IndiaPost_10-17-2014_e-paper by Ghanshyam Bisht

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India Post

October 17, 2014

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'Make in India', Mukherjee tells Norwegian companies OSLO: Join the "Make in India" initiative of the new Indian government was the message from President Pranab Mukherjee to Norwegian companies as he invited investors and entrepreneurs to explore possibilities of investment in India's infrastructure sector. "We welcome foreign direct

Royal Palace last night. Asserting that while trade between India and Norway has been expanding but there is significant potential waiting to be realized, he said, "The new government is taking a number of measures to encourage investments, revive the manufacturing sector in India, promote skill development, de-

clean energy, fishing and health care. "I am confident that the bilateral agreements that we have signed will lead to further fruitful engagement in the many fields where India and Norway have obvious complementarities," the president said. Mukherjee, who is the first Indian head of state to visit the Scandinavian country, congratulated Norway on celebration of the bicentennial of its Constitution and thanked its government for the assistance and support extended to India in establishing its Polar Research Station in Svalbard. "We are grateful for your endorsement of India's rightful claim to Permanent Membership of the United Nations Security Council and for your proactive efforts that helped India achieve Observer status in the President Pranab Mukherjee addressing at the Plenary Session of the Joint Seminar on Arctic Council," the Business, Science and Technology, at Oslo in Norway on October 14 president added. investments in our railways, roads velop smart cities and engage Applauding the role played by and ports, power and communi- closely with all interested partners Norway in global efforts aimed at cations sectors, we invite Norwe- and investors in India and abroad peace and development, gian companies to join Indian to make this happen". Mukherjee said, "Norway's concounterparts in the 'Make in InEnlisting the areas in which tribution to the recognition of exdia' initiative of the new govern- India and Norway have a reward- ceptional human endeavor in all ment and we are presently simpli- ing trade partnership including oil fields of activity, through the infying the procedures to facilitate exploration and scientific re- stitution of the Nobel Peace Prize, their participation in India's search, Mukherjee said both the is an outstanding example of the growth story," Mukherjee said at countries are keen to expand the lead taken by you in advancement the state banquet hosted by King scope of their collaborative efforts of human and civilization values." Harald V and Queen Sonja at the in earth sciences, bio-technology, -PTI

PM announces Rs 1000 crore aid for AP VISAKHAPATNAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an interim assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for Andhra Pradesh to take up immediate relief work in the aftermath of the devastation caused by Cyclone 'Hudhud'. "Full survey is yet to be conducted. For now, to deal with difficulty of such a magnitude, I announce, on behalf of the Government of India, an interim assistance of Rs 1,000 crore," Modi told reporters after a meeting with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, senior ministers and top state officials. He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs two lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the cyclone and Rs 50,000 to the injured. "The Centre will fully stand by Andhra Government in this hour of difficulty, Modi said.-PTI

A view of the damaged airport after Hudhud Cyclone in Vishakapatnam on October 13

Nokia wants early permission to sell off Chennai plant HELSINKI: Finnish mobile manufacturer Nokia wants early permission to sell off its plant in Chennai and put the money from the deal in escrow account till the time its tax dispute with Indian government is resolved. "We have said that if we are allowed to sell the factory, any money we get from the sale, we would put it in the escrow account. It won't be ours. We would put it in a place until the tax dispute is resolved," Barry French, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Communications and Corpo-

clining value. "What is particularly crazy is that the value of the facility is going down literally every day," he said. "It would be in the interest of everybody that we get what value we can get from the amount," he added. Nokia has announced suspension of operations at Chennai plant, once the biggest facility of the company anywhere in the world, from November 1 which has thrown into uncertainty the future of about 1,100 employees currently working there.

rate Affairs, Nokia, told PTI in an interview here. In first comments by a top executive after Nokia's decision to suspend operations at its mobile manufacturing unit near Chennai, French expressed concern over the status of the plant and its de-

"We will be happy to put the money into escrow and try to find a buyer to get the jobs back. It is heartbreaking," French said. The Helsinki-based company was forced to keep the factory out of a USD 7.5 billion deal for sale of its handset business to Microsoft Corp, due to tax dispute with Indian authorities. Tax authorities allege that Nokia avoided paying taxes by wrongfully claiming an exemption on software exports. Nokia has challenged the claims of tax department in courts. In March, the Tamil Nadu government served a Rs 2,400 crore notice on Nokia, saying the firm had also sold products from the Chennai plant in the domestic market instead of shipping them overseas. In a separate tax case, the Supreme Court had ordered Nokia India on March 14 to give a Rs 3,500 crore guarantee before it transfers the plant to Microsoft. "At a time when 60 per cent of the mobiles in the Indian market is imported, it was a pity that the absolutely world class and costeffective Nokia unit in Tamil Nadu will be shut down," French said. The Chennai plant has been frozen by tax department and the company could not transfer the facility to Microsoft. "It is an important issue for us because it is still a property owned by Nokia and we wish it wasn't owned by Nokia.-PTI

Cyclone damage runs in thousands of crores VISAKHAPATNAM: Devastating Cyclone Hudhud caused damage worth thousands of crores in the port city and other storm-hit areas of the coast, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said here. Eastern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited alone is estimated to have suffered a loss of Rs 40,000 crore, which includes damage to substations, high-tension transmission lines, poles and disruption in distribution network. About 16,000 electric poles were knocked down by cyclone fury that also left around 6,000 transformers damaged. Damages to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (Vizag steel plant) were estimated at Rs 1,000 crore, Indian Navy Rs 2,000 crore, Andhra University Rs 300 crore and Vizag airport Rs 500 crore, Naidu said.-PTI

Horoscope

October 17, 2014

India Post

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Your Weekly Future by Pandit Parashar

October 17th - October 23rd, 2014 (March 21 to April 20)

o not go unprepared for legal matters or will have to pay hefty penalty. Eye sight may start to give some trouble and remember it could be the blood pressure. On the positive note there will be some interesting developments in career as well as relationship. You may be assigned an important project and boss will definitely take your advice seriously.

(April 21 to May 20)

void any arguments with people specially who are lot older. Property deal can get extra money in your pocket. Decision will be hard to make but you will end up making the right choice. New contract will be big and you will end up saving a lot in long term. You will buy some expensive item for the house or may have some changes done in kitchen.

(May 21 to June 20)

ou will regain confidence and make some tough decisions about career or the business you have been doing. Changes will relive you of lots of tension of the past. Money wise you will continue to grow but at a very slow pace. Some of you may join a health club to get in shape. You will be invited to a big social event this weekend.

(June 21 to July 22)

ome cracks could start opening up in ongoing relationship. Its the other person who will become double minded. Planets in eleventh are very favorable for all financial matters. take your chance and you can not fail. An overseas trip will get finalized after minor change. You will be spending lots of money towards the education of a child.

(July 23 to August 22)

(November 23 to December 22)

lanets are in perfect order to make your long cherished desire come true. You will get the new this week. Money may come through legal channel also. You may change your mind going to a religious event on the last minute. You may go to mall and finally spend some money on your self. You will receive very good advice from a learned person.

(August 23 to September 22)

ayment stuck for a while will come. It is a very favorable week for job seekers. Offer will be reasonable and on your terms. Some of you will be moved to better place in the same company. You will be spending money on buying some gifts for immediate family members. There will be slight change in your travel plans. You will hear from an old friend.

(September 23 to October 22)

eek full of pleasant surprises. There will be some dramatic turns in on going legal battle and outcome could be even better than your expectations. If appearing for any highly competitive exam, have no doubts you will clear it in first shot. Malefic in sixth will help you gain an edge over your opponents. Health will improve with change of diet.

(October 23 to November 22)

ou will become more religious and perform some serious charity work this week. A big check in mail will be a pleasant surprise and that too from a totally unexpected place. You will hardly sit idle and make very good use of time on hands. Spouse may buy some items for the home. You will continue to have the Midas touch and get many important things done.

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

rip will be finalized on a very short notice. You may need to take one of your vehicle for minor repairs. Money wise it looks like a very promising week. Stocks and lottery could get extra money in your pocket. For people in business, the new contract will not be any less than a jackpot. Strong Mars in fifth will help you achieve you professional goals easily.

(December 22 to January 19)

ambling instincts will pay off, and you will reap rich rewards for your bold actions. People in business will have a chance to make some extra money little unorthodox way. Strong Mars in fourth will help you with a property deal and help other goals easily. You may be training a new associate at work. You will be just lucky in all money matters this week.

(January 20 to February 18)

hings may not happen in first attempt but will ultimately. A new project will cause excitement and you may take family out to celebrate. You will become more spiritual and make a trip to a holy place and participate in special prayers. An old friend will call and invite you to a social event. You will do very well in all money matters.

(February 19 to March 20)

bstacles will be followed by solution but will cause some uneasiness in the mind in the meantime. New business partners will have some very good ideas and risk takers. You may spend some money on upgrading your home or buy new furniture. you may call an old friend and seek his advice on an important issue. You may also visit a holy place with family.

510-886-4370 www.parashar.com

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October 17, 2014

Desi News India Day by WomenNow TV rocks Santana Row India Post News Service

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to visit Chicago VINESH VIRANI

CHICAGO: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a global humanitarian and founder of the Art of Living Foundation, will visit Chicago October 23-25. This visit will be a unique opportunity for Chicagoans to take the Art of Living Happiness Program and learn meditation to gain deep insights into managing one's mind and emotions and live a truly happy life. Sri Sri's vision of a violencefree and stress-free society has united millions of people around the globe. This trip follows his visits from earlier this year when he launched a multi-city StressFree, Violence Fee campaign in the U.S. On July 12, 2014, Sri Sri unveiled the global happiness platform called Truly Happy that allows individuals to experience, track and grow happiness. Details on page 17

SEF Dandia on four days to meet huge interest India Post News Service

SANTA CLARA: Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF) presented SEF Dandia 2014 on four different days to accommodate the huge interest from the bay area patrons. The first event was on September 20 at the Pleasanton Middle school followed by events on Oct 4, 10 and 11 at the Santa Clara Convention Center, the largest venue in the Bay area. Details on page 19

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Navratri Garba at Radha Krishna Mandir

October 17, 2014

Details on page 20

Wide support boosts Laddi Singh chances for Nov elections RAJ MAGO

PALATINE: Indian American Democratic Organization (IADO) has lent its full support to the candidacy of India businesswoman Laddi Singh (aka Nimrata Kainth Singh) who is campaigning door to door in the Illinois State House of Representatives District 54 for the November 4 elections. The District includes Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Inverness, parts of Barrington, South Barrington, Hoffman Estates, and Arlington Heights. The elections are on November 4. IADO is apolitical wing of Indian Americans and its support to Laddi Singh enhances her credibility and chances to win the election. Besides, IADO Laddi Singh also got support from Sen. Mike Noland, Commissioner Frank Avila, Committeeman Matt Flam and Illinois State branch of the International Union of Operating Engineers. This round of support from different agencies and directions has boosted the chance of Laddi to win the election, it is believed. In a very close race, she is pitted against incumbent right wing Republican candidate Tom Morrison. Laddi Singh is a Demo-

Laddi Singh with Sen Dick Durbin

cratic candidate with party support. Many Asian American communities have rallied behind her boosting her chance to be the first

ever Asian American woman representative in Illinois. "My opponent is not representative of our community. He has

focused on ideologically extreme "social issues" while accomplishing nothing that benefits the people of our district. We need a representative who will listen to all of her constituents, not just to fellow extremists," said Laddi Singh. During her door to door walks, Laddi has been getting a favorable nod not only from ethnic minorities like Hispanics, African Americans, and Asian Americans but also from the mainstream American Caucasian voters of her district. "Many people I talk to like my sincerity of purpose and transparency besides my clear cut position on many issues facing Illinois residents," she said. "I will meet with representatives of all communities that are part of the 54th District and listen to their concerns and ideas. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 13

Huge support to Tulsi Gabbard in Dallas India Post News Service

IRVING, TX: A group of Indian American activists in Dallas headed by Dr. Prasad Thotakura and others, including Mrs. Subhashini and Dr. Subrahmanyam, M Murali Vennam and Gopal Ponangi organized a fundraising luncheon to support Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard at Pasand Indian Cuisine in Irving last week In his welcome and introductory address, Dr. Thotakura urged everyone to support the youngest woman US Congress member, Tulsi Gabbard. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 13

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard with Community leaders at Gandhi Plaza in Irving

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Community Across America

October 17, 2014

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Jalaram Mandir undergoing major expansion YOGESH THAKKAR

CHICAGO: Shree Jalaram Mandir of Hoffman is going thru a major renovation and expansion in 2014 and 2015. The project consists of a complete renovation of the existing building as well as expansion. Bhoomi Poojan was done a few weeks ago. Sheelanyas Ceremony was held at the Mandir on Saturday, October 4 from 2 PM onwards. Over 500 devotees were present during this auspicious occasion. The expansion work of the Mandir and installation of deities began with 'Sheelanyas Pooja' The new temple will also have three new entrances with new canopies. The new prayer hall will be double the existing size. The lower level will be used for temple Jalaram team with priests

into the existing building. The expansion will be approximately 12,000 square feet. It will be a dream come true for many devotees of Jalaram Bapa as expansion of Jalaram Mandir is scheduled to take place within 15 to 18 months as Idols have already arrived and a spacious community center will be built with the assistance of Sachi Contractors Inc. who have considerable experience in constructing temples. Regular activities at the temple include Bhajans, Sunderkand Path every Saturday, Abhishek on Mondays and on Ekadashi, group

It will be a dream come true for many devotees of Jalaram Bapa as expansion of Jalaram Mandir is scheduled to take place within 15 to 18 months as Idols have already arrived Satyanarayan Katha, Jalaram Jayanti, lectures of saints from India and celebrations of all religious events. The temple arranges annual health camp, provides free flu shots, arranges blood donation. It provides monthly clinic Seva, which will include doctor's consul-

Bhajan session in progress

programs as well community events. A new stage and with updated AV system is also in the plans. Phase two of the project will include "Indianization" of the building, with traditional domes and shikhars. Pooja was performed by priests Keyur Sevak and Hasmukhbhai. They provided explanation of purpose and reason behind each ritual in a nutshell. Acharya Rajendra Prasadji blessed the congregation and he described the significance of this occasion, the importance of creating such temples, and the benefit attained by creating such centers for the preservation of Hindu morals, culture and principles. He explained the importance of Nidhi Kumbh and appealed to everyone to donate $250 towards the Mandir and he received 30. The first floor and basement will be completely renovated to meet the demands of the growing organization. New LED light fixtures, fire sprinkler system, complete new HAVC system will be implemented

Carrying Kalash to the ceremony site

tation, laboratory tests and providing free generic medicines on an ongoing basis. Educationally, the activities include Math classes, Bharat Natyam, yoga classes, music teaching, India Culture (Indian History), Gujarati classes and religious classes.

October 17, 2014

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Incentivize NRIs by treating them fairly

s Non-Residents Indians (NRIs), we play a substantially big role in India's economy. We do it replete with pride, heart, and soul, albeit with some ego attached. We relate to our motherland internally as our "Karmabhoomi." The fact is that we remitted to India $70 billion in 2013 compared to $2.1 billion in 1993, and that is higher than the $28 billion foreign direct investment (FDI) to India in 2013 in terms of foreign exchange. According to reports, inward remittances form 22-23 percent of the country's foreign exchange money. Around 25 million NRIs contribute to the Indian economy. Around three percent of India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is contributed by NRI remittances. Yet, NRIs are neglected from India's economic strategy by the government. Further, NRIs are taxed unfairly when compared to resident Indians. Many NRIs expressed to me their pain at the unfair attitude of Government of India (GOI) toward

RAM KONDURI

amount is consumed within Indian economy?" He replied, "Comparing interest rate on deposits between U.S. (1 percent) and India( 8 percent) , Rajan said, "We welcome NRIs remittance, but India does not need it; remit-

Ram Konduri with RBI Governor Dr Raghuram Rajan

tance is adding to foreign reserves but not to correct India's current account deficit (CAD). On the contrary NRIs earn lot of money on deposits," Rajan countered. However, Dr. Rajan was not sure whether NRIs are taxed more than resident Indians. My question was not related

"I send a lot of money to my family; why does Government not offer any incentive to me? Yes beneficiaries receive currency in the form of rupees, but GOI receives foreign currency,, them in resolving various issues, after reading my article in India Post (Sept. 13, 2013). Mr. Sudhir Kaushik (CFO & co-founder of Taxspanner.com) also expressed his anguish in his article in The Economic Times (July 22, 2013). I continued my efforts and raised the issues when presented with opportunity, when I met RBI governor Dr. Raghuram Rajan, on Sept. 5, 2014 at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs (CCGA) event in Chicago. I asked him, "Why are we NRIs not offered any incentives for remittance as family maintenance, as the

NRI remittances generate foreign exchange why is there discrimination for NRIs in terms of incentives? Also compared to the NRI, any FDI investor expects more returns on investments. So outflow will be more than inflow."

to deposits at all. It is an irony on the part of Mr. Rajan to think that entire remittance is going into deposits. According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) survey 61 percent of remittance (around US $42 billion) is spent as family maintenance in India, and not left as deposits. The most common thought NRIs have is, "I send a lot of money to my family; why does Government not offer any incentive to me? Yes beneficiaries receive currency in the form of rupees, but GOI receives foreign currency. When both FDI and

Let me give a classic scenario comparing NRI remittance to the tourism industry. To generate foreign exchange, the Ministry of Tourism spends billions of U.S. dollars to promote tourism in various sectors. Other policies like "Visa on arrival" have been implemented to promote foreign tourism. According to data, average expenditure by each foreign tourist in India is around US$2,600 (The data is based on number of foreign tourists to Forex earning). As a result local businesses grow in sales. In this case, tourism promoters are Forex generators, receiving incentives. In case of NRI remittances, the family members who receive remittance as family maintenance are Forex generators too! They spend the received money to support the local business in many ways. My objective is to raise the concern, not to go against the GOI or Dr. Raghuram Rajan. Hope Prime Minister Narendra Modi will understand NRIs' contribution to the Indian economy and review NRIs' taxation and incentivize us by treating us fairly. These steps will help the government in building confidence among NRIs, increasing Forex, and reduce Hawala transactions in the country.

Huge support to Tulsi Gabbard in Dallas Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 11

ward to serve the community and country with a passion and dedication. She was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, shawl and a beautiful wooden carving painting of Lord Krishna. Gopal Ponangi thanked Pasand for providing sumptuous lunch and community for their generous support, He also thanked Rep.Tulsi who was on a two-day trip on the occasion of the grand unveiling of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Irving, TX. Tulsi attended a breakfast meeting wherein many local physicians talked on several topics related to healthcare, youth participation in politics and collaborative efforts

He pointed out that she had served in US military with great patriotic fervor, practices Hinduism since her childhood, always carries Bhagavad-Gita and is a strong voice of the Hindu community in Washington DC. Community members extended huge financial support and applauded Tulsi for her firm stand on certain critical issues and a key role that she is playing in US Congress currently. The Fundraising luncheon was well attended by several Indian American leaders including Kalyan Viswanathan, Sanatana Dharma Foundation, Mrs. Kalpana Fruitwala, Mrs. Hema Mohan, Subrahmanyam , Ekal Rep. Tulsi urged Indian Vidyalaya, Prashant American community to be Patel, Anshul Agarwal and Mrs. Parul Agarwal, proactive in mainstream HSS, Mrs. Sangeetha politics especially youth to Chandrakanthan, Global Organization for Di- come forward to serve the vinity, Dr. Rajiv Pandit, community and country Hindu American Foundation, I V Rao, Global Hindu Heritage Foundation, of the Indian American community Srinath Chakravarthy, Sanskrutha to have a unified voice and Bharathi, Chalapathi Rao strength in the mainstream. She Kondrakunta, Srikanth visited the newly built Hindu Polavarapu, Sanjay -Tanmayi Jew- Temple of Greater Fort Worth ellers, Sanjay Anand, Sanjay where she was also present durTiwari, Sunil Patel and several ing the ground breaking ceremony other members of the community two years ago. at large. She found time to go to the In her response, Rep. Tulsi Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza thanked everyone who attended in Irving. She paid homage to and extended a lot of support and Mahatma Gandhi by offering a urged Indian American community bouquet of flowers and standing to be proactive in mainstream poli- for few minutes in silence with tics especially youth to come for- folded hands to the Global Leader.

Wide support boosts Laddi Singh chances for Nov elections Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 11

This includes all ethnic groups and economic classes. Good ideas come from all sources, but the Illinois General Assembly does not hear from large parts of our community.I will make that happen. The additional advantage that I have is being a selfmade business woman," said Laddi Singh. Born in a rural village in Punjab , Laddi graduated in Computer Science , was an officer in N.C.C. (National Cadet Corps), played college soccer at university state and national level in India, immigrated to USA, worked many odd jobs while going to school for Cer-

tified Medical Assistant studies. And now she is the CEO of her own healthcare business. Her father is a village Chief (Sarpanch) of their village in Punjab and she has decided to do one better by jumping into challenging arena State of Illinois politics. She has the support of top leadership of the Democratic Party who want to win this district over and she is confident that the 54th District will go to the Democrats in the November 4 general elections. "Our communities must register to vote and must exercise their right to vote on November 4. They can also vote early in person at certain locations, and also," she said.

Community Across America

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Appeal for youth involvement at Balaji banquet Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in southwest suburb Aurora celebrated its annual Appreciation Banquet at Waterford Banquet & Conference Center in Elmhurst on Saturday October 4. The evening started with emcee Dr. Sanjay Rao briefly outlining the work of Balaji Temple and invited the Balaji Vidya Pitham students to sing the Prayer song 'Tumhi Ho Mata.' The welcome speech was delivered by Dr. N. S. Rao, Vice Chairman of SVS Temple. He observed that "SVS Balaji has been in existence for nearly 30 years opening its doors to devotees for worship and for participation in social and cultural gatherings." Chairman Athimoolam Naidu said, "Our temple enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the most beautiful and truly authentic Hindu Temples outside India. All

during the past year was shown to highlight the authentic manner in which temple priests conduct religious celebrations. He invited devotees to attend the temple activities in large numbers to show Hindu traditions to our children. The temple's new web portal was introduced by Mr. Anu Agnihotri who explained in detail its salient features. Devotees are welcome to visit balaji.org to see upcoming temple events and request religious services both in the temple and offsite. Awards were given to three temple volunteers - Anu Agnihotri from Volunteer and Public Relations Committee; Usha Pariti from Cultural Affairs and Banquet Committee and Jayashree Parthasarathy of Youth and Education Committee for their untiring efforts to help with the growth of the organization. Keynote speaker Ms. Vasudha Narayanan is a Distinguished Professor, Department of Religion, at

Chairman and Board of Trustees with local Chicago musicians

motivate them to understand and practice Hindu religion in future.

Balaji Vidya Pitham students singing prayer song

our volunteers spend long hours despite personal commitments and obligations, just to serve the community in the name of our God. We are involved in youth education, cultural activities, summer camps, health fair, Balaji Garden, Yoga and Meditation programs and so on". He thanked the Board of Trustees, Advisory Committees, priests, office staff, kitchen staff, volunteers, and cleaning staff for their hard work. He also announced future plans to build additional class rooms, bigger auditorium and a separate dining area which will require additional funding and appealed to devotees for their generous support. A video presentation comprising temple's religious activities

the University of Florida and a past President of the American Academy of Religion (20012002).In her inspiring speech she described the role of the temples in our society. Hinduism is a dynamic religion and through our combined efforts we can carry on our Hindu traditions for generations to come, she pointed out. She also proposed ideas for the future benefit of the temple like creating an endowment and naming the temple as the life insurance beneficiary. To help spread our religion and tradition she urged members to get children involved in temple activities such as SAT/ ACT classes, performing arts classes, engage them in community volunteer work such as health fairs, and food drives which will

The main cultural program of the evening was a light music concert with live orchestra in multiple languages like Tamil, Hindi,

and entertained them non-stop for two hours. Sumptuous dinner was served at this point which was relished by all. In conclusion, Vote of Thanks was given by Dr. Garla Gupta, Treasurer of Balaji Temple. The following are the office bearers: Board of Trustees: Chairman Athimoolam Naidu; Vice Chairman Sudershan Rao Nagulapalli; Secretary Suresh Vasudha Narayan Keynote speaker Mehta; Treasurer Prabhakar Gupta Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada Garla; Members Sudershan Rao were presented by popular Chi- Akkineni; Harinadha B. Koneru; cago singers. Vankata S. Masunuru; Prasad The singers delighted the au- Neerukonda; Pethinaidu dience with their beautiful voice Veluchamy; Ramaraja B. Yalavarthi

Chicago Kalashetra Group

October 17, 2014

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Community Across America

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12 Houston schools introduce Yoga India Post News Service

HOUSTON: It seems that the Indian system of Yoga for physical and mental well-being is catching up fast in this country and the visit of Prime Minister Modi has given a further boost to it. Twelve schools of Houston Independent School District (HISD), largest school district in Texas, have announced introducing Yoga there It will cover over 6,500 students at Crockett, Elmore, Hilliard, McNamara, Oak Forest, Oates, Stevens, Shadydale, Yoga for good health - some poses

Thurgood Marshall, and Whittier elementary schools, as well as Forest Brook Middle and North Forest High schools this year. According to National Institute of Health, Yoga may help one to feel more relaxed, be more flexible, improve posture, breathe deeply, and get rid of stress. According to an estimate, about 21 million Americans, including many celebrities, now practice yoga Yoga by definition is a "Hindu philosophy that teaches a person to experience inner peace by controlling the body and mind," observed Sohan Joshi, head of the National Federation of Indian Associations. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 17

Rawals felicitated on birth and marriage anniversary India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Hundreds of family friends will wishers and leading community members flocked to Manav Seva Mandir in Bensenville - Chicago to be part of grand celebration of 75th birth anniversary and 55th marriage anniversary of Chicago doyens - Prof Anant Rawal and Smt Niruben Rawal. The three-hour celebration organized by three Rawals Hithesh, Dr Paresh and Rajesh - was a lively affair with classical Bharat Natyam and Bollywood dances performed by Janaki Rawal and her friends. Chicagoland prominent physician Dr Arvind Kakodkar regaled the audience rendering three beautif u l Bollywood songs from yesteryears in his melodious voice. He received huge applause and was greeted with requests for more. Prof Anant Rawal and Niruben, who migrated to this country in late eighties, thanked the guests and acknowledged the early help they received from the community. Prof Rawal headed the Sanskrit Department in Baroda University and has mastered many a scripture. His proficiently in astrology and knowledge of Hindu rituals has made him famous and popular with community. Prof Anant Rawal and Smt Niruben are blessed with three sons, three homely daughters-in-law, five grand sons and one grand daughter. All of them live in Chicagoland.

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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to visit Chicago VINESH VIRANI

united millions of people around the globe. This trip follows his visits from earlier this year when he launched a multi-city StressFree, Violence Fee campaign in the U.S. On July 12, 2014, Sri Sri unveiled the global happiness platform called Truly Happy that allows individuals to experience, track and grow happiness. Sri Sri is now coming to Chicago to empower individuals and strengthen the local community.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

12 Houston schools introduce Yoga Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 16

Yoga is the repository of something basic in the human soul and psyche, says Rajan Zed president of Universal Society of Hinduism Many turn to yoga for quiet time but also as a regular fitness routine. Colleen Eggers, coordinator of land based programs and certified personal trainer/fitness instructor at the Advocate Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center in Downers Grove, says that pre-natal yoga can provide women with a host of health benefits. One study found that as little as one yoga session can reduce anxiety and stress in expectant moms by a third. "Yoga relieves tension in the lower back, hips, upper back, chest and shoulders and it is also a great way to develop stamina and strength", she said Yoga also boosts mental health, Eggers says. Calling it a "step in the right direction", Rajan Zed, suggested all school districts of Texas to incorporate yoga in the lives of the students. Yoga, referred as "a living fossil", was a mental and physical discipline, for everybody to share and benefit from, whose traces went back to around 2,000 BCE to Indus Valley civilization, Zed pointed out. About 100 languages are spoken in HISD, seventh-largest school district in USA, which has about 213,000 students in 283 schools. Juliet Stipeche and Rhonda Skillern-Jones are the President and First Vice President respectively of its Board of Education, while Dr. Terry B. Grier is Superintendent of Schools.

The Happiness Program teaches practical tools to manage the mind and emotions so that an individual can live with greater purpose and fulfillment. This dynamic workshop allows one to tap vast possibilities within and discover one's unlimited power and freedom. The centerpiece of the Happiness Program is the Sudarshan Kriya, a powerful technique that uses specific, natural rhythms of

the breath to harmonize the body, mind and emotions, eliminating stress, fatigue, depression and anger. Sudarshan Kriya practitioners have reported better immunity, increased stamina and sustained high-energy levels. Modern medical science has validated the health benefits of this time honored technique. Named one of the five most powerful people in India by

Forbes, Sri Sri has reaches the school students through YES! for Schools that is dedicated to providing youth with a healthy lifestyle. In Chicago, nearly 5000 students across 12 schools have taken this program. The Art of Living center in Chicago serves the local community through a variety of breathing, meditation, yoga, and knowledge programs.

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India Day by WomenNow TV rocks Santana Row

India Post News Service

SAN JOSE, CA: "I knew that WomenNow TV would be the best organizers for the first ever India Day event to be held at Santana Row," exclaimed Ash Kalra, "But even in my wildest imagination, I could not imagine how hugely successful it was." Kalra, San Jose City Council member, championed this event to bring India's cultural diversity to a mainstream population in this trend-setting free event. Santana Row, always a hub of activity on the weekends, was completely jam-packed as over an estimated 7,000 people braved the hot day to watch the non-stop entertainment on the open stage. Democratic candidate for San Jose Mayoral election Dave Costese commented, "I have never seen Santana Row look so beautiful." Cortese was referring to a beautiful mandap with henna artists, tents, village scene with colorful carts and brightly embroidered cushions and throws around the

stage. The nonstop entertainment included dance performances by leading Indian dance groups such as Dance Identity, Chhandam, Tarana, Targini, Kriti, S3, San Jose State University Bhangra, Ushanjali and Bombay Jam. Every performance was exceptional. Youngsters from Chhandam got a standing ovation for their mesmerizing performance and Dance Identity had an entire audience rocking as they taught them the latest Bollywood moves. Priya Gandhi and Raunak entertained the audience with their foot-tapping music and Dr Clifton presented yoga. Top fashion designer houses Vama, Celebrations, Chona Pike, Ateka Sultan and C-Bazar presented the trendiest fashions and bridal wear. Amber Restaurant served special Indian cuisine. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 20

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SEF Dandia on four days Kewal Singh running for AC Transit Ward 5 to meet huge interest India Post News Service

SANTA CLARA: Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF) presented SEF Dandia 2014 on four different days

will perform over 20,000 free eye surgeries per year and its location is about 10.8 kms from Jodhpur railway station. With SEF model outreach program, they will

under Sec 501(c) (3) of the IRS. They operate and manage eight eye care hospitals all over India. Through these fundraising efforts, SEF, USA has played a sig-

to accommodate the huge interest from the bay area patrons. The first event was on September 20 at the Pleasanton Middle school followed by events on Oct 4, 10 and 11 at the Santa Clara Convention Center, the largest venue in the Bay area. SEF is packing popular music for fun filled evenings with Bay Area's favorite artists Preetisha & Troupe. SEF Dandia 2014 is a fundraiser for many SEF projects including the Jodhpur hospital, Rajasthan. The hospital will be 200 bed stateof-the-art eye care hospital and

be able to service the poor in Jaisalmer, Balmer, Jalor, Pali, Ajmer, Nagaur and Bikanur districts around Jodhpur. Project cost for this hospital is about $4.2 million dollars. An anonymous donor has promised to match all your donations up to $1 million until December 31, 2014 to help us make huge progress in fundraising for Rajasthan. A founding donor can avail this wonderful opportunity and donate for this noble cause. Sankara Eye Foundation is a US based organization registered

nificant role in increasing the number of free surgeries to over 12,001,22 in 2014. Their mission is to realize the goal of 20/20 vision for the people of India by the year 2020. "We think big here. Right from the beginning, Mission 20/20, not one or two but 20 hospitals by 2020, and it has been possible by continuous efforts of our volunteers. It amazes me how they manage it with office hours, do all the running around. They are our biggest strength," said Krishnamurthy.

India Post News Service

FREMONT: Kewal Singh, a Transit Safety Administrator for the BART system and Fremont resident for the past 22 years, is running for AC Transit Ward 5, which covers Fremont, Newark, and parts of Union City and Hayw a r d . Kewal's top priority is ensuring that AC Transit is safe, affordable, and reliable for seniors, people with disabilities, and students. "40% of AC Transit's riders rely on public transit as their only mode of Kewal transportation," said Singh. "I know from personal experience just how important reliable bus service is; my mother, my children, and myself are all AC Transit riders. Our bus service needs to improve and that's why I'm running." Singh noted that AC Transit's budget is improving and that he believes the Tri-Cities need a Director who can work together with the AC Transit Board, labor unions, and other elected officials, which he claims the current Direc-

tor has failed to do. He pointed to his endorsements from the Alameda County Democratic Party, the Tri-Cities Democratic Forum, and many local elected officials, including former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce Ro Khanna, Fremont Vice Mayor Vinnie Bacon, Fremont Councilmember Raj Salwan, and Union City Mayor Carol DutraVernacci. Singh also earned endorsements from Senator Ellen M. Corbett, Council Member Kansen Chu, Assembly Member Bob Singh Wieckowski, Library Commissioner Deepak Chhabra, Human Resources Commissioner Fremont Dharminder Dewan, Evolve' Board Of Directors, Rick Jones Planning Commissioner in Fremont "Every AC Transit Director needs to listen to residents, riders, and businesses, and to work collaboratively with the rest of the Board. I've gained broad support for my run against an 8-year incumbent because we can do better. We have to do better."

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Navratri Garba at Radha Krishna Mandir India Post News Service

NORWALK, CA: Radha Krishna Mandir in Norwalk began its ten day Navratri festivity with unprecedented excitement and burst of activities. Yet again this year the temple hosted Raas Garba on its premises.

The tent was bigger than the one in previous years and a record attendance was seen during the week. Attendees came together to enjoy in the traditional folk dance of Gujarat known as Garba and Dandia. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 21

India Day by WomenNow TV rocks Santana Row Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 19

The Ms. WomenNow pageant had its first two rounds in the center stage, followed by the final events and crowning at a soldout ticketed event at Hotel Valencia. Payal Tailor was crowned Ms. WomenNow. Zee TV, cosponsor of the event, and other sponsors Yupptv, Travelopod, Bears for Humanity, UST Global and Ultimate Lounge Building Kids all selected spokespersons and brand models from the bevy of beauties.

Ro Khanna, Democratic Candidate, 2014, was among the many dignitaries that came out to support the event. "This was only possible because of the shared vision of our team of dedicated volunteers," said Ena Sarkar, CEO of

WomenNowTV. "Everyone worked together to make this a completely flawless event. For such a huge undertaking, there was not even one minute delay in the production of events. In fact," she laughs, "at one point there was a quick panic because

we were actually running three minutes ahead of schedule!" WomenNow TV, created in 2010 is the first South Asian TV Talk Show located in the Bay Area that reaches out to Indian and South Asian communities around the world.

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Navratri Garba at Radha Krishna Mandir Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 20

This is Radha Krishna Mandir's flagship event where all attendees can enjoy the events free of charge. The Mandir organized ample parking arrangements with security, chai, and snacks at no charge for the attendees. The young and energetic Board of Trustees with their vision and zeal saw their hard work pay off with a successful ten-day event. Attendees of the event enjoyed the fabulous music and singing which was provided by Bhavna Patel and group. One attendee stated, "With such a great group of musicians playing some of my favorite Garba songs as well as new songs, it made the night fly by!"

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Tech News Srinagar in Smart City scheme demanded SRINAGAR: State Economic Reconstruction Forum (SERF), an amalgam of trade bodies in Kashmir which was formed after devastating floods, has demanded that the Centre should include Srinagar in the Smart city Scheme announced by the Union Government in the current fiscal's budget. "The Central government should declare Srinagar to one of the first SMART cities in the country under the plan of making 100 SMART cities," SERF Secretary Mubeen Shah told reporters. Shah said this will make Srinagar city, which was worst affected part of the valley in the last month's flood, for huge funding earmarked under this scheme. In response to a question, Shah said the trade bodies had no objection if some of the government offices need to be relocated to the peripheries under the SMART city scheme. "If removing the offices (like Civil Secretariat) from the city gives fillip in creating a Smart city, why not!" he said. The amalgam also asked the Centre to include Jammu and Kashmir in the National Optical Fiber Network, which is currently developing a new communication system. -PTI

India Carpet Expo garners Rs 376-cr business VARANASI: The 28th India Carpet Expo has generated business worth Rs 376 crore, the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) has said. The four day carpet fair witnessed nearly 326 buyer registrations and participation from 210 agents, who represented other buyers, CEPC Chairman Kuldeep R Wattal said. He claimed that the business garnered during the expo is to the tune of Rs 376 crore, which has turned out to be a very positive outcome for both buyers and exhibitors. "Buyers from new countries have also participated in this exhibition along with our old ones. Importers from around 57 countries had registered themselves in this exhibition," he added. Nearly 50 per cent export in the country is made through the exhibitions of India carpet expo, organized by CEPC at different places across the country every year, he said. The closing ceremony was attended by Virendra Singh, Member of Parliament (MP) of BJP from Bhadohi. -PTI

TechBiz 22 India Post

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October 17, 2014

Gujarat to promote solar water pumps AHMEDABAD: Seeking to reduce the usage of conventional power for irrigation in the agriculture sector, Western Indian state of Gujarat has drawn up an ambitious program to provide solar-powered water pumps to 1,000 farmers in the state. The project is also envisaged to ease their financial burden due to subsidy on electricity provided for irrigation, official sources said. The project will be implemented under the aegis of Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) and four distribution companies (DISCOMS) - Daxin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd, Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Ltd, Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd and Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Ltd, according to a state government notification issued last month.-PTI

Economic recovery in India still uneven, says RBI Governor NEW YORK: Stating Indian economic recovery is still uneven, RBI governor Raghuram Rajan has exuded optimism that the country will be "solidly" in the 5 per cent growth bracket during the course of this fiscal and accelerate further in the next financial year. The RBI governor also said he is not "overly" worried about any interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve, saying the country had enough foreign exchange reserves. "It is still an uneven (economic) recovery, so my guess is that this quarter may be a little weaker than the previous quarter but I think over the course of this year, we will be solidly in the five per cent growth range and by next year we should be solidly in the six per cent growth range," he said. Rajan was speaking at the Institute of International Finance in Washington. He also said there was no need for "grand-sounding announcements" and that the India needed to "fix the plumbing," including

correcting problems in coal and gas sectors to accelerate improve recovery and get the Indian

"good news" is that there are "lots of low-hanging fruit and we got to pluck them".

RBI governor Raghuram Rajan has exuded optimism that the country will be "solidly" in the 5 per cent growth bracket during the course of this fiscal.

economy back on track. Rajan said that while India has to do its basic homework, the

"Of course the big question is why we did not do it before but I think there is an environment and

there is a willingness at this point to do what it takes. "What it means, I would caution people on, is not at this point grand-sounding announcements because that is not what we really need. "We need to fix the plumbing. "We need to do the basic stuff which will get the economy back on track," he said when asked how India will meet the high expectations that have been set by the new Narendra Modi government to revive economic growth. In a lighter vein, Rajan said the expectations need to be toned down. He however added that on the real side focus should be on getting the projects that are stalled going again, fixing problem in coals and gas, "which are not the stuff of headlines but are quite important" as well as getting businesses and government departments to make payments on time. Rajan said beyond 2016, the Indian economy will grow depending on what the country does over these couple of years. -PTI

Reliance to sell US shale gas interest NEW YORK: Reliance Industries is looking to sell its 45 per cent stake in the Eagle Ford basin shale oil and gas venture in the US for an estimated USD 4.5 billion. RIL, which bought 45 per cent interest in Pioneer Natural Resources Co's Eagle Ford shale formation of south Texas for USD 1.3 billion, is working with Citigroup Inc and Bank of America Merrill Lynch to find a buyer, industry sources said. When contacted, a company spokesperson said, "Reliance constantly strives to identify means by which to create additional value for its shareholders" but declined to comment on the specific sale. "It is Reliance's policy not to comment on market speculation. If there are any required disclosures, Reliance will make them at

the appropriate time," the spokesperson said. Pioneer holds 46 per cent in the Eagle Ford venture while the remaining 9 per cent is with Alpha SAB's Newpeck LLC.

sources said. EFS Midstream operates 11 central gathering plants in south Texas. RIL, in a July presentation to investors, had stated that it has invested a total of USD 3.91 bil-

Newpek too is exploring opportunities to sell its share and is being advised by Tudor Pickering Holt & Co. RIL is also selling its investment in EFS Midstream LLC, an oil and gas gathering treatment and transportation network,

lion in Pioneer joint venture since inception. 472 wells have been drilled to date with average production rate of 676 million standard cubic feet per day. The Eagle Ford assets spread over 230,000 acres have become more attractive after the US Com-

merce Department in June gave Pioneer permission to export a type of ultra light oil known as condensate produced from the region. The approval will "help ease pressure on differentials, which has remained key challenge," RIL had stated in the presentation. Besides Eagle Ford, RIL has two more shale ventures in US 40 per cent stake in Chevron's Marcellus shale acreage and a 60 per cent interest in Carrizo Oil and Gas Inc's Marcellus shale acreage in Central and Northeast Pennsylvania. According to RIL's July presentation, the company has till date invested USD 0.87 billion in the Carrizo joint venture and another USD 2.59 billion in the Chevron venture. Its total investment in US was USD 7.36 billion. -PTI

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October 17, 2014

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Sebi slaps three-year ban on DLF MUMBAI: In a major blow to DLF, Sebi has barred the realty major as well as its six top executives, including chairman and main promoter K P Singh, from the securities market for three years

for "active and deliberate suppression" of material information at the time of its IPO. Besides K P Singh, those barred from the markets include his son Rajiv Singh (Vice Chairman), daughter Pia Singh (Whole Time Director), Managing Director T C Goyal, former CFO Ramesh Sanka and Kameshwar Swarup, who was ED-Legal at the time of the company's public offer in 2007. After its over four-year-long probe, Sebi found that a "case of active and deliberate suppression

of any material information so as to mislead and defraud the investors in the securities market in connection with the issue of shares of DLF in its IPO is clearly made out in this case." In his 43-page order, Sebi's Whole-Time Member Rajeev Agarwal said that violations are grave and have larger implications on safety and integrity of the securities market. While the regulator has not imposed any monetary penalty, the restraining order would bar DLF and the six persons, from any sale, purchase or any other dealings in securities markets for a period of three years, including for raising funds. Sebi said that all these six persons were part of top management at the time of filing IPO documents, wherein the company was accused of non-disclosure of certain dealings with three subsidiaries through "sham transactions". DLF's IPO in 2007 had fetched Rs 9,187 crore. While Singh, his two children and Goyal are still on the board of DLF, Sanka is no more with the company. DLF is the largest real estate group in the country with nearly Rs 10,000 crore annual turn-

over and market capitalization of over Rs 26,000 crore. The company's market cap had crossed Rs one lakh crore mark soon after its listing in 2007, but fell later.

The company and its top executives were found to have violated various regulations including Sebi's Disclosure and Investor Protection (DIP) Guidelines and the PFUTP (Prevention of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices) norms. The Singh family and related entities are major promoters with 74.91 per cent stake of DLF, which has been finding itself in regulatory crosshairs often in recent times, including action from fair trade regulator CCI. DLF did not offer any comments on the order. -PTI

India's rank improves on global hunger index NEW DELHI: The number of hungry people has declined in India with its score on the Global Hunger Index improving to 55th position in 2014 due to progress made in addressing underweight in children, says a report. The country's score is better than Pakistan (rank 57) and Bangladesh (57) but it still trails behind Nepal (44) and Sri Lanka (39). India was at 63rd position on GHI last year. "Progress in dealing with underweight helped India's 2014 GHI score fall to 17.8 points. India now ranks 55th out of 76 countries, before Bangladesh and Pakistan, but still trails behind neighboring Nepal and Sri Lanka," the report said. While the country is no longer in the "alarming" category, India's hunger status is still classified as "serious," it said. While India has made signifi-

cant progress in reducing underweight among children under five in the past few years, "much work still needs to be done" at the national and state levels so that a

While India has made significant progress in reducing underweight among children under five in the past few years, "much work still needs to be done" greater share of the population will enjoy nutrition security, it suggested. The GHI report has been jointly prepared by International Food Policy Research Institute and

NGOs Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide. This year marks the end of a "data drought", the report said, adding that India has determined its first new provisional national underweight estimate in eight years. At 30.7 per cent, it points to real progress compared with the last estimate of 43.5 per cent in 20052006, it said. "As a consequence, India no longer ranks second to last on underweight in children, but 120th among 128 countries with data on child under nutrition from 20092013," it added. Highlighting the efforts made to address underweights in India, the report said that since the last undernutrition data became available, the Indian government rolled out and expanded several programs that targeted a mix of direct and indirect causes of under nutrition. -PTI

J&K Special Credit-cumRelief Camps launched JAMMU: As part of relief & rehabilitation package for the flood affected people of Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister of State, PMO, Jitender Singh has launched 'J&K Special Creditcum-Relief Camps' here. Flanked by State Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, Chairman Indian Banks' Association (IBA) T M Bhasin, J&K Bank Chairman & CEO Mushtaq Ahmad, Singh said: "this package has been in the line of things that central government has charted out for flood victims of J&K". Speaking on the occasion, Singh, said, "These camps have been devised by the Ministry of Finance (GOI) and IBA with complete support from J&K Bank which is Convener State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC)." "The main feature of the relief package is to provide loans for economic activities and reconstruction of houses to the floodaffected on softer terms like longer repayment schedule, concessional rate of interest and extended moratorium," he said. "The government of J&K is well aware of the magnitude of the losses that the people in Jammu and in Kashmir have suffered due to the floods," Rather said.

"We are expediting to bring economy back on wheels as soon as possible," Rather said. Earlier, J&K Bank Chairman Mushtaq Ahmad expressed his sympathies for the flood affected people of the region. He thanked IBA, RBI and the central government for extending full support in drafting and sanc-

Jitender Singh

tioning of the package as per the need and sentiments conveyed in the special meeting by the banking fraternity operating in the state. IBA Chairman T M Bhasin also expressed his feelings on the unprecedented situation in the valley due to the deluge and pledged support for the initiatives taken by the banking Industry especially the J&K Bank for rehabilitation of the people in the flood affected areas of the state. -PTI

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October 17, 2014

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IMPACT of MODI VISIT SURENDRA ULLAL & SUDHIR VYAS

ndia Post, as is its tradition over years, is running its Diwali survey but this time it is confined to the impact of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to USA. The sagacious Indian voters had kicked out ineffectual and scandal ridden Congress-led government and gave a clear cut mandate to the coalition led by Narendra Modi, induced to a great extent by his proven track record as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. During a little over decade long rule, Modi notched hefty progress for Gujarat in all directions - economic, political, labor and social. He succeeded in making it one of the three top States in the Indian Union. This was despite a setback in his early years triggered by Godhra episode. He along with responsible elements in the State achieved a remarkable degree of communal harmony. His visit to the US was awaited with baited breath. He came, he saw and he conquered not only the hearts of Indian Americans but also of mainstream society, including US lawmakers, who got swayed away by his simplicity of approach and honesty of purpose. India Post had put three questions to its readers across the country - the first was if bilateral relations with US, especially in fighting global terrorism would improve; second, whether the economic and investment climate for India will get more favorable, and the third, their assessment of the overall image of India and PM Modi in this country as a sequel to the visit.

The consensus emerged that the image of India and that of PM Modi got a tremendous boost, as put by Dr Kiran Patel of Florida and Dr Raj Bhayani of New York. The mile long huge crowd at Madison Square Garden (a matter of envy even for seasoned US politicians) and thousands flocking to Times Square were convincing factors that not only Indian citizens but a huge number of US citizens too have faith in Modi's leadership. There was near unanimity that the economic and investment climate would turn better as a sequel to PM Modi's assurances ending red tape and roadblocks to foreign investment. But many like Niranjan Shah felt that the assurances and promises need to get translated in execution. The problem of corruption and bureaucratic delays are roadblocks and need to get seriously addressed for attracting US capital. All agreed that bilateral relations will grow further but thy expressed doubt if India would join aggressively with other nations fighting global terrorism. As put by many "we have our own problem triggered by cross-border terrorism." There are dissenting voices too. Balwinder Singh, a Sikh community activist, feels that strong stance that Modi takes on this issue can lead to higher Indian participation in taking on terrorism. India Post details the survey results in two issues. This week it also runs a few pictures showing how a fasting Modi still greeted pleasantly a cross section of Indian Americans who came to see him in New York. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 25

India Post October 17, 2014

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IMPACT OF MODI VISIT TO U.S.

Private investors need to be convinced

IRANJAN SHAH, Chairman Globetrotter Engineering Cor poration, said that PM Narendra Modi's visit has definitely boosted India's image in this country. The huge crowd lining up to go to Madison Square Garden, hundreds of viewers flocking to Time Square and a good turnout of elites and US lawmakers at the Ambassador reception and rancor free meeting with the US President Barack Obama are all contributing factors to this. Shah said that only time can say if the economic and investment climate for India has upped significantly. One has to under-

stand that it is not the US government that makes a decision in investing in India. It is the private industry that takes initiative. The US-India relations do play a part but still essentially it is the private investors who are decision makers. PM in his speech has offered red carpet and ending of red tapisim. It needs to be watched how far this gets translated into practice. One of the biggest hurdles that many corporations find in India is entrenched bureaucracy. Transparency is another factor besides bureaucratic delay. They can hamper the investment flow. Modi Ji seems determined to act decisively to

Should have spoken in English

NIL SHAH, President and CEO has assured Corporate executives during of World Money Exchange, said one his meetings with them recently that that India and US need and will they will face red carpet and not red tapism. c o m e Shah also obcloser in coming served that Indian years, and the visit image as well as that of India Prime Minof PM Modi with ister Modi would the US public and help hastening the government officials process. has improved a lot US needs India as a sequel to his remore now than at cent visit. "I do feel any time in the past that Modi Ji would in the context that have achieved much Pakistan is shaky more if he had deand has proved not cided to address his a very reliable ally. audience in English With the change in rather than in Hindi. leadership in India, It was not only Inthe US administradian Americans who tion would want to were keen to assess cultivate India more him but many an Anil Shah now, he said. American, including Anil Shah is very US lawmakers and sanguine about an improved flow of in- community activists also. Besides, his advestible funds to India as the Modi Gov- dress in English would have been more ernment follows business friendly policies. appealing and better received by the secHis stint as Gujarat CM should be a clear ond generation Indian Americans," he indicator. PM Modi in no uncertain terms added.

Needs to take minorities along

HAKAR BASATI, a prominent Sikh com munity activist, said that the Indian Prime Minister came to USA addressing UN Session, meeting Corporate executives and community members at large culminating in the meeting US President Barack Obama. The visit, he felt, will definitely improve bilateral relations with USA. PM Modi is known for stern handling of issues. He does need to be careful as he needs to take along minorities with him. Neighboring states will also be careful in anti-India propaganda. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 26

Thakar Basati

Niranjan Shah

tackle these deficiencies. His track record in Gujarat is encouraging and if he achieves the same at national level, foreign invest-

ments in India should increase. On bilateral relations and tackling global terrorism, Niranjan Shah felt that India should consider participating in global efforts in this direction and then seek US help to counter cross border terrorism. Pakistan is a hotbed for nurturing terrorism and to say that the US intelligence is unaware of it would be begging the question. Pakistan has been US ally for decades however, unreliable it is. If India had followed less than 'holier than thou' policy in the past, things could have been different "I personally feel that the US and India need each other more now than any time in the past in the light of changing global political scenario. Their strategic interests converge rather than collide. The resurgent Islamic militancy and challenge from China and Russia to US supremacy may play a good common ground. The US administration has made extra efforts to cultivate India anew in the wake of democratic change in the leadership there. It is time to cash in on this. The renewed interest in India after Modi Ji's visit is also a positive development," he said.

India PostCaption 26 October 17, 2014

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IMPACT OF MODI VISIT TO U.S.

Indian image has got a big boost

R. BHARAT BARAI, a noted Oncologist from Indiana and a director - coordinator of PM Modi reception in New York, said that it would take months before real assessment of the Prime Minister's visit here can take place. "If I have to make a quick and short assessment, it would not be an exaggeration to say that his visit was a great success. Huge attendance at the Madison Square Garden and Time Square stand testimony to that. The Barack Obama administration seemed keen to foster close relations with India while the corporate leaders welcomed his assurance of red carpet welcome rather than red tapism treatment," he said.

Dr Barai felt that India and US would be more actively helping each other in figuring global terrorism. India was less active on this front although seeking US help to fight cross border terrorism which for many a reason was not forthcoming. "Now that the US faces real threat from militants, things could change," he observed. The meet with the US Corporate executives was a success though nothing concrete emerged instantly. The red carpet welcome that the PM assured to them was well received, Barai said. The Indian image in US has definitely a gotten a big boost. "Look at the huge line of people wanting to go to the Madison Square Garden or to watch on live

Dr. Bharat Barai

screen at the Time Square. Both were first for any dignitary from

India. A good number of top US corporate executives had expressed desire to meet PM and many did come to attend his dinner. The meet with the President was off to a fine start with Barack Obama asking Modi "KemChho", a typical Gujarati way of greeting, he said. Dr Barai revealed that if the online smalltime donation was any guide, PM enjoyed huge popularity even before he came and this virtually was sky high when there was huge demand from his across the country supporters to come to their cit-

ies next time. "We renewed our invitation to him to come to Chicago next time, probably in 2015, and our impression is that he would do so," he said. Elaborating on smalltime donations received online, Dr Barai said that " Indian American Community Foundation received over $150,000 and more was coming in but we stopped accepting any more after September 15." Hats off to those who contributed on their own - may be a small sum. They have big hearts. In sharp contrast, many a big time businessman from USA and even from India sought to get in Free and got in Free at the dinner and Madison Square Garden. "That was a classic example of Naam Bade Darshan Khote," he said.

Needs to take minorities along Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 25

and yet they claim to represent free, secular country?" Touching upon the overall image of India as a sequel to PM Modi visit, Basati said that things "hopefully will improve". Just "Swachh (clean) India" alone will do that. NRI kids didn't want to go to India because,"it is dirty". Billion people doing even little, will make big impact. If he can keep a watchful eye

On economic and investment climate for India, Basati said that things would brighten up in coming days. There will be less bureaucracy as Modi is reputed for direct approach. Less Babuism will get things done quickly. Punjab lost a group of international investors few years ago when the concerned people in the Punjab reportedly asked for one crore "rishwat" In sharp contrast, Modi assured them to "When we travel to India, come over and get land at reasonable tourists cringe at the costs. "I believe the Modi government Immigration counter and bagged both the customs counter. projects," he said. Highlighting some In contrast when you come to of the unsavory aspects affecting inUS or Canada, you get a vestments, his observation was that welcome feeling," he added "when you want to invest money in India, people tell you -'You must be on corruption, it will sky rocket crazy'. Every NRI when first his image. With Mars Orbiter, moves overseas, has a feeling they have already shown their to return to home country. But technological skill. India needs after a while you feel 'Blessed to create tourist friendly atmoto be out of India'. One feels sphere. "When we travel to Ininsecure, cheated with crimi- dia, tourists cringe at the Imminals getting away with murder gration counter and customs and topping with rampart cor- counter. In contrast when you ruption, I think they say 65 MPs come to US or Canada, you get have criminal cases going on a welcome feeling," he added

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IMPACT OF MODI VISIT TO U.S.

Greater flow of investments to India likely

r. KIRAN PATEL, a former president of AAPI and a prime functionary of newly set up Indian American Community Foundation, said that the image of PM Modi at personal level and the image of India as a country got a tremendous boost after the recent visit of Modi Ji in New York and Washington. "It would not be an exaggeration to say that not only the members of Indian American community but also the elite corporate executives, US lawmakers and government officials got the picture of resurgent India thru Narendra Modi. Even media at large here and back home took

Dr. Kiran Pate

note of this." "Modi actively sought to forge good relations not only with

neighbors Pakistan, Sri Lanka Bangladesh and even China and Japan. This on top of his resounding elections victory gave him a big edge over others, including foreign dignitaries and the former government heads from India. Members of Indian community banished regional, language and religious differences and accorded a wholehearted welcome to him. This boosted our image 1000 times - no exaggeration." Kiran Patel observed. This newly found love could be translated into economic gains but in this case much depends on the speedier execution of promises made by PM - red carpet treatment, ending red tapism, monitor-

ing labor, etc. The corporate culture in US is different - its mooring is economic viability of project. Sentiment and emotions play least significant role. "If Modi Ji lives up to his promises, I do foresee a greater flow of investible funds to India," he said. Dr Kiran Patel was not san-

guine about India aggressively supporting the global fight against militants. "By temperament and culture, we do not easily opt for armed solutions. India has not run into war with Pakistan despite severe provocations and acts of terrorism inside the country," he added.

Beginning of new era in Indo-US ties

R. KUNAL RAWAL: a New Jersey cardiologist said that India and WE share a very common interest in fighting terrorism. Modi made his strong anti-terrorism stance very clear at UN. Later, his talks with President Obama also showed significant positivity in bi-lateral efforts towards countering terrorism in Indian sub-continent. Dr. Kunal Rawal

Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 31

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IMPACT OF MODI VISIT TO U.S.

Even NRIs would step up investments

afat Patel, often described as the Un crowned King of Devon India Town, said that investment climate for India has become highly favorable following Prime Minister Modi visit to this country and his assurance to investors that his government is committed to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks and speed up clearance of projects. "We welcome you," he assured investors during his recent visit. Another factor, he said, was the democratic traditions in India and independent judiciary. Both are

more attractive to foreign investors and corporate giants who would be inclined to compare with China. Facebook and Goggle executives are in India and more would follow. Indian rupee is getting more stable and somewhat strong. Even NRIs would be stepping up their investments in India, either in deposit form or corporate investments. Mafat Patel said that he would favor more and active role for India joining hands with US and other nations in fighting global terrorism. "This will show our commit-

ment and also induce countries like US in putting a break on cross border attacks from Pakistan, a Western ally," he observed. Mafatbhai felt that India's image and also that of PM Modi has soared in USA as a sequel to his visit and favorable comments he

elicited all around by his candid talk and transparency of approach. Modiji has also got huge applause in India after his September visit, judging from the media coverage he received. "I was in India and I found positivism there for him," he added.

Meeting Prime Minister Modi in New York Mafat Patel

US Congresswoman from Hawai Tulsi Gabbard Met PM Modi and was invited to visit India. She will support in Congress Modi's call at the U.N. General Assembly for International Yoga Day and said that Obama expressed interest in learning about its benefits beyond physical exercise

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IMPACT OF MODI VISIT TO U.S.

India PostCaption 31 October 17, 2014

Meeting Prime Minister Modi in New York

Beginning of new era in Indo-US ties Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 28

Agreement on intelligence and defense co-operation was an important move in that direction. PM meeting with President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden seemed more positive and will possibly jump start a new era in currently stalemated relationship between two largest democracies. Dr Rawal mentioned that PM Modi's ability in creating favorable environment for attracting businesses is well-known. Considering current financial condition in India it was his top agenda to make it easy for American companies to invest in India. His meeting with CEOs of top American companies was geared toward understanding their issues. His commitment in minimizing red tape and bureaucracy has received positive response from business community in US. In contrast to his million dollar worth MoU signed for state of Gujarat, there was lack of such concrete results from investment point of view. But his visit has shown his deep interest in amplifying the American investment in India. Touching upon the overall im-

age of India in this country, Dr Kunal observed that India and US are world's largest democracies and have been long time allies. This relationship has been through some highs and lows but there has always been hope for better as we share common ideologies. Recently, it hit its lowest point owing to certain issues including stripsearch of Indian diplomat in US and alleged government-sponsored terror group out-of Pakistan using US aid. This has irked officials on both sides. Thus Modi's visit was viewed as a beginning of new era in this relationship. The visit was very well planned. It started with an impressive UN speech, electric reception at MSG by Indian-Americans, decent performance at Council of Foreign Affairs and finally a promising meeting with President Obama. His strong stance against terrorism, welcoming attitude toward foreign investment in India, alluring NRIs to bring business home and finally his efforts of making India as a brand has definitely gone across the aisle. This visit will definitely have a strong positive impact on Indo-American relationship.

Swami Ishatmanand of Vivekanand Vedanta Society was invited to the dinner hosted by the Ambassador. He presented Narendra Modi with one of the Society publications 'Chicago and Vivekananda.' PM indicated that he might visit Chicago on his next US trip

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India PostCaption 32 October 17, 2014

Meeting Prime Minister Modi in New York

Dr Raj Bhayani ENT- Plastic surgeon of New York and Convention Chair AAPI met PM and touched upon January 2015 AAPI Global Summit in India. Dr Raj readily accepted PM's invitation to come to New Delhi during Pravasi Bharatiya celebrations. He in turn invited PM to come to AAPI annual conventin in New York

Dr Kiran Patel former president of AAPI and Dr Pallavi Patel of Drs Kiran & Pallavi Patel Foundation For Global Understanding in Florida, met Modi Ji and apprised him of education related activates undertaken by them in Florida and back home in Gujarat

Harendra Mangrola, CEO of Sumit Construction and coordinator of Gayatri Gyan Mandir in Chicaogland, invited PM Modi to visit Chicago and he expressed his willingness to do so probably next year

Ms Hina Trivedi, President of Chicago Indo US Lions Club and former President of Federation of Indian Associations, talked about her involvement in social activities in Chicago and Gujarat, especially with the Senior Group NTI P

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India PostCaption 34 October 17, 2014

Glittering evening of fashion show & music India Post News Service

HAYWARD, CA: Star Entertainment presented most memo-

rable Pre-Diwali 'Mega Musical Extravaganza 2' event with liveband Melody Makers on October 3 at Golden Peacock Hayward

It was a sold out glamorous evening with all guests dressed up bringing a Diwali touch to the event

The show started with Diwali dance of "Jai Ganesh Deva" by Bay area finest dancer Elena Elsoukov followed by pre-Diwali Diya ceremony and singing segment beginning with Bay area leading singers Vikas Singh, Mandeep Singh, Rakesh Kumar, Jaya Satish, Deepti Venkat, Meera Ramakrishnan, Neeraj Tandon, Toni Sodhi and Steve Balram

Singh mesmerized the audience with old and latest movies with the finest live band melody makers team of Bay area Rajeshvar, Rohit, Ashu, Tom and Kishore. The evening glittered with beautiful and handsome models of the fashion show coordinated by Jyotica Bhatia of Malbis Couture. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 35

Meeting Prime Minister Modi in New York

The sponsors

Acharya Rohit Joshi of North Eastern Illinois University indicated that a large number of Indian origin students study at his University and apprised Modi of their excelling in studies

Nirav Patel, Youth Convener of Midwest Overseas Friends of BJP and Co-convener of Global Indians for Bharat Vikas, met PM Modi with other youth members and renewed their invitation to him to visiting Chicago. "Modi Ji assured us he would come to Chicago when he comes to US next time," he said

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India PostCaption 35 October 17, 2014

Glittering evening of fashion show & music Jyotsna Bendapudi of DanceDil Se team and Elena Elsoukov danced to their famous Bollywood numbers. The sound & DJ segment of the evening was provided by Edwin Singh. The designated photographers of the evening were Azmi Gill of U.S Urdu News, Kamran

Fashion show

Elena Elsoukov

Photography, & V/A photography SF. Videography was by Kumar Joshi. The young dynamic duo of the evening were Nisha Gill and Rav Sastre. The Grand Sponsor of the event were Dr. Charanjit Uppal of Uppal Dental, the Platinum Sponsor Chaat Bhavan and Park Balluchi, along with Toni Sodhi of SGIC Cloud Tech, and Gold sponsor was Flavio Amaral of RE/Max. The other sponsors included Indian Chili and Ultimate Lounge, AK Divine Astro and Pamela Sahu of Eve DĂŠcor. This event Media partners were India Post, Azmi Gill of US Urdu Newspaper, 1550 AM Radio Zindagi, and INDTV USA.

Vikas Singh

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Â&#x201E; Health

Line

'Swachh Bharat should go with healthy individual' NEW DELHI: Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has called for taking forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve of a 'Swachh Bharat' as he said that clean surroundings should be complemented with the creation of a healthy individual. "Outdoor sports and activity is very essential as this ensures that the health of the nation remains good. As our Prime Minister has given a call to all of us to create a clean India, I would urge you to also build a healthy body. Clean surroundings and healthy body keep the nation fit," Sachin said as he flagged-off the CRPF 'Run for Unity' half-marathon from the JLN Stadium here. Every child, the 'Bharat Ratna' awardee said, should "get involved" in outdoor activities and sports. Sachin was one of the nine icons who were chosen by Modi to take forward the ambitious 'Swachh Bharat' or clean Indian campaign that was launched on October 2 by the Prime Minister on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. The cricketer consented to be the chief guest at the early morning event despite having a tight schedule after he came to know that the half-marathon was organized by CRPF to honor its martyrs in the 75th year of its establishment. CRPF officials said the 'master blaster' came to the national capital just for this event and he flew out in 2 hours time. -PTI

Â&#x201E; UNMC nursing college gets $300,000 grant OMAHA, Neb.: The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing has been awarded a $300,000 federal grant to provide financial support to graduate nurse practitioner students from underserved or rural Nebraska areas. Nursing professor Karen Grigsby says the grant - an Advanced Education Nursing Traineeship - is projected to help 14 or more qualified students across Nebraska in the next year. The grant comes from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration. The goal is to increase the number of primary health care providers who can deliver care to those living in areas lacking primary care physicians. The university says about half of the resident students who've graduated from the UNMC College of Nursing master's degree in nurse practitioner specialties live in rural or underserved areas. -AP

Health Science

Lung cancer can stay hidden for over 20 years Details on Page 39

37 India Post

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'Good' fat discovered that can protect against diabetes WASHINGTON: Scientists have discovered a new class of molecules - produced in human and mouse fat - that can protect against diabetes. Researchers at the Salk Institute and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston found that giving this new fat, or lipid, to mice with the equivalent of type 2 diabetes lowered their elevated blood sugar. The team also found that levels of the new lipids are low in humans with a high risk for diabetes, suggesting that the lipids could potentially be utilized as a therapy for metabolic disorders. The new lipids, called fatty acid hydroxy fatty acids, or FAHFAs, were lower in humans with early stages of diabetes and were much higher in mice resistant to diabetes. "Based on their biology, we can add FAHFAs to the small list of beneficial lipids," said Alan Saghatelian, Salk professor in the Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology and one of the senior authors of the work. "These lipids are amazing because they can also reduce inflam-

mation, suggesting that we might discover therapeutic opportunities for these molecules in inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as diabetes," Saghatelian said.

the Department of Medicine at BIDMC and the other senior author of the work, uncovered the FAHFAs when they examined the fat of a diabetes-resistant mouse model developed by Kahn. "We engineered these mice to

FAHFAs had not been noticed previously in cells and tissues because they are present in low concentrations, making them difficult to detect. Using the latest mass spectrometry techniques, Saghatelian and Barbara Kahn, vice chair of

have more of a sugar transporter, called Glut4, in their fat because we had shown that when levels of this transporter are low, people are prone to developing diabetes," said Kahn. By examining how this sugar transporter might help protect

US confirms first case of Ebola on US soil WASHINGTON: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that a Texas health care worker has tested positive for Ebola - the first case contracted on American soil. "This development is understandably disturbing news for the patient, the patient's family and colleagues and the greater Dallas community," the CDC said in a statement. "The CDC and the Texas Department of State Health Services remain confident that wider spread in the community can be prevented with proper public

health measures." The infected Dallas hospital worker helped care for Thomas Eric Duncan, a Liberian man who was diagnosed with Ebola in the United States last month and died later. The case has sparked a CDC investigation and a hunt for more health care workers who may have been exposed to the dangerous virus. "Careful monitoring of all health care workers who had interaction with the index patient and this second patient is warranted," the CDC said. The health care worker remains in isolation, it added. -AFP

against diabetes, the team noticed more fatty acid synthesis in mice that had improved insulin activity (and thereby were less likely to develop diabetes). "While many of the other lipids were essentially the same between normal mice and these diabetes-resistant mice, we saw these FAHFA lipids elevated by sixteen fold in mice that were resistant to diabetes, standing out really clearly as a big change," said Saghatelian. Once they identified FAHFAs as being the lipid that was different between normal mice and these diabetes-resistant mice, they found something else important: when the mice eat FAHFAs, blood sugar levels dropped and insulin levels rose, indicating the potential therapeutic value of FAHFAs. To determine whether FAHFAs are also relevant in humans, the team measured FAHFA levels in humans who are insulin-resistant (a condition which is often a precursor to diabetes) and found that their FAHFA levels were lower in fat and blood, suggesting that changes in FAHFA levels may contribute to diabetes. -PTI

Humpty Dumpty won't be fat any longer NEW DELHI: The popular nursery rhyme portrays Humpty Dumpty as a fat person who falls down and Jack and Jill as tumbling down a hill. Author Swati Popat Vats' has in a new book turned these rhymes around for the new age child. "Humpty Dumpty, won't be fat. Has been falling down since ages, now he would be thin and would not fall as he would be fit," says Vats whose book aims at teaching children about essential fitness. Poppat has penned nine innovative ideas in her new book titled "Fun and Fitness," for children between the ages of two and eight to follow and easily implement. Actor Dino Morea has collaborated with the author to create

awareness about fitness for children and also acts as their buddy in the book to helps them in activities that lead to a healthy and happy life. The book, says Vats, would "actually talk to the child" instead of just giving boring and monotonous lessons on the importance of physical fitness. "Today kids are not getting enough time for outdoor, physical activities. They are skipping important motor skill developments like balancing, walking, skipping, jumping, etc. These activities lead to balance, gait and physical dexterity, which help in better physical and all round health," says Vats. Cont'd on Page 39

38 India Post

Health Science Post

October 17, 2014

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France to go for plain cigarette packets in 2016 PARIS: France will introduce plain cigaUnlike Australia, however, French rette packaging in 2016, Health Minister brands will remain on the packets "but limMarisol Touraine said, as the country seeks ited to a very discreet and defined size, alto stub out high smoking rates in under-16s. ways on the same place on the packet," Following the successful introduction of according to the plan. plain packs in Australia, which the governTouraine also announced the banning ment there says has reduced consumption, of popular electronic cigarettes in certain Touraine announced a raft of measures last public places. month to tackle the scourge of smoking, which kills 200 people a day in France. One of the main planks of the strategy was plain packaging, which "should be in tobacconists at the beginning of the year 2016", the minister told French radio. France has one of the highest rates of under-16s smokers in Europe and, in addition to the plain packaging measures, Touraine also announced that smoking would be banned in playgrounds and in cars A man smokes a cigarette in Paris, holding a sample of with passengers under 12. a "plain cigarette packaging" cigarette box proposed In 2012, Australia forced all cigaby the "Alliance contre le tabac" (alliance against rettes to be sold in identical, olivetobacco) association. brown packets bearing the same typeface and largely covered with graphic Smoking is the main cause of death in health warnings. France, with 73,000 people dying each year Touraine's plan is to ensure cigarette of tobacco-related illnesses. packets are "the same shape, same size, Approximately 13 million people smoke same color, same typeset" to make smok- in France every day out of a total populaing less attractive to young smokers. tion of around 66 million. -AFP

Frozen faecal capsules may treat gut infection LONDON: Capsules containing frozen to the colon. faecal material may help clear up infections But researchers argued that this is uncaused by C difficile bacteria, scientists say. comfortable, impractical and can carry risks Clostridium difficile bacteria live harm- for patients. lessly in many people's guts alongside "The use of capsules simplifies the prohundreds of other species. But some anti- cedure immensely, potentially making it acbiotics can kill off C difficile's competitors, cessible to a greater population," said Dr allowing the bugs to multiply and produce masses of toxins. This can lead to serious diarrhoea and may be fatal. In the new study, a team of scientists from US and Israel treated 20 people with chronic C difficile infections using frozen faecal capsules. The capsules were made using faecal material from four carefully screened healthy volunC.difficile infections can result in profuse and dangerteers. ous diarrhoea Each patient was given 15 capsules on two consecutive days. Ilan Youngster from Boston Children's For 14 of the 20 people involved their Hospital, who was involved in the study. symptoms completely disappeared, with no "But while we are striving to make this recurrences in the following two months, treatment more accessible to patients it is 'BBC News' reported. important to remind people of the potenAfter another course of treatment, only tial dangers of attempting 'home brew' faetwo patients had further worrying episodes cal microbiota transplant using faecal maof diarrhoea. terial from family members or friends," Scientists have already carried out Youngster said. successful faecal transplants, a therapy The study was published in the Jourthat generally involves administering nal of the American Medical Association. fresh excrement through a tube or directly -PTI

Humpty Dumpty won't be fat any longer Cont'd from Page 37

"It is important to start young, especially when we talk of fitness we only think about exercising and this whole concept highlights the all-round development like memory, focus, thinking skills which is what is important for children," says the author.

"The book also contains tips for parents who often have to deal with various myths regarding the health of their children. Important lessons on the nutrient requirement for children and the need for exercising more than just studies have been included" Games, simple activities and colorful pictures of cartoon characters have been included in the book. "There are more pictures in the book, which would also not be a language barrier for children of any age group," says the author.

Varied simple exercises which children of every age could do, like run, jump, leap, slide with fun activities like 'bubbly bubble time', 'blowing feathers' that would indirectly be an exercise for lungs are also included. "The book also contains tips for parents who often have to deal with various myths regarding the health of their children. Important lessons on the nutrient requirement for children and the need for exercising more than just studies have been included," says the writer. "If children started early, their awareness of changes in terms of fitness would change. This book brings education and fitness together. It's a habit that they would adapt as it excites them," Moreo said during a visit here. For children in rural areas Vats says she has deployed trained teachers who would follow the steps mentioned in the book, and make the children do all the activities. There are hooplas, parachutes and balls for anganwadis. Priced at Rs 100 for the paperback edition, proceeds, says the author is set to go towards buying balls etc for aganwadis. In the future, the author says she plans to launch the book in Kannada and Hindi as well to widen its reach. -PTI

October 17, 2014

Health Science Post www.indiapost.com

Lung cancer can stay hidden for over 20 years LONDON: Lung cancers can lie dormant for over 20 years before suddenly turning into an aggressive form of the disease, a new study has claimed. Scientists studied lung cancers from seven patients - including smokers, exsmokers and never smokers. They found that after the first genetic mistakes that

cause the cancer, it can exist undetected for many years until new, additional, faults trigger rapid growth of the disease. During this expansion there is a surge of different genetic faults appearing in separate areas of the tumor. Each distinct section evolves down different paths - meaning that every part of the tumor is genetically unique. This research highlights the need for better ways to detect the disease earlier.

Two-thirds of patients are diagnosed with advanced forms of the disease when treatments are less likely to be successful, researchers said. By revealing that lung cancers can lie dormant for many years the researchers hope this study will help improve early detection of the disease. "Survival from lung cancer remains devastatingly low with many new targeted treatments making a limited impact on the disease. By understanding how it develops we've opened up the disease's evolutionary rule book in the hope that we can start to predict its next steps," study author Professor Charles Swanton, at Cancer Research UK's London Research Institute and the University College London (UCL) Cancer Institute, said. The study also highlighted the role of smoking in the development of lung cancer. Many of the early genetic faults are caused by smoking. But as the disease evolved these became less important with the majority of faults now caused by a new process generating mutations within the tumor controlled by a protein called APOBEC. The wide variety of faults found within lung cancers explains why targeted treatments have had limited success. -PTI

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40 India Post

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October 17, 2014

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India Post 41

Datebook

42 India Post

NEW YORK

NEW JERSEY

Upcoming

Upcoming Sat, Oct 18

Sun, Oct 19

• Kali Puja and Deepavali 2014 Celebrations

• Heart Hackers Live In Concert

Venue: Manalapan Englisghtown Middle School, 155 Millhurst Rd, Manalapan Township, NJ 07726 Time : 02:00 pm Contact: 732-547-2809

Venue: LYork College, 94-20 Guy R, Brewer Blvd Jamaica, NY 11451 Time : 06:00 pm Contact: 718-610-9799

Sun, Oct 19

• Diwali Dhamaka 2014 Venue: Royal Alberts Palace, 1050 King Georges Post Rd, Edison, NJ 08837 Time: 4:00 pm Contact: 732-485-7504

Sat, Nov 1 • Mega Tamil Musical Extravaganza Venue: Harrington Middle School Theater - South Jersey, NJ, 514 Mt Laurel Rd, Mt Laurel, NJ 08054 Time: 4:00 pm

Sat, Oct 25 • Annual Halloween Costume Party Venue: Pranna, 79 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016 Time : 9:00 pm

Sat, Nov 1 • 10th Annual Halloween Hangover Venue: Pranna, 79 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 908-403-7045

October 17, 2014

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Sat, Oct 18 • Smith Center Presents Adam Neiman, Pianist Venue: Smith Center at Ohlone College 43600 Mission Boulevard, Fremont Timet: 8:00 pm Contact: smithcenter.com

Sat, Oct 25 • Brahma Kumaris Silicon Valley Meditation Center, Milpitas will celebrate Diwali Venue: Jain Center, 722 S. Main St., Milpitas, CA 95035 Timet: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Contact: www.bksiliconvalley.org.

Sun, Oct 26 • Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago Organizes Fall

Banquet

Venue: 14630 S. Lemont road Homer Glen IL 60491 Time :11:00 am to 3:00 pm Contact: (708) 301-9062

Sun, Oct 26 • Marathi Movie Rama-Madhav Premiere and Meet The Director & Actress Mrinal Kulkarni Venue: Serra Theaters, 200 Serra Way, Milpitas, CA 95035 Time: 01:00 pm Contact: 5105798211

Sat, Nov 8 • Kasturi Media 5th Year Celebration Venue: Woodside High School Auditorium, 199 Churchill Ave, Woodside, CA Time: 4:30 pm. Contact: 5104024633

Sun, Nov 9 • Kalakshetras Ananda Shankar Jayant Venue: McAfee Theater, Saratoga High

Venue: Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Los Angeles, 7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 Time :04:00 pm Contact: 562-366-3649

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

School, 20300 Herriman Ave, Saratoga, CA Time: 4:00 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

Sun, Nov 16 • Red Carpet Wedding Show

ILLINOIS

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

In Brief Alabama won't publish immigration list MONTGOMERY, Ala.: Alabama has agreed not to enforce a provision of its controversial immigration law that required officials to regularly publish a list of people known to be in the country unlawfully. Lawyers for the state and groups representing immigrants filed a proposed settlement to a federal lawsuit that challenged the requirement. Critics had derided the public list as a ``scarlet letter'' provision that could subject immigrants to harassment and vigilantism. ``Alabama has finally recognized that shaming immigrants isn't just morally repugnant, it's constitutionally risky,'' said Nora Preciado, staff attorney of the National Immigration Law Center. ``We're pleased the state decided to finally close this ugly chapter in its legal history.'' Alabama politicians approved a hard-line immigration law in 2011, a year after Arizona sparked headlines and lawsuits with a similar law. State legislators revamped the law in 2012 and added a requirement for the state to regularly publish a list of people living in the state illegally who have been arrested and appeared in court. The Southern Poverty Law Center, the National Immigration Law Center and other groups filed a lawsuit in 2013 challenging the provision on behalf of four people from Mexico who were arrested for fishing without an Alabama fishing license, a misdemeanor offense. -AP

Â&#x201E; Indian Embassy in Kuwait simplifies visa procedure DUBAI: Indian Embassy in Kuwait has simplified the visa procedure for Kuwaiti nationals as well as expatriates living in the country with an aim to enhance travel to India for business, tourism, medical treatment and study purposes. The Embassy said it has issued 10,000 visas this year, as against 7,600 visas issued during the same period last year, registering a jump of 30 per cent. "The Embassy has been issuing five-year and one-year business visa (multiple entry), oneyear medical visa (multiple entry) and six-month tourist visas (multiple entry) for Kuwaiti nationals and expatriates resident in Kuwait so that they can visit India for business, tourism, medical treatment, as per their convenience," the embassy said. -PTI

Immigration 43 India Post

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October 17, 2014

Instructions on applying for DV-2016 Program Details on page 44

Oregon governor 'hurt' by fiancee's sham marriage PORTLAND, Ore.: Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber has said he was hurt when his fiancee revealed she entered into a fraudulent marriage with an immigrant in 1997, and he rejected his election challenger's demand for a special prosecutor to look into her consulting business. Kitzhaber addressed the stunning confession by his fiancee, Cylvia Hayes, for the first time in a debate with his Republican rival. The confession came just days before voters begin casting ballots in Oregon's all-mail election, complicating the Democratic governor's march toward his likely election to a fourth term next month. ``I learned this three days ago,'' Kitzhaber said at the City Club of Portland. ``I was obviously very taken aback by it and hurt. I have some processing to do on that.'' Hayes had earlier held a news conference to admit she broke the law and apologize. Hayes was a 29-year-old college student when she married an 18year-old man from Ethiopia. She said she was in need of cash at the time, and kept the marriage secret from Kitzhaber because she was

ashamed and embarrassed. Kitzhaber said it took courage for Hayes to hold the news conference, and he's proud of her. He indicated the wedding will still happen, ``hopefully soon.''

nent, state Rep. Dennis Richardson, treaded carefully on the marriage issue, trying to steer the conversation toward a story in the Willamette Week newspaper saying Hayes used her position as

Oregon Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber makes a statement before his gubernatorial debate with Republican challenger Dennis Richardson in Portland, Ore., Friday, Oct. 10. This was Kitzhaber's first public appearance since admission by his fiance, Cylvia Hayes, to violating the law in 1997 when she married an immigrant seeking to retain residency in the United States.

``This is now a very personal issue,'' Kitzhaber said. ``And we just need some time to work through this together.'' Richardson's Republican oppo-

first lady to advance her consulting business. Richardson called for Kitzhaber to appoint a special prosecutor to look into the allegations, a sugges-

tion Kitzhaber rejected. ``You can't be the governor's adviser while you take money from those that want access,'' Richardson said. Hayes has helped Kitzhaber develop his energy and environmental policy, and she also has earned money from organizations that seek to influence state policy. ``We did not violate the law,'' Kitzhaber said. ``We have simply given a modern professional woman an opportunity to continue her career.'' In the unusually spirited debate, Richardson offered his sharpest critique yet of Kitzhaber in a final push to become Oregon's first Republican governor in nearly three decades. He said Kitzhaber has presided over the ``single-most inept and unethical administration in the history of the state of Oregon.'' ``What else are we going to find out? What is still hidden?'' Richardson said. ``Oregon voters, enough is enough.'' Hayes' revelation about the sham marriage was prompted by questions from the Willamette Week. -AP

23 Hindus return to Pak from Jodhpur JODHPUR: After a group of 40 immigrants from Sangad district in Pakistan returned to the neighboring country on June 27, another batch of 23 people from Umarkot on the other side of the border boarded the Thar Express here as they went back to their homes. Like all those Hindus coming from Pakistan to India in anticipation of getting a shelter, they also had landed here in July this year and were determined to settle but they chose to go back. One of the members of this group, Kheto Singh said that it took them a year to get the visa clearance for India and paid Rs 1,500 per member instead of Rs 350, but from the moment, we landed here, we were just treated

as outsiders and were made to believe at every step that we are

not acceptable here. A group of 129 Hindus had

A group of 129 Hindus had landed in Jodhpur in July with a 20 days visa of Haridwar but willing to stay in Jaipur, they had applied for Long Term Visa (LTV) and Additional Visa for Jaipur.

landed in Jodhpur in July with a 20 days visa of Haridwar but willing to stay in Jaipur, they had applied for Long Term Visa (LTV) and Additional Visa for Jaipur. "But we were denied the same and forced to go back as our papers were not accepted," said Singh. Hindu Singh Sodha of Seemant Lok Sangthan, fighting for the welfare and citizenship related issues of these people since long, attributed this to the absence of a receiving mechanism for these people. "Neither they have been provided with any shelter here nor they find anyone on this land, who could hear their woes," Sodha said. -PTI

Immigration Post

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Instructions on applying for DV-2016 Program CYRUS D. MEHTA

n September 24, the Department of State (DOS) released instructions on how to apply for the diversity visa (DV) 2016 program. Entries for the DV-2016 DV program must be submitted electronically at http:// www.dvlottery.state.gov by noon EST (GMT-5), Monday, November 3, 2014. The agency warned: "Do not wait until the last week of the registration period to enter, as heavy demand may result in Web site delays. No late entries or paper entries will be accepted." DOS also noted that the law allows only one entry by or for each person during each registration period. DOS said it "uses sophisticated technology to detect multiple entries. Individuals with more than one entry will be disqualified." For fiscal year 2016, 50,000 diversity visas will be available. There is no cost to register for the DV Program. There are no

changes in eligibility this year. For DV-2016, natives of the following countries are not eligible to apply because more than 50,000 natives of these countries immigrated to the United States in the previous five years: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam. Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible. The DOS notice states that based on the allocations of available visas in each region and country, individuals will be randomly selected by computer from among qualified entries. All DV-2016 entrants will be required to go to Entrant Status Check using the unique confirmation number

saved from their DV-2016 online entry registration to find out whether their entries have been selected in the DV program. Entrant Status Check will be available at http:// www.dvlottery.state.gov starting May 5, 2015, through at least June 30, 2016. Those whose entries are selected will be directed to a confirmation page that will provide further instructions, including information on fees connected with immigration to the United States. Entrant Status Check will be the only means by which selectees will be notified of their selection for DV-2016. The Department of State will not mail out notification letters or

Those whose entries are selected will be directed to a confirmation page that will provide further instructions, including information on fees notify selectees by email. U.S. embassies and consulates will not provide a list of selectees. DOS noted, "You are strongly encouraged to access Entrant Status Check yourself and not to rely on someone else to check and inform you." To receive a DV to immigrate to the United States, those who are selected still must meet all eligibility requirements. "These requirements may significantly increase the level of scrutiny required and time necessary for processing for natives of some countries listed in this notice including, but not limited to, countries identified as state sponsors of terrorism," the DOS notice states. The Federal Register notice with full details is available at https://www.federalregister.gov/ articles/2014/09/24/2014-22767/ bureau-of-consular-affairs-registration-for-the-diversity-immigrant-dv-2016-visa-program.

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riety of ways and use it to convince unwitting victims of their purported authenticity. • Scammers claiming to be from the Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. They call and state that the victim's paperwork has problems and threaten to deport the victim or to send authorities to the person's home if he or she does not cooperate. They then order the person to go to the nearest convenience store, obtain merchant cards or vouchers for a certain amount of money, and provide the voucher numbers over the phone. Once the scammers obtain the voucher numbers, they disconnect the call and disappear with the victim's money.

Practitioners warn about immigration scams Immigration practitioners are warning each other, companies, and employees to avoid immigration-related scams. Types of scams reported recently include: • Scammers targeting people based on foreign-sounding names or based on information gathered about companies hiring many H1Bs. The scammers can get a lot of information from various websites, labor condition application listings from the Department of Labor, LinkedIn, social media, and other sources. Scammers are able to collect information in a va-

• Scammers claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service, who state that the victim owes back taxes and ordering them to provide merchant card or voucher numbers, then disappearing with the victim's money. • Scammers who use "Caller ID spoofing" to display a telephone number that is not really their own, and that may appear to be from a legitimate government agency. • Scammers who send e-mails claiming that the recipient is a Diversity Visa lottery winner and must send in a fee. The Department of State does not send emails to applicants. • Scammers who claim faster processing times or guarantee visas, work authorizations, or green cards, for a fee. The Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers notes that government agencies never conduct business in this manner. A call demanding money and threatening negative consequences if it's not coughed up immediately is a scam, and those receiving such calls should hang up immediately and not provide any information. USCIS notes, "USCIS will not call you to ask for any form of payment over the phone. Don't give payment over the phone to anyone who claims to be a USCIS official." Scams can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission at h t t p s : / / www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov. See also USCIS's scam information page at http://www.uscis.gov/ avoidscams to learn where to report scams. USCIS lists common

immigration-related scams at http:/ /www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams/ common-scams. Contact your ABIL attorney for more information or help in particular cases. China EB-5 category unavailable through September; Current in October The Department of State's Visa Office announced that the China employment-based fifth (EB-5) category became unavailable on August 23, 2014, and remained unavailable for the remainder of fiscal year 2014. The category again became current on October 1, 2014. The Department noted that all China EB-5 applicants who had been scheduled for an interview at an overseas post based on the original establishment of the August and September cut-off dates would have been allotted visa numbers for potential use by their case. Such applicants would not be affected by the unavailability of the China EB-5 category for the remainder of FY 2014. In this context, the Department explained, "unavailable" meant that "no additional numbers are available for 'comeback' cases originally scheduled for interview in an earlier month who are now just returning, or for those just re-

They call and state that the victim's paperwork has problems and threaten to deport the victim or to send authorities to the person's home questing an interview at this time." The only exception would be if a post had "otherwise unused" numbers available, the Department noted, because applicants either failed to appear or failed to overcome a refusal during the month (i.e., August or September) of the originally scheduled interview. The Department said in September that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices could continue to accept and process China EB-5 cases and submit them to the Visa Office in the normal manner, based on the cut-off dates announced in the August and September Visa Bulletins. However, instead of being acted upon immediately, those cases were to be held in the Visa Office's "Pending Demand" file and then authorized effective October 1, 2014.

45 India Post

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rchha in the Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh was the erstwhile capital city of the redoubtable Bundela kings. 16th and 17th century palaces and temples make Orchha, a famous tourist destination in Madhya Pradesh. Bordered by the beautiful Betwa River, Orchha reflects the sumptuousness and magnificence of the mighty Bundelas. An artificial island with the meaning a 'hidden place,' Orchha, lives up to its name. Placed in the lustrous Bundelkhand countryside, this pretty locale is bestowed with natural beauty and splendor. With its striking forts, regal palaces, poetry carved temples and chhatris, Orchha presents a matchless spectacle and is a delightful place for photographers. An effervescent city with salubrious climate and glorious past, Orchha is renowned for its world class mural paintings. The outstanding frescos on the walls of the marvelous temples and regal palace of Orcha makes the viewer spellbound. The splendor of ancient times hangs all around this historic city, and the remains of numerous palaces and havelis that withstood the beatings of time, fills the town with an air of quixotic reminiscence. Orchha is well known for its graceful monuments, which displays unique and exclusive architectural grandeur. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 47

India Post

Travel & Hospitality Post

October 17, 2014

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Delhi-Agra high speed train is Gatimaan Express NEW DELHI: The semi-high speed train that proposes to reduce traveling time between Delhi and Agra to 105 minutes will be named Gatimaan Express and will have LCD TVs installed behind each seat and emergency braking system. To be flagged off from New Delhi station next month, the train's name has been chosen because of its capability of running at 160 km per hour speed, the maximum till date in Indian Railways, a senior Railway Ministry official said. Equipped with comfortable seating arrangement, there will be eight-inch LCD TV screens installed behind each seat, the official said, adding there will also be automatic fire alarm with emer-

gency braking system and passenger information system. However, in the initial days, the passengers of Gatimaan Express will have the opportunity of watching pre-recording programs only as the live feed will be provided later on. The first semi-high speed service of the Railways is considered to be a boon for tourists visiting the city of Taj Mahal. "We have sought safety certificate from Commissioner Railway Safety to run the semi-high speed train next month as all necessary preparations are being completed now," Railway Board Chairman Arunendra Kumar told PTI. Asked when the train is scheduled to be flagged off, he said,

"The date will be decided after getting the safety certificate but certainly before November 30."

the past and all other arrangements like fencing off certain areas along the route and upgrad-

Railways have already conducted two trials of the train in

ing of signaling system are being carried out.

Equipped with a 5,400HP electric locomotive, the train will run at maximum speed of 160 km per hour and is expected to cover the 200 km distance in about 105 minutes. There are 14 new LHB AC coaches manufactured at Rail Coach Factory at Kapurthala for the train and expected to roll out by month end, said a senior Railway Ministry official. While 12 coaches will be used for daily running, two will be kept as spare ones, the official added. The train will have Executive Class and Chair Car category of seats and also catering facility. Railway authorities are also planning to launch similar trains in eight more routes including Delhi to Kanpur and Delhi to Chandigarh. -PTI

World Bank keen on funding Andhra Study shows growth in Pradesh Buddhist circuit: CM Tennessee tourism

HYDERABAD: Making tourism one of its key focus areas in its services sector mission, Andhra Pradesh government said here that the World Bank is keen on funding the state's 'Buddhist circuit'.

to attract more international tourists by establishing more attractions and promote religious, ecotourism and beach tourism. He asked officials to promote heritage sites in the state, adding

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that proposals to develop tourist circuits would be invited and the process would be made transparent. At a meeting with tourism officials at the Secretariat, he directed them to come up with suggestions

that focus should be on promoting local arts and handicrafts like Kondapalli Bommalu, Etikoppaka and Narsapuram laces. Given the popularity of food from Andhra Pradesh, he said that it must be promoted in a big way through food festivals.

He said that Kuchipudi dance could be promoted on global and local platforms by incorporating it in every program. He said that the government is looking at establishing a tourism university on the lines of those in Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland, with world-class facilities, offering a gamut of courses. The Chief Minister also directed officials to explore opportunities in partnering with various international tourism agencies to promote cross-border cultural exchange and tourism. In another development, he directed the AP health department to link Aaadhar with smart cards for pregnant women in the state. Smart cards would have details like pregnant women's hospital admission, their nutrition and medicinal course for treatment, to ensure that government scheme's benefits reach pregnant women and their infants. He said that women could be given suggestions and precautions during pregnancy through advertisements by getting celebrities to communicate the message. -PTI

Pak visa applicants using fake polio certificates ISLAMABAD: India has warned Pakistani visa applicants to refrain from producing fake polio-vaccination certificates, saying it will lead to the rejection of visa applications and a possible permanent ban on the travel to India. The Indian High Commission has issued a statement warning that such visa applications would be rejected and the applicants permanently denied entry to India.

India, a polio free country, declared polio certification as mandatory since January 30 for anyone applying for visa to its High Commission in Islamabad. "It has been reported that forged polio certificates are being submitted with India visa applications. This is a serious offence. Detection of any forged documentation would result in summary rejection of the visa application and

permanent denial of visa for future travel also," the statement said. The Indian High Commission in Pakistan said that fake polio vaccination document would result in summary rejection of the visa application and permanent ban on future visits to India. The officials already detected several forged polio certificates with visa applications which were ultimately rejected.-PTI

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.: Tennessee needs to continue supporting taxpayer advertising and marketing campaigns to continue the momentum in the state's growing tourism industry, Gov. Bill Haslam and other officials said. A new U.S. Travel study shows tourism spending in Tennessee last year grew at twice the overall inflation rate, helping to support about one of every 20 jobs in the state, according to media reports. Haslam said that the state's tourism industry grew by 3.3 percent in 2013 to more than $27 billion. The industry employs 236,200 workers in Tennessee. To sustain and grow that number, the state needs to continue to support the taxpayer advertising and marketing campaigns, Haslam told the Governor's Conference on Hospitality & Tourism. In a state with no income tax, he said, Tennessee relies heavily on sales and other taxes, and tourism is a prime generator of those revenues. Tennessee officials recently signed a five-year, $60 million contract with a Kansas City, Mo., firm to produce the ``Made in Tennessee'' tourism campaign. The marketing agency VML, which has opened a Nashville office, produced two 30-second TV commercials promoting getting

outdoors in Tennessee. The ads feature waterfalls, green rolling hills and horseback-riding amid a forest scene. The ads will play in about a dozen markets around the country Susan Whitaker, commissioner for the state Department of Tourist Development, said if tourism efforts continue to receive strong funding, they'll be able to hit their goal of putting Tennessee into the top 10 states for tourism. Right

now, in terms of revenue, Tennessee is ranked 17th. ``Tennessee's tourism industry experienced major growth in 2013 and is continuing to set new records across the state in 2014,'' Whitaker said. ``This means more dollars that can be used for education, public safety and other essential services for all the citizens of Tennessee.'' The improved statewide numbers reflect a concerted effort by a lot of people to promote Tennessee, said Greg Adkins, president and CEO of the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association. A tourism industry committee put together by Haslam, for example, has invested some $12 million over the last two years and ``has had a tremendous impact.''-AP

October 17, 2014

Travel & Hospitality Post

India Post

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ORCHHA

Splendor of ancient times with salubrious climate Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 45

Elaborately decorated monuments with domes, brackets, pillars, arch and ledges the place shows the influence of different architectural styles. A sleepy village surrounded by a woody forest, Orchha showcases the rich heritage of medieval times. This exotic city, with garish

monuments and majestic temples makes it picturesquely bobbling and fascinating. During your visit, make sure to taste "Kalakand" which is a famous sweet of Orchha.

ATTRACTIONS Chandreshekhar Azad Memorial: A monument commemorating the martyrdom of the great freedom fighter Chandrashekhar Azad, Shahid Smarak is situated at Orchha in the Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh. Though this is a contemporary testimonial, its

great historical importance, attracts large number of people. It was here the revolutionary hero of Indian independence spent his

days of exile or 'agyatvaas' in 19261927. Chhatris: Picturesquely poised on the banks of beautiful river Betwa, Chhatris in Orchha have a mesmerizing appeal. The royal tombs of Maharajas, Chhatris are placed on an elevated platform and are supported by pillars. Dauji Ki Haveli: Orchha is a hub of trading activities from very ancient times and this gave birth to the raising of a new class of people called merchants. These merchants were not only rich but also very influential among the ruling regime. The merchants used their wealth to build palatial mansions with elaborate decorations and splendid architecture. These mansions are the replicas of the royal palaces. In Orchha, there are many ornamented houses, popularly called Havelis. Raja Mahal: The royal residence of erstwhile kings of Orchha, Raja Mahal is situated in Tikamgarh district, Madhya Pradesh. Beautiful towers decorate the exterior of this magnificent palace, and outstanding mural paintings adorn the interiors. Rani Mahal: Prettily situated in the fort complex, Rani Mahal in Orchha is famous for its lovely paintings and unique architecture. Rani Mahal, which is also known as the Queen's Chamber was the royal residence of the Queen of Raja Madhukar Shah. A great devotee of Lord Ram, the queen decorated her bedroom with murals featuring scenes from the epics. L a x m i Narayan Temple: Laxmi Narayan Temple in Orchha exhibits a unique style of architecture, which is a beautiful mix of a fort and a temple moulds. The walls of this charming shrine are elaborately decorated with fabulous

mural paintings, which show pulsating compositions from mythological themes. This temple also houses the very famous post mutiny paintings. Best time to visit is October to March. March and April provide eye catching view of landscape adorned with colors of palash blossoms. HOW TO REACH

Laxmi Narayan Temple

By Train: Jhansi railway station, 16 km away from Orchha, is the nearest railway station. Jhansi is situated on the major rail route and there are regular train services to the major cities in India. By Air: Gwalior is the nearest airport to Orchha (116 km). Flight services are available to

Khajuraho, Delhi and Varanasi. By Bus: Many private and Government Transport bus services are available to reach Orchha from Jhansi (16 km). Orchha is well connected by buses with Bhopal, Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho and Gwalior. Super fast, Tourist A/C and Deluxe buses are also available.

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 48 India Post

October 17, 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

t seems Bollywood has fallen in love with the sports genre. Especially since movies like 'Mary Kom', 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag', 'Chak De India' and 'Lagaan' made it big at the box office. Joining the bandwagon now is Karan Johar. Karan has recently bought the right to make a filmy adaptation of Dhyan Chand's biopic. Karan himself broke the news to the world as he posted on Twitter, "My friends Pooja…Aarti Shetty and I are honored and proud to have the rights to tell the story of the legendary sportsman #Dhyanchand." Dhyan Chand was an Indian hockey player during the golden age of Indian hockey. He won three Olympic gold medals as the part of winning Indian Olympic team, in the years 1928, 1932 and 1936. His incredible ball control and skills earned him the nick name 'The Wizard'. Though nothing about the star cast of the film is announced officially, according to earlier reports Shahrukh Khan may be roped in to play the role of Dhyan Chand.

rjun Kapoor and Sonakshi Sinha are in a relationship! Well, this is not a publicity stunt for their upcoming film Tevar, though chachu Sanjay Kapoor can take some credit for casting these young stars in his film. It is learnt from reliable sources that the tall, dark and handsome Arjun Kapoor and the simple and beautiful Sonakshi Sinha are in love with each other. They are not just neighbors, but over the last few months, Arjun and Sonakshi have even taken holidays together and have often gone out together for films. While they have so far managed to keep their relationship under wraps from the outside world, their families and friends are aware of their relationship. Arjun and Sonakshi make for a lovely couple. Both are emotional, honest, rooted in family values and love their food.

rithik Roshan was surprised when Bang Bang broke Kick's opening day record Siddharth Anand's Bang Bang clocked in Rs 100 crore in less than five days and continues to enjoy a successful run at the box-office. The lead pair of Bang Bang - Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif, are delighted about the film's record-breaking spree at domestic and international markets. Expressing his happiness at the stupendous response to his film, Hrithik says, "Huge gratitude for all the love. It seems like times like 'Kaho Na Pyaar Hai' and 'Dhoom:2' after which I experienced a similar kind of praise and adulation. To be honest I was a little surprised when it broke the 'Krrish 3' 1st day record and 'Kick's 1st day record, as Bang Bang wasn't a solo release." Katrina too was lauded for her performance in the film. The actress says, "I am very, very happy with the response to Bang Bang. Thank you to the audience for accepting the film. It's so gratifying for the entire unit to be appreciated for all the hard work that went into creating the experience of this film."

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Philosophy

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n experience belongs to somebody, to an "I." It is understood in reference to the past, to memory, to what we already know. It still has a subject, an experiencer, and an object, something experienced. But what we are fundamentally can never be experienced, can never partake in the subject-object relationship, so we must let go of all desire for experience. What then does it mean to become more acquainted with yourself? It means you become more informed about what you are not, your body, your senses, emotions, mind. This is a movement diametrically opposed to trying to grasp hold of knowledge. It must come to you. You must listen to your body, senses and mind, a listening which demands letting go of all that you think you know, all conditioning, all patterns. As you remain in this listening, perceptions surface from what psychology would call the subconscious and superconscious. But don't give emphasis to these perceptions because to accent the perceived binds you to a subjectobject relationship. First, the accent is on the perceiver, and later you'll find the listening itself is emphasized, until finally you find yourself in this listening. Listening is the background of all that appears. It is stillness. Your body, senses, mind, and all states come and go, but you are this time-

FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE

or every strong and natural species of man, love and hate, gratitude and revenge, good nature and anger, affirmative acts and negative acts, belong together. One is good on condition one also knows how to be evil; one is evil because otherwise one would not understand how to be good. Whence, then, comes the sickness and ideological unnaturalness that rejects this doublenessthat teaches that it is a higher thing to be efficient on only one side? Whence comes the hemiplegia of virtue, the invention of the good man? The demand is that man should castrate himself of those instincts with which he can be an enemy, can cause harm, can be angry, can demand revenge. This unnaturalness corresponds, then, to that dualistic conception of a merely good and a merely evil creature (God, spirit, man); in the former are summarized all the positive, in the latter all the negative forces, intentions, states. Such a manner of valuing believes itself to be "idealistic"; it does not doubt that, in the conception of "the good," it has pos-

less presence. The idea that there is actually something to attain is deeply rooted, so we continue to live in the becoming process, projecting energy in taking or keeping something. But motiveless listening deepens the conviction that there is really nothing to gain or lose, and conditioning drops from the mind, agitation recedes and there is stillness. You are then like the fisherman

change is only superficial, then we go from one compensation to another, through all the various ideas and techniques offered by society. In looking deeply at the motive behind a certain choice, you may discover a feeling of something missing in yourself. To see what this deficiency is requires stillness, an openness free of the past. Don't let ideas, memory, tell you what you need. Be still and you

Are you saying that when one does not contradict the ego it eventually disappears? Of course. But accepting it is very important. Accept your actions, your wishes and desires. Acceptance puts you in a position of intelligence, of spontaneity, wherein the universe is set free. Everything previously restricted by your conceptions regains its natural expression. Only then is

Listening is the background of all that appears

Jean Klein

Be still and you will know the answer to your question. Looking for something, expecting something, hoping to achieve something, are all movements away from your axis to the periphery, from global consciousness to a point of view.

who controls neither the fish nor the water. He only watches. And he comes to feel that everything is contained in this looking, in this silence - there is nothing apart from it. At this moment you are at the threshold of your real being, but no amount of willing can take you across. What is it that makes me choose certain things as opposed to other things? What is the motive which brings you to a certain choice? Yes, see this very clearly. If the desired ited a supreme desideratum. At its peak, it imagines a state in which all that is evil is annulled and in which only good creatures actually remain. It does not even consider it settled that this antithesis of good and evil is conditional on the ex-

will know the answer to your question. Looking for something, expecting something, hoping to achieve something, are all movements away from your axis to the periphery, from global consciousness to a point of view. At times there is something in me that doesn't want to give up a certain choice. But if the choice is very deep, do it, undertake it, follow it. Don't refuse it. Just be aware while doing it. God," or with "salvation of the soul." The essential demand here is that mankind should do nothing evil, that it should under no circumstances do harm or desire to do harm. The way to achieve this is the castration of all possibility of enmity.

real understanding possible, since conclusions appear in you which have nothing to do with the customary process of memory. Has the person any reality? It has no reality. What is real exists in itself. This means it is autonomous, having no need of an agent to be known. Since the personality has need of consciousness to be known, it is not real. Excerpted from The Ease of Being. The 102nd birth anniversary of Jean Klein will be observed on Oct 19 Not that it grasps this: it dreams, on the contrary, that it is getting back to wholeness, to unity, to strength of life: it thinks it will be a state of redemption when the inner anarchy, the unrest between those opposing value drives, is at last put an end to.

istence of both; on the contrary, the latter should vanish and the former remain. What is it really that desires this? Much labor has been expended in all ages, and especially in the Christian ages, to reduce mankind to this half-sided efficiency, to the "good": even today there is no lack of those deformed and weakened by the church for whom this object coincides with "humanization" in general, or with the "will of

This mode of thought, with which a definite type of man is bred, starts from an absurd presupposition: it takes good and evil for realities that contradict one another (not as complementary value concepts, which would be the truth), it advises taking the side of the good, it desires that the good should renounce and oppose the evil down to its ultimate roots-it therewith actually denies life, which has in all its instincts both Yes and No.

There comes a time in the seeker's life when he discovers that he is at once the lover and the beloved. - Sri Chinmoy Let come what comes, let go what goes. See what remains. - Ramana Maharshi We all want to be famous people, and the moment we want to be something we are no longer free. -Jiddu Krishnamurti Being happy is of the utmost importance. Success in anything is through happiness. - Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

One is good on condition one knows how to be evil Perhaps there has never before been a more dangerous ideology, a greater mischief in psychologicis, than this will to good: one has reared the most repellent type, the unfree man, the bigot

India saw from the beginning, and, even in her ages of reason and her age of increasing ignorance, she never lost hold of the insight, that life cannot be rightly seen in the sole light, cannot be perfectly lived in the sole power of its externalities. - Sri Aurobindo

Friedrich Nietzsche

Perhaps there has never before been a more dangerous ideology, a greater mischief in psychologicis, than this will to good: one has reared the most repellent type, the unfree man, the bigot; one has taught that only as a bigot is one on the right path to god-hood, only the bigot's way is God's way. Excerpted from 'The Will to Power'. The 170th birth anniversary of Friedrich Nietzsche will be observed on Oct 15

Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success. - Swami Sivananda The logs of wood which move down the river together Are driven apart by every wave. Such inevitable parting Should not be the cause of misery. - Nagarjuna

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October 17, 2014

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China: An odd bedfellow to economic engagement

he inextricable interdependence of survival of China's despotic leader ship, its economic growth and stability of State-controlled Capitalism poses a curious dilemma when large democratic economies choose to expand and boost economic engagement. This is particularly so when there exists unresolved geo-strategic fissures. And yet, the overriding importance of political stability and economic growth (in that order) to China's Communist Party leadership presents an opportunity to best influence China. Of the ten bloodiest massacres in history five of them occurred in China (Qing conquest of the Ming Dynasty 1618-83, casualties 25 million; Taiping rebellion 1850-64, casualties 20 million; An Lushan rebellion 755-63, casualties 13 million; Dungan Revolt 1862-77, casualties 10 million; Chinese Civil War 1927-50, casualties 7.5 million). It can hardly be accidental that all five

stability. On the growth front China is at that stage in development when expectations and standards of living of its citizens can no longer be nourished by the diminishing sheen of the "China Price." The IMF World Economic Outlook for 2014-15 marks a downward GDP growth forecast for China to under 7 per cent by 2015 as the economy attempts to make the transition to a more sustainable path along the service and technology sectors. This relative slow down puts a poser before Beijing: the only guarantee of the passivity of the masses is a satisfied populace; dissatisfaction amongst the citizenry animated by the urge to more democracy provides the recipe for mass upheavals, so how best can the current politico-economic situation be bridled? In the meanwhile India finds itself fortuitously positioned. Politically, the Modi-dispensa-

It is of some consequence to note that in 1960; Premier Zhou Enlai had 'unofficially' offered a quid pro quo in Aksai Chin and the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA); that India accept the McCartney Line while China would abandon its claims across the McMahon Line. The time for this 'grand bargain' has perhaps arrived. were internal to China. Neither is it coincidental that this part of their grisly past is an important determinant of their resolve to suppress uprisings whether in Mao's Cultural Revolution, Tiananmen Square or indeed in the current more-democracy protests in Hong Kong. The so called "Umbrella Revolution" has thus far resisted strong arm tactics; the State buying off local tycoons and using veiled threats of the use of disproportionate force. The underlying fear of encroachment of the Party's authoritarian values on Hong Kong's way of life is at the core of dissent. Nonetheless a vacillating leadership runs the risk of being perceived as weak when withholding the impulse to action. All the while an edgy mainland China watches uneasily. The Party knows full well that to loosen grip is the first step down the slippery slope to political in-

India Post

VIJAY SHANKAR

tions has a resounding mandate and economically, there is an avowed emphasis on development, prodding an upward growth trend (indicated by the same IMF report), reaching 7 per cent by 2015 - a combination of both factors provides the vehicle to not just influence Sino-Indian relations but also to resolve our prickly border predicament. According to a study by the PHD Chamber of Commerce, an industry trade group in New Delhi, China has become India's largest trading partner and in the wake of Premier Xi Jinping's recent visit to India, targeting bilateral trade of over US$100 billion is not only achievable but also would make India amongst China's top five trading partners. Economic intertwining comes with its own set of tilting levers which may be actuated to mutually settle the tricky border situation. It must be kept in perspective that the 3,225 km border (un-

demarcated in the main) has been influenced historically by considerable cartographic jugglery. Significant to the boundary situation are the Johnson Line of 1865 which placed the Aksai Chin in Kashmir (which the British never took seriously); and the McCartney-MacDonald Line of 1899 which showed Aksai Chin as Chinese. China was not a signatory to either of these frontier delineations. However, by the second decade of the 20th century as both China and Russia lapsed into turmoil the Raj sensed a closure to the 'Great Game' and the border was redrawn to the original territorially favorable Johnson Line. At the time of India's independence in 1947, the Johnson Line in the north and the McMahon Line in the east, also not ratified by China, were inheritances of the partition award. Both independent India and China harbored no apparent conflicting territorial claims. But the annexation of Tibet in 1950 and the consequent moves aimed at strategic consolidation of the Aksai Chin to conform to the McCartneyMacDonald Line presaged the coming armed clash of 1962. It is of some consequence to note that in 1960; Premier Zhou Enlai had 'unofficially' offered a quid pro quo in Aksai Chin and the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA); that India accept the McCartney Line while China would abandon its claims across the McMahon Line. The time for this 'grand bargain' has perhaps arrived. Geopolitics and international relations are often greatly influenced by timing events to capitalize on circumstances. For India to consider on the one hand strategic estrangement of China while on the other intensify economic engagement, at a time when Beijing faces the prospects of a slow down in growth coupled with restiveness amongst its citizens is to miss the opportunity to bring about stability on our borders and indeed in relations. In turn this can only spur growth, which for both nations is currently most desirable. The time to resurrect Zhou's 'grand bargain' is at hand and as Mark Twain put it, "history doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." The writer is former Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command of India. Courtesy IPCS

Nobel regret

he Western bias of the Nobel Prize Awarding Committee of Norway is obvious from the fact that it gave the Nobel Peace Prize to Barack Obama even as he had just begun his first innings as US President and denied it to Mahatma Gandhi who had been nominated for the Peace Prize five times. Expressing regret for that big miss, Executive Director of the Nobel Foundation in Sweden Michael Sohlam says the decision not to extend the prize to Mahatma Gandhi was a mistake. As if to make amends for that mistake, they have chosen an Indian Kailash Satyarthi for the Peace Prize which he shares with Pakistan's Malala Yousafzai this year for showing great personal courage in "their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children" to schooling, says the Norwegian Nobel Committee in its Award citation. It is being said that in later years, members of the Nobel Committee publicly regretted about their act. In 1989, when Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Dalai Lama, they even termed it a tribute to the memory of Mahatma Gandhi. After Satyarthi's Nobel award when asked about the whole matter, a Norwegian historian named Oivind Stenersen was quoted by Wall Street Journal as saying, "It's always had a guilty conscience because Gandhi didn't get the prize and we know the committee has been looking for an Indian for quite some time". In 1993, F W de Klerk, the last president of South Africa in the apartheid regime, and Nelson Mandela were named for the award for their work for ending the apartheid regime. Next year, Israeli leaders Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin shared the honors with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for their work in reducing tensions in the Middle East. While in 1997 John Hume (Northern Ireland) and David Trimble (Britain) won the peace prize for their efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Northern Ireland. The Peace Award this time has also been given in the same pattern as being shared between two warring nations or communities to influence and persuade them towards peace. There is an obvious symbolism in awarding the prize jointly to an Indian and a Pakistani. Announcing the prize, the committee chairman, Thorbjorn Jagland, said it was important for "a Hindu and a Muslim, an Indian and a Pakistani, to join in a common struggle for education and against extremism." The Indian and Pakistani relationship is a curious one. It functions simultaneouly on several levels. While the politicians mouth abuse at each other and the two armies fight, there is an increase in cultural exchanges with Indian and Pakistani exhibitions being staged in the two countries. While indian films are a big draw in Pakistan, the recent trend of Pakistani actors excelling in Bollywood sends a message that at the people-to-people level there is great bon homie. If cricket had once been the breaker of barriers, it is the films which are doing the job today. Pakistan TV serials and their musicians are also extremely popular in India. Mr. Satyarthi, who leads the nonprofit Save the Childhood Movement, says that he thought the prize carried a pointed message: "It has to be read between the lines - not by the governments alone, but by the public in general, by every Indian citizen and every Pakistani citizen." The award for Satyarthi has however come as a surprise as he is not very well known in India though he has won many international awards many of which come from evangelical organizations. It has been pointed out that there are many others who are working on child rights. Jaya Jaitley, in an NDTV interview, said Swami Agnivesh, who Satyarthi "trained with" was the one who brought this issue to the fore and was the prime mover. But can a saffron-clad "Hindu" be given the Nobel?

October 17, 2014

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