Indiapost 10 18 2013

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Finance Minister P. Chidambaram with the US Secretary for Treasury Jacob J. Lew

Chidambaram apprises Lew of visa concerns

VOL 19, No. 996

October 18, 2013

50¢

Periodical Postage

UN PRAISES ODISHA FOR HANDLING CYCLONE

Details on page 7

Obama consults Indian-American businessman Details on page 11

Hindu Unity Day celebrated with pomp & dignity

Kejriwal to hang out with US supporters

Details on page 16 Details on page 8

Two appointed Vivekananda Chair Professors

Indian youth wins prestigious UN award

Details on page 18

Details on page 8

Miss Universe apologizes for Taj insult

CONTENTS Bollywood -------------------------- 31 Classifieds ------------------------- 47

Details on page 34

Community Post -------------- 16-25 Date Book -------------------------- 48

INDIA POST SURVEY survey@indiapost.com

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

DISASTER AFTER DISASTER: An aerial view of an area flooded by heavy rains in the aftermath of Cyclone Phailin in Balasore, Odisha on October 14

This week’s question

Is Naveen Patnaik better option than Modi?

Last week’s result

Will Amjad Ali Khan remarks affect racial profiling?

YES 32%

NO 68%

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha government's "effective" management of the very severe cyclonic storm Phailin, which hit the state's coast on October 12, has earned praise from the United Nations, official sources said here.

"Odisha's handling of the very severe cyclone will be a landmark success story in disaster management," Margareta Wahlström, Special Representative of the UN

HealthScience Post --------- 50-52 Horoscope ------------------------- 46

Secretary General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction said, according to an official of the Chief Minister's Office here.

Wahlstrom, the official said, spoke to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over phone and appreciated efforts of the state government and others for effectively evacuating and protecting precious lives.

Immigration Post ------------- 44-45

Details on page 5

Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 40-43

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

Life Style ----------------------- 34-35 Philosophy ------------------------- 53 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 32-33 TechBiz Post ------------------- 12-14

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October 18, 2013

October 18, 2013

Property Show (Advertorial)

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Fairpro showcases premium projects by top builders VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

SANTA CLARA, CA: Organized by India's No.1 property portal, indiaproperty.com, and backed

by the impeccable credentials of CREDAI Chennai, FAIRPRO USA had reputed builders from Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kerala to showcase their property in first of a kind "Largest South Indian property exhibition" at Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara on Oct 12 and 13.

Credai Fairpro 2013 International showcased premium projects by 25 plus top builders across South India. This exhibition offered prospective buyers a comprehensive snapshot of the South India property market as a whole.

In FAIRPRO there was a unique triple advantage of Fair prices, Fair deals, and Fair practices guaranteed by CREDAI. FAIRPRO's commitment was to offer fair and genuine deals for those aspiring to own or invest in a property.

Here are few hot properties in Chennai, the perfect choice for the discerning home buyers to compare, review and buy the best property of their choice from the

following builders: 1. Amarprakash Developers Pvt Ltd. Location: Pal Riviera, Temple Waves, Royal Waves, Suncity, Chrompet: Chennai. Price Range: 20 lakhs to 40 lakhs.

Website: www.amarprakash.in 2. Arun Excello. Location: Estancia, Temple Green, Elders

tion: Asvini Atvarika, Asvini Amanya, Asvini Akila Heights, Asvini NRD Towers: Avadi, Sembakkam, Kelambakkam, Nellikuppam. Price range: 18 lakhs to 80 lakhs.

Website: www.asvini.com 4. BBCL. Location: Navarathina, Ashraya, Prakriti, Sukriti, Vajra, Srishti: Ambattur, OMR, Thiruverkadu, T.Nagar, Kolapakkam.

Website: www.bccl.in 5. Devinarayan Housing and Property Development Pvt Ltd. Location: Templegate, Sai Sagar, Aquarelle, Aikya, Windmere, Vaishnovi: Kottur, Adyar, Kanathur, Kilpauk, Karapakkam, Thirumullaivoyal. Website: www.devinarayan.com 6. Elysium Properties. Location: Villa Primero, Casa Del Sol: Coimbatore.

Website: www.elysium.in 7. Indua. Location: Anantya, Oasis, Golden Lotus: Chennai, Bangalore, Madurai. Website:

Eco Enclave; Price range: 20 lakhs onwards.

Website: www.arunexcello.com 3. Asvini Foundations. Loca-

www.induscity.in 8.Isha Homes. Location: Aarambha, Armonia, MIA villas Trichi, Coimbatore, Chennai. Price

Range: 15 lakh to 1.4 crore.

9. Jain Housing and Constructions. Location: Sukriti, Inseli park, Surabhi, La Verde Marea: Chennai. Website: www.jainhousing.com

ers, Elite-Nungambakkam, Chennai.

Website: www.newry.co.in 16. Olympia. Location: Opaline Sequel, Panache, Grande OMR, GST Road, Chennai.

10. Landmark Housing. Location: Chennai.

Website: www.ourlandmarks.com 11. L&T Realty.

Location: Crescent Bay, Emerald Isle, Eden Park Mumbai, Chennai.

W e b s i t e : www.Lntrealty.com 12. Mantri. Location: Serene, Signature Villas - Chennai, Bangalore. Price Range: 80 lakhs onwards. Website: www.mantri.in 13.

Mangal Home Builders. Location: Trichi.

W e b s i t e : w w w. m a n g a l home.com 14. Navin's. Location: Hillview, Eden Park, Srishti, Whiteberry, Startwood, Springfields, Jayaran - Chennai.

Website: www.navins.in 15. Newry. Location: Park Tow-

Website: www.olympiagroup.in 17. Ruby Builders. Location: Elite, Pride, Flamingo-Chennai.

Website: www.rubybuilders.in 18. Ramky Wavoo Developers.

Location: Atlantis, Grand Corridor, Chennai 56 - Chennai.

Website: www.rwd.in 19.Sidharth Foundations and Housing. Location: Upscale, Dakshin, the nest - Chennai.

W e b s i t e : www.sidharthhousing.in 20. Sumanth & Co. Location: Sri Sudarshan, Serenity, Sastha, Fairways, Retreat, Sundaram Chennai.

Website: www.sumanthco.com 21.VGN. Location: Coasta, Stafford, Brixton - Chennai.

Website: www.vgn.in 22.Vishwaskarma. Location: Skypark Residences Skypod Velachery, Chennai. Website: www.vishwakarmaproperties.com 23. Akshaya. Location: Orbit, Republic, Today, Metropolis GST Road, OMR, Porur Chennai.

Website: www.akshaya.com

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October 18, 2013

IndiaNewsweekly Post Mission Statement To empower the Indian Diaspora and make their voice strong and effective in countries of their adoption. RJ Media conglomerate offers a credible, professional and complete package of news, opinion, entertainment, networking and information.

Publisher’s Diary

T

here are some things that are so peculiarly Indian that one can almost image-associate them whenever the name India crops up. Like, it took India so many decades to shake off to a great extent the image of snake charmers and elephants and pot-smoking sanyasis. But a new image that is likely to stick now - and Bollywood can wait - is that of stampedes.

No, I am not being frivolous about this. The unfailing recurrence of stampede deaths in India during one festival or the other and be it a temple in the north or south of the country, stampedes have become as routine as the festivals themselves.

Last week, more than 100 people died in a stampede over a bridge across the Sindh River in Madhya Pradesh which devotees were attempting to cross over to attend a temple festival.

This is the same bridge where more than 50 people died in a stampede that occurred for the same temple festival, last year. That's more than one can afford for a coincidence.

It's crazy. Each time a temple stampede occurs, it's not just a few people to count, but hundreds of them that die ridiculously meaningless deaths. And one need not even mention it, but time and again it's always the poor people who seem to trap themselves into this insanity in the name of religion and devotion.

So okay, the numbers are unmanageable. After all, how much can the authorities do? But maybe it's what they should not do that triggers such tragedies. I am referring to the almost invariable mention of a police lathi charge at such sites that seems to be either causing or aggravating the situation.

What that tells me is the utterly callous attitude that the authorities have towards the poor, the utter lack of value for the lives of the poor, and the total lack of any sensitivity training to the police.

Can we philosophize that perhaps this was divine ordinance? No, not in 2013, because if they can predict cyclones and manage to save lives, surely, they can anticipate and manage a festival crowd.

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Lovaria Singh Ranveer Singh says he can't take his eyes off his Ram Leela costar Deepika, so stunning she looks on camera!

Cover Story: Praise for Odisha Odisha government's "effective" management of the cyclonic storm Phailin has earned praise from the United Nations

Community: Hindu Unity Day The 19th Hindu Unity Day was celebrated with pomp, dignity and lot of enthusiasm in New York

31 1 16

Immigration: New UK laws Bank managers and landlords in Britain would be forced to take part in checks for illegal immigrants under new laws

Life Style: Offence at Taj Miss Universe Olivia Culpo has apologized on posing for cameras with branded shoes during her visit to Taj Mahal

Techbiz: Banking reforms Governor Raghuram Rajan tells US the RBI will soon come out with major reforms in the banking sector

Travel: Araku Valley Araku Valley is famous for its scenic gardens, valleys, waterfalls and still remains unspoiled by commercialism of tourism.

44 34 12 40

Cover/Top Stories

October 18, 2013

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UN praises Odisha for handling cyclone BHUBANESWAR: Odisha government's "effective" management of the very severe cyclonic storm Phailin, which hit the state's coast on October 12, has earned praise from the United Nations, official sources said here.

"Odisha's handling of the very severe cyclone will be a landmark success story in disaster management," Margareta WahlstrĂśm,

Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction said, according to an official of the Chief Minister's Office here.

Wahlstrom, the official said, spoke to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over phone and appreciated efforts of the state government and others for effectively evacuating and protecting pre-

cious lives.

The state government, which fixed the target of "Zero Casualty" during the cyclone, had earlier said it had evacuated as many as 9,83,553 people from the coast.

Chief Minister Patnaik had expressed satisfaction over proper handling of the cyclone and said "We have been successful in saving and protecting precious

lives."

While as many as 9,885 people had died in the super cyclone which hit Odisha coast in 1999, this time the casualty figure was confined to 21, official sources said.

Of the above 9 lakh people evacuated from the coastal regions, about 2.5 lakh were shifted from Ganjam district, where the

cyclone made landfall at about 9 pm on October 12.

Ganjam's young collector Krishan Kumar said "It was hard to convince people in the coastal areas to move out. We started the evacuation process on October 11 at about 4 pm."

The eviction work was completed much before the cyclone's landfall, Kumar added.

Naveen visits Phailin hit areas Relief and restoration work BHUBANESWAR: With the state's power infrastructure badly hit due to cyclone Phailin, Odisha government has decided to immediately purchase some high- powered generators for water supply

quest the Centre to enhance kerosene quota for the state due to electricity problems in the state.

As most of the affected people in Gopalpur area of Ganjam district were fishermen, Patnaik di-

This apart, government was planning one-time assistance for self-help groups affected by the cyclone.

Earlier, Patnaik met people at Gopalpur, Chhatrapur and

on in flood-it Odisha BHUBANESWAR: Relief and restoration work has been stepped up in areas ravaged by twin calamity of Cyclone Phailin and resultant floods in Odisha which has affected over 1.2 crore people in more than 16,000 villages and claimed 26 lives.

Of 26, five people died in floods.

Patnaik has decided not to celebrate his birthday in view of the calamities, official sources said.

Describing the situation caused by sudden floods in five districts following cyclone induced heavy rains as "grave", Revenue and Disaster Management Minister S N Patro said over 75,000 people were still marooned in flood-hit Balasore and Jajpur districts.

Cyclone and floods had affected around 1.2 crore people in

Bahanaga, Aupada, Simulia, Nilagiri and Soro areas of Balasore district, the flood situation was still grim in Basta, Bhogarai, Jaleswar and Baliapal areas where river Subarnarekha was in spate.

The number of marooned persons has come down from over 2.5 lakh to around 75,000 - 68,000 in Balasore and 7,000 in Jajpur districts, Special Relief Commissioner P K Mohapatra said.

Air dropping of food packets was stopped in view of substantial wastage and relief materials were now being sent by boats to flood-hit areas, he said.

Patro said besides flooding many areas in Balasore, the Budhabalang had inundated 10 blocks in neighboring Mayurbhanj district. Besides Baripada, the district headquarter

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik meeting affected people during a visit to cyclone-hit areas of Berhampur in Odisha on October 14 to oversee relief work

among the affected people, official sources said.

The decision was taken at a meeting after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik returned from a visit to the cyclone hit Ganjam district.

"It will take some time to restore power in Ganjam district," Patnaik told reporters on his return.

Noting that relief and restoration work was the priority of the state government, he said he has requested the Centre to support the state government to restore power supply.

The Chief Minister was moved by the drinking water scarcity in the affected areas.

Patnaik has issued a direction to install high-power generators in both urban and rural areas to overcome problems of power during the calamities.

This apart, Patnaik also said the state government would soon re-

rected the officials to prepare a special package for the assistance of them.

Rangelunda area and saw the condition of Berhampur town, Chikiti, Hinjili and Kanisi from air.-PTI

Lord Paul praises handling of cyclone BEACONSFIELD, England: Lord Swraj Paul has praised the Indian authorities for their superb handling of Cyclone Phailin and announced a contribution of Rs 25 lakh for relief and rehabilitation of the affected people.

"The efforts of the state and central authorities, including the defense forces, to limit the casualties was truly amazing. I saw their work with pride and admiration on TV channels," the NRI industrialist said in a statement from his country residence here.

Lord Paul said that he would be sending a contribution of Rs

Lord Swraj Paul

25 lakh for those affected by the cyclone. -PTI

Relief food materials being loaded inside the Aircraft, at Bhubaneswar, Odisha

16,487 villages of 2009 gram panchayats and 43 urban local bodies spread over 148 blocks of the state, he said.

While standing crops over 6,25,408 hectare area had been destroyed, 3,33,070 houses were damaged due to both the calamities, the minister said.

Stating that more than 9.9 lakh people had been evacuated ahead of the cyclone that made a landfall at Gopalpur in Ganjam district on Oct 12 night, Patro said 1,12,241 people were evacuated in flood-hit areas.

Though water level in the river Budhabalang was receding in

town of Mayurbhanj, Betanati and Badasahi blocks had been severely hit in the floods.

Stating that the cyclone had left a trail of destruction in the vast coastal belt, particularly in the worst-hit Ganjam, the minister said the south Odisha district was faced with severe power crisis and acute drinking water problem.

While electricity had been restored partially in six blocks of Ganjam, restoration would not be easy in the rest of the areas. The entire infrastructure would have to be rebuilt, he said.

Cont’d on page 6

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October 18, 2013

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PM felicitates kin of 20 Uttarakhand brave hearts NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh felicitated kin of 20 bravehearts who lost their lives during relief and rescue operations in flood-ravaged Uttarakhand.

At a special function organized on Oct 4 on the occasion of 9th Foundation Day of National Disaster Management Authority Prime Minister Manmohan Singh honoring kin of 20 bravehearts who lost their lives in Utta rakhand

Relief and restoration work on in flood-it Odisha Cont’d from page 5

Extensive damage had also been caused to power and water supply system in Brahmagiri and Krushnaprasad areas of Puri district and Daspalla area of Nayagarh district.

Meanwhile, a team led by Chairman of the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (OPTCL) has left for Ganjam district for on the spot assessment of the situation before initiating concrete steps for restoration of electricity distribution which in turn would ensure water supply.

Relief and rescue operation was now in full swing in Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Keonjhar districts which had also come under the surging flood waters as major rivers like Subarnarekha, Budhabalang, Baitarani and Jalaka were in spate, official sources said.

Teams from Army, Navy and IAF besides NDRF and ODRAF were deployed for rescue and relief operations in the flood-hit areas in the state.

Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Central), Aravind Padhee camped in Balasore to monitor relief work.

In Jajpur district, 102 villages under 34 gram panchayats of three blocks were affected by flood in river Baitarani, district Collector Anil Samal said.

As normalcy is returning in many cyclone affected areas of coastal Odisha, East Coast Railway (ECoR) has fully resumed its train services after the tracks have been cleared, a senior railway official said.-PTI

2500 NDMA PERSONNEL DEPLOYED NEW DELHI: NDMA has de-

ployed nearly 2500 personnel of the National Disaster Response Force in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal.

Nearly 4.4 lakh people have been evacuated from danger zones so far in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. "This might be the second biggest evacuation exercise undertaken since 1990 when six lakh people were evacuated in Andhra Pradesh," National Disas-

(NDMA), the Prime Minister felicitated family members of the 20 brave hearts belonging to Indo Tibetan Border Police, National Disaster Response Force and Indian Air Force, who died in a helicopter crash during rescue operations.

Rs 2 lakh has been given to family members of each of the victim.

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Minister of State for Home Affairs M Ramachandran and National Disaster Management Authority Vice-Chairman M Shashidhar Reddy were present on the occasion. The Prime Min-

quire collaboration between different stakeholders to be able to address all concerns appropriately.

UN Resident Coordinator in India Lise Grant complimented the efforts of the Centre and said India was one of the five countries which was demonstrating progress with respect to addressing disaster management in a holistic manner in the past decade as per a recently conducted UN survey.

In a session on 'Extreme Weather Events', participants focused on how best science and technology can be leveraged to

equipped with satellite phones and wireless sets to maintain smooth communication.

NDRF RESCUE WORK Over 30 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are continuing rescue and relief operations in Odisha. Most of the important roads have been

M Shashidhar Reddy, Vice Chairman NDMA, addressing the session

ister is the Chairman of NDMA. Later, addressing a session, NDMA member V K Duggal said the floods in Uttarakhand were unprecedented and an eye-opener and the disaster indicated the vulnerability and risk profile of the Himalayan states.

Uttarkhand Minister Yashpal Arya said the effort for rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery was challenging and would re-

address the gaps that exist at present while dealing with disasters.

Chairing the session, NDMA Vice-Chairman Reddy stressed on the need for better observational and forecasting capabilities. He said there was a need to move away from the approach of small incremental increases and focus on total requirements in terms of highest standards.-PTI

Army Jawans restoring power in cyclone affected area of Gopalpur in Odisha

ter Management Authority ViceChairman M Shashidhar Reddy told reporters here.

He said over 50 rescue teams with nearly 2,000 personnel have been put in place in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.

29 teams of NDRF have been deployed along with rescue equipment in Odisha. In Andhra Pradesh, 15 teams have been deployed and four additional teams are also being rushed from Tamil Nadu, while seven teams have been deployed in West Bengal.

The teams have been

opened and made motorable after removing fallen trees and reerecting electric poles. Major damage is due to thatched huts, fallen trees and disruption in power and telecommunications.

Over 78,000 fishermen were not allowed to go in the sea so they were compensated with 10kg of rice. In all 1073 relief camps are working in Orissa.

In Andhra Pradesh, NDRF teams are continuing rescue and relief operation at Srikakulam, Vishakapattnam, Vijay Nagram, East Godavari and West Godavari.

135 relief camps are in operation.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narenda Modi performs worship of weapons of NSG and SPG commandos on the occasion of Vijaya Dashmi

Top Stories

October 18, 2013

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Chidambaram apprises Lew of concerns over visas WASHINGTON: Finance Minister P Chidambaram met his American counterpart Jack Lew and raised concerns of Indian IT companies on visa issues in the comprehensive immigration reform bill which is currently under the consideration of the Congress.

Lew, who led the American delegation for the annual India-US Economic and Financial Partnership meeting, is understood to

they will try and see how far they can go to assuage the fears and concerns of the Indians on this," he said.

The meeting held at the IMF headquarters in Washington, instead of the Treasury building because of the ongoing government shutdown lasted for about an hour.

"There was a broad spectrum of discussion between the Finance Minister and the Secretary

"We also discussed the opportunities which exist for increasing the investments from the US in India, especially in infrastructure and also the new opportunity which may be available to US banks to expand their operations in India" have assured Chidambaram that he would work towards addressing concerns of the Indian IT companies, particularly those related to H-1B and L-1 visas, within the limitations of US laws and system, a top Indian official said.

"Our Finance Minister raised the concerns that we have with regard to the visa issues, which is presently of great concern to IT companies and also on issues related to FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), which is likely to come to operation shortly as one of the US laws," Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram told PTI immediately after the meeting.

of Treasury. It covered the entire gamut of economic and financial relationship which included areas of anti-money laundering and financing for terror," Mayaram said.

"We also discussed the opportunities which exist for increasing the investments from the US in India, especially in infrastructure and also the new opportunity which may be available to US banks to expand their operations in India," he said.

Broadly there was this understanding that there will be deepening of the relationship between the two countries, Mayaram said.

Chidambaram and Lew also

the issues of taxation and intellectual property rights.

"The Finance Minister explained to them how our laws are fully complaint with the WTO (World Trade Organization) and that the decisions of the Government of India on several issues including compulsory licensing were very much in line with international practice," Mayaram said.

-PTI

STEPS TO BOOST GROWTH, REVIEW ECONOMIC TIES An official Indian statement after the meeting said India and the US have agreed that sound macroeconomic policies, structural reforms and strong prudential frameworks will help boost economic growth, as the two countries reviewed bilateral economic ties.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram held discussions with his American counterpart Jack Lew on bilateral economic cooperation as part of the fourth annual meeting of the India-US Economic and Financial Partnership.

"They (Chidambaram and Lew) agreed that sound macroeconomic policies, structural reforms and strong prudential frameworks will help us increase resilience to financial market volatility and boost economic growth."

"In the meeting, the two leaders discussed recent economic

India's Finance Minister P. Chidambaram with the US Secretary for Treasury Jacob J. Lew in Washington DC on October 13

mutual understanding of the challenges that both the economies face," the statement said.

The details of the discussion were also reflected in an India-US joint statement.

Chidambaram and Lew held their meeting at the IMF headquarters in Washington as the meeting could not be held at the

Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram alongwith the Indian delegation participating in the Indo-US Economic and Financial Partnership Dialogue held during his recent visit to Washington D.C.

"Secretary Lew carefully noted our concerns. They have assured us that within the limitations of the US system and the US laws

decided that they will meet next year in India to continue the dialogue further, he said.

From the US side, Lew raised

and financial developments in our two economies and in the world at large, including US fiscal policy.

The leaders appreciated that the Partnership has improved their

Department of Treasury because of the ongoing government shutdown.

The meeting was attended by

US Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke, Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan, Securities Exchange Board of India Chairman U P Sinha and US Treasury Undersecretary Lael Brainard, among others.

The two delegations discussed the importance of investment for driving economic growth and job creation in their economies and ways to improve enabling environments to mobilize investment, especially for the financing of infrastructure.

In view of the commitment by US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh towards a high standard bilateral investment treaty (BIT), Lew and Chidambaram agreed to on increased engagement by experts from both governments.

The two underlined the need for expeditious progress to address all trade and investment policy issues of bilateral concern so as to remove obstacles and improve the business environment in both countries, the Indian statement said.

Chidambaram and Lew agreed to deepen their cooperation bilaterally and also at the multilateral fora, including the G-20, to achieve reforms for stronger, more sustainable and more balanced growth.

Cont’d on page 10

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Kejriwal to hang out with US, Canadian supporters WASHINGTON: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal plans to hold hang outs with his supporters in the US and Canada later this month, seeking contribution from the Indian Diaspora to nation building.

Kejriwal would hold the hang outs on October 20, a statement issued through Bay Area chapter of AAP, USA said.

"We see expatriate Indians as an integral part of India. They have plenty to contribute to the country in terms of know-

how and expertise in every possible field imaginable," Kejriwal said in the statement.

"Most importantly, they are eager to give back to their mother land. We will leave no stone unturned when it comes to tapping into this resource," he said.

"I am looking forward to hosting this special get together at my home with my friends and family. They are keen on hearing Arvind first hand. I am sure this will have a ripple effect as they carry AAP's message to their respective circle of friends," AAP volunteer in US, Mohan Thirumalai, said.

We anticipate a significant turnout with thousands of attendees as volunteers reach out to their respective networks, a Chicago-based organization development consultant, Shalini Gupta said.

Formally launched in November 2012, the party is contesting its first election - the assembly polls in Delhi - in December 2013.

-PTI

Indian youth wins prestigious UN award UNITED NATIONS: A young man from India is among 10 people from around the world selected for a prestigious United Nations award in recognition of their work as entrepreneurs and use of technology to change the world.

The recipients of the 10 Young Innovators Competition organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom come from a wide range of countries including India, Uganda and Vietnam and have worked on diverse issues such as marine protection, reduction of food

Varun Arora

waste and immigration.

"These are bright young minds with creative technological solutions to developmental challenges both in their communities and in the wider world," said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Toure.

The winner from India is Varun Arora who created 'Open Curriculum', an online platform for local educational material for standard, primary and secondary schooling.

The UN competition is open to young social entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 26 and seeks innovative digital solutions in the form of start-ups or initial concepts meeting global developmental challenges.-PTI

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Indians charged in Australia over phone app sex trap MELBOURNE: Two Indian men have been charged for allegedly using a chat application to blackmail, abduct and rape an Australian woman.

Ajit Pal Singh, 31, was charged with abduction, unlawful confinement, an act of indecency and three counts of sexual intercourse without consent.

Co-defendant Randhir Singh, 20, was charged with abduction, two acts of indecency without consent, two counts of sexual intercourse without consent and unlawfully detaining the woman.

Now police are warning mobile phone users to take care with social networking applications after the incident, 'The Canberra Times reported.

Detective Senior Constable Peter Maguire told the ACT Magistrates Court that the woman accepted a friend request on September 25 on Tango chat from a man who purported to be 24 years old through the mobile application.

Detective Senior Constable Maguire said police were still investigating who wrote the messages but suspect they became sexual in nature after the woman agreed to meet the man at Kippax Fair shopping centre on September 26.

When the woman arrived at Kippax she saw three Indian men in a car but did not go to greet them. One of the men, Randhir Singh, allegedly got out of the car and approached the woman inside the shopping centre.

NRI shot dead in Philippines JALANDHAR: A 24-year-old NRI was shot dead by unknown assailants in the Philippines, locals from his native village here said.

The death of Amrik Singh (24), hailing from Lallian Khurd village here, was confirmed by his mother, Daljit Kaur.

"I heard about my son's death from another person from the village, Gurmukh, who is living there (in the Philippines). He told us that Amrik was fatally shot by three motorcycle-borne assailants," a distraught Kaur said.

Amrik's killing follows the gunning down of another NRI, Jaswinder Singh (38), who was attacked by unidentified gunmen on a national highway in the Philippines on Sept. 24.

Jaswinder, a native of Haripur village in Adampur, was cremated here. Efforts are, meanwhile, being made to bring back Amrik's body, a local said.

Villagers have demanded that the Centre raise the issue of the fatal attacks against NRIs with the Philippines government.

In another incident, in August, another NRI, Ramandeep Singh Gill, also hailing from Punjab, was gunned down by unidentified assailants at a beach resort in the Philippines. -PTI

It was alleged Ajit Pal Singh told the woman if she did not comply the photographs would be shown to her husband. Detective Senior Constable Maguire said CCTV footage from Kippax Fair shopping centre corroborated the woman's story

When she refused to go with him he allegedly told the woman he knew she was married and would show the messages to her husband. He is also alleged to have correctly identified the high school her child attended and made a threat about the child's safety and welfare.

On the drive from Kippax to Belconnen she was allegedly sexually assaulted.

The court heard she was then driven to the Altitude Apartments on Chandler Street in Belconnen where she was taken into a unit and allegedly sexually assaulted individually by one defendant and then

the other.

The first encounter was photographed and these photographs were allegedly used to coerce the woman to perform further sexual acts with the second man.

It was alleged Ajit Pal Singh told the woman if she did not comply the photographs would be shown to her husband.

Detective Senior Constable Maguire said CCTV footage from Kippax Fair shopping centre corroborated the woman's story.

He said police were still attempting to locate the third man. -PTI

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Steps to boost growth, review economic ties Cont’d from page 7

"They also reaffirmed the importance of enhancing the credibility, legitimacy and effectiveness of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the urgent

tain it at 3.7 per cent of the GDP or USD 70 billion in the current fiscal. The CAD, which is the difference between inflow and outflow of foreign exchange, had touched an all time high of 4.8 per cent of the GDP or USD 88.2 billion a year ago.

Union Finance Minister, P Chidambaram, speaks at an event to announce the first closure of IDFC’s Second Infrastructure Fund in Washington

need to ratify the 2010 IMF Quota and Governance Reform," statement said. -PTI

READY FOR DIFFICULT DECISIONS ON DEFICIT During an intervention at the IMF Committee plenary meeting, Chidambaram said India is committed to contain fiscal and current account deficits and the government will not hesitate to take difficult decisions to keep them under check.

"The government is committed to the path of fiscal consolidation and has drawn red lines for the two deficits (fiscal and current account). We shall not allow the red lines to be breached under any circumstances, and we shall remain within the red lines. We are prepared to take difficult decisions in this regard, should the

Admitting that the government policies are directly responsible for the fiscal deficit and current account deficit, Chidambaram said, "necessary measures have ... been initiated to contain the fiscal deficit and the current account deficit."

Going forward, he said, "the commitment is to bring down the fiscal deficit to 3 percent by 201617." -PTI

FOREX RESERVES TO DEAL WITH TAPERING Mr Chidambaram told CNBCTV18 in an interview that India is shoring up its forex kitty to deal with the impact of US tapering and expressed confidence that growth will revive in the second half of the current fiscal.

"Tapering will start. I think (US Fed Chairman) Ben Bernanke

Admitting that the government policies are directly responsible for the fiscal deficit and current account deficit, Chidambaram said, "necessary measures have ... been initiated to contain the fiscal deficit and the current account deficit." need arise," he said.

The government proposes to bring down fiscal deficit, an indicator of government borrowing, to 4.8 per cent of the GDP in 201314 from 4.9 per cent a year ago.

As regards the Current Account Deficit (CAD), Chidambaram had earlier said that all efforts would be made to con-

hinted again that tapering will start. We are in fact prepared for tapering... we are preparing for tapering...So we are taking a number of steps to shore up foreign exchange reserves", he said.

Tapering refers to gradual withdrawal of monetary stimulus by the US Federal Reserve. The reversal of the easy money policy

by the US is expected to impact the global markets as well as the economy.

"First of all we are shoring up our foreign exchange reserves.

Since the FCNRB revised policies were announced, we have had about USD 7.4 billion coming in.

"Secondly, we have entered into an agreement or we will enter into an agreement with Japan for a USD 50 billion swap arrangement.

Thirdly, portfolio investment has brought in about USD 2 billion already, then we are encouraging oil marketing companies (OMCs) to borrow abroad to finance their purchases of oil", he said.

Liberalized External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) norms will also bring in some money, he said, adding investment proposals in the telecom sector too were expected to fetch forex reserves in November and December.

"So a number of things, number of steps have been taken but I think this time Ben Bernanke will be a little more careful, more calibrated and he will perhaps communicate his actions well in advance", he said.

Answering questions on growth prospects, Chidambaram said "let us wait to see what Q2 brings and I am sure the second half of the year that is Q3 and Q4 will be much better than Q1 and Q2."

Growth has dipped to decade's low of 5 per cent in 2012-13 and during the first quarter of the current fiscal it was 4.4 per cent.

"True, in the Q1 of 2013-2014, growth slowed down to 4.4 per cent but unless there is a further slowdown, why should I lower it below 4.4 per cent? It can only be up from 4.4 per cent", he said.

IMF OUTLOOK PESSIMISTIC Chidambaram had earlier questioned the move of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to lower the growth forecast of the current fiscal to 3.8 per cent from 5.6 per cent in July.

"We do not share this pessimistic outlook. We also believe there is a need for reviewing the methodology for growth projections as in the past International Monetary Fund (IMF) projections have often been at divergence with final growth numbers," he had said.

Chidambaram had been maintaining that India's growth rate in the current fiscal would range between 5 to 5.5 per cent.

WALMART WILL BE A 'SPECK' The world's largest retailer Walmart will be a 'speck' in India's

market and its absence won't make a huge difference in the country, he said.

"India's retail market is driven by millions of standalone stores.

India's retail market has been strengthened by Indian retail chains. So why do we assume that Walmart will make a huge difference to India's retail market?"

He was replying to a question on whether Walmart's move to part ways with joint venture partner Bharti Enterprises was a setback for the Indian retail sector.

Bharti and Walmart said on October 9 that they have reached an agreement to independently own and operate separate business formats in India and discontinue their franchise agreement in the retail business.-PTI

US INDUSTRY SEEKS LIFTING OF FDI CAPS Seeking an economic system in India that rewards and protects intellectual property, the US industry has urged Finance Minis-

protection of intellectual property (IP) - the USIBC said in a press statement.

It noted that collaboration in innovative technologies will require "an ecosystem that rewards and protects IP and discussed the need for improvements to infrastructure and increased investment in defense and energy."

USIBC advocated for the lifting of FDI caps in important sectors like insurance and defense, and for adjustment of the retail policy to attract major investment and organized players into India, the statement said.

"The Finance Minister affirmed the strong ties between India and the United States and the importance of the commercial relationship," USIBC President Ron Somers said.

He said that bilateral trade of USD 500 billion by 2020 is an achievable goal if they work together in partnership in an environment that provides predictability, consistency and transparency.

"Outstanding issues will be resolved through constructive

USIBC advocated for the lifting of FDI caps in important sectors like insurance and defense, and for adjustment of the retail policy to attract major investment ter P Chidambaram to lift the FDI caps in important sectors like insurance and defense.

In a meeting with the finance minister, a group of US industry executives from the US-India Business Council (USIBC) sought adjustment in the retail policy to attract major investment and organized players into India.

The Finance Minister engaged with the executives on important topics that have dominated the bilateral commercial relationship in recent months - tax treatment of investments in India, and the

dialogue, and USIBC looks forward to working with India to enable such dialogue," Somers said.

On India's push to develop local manufacturing, the group emphasized that market-based incentives rather than mandates should be the drivers that attract manufacturing, it said.

While appreciating the progress made to date on the manufacturing policy, the executives recommended that India make clear that the private sector is excluded from any localization requirements. -PTI

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Relics transform small California Statue of Liberty reopens to public amid shutdown Buddhist temple ROSEMEAD, CA: Although he'd been a practicing Buddhist for 20 years, until 10 months ago Dharma Master YongHua hadn't even seen so much as one of the sacred relics known as shariras that are so important to his faith.

So it came as quite a surprise to the modest, soft-spoken monk when he learned he was becoming the caretaker of more than 10,000 of them.

YongHua's modest Lu Mountain Temple became a repository for the thousands of colorful crys-

tals, two teeth and a single hair that are believed to have come from the body of the Buddha himself. A congregant offered up the collection that he'd painstakingly gathered for years.

The relics are said to be capable of producing miracles for people who go near them. And although Buddhists, like members of other religious groups, say that has to be taken on faith, even the skeptical are starting to believe miracles are happening since the shariras arrived.

"In the beginning, I didn't really know what to think," said Vickie Sprout, who meditates at the temple.

Following YongHua's advice to keep an open mind, she and others noticed, they said, after six months of meditation in the presence of the shariras, that their efforts were leading to a more relaxed, blissful state.

Looking back, YongHua said, it was no small miracle that the relics even made it to Lu Mountain Temple. -AP

NEW YORK: The iconic Statue of Liberty has reopened to the public two days after the state of New York agreed to shoulder the costs of running the site during the crippling federal government shutdown.

Ferry trips to Liberty Island

would pay about USD 61,600 a day to reopen Liberty Island through October 17. If the slimdown is not resolved by then, officials said, they will renegotiate to keep it open.

New York has 33 sites under the jurisdiction of the National

National Park from Manhattan's Battery Park resumed at 9 am and many visitors lined up to visit the popular tourist site. The site was closed on October 1.

"We're glad to be up and running to Liberty Island," said Statue Cruises marketing director Rafael Abreu. He said they had a 60 per cent reduction in business since the government shutdown that shuttered federal-run national parks. The company ferries about 7,000 to 10,000 passengers a day.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the state

Park Service, and they have been shut since October 1 during the federal government shutdown.

The sites include the statue and nearby Ellis Island, which remains closed for repairs since Superstorm Sandy last year.

Some four million people visited Lady Liberty in 2011, generating USD 174 million in economic activity, the park service said.

Meanwhile, Governors in several other US states have asked for authority to reopen parks within their borders, citing economic losses from closures. -PTI

Musharraf cannot leave Pakistan: Interior Minister ISLAMABAD: Embattled former president Pervez Musharraf cannot leave Pakistan as his name still figures on the Exit Control List, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said.

Nisar said that Federal Investigation Agency has been directed to accelerate probe into the treason case against Musharraf and present the report as soon as possible.

He said 70-year-old Musharraf's name was on Exit Control List and it would not be removed till a court decided on it.

Musharraf is currently seeking a bail in Lal Masjid case after being granted bail in three other cases and his lawyer said he was cleared to leave the country.

The former military ruler was earlier granted bail in three other cases registered against him for the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto, the murder of Baloch leader Akbar Bugti and

the imposition of emergency in 2007.

This had given rise to speculation about his possible release

chief and President, had ordered the crackdown on the Lal Masjid in 2007. About 100 people, most of them extremists, were killed in

Pervez Musharraf

after nearly six months of house arrest but he was subsequently arrested for the killing of the Lal Masjid cleric.

Musharraf, who was then army

the operation.

Nisar's remarks came on the anniversary of a Musharraf- led coup that overthrew Nawaz Sharif on October 12, 1999.-PTI

India, US to target financial networks of LeT, JuD WASHINGTON: India and the US have agreed to work together to target the financial network and fund raising activities of Pakistanbased terror outfits like Lashkare-Taiba, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, the Haqqani network and individual terrorists associated with these organizations.

The decision by the two countries, in this regard, was taken during a meeting between Finance Minister P Chidambaram and US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew. The two leaders jointly chaired the fourth annual meeting of In-

dia-US Economic and Financial Partnership held at the IMF headquarters here.

Chidambaram and Lew also agreed on commitment to deepening dialogue on implementation of international anti-money laundering, combating the financing of terrorism and expanding cooperation on countering illicit financing.

This will include targeting the financial networks and fundraising activities of terror organizations such as Lashkar-eTaiba (LeT), Jamaat-ud Dawa

(JuD), the Haqqani Network and individual terrorists associated with these organizations, India said in a statement after the meeting.

Jamaat-ud-Dawa is the parent body of banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba that carried out the 2008 Mumbai attacks which claimed 166 lives.

"They also agreed to enhance cooperation between our agencies in fighting against counterfeiting currency and illicit financial flows," the statement said. PTI

Obama consults IndianAmerican businessman WASHINGTON: An IndianAmerican entrepreneur was among a select group of business leaders invited by US President Barack Obama for consultations on the ongoing government shutdown and its impact on them.

Rahul Iyer, senior director at the California-based Siluria Technologies, which specializes in engineering inorganic materials with biological nanotechnology, was consulted by Obama on the ongoing issue.

According to the White House, Obama's meeting with nine business owners from across was about the impacts of the ongoing federal government shutdown on their businesses and updated them on where things stand on efforts in Con-

gress to avoid a first-ever default in the nation's credit.

During the meeting, Obama heard from these entrepreneurs about the immediate effects the shutdown has had on consumer confidence, and their concerns about what a prolonged shutdown would do to harm the holiday shopping season.

"They shared stories with the President about contracts cancelled or put on hold, furloughed workers and the potential for shift and staff reductions should the shutdown continue," the White House said.

The President was joined in the meeting by Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, NEC Director Gene Sperling and Acting SBA Administrator Jeanne Hulit.-PTI

Tech News Case registered against Birla, ex coal secy NEW DELHI: The CBI has registered a case against industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla and former Coal Secretary P C Parekh in connection with alleged irregularities in allocation of coal blocks in 2005.

After registering the 14th FIR in the coal scam, CBI teams carried out coordinated searches at nearly six locations in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Bhubaneshwar.

CBI sources said the agency has booked Birla as a representative of Aditya Birla Group and his group company Hindalco for alleged corruption in the allocation of Talabira two coal block in Odisha which was allotted to it on November 10, 2005.

The block was allocated for power production during 25th meeting of screening committee, they said.

"CBI registers a fresh case in alleged irregularities in coal scam against the then Coal Secretary, M/s Hindalco, representative of Aditya Birla Group, unknown persons and officials," agency spokesperson Kanchan Prasad said. -PTI

PMO declines information on Walmart meetings NEW DELHI: The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has declined to share details of the meetings the lobbyists of US-based retail giant Walmart had with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other officials, citing exemption clause under the RTI Act. "In respect of Prime Minister, the office has stated that the sought information is exempted under Section 8 of the Act, whereas regarding PMO official(s) the office has stated that information sought is not part of records held by the office," the PMO said in reply to an RTI query.

The section contains at least eight sub-clauses under which an information sought under RTI can be denied. The PMO has not given any reason, which is mandatory as per the RTI Act, for denial of information.

The PMO was asked to give details of lobbyists, advisers, officials and representatives of Walmart who had met the Prime Minister or officials in PMO between 2008 till date.

A one-member enquiry committee, under the chairmanship of former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Mukul Mudgal, was set up by the government in January. -PTI

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Sibal flags jurisdiction issue in cyber security laws Details on Page 14

October 18, 2013

Big banking sector reforms coming soon, Rajan tells US WASHINGTON: The Reserve Bank of India will soon come out with major reforms in the banking sector that will allow foreign banks to enter India in a big way and even take over domestic lenders, Governor Raghuram Rajan has said.

"That is going to be a big big opening because one could even contemplate taking over Indian banks, small Indian banks and so on," he told a Washington audience.

The policy framework for the entry of foreign banks in India, Rajan added, would be unveiled in the next few weeks.

The banking sector reforms, in particular to those facilitating entry of foreign banks in India in a "big way" is part of the five pillars of reforms, including monetary policy framework, which the RBI is going to implement in the next few years, the RBI Governor said.

"For foreign banks, if you adopt a wholly-owned subsidiaries structure and we are coming up with details on that in the next couple of weeks, we will allow you near national treatment," he said,

quickly adding that there would be two conditions.

"One reciprocity - your coun-

a fully owned subsidiary, we would allow you a lot of freedom," he said.

Union Finance Minister, P Chidambaram along with RBI Governor Raghuram Rajaram at the IMF in Washington

try should allow the same to our own banks - and second you come through one route either you have a branch or you have a subsidiary; don't do both.

That is primarily to simplify our regulatory function, but also to make it clean. But once you have

Acknowledging that price situation was an issue for the economy, Rajan said the ordinary monetary policy would be focused on containing inflation and not directed towards external sectors.

NOT SELLING U.S. ASSETS Expressing full confidence in the American economy and asserting there are low chances of US default, Rajan ruled out selling out the Indian assets in the United States.

The Indian investment in the US treasury bills is estimated to the tune of USD 59.1 billion.

"We (India) do not worry about that issue (US defaulting).

We are not selling our US assets. We are holding on to them," Rajan told a Washington audience.

"I have to say, whatever default, will be a technical default. We do not expect the US not... from my understanding, because repayments can be prioritized, unless there is a sudden stop and markets stop taking new US debt meant to refinance the old debt there is no chance that the US will default," he said.

Rajan said it would be good for the US to adopt fiscal policies consistent with its current needs.

"The one and one and half percent of US growth would be so tremendous and welcome to the world economy," he said. -PTI

Are we importing the financial crisis now, asks BJP NEW DELHI: The BJP has cautioned that the government may be importing the global "financial crisis" by opening the Indian market to foreign banks and insisted that the RBI Governor should have discussed such a sensitive issue in the country before announcing it on foreign soil.

Referring to the announcement by RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan in Washington that foreign banks would be allowed to set up shop in India, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said such a major policy change should have been first discussed in the country.

"What is more pertinent is the fact that the government and the RBI are not only going to open the Indian market for foreign

banks but is even contemplating allowing foreign banks to take over small Indian banks. Such a major announcement should have been first debated here taking into

retail and further opening up the insurance sector.

On the foreign banks issue, the main Opposition warned that banks in the US and Europe have

BJP alleged that the contribution of foreign banks to "financial inclusion" is very minimal and below expectations. Moreover, they only compete with Indian banks in the creamy business segment. account the global experience," he said.

Incidentally, BJP has opposed several policy initiatives of the UPA government, including allowing 100 per cent FDI in multi-brand

faced financial difficulties and closure and inviting them here may lead to similar repercussions.

"Are we importing the financial crisis now? 2008 global financial crisis has raised the question mark

about the viability as well the methodology adopted by foreign banks.

Governments all over the world had to provide large bailout packages to these banks," Javadekar said.

BJP alleged that the contribution of foreign banks to "financial inclusion" is very minimal and below expectations.

Moreover, they only compete with Indian banks in the creamy business segment.

Javadekar said in 2002, when NDA was in power, a proposal had been floated that private sector companies should be allowed to open banks but it was shot down as there were "moral hazards" and firewalls would not be effective. -PTI

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More hungry people in India than in Pak, Bangla NEW DELHI: The number of hungry people has dropped in India with its score on the Global Hunger Index improving to 63rd position in 2013, but the country still lags behind China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

In 2012, India stood at 67th position on GHI. According to the lastest GHI, India still has "alarming levels" of hunger with highest prevalence of underweight in children under five at more than 40 per cent.

The GHI report has jointly been prepared by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and NGOs Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide.

On the GHI, China scored 6th position with moderate level of hunger, while Sri Lanka was at 43, Pakistan at 57 and Bangladesh at 58, having 'serious' levels of hunger.

The report observed that South Asia has the maximum number of hungry people in the world followed by Sahara region, even as the global hunger is decreasing.

"Social inequality and the low nutritional, educational, and social status of women are major causes of child under-nutrition in this (South Asian) region that have impeded improvements in the GHI

score," it said.

As far as global hunger levels are concerned, the report said that the world score on GHI has fallen by 34 per cent this year from the 1990 level, but hunger levels still remains "serious" with 19 coun-

tries suffering from either alarming or extremely alarming levels of hunger.

The Index identifies hunger levels across 120 developing countries and its scores are based on three equally weighted indicators: proportion of people undernourished, proportion of children under five underweight, and mortality rate of children under five.

IFPRI research fellow Derek Headey said: "Adopting a resil-

ience lens is challenging. We need to build consensus on what it means and on that basis adopt programs and policies that bridge the relief and development sectors."

The report said there is a need to break down the institutional, financial and conceptual walls separating the worlds of development and humanitarian assistance within donor and UN agencies to achieve greater synergies in strategies and implementation plans.

Also, policies that undermine resilience must be revised.

To foster resilience to undernutrition, policies should be designed with the intention of improving nutrition outcomes and realizing the right to adequate food, it said.

The report has also suggested that the countries need to develop national approaches to food and nutrition security that are resilient to shocks and stresses. -PTI

Metro to hit tracks in Faridabad next year: Hooda CHANDIGARH: The work on extension of Metro rail service to Faridabad city is on and will be completed by next year, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has said.

"Extension of Metro rail service is under progress at Faridabad city at a cost of Rs 2,500 crore which will be completed by 2014," he said.

Hooda said that the Haryana government will spend about Rs 470 crore on the extension of Metro rail line from Faridabad to Ballabgarh.

"Also, the construction of Badarpur flyover has been completed at a cost of Rs 340 crore," the chief minister said.

Hooda, who was addressing a public meeting in Faridabad, announced to give a grant of Rs 25 lakh to each of the 21 villages of NIT Faridabad constituency for their development.

He also dedicated two projects costing Rs 18.40 crore to the people of Faridabad.

The chief minister laid the foundation of Gaunchhi Drain costing

Rs 13.40 crore, an official release said here. -PTI

Reliance profit up as turnover exceeds Rs 1 lakh crore NEW DELHI: Indian firm Reli- power and fuel and selling exance Industries has reported a 1.5 penses on increased exports to Rs per cent increase in September 13,101 crore in the first half. quarter profit, the slowest in a year, The company had cash and as refining margins declined even equivalents of Rs 90,540 crore at as it became the first company in the end of Q2, more than enough the country to achieve sales of to cover Rs 83,982 crore of debt. more than Rs 1,00,000 crore in a Reliance Industries Limited quarter.

(RIL) Chairman and Managing DiNet profit rose to Rs 5,490 crore rector Mukesh Ambani said the in July-September from Rs 5,409 performance reflects the resilience crore a year earlier, Reliance said of the firm's business model in "a in a statement. period of volatility and uncerTurnover or sales soared 14.2 per cent to Rs 1,06,523 crore.

The oil-toyarn and retail conglomerate said higher sales in the refining and petrochemicals businesses and a weaker rupee helped to cushion the impact RIL Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani of falling gas production at its main fields in the tainty."

Krishna Godavari basin, a dip in "Our diversified and integrated refining margins and muted rev- petrochemicals business captured enue from organized retail. margins across segments, deliverThe company earned USD 7.7 ing near-record profit levels even on turning every barrel of crude as the domestic economy oil into fuel in Q2 compared with a slowed," he said, adding the comgross refining margin of USD 9.5 a pany earned healthy operating barrel a year earlier and USD 8.4 in profits by optimal utilization of its the preceding three months. twin refineries.

The company processed a "Reliance's ongoing counterrecord 17.7 million tons of crude cyclical investments will oil in the quarter. strengthen our competitive posiProfit was also impeded by a tion in each business segment," 13.6 per cent rise in spending on he added. -PTI

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Sibal flags jurisdiction issue in cyber security laws NEW DELHI: Indian authorities should have the jurisdiction to deal with cyber attacks against the country irrespective of their source, Telecom and IT Minister Kapil Sibal said here, asserting that there should be "accountability and responsibility" in the cyber space.

"If there is a cyber space violation and the subject matter is India because it impacts India, then India should have jurisdiction. For example, if I have an embassy in New York, then anything that happens in that embassy is Indian territory and there applies Indian Law. "If the impact of such a violation is on India, then Indian courts must have the jurisdiction. That should apply across the world," he said.

The Minister was addressing an Observer Research Foundation seminar on cyber security and was

asked what kind of consensus he would want to evolve at the glo-

other missions there, Sibal said, "Do not trivialize the issue. This

Telecom and IT Minister Kapil Sibal

bal stage on cyber security.

Asked if India has taken up the case with the US, where the National Security Agency was accused of spying on Indian and

is a thought for the seminar so that this can be taken forward."

Asked about the issue, National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon said, "It is not

a settled issue in international laws. That is why you need an agreement and consensus on it."

Sibal said a key issue in cyber security was that of "identity".

"The issue of identity in cyber space is of enormous importance.

There must be accountability and responsibility in the cyber space," he said.

The Minister said there was asymmetry at the global level on the cyber security laws. "As long as there is asymmetry, this cannot be dealt with," he said.

Sibal said the government believed in "complete freedom of cyber space. Freedom of expression is central to our ideological stand on cyber space but at the same time, there should be a de facto recognition of threats that are there in cyber space."

"We need to deal with those threats locally and globally.

We need a consensus on those. What we don't need is a governed space. I think governance in cyber space is oxymoron," he said. -PTI

Bengal accepts IOC bid for Haldia Petrochem stake KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has said that the sole bid of state-owned Indian Oil Corporation for WBIDC's 39.9 per cent stake in troubled Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL) has been accepted.

The company's other shareholder Purnendu Chatterjee-led The Chatterjee Group (TCG), would be offered the right of first refusal (RoFR) for matching the IOC offer.

'After a series of meetings of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on HPL, the government decided to accept the IOC bid for WBIDC's stake in the petrochemicals firm,' Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee told reporters here.

'Consequently, The Chatterjee Group will be given a chance to exercise the right of first refusal,' he said.

Although, he declined to divulge the bid price and the reserve price fixed by transactional adviser Deloitte, Chatterjee said that the Indian Oil Corporation offer was higher.

He said the letter to The Chatterjee Group for exercising RoFR would be issued 'as quickly as possible'.

Subsequently, TCG would have 30 days time either to accept or decline the offer. IOC emerged as the sole bidder for WBIDC's 675 million shares in HPL although companies like Reliance, Cairn India, ONGC and GAIL had expressed their interest in the company.

Indian Oil Corporation's petrochemicals group head S Mitra flew in from Delhi during the day at behest of the government. The PSU already holds 8.8 per cent in HPL. If TCG accepts the offer, it

will have another 30 days to make the payment to the government.

Otherwise, the government will have the option to offload the shares to Indian Oil Corporation.

Soon after the Trinamool Congress regime, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, came to power in West Bengal, the government decided to exit Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd. But it continued to provide the much-needed cash lifeline in a limited way to meet working capital requirements of the company.

Indian Oil Corporation's entry into Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd during the Left Front government regime had irked TCG, which maintained that it was opposed to turn-

ing HPL into a government-run company.

To a query, Mitra said that they were still unaware of the reserve price. He said that if Indian Oil Corporation gets the government's stake in Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd, then it would provide synergy in operations as the PSU has an oil refinery in Haldia.

He said big investments were not immediately required at Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd, but Indian Oil Corporation would explore the profitable product streams of the company. Indian Oil Corporation has been supplying naphtha to Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd since its inception.-PTI

October 18, 2013

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Desi News Jain Society Board elections next month SURESH SHAH

BARTLETT: An election for the posts of nine different Executive Committee members as well as two posts of Board of Trustees will be held on Sunday November 10 at the Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago.

It has been observed that as per the provisions laid down in the constitution of JSMC, the two years term of the existing Executive Committee members is due to expire by the end of this year and a four year term of two Board of Trustees will expire by the end of this year.

A panel of five judges under the leadership of Shrujal Shah of Naperville has been named to conduct an election process in a smooth manner. The other four judges are Dipak Shah, Kushairaj Singavi, Nitin Shah and Chetan Doshi. As and when the judges will receive nomination forms from the members, they will scrutinize the forms and declare the names of the candidates. A candidate forum is scheduled on October 27 at 2.00 pm in Jain Center.

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Music, dance, fun & frolic at West Valley Diwali VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

CUPERTINO, CA: "Diwali is the imperative Indian Festival. It is a festival of joy, color and beautiful beginning", says Mahesh Nihalani, Organizer of this gala event. The 11th annual Diwali festival was held at Cupertino's Memorial Park, Stevens Creek Blvd., 10 am-5 pm, Saturday, Oct 12. This free event brought approximately 10,000 people to the beautiful Memorial Park in Cupertino and was a showcase of multicultural music, dance, fun kids zone, workshops, arts and crafts, fun, frolic and food.

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

SEF Dandiya event raises funds for India hospitals Details on page 24

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Hindu Unity Day celebrated with pomp & dignity in New York NARAIN KATARIA & SURENDRA ULLAL

NEW YORK: The 19th Hindu Unity Day (Hindu Sangathan Divas) was celebrated with pomp, dignity and lot of enthusiasm at the banquet Hall of "The Sterling" in New York on September 29 in commemoration of the coronation of Shivaji Maharaj in 1674.

Mahamandaleshwar Swami Harishchandra Puri, Chief Priest of Shiv Shakti Peeth temple in Queens, New York, inaugurated the Hindu Unity Day by blessing the audience and wishing them success in their endeavor. Swami Radeswarananda, spiritual disciple of His Holiness Shri Ashutosh Maharaj of Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan of New York blessed the audience and emphasized the importance of Unity.

The general mood of public and the atmosphere in the banquet hall was electrifying. The manner in which Hindus from India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trinidad, Guyana and different states of India expressed their solidarity was highly inspiring. Speakers gave thought provoking and uplifting speeches and this along with singing of patriotic songs pepped up the mood of all those gathered.

Two top stalwarts from Bharat, Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev and Dr. Subramanian Swamy, a senior BJP leader, along with several community leaders blessed and addressed

Baba Ramdev addressing the Hindu Unity gathering

the gathering.

Dr Subramanian Swamy, the Keynote Speaker, enthralled the audience with his forceful narration and outstanding arguments in support of the unity. He pro-

led easily if we can neutralize China.

Talking about Rahul Gandhi, Swamy expressed doubts about his political and mental competence. Swamy also hailed the as-

Talking about Rahul Gandhi, Swamy expressed doubts about his political and mental competence. Swamy also hailed the asset India has in the form of young population (average age 27 years). jected that BJP along with its allies Shiv Sena and Akali Dal will gain absolute majority in India in 2014 elections. About Pakistan he said that Pakistan could be tack-

set India has in the form of young population (average age 27 years).

Baba Ram Dev was at his best in tearing apart the three musketeers of the "golmal regime" Sonia,

Manmohan and Rahul, with utmost civility. Baba predicted that with Modi as Prime Ministerial candidate, the BJP will get close to 300 seats. He observed that the BJP will have a cakewalk in the 2014 election.

After the elections, Congress Party will dismember, finally fulfilling the wish of Mahatma Gandhi.

"I will myself go to every nook and corner of the country to work for the victory of Narendra Modi and BJP." As usual he was excellent in the art of oratory.

Dr Amrit Nehru, one of the senior most Kashmiri Hindu activists born and brought up in Kashmir said that it is a matter of great regret and shame that Hindus have to live in fear even after 65 years of country's Independence.

You have heard about the ethnic cleansing, genocide and the mass murders of Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists in J&K during and after 1989 and the resultant exodus of more than seven lakh (seven hundred thousands) Hindus.

This was for the 7th time during the modern history of Kashmir when Islamists drove Hindus out of Kashmir. We had a time in history when "Janeuse" (sacred threads) were collected and burned after slaughtering thousands of Kashmiri Hindus.

Details on page 24

Two appointed to Vivekananda Visiting Professorship RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Leading scholars from Cambridge University and Hebrew University have been appointed to the Indian Ministry of Culture Vivekananda Visiting Professorship at the University of Chicago.

Details on page 18

Stephen Knapp addressing the Unity Meet

Hindu attendees

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Over 4000 participate in NJ Navratri Garba India Post News Service

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ: More than 4000 people attended the New Jersey IndoAmerican Cultural Foundation of Central Jersey (IACFNJ) Navratri Garba on October 5, 11 and 12 at Cross Roads South Middle School in South Brunswick.

IACFNJ Garba has been very popular among young generation of Indian Americans in South Brunswick and surrounding areas of highly populated South Asians in North Brunswick, Franklin Park, Princeton, Princeton Junction, Monroe, East

Brunswick and East and West Windsor.

Once again, the famous group of Mahesh Mehta and his talented singers from Bollywood and local singers and artists of Entertainment Unlimited rocked the stage with famous old and new singing of Garba, Dandiya tunes and famous Sanedo for nonstop live entertainment for more than six hours.

The cultural diversity was very prominent on the Garba floor where boys and girls and men and women from all age groups performed various traditional Garbas and Raas in their traditional colorful and designer outfits. In addition, South Brunswick's cultural diversity was witnessed on the dance floor where the attendees were not only Gujaratis but from all over India and surrounding regions.

It is very rare to see such a diverse, eth-

nic and cultural unity under one roof to celebrate a traditional festival of India in a foreign country. Goddess Amba Maa's divine and traditional Aarti was performed and attended by thousands at midnight and sweets and dry fruits Prasad was distributed to all attendees.

The center stage was decorated with Goddess Amba Maa's statue in a temple setting to have the atmosphere feel like divine and traditional celebration like back home in Gujarat. The cafeteria had authentic Indian food stall of various mouth-watering Indian delicacies and other variety of

food at reasonable prices.

The local business entrepreneurs Sunil Nayak and Pinakin Pathak, community leaders and South Brunswick Deputy Mayor Chris Killmurray attended the event and wished everyone a Happy Navratri. Mayor

Killmurray congratulated IACFNJ's dedicated committee members for organizing such a wonderful event in South Brunswick.

The best costume and best dance prizes were given to the winners on all three days.

The prizes were sponsored by local busi-

ness Fashion Unlimited from North Brunswick. The Grand Sponsors were awarded with a wonderful gift basket of traditional Indian puja items as token of appreciation for their continued support to IACFNJ and their community involvement.

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Two appointed to Vivekananda Visiting Professorship RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Leading scholars from Cambridge University and Hebrew University have been appointed to the Indian Ministry of Culture Vivekananda Visiting Professorship at the University of Chicago.

Sir Christopher Bayly of Cambridge University, an expert on post-18th-centuryIndian history and British imperial history, will join

Dr David Shulman

the faculty of South Asian Languages and Civilizations for Spring Quarter of 2014 and 2015.

A PhD from London University, Dr David Shulman of Hebrew University, studies the history, religion, poetry and languages of Southern India. He will be in residence for Spring Quarter of 2016 and 2017.

The Indian Ministry of Culture Vivekananda Visiting Professorship was established to commemorate the legacy of In-

dian spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda and to enrich the University's renowned program for the study of the Indian subcontinent. The professorship is supported by a $1.5 million gift to the University from the Indian Ministry. Indian president Pranab Mukherjee and Ambassador Nirupama Rao attended a January 2012 ceremony at the University to celebrate the founding of the program.

During their time on campus, Sir Bayly and Dr Shulman will offer classes in South Asian Languages and Civilizations and participate in the intellectual life of the University through conversations with students and colleagues. Both scholars will also deliver a public lecture that shares their respective research with a wider audience.

"Sir Christopher Bayly, through his careful attention to the lives of Indian people and the wide-reaching impact of Indians on social and political change, continues to illuminate the role of India in modern history. Dr David Shulman's work explores the rich interactions of literature, philosophy, religion, and regional cultures in the intellectual and social life of India across the centuries," said Gary Tubb, professor in SALC, who chaired the committee that selected Bayly and Shulman.

Sir Christopher Bayly

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Swami Vivekananda, who helped to raise awareness of Hinduism and Indian culture in the United States. He was also a strong advocate of interfaith understanding and cooperation. Vivekananda rose to prominence in the United States during the 1893 Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago, when he delivered an enormously popular lecture on the teachings of Hinduism.

The selection of the inaugural holders of the Vivekananda Chair comes as the University of Chicago prepares to further strengthen its ties to India. In 2010, a faculty committee recommended the creation of a center in New Delhi as a focus for the University's scholarship, teaching and engagement in India.

Grand program marks Hari Om Mandir fundraiser SURESH BODIWALA

CHICAGO: Hari Om Mandir organized its annual 'Fund Raising Dinner-2013' at India House-Banquet hall in Schaumburg on Saturday, September 28 with over 200 devotees, friends, and well-wishers attending.

Greeting all the supporters and the founding members, Fundraising Committee Chairman Indrajit Sarkar, dwelt on the

progress of the temple this year and thanked all the devotees for their generous donation. He also talked about the arrival and installation of Shri Shiromani Bhagat Hanuman Ji Murti in the temple.

The celebration of Hanuman Ji Sapthahik Yagna is progressing from 14 October to 20-October.

Hari Om Mandir team with guests

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Public program celebrates Vivekananda Chair recipients Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: University of Chicago (UC) held a public program on Sunday afternoon, October 6 at the UC Rockefeller Memorial Chapel (RMC) to announce the first two recipients of the Swami Vivekananda Chair, funded to the tune $1.5M by the Indian Ministry of Culture.

Addressed by swamis from the Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago and two UC professors, the event was hosted in collaboration with UC Spiritual Life Office and support of the Committee on Southern Asian Studies with befitting music and songs provided by UC's Sur Musafir, Bengali Association of Greater Chicago, and the Unity in the Dunes Church Choir (UDCC).

In her welcome address, RMC Dean Elizabeth Davenport underlined the Chapel's role as spiritual and ceremonial center of UC and how befitting it was as venue for celebrating Swami Vivekananda's message on harmony of all religions. She introduced Jighna Shah, as the Chapel's first nonChristian Assistant Dean. The latter invited students from Chinmaya Mission to chant prayers for universal peace.

VSC Assistant Minister Swami Varadananda's short keynote highlighted the historic significance of Swami Vivekananda's speech to the Parliament of World Religions (PWR) for interfaith dialogue, introduction of Hinduism to the West, and uniting the respective strengths of East and West. UDCC then sang the hymns "Let There

Speakers with Sur Musafir playing in the foreground (L to R in background): Swamis Ishatmananda, Shantarupananda, and Vardananda, Prof. Dean of the UC Division of Humanities Martha Roth, Prof. Gary Tubb and Prof. Rochona Majumdar.

be Peace on Earth" and "This is My Song."

Prof. Rochona Majumdar spoke on Swami Vivekananda's "Empowerment of Women" especially by opposing child marriage and

stressing the importance of education. She focused on Margaret Nobel, later christened "Sister Nivedita" (the dedicated one), who was won over by Swami Vivekananda's teaching and cha-

A section of the audience at University of Chicago's Rockefeller Memorial Chapel

Hindu Unity Day celebrated with pomp & dignity in New York Cont’d from page 16

During another time, Hindus were murdered and those surviving were enslaved and forcibly converted to Islam. Only 11 families were left who found shelter in the far-flung hills and forests to escape the slaughter.

Dr Narinder Kukar, an outstanding physician, a statesman and a winner of several awards, said that it is no time to be on the defensive; it is time to be on the offensive. He blamed the trustees of Hindu temples and the Hindu religious leaders for their inaction and negligence in educating their followers and helping them in their- endeavor to achieve what is rightfully theirs.

It should be their solemn duty to help Hindus as they draw their funds and power through Hindu worshippers. They, as keepers and leaders of Hindu faith, should do everything within their power to preserve and protect their rights as citizens of Bharat.

Devendra Singh, Founder President of Hindi-USA, stated that Indians should understand

critically by analyzing and studying their civilization and western civilization. The unity must come not by slogans but by having more and more things in common.

Hindi can help bringing unity in

Indians should understand critically by analyzing and studying their civilization and western civilization. The unity must come not by slogans but by having more and more things in common.

Bhartiyas. Rajiv Malhotra's book 'Being Different' (Vibhinnata Hindi version) should be read by all Bhartiyas.

M.R. Venkatesh, the author of several books, including "Dr. Manmohan Singh - A Decade Of Decay," said that this book is a collection of his articles in

Rediff.com over the past year or so. The book demonstrates how UPA government by its systematic loot and scoot policy has robbed India of her economic competitiveness, corroded institutions and suppressed human development indices. The book is available on Kindle.

Ramabhadra Dasa, President of ISKCON in New York who was a Catholic in his college days, stressed on the importance of Hindu Unity and urged everyone to meditate on God in whichever form they desire.

Earlier welcoming the audience, Narain Kataria, President of IAIF, said that the feeling of brotherhood and patriotism unleashed by this event will go a long way in further revitalizing and reenergizing our society. "We are on the march and are not going to stop now till the goal is reached," he said amidst huge applause.

Arish Sahani, Vice President, IAIF proposed a vote of thanks.

Priya Sahani Sood acted as an emcee. Rajesh Gooty introduced Dr Subramanian Swamy and Lalit Shorey sang patriotic songs.

risma.

Devoted to the cause of Indian women, hers was a critical acceptance rather than blind faith in a guru. Suspected of being yet another missionary, Nivedita won over an assembly composed entirely of Indian men, to the delight of a beaming Swami Vivekananda, who had done everything to facilitate her adaptation to her adopted motherland.

Sharada Ma came to Kolkata disturbed by rumors of her hus-

Speaking on "Unity in Diversity," Swami Shantarupananda, Minister-in-Charge of the Vedanta Society of Portland, highlighted Swami Vivekananda's uniqueness recognized by Harvard professor William James and other interlocutors.

Swami Vivekananda proclaimed that he had given enough food (for thought) to the world for the next 1500 years. Members of Bengali Association sang four Bengali songs, two celebrating Swami Vivekananda's achievements, including Sannyasi Sainik on his taking Chicago by storm, and two addressed to Mother Kali.

Prof. Gary Tubb began by posing two objections (poorvapaksha) to Swami Vivekananda's project of "Uplifting the Masses": 1) Vedanta should be taught only to pure brahmins according to Shankaracharya, and 2) Swami Vivekananda's own insistence that the material upliftment of Indians is more urgent than study of philosophy. Swami Vivekananda did not consider Shankara's strictures to be binding today and exhorted all Indians, especially Dalits, to study Sanskrit to re-appropriate their own traditions.

Upon his return to India, he presented his real mission to the West

Children from Chinmaya Mission chant prayers for universal peace

band Shree Ramakrishna's lunacy but was convinced of his saintliness. Despite having no formal education, she too unequivocally condemned child marriage, did not dress as widow, and broke many taboos, such as receiving the "barbarian" (mleccha) Nivedita, feeding poor Muslims, and allowing "untouchables" to touch her.

as that of spreading Vedanta and the idea of oneness as the salvation of the masses Recalling Swami Vivekananda's critique of the failure of the Indian university system in his day, Tubb claimed that Swami Vivekananda "would have welcomed current developments in American universities."

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Hindu temple fundraiser for expansion plans ASHWIN PATEL

ST LOUIS: Hindu Temple of St. Louis, MO held its 24th annual fundraising event on September 28 at the Mahatma Gandhi Center.

The event was attended by more than three hundred guests and devotees from all walks of life and various regional associations.

The main purpose of the event was to raise awareness and funds for the site improvement and for building multipurpose community center at recently purchased land adjacent to the Temple. The project will include building class rooms for Sunday School (Bal Vihar), state of the art kitchen facility and 247 parking spaces in various phases. The estimated cost of the project is approximately five million dollars.

The program comprised invocation by young priest Sreevaishnav Deevi, Ganesha Dance by Varshita Kuchi followed

by Hanuman Chalisa yoga fusion

by Bal Vihar team. Dr Madhuri Kancherla, the master of ceremony, spoke about growing needs of the community and education of youth.

Dr Sharad Parikh, Chairman Hindu Temple

Dr Siresha LaBore presented her views about volunteer opportunities for the younger generation at the temple and also why the new construction is so important for the 2.0 generation. She also presented a video of a youth

Dr Madhuri Kancherla & Dr Siresha La Bore, MCs of the event

"Akshara Nara" who donated all the $10,000 money collected at her high school graduation to the Hindu Temple.

The keynote speech by Dr Sharad Parikh, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Temple,

Varishta Kuchi performing prayer dance

emphasized the importance of education of the youth for embracing our values. He presented the brief history of the temple and the success of the previous fundraising in 2012 with campaign theme of 'My Temple-My Pledge' which helped the temple to raise about $1 million in donations/pledges.

He discussed the details of the proposed expansion and the new building structure to be completed in various phases, and thanked all the partners and various organizations, in particular Mahatma Gandhi Center, India Association and Bal Vihar, for sustained support and help.

Grand program marks Hari Om Mandir fundraiser Cont’d from page 18

Bal Vihar students performance

Seniors dance to the tune of Raas Garba JAYANTI OZA

CHICAGO: Bhartiya Senior Citizens of Chicago (BSC) successfully organized RaasGarba 2013 program for seniors at LTI/AVG Hall in Carol Steam, a north side suburb of Chicago, for four days on October 5, 6 and 11, 12.

The group has over 465 active senior members and reputation of offering community services to the seniors in the area. The event was sponsored

by Chhotubhai Patel and Bharat Barot. The Seniors were seen actively participating and dancing to the tune of Raas Garba. BSC President Haribhai Patel gave good wishes of Navratri to all and managed the hall and food with Ramsingbhai Parmar.

All the founding members of BSC Manshukhbhai Patel,

Patel, Kalyani Patel, Treasurer Madarsing Chavda managed do-

President Brij Sharma said Hari Om Mandir has been continuously growing since its beginning.

Just last year alone a new parking lot was added, old parking lot was resurfaced and lighting of the parking lot, new traditional Hindu Temple Gate was erected.

A grand program was organized which had Bhangra dance

by Tushar & group and singing performance by Raju Bankapur,

Public program celebrates Vivekananda Chair recipients Cont’d from page 19

BSC Senior members enjoying Raas Garba with music

Nalinkant Shukla and Secretary Pursotam Pandya were present to welcome the participants. Dinsha

nation activity, Rakshika Anjaria, Vijyaben Desai, Jashumati Patel did Aarti management.

Pratibha Jairath, Gaurav Khanna, Priyanka Khanna. The MC was Gayatri Rathod and DJ Saif Ali. Hari Om Mandir has statues of all major North Indian gods & goddesses.

Every Sunday there is a Havan and general congregation followed by Aarti and Bhojan Prasad. It conducts every first Saturday of the month Devi Jagran from 7 - 10pm, every Monday Shiv Puja and every Tuesday Hanuman Challisa Path.

This was the cue for Dean of Humanities Division Martha T. Roth to announce the two first recipients of UC Swami Vivekananda Chair, Sir Christopher Bayly (UK) and David Shulman (Israel).

Speaking on "Vivekananda's Contribution to Humanity," Swami Ishatmananda, VSC Minister-inCharge, recounted how Swami Vivekananda had addressed Rockefeller on his past without even looking up when he barged

upon at the home of the latter's friend. Rockefeller came back with a check two weeks later expecting thanks. "It is you who should thank me," Swami Vivekananda retorted, whose mission was to transform human psychology, to teach people their divinity and how to manifest it. Swami Vivekananda likewise converted Indian billionaire Jamshedji Tata to charitable causes.

Sumit Sen proposed the vote of thanks.

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Indian MP Husain Dalwai visits Chicago BEGUM NAZNIN

CHICAGO: Member of Indian Parliament Husain Dalwai endeared himself with Chicagoans with his message of righteousness and fight for destitutes during his visit

to Chicago last month. He addressed a MAFS fundraiser event and visited Lemont Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago (HTGC) to pay tribute to Swami Vivekananda for his teachings of love and universal brotherhood.

He was also honored by Chicago based Maharashtra Mandal for his positive role in cementing ties among diverse communities.

Dalwai was the guest of honor for the MAFS September 21 annual evening reception, where he was honored

by Indian CG Dr Ausuf Sayeed with a plaque.

He spoke on challenges of ageing in nuclear families: "Today the problems of old age are growing consequent to the breaking up of joint families, weakening of family ties and social relations and migration of the young to urban areas for livelihood and of course longevity of Husain Dalwai, Member of Parliament, honored life because of various at MAFS annual event welfare schemes and

speedy improvement and research in medical science. The question arises as to who is going to take care of the senior citizens and those coming in the zone of 80+ known as oldest of old," he observed At the Swami Vivekananda statue, Dalwai spoke on spellbinding speech of Swami Vivekananda that took entire America by storm when he addressed the international religious conference on 28 January way back in 1893.

Prasanna Reddy, Treasurer HTGC said, "We are delighted that Dalwai could visit our temple today - he is of great inspiration to all of us."

Dalwai also visited Swaminarayan Temple of Bartlett and was awestruck to see the beauty and elegance of the temple.

He said that by seeing this temple, he started strongly believe in the adage - "You can take an Indian out of India, but you can never take India out of an Indian." Dalwai said the temple is true example of Indian love for their country and culture.

On September 19, addressing a gathering of over 400 at the Meadows Club for an evening hosted by the Maharashtra Mandal of Chicago, Dalwai spoke on the im-

portant question of how to build "happy, prosperous, and peaceful societies across the globe" as related to education, spirituality, and

and promises.

He thanked the Indo-American community for showering their blessings and love on him and

Husain Dalwai with Prasanna Reddy and Sajid Desai at Swami Vivekananda statue

economic development. He criticized BJP and more particularly the Modi Government for sabotaging the administration with fake deals

urged everyone to put their collective strength in raising the prestige of Indians in India and in the United States.

Jagdish Chandra felicitated for saving laborers in Saudi PM SWAMY

NEW YORK: Prominent Rajasthanis in the Tri-State area headed by Prem Bhandari, a leading community activist, felicitated Jaipur-based Jagdish Chandra, CEO and Head of E-TV (Hindi and Urdu) for his stellar role in helping in the of release 82 Indians from inhuman conditions in Saudi Arabia.

Thirty three of them were from Rajasthan and others were from Bihar, West Bengal, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

At a function held in Bombay Palace recently, the community leaders showered praise on Chandra for his expose in television on the plight of bonded laborers and leading to their release from captivity. E-TV was in the forefront to highlight the sufferings and hunger of the hapless bonded laborers who were subjected to abuse at workplace after being taken there under the pretext of employment.

Prem Bhandari in his address referred to Chandra as a crusader and head of the channel whose stories made the Government of India sit up and apply diplomatic pressure for the release of bonded laborers.

E-TV Hindi and Urdu channels mounted continuous pressure on the governments to ensure that the workers are safe and return home, Bhandari said, "I thank the efforts of President of Rajasthani International Association in Riyadh Gauri Shankar Parekh who had arranged to feed the starving

and also supplied food to them.

Munish Gupta of PIO TV mounted continuous pressure on the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs and ensured the bonded laborers returned home alive, Bhandari said.

These laborers had paid Rs one

vices of Chandra for his efforts to make Rajasthani language as an official language under Eighth Schedule of Constitution of India.

"We have been fighting for the last 66 years and if our demand is accepted then there will be a lot more civil servants coming out of our state as in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

the organizers and promised to do more work for the cause of Rajasthanis.

Others who offered felicitations include Capt Stanley George of New York Police Department; KK Mehta, President of Rajasthan Foundation and a CPA; Shudh Parkash Singh President INOC,

L to R: Anand Ahuja, Ramesh Jain, Kanak Golia, Shudh Parkash Singh, Jagdish Chandra, Capt Stanely George, Prem Bhandari, KK Mehta and Sushil Goyal

workers for weeks though he was in Juvel a good 400 miles away from the capital. He refused to accept any payment saying it was a humanitarian cause."

Similarly Iqbal of Madina Restaurant and Asif of local bank helped in filling immigration forms for the illiterate workers in Riyadh

lakh ($2000) each to an agent to get jobs in Saudi Arabia but were cheated. Besides monitoring the progress daily, Bhandari ensured that the troubled workers did not resort to suicide and arranged financial support to meet their basic needs.

Bhandari also praised the ser-

The recognition will help them write the civil service exams in their mother tongue like in other states. Now the students have to choose between either English or Hindi. This will be good for the development of the State," Bhandari said.

Chandra in his remarks thanked

Kanak Golia, perfume magnet; Sushil Goyal, president of INOC Rajasthan Chapter; Chander Prakash Sukhwal, vice president of Indian National Overseas Congress Rajasthan Chapter, Anand Ahuja and Ramesh Jain, diamond merchant.

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Priyanka's graceful dance Social security seminar at Palatine gurudwara debut in NY RAJINDER MAGO

PM SWAMY

NEW YORK: Priyanka Moses, who trained for eight years under Guru Satya Pradeep, the founder of Nritya Saagaram Dance Acad-

eight pieces from her repertoire.

She started off with an invocatory piece 'Mallari', followed by Ganapathy Kavuthuvam', a rhyth-

Priyanka Moses

emy, presented her Bharatanatyam Arangetram at the Hindu Temple Auditorium in Flushing, New York.

Priyanka demonstrated the trained knowledge of Bharatanatyam by presenting

mic song in praise of Lord Ganesha that portrayed the nritta reflecting with different rhythmic footwork. Priyanka's abhinaya was dexterously portrayed in the next item 'Sabdam' song

'Sarasijakshulu', which depicts the different childish pranks of Lord Krishna.

The skills she learned on abhinaya and nritta were proven by Priyanka in 'Senthil Mevum Deva Deva' which describes the beauty of Lord Muruga. She expressed the abhinaya aspects of love, bravery, compassion, wonder, humor, fear, disgust, anger and serenity with nritta that consists of fast-paced footwork.

The next item 'Aadal Kalaiyin Aadharame' written and sung by Dr Babu Moses was presented gracefully by Priyanka, followed by 'Sri Saraswathi' and 'Thillana'. The concluding piece was the highlight of the arangetram, delineating 'Kurathi,' the character of a gypsy girl from the south Indian State of Tamil Nadu.

The master of ceremony was Shanth Moses. A prominent orchestral ensemble from India accompanied Priyanka's three-hourlong performance. Akshay Padmanaban (vocal), Srihari Rangaswamy (mridangam), Narasimhamurthy Namamishra (Flute) and Guru Satya Pradeep (nattuvangam).

PALATINE: The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) in conjunction with Sikh Religious Society organized a Social Security Benefits Informational Seminar at the Sikh Gurudwara in Palatine Illinois on Sunday, October 6.

Doug Nyugen, Deputy Director of Communication Social Security Administration Chicago, came to conduct the seminar that

PCS President Surinder Singh with Doug Nyugen at Seminar on Social Security benefits at Palatine Gurudwara

was well attended and was open to all.

Nyugen made a presentation about what social security is and who qualifies to receive it, and when is the best time to start taking it. There are several strategies for married couples based on age, income, life expectancy, spousal survivor benefits for when to claim the benefits. Help is available to make the decisions. It generated a very lively questions and answer session among people close to retirement age and also younger.

Social Security Online is a tool available on the SSA website, and everyone should go on line and

Jewish temple blessed with Gayatri Mantra India Post News Service

NEVADA: In a remarkable interfaith gesture, a new building of a synagogue in Reno Nevada was blessed with recitation of Gayatri Mantra, considered one of the most sacred mantras of Hinduism.

The event on October 10 was attended by a large number of interfaith leaders where in Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, chanted Gayatri Mantra and also read from Brahadaranyakopanishad and Taittiriya Upanishad, both ancient Hindu scriptures, as a part of the blessing. He sprinkled few drops of water from river Ganga of India, considered holy by Hindus, during this blessing.

Religious leaders of Roman Catholic, Muslim, Buddhist, Baha'i, United Methodist, Presby-

open their account. "You will no longer receive a letter from SSA every year near your birthday like in the past, "Nyugen said. He also talked about the Social Security budget and funding mechanism, the Affordable Care Act also known as the Obama care, Medicare parts A,B,C, and D. He clarified the difference between the Federal Social Security Benefits, S.S.I programs, and the State run

of this new building of Temple Beth Or (House of Light), a Jewish congregation launched in 2009, and read their respective prayers.

According to ElizaBeth W. Beyer, founding Rabbi of Temple Beth Or, their goal is to "inspire individual and community growth". Beyer defines Temple Beth Or as "truly warm, welcoming egalitarian Jewish congregation devoted to Jewish learning and Jewish values", and A group of religious leaders at the dedication ceremony of Temple Beth Or. Rabbi ElizaBeth adds, "Our services are W. Beyer, third from left and Rajan Zed is to her right filled with music and terian, The Church of Jesus Christ tion Church traditions also partici- ruach (passion). We identify with of Latter-day Saints and Unifica- pated in the dedication ceremony being Just Jewish".

Welfare programs like Medicaid and General Assistance Food Stamps programs.

Many immigrant senior citizens had trouble with English language, but the questions and answers were translated from Punjabi to English. The guests took a brief tour of the Gurudwara facilities and partook in the langar.

PCS is a not-for-profit volunteer community service organization devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, language, performing arts, education, good citizenship, healthy life style, and sports in the Metropolitan Chicago area and beyond.

Jain Society Board elections next month Cont’d from page 16

The election will be held on Sunday November 10 between 10.30 am and 3.30 pm. The result will be declared the same day.

The Executive Committee members whose term is due to expire are Tejas Amratlal Shah of Vankanerwala President; Hitesh Shah Randerwalal Vice President; Vipul Shah Secretary; Himanshu Jain Treasurer; Sunil Shah Gandeviwala Jt. Treasurer; Piyush Gandhi Membership Secretary; Dr Pradip Shah Education Secretary; Dilip Shah Food Secretary and Mrs Shilpa Malay Shah Youth Secretary. Two Board of Trustees who are going to retire are Arvind Maganlal Shah and Sunil Shah.

The retiring members are also eligible to contest again.

24 India Post

Community Across America

October 18, 2013

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Music, dance, fun & frolic at West Valley Diwali VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

CUPERTINO, CA: "Diwali is the imperative Indian Festival. It is a festival of joy, color and beautiful beginning", says Mahesh Nihalani, Organizer of this gala event. The 11th annual Diwali festival was held at Cupertino's Memorial Park, Stevens Creek Blvd., 10 am-5 pm, Saturday, Oct 12. This free event brought approximately 10,000 people to the beautiful Memorial Park in Cupertino and was a showcase of multicultural music, dance, fun kids zone, workshops, arts and crafts, fun, frolic and food.

The event was hosted by Cupertino Chamber of Commerce and its Asian American Business Council. Their mission was to "promote, strengthen and enhance the inter-ethnic business environment in the Cupertino Chamber". The organizers say "the Diwali Festival has proven to be an excellent way to bridge our business community with the residents of Cupertino."

"The annual Indian event, which is prac-

ticed as a mega event, marks the beginning of the new business year. It is a time to celebrate and practice traditions which include buying new clothes, exchanging gifts, gettogethers with family and friends, offering traditional sweets and wishes for a prosperous New Year, according to event organizers", says Mahesh.

When it was started way back in 2002, it had few stalls and a crowd of mere 250. And

now after 11 years it is one of the imperative Bay Area events. There were about 80 booths including the food and kids play zone, say the board members. The festival itself has grown bigger and the organizers hope it will grow manifold in years to come.

The event had kids dance performance with everything from the classical "Kathak" and "Bharatanatyam" to Bollywood to the folk "Koli". There were about 45 performances which started at about 10:30 am and continued till 4:30 pm.

The booths had vendors from all facets. They showcased ethnic Indian art, clothing, jewelry, toys and children's books. Yoga centers, insurance agents, realtors, non -profits, grocery stores had set up their stalls and catered to the community.

Some of the events at this year's Diwali festival was a larger Kids Zone with magic show, face painting, petting zoo, pony rides, wood workshop, jump house, and a color-

ing contest.

Guests of honor were from Cupertino Chamber of Commerce, Mayors of City of Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Fremont and Council members from all cities.

SEF Dandiya event raises funds for India hospitals VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post news service

SANTA CLARA, CA: Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the eradication of curable

blindness in India. SEF had organized a mega Dandiya event in Bay Area to raise funds for the construction of their eye hospital in India.

Cont’d on page 25

October 18, 2013

Community Across America

India Post 25

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Readers Write... www.indiapost.com

NSA scandal continues to grow

A

s Indian Americans we should be guarded and fearful of the NSA. No longer are our emails, phone calls and even our financial records safe from their prying eyes.

The National Security Agency scandal continues to

definitely. Many of these phone panies to "covertly influence" numbers were put on an "alert list" their product designs. Der in complete violation of court-man- Spiegel reports that millions of dated privacy protections. There financial bank financial records is no way for innocent Americans have been vacuumed by the to escape 'Big Brothers' dragnet.

NSA's prying eyes. They have Judge Reggie Walton, the pre- successfully unscrambled ensiding judge of the Foreign Intelli- cryption codes exposing the gence Surveillance most sensitive documents to the Court, severely ad- most appalling abuse.

Documents leaked by monished the NSA Telecom companies have been saying, "The court coerced into revealing US emails Snowden reveal the NSA is exceptionally and phone calls and paid millions and its British counterpart, concerned about of dollars in compensation. Fearwhat appears to be ful of losing their customers and GCHQ works with US a flagrant violation invoking the wrath of local and technology companies of its order in this international clients these same matter and no companies are falling over themto"covertly influence" their longer has any con- selves at finger pointing their product designs. fidence in the competitors; for example NSA." Microsoft has launched an ofD o c u m e n t s fensive, warning users "Don't grow. The London Guardian re- leaked by Snowden reveal the NSA get Scroogled". ports that for several years, the and its British counterpart, GCHQ Jagjit Singh NSA has passed many of our works with US technology comLos Altos, CA phone calls and emails to Israel.

There are no binding limits on Disclaimer :- India Post does not endorse opinions the use of this data and Israel expressed in the letters. can retain this information in-

SEF Dandiya event raises funds for India hospitals Cont’d from page 24

The Dandiya event was spread over five days - Oct 4, 5, 11, 12 in Santa Clara and Oct 19 at Pleasanton. The motto of the event was to spread awareness and to raise money for the construction of their eye hospital in Rajasthan.

They have received funds from a generous donor and are now trying to match the rest with these events. It was a sold-out event and has been one since its inception eight years ago.

Established in the Bay Area, SEF is a non-profit organization that has been working for the past fifteen years for the cause of eradicating curable blindness in India.

Driven by the truly inspirational mission of "Vision 20/20 by the year 2020," Sankara has established eight community hospitals as well as two city hospitals.

Sankara Eye Hosptial, Kanpur is under construction and is ex-

pected to be inaugurated in April or May 2014.

By far the most unique and remarkable characteristic of SEF is that they provide free eye care for those unable to afford it, most of them the rural poor. This accounts for 80 percent - which is approximately 145,000 people per year of the surgeries performed at their hospitals.

Their tireless efforts have enabled over a million people to receive the gift of vision through free eye surgeries, utterly free of cost. But none of this would have been possible without the generosity and support of SEF's donors.

The event was a huge success and people were open to help out for a cause way back in our homeland. Mr Krishnamurthy thanked the Board of Trustees, Executive Council members and volunteers who had worked relentlessly for this cause.

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TOP TEN 1

HINDI FILM SONGS Party All Night : Boss

2 Gulaabi: Shuddh Desi Romance 3 Main Rang Sharbaton Ka: Phata Poster Nikhla Hero

October 18, 2013

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4

Boss (Title Track): Boss

5

Nagada Sang Dhol: Ram-Leela

6

Hum Na Tode: Boss

7

Laal Ishq: Ram-Leela

8

Besharam ( Title Track) : Besharam

9 Ye Tune Kya Kiya: Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobara 10 Ram Chaahe Leela: Ram-Leela

R

anveer Singh is so besotted with Deepika Padukone's beauty, his on-screen Leela, that he says he can't take his eyes off her, so stunning she looks on camera!

Praising Deepika Padukone, the actor said in an interview that, "To get attention in the frame, I had to take off my shirt, put in all this energy, change my look, but I used to tell her when we watched the scenes on the monitor that she is so visually stunning that the eye keeps going only to her. I can keep doing whatever hell I want, but when I watch it, I don't look at myself, I only look at her".

Asked how was it working with Deepika Padukone, he said that Deepika is great and she has a good immunity against 'lovaria' as she is usually detached.

Speaking about the dazzling chemistry between them in the songs released, Ranveer said, "Such chemistry is only destiny. Our energies from the beginning were in tandem. I knew she will be easy to work with, but you can't get your eyes off the screen when you are looking at her. I love what I see. I only watch Deepika when I see the monitor".

Ranveer Singh has worked with couple of actresses in the past but the actor said that first time in his career, he is in a position where he can't see anybody except Deepika.

S D

eepika Padukone is basking in success as the new 100 crore club princess. The BO darling seems all excited about her upcoming movie Ram-Leela, shot extensively in Gujarat. In Ahmedabad for a Dandiya night, Deepika said, "It was awesome shooting in Kutch. It's a beautiful place and I totally enjoyed the Gujarati feel that the movie captures.

I'm familiar with Gujarati culture since childhood - I have lots of Gujarati friends, the food's awesome and with this movie I could understand a lot more about Gujaratis. Sanjay (Leela Bhansali) sir's meticulous research and his eye for detail is commendable.

Her song Nagada Sang Dhol is a hit this Navratri. But she confessed it was extremely difficult to learn Garba. "I had to rehearse for 10-15 days to get the steps right. I don't know how Gujaratis manage to do it with such effortless ease."

alman Khan, who played a casanova called Prem in Boney Kapoor's comic caper No Entry (2005), has allotted dates to the producer for the sequel that will be called No Entry Mein Entry.

The film will go on the floor in 2014. Salman will play Prem again. It is being said that Bollywood's most eligible bachelor on and off screen will have none less than 10 girls with him.

Anil Kapoor will also be there in the male lead with Salman.

The 2005 film had Esha Deol playing Salman's wife and Bipasha Basu playing a sex-siren. And though the director, Anees Bazmee, producer Boney and their superstar attraction Salman are in continuous talks on the various aspects of the casting, as of now, there is a tight lid on the names of the girls who are being cast.

Realty Tidbits

IT authorities look into accounts of Sobha Developers NEW DELHI: Real estate firm Sobha Developers has said that income tax officials have carried out a routine verification of its accounts.

"The Income Tax Authorities have conducted a routine verification of books of accounts at the company's premises on October 10," the Bangalore-based developer said in a filing to the BSE. The company extended its full cooperation and assistance to the IT authorities, according to the filing.

Besides Bangalore, the company has projects in the National Capital Region, Chennai, Pune, Thrissur, Coimbatore, Kozhikode and Mysore.

Sobha's sales bookings rose 23 per cent to Rs 1,235 crore during the first half of the current financial year.

The company had set a newsales guidance of 4.2 million square feet valued at Rs 2,600 crore for this fiscal year. -PTI

Realty industry welcomes REIT norms

NEW DELHI: Welcoming market regulator Sebi's draft norms on Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), the real estate industry has said the instrument would help in increasing the capital flows into the sector and also provide exit route to investors once implemented.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has proposed listing of REITs, a popular instrument for raising funds in the realty sector. Issuing draft norms for REITs, Sebi said the evolution of such investment vehicles is "crucial" for the rapidly growing real estate industry.

"This is a welcome move. Once in place it will provide an additional exit route for investors and enable retail money to be channelized into India's realty sector through a regulated network," CBRE South Asia Chairman & MD Anshuman Magazine said in a statement.-PTI

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Realtors hope to clear inventory on festival sales

October 18, 2013

Details on Page 33

Man buys Cold War house which was a bomb shelter DALLAS: When Don Sanders toured what is now his Kessler Park home in Oak Cliff last year, an inconspicuous slab of concrete partly covered by metal casing caught his eye.

The real estate agent told Sanders it was a storm shelter. But the air vent turbines suggested to Sanders that the original homeowner had prepared for something much more destructive.

Like a nuclear bomb.

Under that metal cover, a steep set of stairs led underground to a cramped fallout shelter furnished with three beds, a toilet and an air and water filtration system, lined with shiny lead. Sanders said he had always wanted to live in Oak Cliff and own a home built in the '50s, but this slice of history sealed the deal. ``I wanted to buy this house because I like stuff like this,'' Sanders, 62, told The Dallas Morning News.

The shelter is the largest of Sanders' atomic age collectibles, which also include an autographed Elvis record and a fiberglass Big Boy statue. It belongs to an era where doomsday prep was seen as patriotic. ``It wasn't fringe. It wasn't marginal. It was mainstream,'' said Susan Roy, author of the 2011 book ``Bomboozled: How the U.S. Government Misled Itself and Its People Into Believing They Could Survive a Nuclear Attack.''

Sanders, who owns a marketing company, moved from Grape-

vine and into his home in August 2012. In the year since, he's adorned it with collectibles from a time period he said he'd choose over any other. Even his red childhood Columbia bicycle hangs on the wall, a testament to his ven-

been untouched for years. A hand crank that filtered air in and out was still in place, as were jugs of brown liquid used to dispel unpleasant smells.

The light switch was elsewhere - the garage - so those entering

eration for the bygone era.

But the original homeowner, a dentist, was forward thinking. He installed central air conditioning and a burglar alarm.

The shelter represented a much bigger step in preparedness. Underground, Sanders found a scene that looked to have

the shelter could see on their way down. ``The fact that he had the wherewithal to do that, he thought of everything,'' Sanders said.

The shelter was built sometime in the early 1960s, Sanders said, during a time when Roy said talk of thermonuclear war got ``hot and

heavy.'' Tensions between the U.S. and Soviet Union escalated during the Berlin Crisis in mid-1961, leading to the construction of the Berlin Wall.

A shelter boom began. A September 1961 issue of Life magazine, with a cover headline promising to teach readers ``How You Can Survive Nuclear Fallout,'' featured a letter from President John F. Kennedy urging readers to ``consider seriously'' an ensuing story on shelters. ``It's human nature,'' said Roy, whose book focuses on government and public reaction to the threat of nuclear war. ``If you're threatened with something and someone offers you a way to protect yourself from that threat, you're probably going to take those actions.''

Cold War tensions and shelter construction peaked with the Cuban missile crisis in 1962. Roy said it's unclear how many shelters were built - she estimates ``tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands'' - without detailed records or building permits.

Roy said stories about shelters will pop up, as homeowners make Cont’d on page 33 discoveries.

Sebi's draft norms for Real Estate Investment Trusts MUMBAI: Looking to attract more investments into the capital market, Sebi has proposed listing of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), a popular instrument for raising funds in the realty sector.

Issuing draft norms for REITs, the capital market watchdog said the evolution of such investment vehicles is "crucial" for the rapidly growing real estate industry.

REITs would be allowed to list on stock exchanges through Initial Public Offer (IPO) and can raised funds further through Follow-On Offers, according to the consultation paper and draft norms issued by Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).

"REIT shall be set up as a Trust under the provisions of the Indian Trusts Act, 1882," it said.

However, REITs would not be allowed to launch any schemes.

As per draft rules, only such entities that have at least 90 per cent investment in completed revenue generating projects.

The move is aimed at providing investment avenues for investors by way of trading units of REITs, similar to mutual fund and Exchange Traded Fund structures for stocks, bonds and other securities.

"The REIT shall have parties such as trustee (registered with Sebi), sponsor, manager and prin-

cipal valuer," it added.

The Trust needs to initially apply for registration with Sebi as a REIT in the specified format. After being satisfied on the eligibility conditions, the regulator would grant registration to it.

According to Sebi, REITs can issue units of their investment schemes through a public offer and list them thereafter on a stock exchange in a way similar to the issuance and listing of shares during an IPO. Thereafter, the units can be traded on the stock exchange platform just like shares. It further said that listing of units will be mandatory for all REITs.-PTI

October 18, 2013

Real Estate Post

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Realtors hope to clear inventory on festival sales MUMBAI: Realty developers are hopeful of clearing a large portion of their inventory pile-up during this festive season by luring in buyers with freebies and discounts, even as they sit tight on declared prices, said industry experts.

"Higher interests and the overall slowdown has led to a significant build-up of unsold units with developers in most of the major realty markets over the past few quarters, adversely affecting cash flow and impacting new project

launches," KPMG India partner Neeraj Bansal told PTI. Further, RBI's stringent directives like banning the 80:20 scheme is expected to make things more difficult for developers, he said.

The September-December period witnesses maximum launches and publicity of real estate projects.

However, industry watchers are not expecting any price correction during the period.

"We don't expect any price correction now. Most projects have maintained the price levels or in some cases gone up marginally. But since they have already been factored in the slowdown, they will cautiously plan their sales," PwC India associate director Bhairav Dalal said.

Developers are likely to attract buyers through several discount schemes/gifts with most common being gold coins, cash-back on monthly rentals, customization, free parking and club facility, zero brokerage, upfront cash discounts among others.-PTI

Man buys Cold War house which was a bomb shelter Cont’d from page 32

``It's a weird time capsule from an era that to our eyes now seems simpler,'' Roy said. ``It represents a time that's so different from the one we live in. It's almost like a naive faith.''

Roy said a reasonable cost estimate today would range from $10,000 to $20,000 with inflation, depending on the material used and level of customization. ``All kinds of people got into the shelter-building business, because they saw money to be made,'' she said.

Others created their own, like the shelter at Sanders' next-door neighbor's home. Warren Farmer, who bought the house from the daughter of the couple who built it, said there's a seven-foot trench underneath dug by pick and hammer. -AP

NEW DELHI: Organizers of Miss Universe have extended their "deepest apologies" to India over a photo shoot at the Taj Mahal that triggered a police case and accusations that she disrespected the famed monument to love.

Reigning Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, a 21-year-old American from Rhode Island, visited the Islamic mausoleum during a 10day tour of India.

During her time at the World Heritage site, she posed for cameras with branded shoes and sat on the Diana Seat, a marble

ledge named after the late British princess who visited in 1992.

Acting on a complaint from the site's caretaker, police filed a case because any advertising or promotional work is banned at the site.

"The Miss Universe Organization would like to extend its deepest apologies to the people of India for the incident involving the reigning Miss Universe," said a statement sent to AFP. It said Culpo was making a video diary for fans. "As part of these videos, we sometimes incorporate sponsors into these shoots," it said, adding the footage was not meant for commercial purposes.

"We sincerely apologies for any unintentional harm our indiscretion and insensitivity may have caused," it added.

Indian-born fashion designer Sanjana Jon, who accompanied Miss Universe to the site, has also been booked for an alleged breach of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act. They are likely to face a fine if found guilty, officials say.

The Taj, visited by millions of tourists each year, was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved empress, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth in 1631.

Visitors are asked to remove shoes while

34 India Post

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climbing the plinth and entering the Taj, but footwear is allowed in the surrounding garden area where Culpo posed, wearing a long peach-colored off-the-shoulder dress.

The Mumbai-based Mid-Day tabloid quoted Taj caretaker Munazzar Ali as saying Culpo's behavior amounted to "disrespect and insult".

"The sandals from a bag she carried were taken and placed on the Diana Seat for shooting pictures, which is not permitted by the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India). It also amounts to disrespect and insult," he told the paper.

The tabloid suggested that security personnel responsible for frisking at the entrance gates "were too impressed" with Culpo and allowed her to carry her bag inside, which is normally not permitted.

Culpo, seemingly unaware of any brewing controversy, uploaded a photo of the Taj to an Instagram account, a day after her visit to the Taj in Agra, a threehour drive south of the capital New Delhi.

"We made it to the Taj Mahal. One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen!!!!

So amazing," she wrote.-AFP

October 18, 2013

The offending shoe kept before Taj

Indian firm upstages Google Street View

A

Culpo wearing the branded shoe

medium-sized Mumbai-based mapping firm is looking to replicate the Internet search giant Google's famed service with the launch of Wonobo.

Google Street View, which is currently struggling with Indian authorities to get the required permissions to take pictures of Indian city streets, works by capturing photos of almost every street in major cities and stitches the images together to create a 360-degree panoramic view of the streets.

Wonobo, which was launched by Genesys International - a Mumbai-based company that was founded over two decades ago by brothers Sol and Sajid Malik - works on the same principles as Google Street View and is now available for 12 major Indian cities and will soon be

expanded to 54 cities.

Wonobo, which has been incubated by an almost $35 million investment, is a 360-degree view platform that offers a 3D view of

cities and comes with placeholders to point towards businesses, city guides, stories and walking tours.

According to industry insiders, Genesys has worked closely with government authorities in a bid to comply with regulations.

"We are the first urban chronicle of today's India, having mapped panoramic imagery of thousands of square kilometers and close to 10 million places of interest across the country. We are confident that Wonobo will be a major value creator for an entirely new ecosystem of businesses in the years to come," said Sajid Malik, CMD, Genesys International.

India Post 35

October 18, 2013 www.indiapost.com

Nearly pelted with eggs, 17th-century treasure trove on display tomatoes

W

hen Deepika Padukone got ready to attend the ongoing Garba festivities in Ahmedabad, little did she imagine what was in store for her.

Eggs and tomatoes! A group of protesters had gathered on the Garba grounds to agitate against her upcoming film, Ram-Leela for some allegedly controversial content.

Onlookers say that the group had almost readied themselves to pelt Deepika with the eggs and tomatoes when they were informed that the makers had agreed to take the content off the film.

"Members of the Jadeja and the Rabari community were set to attack the actress as well as the organizers at the venue. The situation got tense but finally they backed down after they were told that the apparently offensive portions from the film had been redubbed," a source said.

According to an insider from

the production, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali had already communicated the decision to edit out

the protestors left the ground and Deepika continued with the evening's affair. The official

Deepika Padukone in a scene from Ram-Leela

the portions to the senior members of the community but word had not percolated to the agitators at the grounds."

After the matter was sorted,

spokesperson of the film says, "Ram-Leela is a well-made film which does not antagonize, offend or disrespect any community, whatsoever."

LONDON: Diamonds may be forever, but a lot of jewelry doesn't survive through the centuries.

Rings and bracelets get broken up for re-use, pearls decay, gold is melted down.

That explains the excitement over a new London exhibition of the Cheapside Hoard - a trove of almost 500 gemstones and pieces of jewelry from the 16th and 17th centuries, dug up by workmen demolishing a building in London more than 100 years ago.

The dazzling array of opals, emeralds, garnets, rubies, sapphires, amethysts, diamonds and more is displayed as a whole for the first time at the Museum of London from Friday.

The trove, which was buried under the brick-lined cellar floor of jewelers' workshops, offers a glimpse into 17th-century fashion, London life and the jewelry trade.

It is also an unsolved historical

One engraved gemstone bears the name of Viscount Stafford, a title awarded in 1640, meaning the hoard was buried sometime between then and 1666, when the area's buildings were destroyed in the Great Fire of London.

It lay undisturbed for almost 300 years until it was discovered in 1912 by construction workers demolishing a building in Cheapside, a busy commercial thoroughfare in the oldest part of London, the City. They took it to a pawnbroker who - fortunately offered it to a trustee of the Museum of London.

The gems caused a sensation when they were displayed in 1914, but have never been shown as a complete collection until now.

The exhibition reveals an era, like our own, attracted by opulence. British ships were exploring the world, returning with new goods and products. The hoard

mystery: Why was the priceless collection buried? And why did its owner never return to dig it up?

Exhibition curator Hazel Forsyth says the most likely explanation is the English Civil War, which erupted in 1642, bringing fear to London and devastation to the luxury trade. ``An awful lot of goldsmiths and jewelers went, the records say, to be soldiers - and a very large proportion didn't come back,'' she said.

The hoard's owners also may have been jewelers who decided to bury their stock and move abroad until peace returned - ``and that secret went with them.''

includes gems from India, emeralds from Colombia and even a cameo of Cleopatra from ancient Rome.

Clothing was richly embroidered, and ``jewels had to dazzle to stand out,'' said museum fashion curator Beatrice Behlen.

Eye-catching exhibits include chains of gemstones and blueand-white enameled flowers up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) long, worn looped around the neck and body.

There are emerald earrings shaped like bunches of grapes; bracelets of pearls, rubies, amethysts and diamonds; and the wonderfully named bodkins - bejeweled pins given as love tokens. -AP

Mehernama - epic of undying love NEW DELHI: "Mehernama" a play, directed by Aamir Raja Husain and his wife Virat Husain was presented at Durbar hall, Taj Palace hotel, recently. The play captured the administrative set up, palace intrigues, the love story of Prince Salim who later became Emperor Jehangir and Mehrunnisa who became Noor Jahan in an amazing presentation.

It is the story of legendary empress Noor Jahan and of the fabulous emperors Jahangir, covering three generations from Mughal-E -Azam Akbar to Shah Jahan. It is a story of war and peace, rebellion and reconciliation, power and politics, but above all it is an epic of love undying, infinite love, a romance that transcends generations, surpasses diversity, to become the world's most inspiring story of love.

36 India Post

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October 18, 2013

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40 India Post

A

raku Valley is beautiful hill station that lies in the Vishakhapatnam district in the south In dian state of Andhra Pradesh. The town is situated amidst beautiful locales of Eastern Ghats and has a rich cultural as well as traditional past.

Situated at a distance of 112 km from Visakhapatnam, it is famous for its scenic gardens with lush green nature, valleys, waterfalls and streams and still remains unspoiled by commercialism of tourism. The beauty of the valley has been showcased in Telugu films. Movies like Happy Days, Darling and Katha have been partly shot at the

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place.

The journey to Araku valley on the Eastern Ghats with thick forest on either sides is itself highly interesting and pleasant. The place is over 3200ft. high with a bracing climate.

The valley boasts of the Ananthagiri and Sunkarimetta Reserved Forests which are known for their rich biodiversity. The valley lies surrounded by the mountains of Raktakonda, Chitamogondi, Galikonda and Sunkarimetta.

The Galikonda hill has the distinction of being the tallest in the state.

Apart from being a beautiful hill station, Araku Valley is

October 18, 2013

also famous for its rich coffee plantations. The aroma of fresh coffee beans is in the air of Araku throughout.

The coffee plantations have been responsible to a large extent for the rehabilitation of the many tribes that stay in and around Araku Valley. It was in 2007 that the first organic coffee brand by tribal growers was launched in India. This organic brand was named 'Araku Emerald' and it enjoys domestic as well as international popularity. Now there are thousands of tribal people who work as farms hands and helpers in these plantations.

Cont’d on page 42

October 18, 2013

Travel & Hospitality Post

India Post

41

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Where to find JFK history 50 years after his death

T

hree cities loom large in the life and death of John F. Kennedy: Washing ton, D.C., where he was President and senator; Dallas, where he died; and Boston, where he was born.

With the 50th anniversary of his Nov. 22, 1963 assassination at hand, all three offer places where you can learn more about him or honor his legacy. Here's a list of museums, monuments, historic

down).

Birthplace: Kennedy, one of nine children, was born at 83 Beals St., in Brookline, a Boston suburb, in 1917. The house is a National Park site, http://www.nps.gov/jofi (temporarily closed by shutdown).

Hyannis: In the 1920s, JFK's father Joseph bought a waterfront vacation home for his family in Hyannis Port on Cape Cod, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) from Boston. Other family members including JFK bought property nearby. A seasonal cruise operates through Oct. 27 offering views of the Kennedy Compound from the water, http:// www.hylineharborcruise.com . The privately operated JFK Hyannis Museum, open through November, has an exhibit on his last visits to the Cape, http:// jfkhyannismuseum.org .

DALLAS AREA Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza: Kennedy's assassin Lee Harvey Oswald fired at the president's motorcade from a window on the Sept. 12, 2000 file photo, a memorial statue of sixth floor of the Texas President John F. Kennedy stands on the School Book Depository. grounds of the Massachusetts Statehouse The site is now the Sixth in Boston Floor Museum. The prisites and events in those cities vately operated museum has exand a few others around the coun- hibits about the assassination and try. (Note several sites are affected is hosting a series of talks by indiby the federal government shut- viduals connected to the events down.) of that day, including authors of several new books; 411 Elm St., BOSTON AREA http://www.jfk.org .

Tour: A walking tour of downMemorial ceremony: On Nov. town Boston looks at JFK as an 22, church bells will toll citywide emerging politician in the context at 12:25 p.m., followed by a moof his Irish immigrant ancestors ment of silence at 12:30 p.m., the and family political connections, time of the shooting. Events in with stops at the JFK statue on Dealey Plaza will include Pulitzer the Boston State House lawn; the Prize-winning historian David Union Oyster House, where he McCullough reading JFK often dined in an upstairs booth; speeches, a performance by the the Parker House hotel, where he U.S. Naval Academy Men's Glee proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier, Club, a military flyover and and Faneuil Hall, where he gave prayers. Public viewing screens his last speech in the 1960 campaign. The $12 tour meets WednesdaySaturday, 11:30 a.m., Boston Common Visitor Center, 139 Tremont St., http:/ /www.kennedytour.com .

Presidential Library and Museum: The I.M. Pei-designed museum houses permanent displays on the campaign trail, Kennedy's family and the first lady, along with special exhibits on the Cuban missile crisis and Jackie's White House This handout photo provided by the Newseum, years, http:// and the estate of Jacques Lowe, shows John www.jfklibrary.org/ (tem- F. Kennedy at a news conference in Omaha, Neb. in 1959 porarily closed by shut-

will be set up around the city to broadcast the event for members of the public who were not among the 5,000 lucky enough to get tickets, http:// 50thhonoringjohnfkennedy.com/.

Other local sites connected to the assassination: Love Field airport (where JFK landed in Dallas and where Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as president to replace him); Parkland Hospital (where Kennedy was taken and where Oswald died after being shot by Jack Ruby); and a marker in the Oak Cliff neighborhood at 10th and Patton streets where Oswald shot a police officer, J.D. Tippit. A 99-cent app, ``JFK in Dallas 50,'' offers an interactive map of Dallas, video and images related to the shooting, https:// itunes.apple.com/app/jfk-in-

dallas-50/id694762432?mt=8.

Dallas LOVE Project: Dallas was branded the ``City of Hate'' after the killing. Some 30,000 works of art reflecting on Dallas as a city of

love are going up around town this fall to mark the anniversary, http:/ /dallasloveproject.is/.

Cont’d on page 43

In this Aug. 26, 2009 file photo, visitors view the tomb of former President John F. Kennedy at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009

42

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Travel & Hospitality Post

October 18, 2013

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Araku Valley Beautiful hill station famous for coffee plantations Cont’d from page 40

TOURISTATTRACTIONS Araku Valley has some interesting places to visit including the Tribal Museum, Tyda, Borra caves, Sangda Falls and Padmapuram Botanical Gardens. These plus Government Silk Farm with Mulberry gardens are the live examples to know the socio-economic conditions of the area. Tribal Museum is a big attraction of Araku.

Chaaparai, a picturesque place about 15 km from Araku is another picnic spot in this region. One must experience the climatic conditions and the natural beauty of this Valley. The natural beauty of this valley comes alive with the aboriginal tribes who dwell here and who have to this day kept their tradition and culture alive. About 19 tribes inhabit this area. The Dhimsa dance, an age-old folk dance normally performed

during 'Itikala Pongal' is now offered in tourist's packages everyday.

Padmapuram Botanical Gardens

BEST TIME TO VISIT Araku Valley enjoys a moderate climate throughout the year. The summers are not hot unlike those of the plains, and the winters are nice and cold without the temperature falling below freezing point. People from towns and cities around the valley prefer to visit the place during summers when it gets too hot in the plains. However, the best time to enjoy the beauty of the valley is during the

winter season when one can enjoy sports like hiking, rappelling and trekking.

HOW TO REACH The hill station is connected to the rest of the country via good roads and a good railway network.

There are two railway stations; one in Araku and another in Araku Valley. Both the railway stations are connected to the railway station at Vizag. The railway stations fall on the KothavalasaKirandul railway line that is part of the Vishakhapatnam division on the East Cost railway.

Shimiliguda railway station has the highest broad gauge line in the country. The

railway station is at a height of 996 meters above sea level. The station has no airport though the roads leading to the hill station are in a good condition. Travelers can take

a private taxi from any of the towns and cities in Andhra Pradesh to reach Araku Valley.

Borra caves

October 18, 2013

Travel & Hospitality Post

India Post

43

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Goa stress on maximizing revenue per tourist PANAJI: Goa would henceforth focus on maximizing revenue per tourist rather than laying emphasis on raising the number of visitors, state Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar told the State Legislative

gious reasons or for meeting relatives and friends.

"The department will emphasize on planned increase in domestic tourist arrivals with focus on quality tourists through MICE (meet-

adding, "the focus will be on maximizing revenue per tourist rather than gross revenue."

"The proposed tourism master plan will also focus on various measures for holistic and sustainable

Assembly.

The minister was responding to a question by Congress legislator Mauvin Godinho on Goa's sliding position on the domestic tourist arrival front.

Parulekar said that majority of domestic tourism is due to reli-

ings, incentives and entertainment), weddings, leisure, heritage and hinterland tourism," he added.

"Mere increase in tourist numbers may put tremendous strain on existing infrastructure which may be counter productive to the state in the long run," the minister said,

growth in tourist arrivals keeping in view the long term benefits to the state," Parulekar told the Assembly.

As per figures tabled on the floor of the House, 22.01 lakh domestic tourists arrived in Goa for 2010, which was increased to 22.25 lakh for 2011 and 23.37 lakh for 2012. -PTI

Where to find JFK history 50 years after his death Cont’d from page 41

JFK Tribute: This sculpture of Kennedy in Fort Worth marks the spot where JFK spoke the morning of Nov. 22 to crowds gathered outside his hotel, now the Fort Worth Hilton, http:// www.jfktribute.com/.

Amon Carter Museum of American Art: Through Jan. 12, the museum hosts ``Hotel Texas: An Art Exhibition for the President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy,'' which includes a Picasso and other works of art that were originally loaned by local collectors for a display in the hotel suite where the Kennedys spent the night before his assassination, http:// www.cartermuseum.org/.

University of Texas at Arlington Libraries: An exhibit of 80 photos shows JFK and the first lady during their visit to Fort Worth, just before he arrived in Dallas, http://www.uta.edu/news/rel e a s e s / 2 0 1 3 / 0 8 / J F K - F W S Texhibit.php.

WASHINGTON D.C. AREA Arlington National Cemetery (Virginia): Kennedy's gravesite is marked with an eternal flame, in accordance with his widow's wishes, http:// www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/ VisitorInformation/ MonumentMemorials/JFK.aspx

(open despite shutdown).

Newseum: Through Jan. 5, this privately operated museum hosts three exhibits related to JFK: ``Creating Camelot,'' family photos; ``Three Shots Were Fired,'' including artifacts like the Zapruder movie camera, which captured the shooting on film; and ``A Thousand Days,'' a short documentary about JFK's 1,000-day administra-

Newseum: Through Jan. 5, this privately operated museum hosts three exhibits related to JFK: ``Creating Camelot,'' family photos; ``Three Shots Were Fired,'' including artifacts tion, http://newseum.org/exhibitsand-theaters/temporary-exhibits/ jfk/. On Nov. 22, the Newseum hosts a ``JFK Remembrance Day'' including discussions and a threehour rebroadcast of CBS News' live coverage of the assassination.

An evening program, ``Eyewitness to History: The JFK Assassination 50 Years Later,'' is scheduled for Nov. 20.

Smithsonian's National Museum of American History: Items related to the Kennedys can be

found in exhibits on presidential elections and first ladies' inaugural gowns, http:// americanhistory.si.edu/ (temporarily closed by shutdown).

ELSEWHERE Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich.: The museum houses the limousine Kennedy was riding in when he was shot. A lecture series about JFK and the assassination is scheduled for Nov. 18-22, http:// www.thehenryford.org/research/ kennedyLimo.aspx and http:// w w w. t h e h e n r y f o r d . o r g / jfkremembered.

Dartmouth College's BakerBerry Library, in Hanover, N.H.: Through Dec. 20, ``The Grassy Knoll Revisited: On the 50th Anniversary of the Assassination of JFK,'' offers artifacts connected to the assassination, along with a digital forensic analysis of a photo of Oswald holding a rifle and Marxist newspapers, http:// www.dartmouth.edu/~library/exhibits/bakerberry/index.html._ Duquesne University, Pittsburgh: ``Passing the Torch'' is a symposium featuring experts on the assassination, including investigators, a physician who attended Kennedy, and an appearance by Oliver Stone, director of the film ``JFK,'' Oct. 17-19, http:// www.duq.edu/jfk. -AP

Forex earnings from tourism up by 12 per cent NEW DELHI: Foreign exchange earnings from tourism, crucial to combat the current account deficit (CAD), has increased by more than 12 per cent in September this year as compared to the corresponding period last year.

Forex earnings from tourism in September 2013 were Rs 7,502 crores as against Rs 6,652 crore in the same period last year, an increase of 12.8 per cent, according to Tourism Ministry data.

There were 4.36 lakh foreign tourists, who visited the country in September as compared to 4.12 lakh in the same month last year, showing a growth of 5.8 per cent.

To boost foreign tourist inflow, government is finalizing an action plan to ease visa norms and also to extend visa on arrival facility to as many as 40 more countries including US, UK, Germany, France, Brazil and Russia.

Currently, India has extended the visa-on-arrival scheme to 11 countries including Japan, New Zealand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore and Indonesia.

Tourists from the US constitute about 16 per cent share in the total arrival of foreign tourists across India, followed by the UK at 11.9 per cent.

Besides, Bangladesh at 7 per cent, Sri Lanka (4.5 per cent) and Canada (3.8 per cent) are among the top five countries with maximum foreign tourist arrivals in India.

A concerted Incredible India campaign is being launched to attract foreigners to the country, said a senior Tourism Ministry official.

Tourism Ministry is also planning to have agreements with various countries to strengthen tourism cooperation. -PTI

Marriott to have 100 hotels in India in five years BANGALORE: Launching its first 'Fairfield' brand hotel in Asia here, US-based hospitality major Marriott International has said it will have 100 hotels in India over the next five years.

"Currently, we have 145 hotels in Asia, our intention is to more than double that - over the next three years we will have over 300 hotels; ....We expect over the next 3-5 years we will see 100 hotels in India," Marriott International Inc COO (Asia Pacific) Don Cleary told reporters here.

Stating that Marriott as a company has nearly 20 brands globally, he said out of these "we are developing eight in Asia. Fairfield is our 7th brand in India....; we will also be introducing our Ritz Carlton brand to India soon."

He said: "This is our 21st hotel

in India and we also have 46 more hotels for which we have signed contract, they are at various stages of development."

Cleary was speaking on the launch of Fairfield by Marriott hotel in Bangalore, in association

with SAMI Hotels; Fairfield-Bangalore is owned by SAMI Hotels and will be managed by Marriott International Inc. Located in Rajajinagar, a residential area to the west of Bangalore, Fairfield by Marriott is the first Fairfield hotel in Asia with 148 guest rooms. -PTI

In Brief Detention of men prompts immigration protest TUCSON, Ariz.: Tucson's police chief says officers were following the law during a traffic stop of two immigrants that turned into a heated protest.

Police Chief Roberto Villasenor said officers must notify the U.S. Border Patrol when they come across immigrants who can't produce legal ID. Tucson police used pepper spray to disperse some of the more than 100 people protesting.

Sgt. Maria Hawke says the impromptu confrontation occurred when a crowd gathered at the scene.

She said police pulled over a car because it had no license plate light. Border Patrol was then called when officers learned the occupants were in the country illegally.

The Border Patrol agents took both into custody, and the crowd dispersed.

Immigrant groups say the law doesn't require police to call Border Patrol. -AP

ย

Ethiopian man convicted on US immigration counts

DENVER: A man accused of torturing and killing people in an Ethiopian prison in the 1970s has been convicted of immigration charges in Denver federal court.

Kefelgn Alemu Worku was convicted on three counts related to immigration fraud, The Denver Post reported.

Prosecutors said Worku lied on immigration forms when he denied committing political persecution.

He could face up to 12 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.

Worku has not been charged in Denver with any crimes related to prison abuse. He has acknowledged using a false name to gain admission to the U.S. but denied the torture allegations.

A witness testified that she saw Worku kill two boys in an Ethiopian prison in the late 1970s.

Abebech Demissie, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Ethiopia, testified she was an inmate at the prison known as Higher 15 in Addis Ababa and Worku was a guard there. Demissie said Worku and other guards tied her up and beat her.

Worku's attorney, Matthew Golla, questioned whether Demissie could accurately identify Worku more than 30 years after the events at the Ethiopian prison. ``I can't delete what I have in my memory,'' she replied.

Worku came to the United States in 2004 and had been living in Denver. -AP

Immigration 44 India Post

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October 18, 2013

Shutdown puts businesses, foreign workers in limbo Details on page 45

UK banks, landlords to tackle illegal immigrants LONDON: Bank managers and landlords in Britain would be forced to take part in checks for illegal immigrants under new laws proposed that have been branded as "nasty" by civil liberties campaigners.

The new legislation would require private landlords to question tenants about their immigration status and force banks to check account applicants against a database of known immigration offenders.

The bill also proposes slashing the number of grounds on which migrants can lodge an appeal against deportation from the current 17 to just four.

This reform is seen as a response to the 12 years it took to deport radical cleric Abu Qatada from Britain to Jordan, a task the government finally completed in July.

Other key measures include forcing temporary migrants, such as overseas students, to pay a surcharge as a precondition to entering the country and access-

who are in Britain illegally and deter illegal immigrants from entering the country.

"The public expects and deserves an immigration system that

Other key measures include forcing temporary migrants, such as overseas students, to pay a surcharge as a precondition to entering the country and accessing the National Health Service (NHS) in an attempt to tackle so-called "health tourism". ing the National Health Service (NHS) in an attempt to tackle socalled "health tourism".

Immigration minister Mark Harper said the changes would stop illegal migrants from taking advantage of public services, make it easier to remove people

is fair to British citizens and legitimate immigrants and tough on those who abuse the system and flout the law," Harper said at the unveiling of the new bill.

But the opposition Labor party said the bill would do nothing to tackle "increasingly shambolic"

border controls, while campaign group Liberty said the new laws were a "race relations nightmare waiting to happen".

"Once more, headline-grabbing gimmicks trump tackling departmental delays, and public fears are stoked instead of calmed by putting the house in order," said Liberty's director Shami Chakrabarti.

Maurice Wren, chief executive of the Refugee Council, a charity which works directly with refugees and asylum seekers, said the new bill was "unworkable."

"Landlords and bank staff are not immigration officials and the types of documentation carried by asylum seekers and refugees is varied and complex," Wren said.

The government expects the bill to be implemented from summer 2014 onwards. -AFP

Waiving goodbye to unappealable decisions-II DAVID A. ISAACSON

Contd from last week's article

T

he AAO's indirect appellate jurisdiction over inadmissibility determinations has even been exercised where the initial inadmissibility determination was made not by a USCIS officer in the context of an application for adjustment of status, but by a Department of State consular officer in the context of a consular application for an immigrant visa.

In a 2009 decision, the AAO dismissed as moot an appeal from the denial of a ยง212(h) waiver by the Officer in Charge (OIC) in Manila, holding that the applicant did not require a waiver because the applicant's admission to an examining physician that he had used marijuana in the past did not give rise to inadmissibility, and that Pazcoguin v. Radcliffe, 292 F.3d 1209 (9th Cir. 2002) (finding a valid admission to the elements of a crime resulting in inadmissibility under similar circumstances) did not apply because the applicant and the office that made the decision were located in the Philippines rather than within the juris-

diction of the Ninth Circuit.

The AAO ordered "the matter returned to the OIC for further processing of the immigrant visa application." It explained the source of its authority in this context as follows: The Secretary of Homeland Security (and by delegation, the AAO)

2009), at 4.

Nor was that Manila case an isolated exception, although the detailed explanation of the source of the AAO's authority in the consular context that was contained in that decision is rarer that the exercise of the authority itself. The AAO has also dismissed as moot an appeal

The AAO has exercised its indirect appellate jurisdiction over a consular inadmissibility determination in at least one appeal from a decision of the Mexico City district director where "the applicant did not appear to contest the district director's determination of inadmissibility" has final responsibility over guidance to consular officers concerning inadmissibility for visa applicants. See Memorandum of Understanding Between Secretaries of State and Homeland Security Concerning Implementation of Section 428 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, issued September 30, 2003, at 3.

Matter of X- (AAO June 17,

of the denial of an application for a ยง212(h) waiver by the Mexico City district director in the case of an applicant who sought an immigrant visa in the Dominican Republic and had been convicted of a firearms offense which would properly give rise to deportability but not inadmissibility; dismissed an appeal from a decision of the Frankfurt, Germany OIC denying

a ยง212(h) waiver for an applicant whom the AAO determined had not been convicted of a CIMT; dismissed an appeal from a decision of the Vienna, Austria OIC denying a ยง212(h) waiver for an applicant the AAO found had only been subject to juvenile delinquency proceedings not giving rise to a conviction for immigration purposes under Matter of Devison-Charles, 22 I&N Dec. 1362 (BIA 2001); and dismissed another appeal from a decision of the Vienna OIC where the AAO found that the applicant's conviction qualified for the petty offense exception.

Indeed, the AAO has exercised its indirect appellate jurisdiction over a consular inadmissibility determination in at least one appeal from a decision of the Mexico City district director where "the applicant did not appear to contest the district director's determination of inadmissibility" but the AAO found that neither of the crimes of which the applicant had been convicted was a CIMT. Cont'd on Page 45

Immigration Post

October 18, 2013

India Post 45

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Shutdown puts businesses, foreign workers in limbo WASHINGTON: The partial government shutdown has left high-skilled immigrant workers and the companies that employ them in limbo.

The Labor Department's Office of Foreign Labor Certification is closed and applications for job changes, new hires or any other adjustments for foreign workers are on hold until the government reopens.

Laura Foote Reiff, a Northern Virginia immigration attorney, said while the Labor Department remains closed any business in the process of hiring foreign workers

who already have a valid visa may also be missing various filing deadlines, which could force companies to start the complicated hiring process over again. ``It can be costly and time consuming,'' Reiff said.

The Labor Department said that it could not answer questions about the issue because the shutdown had closed the Office of Foreign Labor Certification.

Reiff said government contractors whose projects are on hold during the shutdown face a dilemma: to furlough or fire foreign workers.

Because of the conditions on the high-skilled visas, even furloughed foreign workers have to be paid. If a company decides to fire the worker, that firm is then faced with starting the arduous hiring process over again.

And for the foreign worker, taking a temporary unpaid furlough or losing the job altogether means they are violating the terms of the visa, which could cause problems in the future if they try to renew a visa or change immigration status.

There is no grace period for immigrant workers to be unemployed and they could face deportation

or be denied visa extensions.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigra-

workers, said it will evaluate future renewal and status change

tion Services, which processes the immigration paperwork for such

applications of workers furloughed or fired on a case-by-case basis. -AP

Waiving goodbye to unappealable decisions-II Cont'd from Page 44

The AAO's indirect appellate jurisdiction has also been exercised in a case coming from the New Delhi, India OIC where an applicant disputed his date of departure from the United States which started the running of the ten-year bar, and the AAO found that the applicant's actual departure had been more than ten years prior and thus no §212(a)(9)(B)(v) waiver was required.

Perhaps most interestingly, it appears that the AAO will even exercise its indirect appellate jurisdiction over inadmissibility determinations in some cases where the applicant has failed to demonstrate prima facie eligibility for the relevant waiver, although the only examples that this author have been able to find of this involve the AAO's indirect jurisdiction over USCIS adjustment denials rather than consular-processing of an immigrant visa.

In a 2006 decision, an applicant who had not provided any evidence that his wife was a Lawful Permanent Resident who could serve as a qualifying relative for either a §212(i) waiver or a §212(a)(9)(B)(v) waiver was found not to be inadmissible because he had made a timely retraction of any misrepresentation, and had accrued no unlawful presence due to last departing the United States in 1989. In a 2009 decision, an applicant who had pled guilty to hiring undocumented workers, and

who had been found inadmissible under INA §212(a)(6)(E)(i) for alien smuggling and appealed the denial of his application for a waiver of inadmissibility under INA §212(d)(11), was found not inadmissible by the AAO, which withdrew the district director's contrary finding - even though the district director had found that the applicant did not meet the requirements of §212(d)(11), and seems very likely to have been right about that, since §212(d)(11) applies only to an applicant who "has encouraged, induced, assisted, abet-

therefore HIV infection was no longer a ground of inadmissibility.

Some potentially difficult ethical and practical questions would need to be resolved before deliberately filing a waiver application on behalf of an applicant ineligible for such waiver in order to obtain AAO review of whether the applicant was inadmissible at all, but it is at least a possibility worthy of further analysis.

So when an application for adjustment of status, or even for a consular-processed immigrant

When an application for adjustment of status, or even for a consular-processed immigrant visa, is denied, it is important to keep in mind that an appeal may be available even if it does not appear so at first glance ted, or aided only an individual who at the time of the offense was the alien's spouse, parent, son, or daughter (and no other individual) to enter the United States in violation of law."

And in 2010, the AAO declared moot a waiver application under INA §212(g) by an individual infected with HIV who apparently had not established any relationship with a qualifying relative, on the ground that in January 2010 the Centers for Disease Control had removed HIV from the official list of communicable diseases of public health significance, and

visa, is denied, it is important to keep in mind that an appeal may be available even if it does not appear so at first glance, and that establishing the necessary hardship to a qualifying relative to support a waiver application is not necessarily the only way to win the case.

If a waiver of the ground upon which the denial was based is at least theoretically available, so as to support AAO jurisdiction over the denial of that waiver, then one can leverage the waiver to seek AAO review of whether a waiver was necessary in the first place.

Concluded

PRADEEP ROY-SINGH B.A. LL.B. M.B.A. J.D. Attorney-at-Law

Former Assistant State s Attorney

Civil & Criminal Litigation Felonies, Misdemeanors, Inc DUI 1 Personal Injury, Business, Divorce etc.

1 Property Tax for Commercial Properties 1 1

http://www.proy-singh.com

2335 W. Devon Ave., Suite 204, Tel: 773-381-1820 Chicago, IL 60659

Horoscope

46 India Post

October 18, 2013

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Your Weekly Future

by Pandit Parashar

OCTOBER 18 TH - OCTOBER 24 TH , 2013 (March 21 to April 20)

T

here will be slight change in your travel plans. Things will keep getting more relaxed at work as you will finish the project well ahead of deadline. You may buy some nice items for the house. Eat food at proper interval in order to avoid that burning sensation. An old friend will send you the invitation for a big party taking place next month.

(July 23 to August 22)

I

t will be better to act on your own instincts and projection. You will realize how correct you were in a matter of few weeks. You may arrange a small get together and invite some business colleagues.

This is the right time to approach a government official and seek big favor. Big payment expected will show up as promised.

(April 21 to May 20)

E

xpenses will not leave you alone this week either. Ongoing legal matters could be decided in your favor this week though financial gains will not be as expected. Spouse may need to seek medical advice. You may meet an interesting person during the course of a trip. You may also dispose off some money making stocks and pocket the profit.

(August 23 to September 22)

G

ambling instincts will pay off in a big way and you will reap rich rewards for patience shown in the past. Eye sight may need to be tested again. You will receive invitation to attend a big social event. You will spend money on some nice items for the family members. Things will be kind of relaxing at work this week.

(May 21 to June 20)

T

rip will be rewarding in every sense. Financial benefits will be instant and open new door of additional revenues. Spouse will try to pass on some unnecessary stress. You will have couple of chance to enjoy with family and friends. Your valuable will steer a needy person's life in right direction. Bank balance will shot up suddenly.

(September 23 to October 22)

T

here will be slight confusion but you will definitely end up making the right choice. Money will go on buying some beautiful items for the home. Avoid consuming too many drinks at the party. People in business will see a sudden upsurge in sales. Some of your good deeds will make you very popular in society.

(June 21 to July 22)

A

nd you will continue finding good solutions for problems big or small. Some of you may replace one of your vehicle with a newer model. You may also start the procedure to obtain a loan, most probably for business purpose. Mind will be relaxed and you will start preparation for an upcoming big event. Party will be entertaining.

(October 23 to November 22)

I

f you play your cards right and control temptations, this could be a major turning point in your life, a new beginning. Park your vehicle at proper and well lit place when you go out. Some money will go to government in shape of taxes. You will be mostly on your feet but accomplish a lot in personal as well as professional life.

(November 23 to December 22)

C

hances of hitting a financial jackpot too strong this week. Do not hesitate to buy few lottery tickets. Children will be source of additional happiness. You will continue to receive guidance from a matured person. A long distance trip is also in the air for some.

Obstacles will be followed by easy and good solutions.

(December 22 to January 19)

A

nd this could be a bumpy road in career for you, but if you hold on to it, better days are just ahead. Long awaited judgment will come in your favor this week. Boss will call and discuss future strategy. You will spend an evening with some famous people. Help will come from totally unexpected places and will be in plenty.

(January 20 to February 18)

C

oncentration of several planets in ninth is very favorable. You may finally find ideal partners will numerous resources for your dream project. Bachelors will enjoy new association. Some of you may be moved to next level in career at existing place. You may need to answer a legal query. Try to aim high and for long term goals.

(February 19 to March 20)

K

eep working on your plans. Success will come but with delay.

Planets will continue to help those looking for a possible change in career. You may receive call for more than one interview this week.

You may drop your plans to attend a religious event on the last minute.

Money will come but will be hard to hold and preserve.

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

510-886-4370 website: www.parashar.com

October 18, 2013

Classifieds

India Post 47

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HELP WANTED Consulate General of India, Chicago, invites applications for the post of a Junior Clerk.

Interested candidates possessing appropriate work authorization may kindly

by Text-Enhance"apply with their bioprofile to the CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA, 455 N Cityfront Plaza Drive (NBC Tower Building), Suite No. 850, Chicago, Illinois 60611

by October 18, 2013

For Classifieds Ads Call NORTHERN CA (Sonia) Tel: 510-938-8668 sonia@indiapost.com (Priya) Tel. 510-275-4467 priya@indiapost.com SOUTHERN CA (Shashi Trivedi) Tel: 562-441-5511/ Fax: 562-947-0632 shashi19@yahoo.com CHICAGO (Ramesh Soparawala) Tel: 773-973-7394 / Fax: 773-973-7396

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Datebook

48 India Post

NEW JERSEY Upcoming Sat, Oct 19 • ICS Presents Navratri 2013 Venue: Dunn Sports Center-NJ, 600 Pearl St, Elizabeth, NJ 07202 Time: 9:00 pm Contact: 908-656-2020

Sun, Oct 20 • Deepavali Special Kalyanamalai Venue: North Brunswick High School, 98 Raider Rd, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 Time: 6:00 pm

Sat, Oct 26 • Vijay Siva - Carnatic Vocal concert presented by Sruti Venue: Agnes Irwin School - West Wike Theatre, 275 S. Ithan Ave, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 Time: 4:30 pm

NEW YORK Upcoming Fri, Oct 18 • Sun Tv Kalyana Malai

Pattiman-dram & Shooting Venue: Hindu Temple Community Center, 143-09 Holly Ave, New York, NY 11355 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 917-300-9284

Sat, Oct 26 • South Asian Comedy Showcase

www.indiapost.com

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Upcoming

Fri, Oct 18 • Musical Prayer For Peace Venue: Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, 6700 W 83rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90045 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 310-670-4777

Fri, Oct 18 • Celebrate 100 yrs of Indian

Venue: Mason Hall, 17 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10010 Time: 7:30 pm Contact: 908-591-5190

Music With Jasraj Joshi

Sat, Oct 26 • 2nd Grand Gala Dinner

Time: 8:30 pm

Venue: World Fair Marina Banquet Hall, 1 Worlds Fair Marina Flushing, New York, NY 11369 Time: 6:30 pm Contact: 917-318-9396

October 18, 2013

Venue: Centinela Valley Center For The Arts, 14901 S Inglewood Ave, Lawndale, Ca 90260 Contact: 3104978050

Sat, Oct 19 • Grand Diwali Mela – 2013 Festival Of Lights Venue: Bharat Community Center, 1732 Reynolds Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 Time: 5:00 pm Contact: 714-846-1301

Sat, Oct 19 • Do Kishore ( Listen to Kishore Kumar ) Venue: Chabot College complex 25555 Hesperian Blvd. Hayward, CA 94557 Time: 7:30 pm

ILLINOIS Upcoming

Fri, Oct 18

• J K Yog Satsang and Bal

• Durga Puja Kickoff

Mukund Hindi Classes are held every 2nd and 4rth Sunday of Month

Venue: Centinela Valley Center For The Arts, 14901 S Inglewood Ave, Lawndale, CA 90260 Time: 5:00 pm Contact:310-497-8050

Sat, Oct 19 • Grand Diwali Mela – 2013 Festival Of Lights Venue: Bharat Community Center, 1732 Reynolds Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 Time: 5:00 pm Time: 714-846-1301

Sat, Oct 26 • Carnatic Keyboard Arangetram

by Varsha Sarveshwar Venue: Agoura hills High school,CA, 28545 W Driver Ave, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 Time: 5:00 pm Time: 818-584-4677

ATLANTA Upcoming Sun, Oct 20 • Dussehra Mela 2013 Venue: Atlanta Event Hall, 3750 Venture Dr, Duluth, GA 30096 Time: 3:00 pm

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

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 Website: www.jkyog.org/bal-mukund

Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Where: Metropolitan Asian Family Services

Contact: 404-934-9991

Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105

Challenge

Fri, Oct 25 • Diwali Dhamaka 2013q

Thu, Oct 24

Venue: Veterans Administration Grounds

Venue: Ashiana Global Mall, 5675 Jimmy

, 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Carter Blvd, Norcross, GA 30071

Contact: 510-677-2777

Sun, Oct 27 • 16th Annual LA Cancer

90073 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: : 310-473-5121

Time: 7:30 pm Contact: 770-309-1074

• IACS Diversity Job Fair 2013 Venue: Chicago Hilton, 720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, 720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605 Time: 10:00 am Contact: 847-596-0363

October 18, 2013

www.indiapost.com

India Post 49

„ Health

Line

Cicilline,Health Source RI to promote health law PROVIDENCE, R.I.: U.S. Rep. David Cicilline and Rhode Island's new health insurance marketplace have announced a series of workshops intended to ensure that as many people as possible are aware of the health benefits available through the new national health care law.

Cicilline and HealthSource RI Director Christine Ferguson announced that their offices plan to hold a series of three informational workshops through the end of the year, targeting residents of Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District.

A Congressional report shows that 146,000 in the district now have health insurance that covers preventive services without co-pays, coinsurance or deductible under the law. Insurance companies no longer deny coverage for 27,000 children with pre-existing conditions and 4,600 youths can stay on their parents' health care plans.

HealthSource RI began processing applications for insurance after enrollment opened more than a week ago. -AP

„

Suicidal talk on Twitter mirrors suicide rates NEW YORK: Twitter may prove a viable tool for real-time monitoring of suicide risk factors on a large scale, a new US study suggests.

The study offers hope that social media can become an early warning system to help prevent suicides, researchers said.

Researchers at Brigham Young University examined tweets originating from 50 US states over a three month period.

Sifting through millions of tweets, their algorithms searched for direct discussion of suicide, as well as keywords and phrases associated with known risk factors such as bullying.

"With social media, kids sometimes say things that they aren't saying out loud to an adult or friend in person," said Christophe Giraud-Carrier, a BYU computer scientist and one of the study's seven authors.

They found 37,717 genuinely troubling tweets from 28,088 unique users for whom some location information was available.

Each state's ratio of suicidal tweets strongly correlated with its actual suicide rate.

In Alaska, which has the country's highest suicide rates, researchers identified 61 Twitter users as at-risk individuals.-PTI

Health Science Gov. Brown vetoes bill on 'biosimilar' medicines 50

India Post

www.indiapost.com

October 18, 2013

Details on Page 52

Indian healthcare IT market may zoom to $1,454 mn MUMBAI: Healthcare information technology market in India is expected to reach USD 1,454.7 million in 2018 from the present USD 381.3 million, mainly due to fast adoption of technology by stake-holders, according to Frost & Sullivan.

Healthcare IT is a core component to achieve successful transformative shifts in healthcare.

Growth in data, digitization trends in health information and electronic medical records, improvements in collaborative data exchange, workflows and mobility, and need for better financial management are changing the needs of the hospital enterprise.

Additionally, patient demographic changes and chronic disease growth, cost control considerations, and importance of patient safety, have all come together to heighten demand for health information technology (HIT) in India, the report said.

"The increase in adoption of electronic health records, mHealth, telemedicine, and web-based services has made electronic patient

data expand, necessitating the implementation of robust IT systems in Indian healthcare institutions," according to analysis done

by Frost & Sullivan.

tions is the main criterion they seek from electronic medical record (EMR) vendors. The main challenge during and after implementation of EMR, is the time

"The technology's benefits, which include enabling experts from any part of the world to advise patients on medical care, streamlining operations, and helping hospitals achieve performance targets, have popularized IT in healthcare," it said.

Hospitals have noted that ease of integration with existing solu-

spent by doctors and employees on EMR systems.

This proves how important training and education are in the uptake of such systems.

Overall, the scope of HIT services is restricted to metro and Tier I cities, and success is expected to depend on factors such as cost versus benefit compari-

son, along with clear and quicker ROI, the report pointed out.

According to Frost & Sullivan, the main expectations of hospitals in future are linked to full integration of systems, more shareable information platforms, and standardization that could lead to user-friendliness, more usability, and access to mobile devices such as tablets, as well as advanced tools uptake like telemedicine and virtual meeting systems for knowledge sharing.

In terms of technologies, companies also plan to strongly focus on product modification areas in terms of higher investments, the report said.

"Integrated systems will enable developers to create cloudbased solutions, where conducting upgrades and maintenance is quicker and more efficient," noted an analyst.

In addition, the shift to wireless technology, mobile devices and cloud computing will reduce system costs and improve workflows, the analyst said. -PTI

UK withdraws certification of Wockhardt unit NEW DELHI: In yet another setback to drug firm Wockhardt, UK's health regulator has withdrawn the good manufacturing certification of the company's Chikalthana facility in Maharashtra.

"The company has received a communication from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, United Kingdom (UKMHRA), whereby the agency has decided to withdraw the previously issued GMP Certificate to the company's manufacturing facility situated at L1, MIDC, Chikalthana, Aurangabad," Wockhardt said in a filing to BSE. MHRA has also said it "will be issuing a restricted GMP (good manufacturing practice) Certificate to the site along with a statement of non-compliance for the said site," it added.

The impact of the same on ex-

isting business will only be known once the company receives further communication from UKMHRA, Wockhardt said.

shortage of medically essential products, the GMP certificate will be conditioned to permit continued manufacturing and QC test-

Earlier in July this year, UKMHRA had imposed an import alert on Wockhardt's export-oriented plant at Waluj in Maharashtra and issued a precautionary recall The said facility contributes approximately GBP 12 million from the UK and EU markets to the consolidated annual revenues of the company, it added.

"In order to avoid market

ing of 'critical' products in situations where it has been agreed by the national competent authority or EMA (as appropriate) that there is no feasible alternative in the market concerned,"

Wockhardt said.

The scope of the statement of non-compliance is therefore limited to medicinal products considered non-critical to public health.

Accordingly, the company shall be able to manufacture and supply from the said facility certain products critical to public health, it added.

Earlier in July this year, UKMHRA had imposed an import alert on Wockhardt's export-oriented plant at Waluj in Maharashtra and issued a precautionary recall for sixteen medicines made by the company at the unit.

In May, US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) had also issued an import alert on the same facility which makes injectables and solid dosages.

Wockhardt had said it had already initiated several corrective actions to resolve the issues at the Waluj plant. -PTI

October 18, 2013

Health Science Post

India Post 51

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With medical marijuana come new jobs, attitudes CHICAGO: Patients with serious illA: I think you'd be surprised. The demonesses such as cancer will be able to le- graphic of our class is mostly people over gally use medical marijuana in Illinois when 40 who are trying to change courses in their a new law takes effect next year. But that career or want to do something new and isn't the only change the state is likely to exciting and can see it's a lucrative opporsee. tunity. The younger stoner crowd might be The 19 other states that already legal- out there, but they don't have the business ized the medical use of marijuana also saw experience so they're probably not going thousands of new jobs and shifting atti- to be able to compete at the same level. tudes about the Q: Do people have drug, says Robert to be worried about Calkin, a longtime legal issues? medical marijuana A: If you're in a advocate and state that has regupresident and lated marijuana and founder of the get an attorney and Cannabis Career an accountant and Institute. Calkin follow those rules, was in Illinois for a you'll know how to series of seminars do it. Illinois people for entrepreneurs should be feeling interested in workgood because ing in the industry. they're going to He spoke with The have a way to do it Associated Press legally. about what Illinois Q: Have these laws can expect as its changed attitudes law rolls out in about marijuana?

Robert Calkin 2014. This is an edA: It's definitely ited transcript. more mainstream. Once people even see one Q: What types of jobs does the medical really informed presentation on it, genermarijuana industry bring? ally there's a sea change. A friend told me A: We focus on people who want to start the other day about going to give a show their own business or get involved in a (about medical marijuana) to a senior group. number of capacities: growing, dispensary, At the beginning they're thinking one thing delivery and edibles. Or maybe you're a pro- and at the end they're demanding, `Where's fessional that just wants to service the can- the doctor? I want my (medical marijuana) nabis industry: an attorney, electrician, an recommendation.' insurance agent, real estate agent. All of those It's the same transition with any politipeople can do their own regular thing but cian. They're against marijuana until their now attract a whole new group of clients. wife or daughter or somebody has cancer In Rhode Island a dispensary just and then they see how it works and all of a opened, they're paying their grow masters sudden they're wanting to legalize it. $96,000 a year as a minimum. Then there's Q: What about people who say this is a site supervisors, dispensary managers and slippery slope and will lead to more drug ``budtenders'' who interface with the pa- use and crime? tient. All of that requires training.

A: They just don't know enough. That's Q: There's a stereotype of these businesses all. Unless it's given to you by somebody being run by stoners. How does that jive with the right agenda, you're not going to with what you've seen? know. -AP

Apollo Hospitals to add 2,800 beds in 3 yrs NEW DELHI: Healthcare major Apollo Hospitals Enterprise will invest Rs 2,000 crore to add 2,800 beds across the country in three years as part of its expansion plans.

The company that currently has over 8,500 beds in 51 hospitals across the country plans to set up a mix of reach hospitals for smaller cities and big super specialty hospitals for larger cities.

"We will be adding 2,800 beds across the country in three years.

For this, we will be investing around Rs

2,000 crore," Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Managing Director Preetha Reddy told PTI. When asked how the healthcare provider planned to fund the expansion she said: "It will be done from debt and internal accruals."

"On an average a bed costs around Rs 70 lakh. For metros it is up wards of Rs 1 crore while for smaller locations it comes to around Rs 40 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. It varies depending on various factors such as land cost," Reddy added.. -PTI

Doctor on cycling mission to raise funds for healthcare SRINAGAR: Former international president of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Dr Unni Karunakara, has set out on a 100day cycling mission to create awareness in public about health issues and to raise funds.

Beginning his 5,000-km Kashmir to Kerala odyssey from Sher-iKashmir Institute of Medical Sciences here, Unni will pedal through 64 cities, towns and villages spread over 10 states.

He describes his journey, known as 'Unnicycles Tour', as an awareness campaign about medical humanitarian action and to raise money for the people in need of healthcare all over the world.

As a medical intern in India in 1988, he had biked from Delhi to Leh and from Srinagar to Delhi.

"I dreamed, one day, to ride from one end of India to the other. Twenty five years later, I can fulfill this dream and combine it with my other passion, which is to connect with people and learn from each other," Unni said.

He had a word of advice for the medicine students in the Valley - to be aware of

what is happening in the society and to be of some help.

"You do not have to get on a plane and

Dr Unni Karunakara

travel to Africa for being a humanitarian...

All you need is to be aware of what is happening in your society and how you can be of help," he said. -PTI

52 India Post

Health Science Post

October 18, 2013

www.indiapost.com

Gov. Brown vetoes bill on 'biosimilar' medicines SACRAMENTO, Calif.: Gov. Jerry Brown has vetoed legislation that would have allowed California pharmacists to dispense substitute medications that are biologically similar to brand-name treatments.

Biological medicines, which are created from living cells rather than by mixing chemi-

medicines. Unlike traditional generic medications, the so-called biosimilars resemble but are not identical to the biological medication they are replicating.

In his veto message, Brown wrote that he supports allowing pharmacists to substitute potentially cheaper biosimilar medication for a brand-name treatment once these drugs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

However, he says the state should wait until federal regulators determine when biosimilars can be used. Brown added that a second portion of the bill, which would have required pharmacists to contact the prescribing doctor to inform which medication was dispensed, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a bill Saturday that would have restricted seemed premature. the use of biosimilar drugs.

He noted that doctors he spoke with would cals, have been used to treat cancer and welcome the information, but that the Caliimmune-system disorders. fornia Public Employees' Retirement SysThose treatments are becoming a fast- tem believed that the requirement ``would growing segment of the pharmaceutical mar- cast doubt on the safety and desirability of ket, with manufacturers also creating medi- more cost-effective alternatives to cations that are similar to some biological biologics.'' -AP

Researchers making progress on Alzheimer's GREAT FALLS, Mont.: Over the last mark of Alzheimer's. Prions are proteins that decade, about $30 million in grant money are ``misfolded,'' or take on an irregular has helped the McLaughlin Research In- shape. In Alzheimer's, tau prions travel from stitute pursue research that Dr. George cell to cell causing more and more Carlson hopes eventually will lead to medi- misfolding that affects more and more arcines or procedures to reverse Alzheimer's eas of the brain, causing increased damdisease. age.

And the longtime director and profesOther variants of prions are blamed for sor at the Great Falls research center said neurological conditions such as recent developments at MRI ``are the most Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and bovine exciting thing I've done in 30 years.'' Those spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad advances are the institute's experiments cow disease. that enable researchers to observe how But BSE has killed a total 300 people in Alzheimer's spreads in the brains of its spe- the world, compared with Alzheimer's, which cially bred lab mice, said Carlson, who's is the sixth-leading cause of death in the trained in physiology and biochemistry.

United States. Alzheimer's killed 83,494 Alzheimer's has remained a mystery for people in 2010. centuries because it is a slow-developing disease with symptoms that are mostly behavioral and don't show up in a blood test, although it may be detected through brain imaging, such as a CT scan or MRI. Carlson said it often is difficult for physicians to detect Alzheimer's because they see patients only McLaughlin Research Institute director George Carlson intermittently and briefly, and many people with the disease have learned to comEnvironmental factors, including high pensate for AD's hallmark memory loss and blood pressure and traumatic brain injury, difficulty understanding. Commonly family also can be risk factors for Alzheimer's, but members who have much more contact with Carlson said amyloid beta and tau prions patients see the change ``over the years.'' must both be present for a true Alzheimer's McLaughlin Research is pursuing av- diagnosis. enues to understand how the two main pro``It has now been revealed that teins present in Alzheimer's, both of which Alzheimer's and related prions are not inkill brain cells, could progress. fectious. . You don't get Alzheimer's from Amyloid beta, a chain of amino acids, in eating something'' or other types of exposome people clusters and forms plaques that sure, he said. disturb communication between brain cells He said in rare cases, some families are and eventually destroy the cells. genetically predisposed to the misfolding Carlson said tau prions also are a hall- phenomenon. -AP

Health reform: Wis. employers face decisions GREEN BAY, Wis.: The new health care law means small-business owners in Wisconsin have important choices to make about offering health insurance to their employees.

Business owners across the state are trying to figure out which requirements apply to them and how they'll respond, the PressGazette Media reported. Many say they're not finding it easy to get the information they need. ``I've been to at least five seminars,'' said Dean Day, the owner of Day's Bowl A Dome in Wausau. ``Most were of no value to me at all until the Wisconsin Business Alliance held one. It was upbeat and positive and they answered every question.''

Part of the issue is that the Obama ad-

ministration delayed for one year a provision that requires employers with 50 or more workers to provide health insurance or pay a penalty. But that doesn't mean businesses can ignore other provisions of the law. ``Some employers believe the whole thing is delayed a year. It isn't,'' said Scott Austin, who runs the employee benefits and life insurance division at Johnson Insurance in Racine.

Businesses below the 50-employee threshold can choose to drop coverage and have their employees go through the individual Health Insurance Marketplace.

Those that don't offer coverage but want to could do so through the Small Business Health Options Program. -AP

Philosophy

October 18, 2013

India Post 53

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Page Sponsored by Sahanis JEAN KLEIN

Michael Toms: Jean, what is your idea of life? What is life to you?

Jean Klein: Life is consciousness and consciousness is life. But one must make a distinction between consciousness, life, and its expressions. Its expressions appear in space and time, are objects. But these objects refer to consciousness, to life. As long as you have not understood life, consciousness these expressions are still recognized as objects. But once you understand life.

That you ARE the life then these objects are no more considered as objects. They are simply consciousness. They refer to consciousness and they have their home ground in consciousness.

This is a very important moment. Otherwise there is only relationship from object to object which means conflict. But when the object refers to its home ground consciousness there is no more conflict. Life, consciousness - we can never objectify it. Consciousness is the ultimate subject, the ultimate subject of all objects.

As we said, it can never be an object. And we ARE consciousness. We are really when we are absent. We are the absence of ourselves. In the absence of ourselves there is life, there is consciousness, there is happiness. I love life and life is love.

FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE

I

n a tour through the many finer and coarser moralities which have hitherto prevailed or still prevail on the earth, I found certain traits recurring regularly together, and connected with one another, until finally two primary types revealed themselves to me, and a radical distinction was brought to light.

There is master-morality and slave-morality; - I would at once add, however, that in all higher and mixed civilizations, there are also attempts at the reconciliation of the two moralities; but one finds still oftener the confusion and mutual misunderstanding of them, indeed sometimes their close juxtaposition - even in the same man, within one soul.

The distinctions of moral values have either originated in a ruling caste, pleasantly conscious of being different from the ruled - or among the ruled class, the slaves and dependents of all sorts. In the first case, when it is the rulers who determine the conception "good," it is the exalted, proud disposition which is regarded as the distinguishing feature, and that which determines the order of rank.

The noble type of man separates from himself the beings in

MT: We usually see something out there and what I hear you saying is that you are suggesting there is nothing or no-thing out there.

That rather we are a part of it.

JK: There is nothing outside of consciousness. Objects, what we see, what we hear, what we smell, what we taste, refer; I would say have their home ground in consciousness, in life and refer to life.

So there is nothing outside. All is

MT: This is a larger definition of consciousness than we in the West are usually used to - what I hear you saying. Because I think we usually refer to consciousness as either waking or sleeping consciousness. We don't think of consciousness as residing outside ourselves.

JK: Yes. When we speak of these three states, waking, dreaming, sleeping, the underlying reality is

and becoming, it can be only an object. But what we are can never be an object. We are the ultimate subject. Becoming, achieving, any technique is very good to learn a language, to learn a science, but to know what we are fundamentally - we are it. It is our nearest.

I think it is most important to see that there is nothing to attain, nothing to achieve. When

Expressions of life are pointers, but not life

Jean Klein

It is most important to see that there is nothing to attain, nothing to achieve. When you see it really, when you understand it really, all energy that you have spent to achieve, to become comes to a stop, comes to a standstill.

inside.

All that is outside is perceived in space and time but consciousness or life is a continuum, IS. So the expressions of life point to life.

They are more or less pointers, but they are not life. They are really life when you are knowingly established in life, in consciousness. Then these objects refer to consciousness. Then they are something different. They are still in a certain way objects but not anymore objects in the ordinary sense.

consciousness. Mainly we are awake in the objects. But we aren't awake in consciousness. Consciousness, our real nature, is when there is an absence of ourselves. We are really our absence.

Our absence is presence.

MT: Jean when you say that our absence is our presence. Who is absent?

JK: What we are, we can never objectify. So, all kinds of becoming, achieving, attaining is going away from what we are. What we are, is our nearest. In achieving

you see it really, when you understand it really, all energy that you have spent to achieve, to become comes to a stop, comes to a standstill. And I would say in this standstill, there is no direction anymore where to go. All energy comes back to its home ground. And this moment refers to itself.

Excerpted from 'A Dialog with Jean Klein and Michael Toms, 1989.' The 91st birth anniversary of Jean Klein will be observed on October 19.

whom the opposite of this exalted, proud disposition displays itself: he despises them.

Let it at once be noted that in this first kind of morality the antithesis "good" and "bad" means practically the same as "noble" and "despicable"; - the antithesis "good" and "evil" is of a different

Greece called themselves.

It is obvious that everywhere the designations of moral value were at first applied to men; and were only derivatively and at a later period applied to actions; it is a gross mistake, therefore, when historians of morals start with questions like, "Why have

ing of plenitude, of power, which seeks to overflow, the happiness of high tension, the consciousness of a wealth which would fain give and bestow - the noble man also helps the unfortunate, but not - or scarcely - out of pity, but rather from an impulse generated by the super-abundance of power.

The noble type of man is a creator of values The noble type of man regards himself as a determiner of values; he does not require to be approved of; he passes the judgment: "What is injurious to me is injurious in itself" origin.

The cowardly, the timid, the insignificant, and those thinking merely of narrow utility are despised; moreover, also, the distrustful, with their constrained glances, the self-abasing, the doglike kind of men who let themselves be abused, the mendicant flatterers, and above all the liars it is a fundamental belief of all aristocrats that the common people are untruthful. "We truthful ones" - the nobility in ancient

sympathetic actions been praised?"

The noble type of man regards himself as a determiner of values; he does not require to be approved of; he passes the judgment: "What is injurious to me is injurious in itself"; he knows that it is he himself only who confers honor on things; he is a creator of values. He honors whatever he recognizes in himself: such morality equals self-glorification.

In the foreground there is the feel-

Friedrich Nietzsche

The noble man honors in himself the powerful one, him also who has power over himself, who knows how to speak and how to keep silence, who takes pleasure in subjecting himself to severity and hardness, and has reverence for all that is severe and hard.

Excerpted from the chapter 'What is Noble' in the book 'Beyond Good and Evil' by Friedrich Nietzsche. The 169th birth anniversary of Nietzsche will be observed on October 15

Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Nonbeing is the greatest joy.

-Lao Tzu By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

-Confucius Opportunities multiply as they are seized.

-Sun Tzu Let men decide firmly what they will not do, and they will be free to do vigorously what they ought to do.

-Mencius Happiness is the absence of the striving for happiness.

-Zhuangzi In order to properly understand the big picture, everyone should fear becoming mentally clouded and obsessed with one small section of truth.

-Xun Zi Large skepticism leads to large understanding. Small skepticism leads to small understanding. No skepticism leads to no understanding.

-Xi Zhi

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October 18, 2013

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Intrusions along LoC/IB in J&K: A wake up call

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hy have recent developments along the LoC/ IB in Jammu and Kashmir evoked such uproar in the Indian media and surprised a section of security analysts?

Did India expect Pakistan, its Army and the ISI to play ball just because a democratically elected Prime Minister had made certain friendly overtures hinting at a desire to have friendly relations with India? Did we read too much into such an expression of intent without taking into account his capacity to deliver?

Improving relations with India found place in manifestos of various political parties including the PML-N, but whether religious forces will allow this remained a question mark. Links of PML (N)

DR ASHOK BHAN

with mirage of peace carved by reduction in incidents of violence and expectations from Pakistan has set complacency in the system. Add the war of words between the civil government and the Indian Army on issues including AFSPA. The unsavory and indiscreet remark of the former Army Chief that ministers in J&k were receiving payments from the Army has further soured the Civil- Army relations within the State.

His clarification regarding the purpose of such payments went almost unheard. The damage had been done. It provided handle to separatists and those with grouse against the Army to blame the mainstream parties for hobnobbing with the Army for electoral gains.

the developing security situation in Jammu and Kashmir: American drawdown from Afghanistan, the elections to the Indian Parliament and the elections to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.

Fears have been expressed that Pakistan wary of Indian influence in Afghanistan may raise level of violence in Jammu and Kashmir to keep Indian troops engaged.

The existing nexus between the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Haqanni groups presently used to target Indian interests in Afghanistan can extend to J&K. The alienation not having been addressed adequately, the ground, they argue, is fertile for such an adventure.

Pakistan is averse to strengthening of the grassroots democracy in J&K as it will impact the influence of their separatist supporters. They have demonstrated repeatedly on the eve of elections by targeting political leaders and activists and using separatists to give boycott calls against participation in electoral process.

The recent killing of panchayat members and threatening them also is intended with the same sinister design.

Another peaceful, J&K Police during an attack by militants on an army camp at Mesar in free and fair AssemSamba District on September 26 bly election will take the sail out of the with terrorist groups like LashkarThe much needed synergy be- separatists' boat much to the dise-Taiba, and support of Punjab tween various colours of uniform comfort of their Pak masters.

Government led by the Prime as also between civilian GovernPakistan is likely to wait for the Minister's brother to Hafiz Saeed ment and military needs to be re- outcome of Indian general elecshould be taken into consider- stored if attacks of the kind wit- tions and settling down of the next ation. Besides, Pakistan Army con- nessed on Hiranagar police Sta- Government in New Delhi before tinues to dominate discourse on tion and the Samba based Army deciding on a meaningful dialogue. security and foreign affairs. unit are to be prevented. There If recent events are any indicaNawaz Sharif is not in a posi- were sufficient warnings which tion, meanwhile the Pakistan Army tion, at least currently, to stop use should have alerted the security and the ISI, with or without a nod of Pakistani soil to launch terror grid in the state. from the Pak Government, will go attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and The net infiltration during 2013 about their task of destabilizing the rest of India. has increased as compared to the India and stepping up violence in His government finds it diffi- previous year. In 2012 and 2013, Jammu and Kashmir on the eve of cult to control widespread terror for the first time after many years, the parliament and assembly polls. strikes within Pakistan, many of the number of terrorists infiltrated It is for the Indian State to meet which are directed towards the was many more than those neu- the challenge through preparedsecurity forces. tralized thus adding to the num- ness to neutralize the threat approAny such expectations have bers on ground. priately and even inflict costs on comprehensively been belied by The increase may not be very Pakistan, if necessary. No amount recent developments along the large but it reveal a trend- that Pa- of Pakistan bashing by the media LoC/ IB and UNGA speech of kistan wanted desperately to in- or rhetoric of political leaders will Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif harp- crease number of terrorists and help. The recent incidents along ing on the right of self determina- add to weapons to be used at the LoC/ IB should serve as a wakeup tion and UN resolutions to solve time of their choosing. The recent call for Indian security establishthe problem of Jammu and Kash- infiltration bids including the much ment. mir. touted Keran operation only supThe writer is Distinguished The security grid in J&K needs port such apprehensions.

Fellow, IPCS; Former Director urgent remedial steps. The proThree important forthcoming General of Police, J&K; and longed combat fatigue coupled events may provide some clue to Member NSAB

India Post Lesson in governance

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atural disasters cannot be prevented but damage from them can be minimized by forewarning with the help of science and managing evacuation and relief by adequate administrative preparation. That it can be done in a Third World India has just been demonstrated by a capable Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Odisha and his coordination with the Center, the Army, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Indian Meterological Department (IMD) and a host of other agencies.

Although the cyclone Phailin did not turn out to be as big as was predicted, it did lasting damage to lakhs of homes and thousands of acres of crops. There could have been massive loss of lives also as has happened so frequently in past disasters but this time the damage was minimal. To the credit of the state administration, it got into the act three days before the actual disaster struck and evacuated a whopping 8.75 lakh people to make sure that no one was left within five kilometers of the sea line. And it got into restoration work barely hours after the storm had blown over. It was reported that all state and national highways in the state were cleared and opened to vehicular traffic within just 24 hours of Phailin hitting the coast.

People have been crying themselves hoarse over poor governance by the Central government of UPA II led by the Congress party. A few months back there were the devastating floods in Uttarakhand hill region which took a huge toll of lives. Another natural disaster but it took the Congress government in the State by surprise. Even after the disaster, the State government was found unprepared for the massive need for rescue, relief and rehabilitation. True the terrain in Uttarakhand is more difficult, but a prepared administration should have taken this into account. Till today the accounts from Uttarakhand are not very encouraging.

It is quite possible that the Naveen Patnaik administration had learnt a lesson from the Uttarakhand disaster and took adequate measure to meet the threat. More likely it learnt a lesson from the previous cyclone disaster in the same region in October 1999. Nearly 10,000 died then and the Congress chief minister at that time Girdhar Gomang was said to have been consulting astrologers who assured him the cyclone would weaken, split into two and pass away without doing much damage.

In a year before the general elections here is a demonstration that even in a comparatively backward India, things can be effectively done even at the political level. This time even the Central government came fully to the aid of Odisha which is ruled by an opposition party.

There are other factors also which contributed to the successful management of the disaster. A well-equipped and confident India Meteorological Department managed to not only get the scale of the natural event correct but was also as accurate as possible in the location of where the storm would hit the coast. Unlike 1999, the IMD of 2013 has an arsenal of sophisticated equipment plus the information gleaned through India's remote sensing satellites.

The Central Government has also learned its lessons from the Uttarakhand tragedy. It lost no time in mass mobilization of the three armed forces and deploying nearly 2,500 National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) personnel. A day after the cyclone made landfall, the Centre acknowledged that casualties had been minimized due to advance and timely warnings from the IMD, early evacuation and the preparedness of disaster management authorities. Officials said the monitoring and coordination system activated after the recent Uttarakhand flash floods was put to test during Phailin and so far had made good progress in containing the cyclone and its aftermath.

All this goes to prove that managing India requires good reliable scientific data, coordination of different agencies and a will power to get things done irrespective of pulls of politics.

October 18, 2013

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