as Gurbachan Singh. Gurbachan Kaur is the founder president of Hindi Lovers Club, a community activist and one of the main organizers of Devon Ka Raja Festival in Chicago. The error is regretted.

Sadhvi Rithambara

and listened to the poetess and modern sage Sadhvi Rithambara, affectionately known to her followers as 'Didi Maa,' at a short two-day notice. Trustees & volunteers of Fremont temple and

After the ceremonious welcome, Didi Maa addressed the gathering where she asked the devotees to not only ring the temple bells and conduct the aarti and havans, but also to worship the divine through ser-

Audience at Didi Maa's Program

Didi Maa's short public programs at both the temples had her usual poetic wisdom, her soothing melodious songs and her incessant flow of knowledge filled with anecdotes and metaphoric verses in

calf with her milk, it is not because she wants to do a favor to the calf, but because she has an urge to express her love and affection to her own little self.

Cont’d on page 20

September 26, 2014

Community Across America

India Post 17

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Induz Laser Dandiya fundraiser on Oct 18

India Post News Service

SILICON VALLEY, CA: Since the 1970s school art and music programs across the United States have been drastically cut and the recent downturn in the economy has once again forced the schools to make further cuts in the art and music curriculum. The STEM to STEAM is an initiative to add Art and Design to the national agenda of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education and research in America. The goal is to foster the true innovation that comes with combining the mind of a scientist or technologist with that of an artist or designer. (House resolution 51).

Induz, a Bay Area non-profit, is collectively working towards addressing this problem. Induz believes that every child deserves a comprehensive education that includes global learning and the arts!

Research has shown that 3 out of 4 children in low-income households have no access to any form of art education. Also, students who study art are 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement.

Induz has been providing multicultural arts and global educational program, Passport to World Art to low-income schools across San Francisco Bay area. While the program benefits all children, Induz focuses on the population, which

deserves the most, the low-income and high-risk children in US. A research study showed that, a student from a low-socioeconomic background with a higharts educational experience significantly outperformed peers from

The Passport to World Arts program received the After School Champion award in 2013 from the Santa Clara After School Collaborative and YMCA. Induz's global initiatives include Project Tulikain India and

art. The program is offered to children at orphanages in India, where children are provided with proper tools and instruction to learn art forms such as music, dance, drawing, and painting. Project Sanaa provides creative arts, music and

low-arts, low-socioeconomic status, closing (and in some cases eliminating) the gap that often appears between low- socioeconomic background students and their more advantaged peers.

Project Sanaa in West Kenya.

Project Tulika helps improve the lives of underprivileged children by nurturing their artistic talents and providing them with the means and opportunity to practice

dance classes to underprivileged children in the rural community in western Kenya, to create awareness on high infant and maternal mortality.

Cont’d on page 19

18 India Post

Community Across America

September 26, 2014

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Strong Democratic leadership presence at IADO dinner meet SURESH BODIWALA

CHICAGO: It was an important day of celebration for the Indian American Democratic Organization (IADO) that witnessed a very strong support from the entire Democratic leadership at their 35th annual fundraiser which was held at Holiday Inn Skokie on Sept 21.

Starting from Governor Pat Quinn, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, US Senator Dick Durbin, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congressman Bill Foster, Danny Davis, Dan Lipinski, State Senator Daniel Biss, State Rep Lou Lang, Rep Michelle Mussman, Rep Robyn Gabel,

Rep Elaine Nekritz, Rep Al Riley, Rep Laura Fine, President of the Illinois Senate John Cullerton, Alderman Ameya Pawar, Water Reclamation District Commissioner Frank Avila, Candidate for Lt. Gov Paul Vallas, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Cook County Clerk David Orr were all in attendance at this event.

Indian Consul General Dr Ausaf Sayeed along with the elite of Chicago and community activists joined the fundraiser event too. The overwhelming support given to the Indian American community signifies the important role we play in the political proFormer IADO presidents Dr Ram Gajela and Harendra Mangrola along with IADO activists and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn

cess of this country. Every elected official praised the efforts of IADO for empowering the Indian community and being a voice for their concerns.

The opening address was delivered by Ashish Sen, President of IADO, who emphasized the importance of working harder to get the Democrats elected in the mid-term elections by supporting all Democratic candidates and volunteering for their campaigns.

Governor Pat Quinn commended IADO for empowering immigrants since 1980 and working towards causes that are important to our State. He reminded everyone that Voter Registration Day was on Oct 23 and citizens should participate in the election process. There are options to vote by mail or vote early if you can't vote on Nov 4.

Voters can request an absentee ballot through the mail or in person. He reiterated his support for fair taxes, funding for education, economic growth and job creation, raising the minimum wage and health care for all.

Speaking next, Alderman Ameya Pawar announced the IADO Honorary Board Member 2014 award to Illinois Senate President John Cullerton. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle introduced US Senator Dick Durbin. He began by saying that he owes his success to his mentor and friend Late Sen. Paul Simon who taught him to help the helpless and be honest.

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky in her speech mentioned about the Congressional Caucus on India, whose mission is to advocate for the concerns and needs of the Indian-American community and to promote better Indo-US ties. She is a member of this caucus in the House of Representatives.

This caucus has implemented an initiative to track hate crimes against Sikhs, Hindus and Arab Americans and has been instrumental in organizing the first Congressional Diwali celebration at Capitol Hill.

Other speakers like Danny Davis, Bill Foster and Sheila Simon stressed the need for electing Democratic Candidates on Nov 4 to ensure the well being of the state and its citizens.

Dr Ausaf Sayeed in his speech was delighted to announce the arrival of Prime Minister Modi in the US next week which will lead to greater understanding between the two great nations. He congratulated IADO for its great work in the Indian comCont’d on page 22 munity.

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India Post 19

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Kathak Festival: A big feather in Anila Sinha Foundation cap RAMESH SOPARAWALA & ELIZABETH CHALIER-V

Indian Consul General Dr Ausaf Sayeed opened the three-day festival with a brief address. He underlined the storytelling aspect of Kathak going back to the epics and its composite culture of foreign and indigenous elements. Emcee Shobha Sinha welcomed the audience by reminding of ASF's mission especially with regards to education. IH Program Director Denise Jorgens underlined how the festival furthered IH's role of facilitating exchanges among international students and their cultures.

Sunil Kothari, who has authored a book on this dance form, introduced the first panel on Kathak's history and the particularities of diverse gharanas.

Cont’d on page 22 A group of Festival participants with Dr Sinha and Pandit Birju Maharaj. Starting fourth (L to R) in middle row are ASF President Birendra Sinha, maestro Birju Maharaj, dance critic Sunil Kothari and, behind the latter, Kathak virtuoso Saswati Sen

CHICAGO: Anila Sinha Foundation (ASF), an Illinois based no profit organization that promotes classical Indian dance Kathak in this part of the world, did it again - organizing International Kathak Festival in league with University of Chicago.

The three days festival beginning Friday September 12 was the third of its type and it could have been an affair to remember for many years but for the visa problem that came in the way of Kathak artists coming inform India. This was an unwholesome experience again for ASF and many Indian

Americans here felt the matter should be taken up at the highest level since that denying visa to the deserving artists for performance here smacks of incompetence or indifference on the part of concerned officials.

This third festival could also boast of having globally renowned artists like Pandit Birju Maharaj and Saswati Sen participating in the workshop and presentations. A very well known dance critic, Sunil Kothari had also come to lend credence to the festival.

Induz Laser Dandiya fundraiser on Oct 18 Cont’d from page 17

Induz founders Ray and Piya Mitra received the President's Volunteer Service Award in 2014 for promoting art and culture and making a positive impact in the society.

A congratulatory letter from President Barack Obama stated, "Your volunteer service demonstrate the kind of commitment to your community that moves America a step closer to its great promise".

Exciting fundraiser evening Induz organizes annual events in the Bay Area to raise funds for these projects. To continue with these efforts, Induz is organizing an exciting "InduzLaser Dandiya 2014" fundraiser evening on October 18 at Centerville Junior High School in Fremont,

to raise funds for projects to sustain and expand these programs.

InduzDandiya was a sold out event last year, and Induz brings it again this year featuring Dandiya with a spectacular laser lights display - the only Dandiya event across all of USA, that prides itself of the unique laser showcase. A popular Bay Area DholBaaje band will be providing traditional Dandiya and Garba live music.

"Dandiya" is a traditional folk dance of India from Gujarat state. It is played with two sticks and is a very gracious and energetic dance, which has its own form of style and art to it.

Ray Mitra said, "Art - all art, be it music, dance, painting or any other form - is a medium for bringing diverse cultures and communities together. That's our vision. We see the point of "connection" as being Where Art Meets Heart. If we can accomplish that for our children then the world of their future will be a peaceful and happy place."

Visit www.induz.org for more details

ASF team led by Kiran Chouhan (C) presents a Sufi collage portraying, in the style of dancing dervishes, the yearning of the soul for union with Allah in "Divanage."

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September 26, 2014

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Air India Chicago welcomes new managers A.Q. SIDDIQUI India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Air India Chicago office invited its leading consolidators for dinner and celebration on the evening of Friday September 19 at Holiday Inn Skokie to congratulate Air India's Midwest Manager Rishikant Singh on his promotion assignment as Regional Manager Americas and to welcome New Managers, Nukul Chand and Rajeev Batish to Chicago.

While Nukul Chand is taking over as Manager Midwest at Air India Chicago City office, Rajeev Batish is joining from Delhi as Chicago Airport Manager.

Air India Chicago office and airport handling team members joined the celebration dinner along with travel agents. Katherine Thorat, AI Sales Manager welcomed the guests and emceed the

Air India Dinner Consolidators dinner reception. L to R Rajeev Batish, incoming Airport Manager; Rishikant Singh, new Regional Manager Air India NY, Katharine Thorat, Sales Manager Midwest and Nukul Chand, incoming Midwest Manager

event. The heads of Air India consolidator travel agents were invited for the event. Seen among the guests were Umesh Patel from Sky Bird Travel, Birju Bhagat of

Krisbi Travel, Varsha Ben of Air Tours, Siddiqui of Evia Travel, Deepak of Nataraj Travel, Rizwan of RK Travel, Asghar of Aero Travel, Sunita of All Airlines

agency and many others.

Rishikant joined Air India Chicago office in July 2012 and earned a social repute in the Indian community within a short span of time.

He was given additional charge of Canada this year and now he is promoted as the Regional Manager Americas for Air India's New York headquarters. In a brief speech to agents, Rishikant thanked all and shared his wonderful Chicago working experience. He introduced new Managers Nakul Chand and Rajeev Batish along with Chicago city office and airport handling staff members. He invited both Nukul and Batish to join him on the podium and shared their thoughts.

Nakul Chand said that he flew to Chicago first time the same morning and it was wonderful joining a reception in the evening. He also shared his working experience at Mumbai, Gujarat, Australia and other Air India locations prior to coming to Chicago. Rajeev Batish also thanked the agents for joining the reception.

Bay Area receives words of wisdom from Sadhvi Rithambhara Cont’d from page 16

"Jab paraya koi hai nahi to paropakar kaisa?" When we all are one and everyone is mine, where is the question of helping anyone? We help ourselves.

Her other tidbits of wisdom included a clarion call to reduce consumerism. 'Duniya parivaar nahi, bazaar ban gaya hai' - she complained; the world is no longer a family, but a marketplace.

She said "Hum vastuon ko istemal karte the aur vyaktiyon ko pyaar; Aur ab hum vastuon ko pyar karte hain our vyaktiyon ko istemal" - We used to love people and use objects and now we use people and love objects. She urged us to have a rich heart like the monk of India - the Fakir - who showed what richness meant to the dying Alexander the Great in the desert

temple, is a community leader who follows Sadhviji's definition of Pooja by offering his Karma Yoga to the community for over last three decades. Didi Maa then blessed him by putting on him a Dupatta. Didi Maa also gave blessings to Rajesh Verma, Co-Chairman of the Fremont Hindu Temple, Manorama Joshi, Deepak Chhabra and many other volunteers and devotees.

At Sunnyvale Temple also, Chandru Bhambhra informed the audience that Shri Raj Bhanot, the Founding member of the temple has been helping the community for last several years and that the Priti Bhoj for the program was sponsored by Sunnyvale Hindu Temple.

Didi Maa then called upon Shri Raj Bhanot and gave him blessings. She then called upon all the

Dr. Romesh Japra (Cardiologist), founder and current Chairman of Fremont Hindu temple, is a community leader who follows Sadhviji's definition of Pooja by offering his Karma Yoga to the community for over last three decades. Didi Maa blessed him who wanted a glass of water in exchange for his entire kingdom. The Fakir is said to have ridiculed Alexander that his entire kingdom was equal to a glass of water. She asked us to look at wealth like a monk does - 'Fakir Ki Drishti' Chandru Bhambhra, philanthropist and community leader, who was coordinating the program, said that "Dr. Romesh Japra (Cardiologist), founder and current Chairman of Fremont Hindu

key volunteers of the temple like Shri Mohinder Sethi, Shri Bodhraj Saini and Shri Satnaam, who sponsored the sound system.

Didi Maa also blessed Smt. Swasti Pandey who played harmonium, Smt. Sonali Srivastava who played tabla and Smt. Vijaya Varma, who follows Didi Maa offering her beautiful voice to sing the bhajans and kirtans in her events. Didi Maa then also blessed Hindu Swayamsevak

Sangh volunteers like Gaurang Desai, Sukhanandan K.,Yagnesh Pathak, Girish Thobbi, Manoj Jawle, to name a few, who helped to make the program successful.

Her Vision - Vatsalya Gram Didi Maa, Sadhvi Rithambara is the inspiration behind the vision that has created Vatsalya Gram - a village of affection for the homeless children of God and women that are neglected part of society.

Five girls, three boys, a mother and a grandmother, none of them with any blood relationship, come together to form a home with a spiritual relationship that is beyond any other bond.

She has built a Vatsalya Gram, where the kids are not up for adoption but are sought after by decent families as brides and grooms to be married to their own sons and daughters, because they can make the best daughters-in-law or sons-in-law due to the love, care, values and good education imparted to them by Didi Maa and her volunteering sevavrutis.

Didi Maa nurtures destitute women abused by their spouses, women sexually assaulted by men on the street and the senior women beaten up by their adult children.

They are picked up and given training for six months to first heal themselves, and then get ready to start a new life of care giving and self caring in Vatsalya Gram home with 7-8 children who may have gone through similar trauma in their little lives.

Didi Maa sees every child in Vatsalya Gram as a flower to be offered at the feet of Bharat Mata - the Goddess Mother India. Her Bharat Mata is not the geographi-

cal India with her ethnic population, but the idea of Mother India that has created the sages who proclaimed - 'tena tyaktena bhunjitha' - enjoy only after renouncing and use only as little as you need; 'Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah - may all be happy; Om Dyau Shanthi Rantariksha Gwam Shanthi; Prithavi Shanthi Rapah

program - Awareness movement in rural areas. Many women have boldly claimed to keep their female fetuses when they get pregnant.

• Traditional Diary System Saving and breeding the original breed of cows that are real satvic cows whose existence is now threatened due to hybridization.

• Vocational Training - Children

Chandru and Sajni Bhambhra with Didi Maa

Shanthi Roshadhayah Shanthi ...'

- May the skies, earth, trees; waters, cows and animals; cosmos be at peace; It is the Mother Bharat that is a symbol of global peace through goodwill and righteousness who is being worshipped and the children of Vatsalya Gram are the flowers nurtured with care and with the values of the heritage of such India.

Ashwini Surpur highlighted various projects run by Vatsalya Gram and helped with impromptu fund raising for these projects Some highlights of projects run

by Vatsalya Gram include: • Female Feticide awareness

from Vatsalya Gram to become selfdependent adults with dignity of labor. Teaching them to fish instead of feeding them fish.

• Community College - Children who can now avail degree colleges for getting right education • Yoga and Philosophy - Creating healthy environment through Yogasana and holistic living in accordance with yoga philosophy • Girls Hostel - A safe environment after the girls come out of Vatsalya Gram for their higher studies.

For details about Vatsalya Gram, visit http:// www.vatsalyagram.org

September 26, 2014

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BAPS hosts Health Fair in Chino Hills India Post News Service

CHINO HILLS, CA: One in every three Americans is obese. This staggering statistic is a threat to

the health and wellness of communities across the nation. Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer.

Together, these conditions are some of the leading causes of preventable death. Early detection is key to leading a long, healthy life.

This year, in an effort to raise awareness and screen for potentially life changing conditions, BAPS Charities hosted over 40 health fairs in cities across North America. The health fairs bring together community members and healthcare professionals to provide individualized care and raise awareness on prevailing health and wellness issues.

On Sunday, September 14, BAPS Charities hosted its 7th annual health fair at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino

Hills, CA. The Health Fair saw volunteer participation from medical professionals, including pharmacists, dentists, nurses, physicians, and specialists in the fields of internal medicine, pediatrics, cardiology, oncology, ophthalmology, gastrointestinal disorders, pulmonary, orthopedics, podiatry, otolaryngology, allergy, nephrology, nutrition, chiropracty, physical therapy, occupational therapy, Ayurveda, and psychiatry.

Among the health screenings available were bone density screening, body fat analysis, anemia screening, diabetes screening, urine screen, oral cancer screen-

ing, and EKG testing.

Additionally, Lion Clubs of Southern California provided free glaucoma and vision screenings for patients. These professionals provided individual consultations to the over 315 patients who attended and benefited from this event.

Since early detection is the key for the prevention of certain dis-

eases such as obesity and cancer, the health care professionals provided customized seminars and consultations to address the needs of all participants. Physicians and healthcare professionals alike reviewed participant's blood panels and previous medical history to provide personalized guidance.

Cont’d on page 23

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September 26, 2014

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Kathak Festival: A big feather in Anila Sinha Foundation cap Cont’d from page 18

Sunil mentioned about Birju Maharaj's huge contribution to the classical form of Indian dance Kathak. He grew up with the advantage of knowing Sanskrit (and Hindi) very well. A critic should have discerning ability to recreate artistic performance through his writing.

The festival featured morning scholarly panels, afternoon workshops and evening performances.

Dance groups came from across North America and all the way from India. All the three major traditions, including Jaipur and Banaras gharanas were properly represented at the event but the Lucknow school seemed pre-dominant.

Pandit Birju Maharaj kicked off the first panel discussion by presenting in Hindi and English the history and distinctive features of his Lucknow gharana.

Evenings were devoted to dance and music, with Maharaj performing on all three days in choreography, solo vocal and drum ensemble. His towering personality however, dwarfed others and incidentally the first panel was largely devoted to his personal and formative years that even had touched upon renowned family members - Lacchu and Shambu Maharaj.

It was very refreshing to listen to Mekhala Natawar, a non-Indian in Jaipur, pointing out that the patronage Kathak by the Nawabs had both effeminized and Islamized the originally martial epic style. The original form would be exhibiting complex footwork and compositions associated with the Rajput courts and Hindu storytelling (kathaka).

Lucknow and Jaipur Gharanas were very aptly mingled by Richa Jain from Delhi, whose father professed Lucknow style and the mother Jaipur dance-lineages, in her beautiful performance. At the panel, she demonstrated the predominance of pakhwaj bols and gestures (hastak) in Jaipur. Upcoming young dancer Anuj Mishra from the Banaras gharana, performed "Shiva Vandana" first in pacific then in the usual Tandav mode. He went on to perform Lucknow compositions.

Prerana Deshpande from Pune in her solo performance, Jai Jai Mahadev" also blended Jaipur and Lucknow gharanas. Manjiri Vaishampayan accompanied by tablist Raj Deshmukh represented the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana with bhajans. Khayal in rag Lalita Gauri in Jhap / Teen tal, followed by bhajan "Vitthala Narahari Gopala" in rag Vibhas (in shuddha dhaivata mode)

Panel on Kathak pedagogy (L to R): Prof. Kaley Mason (University of Chicago, Music Dept.), Saswati Sen, Anuradha Nag, Prof. Pallabi Chakravorty (Swathmore College), and Janaki Patrik (from New York)

institution teaches choreography, unlike in the U.S., where it is compulsory whatever the dance form.

She delved into the specific worldview and sensibility underlying Indian classical dance and the challenge faced by Diaspora youth in sensitively rendering those culturespecific feelings (such as pining for the beloved) and self-perceptions, and not only with regards to gender differentiation Anuradha Nag of Tarangini School of Kathak Dance choreographed "Khoj" on the Gopis pinRicha Jain from Delhi dances Mirabhai in ecstatic ing for Krishna in trance induced by her love for Lord Krishna Vrindavan that culminated in a mances, singing or dancing solo, Lucknow Tarana.

Lucknow style "Milan" was participating in a percussion ensemble, or through group dances based on Tchaikovski's Nuthe had choreographed, especially cracker and Swan Lake. Kiran the award-winning dance from Chauhan of ASF performed Kamal Hasan's movie "Divanage" based on a collage of "Vishwaroopam" rendered in Sufi songs on yearning for union with God, with touches reminisTamil, Telugu and Hindi.

Saswati Sen, the foremost disciple of Maharaj, demonstrated through her own dance repertoire an ideal blend. Maharaj was omnipresent throughout the perfor-

Kathak Workshop and participants

Another panel was devoted to choreography, may be a somewhat foreign concept to Indian dance.

The consensus was that the "open-endedness" of Kathak had enough room for experimentation and innovation. Prof. Purnima Shah noted that not a single Indian

cent of dervish whirling and flamenco.

Saswati Sen presented a solo based on a composition of Birju Maharaj invoking Lord Krishna and and sung by him. Ahalya Uddharan from Ramcaritmanas served as opportunity to display

her skill in abhinaya.

Prashant Shah, disciple of Gujarat based Kumudini Lakhia who is now in New York teaching dance, described how he had to grapple with choreography and demonstrated the judicious exploitation of space in his gentle expressive number, in quite contrast with the breathtaking whirls of Mishra's tandava.

Discussion on the significance of the belled anklet, costume and language, continued into a debate about Bollywood which many believe has debasing influence on Indian art forms including Kathak.

Janaki Patrik's Kathak-style movements and postures seamlessly choreographed to a Mozart symphony had the under current of overture to Western

ballet. Anuradha Nag's Tarangini School of Kathak Dance likewise choreographed Lucknow-style "Milan" to extracts from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker and Swan Lake, where the dancers seemed to alternate between ballet and Kathak.

Shambavi Dandekar, exponent of Gopi Krishna's Banaras gharana, concurred as a non-rebellious representative of the younger generation, "I've had so much freedom within the tradition," she declared. A dancer-anthropologist, Prof. Pallabi Chakravorty, talked about the role played by Muslim courts in preserving the art and spoke in favor of "fusion" as opposed to rigid conservatism.

Cont’d on page 23

Strong Democratic leadership presence at IADO dinner meets Cont’d from page 18

Lastly, IADO Board of Director Shajan Kuriakose addressed the gathering as he is running for Alderman in the 50th Ward of Chicago, which comprises Rogers Park area which is home to several

dancers performed a high energy Bollywood fusion dance which was appreciated by the audience.

Vote of Thanks was proposed

by Gladson Varghese who thanked all the elected officials for coming and gracing the event and supporting the mission of IADO. He

IADO members with Indian CG Ausuf Sayeed

hundred Indians. He urged voters to actively participate and make a difference in our community.

The evening concluded with a sumptuous dinner which was relished by all the dignitaries and community members. To add an ethnic flavor to the event, a group of young

thanked the IADO Board of Directors for working tirelessly to make this event successful. Special mention was made of Ram Gajjela, Harendra Mangrola and Jitendra Diganvker for mobilizing the Indian community to actively participate in this event.

Community Across America

September 26, 2014

India Post 23

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Itasca temple Health Fair a big success JAYANTI OZA

CHICAGO: Though the 35th Health Fair in all, this one as in the past 25 years was held at Midwest Swami Narayan Temple in Itasca, a northwest Chicago suburb. It was organized by a group of com-

it provided free medical checkup for more than 350 participants.

The event had sponsors in the Swaminarayan Temple, Lohana Association of Greater Chicago, Gujarati Samaj of Chicago and

Participants at the 35th Health Fair

munity activists headed by Jatnaibhai Thakkar.

It was a huge success with a sizeable participation from healthcare professionals and volunteers. It was conducted on Sunday, September 14 in the main and the dining halls of the temple and

Kadva Patidar Same. The goal was to provide medical check up to all those who may not be able to afford medical service due to insurance and medical coverage problems.

More than 21 doctors and 100 Health care professionals pro-

vided their volunteer services on this day. Vital data such as height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, were checked for each participant.

The blood sugar testing and consultation were provided by Kishore Chugh, Vivek Patel, Arti Thakkar, Amisha Mehta, Jalpa Patel and Tejas Patel.

Volunteers were seen very busy at the blood draw tables. Blood samples of 325 patients were collected and sent to the UIC laboratory for testing. The report will be reviewed by doctors and will be mailed to each patient within three weeks. Urine analysis was performed by a group of dedicated volunteers.

Six EKG machines were used to provide EKG for males and females over age 55 and continually operated by many volunteers. Physical examination and physical consultation were provided by primary care physician doctors including Dr. Ashok Shah, Dr. Jayashree Raju, Dr. Pratimaben Shah and Dr Yogesh Parikh. Dental examination and consultation were provided by Dr. Nita Patel and Dr. Neha Sheth.

BAPS hosts Health Fair in Chino Hills Cont’d from page 21

Additionally, a seminar was provided by industry professionals, during the fair, on implementing healthy eating habits to help prevent obesity-related conditions.

The event promoted the collaboration of BAPS Charities and community partners. LifeStream, a blood bank for San Bernardino and Riverside counties, hosted a blood drive in which local community members donated over 65 pints of blood. In addition, Be The Match, a national bone marrow donor program, registered approximately 25 potential donors.

Among the dignitaries present were California State Assemblyman of District 55 Curt Hagman, Mayor of Chino Hills Ed Graham, Vice Mayor Cynthia Moran, and City Council Member Peter Rogers. Mayor Ed Graham stated, "We are so fortunate to have BAPS [Charities] here in our community. This is probably my fifth health fair that I have attended.

Always by far it is so organized and looks to be so beneficial for our community."

State Assemblyman Curt Hagman added, "Working with groups like BAPS [Charities] here in the community to get information out is important to us. I thank them for doing all this community

work to make Chino Hills a good community to live, work, and play in and call home."

Dr. Hemesh Patel volunteered time to provide consultations at the health fair. Dr. Patel is committed to raising awareness about obesity and heart disease in addition to providing treatment of cardiovascular disease. "This

much impressed with the turnout and the professionalism of all of the volunteers in putting together such a great community event," said Dr. Uday Shah. "I will definitely be back next year!"

BAPS Charities hosts a variety of health initiatives throughout the year, including awareness lectures and seminars on a vari-

event gave me the opportunity to give back and do what I enjoy the most - provide care for others to help them lead healthier lives!

This is a great event for both physician and participants."

Physicians and healthcare professionals that volunteered their time at the Health Fair came from a diverse set of local hospitals and private practices. "I was very

ety of health-related issues. Extending that sentiment throughout the year, BAPS Charities hosts medical fairs, walkathons, education and career development seminars, disaster relief operations, blood drives and much more. BAPS Charities sincerely serves the community, by improving the quality of life of individuals and families.

Presentation on Nutritional, Diet and Diabetes education was made by Darshana Vyas and Diptiben Shah. Many people participated and asked many questions.

was provided by Dr. Ramesh Patel.

Chiropractic exam were performed by Dr. Kalpesh Ghelani.

Physical therapy was presented

by Dr. Vimi Thakkar, Nitul Thakkar and Ankur Patel. Hearing testing

Jayanti Bhai Thakkar talking to volunteers

Bone density test was performed for women over age of 45.

The bone density testing was done by Ranjana Shah and Carla Zang. Mammogram and Peps registration was done by Sarah Rao and William Wu from Xilin Association in Naperville, eye screening and consultation were provided by Dr. Jigna Joshi. Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) consultation

was performed by Dr. Chandra Dachepalli. Many people got benefited.

This Year, Acupressure treatment was provided by Chimanbhai Bheda and Hansaben Soneji.

Many people were interested in this treatment and found it very satisfactory. Su-Jok Therapy was provided by Smita Shah and Saloni Cont’d on page 25 Shah.

Kathak Festival: A big feather in Anila Sinha Foundation cap Cont’d from page 22

She especially contributed fruitful insights on choreography that received much applause.

Interestingly, quite a few performances demonstrated strong Islamic ethos, such as Janaki Patrik's exposition of Ghalib's Urdu ghazal and ASF's "Sufiana" with its Arabic-sounding music and circular movements recalling dancing dervishes. Jain too performed compositions of Sufis Amir Khusrau and Baba Bulle Shah.

The problem remains that the contemporary "Islamic" face of Kathak was being performed here almost entirely by Hindus. Is there any future for an "Indo-Islamic" aesthetic that wins significant ideological and artistic adhesion from Muslims?

The question-answer session turning into quiz format was conducted with huge enthusiasm by Saswati Sen. Most participants were student girls but a few adults too participated. Kothari elaborated on the role and importance of the informed critic in the practice of art.

Sen, Patrik and Anuradha Nag recounted valuable insights based on their respective teaching, especially to students from the Indian

Diaspora. A non-Desi, Patrik teaches only Indian students.

It was strongly suggested that streamlining and codifying of a standardized teaching practice would go a long way in helping the students and the dance lovers.

Had the 10 or so missing Indian dance exponents, including the otherwise very present Lakhia, received their visa-clearances, it would have further upended this veritable festival for both eyes and ears over three full days.

Dr Birendra Sinha president ASF was taken suddenly ill and could only attend the ending session. Though not present physically his presence was felt through out the three days of festival and more so when he contributed handsomely for the establishment of an endowment at the University International House for promoting Kathak thru hosting festivals and other means, In his brief address he expressed thanks to participants, emcees, sponsors the International House for logistic support and especially to Ms. Kiran Chauhan for shouldering the responsibility to organize and conduct the festival.

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IDCA to host job fairs in New York, Dallas RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Founded four years ago by a group of Indian American technocrats, Indo American Community Service (IACS) in Chicagoland is now set to test waters out of Illinois by hosting one of its flagship events - Diversity Job Fairs - in New York and Dallas, TX. Talking to Indian news media

at a Mahatma Gandhi Marg restaurant on Devon Avenue, Jagan Bukkaraju, IACS Secretary, said the job fairs in Dallas and NY are in addition to the one that IACS plans for Chicago at Hilton in Downtown coming October 28, with huge corporate support and sponsorships.

Jagan said that the job fairs in NY and Dallas would be possibly for the first time and that this will provide a good platform for cor-

porate employers and intending interns, entry level job seekers and even executives exploring improved positions. Compared to the Chicago Fair, which has been there for the past three years, the NY and Dallas events may be on a somewhat smaller scale but IACS

Exelon, BP, AT & T, ITW PepsiCo, PNC, L&T, Technologies, Wipro, Info Tech, Roosevelt University and Chicago State University among others.

"Participating companies have open positions for entry level, midcareer level and senior leveling dif-

sorships," he added.

Registered participants will also have an opportunity to participate in free resume critiquing and career counseling sessions conducted by experienced staffing professionals, Sreenivas said.

Highlights of the career fair include

Scenes from 2013 Fair

IDCA trio L to R Sreenivas Kattragadda, Praveen Madikundam & Jagan Bukkaraju

is assured of good corporate sponsorship and participation.

Touching upon the October fair in Chicago, Jagan pointed out that the prospective candidates could meet, talk and interview hiring mangers and HR personnel from 50 plus companies which would include Allstate, WW Grainger,

ferent fields of activities ranging from information technology, finance- accounts, engineering, health care, marketing and sales," said Praveen Madikundam, an IADS executive team member. He said that the IACS job fairs in Chicago as well in Dallas and New York are open to all qualified job seekers.

Sreenivas Kattragadda, IACS President, said expectations are that the number of potential job seekers could reach the 1200 mark.

The figure for last year was about 1000 while in the previous year the number was close to 600. "Every year we are bettering our mark and this is one of the reasons that some of the top American corporations have blessed us with their spon-

a breakout session and panel discussion on career advancement skills featuring top industry experts.

IACS, based in the Greater Chicago area, has as its mission to nurture and foster development of the South Asian community in the region through job fairs, women's empowerment forums, student internships and professional networking opportunities, pointed out Jagan Bukkaraju Entry to the job fair is free but all employment seekers are required to register for the event.

Employment seekers can register for the Third Annual IACS Diversity Job Fair at http:// www.iacsinfo.org.

Hasan Chishti gets one more recognition SURESH SHAH

CHICAGO: Community activist zation, Bazm-e-Deccan, a cultural Hasan Chishti was once again organization and as the founding honored with the Community Ser- president of Urdu Journalists Asvice Award in Chicago on Sep- sociation of America, he has done tember 16 and this time it was from yeomen service to society. the organizers of the United Born in Hyderabad, India, he Cricket Tournaobtained a BA. ment. degree from the The event Osmania Univertook place at sity and served the North Shore Bansame university in quet hall on Devarious adminisvon Avenue. trative capacities, President Adil for about 26 years.

Azeem Khan After his retirepraised Hasan ment in 1978, he Chisti's achievewas associated ments while prewith King Abdul Hasan Chisti senting the award.

Aziz University for This award to Hasan Chishti one year after which he held an exwas in continuation of many rec- ecutive post in a Saudi-owned comognitions and honors that he has pany for about six years. In 1986 received for his writings, excel- he migrated to Chicago and worked lence in community service and for sometime before starting his uplifting human values. own business in 1991, with his In Chicago, as general secre- sons, Javeed and Wajid, both comtary of Indian Non-Residents As- puter engineers. He has been hapsociation, as the General Secretary pily married to Zeenath Hasan for of Bazm-e-Urdu, a literary organi- 55 years.

September 26, 2014

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Aga Khan Museum launched in Toronto India Post News Service

TORONTO, Canada: Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, and Aga Khan formally opened the Ismaili Center and Aga Khan Museum in Toronto in the presence of a large number of guest and supporters of the Aga Khan Foundation These projects, which are initiatives of the Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, are intended to foster knowledge and understanding both within Muslim societies and between these societies and other cultures.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, Aga Khan saluted the many leaders, volunteers and staff who have

longstanding partnership between the Imamat and Canada," he said.

Following the ceremony, Prime Minister Harper and Aga Khan, as well as Prince Amyn Aga Khan, Vice-Chair of the Museum's Board of Directors, and Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, officiated over the opening ceremony of the Aga Khan Museum.

"I believe strongly that art and culture can have a profound impact in healing misunderstanding and in fostering trust even across great divides," said Prince Amyn.

"This is the extraordinary purpose, the special mandate, to which this Museum is dedicated. In its role to reveal and to stimulate dialogue between different cultures, the Aga Khan Museum will continue a long history of cultural sharing

Canadian PM Stephen Harper and HH Aga Khan cutting ribbon to declare open the Museum and Center. Pics AKDN / Gary Otte

tre. The Canadian firm Moriyama & Teshima are the architects of record and are responsible for in-

tegrating all aspects of the project.

The Aga Khan Museum is the first museum in North America

dedicated to the arts of Muslim civilizations. Through its Permanent Collection, performing arts and educational programs and roster of temporary exhibitions, it will welcome the full spectrum of public engagement and serve as a vibrant educational institution.

The Ismaili Centre incorporates spaces for social and cultural gatherings, intellectual engagement, and spiritual reflection. Together, these global institutions will contribute to a better understanding among different communities and cultures. The establishment of these institutions in Toronto reflects the Aga Khan's longstanding relationship with Canada and his appreciation for the country's commitment to pluralism and cultural diversity.

Unni's Carnatic concert for Cancer Society DR JAISHREE PRASAD

Entrance to the Aga Khan Museum as seen across one of the reflecting pools that form the shape of a traditional char-bagh, or four-part, garden

made possible the completion of these new institutions, including the Prime Minister and many members of government at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.

Prime Minister Harper commented that the site will be "a source of inspiration, spiritual renewal and cultural awareness," not only for Torontonians, but for all visitors. The decision to establish this significant initiative in Canada reflects the deep and

between Islam and the West."

The Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan Museum are situated within the 6.8-hectare landscaped park designed by Vladimir Djurovic of Lebanon. This beautiful new green space for the public, which will be known as the Aga Khan Park, is expected to open next year.

Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki designed the Aga Khan Museum, while Indian architect Charles Correa designed the Ismaili Cen-

CHICAGO: Chicago Academy of Indian Fine Arts (CAIFA) hosted a concert by internationally renowned Carnatic vocalist and national award winning playback singer P. Unnikrishnan on Sunday September 14 at the Schaumburg Prairie Centre for the Arts, in Schaumburg (a northwest suburb of Chicago) to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Unnikrishnan was accompanied by H.N Bhaskar on violin and N a i v e l i Narayanan on

Itasca temple Health Fair a big success

Healthcare professionals with volunteers Cont’d from page 23

A long line was seen for these services. Many people received information and consultation.

This year Flu shots were given to 250 patients. The Health Fair was well organized and went very smoothly. Many happy faces were

seen that they received the medical services they needed at one place without any cost to them.

This is the 25th year that Jayantibhai Thakkar has been coordinating Health Fair in various temples in Chicagoland area. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of

Health Fair, Rekha Shah from West Suburban Bank from Bloomingdale, IL provided t-shirts for all volunteers. The Temple provided tea, coffee, gotta and light food to all patients and lunch for volunteers. Jayantibhai Thakkar thanked all volunteers.

mridangam. He began with a set composition (varnam) "Sarasuda" composed by Kotthavasal Venkatrama Iyer in ragam Saveri in two tempos. He then rendered "Sarasiruhasana priye" in Natam with brisk imaginative improvisa-

effortlessly.

The kalpana svaras that followed scaled very high and deep with many intricate cascades of note patterns that brought out the different flavors of Kiravani, adding much variety and charm.

Carnatic vocalist P. Unnikrishnan

tion of musical notes (solfeggio or kalpana svara), followed by the Tamil "Sabhapatiki" in Abhogi.

In his pleasant voice, he explored the underlying feeling (bhaavam) of ragam Vachaspathi in Tyagaraja's "Kantha Judumi," where the melodic improvisations (sangati) on specific musical phrases resounded with ease and perfection. His main piece, Papanasham Sivan's "Karunakarane Sivasankarane" in Kiravani in slow tempo completely swayed the audience, for he brought out the compassion of Lord Shiva with effective soulstirring musical phrases.

The detailed aalapanam (nonrhythmic prelude) emphasizing the life-giving notes (jiva svara) of the ragam with brilliant briga (where the notes span fractional units of time) sangatis traversed both higher and lower octaves

Accompanists Bhaskar and Narayan exhibited equal proficiency on their respective instruments making for a wonderful team.

The latter part of the concert mostly consisted of devotional songs from different Indian languages. These included a Tamil composition in ragam Sama, Sanskrit "Pavana Guru" by Lalita Dasar in Hamsanandi, Tamil "Alai Payude" in Kaanada, "Ramamantrava Japiso" by Purandaradasa, a garland of ragas (ragamalika) "Sri Chakraraja Simhasaneshwari" composed by Sri Agastyar, and Narayana Tirtha's "Govardhana Giridhara" in Darbari Kaanada.

Unnikrishnan concluded by transporting the audience into a world of spiritual ecstasy with the beautiful "Pibare Rama Rasam" of Sadasiva Brahmendra.

Community Across America

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September 26, 2014

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Mesmerizing jugal bandi by talented artists BHABANI DAS & MADHU PATEL

CHICAGO: Two living legends of Hindustani classical music mesmerized a deeply appreciative diverse audience with an incredible musical performance at the Satur-

several hours. The concert featured full elaboration of raags (melody forms) Yaman, Sohini in numerous taals (rhythmic cycles), followed by a beautiful dhun

Ustad Shahid Parvez

Pandit Chatterjee

day evening concert organized by Spandan at Guerin College Prep High School in River Grove, a northwest suburb of Chicago.

Ustad Shahid Parvez (sitar) and Pandit Anindo Chatterjee (tabla) played together with truly astounding joy and creativity for

sages consisting of multiple notes from one strike of the string was simply breathtaking. As he developed the raag into the jod (intro of rhythmic pulse) and

(song) in raag Mishra Khamaj.

From the opening notes of the Yaman alap (free-form melody to introduce the raag), Ustad Parvez' sitar mastery was immediately apparent. His ability to bend the main string (meend) and create lengthy beautiful musical pas-

jhalla (climactic rhythmic passages), his rhythmic mastery and superhuman speed became apparent.

As Ustad Parvez began playing each gat (fixed composition), Pandit Chatterjee would enter on tabla, playing with powerful vigor

and sounding like thunder and alternately with delicate subtlety reflecting his depth and mastery.

As the performance unfolded, each took turns improvising complex passages, while always remaining true to the raag and the taal and returning to sum (first beat of the taal cycle) with amazing accuracy.

As the performance unfolded, the two masters seemed to delight in supporting and then challenging one another to create increasing elaborate and lengthy musical passages. After some time, the two maestros played jhala together, taking their interplay and creativity to a rarely heard intensity. Their delight was apparent throughout, as was that of the audience, who repeatedly share their enthusiastic appreciation.

Yaman, the well known evening raag, was the opening piece, followed by Sohini, a late night raag, that is especially difficult to bring to life, after a brief intermission. The Mishra Khamaj dhun was like a rich sweet des-

Sraboni Chakraborty of Spandan welcoming the gathering

sert after the rich depth of the first two performances. It was remarkable to see these two musicians, who have devoted their lives to this music, engage each other so intensely. Their music is a transcendental language and their joy in performing together was a true delight to witness.

Significance of Navaratri for Hindus PT ANIL JOSHI

I

n Hindu calendar, there are two Navaratri celebrations. The first one comes in the Chaitra Shukla Paksha (March-April) also called Vaishnava Navaratri and the other one comes in the Ashwin Shukla Paksha (September-October) also called Durga Puja Navaratri. During these months, weather is changing from winter seasons to summer season in Chaitra masa and in Ashwin masa from rainy season to winter season.

We worship Devi Ma in these months to obtain power and strength to maintain our vigor and exertion. In Hinduism, Devi Ma is the primal cosmic energy that symbolizes the "Power" that is "dynamic forces" that are thought to move through the entire universe.

We obtain our physical energy and power by worshipping Shakti or Gauri or Durga Ma in Ashwin masa, mental power by revering Saraswati Ma in Vasant Masa, and affluence and money power by venerating Laxmi Maa in Chaitra masa. Devi Ma blesses us with her powers in these three forms.

All gods including Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar worship 'Ma Shakti' before performing any actions. As gods are incomplete without 'Ma Shakti" so are the human beings without these five mothers mentioned below. In Hinduism therefore 'Naris' are respected in Kanya (girl), Patni

(wife), and Matru (mother) forms and worshipped as goddesses of our families and society.

According to Sanatan Hindu Dharma philosophy, every human being has five mothers in his/her life; 1) Devi Durga is the "Jagat Janani" the mother of the universe, 2) "Janma Janani" the genetic

Durga Mata

mother, 3) "Prithvi or Bhoomi Ma" the earth, 4) "Gou Ma" the cow, 5) "Ganga Ma" the Ganges river. Our life from birth to death starts with Ma Jagath Janani and ends with Ma Ganga. People who have "Yagnapavati or Januvi" are blessed with sixth mother "Gayatri Ma".

We pay respect to Devi Ma in these main five forms and in Hindu Shastra also Devi Ma gets the first place and we treat her as Supreme

Goddess. Devi Ma is believed to be the power behind the works of creation by Brahma, preservation and conservation by Vishnu, and destruction of the bad things and thoughts by Shiva. She is also worshipped in "Kanya Rupa" a girl below 12 years. We perform Devi Homam with dedication to gain her blessings.

We also worship young girls as Kanya on Ashtami or Navami day during both Navaratras. According to Hindu philosophy, we all owe an obligation to Mother Goddess and to our genetic mother. Matru Rina or debt is the highest Rina which we cannot pay back unless and until the Mother herself liberates us from the obligation whereas we can fulfill our Father Rina by carrying his and family name ahead in a righteous way.

On Navaratri days, we should have Satavik pravarti. To worship Devi Ma, place a copper/ bronze/steel Kalasham, light the lamps to remove darkness from our, house, heart, and thoughts, prepare some home-made bhoga for prasadam, put barley/jav in a pot with dirt/soil (offer water daily to the pot) which symbolizes prosperity, perform Lord Ganesh Pujan and recite Devi Stuti or Devi Katha or Shlokas from Durga Sepshati or Chant Devi Bija (seed) Mantra

which is composed of mantras of the nine forms of Devi as follows: Am Rhim Klim Chamundayai Viche.

This Mantra assures happiness through fame, fortune, prestige, and family happiness from spouse and children and career success.

You can also chant just Om Durgaye Namah, Om Saraswatye Namah, and Om Laxmiye Namah to obtain blessings of Devi Ma. On the Ashtami or Navami day, place the barley seedlings in the money place of your business or family and students in their study place or books to get the best benefits.

This Navaratri festival is celebrated all over India. It is celebrated with more pomp in West Bengal as Durga Puja and in Gujarat in the name of Garba. Now Garba has taken the form of Dandiya Raas. On Ashtami or Navami day as per your family tradition, perform Kanya Pujan as well by washing their feet, offering tilak with some gifts and clothes.

Do some charities or give away some donations to temples, schools, or needy people in the name of Durga Ma. The celebration of Navaratri ends on Vijaya Dashami day by Ravan Dahan which symbolizes burning of your bad habits, thoughts, arrogance, pride misconceptions and purifying yourself with new satvik be-

Pt Anil Joshi of Grays Lake Hindu Temple

havior, Dharmik ideas and sympathetic attitudes towards everyone and everything in the world.

Remember that always Satya (truth) and Dharma (includes duties, rights, laws, conduct, virtues and ''right way of living'') win. So, do not engage or involve yourself with bad elements in society and get lost in the darkness. Chant this Mantra to obtain right direction in life.

Ya devi sarvabhuteshu matri rupena samsthita Namas tasyai, namas tasyai, namas tasyai namo Namah On behalf of the temple, I invite all of you all to come to the Hindu Mandir of Lake County to participate in Navaratri Pujan from 24th Sep, Ashtami Hawan and Kanya Pujan on 1st Oct by 5:00pm and Rama Leela by children and Ravan Dahan on 4th Oct by 6:30pm.

Garba Raas is from 24th Sep to 2nd Oct in the evening by 6:30pm.

Obtain the blessings of Ma Devi for your well-being and prosperity.

September 26, 2014

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TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Tu Meri : Bang Bang 2 Samjhawan : Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania 3 Tere Ho Ke Rahenge : Raja Natwarlal 4 Yaar Naa Miley : Kick 30 India Post

September 26, 2014 5 Aata Majha Satakli : Singham

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Returns 6 Galliyan : Ek Villain 7 Fanny Re : Finding Fanny 8 Sawaan Aaya Hai : Creature 3D 9 Hangover : Kick 10 Aaj Phir: Hate Story 2

I

t is learnt that the gorgeous Jacqueline Fernandez has bagged a lead role in a Hollywood suspense thriller titled Definition Of Fear.

The film is directed by documentary filmmaker James Simpson, who has earlier worked with great actors like Al Pacino and Penelope Cruz. Jacqueline is currently shooting for Roy in Malaysia, post which she will be heading to Canada for a month-long shoot of her Hollywood film.

There is no doubt that Jacqueline, being the stunner that she is, will also make for a stunning Hollywood actress.

"I was ok during rehearsals because Hrithik was not dancing!

Finally when we danced on the sets, we all know who danced better�

H

rithik Roshan, considered one of the best dancers in Bollywood is seen doing some high octane dance moves in his next 'Bang Bang' and his co-star Katrina Kaif says she had to try hard to match up to the actor.

When asked who was the better dancer in the song among the two, the 'Dhoom 3' actress said till the time of the rehearsals she was doing fine, but Hrithik just blew everyone away during the final shoot. "I was ok during rehearsals because Hrithik was not dancing! Finally when we danced on the sets, we all know who danced better," said the actress, adding the title song 'Bang Bang' is one of her favorite tracks.

Hrithik is all praise for director Siddharth Raj Anand and said he is happy that he chose to do this film, which he considers one of his best movies till date.

"Normally I want to know every aspect in a film before saying yes. But this time I didn't.

This is the first film in my life which surprised me. This film truly belongs to one man - Sid. Everything he has done in this film is simply amazing.

W

e all know Saif Ali Khan plays the role of womanizer with sheer perfection and audience enjoy seeing Saif luring beautiful ladies and now again the handsome Nawab will repeat the role which the audience loves to see him playing. In Reema Kagti's 'Mr Chaalu', the actor will again play a Casanova. The plot has been revealed.

The film to be produced by Farhan Akhtar will see Saif playing a cheat, who promises marriage to women but later dupes them. Finally, he gets the love of his life Kangana Ranaut and his life takes a complete U-turn.

The script is somewhat similar to Ranveer Singh and A n u s h k a Sharma starrer Ladies vs Ricky Bahl.

A r j u n Kapoor's debut film Ishaqzaade also had him d u p i n g Parineeti Chopra.

C u r rently, Saif is shooting K a b i r Khan's 'Phantom' with Katrina Kaif.

Kangana has earned accolades for her performance in 'Queen'.

September 26, 2014

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A

fter her recent role of Olympic medal-winning boxer Mary Kom in a biopic, Priyanka Chopra may already be preparing to play another reallife character - retired police officer Kiran Bedi. Bedi, famous for being India's first woman IPS officer, retired from active service in 2007, and has since anchored a TV show, and even played a part in Anna Hazare's Lokpal campaign.

Priyanka's spokesperson confirms the development, saying, "She (Priyanka) has been approached, but it's too early to speak about it."

An industry source adds, "Priyanka has been offered Rs 10 crore for the role. If she likes the script, she will consider it." Director Soham Shah (who made Luck in 2009, and Kaal in 2005) will reportedly helm the project.

However, when Bedi was contacted, she seemed surprised. "I am not aware of this," she said.

R

icha Chadha, whose next film Tamanchey is all set to release, has signed her first international film - a British comedy.

Produced and directed by Michael Ward, the movie will be shot later this year in London.

Talks are on for the rest of the cast and in all likelihood, another Indian actor will be paired opposite Richa.

S

asha Agha will be seen sporting simple ethnic outfits in Desi Kattey - in sharp contrast to her bikini avatar in her debut film. Apparently, director Anand Kumar couldn't visualize anybody except her in this role.

He says, "I've known Sasha for five years now and find her to be a simple and down-to-earth girl, which the character Paridhi is all about. She was apt for my film." Sasha is excited to be a part of the movie as her role is dramatically different from her earlier outing. The actress says, "After my first film, I was offered a lot of modern and glamorous roles requiring me to wear western outfits.

But when this film came my way, I realized here was a character I was waiting for - very desi and ethnic. I have a gut feeling that the script will appeal to the masses, who are our main target."

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„ Health

Line

2 more polio cases surface in Pakistan ISLAMABAD: Two new cases of polio have been reported in Pakistan, taking the number of those affected with the crippling disease this year to 166, a health official said.

Both new cases are from northwestern region, including one each from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province and tribal areas, which is directly controlled by the federal government.

An official form the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad confirmed the new cases.

The official said that 16-monthold Salma belongs to Khyber tribal region while 8-month-old Habiba is resident of a suburban area of provincial capital Peshawar.

Peshawar has been dubbed as hub of polio virus which authorities have failed to eradicate despite several anti-polio campaigns.

The Taliban has banned polio medicine declaring them against Islam and a conspiracy by the West to sterile Muslims.

So far, 119 cases have been reported from tribal areas this year.

Another 28 surfaced in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 14 in Sindh, three in Balochistan and two in Punjab.

In 2012, 58 polio cases were recorded which increased to 93 in 2013.

Pakistan, which is already facing travel restrictions imposed by the World Health Organization, is among the three countries along with Nigeria and Afghanistan where polio virus is endemic. -PTI

„

North Carolina teen cigarette smoking down RALEIGH, N.C.: Cigarette smoking is down among North Carolina teens, but electronic cigarette and hookah use is up.

The News & Observer of Raleigh obtained a copy of the latest North Carolina Youth Tobacco Survey. Among the findings were cigarette smoking has dropped 13 percent with high school students between 2011 and 2013, with just 13.5 percent of high school students using cigarettes.

But during that same time, ecigarette use rose from about 2 percent of students to 8 percent.

The use of water-filled pipes called hookahs more than doubled to 6 percent of high school students.

Health officials say while the drop in cigarette smoking should be celebrated, the rise in other tobacco use is discouraging. -AP

Health Science

Centre to tighten anti-tobacco law: Vardhan Details on Page 34

32 India Post

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September 26, 2014

New protein therapy can stop cancer from spreading WASHINGTON: Stanford researchers have developed a new protein therapy that could offer a safe and effective alternative to chemotherapy that is used to stop cancer from spreading.

The protein therapy disrupts the process that causes cancer cells to break away from original tumor sites, travel through the blood stream and start aggressive new growths elsewhere in the body.

This process, known as metastasis, can cause cancer to spread with deadly effect, researchers said.

Experimental therapy stopped the metastasis of breast and ovarian cancers in lab mice, pointing towards a safe and effective alternative to chemotherapy, they said.

"The majority of patients who succumb to cancer fall prey to metastatic forms of the disease," said Jennifer Cochran, an associate professor of bioengineering at Stanford University.

Today doctors try to slow or stop metastasis with chemotherapy, but these treatments are unfortunately not very effective

and have severe side effects.

The team seeks to stop metastasis, without side effects, by preventing two proteins - Axl and Gas6 - from interacting to initiate the spread of cancer.

Axl proteins stand like bristles on the surface of cancer cells,

leave the original tumor site, migrate to other parts of the body and form new cancer nodules.

To stop this process, Cochran used protein engineering to create a harmless version of Axl that acts like a decoy. This decoy Axl latches on to Gas6 proteins in the

Jennifer Cochran and Amato Giaccia are members of a team of researchers who have developed an experimental therapy to treat metastatic cancer.

poised to receive biochemical signals from Gas6 proteins.

When two Gas6 proteins link with two Axls, the signals that are generated enable cancer cells to

blood stream and prevents them from linking with and activating the Axls present on cancer cells.

In collaboration with Professor Amato Giaccia, who heads the

Radiation Biology Program in Stanford's Cancer Centre, the researchers gave intravenous treatments of this bio-engineered decoy protein to mice with aggressive breast and ovarian cancers.

Mice in the breast cancer treatment group had 78 per cent fewer metastatic nodules than untreated mice. Mice with ovarian cancer had a 90 per cent reduction in metastatic nodules when treated with the engineered decoy protein.

"This is a very promising therapy that appears to be effective and non-toxic in pre-clinical experiments. It could open up a new approach to cancer treatment," Giaccia said.

Using genetic manipulation, the team created millions of slightly different DNA sequences.

Each DNA sequence coded for a different variant of Axl. The researchers then used high-throughput screening to evaluate over 10 million Axl variants. Their goal was to find the variant that bound most tightly to Gas6.

The research was published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology. -PTI

Illinois awards $25.8M in health outreach grants CHICAGO: Most of the same Illinois organizations that helped consumers sign up for insurance in the first year of President Barack Obama's expanded health coverage will receive additional funding for a second year, state officials announced.

The Illinois Department of Public Health released a list of 37 community groups that will share a total of $25.8 million in federal funding to be used to employ outreach counselors, sometimes called navigators. ``This is a strong team of organizations that will be aggressively reaching out to the uninsured in every corner of the state and making sure they know what they need to do to get covered,'' Department of Public

Health Director LaMar Hasbrouck said in a statement.

The groups on the list include the Illinois Migrant Council, the

tion of Chicago and the Erie Family Health Center in Chicago.

The Illinois Public Health Association will get the largest single

Navigator John Jones explains the many options to a client seeking help buying health insurance at the Family Guidance Center Springfield, Ill.

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, the Springfield Urban League, the AIDS Founda-

grant - $2.4 million - for work in western, central and southern parts of the state. United Way of Metropoli-

tan Chicago will get $1.8 million.

County health departments in DuPage, McHenry, Will and Winnebago will receive funding.

For consumers, Nov. 15 is the date to remember: opening day for enrollment in health plans sold on the marketplace for coverage in 2015. Consumers buying marketplace plans can qualify for tax credits to help with the cost.

Illinois has enrolled approximately 670,000 residents in private health plans and Medicaid since the Get Covered Illinois campaign launched in October last year. The community groups' face-to-face contact with uninsured residents was essential to that effort, said Get Covered Illinois Executive Director Jennifer Koehler. -AP

Health Science Post

September 26, 2014

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Health council urges market to accept food stamps VICKSBURG, Miss.: Members of the Mayor's Health Council hope to work out a plan under which the Vicksburg farmers market can accept electronic benefits transactions as part of a plan to improve the health of Vicksburg residents. ``If we don't get people healthier, they're always going to be sick and depending

farmers to accept EBT payments at their booths.

The ability to accept EBT transactions would allow more access to fresh fruits and vegetables for low-income residents, Kavanaugh said. EBT is accepted at several farmers' markets around the state, she said.

The ability to accept EBT transactions would allow more access to fresh fruits and vegetables for low-income residents, Kavanaugh said on the government's pockets,'' said council member Vanessa Prentiss, who teaches health classes at Kings Empowerment Center. ``This is our city, and we want our city to last and our people to last.''

Council member Gail Kavanaugh, nutrition director for the Vicksburg Warren School District, told The Vicksburg Post the system could involve the farmers market manager accepting EBTs - electronic food stamps and issuing tokens that can be traded to market vendors, or allowing

``It's very important for the community to know this is in the best interest of farmers and the community,'' she said.

So far, the move has been a tough sell to farmers, she said. ``Many of them are skeptical and don't want the government involved in their business,'' she said.

The council is made up of about 15 members including health department officials and community members. The group says it also is planning to seek grant funding to build parks and walking trails. -AP

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Health Science Post

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Centre to tighten anti-tobacco law: Vardhan THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Centre is mulling to tighten laws to check consumption of tobacco products as part of the fight against incidence of cancer, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has said.

A task force set up by the Centre after the NDA came to power had already submitted its report on extra measures required to strengthen the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (COTP) Act and it would soon be considered by the cabinet, Vardhan told reporters here.

Vardhan, who declared the Regional Cancer Centre here as upgraded into the State Cancer Institute, said it was time that a war against cancer was launched in the country by making laws stringent against consumption of products such as tobacco that caused cancer.

"Fight against tobacco and liquor is fight against death. I strongly advocate stringent antitobacco laws," the minister said.

A major program for early detection and prevention of various diseases including cancer is also

on the anvil.

To a question on alleged lapses in conduct of drug trials in the country, Vardhan said the government would ensure that any aberration in the system would be rec-

On the possibility of making seat belt compulsory for all passengers in cars, the Minister said Health Ministry had submitted various recommendations to the Surface Transport Ministry in-

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan

tified.

He, however, added "I do not see any major problem in the system and only that there is further scope for doing better."

cluding making seatbelt and helmet compulsory.

"My opinion is that road safety measures like these are to be strengthened and Gopinath

Flood-victims slam J&K govt on healthcare PULWAMA: Residents of one of the worst flood-affected villages in Pulwama district have complained about state government's failure to provide adequate healthcare facilities to them after the calamity hit the region.

The flood victims in Gulzarpura village, where more than 90 per cent houses have

collapsed in the calamitous deluge, are facing risks of contracting water-borne diseases in the absence of proper healthcare facilities.

Riyaz Ahmed, a resident of the village, said the villagers were in dire need of medical aid and no

help had reached them after 15 days when flood first hit this part of south Kashmir.

A team of healthcare officials including chief medical officer of the area visited the village. "The officials came, wrote a few names and left. They did not even give a single painkiller to the floodaffected villagers here," Riyaz said.

The residents of the village complained about government's failure to send relief to the area.

"Whatever foodgrains we had stored for winters were washed away in the floods. We are lucky to be alive, but now the fear of starvation looms large on the en-

tire village. Residents of nearby villages gave us some foodgrains, but now that too has finished," Ghulam Mohammed, another resident of Gulzarpura, said.

"The people here need medical help as many of them have already developed symptoms of various waterborne diseases," Ghulam said.

"We requested the CMO for some phenyl, and he gave us a few bottles that too were diluted and when we said that it was not sufficient, he replied that he did not have enough supplies," said Javid Ahmed, another resident of the village.

"We have been left on our own, abandoned and orphaned by the government. People from nearby villages are pooling in resources to feed us. We can survive for sometime, but coming winters we will die of starvation as the floodwater has damaged our entire standing crop," said Fayaz Mir, a resident of the village.

After being apprised of the situation, an official of the state health department said, "We have instructed our officials to work day and night to provide medical care to the flood affected people." -PTI

Munde would not have died if he had used seat belt."

In a lighter vein, the minister said the first thing that he did on getting into the car on arriving here was to search for the seat belt but it was missing.

On Kerala's demand for an AIMS, he said the Centre had already made a decision in this regard and was awaiting the state government's report on the location for it. It would require 200 acres of land which should be easily accessible to the people.

Earlier speaking at the function, Vardhan said "we should educate people constantly about issues related to positive and preventive healthcare. It will help keep all diseases, whether they are communicable or non-communicable, at bay. Eighty per cent diseases are preventable."

"As far as statistics available to me, Kerala might be one of the states which has maximum incidence of cancer in the country.

Definitely there is a need for more and more cancer institutes. But as a practiced doctor, I always believe that more than starting cancer in-

stitutes, preventive health education and early detection are needed," he said.

The minister said a series of activities were planned all over the country to achieve the target of preventive health education and early detection. Meetings of state health ministers and health secretaries would be held soon in this regard, he said.

He said the Center's Universal Health Assurance program would be a strong package of preventive and protective medicare. The program would help set a model for the rest of the world in terms of health sector, Vardhan said.

Centre plans an AYUSH Mission to strengthen and promote AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) in and outside the country.

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy submitted a memorandum to the union minister with various demands including upgrading RCC as a national cancer institute.

Chandy said 15 acres of land in Pulayanarkotta near here would be allotted for developing the National Cancer Centre. -PTI

Security fix need led to health site shutdown MONTPELIER, Vt.: Vermont's top health care reform official told lawmakers that the state's health insurance website was taken down temporarily because security upgrades did not keep pace with a schedule agreed to with federal officials.

Health care reform chief Lawrence Miller said the only way

and complete those improvements before we reopen.''

He said no consumer information was compromised nor was there any other kind of security breach.

The state announced it was taking the troubled Vermont Health Connect website offline so upgrades can be completed in time

to complete the upgrades was to close down the web portal and complete the improvements. ``We did not complete all those security upgrades on the schedule that we had set and made the decision that we should stop and secure the site completely,'' he said. ``The only way to do that was to close down the web portal

for it to be ready for the next open enrollment period, which begins Nov. 15.

During a meeting of the Health Care Oversight Committee some lawmaker said they were unhappy that they were not informed.

But Miller said security experts advised against giving advanced notice. -AP

September 26, 2014

Health Science Post

India Post 35

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More choice & help coming to health care market CONCORD, N.H.: New Hampshire residents signing up for insurance under the federal health care overhaul law will have both more choices and more places to turn for help in November.

For the last year, the only company selling health plans through the new marketplace was Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which was criticized for excluding 10 of the state's 26 acute-care hospitals.

Starting Nov. 15, two other private insurance companies - Harvard Pilgrim and Assurant and two cooperatives Maine Community Health and Minuteman - are expected to begin offering plans.

If the proposals those four outlined this summer are approved, the number of plans available to New Hampshire individuals will increase from 14 to more than 50 and each hospital will be included in at least three

provider networks.

There also will be more ``navigators'' to help consumers explore their options.

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England and Bi-State Primary Care, which previously were awarded federal funding to

If the proposals those four outlined this summer are approved, the number of plans available to New Hampshire individuals will increase from 14 to more than 50

UNICEF trains scribes on health reporting KOTA, Rajasthan: UNICEF India, Oxford University and George Institute of Global Health, UK have come together to develop a program for media reporting on public health with a focus on routine immunization.

In a joint venture, UNICEF India along with the two British universities is developing certified critical skills appraisal program to address the gap in media coverage on public health programs.

The program will be used as a starting point to develop a module which will then be offered to journalists as a 'certification program'.

Chief of UNICEF Rajasthan office,

Samuel Mawunganidze, told that pre and post module on certified program development workshops are being organized across the country.

The venture would stress on the need to start immunization and vaccination program as a mission like Polio eradication program, said Kannan Krishnaswamy, communications manager of George Institute for Global Health India.

About 35 mediapersons, media educators and medical professional across the state participated the consultations in Jaipur and shared their experiences for the development of the program. -PTI

Caribbean doc warns about marijuana use CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands: The director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency urged leaders in the region to proceed with caution as the debate about decriminalizing marijuana intensifies.

Dr James Hospedales says he is concerned about the adverse effects of pot smoking, especially on adolescents.

He spoke at an annual conference organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

His comments come as Caribbean leaders debate whether they should legalize

medical marijuana and how courts should handle charges of possession of small amounts of the drug.

A preliminary report by a Caribbean TRADE bloc found that decriminalizing medical marijuana could help boost the region's economy. Caricom expects to review a final report on the issue by February 2016.

Activists in Jamaica, St. Lucia and other islands have been pushing to legalize marijuana use. -PTI

Hayfield is test ground for crop-soil health DURHAM, N.H.: Researchers are testing the use of cover crops such as grasses and legumes on a one-acre hayfield in Dover, New Hampshire, to help farmers improve soil health.

University of New Hampshire scientists have teamed up with the Strafford County Conservation District to try out different combinations of the crops. The aim is to test all of the combinations of hayfield man-

agement and seeding - 64 plots total - to determine which approaches work best for soil health and hayfield productivity.

Such crops also are used to reduce erosion and control pests.

The team says the project is part of a larger effort to develop more sustainable agricultural systems and support climatesmart agriculture - not using tillage or chemical fertilizers.-AP

serve in that role, will be joined by Greater Derry Community Health Services, a nonprofit organization that connects residents in a dozen towns with health care providers.

Bi-State Primary Care, which represents community health centers and promotes access to affordable health care, plans to use federal data to target specific audiences with greater precision. Those audiences include low-income and homeless individuals and families, immigrants and refugees, unemployed and self-employed people, service sector employees and people with disabilities, said Lori Real, the organization's vice president. For example, a navigator in Concord is working with a soup kitchen to organize an enrollment session, she said. ``Our staffing model for this program is designed to maximize the number of navigator `boots on the ground' to provide direct assistance to more people,'' she said. ``Our well-established relationships with other organizations, schools, businesses, churches and community groups extend our ability to reach deeper into diverse communities in both urban and rural areas of the state.''

Given the large increase in insurers and plans, Bi-State Primary Care also will be providing intensive training to bring navigators up to speed on both the new marketplace plans and the options available un-

der the state's newly expanded Medicaid program.

More than 40,000 New Hampshire residents signed up for coverage through the new marketplace during the first enrollment

`Our well-established relationships with other organizations, schools, businesses, churches and community groups extend our ability to reach deeper into diverse communities in both urban and rural areas period, which ran from Oct. 1, 2013, through March. According to a report issued by the state Insurance Department, the number of insured people in New Hampshire increased by 22,000 - reducing the state's uninsured population by 14 percent - between Dec. 31 and May 1. That number includes both those who signed up through the new marketplace and those who signed up through Medicaid.

Officials have not speculated about how many more people may sign up in the next enrollment period. -AP

36 India Post

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September 26, 2014

„

Realty Tidbits

Long term financing required for infra: Sidhu CHANDIGARH: Infrastructure development in the country would require huge funds and there is a need for long term financing in this regard, said KBS Sidhu, Joint Secretary, Union ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation.

"There is a huge gap in infrastructure required in the country.

Long term financing has to be arranged for the development of the required infrastructure," Sidhu said while addressing a conference on 'Financing for Infrastructure and Real Estate development' organized by PHD Chamber here.

Noting that funds requirement for setting up infrastructure was huge, he said the Centre and state governments together could not fund such huge projects and that Public Private Partnership (PPP) was the preferred mode for the setting up of such projects.

"An innovative approach is required which has transparency and capacity for speedy approvals,' he said.

Earlier, R S Sachdeva, Co-Chairman, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said: "Across the globe, infrastructure is the lifeblood of prosperity and economic confidence in the 21st century.

Well-planned and well executed investments offer developing economies the hope of basic facilities for all and a chance to compete in a global marketplace."

-PTI

„ Bajaj Fin aims to give Rs 2Kcr home loans MUMBAI: Non-banking financial services player Bajaj Finance, which is gearing to launch a dedicated housing finance subsidiary next fiscal, aims to disburse up to Rs 2,000 crore in home loans to the affluent class in FY16, a top official said.

"We expect to start operations for the housing finance company in the first quarter of FY16 and will look at disbursements of Rs 1,8002,000 crore by March 2016," Bajaj Finance Chief Executive Rajiv Jain told PTI. He said that the company would be target the affluent and super affluent sections of society for its home loans business and focus on the self-employed category.

A typical loan to the self-employed would be between Rs 1.2 crore and Rs 1.3 crore, while a loan to a salaried person would be between Rs 75 lakh and Rs 80 lakh, Jain said. -PTI

Real Estate 37

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Iowa City plans include demolition of school IOWA CITY, Iowa: Plans for a new parking garage, residential town homes and a five-story bank in Iowa City's Riverfront Crossings district will come at a cost: the demolition of a nearly 100-year-old brick school building.

The former Henry Sabin Elementary School was finished in 1918 to replace a post-Civil War era ward school and was considered cutting-edge when it opened. -AP

September 26, 2014

Details on Page 38

Shaloo Agencies provides ideal residential houses for NRIs India Post News Service

S

haloo Agencies is an important and respected name in the field of Real Estate in Delhi and Gurgaon. Established in 1980, it has focused its activity in Delhi. It markets an entire range of projects - large independent colonies, luxury apartments, modern offices, showrooms, industrial complexes, and state-of-the-art software facilities.

Shaloo Agencies was established in 1980 by Mr Nanak Bhatia who is an engineer by profession.

Later he was joined by his brothers Pravesh Bhatia (MBA), Tarun Bhatia (CFA) and Amit Bhatia (MBA). It now has an experienced team which provides their exclusive services to various national companies and people in the areas of residential, rental, commercial, retail, lease and real estate consultation across Delhi/NCR. Pravesh Bhatia told India Post that Shaloo Agencies specializes in apartments, plots and commer-

Experion, IREO, Unitech, ment and methodically services the "All apartments are available with 3 tier security/closed circuit camConscient, Paras Buildtech, Pio- same.

Properties being developed by eras/concierge services/modular neer Urban, 3C, Vipul, Supertech, Umang Realtech, Suncity, Raheja Shaloo Agencies are all licensed kitchens/VRV air conditioning."

Whatever the requirement, he Developers, B.P.T.P, and many and approved by all requisite government agen- said, Shaloo Agencies promises a others whom it cies. "We have very professional business deal represents for mentioned the and also ensures that both the original booklicense numbers buyer and the seller get an honest ings of their in all the and entirely professional satisfacreal estate projects on our tory experience. projects. website," he "The projects taken up by Pravesh added.

Shaloo Agencies are a symbol of said that About en- meticulousness, universal quality Shaloo Agensuring good in- and perfect merger of art and funccies has a spefrastructure like tionality. Each project is a creation cial set of serbetter roads, ad- in itself, a trait to modern construcvices on offer equate electric- tion epitomizing the synthesis of for NRIs. It ity and water mystical past and magnificent furegularly caPravesh Bhatia supply, Pravesh ture." ters to the said the governOn the Shaloo Agencies growing demand of resident and Non-Resi- ment charges EDC (external devel- website itself you can search propdent Indians in their quest for the opment charges) for this and a lot erties by typing the developer's ideal residential houses, residential plots, farm houses, office premises, commercial plots, shopping Whatever the requirement, he said, Shaloo malls, local shopping areas, facAgencies promises a very professional tory sheds, agricultural & residential lands etc in India. business deal and also ensures that both the

buyer and the seller get an honest and entirely professional satisfactory experience. of money goes into infrastructure.

"That is why Gurgaon is the most wanted destination."

About special facilities he said,

The brothers receiving Excellence Award

cial units in Gurgaon by premier developers like DLF, Emaar, MGF, Bestech, Experion and Ireo Ltd. The professionalism of Shaloo Agencies is recognized and supported by reputed construction houses and builders like DLF, Bestech India, EmaarMGF,

He says the strength of Shaloo Agencies lies in the keen understanding of the Indian Real Estate Market and of its ability to forecast the trends in price fluctuations. The firm is supported by a professional team which scientifically analyses the client's require-

name, location and even the maximum price you are willing to pay.

Contact for details: www.shalooagencies.com

Real Estate Post

38 India Post

September 26, 2014

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Hispanics key to U.S. housing sector future AUSTIN, Texas: The nation's housing secretary says a booming Hispanic population will drive the future of America's residential real estate market and predicts that a major overhaul of federal immigration laws would create a further boon to home sales across the country.

Julian Castro, confirmed in July as U.S. secretary of Housing and Urban Development, told The Associated Press that ``for the work that HUD does, and the housing market in general, Hispanics truly are the future.''

Castro, citing a National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals study from last year, said nearly half of first-time homebuyers nationwide would be Hispanic in six years. The study from the trade organization also said Hispanics are expected to account for 40 percent of the estimated 12 million net new house-

holds across the country within the next decade. ``The prosperity of the United States and the prosperity of the Hispanic community, as the fast-

est-growing community, are one and the same,'' Castro said in a phone interview. ``The destinies are one and the same.''

Rolf Pendall, of the Washing-

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, left, accompanied

by Mayor Michael Nutter, speaks with members of the media at Montgomery Early Learning Centers' Families First Center, in Philadelphia

Taxation, regulatory issues may trip REITs success MUMBAI: Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) could be a game changer for the realty sector, but lack of clarity on taxation and regulatory aspects might act as roadblocks for attracting foreign investments in the commercial space, a report says.

According to a report titled 'Destination India? Are we ready for REITs?' released here by global accounting firm KPMG, jointly with Indian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (KPMGIVCA), REITs are expected to channels funds from moderate investors such as insurance and pension funds, but several taxation and regulatory issues could act as impediments.

The KPMG-IVCA report has estimated that India has about 350 million square feet of 'Grade A' office space, which is valued at about USD 65 billion to USD 70 billion,

out of which about 100 million square feet is estimated to be eligible for REITs in the next three

"The availability of large number of assets across different cities, inexpensive properties (in comparison to global peers), and high growth potential of commercial real estate sector is expected to find takers for REITs in India" years, valued at about USD 20 billion.

As much as 52.6 million square feet and 57.1 million square feet

are likely to be developed in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Most of India's 'Grade A' property is concentrated in seven major cities namely Delhi-NCR, which includes Gurgaon and Noida, in addition to Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Kolkata and Hyderabad.

Besides 'Grade A' office space, there are other commercial properties which might come under the purview of REIT-able properties including shopping centers, retail malls, hotels, industrial warehouses and other places of storage, the report said.

"The availability of large number of assets across different cities, inexpensive properties (in comparison to global peers), and high growth potential of commercial real estate sector is expected to find takers for REITs in India," KPMG India Partner and Head of Real Estate and Construction Neeraj Bansal said.

Recent developments such as formation of the new government, improvement in domestic as well as global economic growth and resumption of infrastructure cycle in India are expected to further support the commercial real estate sector, he said.

However, certain taxation and regulatory aspects of REITs require amendments, especially in the Income Tax Act, which could further enhance attractiveness of Indian REITs for global investors, Bansal said. -PTI

ton-based think tank Urban Institute, stressed that studies such as the one Castro cites include projections that will depend heavily on whether a tight credit market eases enough to help people secure mortgages. ``The potential is there if the economy is working and mortgage policy is working,'' he said.

A Mexican-American whose mother was a civil rights activist, Castro was mayor of San Antonio before President Barack Obama tapped him to join his cabinet.

Obama has called Castro a ``rock star'' and he's been mentioned as a possible 2016 Democratic vice presidential nominee.

Castro declined to discuss his political future, joking, ``I'm a recovering politician.'' Of his new appointment he said, ``My hope is that it's meaningful to the Hispanic community and to Americans generally.'' ``Over the last few years of his administration, the president has done an excellent job of reaching out to the Hispanic community, and more than that, substantively doing great work in terms of in-

vestments in education, in housing, in transportation, fighting for immigration reform,'' Castro said.

But the White House has backed off on the immigration front lately.

Obama in June said that by the end of the summer, he'd announce what steps he would take to fix the nation's immigration system in the absence of major action from Congress. But earlier this month, Obama changed course, saying that a surge of immigrant children pouring into the U.S. had changed the politics surrounding the issue and would delay action until after midterm elections in November.

Castro said resolution on issue could bolster the U.S. housing market, pointing to the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals study that estimates federal immigration law changes could add about 3 million homeowners and generate more than $500 billion in sales, income and spending into the housing economy. ``It's a significant contribution if we can get immigration reform done,'' Castro said. -AP

Real estate bill is regulation, not strangulation: Naidu NEW DELHI: Regulation in real estate is the need of the hour as certain incidents have impacted the image of the sector "negatively" but the bill in this regard will not create any over-regulation, Indian Housing and Poverty Alleviation Minister Venkaiah Naidu has said.

He assured that the Bill will provide necessary transparency and fair play in the real estate transactions.

"It will not be any strangulation but a regulation only," he said at a consultation meeting here on the single window approval systems and Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill 2013 which was attended by all stakeholders including developers and officials from other ministries.

"In recent time, price escalation of land and building materials have made houses increasingly unaffordable for the urban poor.

Over and above, failure on the part of some unprofessional and unorganized developers in fulfilling commitments of delivery to the buyers in terms of time and quality has created mistrust among the developers and buyers," he said.

The bill aims to spur growth in the housing sector and is crucial for the government as it has promised to provide houses for all by

2022.

Government intends to bring the Bill in the Winter Session of Indian Parliament.

"Before bringing it to the House we want suggestions from

Minister Venkaiah Naidu

all concerned before taking it further as there are certain apprehensions about the Bill," Naidu said.

Thirty-two per cent of the country's population is residing in urban areas and it is estimated to reach 50 per cent by next 20 years.

Seeking private participation in the housing sector, Naidu said government cannot do it alone and private players have to participate to provide houses for all. -PTI

September 26, 2014

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40 India Post

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f finest temples and impressive customs inspire you, legendary belief. then Dwarka in the State of Gujarat would be an apt Apart from the tranquil ambiance of the holy shrines, location for you. Myths that suffuse the whole vibes Dwarka offers some of the appealing beaches, where the of Dwarka portray the magical glory of an ethnic city. glittering waters and the warm weather tempts the beholder A great devout centre with much mythological relevance, with its inherent charm.

Dwarka is the epitome of spiritual enlightenment. To the Shopping is an inevitable pastime in this historic city. A devotee, Dwarka is synonymous with Lord Krishna and variety of shops that supply excellent Gujarati artifacts on this sleepy locale has gained high accoa comparatively good price would be the lades as the gateway to the much chersweet reminders of your trip. ished salvation. As per the Scriptures, To the devotee, Steeped in the richness of a mythoDwarka is one of the holy spots that be- Dwarka is synonylogical and legendary past, today's stow deliverance since it was here that mous with Lord Dwarka is a fast emerging city that exLord Krishna had established his earthly pands it horizons in almost every field.

Krishna and this kingdom.

In Dwarka, one can expect the freshness A bevy of lovely temples that display sleepy locale has and serenity of a devout location and flamboyant structural designs and marthe sizzles of a typical Indian city. Dwarka velous architecture are the signature des- gained high would be a nice destination for the entinations in Dwarka. These lovely accolades as the thusiastic ones and those who treasure shrines reveal the city's feted associagateway to the much the magnificence of a holy place. tion with Lord Krishna and indeed a visit to these holy spots would be an invigo- cherished salvation ATTRACTIONS rating experience to all. Legend has it Dwarkadeesh Temple: A temple bethat after the death of Krishna, Dwarka city submerged in longing to the Chalukya style of art, Dwarakadeesh temple the water, devastating the entire Yadava clan. Recent ex- possesses a long history of 2500 years. As the name sugcavations have proved the existence of well-planned cit- gests the presiding deity is none other than Lord Krishna.

Cont’d on page 42 ies on the shores of the river Gomati, which testifies this

September 26, 2014

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September 26, 2014

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4 Indian cities in Asian Top 10 destinations MUMBAI: Four Indian cities Agra, Ahmedabad, Kochi and Panaji - feature among the Asian Top 10 list of a global survey when it comes to last-minute bookings for luxury destinations, which are also affordable.

Amongst the Asian Top 10 luxurious but affordable destinations, four Indian cities have been listed, according to a survey by global

online Hotel Search site Trivago.

The data was compiled by Europe, North and Central America, South America, Oceania, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Asia and Africa.

while Panaji in Goa is on the eighth position, at an average of Rs 5,673

Taj Mahal, Agra

House Boat, Kochi

Panaji

Agra in Uttar Pradesh is second on the list, with an average price of Rs 5,220 per night, followed by Ahmedabad in Gujarat securing the third position with Rs 5,275 per night, the survey revealed.

Kochi is in the seventh position in the list, with Rs 5,660 per night, on an average,

Food of your choice through SMS in train NEW DELHI: Soon you can order meals of your taste through SMS while traveling on a train as Railways is launching a mobile phone-based service in a move to offer multiple catering options to passengers.

The SMS-based service, part of

the e-catering service, will be launched in a few selected trains on a pilot basis, said a senior Railway Ministry official.

IRCTC, which is coordinating the e-catering service, is finalizing a new designated number to be used for SMS service for ordering food on a train.

Plagued with complaints, Railways has stepped up efforts to improve catering services on trains.

"Our aim is to provide multiple choices to passengers. While the existing service of getting food from pantry cars will continue, the SMS-based service is also being offered to passengers," the official said.

According to the plan, a passenger will get response from a dedicated team after sending the SMS mentioning his PNR number.

"The passenger will get call after the due online verification of the PNR status and berth position in the particular train seeking details of food order.

Payments will be made after the delivery," he said.

While SMS-based service is being launched, Railways is also finalizing a plan to start online order system where a passenger can also book his food online.

Arrangements have been made with some reputed food chains and eating joints for providing food through SMS-based orders on trains, the official said, adding "the online order system will also be launched shortly".-PTI

per night, it said.

"Recent price wars between airline companies should give a good combination for Indian travelers, who are still looking to vacation

abroad or within India. Prices for top star hotels in Panaji and Kochi

list at Rs 4,169 per night, the survey revealed.

Three other Chinese cities n a m e l y Guangzhou (4), Dongguan (5) and Shenzhen (6) featured in the list, with an average room price at Rs 5,454, Rs 5,480 and Rs 5,500, respectively.

Akshardham Temple, Ahmedabad Ta i w a n ' s Kaohusiung city are quite favorable right now to secured the ninth position at Rs 6,603 enjoy high quality at better price," per night and Taichung city is at the Trivago India's representative tenth position, at Rs 6,694 per night Abhinav Kumar said. among the Asian Top 10, luxurious China's Zhuhai city topped the but affordable destinations. -PTI

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DWARKA

Where Lord Krishna established his earthly kingdom Cont’d from page 40

It is indeed a monument with superb artistic expressions. A five storied main shrine supported by 60 roof columns is the main attraction of this grand structure. Lord Krishna in his black idol appears so beautiful and appealing that the devotee feels the presence of the Lord before him.

Other shrines are dedicated to Sathybhama Devi, Subhadra, Balarama and Revathy, Jambavathi Devi, Vasudeva, Rukmini Devi and Devaki. Rich carvings and compli-

temple represents the removal of evil forces from earth. As one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, this shrine houses a curious myth about its origin.

Rukmini Mandir: Though a small structure, Rukmini Mandir is an important shrine and it is dedicated to the most beloved consort of Krishna, Devi Rukmini. A masterpiece in artistic terms, this temple makes the beholder spellbound. Its highly embellished walls and rich carvings are simply superb. The rich paintings in the walls of this 12th century temple

portray Rukmini's pastimes with her husband.

Beyt Dwarka: Believed to be the residence of Lord Krishna and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga

his family, Beyt Dwarka is one of the landmark sites in Dwarka. It is believed that Lord Krishna ruled the city from here. It is also believed that Lord Vishnu chose this spot to kill the demon Shankhasura and the place has also got other soubriquet, Bet Shankhoddar. To add glamour to these mythical stories, Beyt Dwarka now houses a host of prominent shrines that allures the devotees with its exquisite serenity.

BEST TIME TO VISIT Dwarka has a pleasant temperate climate all through the year. But the best time to visit is during the months from October to June.

cated structural designs of the temple amuse each visitor with its elegant appeal.

Gita Mandir: A marvelous and spectacular shrine on the western part of the city, the Gita Mandir tries to project the values of the sacred book Bhagavad Gita. This marble structure is a marvel in terms of artistic expression and at the same time it imparts a serenity to all those who delve into its holy premises.

Gomati Ghat: As per the Scriptures, River Gomati is none other than the sacred Ganges, which descended from heaven. As the reservoir of various myths this river hosts so many shrines and ghats where the devotees often do various rituals. Of all the holy spots beside the river, Gomati Kund happens to be the most sought after destination of the religious minded since it was here that the Lord himself had served the hot tempered Durvasa. The popular belief is that a mere visit to this saintly place would liberate the devotee from all their sins.

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga: Situated in the outskirts of Dwaraka, Nageshwar Temple or Nagnath Temple is one of the prominent Shiva shrines in India and this

HOW TO REACH

By Train: Dwarka railway station in the Ahmedabad-Okha rail route is connected to other major railway stations. Tourists can take trains from Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore.

By Air: The closest domestic airport to Dwarka is located at Jamnagar, which is about 137 km away. There are regular flights from Jamnagar to Mumbai International Airport.

By Bus: Gujarat state road transport buses connect Dwarka with all major cities in the State.

Luxury coach tourist buses are also available.

Rajadhiraj

Dwarkadeesh Temple

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Last stretch of New York's High Line opens NEW YORK: The last stretch of New York's High Line has opened completing one of the nation's most distinctive urban transformations: abandoned elevated rails that have been turned into a linear oasis of flowers, grasses and trees.

That last, half-mile section finishes the 22-block walkway that over five years has helped drive the hip gentrification of the Chelsea neighborhood on Manhattan's West Side. Luxury condos, galleries, restaurants and boutiques have all but pushed out the industrial grime around the old freight route that once delivered goods to warehouses, meatpacking and manufacturing plants. ``The High Line has changed the dynamics of the city,'' says Laurance Rassin, an artist showcasing his paintings and sculptures to visitors along the threestory-high walkway. ``If Picasso were alive, he'd be painting on the High Line.''

As visitors stroll or relax on benches, actors read Shakespeare, musicians play violin and flute, and children gather for outdoor

In this undated artist rendering provided by the “Friends of the High Line,” the High Line’s 11th Avenue Bridge looking west toward the Hudson River in New York is shown. Thirty feet above New York City streets, the final section of the flower-strewn walkway was once a right of way for freight train traffic.

Pedestrians stroll along the High Line in New York, Wednesday, Sept. 17, as it winds between two buildings under construction. The last stretch of the elevated walkway opened to the public on Sept. 21

storytelling. ``I get to talk to everyone from students to movie stars, and I find out about different parts of the world,'' says Rassin, who lives in a luxury high-rise overlooking the new, northern stretch.

That part of the park curves around Hudson Yards, a mammoth high-rise development that by 2024 will be home to more than a dozen new skyscrapers.

Sections of rusty tracks are still visible in spots, a reminder of

up to and, in some cases, inside buildings to deliver milk, meat, produce and other goods. The rise of interstate trucking led to the railway's demise, and the last train ran in 1980, pulling carloads of frozen turkeys.

In 1999, when the weedchoked relic was under threat of demolition, a community-based nonprofit calling itself the Friends of the High Line was formed to find another use for it. ``We wanted to create a space

the area's dirty and dangerous past.

Street-level freight trains ran on Manhattan's West Side between 1851 and 1929, causing so many accidents that Tenth Avenue was known as ``Death Alley.''

So-called ``West Side Cowboys'' on horses rode in front of the trains to prevent collisions with vehicles and pedestrians.

That hazard spurred construction of the elevated High Line in 1934, allowing trains to roll right

Rs 600 cr ADB-aided tourism program in HP SHIMLA: A Rs 600-crore tourism infrastructure development program funded by Asian Development Bank is being implemented in Himachal Pradesh to give a boost to the industry, an official said here.

Infrastructure Development investment Program for Tourism

civil aviation department in four districts of Shimla, Kangra, Una and Bilaspur, the official said.

The state government has also submitted proposals of various tourist circuits/destinations projects worth Rs 26 crore to the centre seeking financial assistance, he added.

(IDIPT) in the state worth USD 95 million is being aided by the ADB, an official of the tourism department said.

Projects worth Rs 210 crore were approved by ADB under Tranche1 of IDIPT and 20 infrastructure development projects are being executed by the state tourism and

These circuits proposed include Rs 5 crore project for integrated development of UnaNadaun as a tourist destination, Rs 8 crore integrated development of Buddhist destinations, Rs 8 crore integrated development of Shimla-Suburbs and Rs 5 crore integrated development of tourist

transit zones.

Some other major projects include restoration of Town Hall and beautification of Mall Road at Shimla, development of Tourist Reception Centre and parking at Chintpurni and development of Jetty, camping sites, tracks and bird watching towers in Pong Dam area.

Focus on adventure tourism, religious tourism, heritage tourism, rural tourism or eco-tourism has helped in attracting more tourists to the state in last few years, the official said.

He said over 1.51 crore tourists including 4,14,249 foreign tourists visited the state in 2013, while 1.61 crore tourists including five lakh foreign tourists in 2012.

"During the current year 83 lakh tourists, including about 1.93 lakh international tourists, visited the state till June 30. Himachal Pradesh has 2377 registered hotels/guest house with bed capacity of about 61,236," he said. -PTI

where people could be immersed in nature,'' says the group's cofounder, Robert Hammond.

Today, the High Line Park built with $223 million in both government and private funds draws nearly 5 million visitors a year, offering an expansive view of midtown Manhattan and the Hudson River. Visitors walk on concrete slabs softened by grasses, shrubs, and trees peeking from crevices and benches surrounded by blossoms. -AP

Mount Abu may be included in smart city list JAIPUR: Union Tourism Minister Shripad Yesso Naik has favored inclusion of Mount Abu in the list of proposed smart cities, from tourism point of view and said the government will provide all help for its development.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of a media conclave in Brahmkukmari Ishwariya Vishwavidhyalaya in Mount Abu in Rajasthan, he asked the media to play a constructive role in nation building.

The government has allocated ample amount for development of tourism and conservation of heritage buildings. It was working in planned manner to create more jobs in the tourism sector, he was quoted as saying in a release here.

He also said that efforts would also be made to include Mount Abu in the list of proposed smart cities from tourism point of view and would provide all help for the development of the destination.PTI

In Brief SAARC officials discuss visa exemption schemes KATHMANDU: Immigration officials from SAARC countries here discussed various issues related to improving immigration procedures among member states including a visa exemption scheme.

During the meeting the participating officials mainly discussed issues relating to the SAARC visa exemption scheme and immigration liaison network.

Under this, the immigration officials of member countries discussed ways to improve SAARC visa facilitation and the visa exemption sticker scheme, according to Sudarshan Dhakal, director general of Immigration Department of Nepal.

The meet was held ahead of the 6th SAARC Home Ministers' Meeting and the SAARC Home Secretaries' Meeting.

The visa exemption scheme was proposed during the 17th SAARC summit held in the Maldives in 2013. Under this, the SAARC immigration officials are considering to provide visa exemption to ordinary citizens of the member countries including businessmen, sports persons and journalists while visiting each other's countries.

As per the existing rule, only eminent persons including government officials are provided visa exemption among SAARC member states.-PTI

„ 81 immigrants arrested in New England BOSTON: Federal immigration officials say a four-day enforcement operation in New England has ended with the arrest of 81 immigrants, including those convicted of crimes, fugitives and those accused of other immigration violations.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency says the operation is part of its effort to focus its resources on the deportation of criminal immigrants and egregious immigration law violators.

Those awaiting deportation include a Dominican Republic citizen who was arrested in Massachusetts. He had been convicted of several crimes, including possession of a firearm as well as assault and battery.

Immigration agents arrested a Nigerian man who had been convicted enticing a minor in Connecticut. The man arrived in the United States in 2002 as a visitor and never left. -AP

Immigration

Aliens could file an adjustment of status application-II

44 India Post

www.indiapost.com

September 26, 2014

Details on page 46

Obama and immigration: High hopes but a mixed record WASHINGTON: There were about 30, all Mexican nationals desperate to avoid deportations that would separate them from their families. Living in Illinois, they appealed for help from their new U.S. senator, Barack Obama.

He turned them down.

It was one of the first times Obama could have used the power of his office to help defer the removal of immigrants who were in the United States illegally. Eight years later, with his powers magnified as President, such a decision is upon him again, this time with the status of millions of immigrants at stake.

That episode in 2006 represents just one early marker in Obama's complicated history with the politics of immigration. The son of a Kenyan immigrant, Obama has been embraced and scorned by immigrant advocates who have viewed him as both a champion and an obstacle to their cause.

Now, perhaps paradoxically, in their anger over his delay of executive actions that potentially could give work permits to millions of immigrants living illegally in this

country, these advocacy groups also hold out hope that when Obama does act, he will be aggressive and leave a mark for posterity.

"Some of the hard feelings

leading Latino advocacy group.

Obama's record on immigration, however, is one of caution and deliberation punctuated by moments of determination amid some

President Barack Obama, accompanied by Vice President Joe Biden, pauses while making a statement about immigration reform, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. Obama over time has been embraced and scorned by immigrant advocates who have viewed him as both a champion and an obstacle to their cause.

could be forgotten at the end of the day if he acts boldly," said Janet Murguia, the president of the National Council of La Raza, a

broken promises. With the President delaying executive action until after the November congressional elections, some Democrats

worry that expectations have been raised beyond what he can deliver.

"If they weren't sky high before, they are now," said Jim Manley, a former top aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, DNev. "I'm not convinced they will meet the expectations of the Hispanic community."

White House officials say the delay will not affect the scope of what Obama intends to do. They play down suggestions he is looking to build his legacy with the decision.

"The goal is going to be to do as meaningful a package of reforms as is available to the President through his executive authority," White House communications director Jennifer Palmieri said. "I don't think that is going to manifestly change from September to when we do this later this year."

The 2006 incident with the immigrants seeking to avoid deportation illustrates Obama's past reluctance to act unilaterally and calls attention to the on-and-off relationship he has had with leaders in the Latino community.

Cont'd on Page 46

SelectUSA to help resolve visa issues of Indian firms NEW DELHI: Amidst India raising concerns over visa issues with the US, an American investment facilitation body, SelectUSA, has said it would help in resolving them by highlighting them before the state administration.

"What we do as an ombudsman is that we highlight the cases (visa related). We highlight the specific situation so that the agencies responsible come into the picture and make a resolution... When it is highlighted, it gets the attention," SelectUSA Executive Director Vinai K Thummalapally told reporters here.

Established by President Obama in 2011, SelectUSA promotes and facilitates business investment into America. It is a wing of US Department of Com-

merce.

It helps investors find the information they need to make decisions, connect to the right people at the local level, navigate the federal regulatory system and find solutions to issues related to the federal government.

SelectUSA Investment Summit, to be held on March 23-24, 2015 in Washington. At the first summit, India's delegation was the fourth largest, he said.

The Summit will serve as a platform through which investors can learn about opportunities and

The Summit will serve as a platform through which investors can learn about opportunities and make the connections they need to grow their businesses in the US. "...visa issuance continues to be a big concern for lot of our investors but we get the resolutions in a very very timely manner," he said.

He also invited Indian companies to participate in the second

make the connections they need to grow their businesses in the US. "We are here to specifically highlight the advantages and strength of doing business or considering to do business in the

US," Thummalapally said.

During the summit, small and medium enterprises sector would be the main focus area, he added.

Thummalapally would also visit cities including Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Mumbai and Bangalore and meet business leaders, prospective investors and trade associations.

He will discuss the ways in which SelectUSA can help facilitate connections, answer questions from prospective investors, and demystify federal regulations.

In July, Export-Import Bank of India entered into a partnership with SelectUSA to help and advice domestic firms interested in investing in the world's largest economy.. -PTI

Immigration Post

September 26, 2014

India Post 45

www.indiapost.com

Feds approve California's immigrant license words SANTA ANA, Calif.: Federal officials have given their backing to a redesigned license for immigrants living in California illegally, which includes wording that distinguishes it from those for legal residents.

Homeland Security officials told the California Department of Motor Vehicles that the state's decision to include the words ``federal limits apply'' on the face of the license would comply with a law that created national identification standards after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, according to a copy of the letter.

A statement on the back of the card would state that the license cannot be used for federal purposes, such as boarding a flight or entering a federal building.

Federal officials had rejected an earlier version of the license be-

cause it didn't meet national security standards and wasn't distinctive enough from the license for legal residents. The state had proposed a license that would largely look the same as licenses for legal residents, except that it would have the letters ``DP,'' for ``driving privi-

Since then, state officials and immigrant advocates have worked to come up with wording that meets federal requirements but doesn't call too much attention to immigrants' legal status in the country.

In the letter, Department of

The DMV said in a statement that the decision lets the agency move forward to start producing the new licenses that will be issued starting in January. The state expects to issue 1.4 million new licenses lege,'' in the space where conventional licenses bear the letters ``DL.'' The state also proposed adding a notice in the back that the card can't be used as federal identification.

Homeland Security officials wrote that the license must also feature a unique design or color, and that the letter does not constitute a formal approval of the license's design.

Iowa group builds support for immigrant children DES MOINES, Iowa: The issue of unaccompanied immigrant children entering the U.S. has faded from the headlines, but an Iowa group is continuing to seek pledges from people willing to house and offer care to kids while their residency questions are resolved.

The 1,000 Kids for Iowa project has been collecting housing pledges since July, around the time when media attention focused on the thousands of unaccompanied children who were crossing the nation's southern border.

Project organizers, concerned about where the children could stay as their cases worked through immigration court, have collected pledges to house about 300 children so far.

Now the group is traveling around Iowa to homes, libraries and churches to build a more organized network of communities,

according to project director Jessica Brackett. Those smaller groups will push the overall initiative, which includes creating a network of doctors, SOCIAL WORKERS, translators and school tutors willing to provide their services. ``The first round of outreach is

Children immigrants

more about width, getting across the state,'' she said. ``The depth of the local organizing will happen over time as each community develops their own strategy.''

The group plans to submit its

housing pledges to federal officials once they hit the 1,000 goal.

Their effort is in contrast to Gov. Terry Branstad, who said earlier this summer that sheltering such children sends a false message that those who enter the country illegally are welcome.

More than 100 unaccompanied children were sent to Iowa in the first half of 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Health and human services.

Even if more children aren't allowed to come to Iowa, Brackett said the effort could help, noting discussions about housing options could help local children in foster care. ``Positive outcomes will result from this program no matter what,'' Brackett said. ``We see that our work most likely will help the systems that help the kids who are already here.'' -AP

``DHS commends California's efforts to improve the security of its licenses and identification cards and looks forward to continuing to work with you on this matter,'' the Sept. 17 letter said.

Like many other states, California has been working to fully comply with the REAL ID Act, which was passed by Congress after the terrorist attacks to strengthen rules for government-sanctioned identification.

The DMV said in a statement that the decision lets the agency move forward to start producing the new licenses that will be issued starting in January. The state expects to issue 1.4 million new licenses during the first three years. The DMV has been preparing to handle the surge of new applications by hiring employees and opening four temporary field offices in Lompoc,

Stanton, Granada Hills and San Jose.

Officials estimate that the $33 application fee for the license will generate enough revenue to cover the new program.

A law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown would also allow the immigrant drivers to apply for California's affordable automobile insurance program.

Immigrant advocates welcomed the decision and said they have eagerly awaited getting licenses into the hands of immigrants in the country illegally, many who are already driving but lack a valid license. ``We look forward to an official DHS approval of the license design in the coming weeks,'' Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, said in a statement. -AP

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Immigration Post

46 India Post

September 26, 2014

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Aliens could file an adjustment of status application-II GARY ENDELMAN & CYRUS D. MEHTA

Continued from last week

W

e propose the following amendments to 8 C.F.R. § 245(g) (1), shown here in italics, that would expand the definition of visa availability: "An alien is ineligible for the benefits of section 245 of the Act unless an immigrant visa is immediately available to him or her at the time the application is filed. If the applicant is a preference alien, the current Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Visa Bulletin will be consulted to determine whether an immigrant visa is immediately available.

An immigrant visa is considered

when issued in the absence of a current priority date, it will be necessary for USCIS to parole such visa applicants in to the United States. The authors suggest the insertion of the following sentence, shown here in italics and deletion of another sentence, in 9 Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) 42.55 PN 1.1, as follows: 9 FAM 42.55 PN1.1 Qualifying Dates "Qualifying dates" are established by the Department to ensure that applicants will not be officially informed of requisite supporting documentation requirements prematurely, i.e., prior to the time that the availability of a visa

An immigrant visa is also considered immediately available if the applicant establishes eligibility for the benefits of Public Law 101238. Information concerning the immediate availability of an immigrant visa may be obtained at any Service office." available for accepting and processing the application Form I-485 [if] the preference category applicant has a priority date on the waiting list which is earlier than the date shown in the Bulletin (or the Bulletin shows that numbers for visa applicants in his or her category are current) ("current priority date").

An immigrant visa is also considered available for provisional submission of the application Form I-485 based on a provisional priority date without reference to current priority date. No provisional submission can be undertaken absent prior approval of the visa petition and only if visas in the preference category have not been exhausted in the fiscal year.

Final adjudication only occurs when there is a current priority date.

An immigrant visa is also considered immediately available if the applicant establishes eligibility for the benefits of Public Law 101-238. Information concerning the immediate availability of an immigrant visa may be obtained at any Service office."

Once 8 C.F.R. § 245.1(g) (1) is amended to allow adjustment applications to be filed under INA § 245(a) (3), we propose similar amendments in the Department of State's Foreign Affairs Manual to even the playing field for beneficiaries of approved I-140 and I-130 petitions who are outside the U.S. so as not to give those here who are eligible for adjustment of status an unfair advantage.

Since the visa will not be valid

number within a reasonable period can be foreseen.

Therefore, post or National Visa Center (NVC) will not officially and proactively notify applicants of additional processing requirements unless the qualifying date set by the Department (CA/VO/F/ I) encompasses the alien's priority date. Otherwise, it is likely that some documents would be out-of date by the time a visa number is available and delay in final action would result.

An immigrant visa is also considered available for provisional submission of the immigrant visa application on Form DS 230 based on a provisional priority date without reference to current priority date. No provisional submission can be undertaken absent prior approval of the visa petition and only if visas in the preference category have not been exhausted in the fiscal year.

Issuance of the immigrant visa for the appropriate category only occurs when there is a current priority date. Nevertheless, should an applicant or agent request information concerning additional processing requirements, this information may be provided at any time with a warning that some documents may expire if obtained too early in the process.

We believe our proposal would not be creating new visa categories, but simply allowing those who are already on the pathway to permanent residence, but hindered by the crushing priority date backlogs, to apply for adjustment of status or be paroled into the

U.S. Another proposal is to allow the beneficiary of an approved I140 to remain in the United States, and grant him or her an employment authorization document (EAD) if working in the same or similar occupation.

While such a proposal allows one to avoid redefining visa availability in order to file an I-485 application, as we have suggested, we do not believe that a standalone I-140 petition can allow for portability under INA §204(j). Portability can only be exercised if there is an accompanying I-485 application. Still, at the same time, the government has authority to grant open market EADs to any category of aliens pursuant to INA §274A (h) (3).

Under the broad authority that the government has to issue EADs pursuant to §274A (h) (3), the validity of the underlying labor certification would no longer be relevant.

Our colleague David Isaacson (an Associate at Cyrus D. Mehta & Associates, PLLC where he works on immigration and nationality law matters) suggests a blunter approach, which would avoid any regulatory amendments.

The Department of State could similarly allow filing of adjustment applications by applicants with priority dates for which no visa number was realistically available, at any time it chose to do so, simply by declaring the relevant categories "current" in the Visa Bulletin as it did for July 2007.

The most efficient time to do this would be in September, at the

We believe our proposal would not be creating new visa categories, but simply allowing those who are already on the pathway to permanent residence end of each fiscal year, when the measure could also be justified as a way to ensure that any remaining visa numbers for that fiscal year did not go unused. The Visa Bulletin cut-off dates for the rest of the fiscal year could theoretically then proceed normally, with dates for each October following naturally from whatever the dates had been in the August two months before.

Finally, we also urge serious consideration of our other proposal for not counting derivatives

as a way to relieve the pressure in the EB and FB backlogs, and refer you to our blog entitled, Two Aces Up President Obama's Sleeve To Achieve Immigration Reform Without Congress - Not Counting Family Members And Parole In Place, http://blog.cyrusmehta.com/2014/ 06/two-aces-up-presidentobamas-sleeve-to_29.html.

The fundamental point is that priority dates should be a way of controlling and not preventing permanent migration to the United

States. The very notion of a priority date suggests a realistic possibility of acquiring lawful permanent resident status. That is no longer the case for many immigrants in waiting. For this reason, since Congress will not act, the President must step forward. Now is the time.

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

Obama and immigration: High hopes but a mixed record Cont'd from Page 44

tion groups protested; Obama argued he could not act unilaterally to reduce deportations.

• In 2012, as he campaigned for re-election, his administration announced a plan to defer deportation for certain immigrants who entered the country illegally as children. Since then, the program has deferred deportation and provided work permits for nearly 600,000 immigrants.

• He backed bipartisan comprehensive immigration legislation passed in the Senate in 2013 and held out hope the Republican-controlled House would follow. This past June, Obama was finally convinced the House would not vote, and he promised to act on his own

As Obama recalls in his book "The Audacity of Hope," a group of Chicago community advocates visited his office seeking legislation to legalize the status of that small group of Mexican immigrants. Obama didn't want to provide special dispensation to a select group and sent an aide to decline the request, leading to a confrontation.

That year, Obama also angered Latino leaders when he voted to erect a 700-mile double fence along the U.S.-Mexico border. The measure passed the Senate 80-19, over the objections of many Latino groups who saw it as an enforcement-only alternative to a comprehensive immi- Obama galvanized Latino voters gration overhaul. with promises to take up an Over time, immigration overhaul during his Obama would build a varied im- presidency's first year. But once migration record: in office, he backed off to deal • He backed with the recession compromise legislation in 2007 from Sens. Edward Kennedy, D- shortly after summer's end.

Mass., and John McCain, R-Ariz., • This month, Obama decided to overhaul immigration laws. to wait until after the elections, Whether his support for a labor- saying he worried his actions backed change to the legislation would be undermined by camcontributed to the bill's demise re- paign politics and damage any mains a point of debate. prospects of future legislation.

• During the 2008 Democratic For Obama's executive actions presidential campaign, Obama to be embraced by Latino and imtook the side of pro-immigrant migrant advocates, Murguia said, forces in supporting driver's li- the number of people helped must censes for immigrants living ille- far surpass the number of deporgally in the United States. That tations under his administration stand distinguished him from 2 million-plus, already.

Hillary Rodham Clinton, who op"If he does 3 million or less, then posed them. years from now it could be said he • Obama galvanized Latino vot- deported as many people as he ers with promises to take up an protected," Murguia said. immigration overhaul during his White House officials caution presidency's first year. But once that without a change in the law, in office, he backed off to deal with Obama's actions are limited. the recession and launch a health "Whatever we do is going to care overhaul. be imperfect," Palmieri said, "and • Under his watch, deportation is not going to be as big as we numbers began to rise. Immigra- need." -AP

Datebook

September 26, 2014

NEW JERSEY Upcoming

NEW YORK Upcoming

Fri, Sep 26 • ICS Navratri 2014

Sat, Sep 27 • The All Brown Comedy

Venue: Dunn Sports Center-NJ, 600,Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 848-219-5000

Venue: Broadway Comedy Club, 318 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019 Time : 7:00 pm

Sat, Sep 27

Thu, Oct 2

• Secaucus Navratri 2014 Venue: Meadowlands Expo Center, 355 Plaza Dr, Secaucus, NJ 07094 Time : 08:00 pm Contact: 201-921-9918

Sat, Oct

11

• A Tribute To Rd Burman Venue: Colden Center Auditorium, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NJ 11367 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 347-653-1309

Throwdown

• DJ Rekha Presents Basement Bhangra Venue: Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012 Time : 07:00 pm Contact: 718-207-0058

Sat, Oct 11 • A Tribute To Rd Burman Venue: Colden Center Auditorium, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 347-653-1309

India Post 47

www.indiapost.com

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Upcoming

Fri, Sep 26 • Bollywood Fiesta Theme

Fri, Oct 3 • Dandiya Night 2014 By Sewa International USA Bayarea

Party

Venue: Club Metropolitan, 651 N La Peer Dr, West Hollywood, CA 90069 Time: 10:00 pm Contact: 323-205-5594

Sat, Sep 27 • Sandip Bhattacharjee to present

Hindustani Classical Music, Bhajans, and Ghazals Venue: Banga Bhavan-1148 N Main street, Glendale Heights, IL-60139 Timet: 4:00pm to 6:00pm Contact: sonali_biswas@hotmail.com

Sat, Sep 27 • Bharatiya Anugrah Samaroh

Blessing Festival of India 2014

Venue: Urgency Youth Center, 161 Nortech Parkway, San Jose, CA 95134.

Time: 6 pm to 9 pm Contact: BlessingFestival2014@gmail.com.

Thu, Oct 2, 2014 • Gandhi Jayanti celebration Members of Gandhi Memorial Trust

Venue: McCormick blvd and Dempster in Skokie Illinois Time :10:00 am to 11:00 am Contact: 847 673 0811, 630 339 6526

Sat, Oct 4 • Raas-Garba With Jayshree Gohil & Group

Venue: Bren Events Center, 100 Mesa Rd, Irvine, CA 92617 Contact: 951-318-7375

Sat, Oct 4 • Vibha Dandia 2014 Venue: Centerville Junior High School, 37720 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA 94536 Timet: 7:30 pm Contact: 408-997-9992

Venue: Centerville Junior High School, 37720 Fremont Boulevard, Fremont, CA Time: 8:15 pm.

Contact: 510-364-6095

Sun, Oct 5 • KHALNAYAK - Bollywood Broadway Musical Venue: Carrington Hall, 1201 Brewster

ILLINOIS Upcoming • J K Yog Satsang and Bal Mukund Hindi Classes are held every 2nd and 4rth Sunday of Month Chicago Satsang Information: J K Yog, Chicago - Swami Mukundananda Venue: Clarion Inn/Waterford Banquets, Board Room, 933 South Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, IL 60126 Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807 Website: www.jkyog.org

Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94062 Time: 5:00 pm Contact: 408-329-7040

ATLANTA Upcoming Fri, Oct 17 • Raas Garba Night Venue: Ashiana Impact Banquet Hall, Global Mall, 5675 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Norcross, Ga 30071 Time: 10:00 pm Contact: 404-246-3256

Sat, Oct 04 • Navaratri Mela - 2014 Venue: Independence High School, 86 School Dr, Alpharetta, GA 30009 Contact: 404-786-7860 Time: 8:45 pm

Sat, Oct 6 • Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam Venue: Norcross High School, 5300 Spalding Dr, Norcross, GA 30092 Time: 9:00 am Contact: 404-916-9899

1st and 3rd Sunday of Month • Chicago Children's Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes Venue: Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60192 (Next to Nissan Dealership) Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807

Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105

Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Where: Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105

48 India Post

www.indiapost.com

September 26, 2014

Sonam Kapoor in Disneyland, Paris

T

o promote the release of Khoobsurat, a Bollywood film produced by Disney's Indian subsidiary, actress Sonam Kapoor traveled to Disneyland Paris to have her photograph taken with Mickey Mouse in front of the park's famed magic castle.

The involvement of the US studio's bestknown cartoon character was a calculated move: Khoobsurat is the first Hindi-language film for many years to be officially branded as a Disney movie in India - marking a new stage in the US group's faltering attempts to expand in the country's crowded local market.

Set in modern-day Rajasthan, Khoobsurat has all the trappings of a classic Bollywood offering: pretty middle-class girl meets handsome upper-crust prince, with true love to follow despite family objections and his engagement to another woman, all set against a backdrop of foot-tapping song-and-dance routines. "Our film is a classic romantic-comedy," said Sonam.

For its backers, however, pushing the film as "Disney's Khoobsurat" is a step in a wider strategy as it tries to align its brand with the tastes of India's finicky film goers, amid a broader push into major emerging economies.

India churns out many more films than Hollywood, selling an estimated 3 billion tick-

A scene from the film

ets each year. And while revenues in the country remain modest, at about $1.5 billion in 2013 compared with the US which rakes in roughly$10 billion annually, the prospect of rapid future growth has tempted major US-based studios including Viacom and Fox into India.

But these foreign players face an obvious problem: Indians' traditional resistance to Hollywood products, which take less than a tenth of the local box office.

Disney's staple of children's animation also performs poorly in a market dominated by Hindi-language blockbusters.

"It is the only major country in the world where Hollywood hasn't overwhelmed the local cinema," said Rachel Dwyer, a British academic who studies Bollywood.

"And there is a real question of whether Disney will be seen to have Indian values or not."

Disney has pursued a strategy of "localization" to get round this problem, the group's international head Andy Bird said last year. In 2012, it spent $454 million to buy out UTV, a prominent Indian me-

dia group, picking up a successful film studio as well as various television channels.

Its plan to make mostly local Bollywood films has worked well, producing a string of hits under UTV's brand. But the company faced a second dilemma over how to raise its profile beyond India's educated, urban elite - hence the move to tag more productions as Disney films, beginning with Khoobsurat.

Disney's brand values mesh nicely with India's mainstream films, which tend to be chaste, non-violent and family-oriented.

Nonetheless, local analysts remain doubtful about whether the film will succeed at the box office.

"They have been the most successful studio in the market," says Smitha Jha, head of entertainment at PwC, the professional services firm, in India. "But adding the Disney label won't make a difference. In terms of consumption habits in India, it is a very local taste."

The company faces other challenges too. Disney's charismatic local studio head Ronnie Screwvala left the company last year, prompting an exodus of talent.

Cont'd on Page 50

India Post 49

September 26, 2014 www.indiapost.com

Restoring Lord Wavell's place in history

F

or Professor Dr Muhammad Iqbal Chawla 67 years are not enough to erase the pangs of Partition. Or, to brood over the what/ifs of history. Neither to rewrite an era that was swathed in blood and hatred. Six decades do not suffice to put back on pedestal a Governor General who has been near-obliterated by his suave and charming successor.

In these 67 years, Dr Chawla, Chairman, Department of History and Pakistan Studies, University of Punjab (Lahore), has not forgotten the role of Lord Archibald Wavell who served as India's Governor General between October 1943 to March 1947. Neither has Dr Chawla forgiven history for denying Lord Wavell his rightful

PREETI VERMA LAL

place in the annals of shacklebreaking-from-British stories.

It is for Lord Wavell that Dr

Dr Muhammad Iqbal Chawla

Chawla hunched over reams of paper to write a treatise on Britain's penultimate Viceroy in India. In Wavell and the Dying Days of the Raj, a 265-page hardback book, Dr Chawla delves into Wavell's Breakdown Plan.

"The main point of my book is that though Wavell was not in favor of India's division into two countries, he, however, was strongly in favor of the minority rights in India," says Dr Chawla.

Lord Wavell did set the stage for all that transpired in the Mountbatten era. In his book, Dr Chawla covers all the important events and dramatis personae of

Khoobsurat sets record in Pak

F

awad Khan's debut Bollywood movie Khoobsurat may have got off to a tepid start in India, but in Pakistan it is already setting records.

"No film has ever made Rs 10 million (Rs 1 crore) on a non-holiday weekday and this is the first time this has ever happened," Amjad Rasheed who owns the IMGC entertainment company told PTI in Karachi.

Khoobsurat has garnered Rs 3 crore in its first three days in Pakistan. The Fawad Khanstarrer has not only outdone Parineeti Chopra and Aditya Roy

Kapur- starrer Dawaat-e-Ishq but also Pakistani film Dukhtar, Nadeem Mandviwalla, founder of film distributing company Mandviwalla Entertainment, said.

Khoobsurat may have received a lukewarm response at the box office in its first weekend in India, but Fawad Khan has managed to become the talk of the town for his suave charm and good looks.

Khoobsurat managed to gross around Rs 11-12 crore in its first weekend in theatres, according to Bollywood website koimoi.com.

Parineeti Chopra and Aditya Roy Kapur starrer Dawat-e-Ishq

managed to do marginally better business in India at around 13-14 crore in the first weekend.

Khoobsurat, produced by Disney and Anil Kapoor Production also stars Sonam Kapoor, Ratna Pathak Shah, Kirron Kher and theatre veteran Aamir Raza Hussain.

The film, loosely based on the 1980 film based on the same name, has received positive responses from audiences in India and will rely on 'word of mouth' for its business to pick up before Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif starrer Bang Bang hits theatres on October 2.-PTI

the movement that eventually led to the partition of India. History would acknowledge Dr Chawla as the first historian to peer so hard into Lord Wavell's viceroyalty and lend another perspective to the common historical threads. Dr Chawla calls it "a grave historical oversight which I try to correct".

Dr Chawla has never been to India, but it was in the blood-soaked land of Jullundhur that the book - in a way was born. "Within the vast arena of historical research, my area of interest, the Pakistan Movement, especially its conclusive phase from the Lahore Resolution of 1940 onwards, was decided by what my elders underwent in 1947. My parents and most of the members of their extended family resided in Jullundhur.

Their journey from Jullundhur to the newly-emerged Pakistan's borders was a journey through the fires and ravages of hell.

The stories varied in details but all of them had one theme in common: the unimaginable, daily tales of woe and suffering underlying their trek to Wagah, Burki, Gandasinghwala‌It is that generation's experiences which were transferred to me and became mine in a sense no less than theirs‌" says Dr Chawla, his ears still deafened by the unheard shrieks of hapless refugees.

Having studied in Sargodha and with Masters, MPhil and Ph.D degrees from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Dr Chawla teaches graduate, post-graduate

MPhil and PhD courses and is also the editor of Journal of the Punjab University Historical Society. Wavell and the Dying Days of the Raj won the Government of Pakistan's Best Book Publication Award. Having worked so hard to restore Lord Wavell's place in history, Dr Chawla is now working on a book on Lord Mountbatten and the major political actions taken during the last phase of the British control in India.

Dr Chawla knows he cannot rewrite history, but he attempts to straighten facts. And truth.

50 India Post

September 26, 2014 www.indiapost.com

People drink more alcohol on gym days WASHINGTON: People drink more alcohol on days when they are more physically active, according to a new study.

The research by Northwestern University in US found that on days when people exercise more - typically Thursdays to Sundays - they drink more alcohol, too.

This is the only study to use smartphone technology and a daily diary approach for self-reporting physical activity and alcohol use, researchers said.

"Monday through Wednesday people batten down the

hatches and they cut back on alcohol consumption," said David E Conroy, lead author of the study.

"But once that 'social weekend' kicks off on Thursdays, physical activity increases and so does alcohol consumption," said Conroy.

"Insufficient physical activity and alcohol use are both linked to many health problems, and excessive alcohol use has many indirect costs as well," Conroy said.

"We need to figure out how to use physical activity

effectively and safely without having the adverse effects of drinking more alcohol," Conroy said.

One hundred and fifty study participants, aged between 18 to 89, recorded their physical activity and alcohol use in smartphones at the end of the day. They did so for 21 days at a time, at three different times throughout one year.

Other studies on physical activity and alcohol relied on people self-reporting their behavior over the past 30 days.

"In this study, people only have to remember one day of activity or consumption at time, so they are less vulnerable to memory problems or other biases that come in to play when asked to report the past 30 days of behavior," Conroy said.

"We think this is a really good method for getting around some of those self-report measurement problems," said Conroy.

The previous studies, which relied on 30-day self-reporting, concluded that physically active people tend to drink more alcohol - something this study did not find.

"We zoomed in the microscope and got a very up-close

and personal look at these behaviors on a day-to-day basis and see it's not people who exercise more drink more - it's that on days when people are more active they tend to drink more than on days they are less active," Conroy said.

"This finding was uniform across study participants of all levels of physical activity and ages," Conroy said.

Through future studies, Conroy hopes to discover what drives people to drink more on days they exercise more.

"Perhaps people reward themselves for working out by having more to drink or maybe being physically active leads them to encountering more social situations where alcohol is consumed - we don't know," Conroy said.-PTI

Disney bid to be 'Khoobsurat' in India Cont'd from Page 48

"Almost the entire creative team at UTV studios has collapsed," said the head of an Indian film group. "It looks like Disney may have to start from scratch."

Making a success of its film business matters for a further reason: Disney's lack of obvious alternative avenues to raise its local profile. The company is investing $3.5 billion to build its first theme park in China, but admits it is unlikely to set one up in India in the foreseeable future, held back by the country's poor infrastructure.

The group's television channels remain relatively niche too, piling on the pressure for the film arm to deliver a fairytale commercial performance.

"India is clearly their next big bet after China, but it will be a long road to win people over here," says one executive at a Bollywood production company. "And Disney must be looking at what they got when they bought UTV, and what they paid for it, and wondering if it was worth of it." -Courtesy CNBC

Horoscope

September 26, 2014

India Post

51

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Your Weekly Future

by Pandit Parashar

September 26th - October 2nd, 2014 (March 21 to April 20)

F

ind the truth before you make that big decision.

You will be successful in cutting down on expenses up to only a certain extent. You will have a great opportunity to spend time and learn from very successful and famous people this week. Running around will be too much and you may even have to travel out of state to attend to some business.

(April 21 to May 20)

Y

ou will hear few encouraging news this week. Past experience can help you deal with current situations better. Relationship will keep getting stronger and the final say is yours, but you will need to be quick. Things will improve at current job and expect full cooperation from new colleagues. You will be able to control your expenses now.

(May 21 to June 20)

Y

ou may feel little helpless with no real solution. It will be hard to find trust worthy people to discuss the situation. Things will get better at work and people in business will see sales shooting up suddenly. A close family member may confirm his visit. You may visit a holy place by yourself. You will be working on a bright idea.

(June 21 to July 22)

E

motions will play the major role in decisions regarding your future location and career. Strong Venus in third will take you to places unexplored in the past. Some of you will be suggested minor surgery to overcome health problem. Money will come but disappear fast this week.

You will call an expert for his valuable advice and guidance.

(July 23 to August 22)

(November 23 to December 22)

L

et the head rule over heart and you will easily resolve a challenging situation.

Application will go through and the process will start. You will gain victory over your opponents and may receive favorable decision in legal matters pending for long. There will be some encouraging changes at work also. You will buy an interesting item.

(August 23 to September 22)

L

ucky planets will bring you closer to few very influential people. You will benefit from mistakes made by others.

Some of you may accept another part time job. Incomes and revenues will keep improving from now and on. Lease will need to be renewed this week. You may travel to a nice place with family.

Park your vehicle at safe place only.

(September 23 to October 22)

Y

ou will be looking for little adventure in life and will be successful, but stay within legal parameters. You will treat yourself with new cloths and some expensive item. Though there is no immediate threat but some fears will continue to occupy mind about career. It will be a better week for people in retail. Money will not be an issue.

(October 23 to November 22)

L

ife will become more exciting because of new company.

Most of the things you plan will go through without any difficulty. Trip will be good and results will be almost immediate.

Again be careful when it comes to signing any paper or contract. A nice property may slip out of your reach but you will have no regrets. You may plan an overseas trip also.

PANDIT PARASHAR, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations.

He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com

Y

ou will finally make up your mind and stop wasting time on unnecessary issues.

Focused, You will achieve a lot and finish all pending work and still have lots of time on hand for recreation and to relax. Money wise the roller coaster ride will continue but you will meet all commitments on time. You don't have to spend fortune to impress some one.

(December 22 to January 19)

T

his should be an extremely fruitful week. All the planets are very well aligned to help you achieve a lot. Investing in real estate, commercial or residential will be very beneficial. Things will stabilize at work and from now and onward you will have no fears about career. You will receive a big check in mail and bank balance will grow.

(January 20 to February 18)

A

nalyze your response carefully and you should not think of retaliation.

Its time to fine tune your talents as planets bring back the self confidence. Sun in house of luck will get you the results for hard work and patience maintained in the past.

A child continues to need your moral support and guidance. Contract signed now will be very beneficial.

(February 19 to March 20)

T

ake a chance with some one extending not only support but good company.

You can make extra money if you put your talent to work. You may find it difficult to get job done from subordinates. Proposal will be good and the bachelors should not be scared to make the commitment.

A child will need your help in doing research about next step.

510-886-4370 www.parashar.com

52

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September 26, 2014

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Car for Sale 2006 LINCOLN TOWN CAR (Owned By Consulate General of India, Chicago) Condition: Very Good (Certified Dealer serviced) Model: Signature, Color: Black, Body Style: 4DR Sedan For Detailed description of the vehicle, please visit www.indianconsulate.com Sealed Tenders are invited from the interested buyers for the above Car, which may be mailed to the following address by October 6th, 2014 Head of Chancery, Consulate General of India, 455 N Cityfront Plaza, Suite 850, Chicago, IL 60611.

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Philosophy

September 26, 2014

India Post 53

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T

rue Masters rarely violate or interfere with the laws of the universe even though it is within their power to do so. They respect and abide by these laws, both because they have no special self-motivated desires to do otherwise and because from their level of consciousness they understand that these laws function only for the good of the world.

But there are examples of Mother Nature responding to the spontaneous sankalpa, or divine resolve, of Mahatmas like Amma (Mata Amritanandmayi). One year during Amma's programs in San Ramon, California, there was a terrible fire in the kitchen where they were preparing food for the hundreds of devotees who had come to see Amma.

One of the brahmacharis who was with Amma on the veranda of her house at the time later told me that at one point, Amma faced the fire and prayed with folded palms.

What took place afterward was truly amazing. The wind suddenly shifted direction and started blowing away from the tent and other ashram buildings. Of course some people were instantly hurt in the fire, but many more were saved from harm because the fire didn't spread.

Amma visited each of the injured devotees in the hospital and sat by their bedsides. Later, she exVICKI WOODYARD

P

eter: Rest is greatly undervalued. It seems to me that most people in this society have not had genuine rest since they were young children. Now wonder there is such unhappiness. I feel that most of the folks sitting in satsangs are really just looking for a little rest. Animals are so much smarter. They rest when they are tired. Now there's a sensible life!

It is my own experience that pain is something of an eyeopener. Pain that goes on for years tends to drown out the silliness of belief systems in favor of direct contact with life, God, or whatever one wishes to call truth.

Intermediaries are a waste of time when the body is crumbling.

I have found that such difficulties tend to make all other sounds meaningless. Only the beating of one's own true heart has meaning.

Vicki: Right after Bob (her husband) was diagnosed, I wrote to Pamela Wilson; I clung to these words of hers in my sadness and uncertainty. "Rest and rapture, what else is there?" she said.

Peter: The person that Pamela says was her teacher (Robert

plained that each of them had been destined to suffer much worse on that day or even lose their lives.

By experiencing the accident at Amma's ashram, they were able to escape a worse fate.

Now almost all of them are back in the kitchen on Amma's US tour with even more enthusiasm and dedication than ever. They have all shared with me that they could feel Her Presence and grace

transformed it into a steppingstone for spiritual growth instead.

Amma has said that the Guru removes 90 percent of our karma, leaving only the remaining 10 percent for us to undergo. But even then, we may wonder, "Why leave 10 percent." If the Guru can take 90 percent, why not 100 percent?

What is so powerful or important about the law of karma that we must suffer at least 10 percent?"

but for him it doesn't matter. It is like the phonograph needle running in the grooves of a record.

The song has to play as long as the needle of life goes through the grooves. The song may be a terrible one or a good one. Either way, he has produced it himself, it is his own voice.

"He will not want to run away from his karma because he knows that it is a process of purification

Guru removes 90 percent of our karma Amma faced the fire and prayed with folded palms. What took place afterward was truly amazing. The wind suddenly shifted direction and started blowing away from the tent Mata Amritanandamayi

strongly throughout their difficulties, and that their faith in Amma has even deepened as a result of this experience.

The fire injured their bodies but not their faith or their spirit. Without taking the accident in a negative way or dwelling on their fate, they have taken the accident as an opportunity to rededicate their lives at Amma's feet.

They did not let it become a stumbling block in their lives but

The answer is that this remaining 10 percent is what makes us grow and evolve spiritually.

Amma describes the attitude that a spiritual seeker should have in facing his or her karma: "A seeker is not worried whether fortune of misfortune befalls him. He knows that his karma is like an arrow that has already been released from the bow.

Nothing can stop it. The arrow might hurt, injure or even kill him,

and that it is cleansing the stains created by him in the past, in some previous life. And above all, the true seeker will always have the protection and grace of the Guru. Therefore, even in the most difficult time, he will receive solace and help."

Excerpted from 'The Blessed Life' published by Mata Amritanandamayi Trust. The 61st birth anniversary of Mata Amritanandamayi will be celebrated on September 27

Adams) took a long, slow time in dying of Parkinson's disease. I met him about a year before the end. He could barely speak and shook constantly, but his inner peace and beauty shone like a beacon. Even in the middle of a failing body he rested deeply

There really is nothing else.

You will think I've lost it, but for me the aloneness has become a very lovely thing. I do not feel alone, as in isolated or cut off.

Rather this alones is in a sense a powerlessness, which is very peaceful. There really is nothing

Illness is beyond my or anyone's control. I think I'm trying to say that I have found that planning and worrying (which the mind is designed to do) go on, of course. But so what. My mind may continue to suffer, but that's not me, so let it suffer if it wants

Pain drowns out the silliness of belief systems “Intermediaries are a waste of time when the body is crumbling. I have found that such difficulties tend to make all other sounds meaningless. Only the beating of one's own true heart has meaning.� within himself. Very lovely.

It is my own experience that suffering is what most of us do best. And much of that suffering is a result of trying to fend off strong feelings. It is my experience that nothing works anyway.

In really serious illness there often is no way out. So why not do the only thing left open, which is to rest and enjoy the light sparkling on the street?

I or anyone can do, so I may as well smile with my little cat in my arms and live as best I can.

As I type, that cat is asking for dinner. She is really good at being present at all times, especially at dinnertime. I think she has more wisdom in her little finger than 99.999% of all the so-called teachers out there. And talk about good-looking! Only Ramana had a face as lovely as hers.

There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the love and the devotion come in that we do it to God, to Christ, and that's why we try to do it as beautifully as possible.

- Mother Teresa There's nothing in the world like the devotion of a married woman. It's a thing no married man knows anything about.

- Oscar Wilde Work, apart from devotion or love of God, is helpless and cannot stand alone.

- Ramakrishna Those who seek to satisfy the mind of man by hampering it with ceremonies and music and affecting charity and devotion have lost their original nature.

- Zhuangzi The discipline of daily devotion to God undergirds decisions.

- Edwin Louis Cole

Vicki Woodyard

to. It is none of my concern.

There is nothing it can do anyway.

Vicki: I understand how little energy you have. If I had any choice about the matter, I would just stop everything and be like your beloved cat.

Excerpted from 'Bigger Than The Sky - A Radical Awakening.'

Vicki Woodyard lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

When music is allowed to take the place of devotion and prayer, it is a terrible curse. Young people assemble together to sing, and, although professed Christians, frequently dishonor God and their faith by their frivolous conversation and their choice of music.

- Ellen G. White

You Insure all your Valuables, all are replaceable except YOU! So Insure yourself FIRST. Call Sahanis, (Arish, Priya or Shiv) for your Insurance needs 718- 271- 0453. Serving for last 35 yrs

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September 26, 2014

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Al Qaeda in South Asia: Zawahiri will fail in India

India Post

SANEYA ARIF

A

yman al-Zawahiri, leader of the al Qaeda (AQ) has recently announced his intention to "raise the flag of jihad" in the Indian sub- continent. Will Zawahiri succeed in establishing AQ roots in India?

Muslims constitute around 13 percent of India's population and do not appear sympathetic towards the AQ's ideology. Despite waving of black flags of the Islamic State (IS) in certain parts and the presence of few Indian youths in the conflict theatres of Syria and Iraq, the possibility of AQ gaining a foothold in India and turning into an organization of redemption for Muslims is remote.

Following four reasons substantiate the assertion.

Faith in democracy and secularism Firstly, the Indian Muslims have faith in notions of democracy and secularism.

Even while their social mobility has been slow and has remained a cause for concern, they do see a sign of hope for socio- economic parity with the majority.

Muslim personal law is seen by them as a recognition of and respect for their distinct identity and religious freedom.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pledge to treat all Indians as equals regardless of religion can also be an additional source of optimism if followed by positive actions. Thus, the use of religion-inspired violence and destruction in the name of liberation of Muslims is unacceptable to them. Statements denouncing Zawahiri's statement by several leading Muslim organizations is a pointer in that direction.

The most powerful statement came from the Darul Uloom Deoband which categorically asserted, "Indian Muslims would never be convinced by un-Islamic and false arguments of the Al Qaeda."

Lack of violent societal cleavages Secondly, Al Qaeda in South Asia has benefited from the existing societal cleavages, especially

in the Af-Pak region. Further, it has used the existing jihadi and sectarian groups to ferment trouble.

As much as it has assisted and been a magnet for groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and activities of anti-Shia groups like the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) have further helped it spread the Shia versus Sunni vitriol in Pakistan and Afghanistan. As a result, besides the foreign fighters of the AQ in the Af-Pak region, local Afghans as well as Pakistanis have joined the group.

In India, it is highly unlikely that any such vehicle for hire would be available for Zawahiri who is attempting to revolutionize the minds of the Sunni Muslims in India. Both the Indian Mujahideen (IM) and its predeces-

Ayman al-Zawahiri

sor, the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) who could possibly have played a second fiddle to AQ, are at their weakest points. Arrests of a number of IM leaders and cadres have pushed these organizations to the brink of collapse.

Unlikely mass movement favouring the AQ Thirdly, in the absence of a vehicle for hire, AQ's objective to find a foothold in India would require developing operational capacities among the Indian Muslims youth.

Despite few recent cases of radicalization among the Muslim youth, the possibility of engineering a movement favoring the AQ is unlikely. The Indian political and social systems have multiple checks and balance mechanisms in place to prevent any such eventuality.

Moderate nature of

Islam in India Fourthly, the moderate nature of Islam in India act as the most crucial shield against radicalization which could be exploited by the AQ. Islam in India has a long history, led by the Sufis who integrated the multiple communities of India sharing common cultural practices. Unlike other countries, Sufism has remained an integral part of the Indian cultural tradition.

Amity exists among India's Shias and the Sunnis, in spite of a division along ideological lines.

Cultural ethos can effectively hedge against an extremist rampage is clear from the experience of India's neighbor, Bangladesh.

Once touted as the next Afghanistan, Bangladesh has remained free of AQ's influence. India's ability to weather the challenges is equally robust. In India, the official approach of involving the Ulemas in framing a counter-narrative to AQ's appeal has immensely helped in maintaining a divide between Islam in India and its radical stream.

However, be prepared to prevent the unforeseen Even with this positive outlook, there is a need for caution, as even handful of cases of radicalization, if not a fully networked AQ base, could pose significant threats to India. To prevent such a scenario, certain precautionary measures should be taken. Muslims in India do have grievances of marginalization, state-discrimination and a sense of alienation, which may get exploited. Concerns like these need to be tackled through affirmative actions. Experts believe that reinforcing multiculturalism is the need of the hour.

Bringing communities together will serve as the best way to prevent radicalization of youths. Inclusive and affirmative programs must be undertaken so that India can never become a playground for the AQ and its violent agenda.

For this, the government, NGOs, and religious organizations have to work together.

The writer is Research Intern, IPCS

Losers all

I

f the BJP had done well in the recent by-elections in several States, the Shiv Sena, its ally in Maharashtra, would not have been flexing its muscles to such an extent as to bring the 25-year alliance to breaking point. The ambitions of Uddhav Thackeray, son of Shiv Sena founder the late Bal Thackeray, have taken wings and he sees himself as the chief minister of Maharashtra. He wants his party to contest more seats than the BJP. The BJP may have suffered setbacks but it is not willing to concede the leading role it has enjoyed so far in the alliance.

The immaturity of the son, just as the immaturity of another son, the scion of Nehru-Gandhi family, will see the party fortunes diminished. If the BJP and Shiv Sena fail to arrive at a settlement on seats, it might have benefited Uddhav's cousin Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). But his party also, which held a lot of promise during the 2009 assembly polls and won 13 seats in its debut performance, now seems to be struggling to hold itself together and convince voters that it can deliver results. The party performed poorly during the last LS polls with not a single win. There are doubts about what impact Raj can have in the upcoming elections. Already he is facing defections from his ranks with some of his top lieutenants defecting to either the BJP or the Shiv Sena.

With the present Maharashtra government in doldrums unable to provide effective governance and its ally Sharad Pawar's NCP insisting, like the Shiv Sena, on a higher number of seats, the ruling alliance is cracking and it would have been a cakewalk for the BJPShiv Sena alliance had it been together. If the NCP also walks out of the alliance there would be five-cornered contests in most seats and the verdict would be fractured; none of the parties or alliances reaching a mark nearing respectability.

There would be post-poll gravitations just to be able to grab power but that hardly makes for a government with its focus on governance, unlike what Narendra Modi has been demonstrating at the Center. Udhav's father never became chief minister but he continued to be the power behind the throne, just like Sonia Gandhi manipulating Manmohan Singh to her advantage. But the son is not made of such high vision as to sacrifice his lust for power. He openly declared, "I want power and I will take it at all cost.

But this power is to give Maharashtra something and not to take away, like other parties do." Nobody is taken in by the intended nobility in this claim. Between the two cousins, Raj was said to be the smarter. But today he is smarting having little to offer as his agenda which can be different from that of the Shiv Sena or the BJP. If the cousins had united and Raj was given his due as the cleverer and more efficient of the duo, Maharashtra might have seen a Shiv Sena CM. But since the cousins do not see eye-to-eye, the prospects of Shiv Sena may not be very bright this time.

The BJP believes that in case of split with the Sena, the NCP would also break its alliance with the Congress. The resultant fourcornered fight in Maharashtra would be advantageous for it, it believes. And it feels that would keep options open for post-poll partnerships.

The converse of this is also true. If the BJP-Sena stay together, NCP too may have to, in order to avoid a division of the so-called "secular votes."

Even as the two alliances are making last minute efforts to arrive at an acceptable formula, it is clear that even after the elections, the tussle among the alliance partners will continue, mainly for chief ministership and Maharashtra will continue to be denied good governance.

September 26, 2014

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