India-Post_11-13-2015_e-paper by Ghanshyam Bisht

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Narainji Kataria

Iconic Hindu activist Narainji passes away Details on page 16

India wins re-election to UN Commission

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VOL 21, No. 1103

November 13, 2015

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Periodical Postage

STICK TO THE CENTER, DIASPORA TELLS MODI

Former Councilmember Raji Brar

Have a political mentor if running for office: Raji Details on page 30

Media: Bihar to overshadow Modi UK visit

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Rich IndianAmericans can dwarf US aid Ashok Kumar Mago Details on page 9

Indian-American appointed to key position

Suu Kyi party eyes landslide at Myanmar

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Angad Paul falls to death from 8th floor Nestle relaunches Maggi; partners Snapdeal Details on page 15

INDIA POST SURVEY survey@indiapost.com This week’s question

Will BJP learn a lesson from Bihar defeat? Last week’s result

Is Indian media guilty of selective outrage? YES 87%

NO 13%

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GRAND HUG: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad hug each other after Mahagathbandhan’s (Grand

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

Alliance) victory in Bihar assembly elections at RJD office in Patna on November 8

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WASHINGTON/LONDON: They might have missed casting their franchise in the crucial Bihar elections that witnessed a landslide victory for the Nitish Kumar-Lalu Yadav's Grand Alliance and decimation of the BJP, but the Diaspora gave a mixed response to the outcome. Stakes were high in the recently-concluded assembly polls in Bihar through which BJP was eyeing better hold on the key state notwithstanding the strong regional politics. The campaigning had Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding marathon rallies in a direct challenge to incumbent Kumar.

Modi-led NDA received a drubbing at the hustings while JD (U)-led Grand Alliance with 178 seats registered a scintillating win in the crucial polls, which also saw the return of Lalu as the kingmaker. From San Francisco to Prague, the results evoked mixed reactions from people hailing from Bihar, ranging from "extreme happiness" to "extreme disappointment." "'Jo na kate aari se, wo kate Bihari se' (Those who seem invincible are also defeated by a Bihari)," said Texas resident Ajit Chauhan, who works for an organization dedicated for development of Bihar.

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

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Community Post -------------- 16-24 Date Book -------------------------- 47 Edit Page --------------------------- 54 HealthScience Post --------- 32-35 Horoscope ------------------------- 27 Immigration Post ------------- 36-38 Life Style ----------------------- 42-46 Philosophy ------------------------- 49 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 39-41 TechBiz Post ------------------- 12-15 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 50-53

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here's much reason to celebrate Diwali this year. For those of us invested in current affairs concerning our community in India and in our back yards, political events of the past few weeks have been generally upbeat. I am talking Canada and Bihar. Oh yes, Bihar… don't be surprised at the number of Indian Americans who care about that too. I don't know much about Justin Trudeau, but he is definitely next generation in politics. The very apparent composition of his new cabinet of ministers evidences his mindset to change a few things around in politics and make administration representative as it should be. So this Diwali belongs to our Punjabi compatriots who have finally found their rightful representation in the Canadian administration with four Canadians of Punjabi Indian origin being appointed to key ministries. Trudeau also appears to be one politician who is in step with the time that we are living in where equal representation to women shouldn't even be "news" anymore. So 50% of his cabinet comprises women, something that political relics in both the US and India better take note of. Back in India, Bihar may be celebrating a louder Diwali owing to the overwhelming victory of the Lalu Yadav-Nitish Kumar combine at the state assembly elections (making it a dimmer festival of course for the Narendra Modi-led BJP), but my grouse is that it is by no stretch a vote for change or better politics or better administration. Indians, who I suspect woefully lack choice in political leadership, continue to shuffle around the same rabble-rousing, self-serving political dinosaurs who have no clue as to the times that they are living in. Anyway, I guess it will be a while before Indian politics comes of age. Celebrations aside, this Diwali too may not be all lights and sweets for Sureshbhai Patel's family down in Madison, Alabama. Sureshbhai is still lying partially paralyzed in hospital but the jury trying the police officer accused of causing him the injuries is finding it hard to find him guilty. Yes it's 2015, but when it comes to race, America too is stuck in a time warp.

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: In top five Priyanka Chopra has made it to the top five in People's Choice Awards 2016 for her debut American series 'Quantico'

Cover Story: Diaspora on Bihar From San Francisco to Prague, the results evoked mixed reactions from Diaspora people hailing from Bihar

Community: Hindu Activist Iconic Hindu Activist, Shri Narainji Kataria passed away quietly in his sleep, sometime on November 2 night.

Rubio, Ryan back off Republican Party's rising young stars Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio have abandoned efforts for immigration overhaul.

Life style: Mumbai Film Festival Several Bollywood celebrities lent color and glamour to one of the biggest film festivals of India, Jio MAMI

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Stick to the Center, Diaspora tells Modi WASHINGTON/LONDON: They might have missed casting their franchise in the crucial Bihar elections that witnessed a landslide victory for the Nitish KumarLalu Yadav's Grand Alliance and decimation of the BJP, but the Diaspora gave a mixed response to the outcome. Stakes were high in the recently-concluded assembly polls in Bihar through which BJP was eyeing better hold on the key state notwithstanding the strong regional politics. The campaigning had Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding marathon rallies in a direct challenge to incumbent Kumar. Modi-led NDA received a drubbing at the hustings while JD (U)led Grand Alliance with 178 seats registered a scintillating win in the crucial polls, which also saw the

return of Lalu as the kingmaker. From San Francisco to Prague, the results evoked mixed reactions from people hailing from Bihar, ranging from "extreme happiness" to "extreme disappoint-

Bihari)," said Texas resident Ajit Chauhan, who works for an organization dedicated for development of Bihar. Patna-born Shrini Singh, who recently moved to Texas after her

ment." "'Jo na kate aari se, wo kate Bihari se' (Those who seem invincible are also defeated by a

To a question if Modi and Shah communalized campaign by raking up issues like reservation for Muslims and Pakistan, he said, "Definitely. Or for what else you will raise the issue of cow or Pakistan. The campaign should have been about Bihar's backwardness and its development but we lost our way and fell into a ditch." While Modi lost his dignity

SHATRUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FRIEND: Actor and BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha hugging Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after his success in the Bihar elections in Patna

party leader said he came in RJD supremo Lalu Prasad's trap and "fell" to his standards while Chief Minister Nitish Kumar remained dignified, attracting voters from across communities. "People went to Modi looking for a Prime Minister but they found a Lalu in him," the Begusarai MP said, in a first direct attack on Modi by a BJP leader after the party crashed to a humiliating defeat.

let local BJP leadership fight these state elections... his stooping to such low-level during election campaigns, was anyway, something, we did not appreciate." Patna-born Vineet Abhishek, an

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah, Sushma Swaraj, Nitin Gadkari, Venkaiah Naidu and Rajnath Singh at the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parliamentary board meeting in New Delhi on November 9

marriage, is elated about the return of Kumar at the helm of the affairs. "When he had first come to

BJP MP flays Modi, Shah for debacle PATNA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah came in the line of fire over the Bihar poll debacle with party MP Bhola Singh accusing them of injecting communalism in a campaign that, he said, should have been about the State's development. Flaying Modi for his use of "indecorous language", the veteran

power, I had personally gone to thank him as a young student living in Patna... And, today, I feel very happy for him," she told PTI. After the announcement of results in which Lalu's RJD emerged

during the campaign, Kumar remained dignified and "did not become animal in the battle field", he said. "Prime Minister fell to Lalu's googly and left his 'sabka saath sabka vikas' pitch. He started speaking in Lalu's language. He began using undignified language while Nitish Kumar did not forget decorum even in the battle field. "Prime Minister is the mirror of

the nation. He enjoys the nation's trust. But when people went to Modi looking for a Prime Minister, they found a Lalu in him. So they went to Nitish who was dignified," the eight-time Bihar MLA who is serving second term as MP said. Criticizing Modi for making Giriraj Singh a minister, he said somebody, who said those do not vote for BJP should go to Pakistan, should not have been made minister. He also hit out at RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for his quota comments, saying if he calls the Sangh a cultural body, then he should not have made a political statement during a crucial election. Though many BJP MPs from Bihar, including Hukumdev Narayan Yadav, Shatrughan Sinha and R K Singh, have expressed their reservations at various aspects of the party's campaign, this is the first time an MP has directly attacked Modi and Shah. Singh said BJP deployed in Bihar the same technique it had in Delhi assembly polls, a reference to ignoring local leaders. He also accused BJP's allies of selling away their tickets, adding that they also preferred upper castes candidates and turned their eyes from the ground realities. Against an established leader like Nitish Kumar and mass politician like Lalu Prasad, BJP could offer no alternative and made it a battle between the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister. The NDA lost because Biharis did not connect to our campaign, he said. -PTI

as the largest party with a haul of 80 seats, more than JD(U)'s 71, many people including from Bihar took to social media. London-resident Shitesh Prakash, an IIT-Bombay graduate who migrated from Patna in 2001, said: "BJP raising meaningless issues like cow and beef to polarize voters was stupid, and hence it backfired." Prakash, who works for a consultancy major in UK, said he would never support Lalu after what he saw in the mid-90s in his hometown, and will go for "Nitish in the state and Modi at the Centre." He said: "Well, having said that this will push Bihar back again. But there is also a feel that Modi should focus at national level and

IIT-Kanpur alumnus working for a start-up in California, feels uncomfortable about the victory of the Grand Alliance "given the Lalu factor". "I have battled stereotyped at IIT and even now people occasionally ridicule me in US, despite all my education and achievements I have earned with my hard work," he said. Shruti Sahi, who lives in Prague with her husband, rues not having been able to vote in the elections this year. "I wanted to be there in Bihar and register my presence in the democracy exercise. But, even I could not participate, hope people have made the wise decision, and Bihar will change for the better," she said. -PTI

Paswan, Manjhi failed to deliver for NDA PATNA: Ram Vilas Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi, two prominent Dalit leaders on whom BJP was banking to bring for NDA nearly 16 per cent votes of schedule castes, failed to deliver in the Bihar elections, as reflected in the results. The 'grand alliance' of RJD, JD(U) and Congress got more support from the electorate of Scheduled Caste communities than the NDA, notwithstanding Paswan and Manjhi always being seen by the side of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 26 election rallies in the state. An analysis of results show that in fact nine Paswans won from the JD (U)-RJD-Congress camp in comparison to two of NDA. Even these two in NDA was won one each by BJP and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), while Ram Vilas Paswan's

LJP failed to bag any seat. Similarly, among mahadalits for which BJP relied on Jitan Ram Manjhi, the 'grand alliance' has 15 winners while Manjhi, who is head of Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), is the sole winner from his party. BJP has three winners from the mahadalit community. Out of 10 mahadalits fielded by RJD, nine triumphed. JD (U) had given ticket to six mahadalits and five of them came out victorious, and in Congress, out of three nominees, one won. In the NDA camp, BJP which had fielded 11 mahadalit candidates, three won, HAM has sole elected member in Jitan Ram Manjhi out of four, while LJP and RLSP that had given tickets to three and one mahadalits, respectively, drew a naught.-PTI

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Irresponsible statements changed narrative: Jaitley NEW DELHI: As BJP does soul searching for its humiliating defeat in Bihar polls, senior party leader Arun Jaitley has admitted "irresponsible statements" made during elections "changed the

some irresponsible statements did change the narrative. That is not expected from responsible (persons). I had repeatedly intervened in order to make sure that the narrative comes back.

Arun Jaitley

narrative". Jaitley also said incidents like Dadri lynching and the killing of rationalist M M Kalburgi in Karnataka were "aberrations" and "not the pattern" in India, and called for distinguishing between those committing such crimes and those just being "loose talkers". "During the period when the elections were being contested,

"As far as plan is concerned, I think those may be incidental factors. How much they impacted on Bihar, I really do not know," he said, attributing the NDA's defeat mainly to the "huge index of opposition unity". While the ruling NDA managed to get 58 seats (BJP 53) in the 243-member Bihar assembly, JD(U)-RJD-Congress

Mahagathbandhan secured 178 seats. On whether Bihar election was a referendum on the policies of the Centre, Jaitley, said, "The word referendum is loosely used... every election is not a referendum. A state election is not a referendum. You are not contesting on one issue." He further said the vote share of BJP has not come down and the victory of the Mahaghatbandhan was on account of different opposition forces coming together. Amid a raging controversy on the intolerance issue, Jaitley said India is the "most tolerant" society in the world and it will "reject" any contention that "a stray incident happening in any part of India will make it intolerant." "India is tolerant. Some unfortunate incidents take place, but that do not make India an intolerant society. India is a liberal society. It will continue to remain one," he said. Downplaying questions about remarks of some Hindu hotheads, Jaitley said in a large political party, it is possible to pick up one or two people. Acknowledging that they need to be careful about the comments

Pro-RSS journal accuses media of 'intolerance' NEW DELHI: An article in RSS mouthpiece 'Panchjanya' has accused the media of bias and intolerance towards an alternative point of view on a "manufactured" debate over "shrinking" space for dissent. The article charged the media with overplaying a series of recent incidents including return of awards by intellectuals and

one watching TV a sense of fear." "Kerala House witnessed a controversy over beef. Police went there and sorted it out. But how could the media sit silently? By the evening, every channel was debating how sinful the police had been in visiting Kerala House upon receipt of a complaint over beef sale. Kerala House is not an embassy of another country,"

The article asked why when channels showed scientist P M Bhargava's antigovernment statements and "blacked out" pro-government statements of another acclaimed scientist G Madhavan Nair artistes and the Kerala House beef row, the article in pro-RSS publication. It claimed that "anyone watching TV these days would think the country is in danger, societal tolerance is reducing, there s a civilwar like situation, as if there s bloodshed all around." The article said "this manufactured atmosphere created on the eve of Bihar polls would give any-

the article said. It also attacked the role of the media for "overplaying" that veteran lyricist Gulzar returned his award over intolerance recently but "conveniently glossing over the fact that Gulzar had campaigned against Narendra Modi in Varanasi during 2014 Lok Sabha elections" and saying, "people have the right to know that their favorite lyricist has

political affiliations." "While TV channels showed Gulzar returning the award, they didn't say that Gulzar had canvassed against Narendra Modi in Varanasi in general elections. Isn't Gulzar's presence in Patna during Bihar polls strange? People have the right to know that their favorite lyricist has political affiliations," according to the article. Accusing the media of not showing pro-government versions in the debate on intolerance, the article in the publication asked why when channels showed scientist P M Bhargava's anti- government statements and "blacked out" pro-government statements of another acclaimed scientist G Madhavan Nair. "Extremely secular journalists continue to insult Hindu traditions and have through articles mocked the Hindu festival of Karva Chauth as conservative," the article says. The article in the publication also questions the media over not being "anguished over the intolerance shown to poet Munawwar Rana who recently met PM Modi on his invitation".-PTI

they make, the Union Finance Minister said the media is also in the habit of chasing them. "There is a perception of this government being decisive, being honest and of being on a development path. There are, as I said, aberrations, which take place

in a large country like India. Those are not the pattern as far as India is concerned," he said. While stressing on action against those guilty for such incidents after proper investigation, Jaitley said, "The central government is not concerned with inci-

While stressing on action against those guilty for such incidents after proper investigation, Jaitley said, "The central government is not concerned with incidents that take place in the states" where somebody makes a loose statement or some incident takes place in Karnataka, or in Dadri, which should never have taken place...unfortunate incidents. "But then those are aberrations

dents that take place in the states." He alleged "political manipulation" starts if something happens in UP or Karnataka with which neither the BJP nor the central government is concerned.-PTI

'RSS chief's statement had no negative impact' NEW DELHI: Home Minister ance comprised JD (U), RJD and Rajnath Singh has rejected sug- Congress. gestions that RSS chief Mohan The Home Minister laughed at Bhagwat's quota review remark a question whether Modi will rehad a negative impact on NDA's sign as Prime Minister taking poll prospects in Bihar and said moral responsibility for the BJP social equations of the 'Grand Al- defeat, asking, "What kind of liance' had cost the BJP-led question is this?" grouping dearly. "It's BJP's loss and not of the Singh also asserted that Prime Prime Minister," he said. Minister Narendra Modi cannot Singh, a former BJP chief, also be held responsible for NDA's ruled out the possibility of party humiliating defeat. "Bhagwat's statement was not damaging. It was nothing controversial. We can't think like that. He had only said that reservation should continue," Singh said. Bhagwat had said there is a need to have a fresh Home Minister Rajnath Singh look as to who should get the benefit of quota, in comments that chief Amit Shah being removed kicked up a political storm ahead over the Bihar debacle. of the Bihar polls. "Amit Shah will remain as party The Home Minister said this chief for six more years. when asked whether the RSS chief's There is no hurdle. In fact, he statement favoring review of reser- got one and half years of my own vation policy had a negative impact tenure (as party chief) when I had on the prospects of NDA. moved from the party to the gov"Social equations of ernment. After that he is entitled Mahagathbandhan hamare upar to two terms (of three years bhari padi (social equation of each)," he said. Grand Alliance cost us dearly)," Singh said the BJP will study he told reporters at a 'Diwali Milan' and analyze all aspects of party's here when asked for reasons for defeat in the polls and will take NDA's defeat. The winning alli- action accordingly.-PTI

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Bihar to overshadow Modi UK visit: Media LONDON: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden visit to the UK, the British media has said "troubles at home" after BJP's drubbing in the Bihar elections will overshadow his visit. The fervor has been building up in the UK around Modi's threeday visit starting Nov 12 which will include a grand reception at Wembley Stadium described as the "biggest political rally in the history of the UK" on Nov 13. "Since he swept to power 18 months ago, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proved to be a charismatic international statesman, impressing leaders from Shinzo Abe to Barack Obama as well as expatriate Indians with his ambition to modernise India," The Financial Times' said. "But his next foreign visit to the UK this week to meet David Cameron and the Queen and to address a crowd of 60,000 British Indians at Wembley Stadium will for the first time be overshadowed by deepening troubles at home," it said.

The newspaper, however, stressed that the UK will be keen to distance itself from any negatives to clinch an estimated package of USD 15-billion trade and investment deals. 'The Independent' newspaper also feels the drubbing in the Bihar elections is an "embarrassing setback" coming on the eve of the high-profile visit. "The result means that as he prepares for an enthusiastic welcome in Britain including an unprecedented sell-out event at Wembley Stadium on Nov 13, Mr Modi will be smarting from the defeat on home soil, which comes as his administration also faces mounting accusations of fomenting intolerance," the newspaper said. In its own analysis titled 'From pariah to rock star world leader', the 'Daily Telegraph' also expressed concerns over how his party was "comfortably defeated" in the Bihar polls, weakening the Indian Prime Minister's domestic stand. "As he emerged from provin-

cial politician to likely leader of the world's largest democracy, Britain ended the boycott in 2012 in the face of growing business and realpolitik pressures. "The turnaround has been dramatic. This week he will stay at Mr Cameron's country residence

success. Kishor, the man with the Midas touch, replicated the feat once again when Nitish Kumar secured a third consecutive term trouncing BJP-led NDA in Bihar where Modi, an arch rival of the JD(U)

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with his media advisor Prashant Kishor after Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) victory in Bihar assembly elections in Patna on November 8

state assembly election. Prashant Kishor, a native of Bihar, had quit a UN health expert's job in Africa in 2011 and returned to India to form a group of young professionals who devised the strategy to project Modi as the face of good governance in the 2012 Gujarat polls and last year's general elections with resounding

leader, had staked it all, having addressed at least 31 election rallies, unusual for a Prime Minister in a state poll. Kishor, 37, who conceptualized and implemented Modi's popular 'chai pe charcha' initiative, substituted it with 'parcha pe charcha' (discussion over pamphlets) under which Nitish's poll managers

UK" protest group projecting a hologram with its banner on the House of Parliament on Sunday night. The group led by Awaaz Network is among some of the UKbased organizations planning protests during the visit this week. -PTI

Will take Indo-UK ties to new level: Modi LONDON: Ahead of his maiden UK visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he will chart an ambitious long-term agenda along with his British counterpart David Cameron to take the bilateral strategic ties to a new level. Expressing his "excitement" at the upcoming three-day UK tour starting November 12, Modi described the bilateral relationship as "not an ordinary one" in a special article for 'The Sunday Times'. "I am looking forward to my visit to the United Kingdom with anticipation and excitement. Britain is a special partner, and ours

Man behind brand Modi now wins it for Nitish PATNA: The man who hard sold brand Narendra Modi during the 2012 Assembly polls in Gujarat and last year's general elections, also helped craft Nitish Kumar's campaign strategy in Bihar that saw him thump his arch foe in the

(Chequers), address the two Houses of Parliament, visit Indian-owned businesses and sites of Indian cultural importance," the daily said. The news reports come against a backdrop of the socalled "Modi Not Welcome to the

sought feedback from people on the state government's performance over the past decade. Realizing that the JD (U) cannot match the resources of BJP, Kishor's team also devised the 'Har Ghar Dastak' (knock on every door) that helped the party establish a personal connect with the masses. When top BJP leaders were busy criss-crossing Bihar on helicopters, Nitish Kumar and workers of his party went knocking the doors of the electorate seeking their vote as part of the direct outreach initiative. When asked why he switched over to Modi's rival, Kishor said," Nitish Kumar is one of the country's most credible politicians." The usually "laconic" Kumar, members of Kishor's team said, was hardly a talking point when the team landed in Patna. Working assiduously behind the scene, they crafted a strategy where Kumar matched Modi's each trenchant criticism with equally sharp retort. Kishor had brought together a group of graduates from India's premier institutes and multinational companies to work on Modi's 2014 election campaign under the name 'Citizens for Accountable Governance'. He dissolved CAG a few months after the elections.-PTI

is no ordinary relationship," he wrote. "I see great promise and potential in our relationship ahead. Britain's economic resurgence is impressive. Its culture of innovation in technology and services sustains its leadership in many

so clearly needs," he wrote. Highlighting that India-UK ties address the "aspirations of our societies and the needs of our times in a significant measure", Modi wrote, "Britain outranks nearly every country in the world in its investment in India, and Indians invest more in Britain than in the rest of European Union combined." "We are creating the human resources of the future, seeking solutions to food and health security, and addressing emerging challenges such as climate change. Our security agencies are Prime Minister Narendra Modi collaborating to keep our cities safe, areas," Modi said. our citizens secure and our cyberDescribing Britain as a "spe- networks protected. Our defense cial partner", Modi said the up- cooperation enhances our conficoming visit will be a celebration dence in standing up for our valof the "diversity and breadth" of ues," he said. ties. Talking about India's efforts to "Away from Westminster, the achieve peace and stability in the City of London and Wembley Sta- Asian region, Modi said, "We dium, David Cameron and I will seek the same future for our neighalso chart an ambitious long-term bors that we desire for India. We agenda to take our strategic part- will be unrelenting in our efforts nership to a new level. This is a to achieve a stable, democratic shared endeavor that our people South Asia, joined together in so richly deserve and our world shared prosperity." -PTI

Ask PM, says Rajnath on Goyal's ouster NEW DELHI: Home Minister Rajnath Singh appears to be distancing himself from the sudden curtailment of the tenure of former Home Secretary L C Goyal, saying "please ask the Prime Minister". Goyal, a 1979-batch IAS officer, had taken over as Home Secretary in February this year after the government decided to sack Anil Goswami for his alleged interference in CBI probe against former Union minister Mantang Sinh in Saradha scam. However, Goyal was surprisingly removed on August 31. The

official word on it was that his application for voluntary retirement had been accepted. Soon thereafter he was appointed Chairman and Managing Director of International Trade Promotion Organization. At the 'Diwali Milan' here, the Union Home Minster was asked about the reason behind his removal. "I don't know why. Please ask the Prime Minister," he said but was quick to add that the post of Home Secretary was not permanent. "Bureaucrats come and go," he said.-PTI

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Suu Kyi party eyes landslide Rich Indian-Americans can dwarf US aid at Myanmar polls YANGON: Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition appeared on the verge of a landslide election win that could finally reset Myanmar after decades of army control, as a top member of the ruling party said they had "lost completely". The polls, the first contested by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy since 1990, saw voter turnout hit around 80 percent as Myanmar's long-suffering people made their voice known at the ballot box. The military ruled the country with an iron fist for half a century, killing, jailing and silencing dissenters and flat-lining the economy with madcap policies

NLD was poised to win a coveted majority in parliament. But official victory for the NLD remained elusive, with election officials releasing results at just a trickle. NLD voters remained confident of a major win, but were cautious of kickback from the still powerful army, whose stake in the future is guaranteed by a 25 percent bloc of reserved seats in parliament. "I think the results will come soon, but I'm worried," said Ma Pyone, a vegetable seller in downtown Yangon. "I don't know if the current government will seize power (if

Supporters of Myanmars National League for Democracy party cheer as election results are posted outside the NLD headquarters

and rampant corruption, before stepping aside in 2011 in favour of a quasi-civilian regime. Official results from historic polls, drip fed to the public, showed major NLD gains. The party had swept up 78 of the 88 lower house seats announced so far. Suu Kyi said she believed that would play out into a healthy parliamentary majority. "We probably will get between, around 75 per cent in the union legislature," she told the BBC in an interview. The ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) meanwhile faced a rout after taking just five of those spots in the 440-seat house. "Our USDP lost completely. The NLD has won," senior party member Kyi Win told AFP from party headquarters in the capital Naypyidaw. "This is the fate of our country. Let them (the NLD) work. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has to take responsibility now... we congratulate them anyway." Kyi Win, a retired army officer who sits at the heart of party operations in the capital, said the

they lose) or not, but I hope they won't." The NLD needs 67 percent of contested seats across both houses of parliament for a majority. But anything higher would bolster its parliamentary leverage

against the army. Suu Kyi's political ascent is

Leader of Myanmars National League for Democracy party, Aung San Suu Kyi delivers a speech from a balcony of the NLD headquarters in Yangon, Myanmar on November 9

also capped by the army-scripted constitution that bars anyone with foreign children from the presidency. Her two sons, much of whose upbringing she missed while under house arrest in Yangon, are British. A massive majority would strengthen her hand in selecting a favourable president, and she vowed before the election to be "above the president" in the event of an NLD win. If the NLD is victorious it will inherit a country crushed by poverty, with several ethnic rebellions and religious intolerance simmering. Suu Kyi will also have to work with the army, whose parliamentary bloc is flanked by a fearsome reputation.-AFP

Indian-American appointed to key position WASHINGTON: Padma Shri awardee Indian-American Ashok Mago has been appointed as a member of Board of Regents of the University of North Texas in the US. Dallas-based Mago was appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott for a six-year term ending on May 22, 2021, said a statement issued by the Governor's office. Mago is the founding chairman of the Greater Dallas Indo American Chamber, now known as the US-INDIA Chamber, and board member of the Primary Care Clinic of North

Texas, advisory board member of BBVA Compass Bank in Dallas. He is member of Dallas Regional Chamber Board, Salvation Army Advisory Board of Dallas County, and the Dallas County Community College District Foundation Board, and is a former board member of 1st Independent National Bank. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2014. Mago received a bachelor s degree from Delhi University, India, and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Dallas. -PTI

WASHINGTON: Indian-AmeriWhat's more, it would reprecans, who have a combined an- sent more than half the entire nual income of a whopping USD amount of annual official devel67.4 billion, can play a key role in opment aid received by India from philanthropy activities in India all countries - USD 2.2 billion, on that could dwarf official US for- average, from 2005 through 2013. eign aid to India by 10 times, acNoting that Indian-Americans cording to new research. are donating more than ever beThe donations could be to the fore to support broad-based sotune of USD 1.2 billion per annum, cial change aimed at reducing said a report published in 'Impact India's inequities, it said the poIndia' - a magazine for philanthro- tential for impact is great, but so pists and social innovators target- are the challenges. ing India published jointly by the According to the report, Prime Bridgespan Group, Dasra, and Minister Narendra Modi's adminStanford Social Innovation Review istration seems particularly at- that also put the "combined an- tuned to the upside potential for nual discretionary income of financial and non-financial supAmericans of Indian origin" at USD 67.4 billion. The growing Indian â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;If they directed 40 per cent Diaspora settled in America totals over 1.9 of their philanthropic million, the report said, adding that there are giving to India, USD 1.2 another 1.6 million Americans who report billion per year would having Indian ancestry. "If their philan- flow from Indian Diaspora thropic contributions were consistent with donors to Indian causesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; those of other US households in similar income brackets, and if they di- port from the Indian-American rected 40 per cent of their philan- Diaspora. thropic giving to India, USD 1.2 His focus on bilateral India-US billion per year would flow from initiatives may be an indicator of Indian Diaspora donors to Indian his openness to connect with US causes," the report said. constituencies, including IndianThis sum would dwarf official Americans, that could contribute US foreign aid to India (USD 116.4 meaningfully to India's developmillion in fiscal year 2014). ment. -PTI

India wins re-election to UN Commission UNITED NATIONS: India has been re-elected to the UN Commission on International Trade Law for another six years term, maintaining its unbeaten track record of winning elections at the world body. At an election held here on Nov 9 in the General Assembly, India was re-elected to UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) for the 2016-2022 term. India would continue to play a constructive role in the UNCITRAL which is recognized as the core legal body of the United Nations system in the field of international trade law, the Indian Mission to the UN said in a statement. A legal body with universal membership specializing in commercial law reform worldwide for over 40 years, UNCITRAL's busi-

ness is the modernization and harmonization of rules on international business. As a member, India has been playing an active role in the UN legal bodies which include International Court of Justice (ICJ), International law Commission (ILC), International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) and UNCITRAL. The Permanent Mission of India voiced appreciation for the support extended by the UN Members States. The Assembly elected 23 members to UNICTRAL for six-year terms beginning June 27 next year including Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Iran, Italy, Pakistan, Philippines, Spain, Turkey, the US and Venezuela. -PTI

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Angad Paul plunges to death from 8th floor LONDON: Angad Paul, son of NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul, has died after falling from his penthouse home in central London. 45-year-old Angad, CEO of Caparo group founded by his father, suffered massive injuries after falling eight storeys. He was pronounced dead by paramedics who rushed to File Photo of October 2004 : Angad Paul, CEO of Caparo group who died on November 8 after falling from his family penthouse, with his wife Michelle and parents, Lord Swraj Paul and Aruna Paul, at his wedding reception

the scene. The London police said that it was inquiring into the circumstances of the incident but Angad's death was being treated as non-suspicious at this stage. His tragic death comes in the backdrop of a crisis facing the Caparo industries which has been hit by a collapse in steel prices, forcing 16 of its companies to be put into administration, a process that is an alternative to liquidation. Angad married media lawyer Michelle Bonn 10 years ago. The Caparo group encompasses 40 companies employing 10,000 people worldwide including India and has a turnover of over one billion pounds a year. Its interests include manufacture of car components and steel pipes, hotels and hospitality. Several other projects include manufacture of superfast cars, films and design. Angad was executive producer of a hit movie 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels'. -PTI

Indian-origin barrister sworn in Judge in UK LONDON: Kalyani Kaul, a prominent barrister of Indian-origin who has handled high-profile cases, has been sworn in as a Circuit Judge in the UK. 54-year-old Kalyani, who has spent much of the past 32 years defending serious and high-profile cases, is known for her extensive and wide-ranging experience in heavyweight criminal defense work. She was called to the Bar in 1983 and became a Recorder in 2009. As a Recorder she prepared cases for trial and presided over hearings in county courts. She took Silk in 2011 - in order to "take silk" a lawyer usually has to serve as a barrister or a Scottish advocate for at least 10 years. Kalyani was sworn in as a Circuit Judge and will be sitting at Snaresbrook Crown Court with immediate effect. In the last 10 years, she has prosecuted offences of murder, manslaughter, serious sexual offences and fraud. Kalyani was the third highest-paid barrister in terms of legal aid payments in 2005. She studied law from the London School of Economics (LSE). She was the Senior Circuit representative on the Bar Council (2013-14), a vice president (former chair) of the Association of Women Barristers, and one of the two Diversity Officers for the South Eastern Circuit. Kalyani is the daughter of well-known British journalists Mahendra Kaul and Rajni Kaul, both of whom worked for long years with the Voice of America and the British Broadcasting Corporation. Mahendra was the first Asian to be honored with the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1975. -PTI

'Let Diwali inspire us to set aside differences' WASHINGTON: Greeting people on the occasion of Diwali, America's first Hindu Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has said that the festival represents the victory of light over darkness, truth over untruth, righteousness over wrong. "Let it inspire us to set aside our differences, and find ways to work together towards the greater and common good," Gabbard said in her annual Diwali video message. "No matter who we are, no matter what our race, religion, economic status, gender, age, or any other material consideration, each of us can use our lives in the loving service of God and of mankind, according to our own abilities," she said.-PTI

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India-US defense partnership proposed India Post News Service

WASHINGTON DC: At a conference jointly organized by Atlantic Council and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Washington DC, General Nirmal Chander Vij, Director, VIF spoke of a shift in India's defense procurement strategy with the government's decision to increase FDI in the sector and also advocated a strategic defense partnership model with the United States. The conference featured mem-

General Nirmal Chander Vij

‘While there is a 95% convergence on a host of security issues, there is only a 5% convergence when it comes to issues related to Pakistan’ bers from the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) India's pre eminent think tank as well as policy and business leaders to with a focus in regional security challenges in Asia as well as the burgeoning defense and economic relations between US and India within the Make in India initiative. Mr Arun Kumar, Assistant Secretary for Global Markets at the US Department of Commerce who stated that "the notion that commerce is strategic comes from the highest levels of government". The Strategic and Commercial Dialogue, between India and the United States, "is only the second-of-its-kind bilateral engagement where both the security and economic agencies of both countries are involved" said Secretary Kumar. Dr. Harinder Sekhon, Senior Fellow at VIF stated that "India

needs to reform its infrastructure, its mind set, and it needs to become part of the global supply chain. India cannot remain in isolation and expect to grow." Mr. Dave Ryan, Executive Vice President & Regional HeadAmericas, Tata Communications, and Member, CII-India Business Forum similarly added to the debate by saying, "the free flow of information and infrastructure enables bilateral and multilateral conversations to mature" while Ms. Sumona Guha, a member of the policy planning staff at US State Department said, "the Make in India is viewed as a demonstration and commitment to the economic reforms made by the Modi government". In a separate panel, focused on regional strategic concerns and the unfolding situation in Afghanistan, Lt General Sawhney Dean, Centre for Defense Studies, Vivekananda International Foundation said that "Afghanistan's security forces lack the capacity and capability in terms of intelligence gathering, logistics, air support and troop mobility; they require continued U.S. engagement now that the hard bit is done". Touching on topics ranging from the radicalization of Pakistan and the rise of extremism to increased Chinese entrenchment in Iran and Pakistan; Ambassador Kanwal Sibal, Dean, Center of International Relations & Diplomacy, VIF, spoke to the strategic vision shared between India and the United States from the West African region up to the Pacific theatre. However, Ambassador Sibal also suggested, "that while there is a 95% convergence on a host of security issues, there is only a 5% convergence when it comes to issues related to Pakistan". The Ambassador also questioned why the United States takes one view of China's expansionist activities in the South China Sea and another view on China's expansive activities in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the strategic maritime corridor referred to as the 'string of pearls' given that "China's leadership, ambition, and worldview remain the same". Ambassador James Cunningham, Senior Fellow & Khalilzad Chair, South Asia Centre, Atlantic Council stressed that "developing a joint strategic vision between US and India should remain a high priority where we find a better way to align our thoughts and strategy in the region in terms of tactics".

VINTAGE SHOW: Sachin Tendulkar, left, and Shane Warne wave at fans as they take a lap around the field after the first game of the Cricket All-Stars series games, November 7 at Citi Field in New York. The three-game series will be played in Major League Baseball stadiums in New York, Houston and Los Angeles. Warnes Warriors beat Sachin’s Blasters 141-140

Tech News Appraisal system for taxmen being changed NEW DELHI: With Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing that performance appraisal system for Income Tax department officials will be changed, the CBDT has said the new format will give "substantial weightage" and higher marks to deadline-bound quality assessment work done by the taxmen. Modi, while addressing an economic conclave had said this step will deter corruption and also motivate officers to pass correct orders. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), the apex-policy making body of the department, has prepared an eight-point action plan so that the most important work of assessment of I-T cases could be given "adequate attention" based on which the taxman will be assessed for his or her annual appraisal. "There will be new sections in the Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR) for the reviewing officer to record all these activities of their junior as desired by the CBDT and on the instructions of the Prime Minister. "Substantial weightage to certain parameters means that the identified areas in assessment work will get higher ratings for an official. These APARs will be notified soon," a senior I-T official said.-PTI

TAQA starts selling power from India project DUBAI: A government-owned power utility firm in the UAE said it has started selling electricity from its 100 megawatt run-of-theriver hydropower project in Himachal Pradesh to help meet India's growing energy demands. Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) said that the Sorang hydropower project at full capacity can supply emissionsfree electricity to 500,000 homes. "We are keen to participate in meeting India's growing energy needs through the completion of this project which provides costefficient power and helps develop renewable energy sources," chairman Saeed Mubarak Al-Hajeri said. TAQA, meaning energy in Arabic, is an international energy and water company listed in Abu Dhabi and operating in 11 countries across four continents. "Sorang is our third major project to be completed this year, with two other projects set for completion by the end of 2015," he said. -PTI

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Mauritius has faith in India on tax treaty NEW DELHI: Dismissing apprehensions of Mauritius being used to route black money as "misconception", its Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth has termed the issue as an aberration in the "very special" ties with India and hoped that revision of their tax treaty won't harm its interests. Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him India will not do anything that would harm Mauritius, Jugnauth said the two countries are "sensitive to each other's needs" and the negotiations on the Double Taxation Avoidance Treaty were taking place in this context.-PTI

NDA defeat in Bihar no setback to economy: Jaitley NEW DELHI: Attributing the NDA's defeat in Bihar assembly elections to 'huge index of opposition unity', Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said it will not impact the economic reforms process. "I don't see it as a setback to the economy... structural reforms will continue. They should continue at a rapid pace," he said. Admitting that some irresponsible statements by certain BJP functionaries during the course of elections did change the narrative, Jaitley said the "index of opposition unity" was one of the biggest factors that led to the victory of the Mahagathbandhan in the Bihar assembly elections. While the ruling NDA managed to get 58 seats (BJP 53) in the 243member Bihar assembly, Mahagathbandhan got 178 seats. The alliance comprises JD (U),

RJD and Congress. On whether Bihar election was a referendum on the policies of the Centre, Jaitley, in an interview to

tion is not a referendum. A state election is not a referendum. You are not contesting on one issue." He further said that the vote

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley

ET Now, said, "The word referendum is loosely used... every elec-

share of BJP has not come down and the victory of the

Mahaghatbandhan was on account of different opposition forces coming together. About reforms, Jaitley said government would continue them by taking executive actions and also in the Budget, which would be announced in February next year. On the specific question of the pending Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill, he hoped that Bihar, which is a consuming state, would support the legislation. "I don't see (Bihar election outcome) as a setback to the economy at all. If under Nitish Kumar, Bihar grows and grows well, we have already announced economic package for the state, certainly we are going to help. "Our commitment is the states which need to develop more we have to help them more," Jaitley said. -PTI

Economy will improve, says India Inc NEW DELHI: Majority of India Inc feels optimistic about the state of the economy improving in the next two quarters at the industry and firm level, although the last six months have not witnessed much of a change at the ground level, says Assocham's Biz Confidence survey. "In the coming six months there seems to be growing optimism in terms of the economic performance with 80 per cent respondents feeling that the state of the Indian economy would be better," the June-September round of the survey observed. The percentages of optimist respondents in the June 2015 round were close to about 54.8 per cent. As to tentative recovery in last six months, the survey noted that while there were signs of economic recovery underway, the situation is still far from robust. The underlying economic activity remains weak on account

of the sustained decline in exports, rainfall deficiency and weakerthan-expected momentum in the industrial production and investment activity, the survey pointed out. "However, riding on hopes of some decisive actions expected

will help bring down interest rates further, less volatility in the foreign exchange market and improvement in ease of doing business. However, when it comes to the period between June and September this year, majority of the industry (60 per cent) feels that the

Riding on hopes of some decisive actions expected after the Bihar elections, the industry respondents remain optimistic about improvement in the sentiment, though at the present moment, broad demand and investment activity remains subdued after the Bihar elections, the industry respondents remain optimistic about improvement in the sentiment, though at the present moment, broad demand and investment activity remains subdued," Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said. He added that another reason for the positive outlook stems from the macro-economic stability that

present economic situation is more or less same vis-a-vis the situation six months back. Coming to specifics, the firms felt that though sales volume would pick up going forward, a commensurate change may not be visible on the profitability. That means, the power with the producer to improve margins on increasing sales would remain limited.

As many as 68 per cent of the respondents expect that during October to December 2015, their sales volume will further increase, the survey added. In terms of cost of credit, majority of the respondents (44 per cent) feel that there is no change in the cost of credit during July to September, which is a bit surprising, considering that the RBI has reduced the policy rates. "The possible explanation to this could be that the benefit of the rate cuts is not being passed onto the industry appropriately. However, the industry feels that there could be a decline in the cost of credit going forward," the survey said. Moreover, the industry wants quick action on infrastructure development, clearance of projects, stability in prices, effective policy reforms and better coordination between states and the Centre, it added. -PTI

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25 firms entrust research work to top institutes India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: Setting a new record in the area of industry collaborating with academic institutions for its research requirements, curriculum development, faculty exchange and student internships, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) brought 25 of its member companies entered into memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with 25 of the top Central institutions on the occasion of Visitor's Annual Conference, organized at Rashtrapati Bhavan from 4th November to 6th November. The conference is presided over by the President of India who is the Visitor to all 114 central institutions in the country. The MOUs were exchanged at a glit-

tering ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of President of India, Mr Pranab Mukherjee. Covering a wide range of sectors such as smart cities, renewable energy, green roadways, power solutions, mixed signal circuit design, fabrication and aluminium diecasting, the MOUs have brought some of the best known companies in India in direct contact with academic institutions. The companies include Hyderabad-based electronics and instrumentations major Elico Limited, which has signed an MOU on smart cities with NIT Warangal; Cadila Pharmaceuticals which has signed the MOU with National Institute of Pharmaceutical Educa-

GE, Alstom to set up loco projects in Bihar NEW DELHI: Global giants GE and Alstom are likely to be awarded the contracts for setting up of multi- crore diesel and electric locomotive factories in Marhora and Madhepura in Bihar, marking the first major FDI in rail projects. Dubbed as the first big ticket project under 'Make in India' initiative in the public transporter, GE and Alstom will be handed over the high value contract accep-

tance letters by Railways, according to railway sources. The projects, closely monitored by the PMO, involve manufacturing of 1000 diesel locomotives and 800 electric locomotives over next 11 years and is worth about Rs 40,000 crore. US multinational GE, which has emerged as the lowest bidder for the Rs 1,200 crore Marhora diesel locomotive factory, is expected to manufacture the 1,000 locomotives over 10 years. While 100 will be imported, rest will be manufactured at Marhora as part of the

Make in India initiative. French major Alstom, the lowest bidder for the Rs 1,000 crore Madhepura electric locomotive factory, will manufacture 800 high power electric locomotives locos in the next 11 years. It will manufacture 12,000 HP electric locomotives to be used for heavy haulage. According to the contract, while 5 diesel locos will be imported, the rest 795 will be manu-

factured at Madhepura as part of the project. Maintenance of the locos will also be the responsibility of the company and for this it will set up two maintenance sheds at Nagpur and Sharanpur. Of the 1,000 diesel locomotives to be manufactured by GE, 700 will be of 4,500 horse power (HP) and 300 of 6,000 HP. With the government allowing 100 per cent FDI in Railways, the setting up of the two locomotive plants in joint venture mode is crucial for the public transporter in order to boost its infrastructure.-PTI

tion and Research (NIPER) Ahmedabad; Micro Interconnexion Private Limited which has signed the MOU with NIT Goa; Blue Star Limited which has tied up with IIT Madras and

Nagpur. A total of six companies, including Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and construction major MN Dastur, have signed MOUs with the newly-constituted

Covering a wide range of sectors such as smart cities, renewable energy, green roadways, power solutions, mixed signal circuit design, fabrication the MOUs have brought some of the best known companies in India in direct contact with academic institutions. School of Planning and Architecture Delhi and Ahmedabad-based aluminium diecasting company Veena Diecasters & Engineers which has collaborated with VNIT

Russia's AK-47 maker in talks with India MUMBAI: Russia's Kalashnikov Concern, makers of AK-47 assault rifles, is in advanced discussions with Indian companies to manufacture certain weapons here and is open to sharing technology with local part-

ners. Known as one of the best assault rifles of the 20th century, AK47s are now being reportedly used more by non- state agents than national defense personnel. For many years now, Russia has officially stopped supplying these fine automatic rifles to the country. "From the early 2015, discussions are in right earnest, even though several Indian companies have been interested to produce Kalashnikov assault rifles since 2008," Kalashnikov Concern (formerly Izhmash) chief executive Alexey Krivoruchko told PTI in an email interview. "We are in talks with both public as well as private companies in India. But it is a bit early to offer any specific names, as we are still at negotiations," he said. He added that it is not engaged in any talks with the defense ministry "on our own and if necessary our Indian partner will handle those issues".-PTI

Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST) Shibpur which was earlier known as Bengal Engineering and Science University. Energy major Tata Power signed MOU with two institutes - NIT Delhi and NIT Srinagar. Among central universities, two have signed MOUs with industry - Jamia Milia Islamia with Viacom 18 in the area of media and entertainment and Central University of Haryana has entered into collaboration with footwear major Liberty Shoes. Among other companies which have partnered with academic institutions in this initiative are Bengal Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals (signed MOUs with NIPER Hajipur and NIPER Kolkata), Bitchem Asphalt Technologies (signed MOU with IIEST Shibpur), Bosch Limited (signed MOU with

Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore), Dr Reddy's Laboratories (signed MOU with NIPER Hyderabad), Emerson Network Power (signed MOU with IIT Kanpur), Garden Reach Shipbuilders (signed MOU with IIEST Shibpur), Genome Valley (signed MOU with NIPER Hyderabad), Hindustan Antibiotics Limited (signed MOU with NIPER Ahmedabad), Honda Motorcycles (signed MOU with NIT Allahabad), Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals (signed MOU with NIPER Raebareli), Johnson & Johnson Medical India (signed MOU with NIPER Ahmedabad), K Raheja Group (signed MOU with IIT Bombay), KHS Machinery Private Limited (signed MOUs with IIT Gandhinagar and SVNIT Surat), Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals (signed MOU with NIPER Guwahati), Medley Pharmaceuticals (signed MOU with NIPER Mohali), Natco Research Centre (signed MOU with NIPER Hyderabad), Panacea Biotec (signed MOU with NIPER Mohali), Paradeep Phosphates (signed MOU with IIT Bhubaneshwar), PepsiCo India (signed MOUs with MNIT Allahabad, NIT Tirichurappalli and NIT Warangal), Rajasthan Drugs & Pharma Limited (signed MOU with NIPER Mohali), Sankalp Semiconductors (signed MOU with IIEST Shibpur) and Wockhardt Limited (signed MOU with NIPER Mohali).

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PM dedicates Baglihar power project to nation CHANDERKOTE, J&K: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicated 450 MW Baglihar Hydro Electric Power Project to the nation and said it will give an impetus to the journey of development. The project will also prove to be a step towards safeguarding the

port Minister Nitik Gadkari and Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh, inaugurated second phase of 450 MW Baglihar power project here. He also laid the foundation stone for 4 lane high project in two sectors of Udhampur-Ramban and

Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongwith Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Governor N N Vohra during the inauguration of 450 MW Baghlihar Hydro Electric project in Jammu.

environment for upcoming generations, he added. Modi, along with Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Union Trans-

Ramban-Banihal sections. "The electricity project which is inaugurated, the electricity which will be generated will not only give an impetus to the jour-

ney of development but also be a step towards safeguarding the environment for the upcoming generations," Modi said while addressing a rally soon after the commissioning of the project. As per the details of the project, the 450 MW (3X150 MW) Baglihar Hydro Electric Project stage-II is the second in the series of Baglihar projects. Stage-I of the project of similar installed capacity was commissioned in 2008. The project is located in the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir on JammuSrinagar national highway-1A on Nashri bypass road, 150 kms from Jammu city. The project area lies in mountainous and drugged terrain of the middle Himalayas with the relief ranging from 700 meter at the river bed level to a maximum of 3,020 meter. It is a run of the river scheme on Chenab. EPC contract was signed on March 31, 2012 and the project has been commissioned as per the target in September, 2015. -PTI

Adani's project faces fresh legal challenge MELBOURNE: Indian mining giant Adani's 16.5 billion dollar controversy-hit coal mine project in Australia is facing a fresh legal challenge from an environmental group which sought cancellation of a new government approval, saying it would harm the fragile Great Barrier Reef and add to climate change. The mega project located in Queensland's Galilee Basin was last month granted the new approval by Environment Minister Greg Hunt. The mine, which would be the biggest in Australia, was approved subject to 36 strict conditions after a court action sidelined the project earlier this year because of its impact on the ornamental snake and yakka skink, a vulnerable species that hides under rocks. The Australian Conservation Foundation said Environment Minister Hunt failed to consider whether the impact of climate pollution, resulting from burning the mine's coal, would be inconsistent with Australia's international obligations to protect the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.

"The Great Barrier Reef is loved by Australians and overseas visitors, but it will soon be gone if we allow climate change to keep accelerating," ACF President Geoff Cousins said. "Coral reef scientists are telling us in just a few decades warmer waters could bleach the Reef be-

a coal mine that would produce more climate pollution than New Zealand does annually is reckless and irresponsible. "Taking legitimate legal action in the public interest is central to keeping governments accountable in a democracy," Cousins said. Commenting on the develop-

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Environment Minister Hunt failed to consider whether the impact of climate pollution, resulting from burning the mine's coal, would be inconsistent with Australia's international obligations to protect the Great Barrier Reef.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; yond recognition. This would be a tragedy for Australia and the world," he added. "The minister has acknowledged climate change is affecting the Great Barrier Reef, yet the approval of the Carmichael mine will create more pollution, make global warming worse and irreversibly damage the Reef," Cousins said. He said ACF believes the federal government's re-approval of

ment, the Adani company said, "Today's announcement by the ACF is the latest in a litany of attempts by politically-motivated activists seeking to endlessly delay new, job creating projects in Queensland." "Adani has consistently said that what is required for major job creating resource projects to proceed in this state and in Australia more broadly is regulatory and approvals certainty," it noted.-PTI

Tata Steel asks suppliers to slash prices LONDON: Amid a crisis in you for any reason be unable to Britain's steel sector, Tata Steel support us in our efforts, we will has warned its suppliers that if need to fully consider other opthey do not slash prices by up to tions." 30 per cent in the long term then One recipient of the letter was they risk losing the steel giant's staffing business Kinetic. business. Neil Smith, managing director The company's UK-based of the SME, called the tone "bully Long Products division, which boy tactics". supplies steel beams, railway He told the Daily Telegraph: "It tracks and other products, has feels threatening. The language is written to its suppliers asking for contradictory they talk about valan immediate 10 per cent price cut ued suppliers then talk about getwhich must go up to 30 per cent in ting rid of us if we do not take a 30 the long term. per cent price cut. In a letter signed by Lorraine "We are well aware of Tata's Sawyer, procurement director of troubles and a 10 per cent might Tata Steel Long Products Europe, be expected but 30 per cent is hard which makes up about a quarter to swallow," he said. of the company's operations in The Federation of Small BusiEurope, the company spells out nesses has previously attacked the difficulties it is currently facing, including global over-capacity "It feels threatening. The and declining steel language is contradictory prices. The letter says: "UK- they talk about valued based steel manufactur- suppliers then talk about ers have been particularly challenged by their getting rid of us if we do higher cost position not take a 30 per cent driven by high energy price cut.â&#x20AC;? prices and business rates...worsened by sterling's appreciation. heavy-handed actions by some "To ensure a long term sustain- large businesses. able business we have launched a A spokesperson said: "While transformation program to im- we recognize the challenges the prove our market performance and steel industry faces, this will imreduce our cost base. pact heavily on Tata's supply The business will focus on re- chain who may not be able to abducing external spend. We cannot sorb the levels of discount being achieve this transformation with- suggested. out the support of our valued sup"Small businesses rely on the pliers. integrity of their bigger custom"To this end we are seeking a ers when it comes to honoring long-term price reduction of 30 per agreed contracts (as) they often cent on all purchases. As a first lack the clout, funds or time to seek step we would appreciate an im- adequate redress." mediate price reduction of 10 per A spokesperson for Tata Steel cent. said: "Our Long Products unit has "Supporting each other in been in dialogue with suppliers for these challenging times will enable a month. us to further strengthen our relaInitially some were spoken to tionship into the future. We look directly, others were contacted by forward to having a long term part- letter to begin a consultation pronership with you." cess. We have had an excellent Last month Tata Steel an- response with positive and innonounced nearly 1,200 job losses vative ways we can work together. at its plants in Scunthorpe and "The current position in UK Lanarkshire, as a part of a restruc- steel is no secret and has been turing plan amid struggling opera- explained in all communications tions. with all partners as we look for Nine hundred jobs will be lost collective ways to find better soat the firm's plant in Scunthorpe lutions to solve the difficult and and the remaining 270 jobs will go challenging trading conditions." in Scotland. Caparo Industries, a part of The letter indicates that suppli- Lord Swraj Paul's global business ers who do not comply may be empire, is also cutting 452 jobs dropped from the company's sup- from its steel plants across the UK ply chain: "We greatly appreciate after going into partial administrayour support but also want to tion earlier last month, having been stress that we require contribution hit by the crisis that has gripped from all of our suppliers. Should UK's steel sector. -PTI

TechBiz Post

November 13, 2015

India Post

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JLR drafts 4.5 bn pounds cost-cutting plan LONDON: Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover has drafted a new 4.5-billion pounds cost-cutting plan to offset rising emissions cost and the slowdown in China, one of the biggest automotive markets in the world. The project known as Leap 4.5 will scrutinize almost every area of spending at Britain's luxury car manufacturer, 'The Sunday Times' reported. The 3-billion-a-year pounds capital budget, focused on research and development and new plants, will be spared. JLR has one of Britain's biggest success stories since it was bought over by Tata Motors from Ford in 2008 and made 2.6-billion pounds profit last year, has almost 37,000 staff and builds about 500,000 cars a year. It has spent around 11 billion pounds on a new range of cars, built plants in China and India, with another under way in Brazil,

and has overhauled its three British manufacturing plants. It aims to build one million cars a year by 2020. Sources close to JLR told the newspaper it was a natural time to take stock after such rapid growth and insisted that there were no plans for redundan-

cies. Sales in China from July to September were down by a third yearon-year to 20,149 cars, against a wider market fall of 1.9 per cent. That drop was offset by strong growth in America and Europe. It also faced a 245-million pounds charge on 5,800 vehicles damaged in the huge explosion at the Chi-

nese port of Tianjin in August. As well as the Chinese problems, JLR faces pressure from regulators to cut its emissions or face hefty fines, 'The Sunday Times' said. It has largely switched from steel to aluminum bodies, which lead to lower fuel consumption, but tougher emissions rules will require costly upgrades to models. Leap 4.5 targets 4.5 billion pounds of cumulative savings by the end of the decade. It is likely to see more models built on similar core skeletons, greater efficiency in manufacturing, supply chains overhauled and recruitment slowed or halted. The company has repeatedly stressed that it will continue the 3 billion-a-year pounds spending on R&D and new plant and equipment. JLR is yet to comment or confirm on the reported cost-cutting plans. -PTI

Nestle relaunches Maggi; partners Snapdeal for sales NEW DELHI: Nestle India has relaunched its popular Maggi noodles in India, five months after they were banned for allegedly containing lead beyond permissible levels. Besides, the Swiss food major has partnered with online marketplace Snapdeal for the rollout. "The rollout has begun. It has been a challenging period for the Nestle Organization, and therefore, there is a feeling of satisfaction at bringing back Maggi noodles to the market," Nestle India said in a regulatory filing. The company said Maggi noodles will not be available in 8 states that have banned its sale. "Most states do not have a ban on sale of Maggi noodles. For states where specific directions are required, we are engaging with them," Nestle India said. The company is presently manufacturing Maggi noodles at three locations - Nanjangud (Karnataka), Moga (Punjab) and Bicholim (Goa).

Nestle India said all samples of Maggi Noodles Masala have been cleared by three National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories-accredited labs as mandated by the Bombay High Court. On October 26, Nestle had said that

it has resumed manufacturing Maggi noodles and they will hit the markets after getting clearances from food testing labs. In June, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India had banned Maggi noodles, saying it was "unsafe and hazardous" for consumption after finding lead beyond permissible limits.-PTI

Desi News Hanmi Bank scales up ties with community

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Armed with an admirable academic background and possessing a hefty all round banking experience, Susan Kim, the Regional President and Executive Vice President Hanmi Bank Illinois & Eastern, is set to take Hanmi bank to a new high, making it a really community caring bank supporting businesses and serving individual needs "We are targeting to grow the market share in small to mid-sized businesses in all ethnic communities and are geared to be the premier nationwide community bank and business partner to businesses and communities. Details on page 18

Sunil Shah named to New York Life Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Council

16 India Post

Details on page 19

Ethnic, authentic flavor of Indian fusion rock ARCHANA ASTHANA

he thundering crashing of the waves, the swells of the sea, the gentle laps of water receding at the shores....it seemed that the Indian Ocean indeed came out to meet us at the Smythwick Theater in Los Altos Hills over the weekend. The sound that exemplifies Indian Ocean, the band, is a layered, nuanced medley of bass and lead guitars, various percussion instruments, innovative drumming and powerful vocals. Details on page 24

November 13, 2015

Details on page 22

Narainji invested every moment of his life to awaken Hindus PRAKASH WAGHMARE

t is heart breaking to know that iconic Hindu Activist, Shri Narainji Kataria is no longer with us. The 'Hindu Lion' that roared relentlessly for more than 30 years in the interest of his community, passed away quietly in his sleep, sometime on November 2 night.

ARVIND PATEL

CHICAGO: Sunil Shah has been named a member of the 2015 President's Council of New York Life. Members of the President's Council consist of top five percent of New York Life's elite sales force of (12,000) licensed agents. He is a senior NYLIC after completing 20 years of service with the company. He has also earned membership in the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), which represents the top life insurance and financial service professionals worldwide. Finally, he received the 2015 "National Quality" award, "National Sales Achievement award, and the "Life Star" from NAIFA and New York Life.

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Wedding Expo at Waterford a big success

Shri Narainji Kataria

In all his approaches to tackle various issues, Narainji was like the iconic 'Shri Balasaheb Thakre of USA' - fearless, passionate, and determined to uphold the dignity of 'Hindus and Hindutva'. Narainji was a hardcore nationalist, a superb community organizer and an incomparable, relentless political activist for Hindu-Diaspora in USA for three decades. When it came to Hindu aspirations, related worthy socio-political causes or injustice meted to Hindus, he was unapologetically partisan in his 'politicking'. If I can recall, I met him for the first time in 1984 during the "10th International Vishwa Hindu Parishad Conference" at 'Madison Square Garden', in NYC, NY. From the beginning, I was impressed by his boldness and courage with which he expressed his inner thoughts in conversation. I really got to know him well, soon thereafter, when, we, as the part of Indian community converged on Washington D.C., to pressurize the U.S. Congress to deny state-ofthe-art AWAC surveillance planes to Pakistan. The friendship that started then got strengthened over the years as we went through countless events, rallies, protests,

and issues-centric conferences together. Narainji was a victim of a horrific historic trauma called the 'Partition of India'. As a teenager in Sindh, what he saw and experienced during the 'Partition' was what essentially shaped him for the future. He was born on February 15, 1930 in Sukkur, Sindh, which became Pakistan after Partition. His parents died when he was quite young and so, as the eldest son, he, not only had to look after his family of three siblings but also ensure their safe passage to India. After, settling down in Ulhasnagar near Mumbai, he once again started pursuing his passion for education, earning a Master's Degree in History while simultaneously working day and night, to support his family. In May 1956, he married 'Bhagwantiji' and had two daughters, Meena and Rajni. After a stint at "Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC)" in Mumbai, Narainji came to USA in early 1970s and started working as 'Legal Asstt.' for the Law firm of 'Cahill Gordon', till he retired in 1998. From the beginning, Narainji was troubled by Hindus' callous indifference towards preserving and propagating their culture and religion. He strongly felt that

educate the masses about this impending danger, he used his proficiency in writing. He was not only a gifted prolific writer but also had the ability to rouse the readers through his razor-sharp, opinionated prose. Narainji probably had the most exhaustive listing of e-mails through which he reached out to tens of thousands of this supporters and admirers, on a

vested interests of some of the minority sections of society were bent upon marginalizing Hindu society and the nation's character with the help of leftist media. To

arranged record number of protests and rallies with his inseparable dear friend, Arishji Sahani. I, myself, had participated in 12-15 of them.

He also founded "Hindu American Intellectual Forum" to take his mission to the elites of the society. To bring the entire HinduDiaspora on a single 'Hindu'-platform, irrespective of its minute sub-divisions, he successfully started organizing "Hindu Sangathan Din" (Hindu Solidarity Day), 20 years back. Now, it is one of the most eagerly-awaited

The guy who was so 'vocal' in his writings was surprisingly very shy or at loss of words when it came to public-speaking and tried to avoid it as much as possible. Nevertheless, he gave numerous interviews on TV and Radio and arranged record number of protests and rallies with his inseparable dear friend, Arishji Sahani. weekly basis. He invested every single waking moment of his life to awaken Hindus. There wasn't anyone like him nor there would be at least in foreseeable future. He had admirers, not just in USA but also in other countries. The guy who was so 'vocal' in his writings was surprisingly very shy or at loss of words when it came to public-speaking and tried to avoid it as much as possible. Nevertheless, he gave numerous interviews on TV and Radio and

events in New York. Once during his Mumbai trip, he wanted to meet Shri Balasaheb Thakre whom he idolized and asked me to arrange it. As a Maharashtrian, I knew some people who were very close to 'Balasaheb' and so I obliged. Always sharply dressed in suit and tie, Narainji was a people's person with his trademark broad smile and over-spilling enthusiasm to attend every event that brought Indian community together. On a lighter side, with his 'favorite-uncle' persona, also came a child-like mischievousness. Though, he was very devoted to his family, he invariably moved everywhere without them. Once on a rare occasion, when I met his wife for the first time, I said to him, "now, at last I know that you are married". With his usual hearty laugh, and without missing a beat he responded, "What makes you think that I am really married to her"? Narainji was very passionate about music, especially old nostalgic Bollywood melodies, and could play 'Banjo' like a pro. His exuberance, energy and uprightness made him almost ageless. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 21

Community Across America

November 13, 2015

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Fundraiser organized for justice to Pravin ASIAN MEDIA USA

CHICAGO: A "Justice for man rights champion. Pravin Fundraising Program", preCyriac Koovakkattil welcomed ceded by a high-profile public the dignitaries to the public meetmeeting, was organized by a group ing. Lovely Varughese, mother of leading Indian Americans in of Pravin, gave an update on the Chicago to crecase and the ate awareness roadblocks about the susthey encounpicious death of tered in getting Pravin Mathew j u s t i c e . Varughese, a 19Mariamma Pillai year old multiand Gladson talented stuVarughese asdent a year ago. sured that that The student the entire comof criminal jusmunity will rally tice died in mysbehind Pravin's terious circumfamily in order stances and to boost their there were glarmorale. Raju ing discrepanVarghese procies in the two posed a Vote of Pravin Varughese who died in autopsy rethanks. suspcious circumstances 20 ports, inordiThe Justice months ago nate delay on for Pravin the part of Police in apprehending Fundraising Program the culprits even after the lapse of "Rithubahar", (Colors of Rhythm) 20 months, problems in the legal was a state-of-the-art dance and system, and the long and painful music symphony presented by a journey of Pravin's parents in group of artists from India, inseeking justice. cluding Jagadessh, a leading The events were attended by Malayalam movie star, Pandit over 1000 committed social activ- Ramesh Narayan, a famous musiists and those wanting justice for cian, composer, and singer, two all. Another highlight of the three eminent singers Madhushree hour event was musical and cul- Narayan and Nishad, and five tural presentations. classical dancers: Rachna Morton Grove Mayor Dan Di Narayankutty, Athira Shankar, Dr. Maria in his inaugural address at Anjana Jha, Sajeev and Madhu.

Lamp Lighitng ceremony at Varughese fundraiser

the public meeting said that he and his village will proactively support Pravin's family in taking their fight for justice to its logical conclusion. Senator Mike Noland stated that he will not only write to the Attorney-General to initiate swift action in the case but will also intervene, whenever required, to ensure expeditious processing of the case. Daya Bhai, a human rights activist from India, expressed shock over the delay in delivering justice in Pravin's case in a country like the US, which is a global hu-

Vinod Mankara, a Malayalam movie maker was Director of the show. The singers captured the hearts of the audience by singing the famous songs: "Prayanmaranna Paribhavangal" and "Oru Narupushpamayi", composed by Pandit Ramesh Narayan. They proved their multilingual musical credentials by rendering a number of melodious Hindi ghazals too and mesmerizing the audience. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 23

India Post 17

18 India Post

Community Across America

November 13, 2015

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Hanmi Bank scales up ties with community RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

One of the branches that Susan is looking after is one near Devon Avenue, the heart of Indian Pakistani communities, often described as Mini India Town of Chicago. She mentioned that Hanmi Bank has already earmarked a percentage of market share in Indian-Pakistani businesses and is set to expand vigorously in this area "We are targeting to grow the market share in small to mid-sized businesses in all ethnic communities and are geared to be the premier nationwide community bank and business partner to businesses and communities. Our goal is to achieve higher level of success and growth with a solid commitment to building deep and lasting relationships with small to middle-market businesses and individuals," said a young looking Susan, exhibiting huge confidence and youthful exuberance. In a talk to this paper, she said that Hanmi

Georgia. Hanmi Bank, through acquisition of United Central Bank on September 2, 2014, has initiated a footprint nationwide.

Bank is known for its expertise and experience of bankers who are focused on their clients' success. "Our relationship bankers average 20 years' experience and act as a single point of contact with dedicated support teams behind them. We are working diligently to build a sound rapport with all communities, businesses, and individuals," she said One of the branches that Susan is looking after is one near Devon Avenue, the heart of Indian Pakistani communities, of-

ten described as Mini India Town of Chicago. She mentioned that Hanmi Bank has already earmarked a percentage of market share in Indian-Pakistani businesses and is set to expand vigorously in this area servicing in a professional manner fitting their needs. "We believe it is the people who matter to the growth of businesses and communities and have highly committed professionals who will be on hand to provide high quality financial services to those in need. We plan to be a solid partner who can pro-

vide guidance to their growth, Susan added Susan Kim has 20 plus years of experience in retail and commercial banking where she was responsible for the Division's strategy, business development and management of retail and commercial banking. She held various positions of increasing responsibility during her banking tenure. Ms Kim earned her B.A degree in English Literature from the University of California-Irvine and attended the University of WisconsinMadison's Graduate School of Banking. Hanmi Bank, serving multi-ethnic communities headquartered in California was founded in 1982. It encompasses market share nationwide with forty-two branches and six loan production offices covering California, Texas, Illinois, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Colorado, Washington and

Ms Susan Kim, Regional President Hanmi Bank for Illinois and Eastern

Community Across America

November 13, 2015

India Post 19

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Gujarat Assn presents Diwali with music concert Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: One of the oldest ethnic Indian organizations in Chi-

cago land, Gujarat Cultural Association hosted Diwali celebrations with an electrifying Music Concert that attracted a large

number of member families and their friends, at Waterford Banquets in Elmhurst, a south west suburb of Chicago.

The traditional lighting of lamp ceremony was performed by Bharat Barai, the Chief Guest, and other dignitaries.

Guests and speakers at Gujarati Cultural Association - Cook County Clerk Dorothy Brown, Emcee and community leader Dr Manish Brahmbhatt, Kanti Patel Chairman GCA, Dr Bharat Barai, community leader and leading oncologist

Dr Bharat Barai, in his keynote address, said that we should not only celebrate Diwali as a festival but also understand its true message, implement it in our daily lives, and commit to the path of virtue, rather than that of evil, in order to emerge victorious. Earlier, Kanti S. Patel, Chairman, Gujarat Cultural Association, in his welcome address, said that the Association, established in 1973, has undertaken initiatives aimed at growth and diffusion of the culture of Gujarat.

Gujarati Cultural Association Board members with guests

Sunil Shah named to New York Life Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Council ARVIND PATEL

CHICAGO: Sunil ciated with New York Shah has been named a Life's Greater Chicago member of the 2015 General Office in Downers President's Council of Grove. New York Life. Members Shah has resided in of the President's CounSchaumburg, is Founder cil consist of top five President of Federation percent of New York of Indian Association, Life's elite sales force of Chicago, IL and is also (12,000) licensed agents. actively involved in reliHe is a senior NYLIC gious organizations such after completing 20 years as Jain Society, of service with the comSwaminarayan, Balaji, pany. He has also earned Manav Sewa temples, membership in the Miland also in non-profit orlion Dollar Round Table ganizations such as (MDRT), which repreAkshay Patra, Ekal sents the top life insurVidyalaya, MAFS, Apna ance and financial serGhar and several others. vice professionals worldHis service to the commuwide. Finally, he received nity was recently recogSunil Shah accepting the award from New York Life the 2015 "National Qualnized with a "Life Time Executive Vice President & Head of Agency Mark Pfaff ity" award, "National Achievement Award." by Sales Achievement Consulate General Ausaf award, and the "Life Star" from Sunil shah has been a New York Sayeed and Bollywood singer/ NAIFA and New York Life. Life agent since 1995 and is asso- music director Bappi Lahiri.

John Trivedi, a hotelier who was presented an award for his successful career, said that community support is an important pre-condition for success in business. "Giving back to the community, therefore, is one of the best business practices", opined Trivedi. The Association also honored Syed Hussaini, Sunil Shah, Iftekhar Shareef, Kalpesh Joshi, Dr Bharat Barai, Dr Anita Johan, and Shashank Bhatt for their spectacular community services. Iftekhar Shareef stated that the presence of people representing different religions at the celebrations proves that Diwali is a festival of entire India, rather that of one community alone. Sunil Shah observed that Diwali is an occasion not only to celebrate but also to reflect and bring about a qualitative change in our day-to-day lives. Babra and Party, an international music group, presented a spectacular music program with B M Babra, as the lead singer and Archana Gauswami, Franklin Christian, Shefali Giri, Mahendra Chudasma, as his team of formidable singers. Their stunning renditions, which were vivacious, bubbly and full of energy, mesmerized the audience. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 23

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Community Across America

November 13, 2015

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Indian cultural flag flying high in Mid-west Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: Twenty six cultural organizations across Midwest area of USA got together to stage spectacular performances showcasing huge cultural heritage and diversity at the initiative of Consulate General of India in Chicago The spectacular cultural event, "Kala-Utsav-2015", was held on November 1 at Copernicus Center, Chicago. The event primarily designed to keep Indian cultural flag flying and have the mainstream American know about Indian cultural heritage was a platform for over 230 renowned Indian artists, from across Illinois, Indiana, IOWA, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The traditional lamp lighting ceremony was performed by Dr Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General of India with OP Meena, Head of Chancery at the Consulate, and members of Executive Committee of Kala Utsav. This was followed by singing of the Indian National Anthem and the US National Anthem. Over 1500 people, belonging to all nationalities, including a large number of diplomats from different countries and elected officials, attended the event. Dr Sayeed, in his inaugural address, said that Indian culture is rich, unique, time-tested, and multifaceted. He underlined the need for protecting it, considering the onslaught of pseudo modernity and surging tide of herd mentality of blindly following Western culture. India Consul OP Meena also addressed the gathering and welcomed all.

the occasion. Chicago Kalakshetra Team of 13 artists performed "Chenda Melam" at the opening ceremony, which was followed by a string of stunning performances. The segment dedicated to "Regional Cultural Events" was a rich tribute to cultural diversity of India. Over 65 artists presented seven distinctive dance forms of their respective States. The North Western team presented the high-energy Punjabi folk dance, Bhangra. The team of Rina Thakur from Himachal Pradesh presented the folk dance in the backdrop of a song "Piya Basanti Re". The presentation of team "Ghungru" of Kerala brought together grandeur of Kathakali, grace of Mohiniyattam, elegance of Thirvathirakkali, and a flavor of Murals Arts. Utkala Center for Odissi Dance presented an Odissi composition, Pallavi. Sriranga Dance Academy, Tarana Kathak

KalaUtsav in Chicago Lamp Lighting ceremony with organizers and dignitaries

dance, captured hearts of the audience. Kamlesh Patel, a physically handicapped dancer and star of a

importance of women's security. The presentation of Nithyanjali School of Dance revolved around the rhythms in the

nature. Aananda Dance Theater presented an innovative piece,

loud music and strong dance movements and provided a foot tapping experience to the audience. Natyarpana School of Dance, Nrithya Bharathi Institute of Dance, Natya Dance Theatre, Noopura Dance Academy, and Nrithya Sangeeth School of Dance presented five Bharatnatyam performances, with about 25 artists, inter alia, in praise of Lord Ganesha and Lord Vishnu. In the Music Performance category there were five presentations, mostly classical in nature, with over 55 artists, by Rajaveena School of Music, Rama Advanced Music Academy, Veena Gaana School of Music, Ensemble of Raagas, and Manjusha Sangeet Academy. Finally, the journey ended on a pleasant note. Two hilarious dramas, with 15 actors, "Kanya Daan" and"Political Satire", pre-

"Kaalachakram", which referred to the never-ending cycle of destruction and creation. Bharatam Academy of Dance Arts presented a dance piece that explores the joy of movements set to fusion music. The students of Bollywood Rhythms presented another fusion piece that used

sented by Dramatech and Mandi Theater Group, respectively, kept the audience rolling into unstoppable spells of laughter. OP Meena proposed a vote of thanks. Sanjog Aul and Saroja Ravi, the MCs, added value to the event by their captivating interventions.

Indian CG Dr Ausuf Sayeed and Indian C贸nsul OP Meena

Dance Academy and Maharashtra Mandal Chicago

television reality show, presented a dance performance and con-

Cultural presentaiton by local artists

He called upon efforts to increase cultural literacy on the part of the younger generation. He congratulated the Indian community organizations for their endeavors in this direction. Senator Mark Krik, in his message, congratulated Ausaf Sayeed and Indian-Americans on

presented Kuchipudi, Kathak, and Lavani dance forms, respectively. There were six presentations under "Contemporary/Fusion" in which over 50 artists participated. These presentations, which highlighted the pressing societal issues by using the medium of

veyed a message that determination results in victory over disabilities. The presentation of Soorya Dance School, based on the 'Nirbhaya' case - the horrific gang rape which occurred in Delhi brought the audience to tears and also raised awareness about the

November 13, 2015

Community Across America

India Post 21

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AFA conducting short films competition SURENDRA ULLAL

is to instill and inspire youth with the great qualities of Padma Vibhushan, Natasamrat Dr Akkineni Nageswara Rao specifically commitment, hard work, discipline and selfconfidence. Dr Thotakura said, "We are conducting Short Film Competitions to youth with a chance to win Rs.1, 00,000. The theme of the short film is - Social challenges affecting the youth and possible solutions. The maximum six minute short film can be either in Telugu or in English language. Tanikella Bharani will Chair the Jury Committee along

Padma Vibhushan, Natasamrat Dr Akkineni Nageswara Rao

DALLAS, TX: Akkineni Foundation of America (AFA) is hosting the second annual "AFA - Akkineni Awards Gala" on Sunday, December 20 at Film Nagar Club, Hyderabad. Dr Prasad Thotakura, Founder President of AFA, has stated that AFA's main mission

Narainji invested every moment of his life to awaken Hindus Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 16

Moreover he had that rare ability to make anyone feel that he was their age. Queensborough President once proclaimed a 'Narain Kataria Day' in Queens-County, NY in his honor to acknowledge his contributions to the society. Once he confided in me that many a times he had been threaten of bodily harm, by his detractors but he simply couldn't care less. His happiest days in life were when BJP got majority in Parliament in 2014 and when Shri Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India. Sadly, it was also the time when his wife of more than a half-century passed away in September of that year. In spite of this loss of a life-time, Narainji, without taking refuge in his personal grief, worked hard organizing support-rallies in New York for PM Modi, when he visited USA in 2014 and in 2015. Narainji was larger-than-life and touched millions of lives, inspiring countless among them not just on East-coast or in USA but in several other countries. So many adjectives have been tagged on him from all over the world after his departure. Make no mistake-each one of them is true and help define him. He was one of a kind 'Karmayogi' who served 'Bharat' and 'Hindus', residing thousands of miles away in a modest onebedroom apartment with his family.

with Sekhar Kammula. L.B. Sri Ram, Avasarala Srinivas and Praveen Sattaru are jury members of the committee. Anand Varala, Secretary of Federation of Film Societies, Southern Region will coordinate these short film competitions. The last date to receive entries is December 2nd, 2015. Interested youth can click the below link to enter the short film competitions. http://akkinenifoundationofamerica.org/ shortfilmContest.php AFA will confer Akkineni Navaratna Awards to nine different stalwarts in the

following nine fields on December 20: 1. Medicine 2. Education 3. Youth Achievements 4. Lifetime Achievement 5. Excellent Entrepreneur 6. Creativity 7. Outstanding Community Service 8. Stage Arts and 9. Movie. AFA is served by Dr. Prasad Thotakura as President, Ravi Kondabolu, Vice-President, Mrs. Sarada Akunuri, Secretary, Dr. C.R. Rao, Treasurer, Murali Vennam, Bakthavatsalu Dhama, Chalapathi Kondrakunta, Dr. Srinivasa Reddy Alla and Rao Kalvalaas Board of Directors.

Community Across America

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November 13, 2015

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Wedding Expo at Waterford a big success RAMESH SOPARAWALA & ARVIND PATEL India Post News Service

CHICAGO: A joint effort by India House and Waterford Banquet managements to reach out to the community by staging a Wedding Wonderland Expo for the past five years in a row has been meeting with a great success, reflecting a steady community support and appreciation. The Expo this year held at Waterford Banquet in Elmhurst last week surpassed all expectations with fifty plus vendors participating and over 1000 visitors coming to attend it, from 12 noon to five in the evening, according to Kate Sandu, the event manager. "The steady upping of the number of vendors and visitors are a true reflection how much this Expo is getting popular in Chicagoland. When we started five years ago, the vendors were less than half what we have this time and the number of visitors too were just a few hundred. We hope to do still better in coming years," she said in a talk to this paper. The Fashion show conducted by Noman Khan and his company was also a big hit with variety of colorful wedding dresses for young and adults, ladies and gents donned by young kids, handsome men

The Wedding Event organizing team: Pritesh Gandhi, Kate Sandu, Ravi Rawat and Irvin Vancoy

and beautiful women models, she added. The models were professional and attractive while the clothing

was provided by two boutique shops - Palki and Arati Chandok of Panche Emporium. The biggest attractions were young kids don-

ning wedding dress. They looked great and were a big hit. Vendors by and large were a

happy lot getting new customers and admirers' for their products and services Pritesh Gandhi, the Waterford chief, said that there was a greater variation among vendors coming out to create awareness about their products among the visiting public and prospective brides and bridegrooms. There were varied boutique and wedding dresses on display, latest style jewelry items, good number of photographersvideographers, tailors, stage and Mandap decorators, sound system specialists , wedding hall and banquet hall marketers , caterers and food vendors, he said Ravi Rawat of India House said, "We decided to continue with the practice of free admission and free parking for visitors. India House had food tasting taken care of too. He said that India House recently launched Pearl Banquet in Roselle, a state of art facility for holding wedding receptions and other events. There were many repeats among vendors and there were a few new faces too. Nearly all the booths had a good number of visitors being entertained but jewelry, dress makers. photographersvideographers had a field day. India House food tasting booths were among the busiest for the

Models participating in Fashion Show organized by Noman Khan and two boutiques Vendors & crowd - Jewelry Boutique, Mehndi etc

greater part of the day. Tatvamasi Patel, a frequent visitor to many such bridal expos said that the Wedding Wonderland Expo was easily among the best she had attended. "It was interesting and informative too. Many a potential bride and bridegroom who came by themselves or with their family members would definitely be profiting by their visit," she added.

Community Across America

November 13, 2015

India Post 23

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Gujarat Assn presents Diwali with music concert visiting Gujarat and also had the honor of meeting Narendra Modi, the then Chief Minister and the present Prime Minister. "I enjoy coming to your events every year. I am the biggest supporter of Indian Community. I like Indian festivals and love Indian dresses", she added. Gujarat Cultural Association Executive Board comprises Kanti S. Patel [Chairman], Girish Patel

GCA Diwali revelers

Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 18

The well-equipped Orchestra, comprising an outstanding lineup of fine musicians, included Bhupendra Bubra-Keyboard, Manish Goel-Keyboard , Piyush Babra-Guitar, Vasudev SolankiOctopad, Hemant Solanki-Congo Dholak Tabla, and Amit BhavsarDrums. Dr Manish Brahmbhatt conducted proceedings of the function as the MC. Girish Patel, Presi-

dent of the Association, proposed a vote of thanks. Jesse White, Illinois Secretary of State, in his message, said that the Association is a lifeline for its members in need of networking opportunities, professional guidance, and community support. He appreciated the cultural connections that the Association is building between Illinois and India. Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, said that she had the opportunity of

Fundraiser organized for justice to Pravin

A group of artists Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 17

The dancers presented Classical, Fusion, Mohiniyatam, Kathak, and many more dance forms. Their movements were flawless, dignified, and full of life. The depth of emotions was compelling. The spectators were floored to witness a variety of

classical dance styles in a single show. The proceeds of the fundraising program will go to a memorial fund which has been created to assist Pravin's family in their campaign to get justice and also to address preventive measures to ensure that such tragedies do not take place again.

[President], Dr. Manish Brahmbhatt [Vice President], Shaurin Mehta [Secretary], Hemang Patel [Joint Secretary], Dinesh Patel [Treasurer], Kanu Parekh [Cultural Secretary] and Mrs. Geeta Bhatt [Joint Cultural Secretary] The celebrations concluded with a sumptuous Gujarati-style dinner. All in all, a night of glitterati and music for all to remember.

Community Across America

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November 13, 2015

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Ethnic, authentic flavor of Indian fusion rock ARCHANA ASTHANA

from India has the look, feel, sound and energy of a college band, although all members are definitely decades older than that age group. This concert was presented as a fundraiser for AID (Association of India Development), and it intro-

his aunt in the Kannada language. The classic style with the entire ensemble going full throttle had interludes of pure classical singing by the pleasing vocal renditions of Himanshu Joshi. In the next number, we are

nature percussions and guitars lending able support to the arrangement. In "Behne Do", the traditional sounds of Indian classical music merge seamlessly with jazz elements of Western classical Pics Sheshagiri Shenoy

Hills over the weekend. The sound that exemplifies Indian Ocean, the band, is a layered, nuanced medley of bass and lead guitars, various percussion instruments, innovative drumming and powerful vocals. What is interesting is that this fusion rock band

duced a new album to the audience. The reliance of the band on Indian folk songs among other inspirations was evident in their very first song, "Tandanu" which Rahul Ram, the founder, lead guitarist and vocalist of the band, learned from

treated to the sounds of Buddhist chants, evoking a moment in Gautam Buddha's life when he is filled with doubt at the moment of reckoning…of leaving his life of luxury for that of an ascetic. The sounds of dhapli and the chants set a reverent mood, with the sig-

Readers Write... www.indiapost.com

Hindu sentiment over cow must be respected

t is destructive to not respect the Hindu sentiment in general under the communal banner of a false secularism. It is simply a matter of a larger Hindu sentiment of not killing a cow. Hindus have respected the sentiments of all minorities of India. In killing a certain animal not acceptable to Westerners; a killer is a criminal under "animal cruelty" in the West. If people had the civil sense of mutual respect; we may not need many laws that we have instituted. It is a communal act not to see through the eyes of human respect for the legitimate Hindu cause. This hardly is a demonstration of unity in diversity or the respect of diversity, in this case the respect for the larger Hindu sentiment. I am sure there are those who like to see India without any voice for Hindus. If one wants to understand a vast majority of Hindus then understanding true meaning of Hindutwa is necessary. Hindutwa is not a political issue. Hindutwa is the seat of India's vast culture and civilization. It has great potential to bring peace in India and the

world around. Those who choose not to know what is Hindutwa or to simply disrespect it are dishonoring the national identities and their legitimate integration. Talking about undemocratic behavior, those who lost the last election and hence lost the power at the Center are frustrated and are doing everything obstructive hoping that will catch the imagination of the less informed. Returning of awards by mostly persons of certain communal bent and political association, and promoting cow slaughter, are actions of adversaries from within and outside India for fulfilling their power thirst. Their disrespect for the democratic principles of India and unwillingness to honor the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Modi leaves no doubt about their unpatriotic and uncivil behavior. Anyone seeking peace in India must be aware of such adversaries and be prepared to act responsibly, intelligently and in the interest of a better India and the world. The adversaries often work through the unsuspecting people to create chaos among Indians. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jews, Parsis and others must be

aware of this danger. It is important that all individuals, regardless whether agree or not, deserve respect. It is even more important that we be watchful of their harmful actions and be willing to deal with legitimately to preserve democracy and a civil society. Hindus have tolerated and respected India's minorities and less agreeable issues in national interest. Similarly, the minorities and others must respect "not to slaughter cows" issue of the larger Hindu sentiment in the national interest. In the current situation, politicizing issues at the cost of Hindu sentiment is neither secular nor civil. It is strictly a move to create chaos in the country. To make India a stronger, prosperous and a peaceful nation each citizen must learn to respect all diversity. And those diversities also include equal respect for the Hindus, regardless of whether they are majority or not. Cow is a Hindu issue and it deserves respect and honor for the Hindu's sentiment in favor of cow. Shrinarayan Chandak, Bloomington, Illinois

Disclaimer :- India Post does not endorse opinions expressed in the letters.

sounds. This number has its origins as a revolutionary song of protest by the Narmada Bachao Andolan (for the Narmada river project), in which Rahul Ram has participated. "Bandeh", an old favorite, and a part of soundtrack for the film, "Black Friday", directed by Anurag Kashyap, reverberated the venue with powerful vocals of Rahul Ram and set the feet tapping and hands clapping. The ethnic, authentic flavor of the Indian fusion rock band was transparent as digital sounds, brass instruments and woodwind found their place alongside the saxophone, clarinet and electric guitars. In "Charkha", Nikhil Rao's guitar is tuned to Indian notes, so the

sound is more sarod-like, allowing the play of jhala, and a real treat to hear. Along with the dhapli, the group presented a fast paced enchantment. The multi talented team members also took turns to display their craft. This organic fusion band is only limited by its imagination, as it rocks out a jamming session in front of the audience. It almost feels as if you are in on the band playing and experimenting with their arrangements for the first time

on stage. The saxophonist and composer George Brooks' musical talent paired well with the guitars of Ram and Rao, and demonstrated great on stage chemistry in their jugalbandi. His artistry showcasing harmonic melodies of modern jazz was the perfect accompaniment for the band's ecclectic appeal. It was a satisfying experience when all artists rose to their peaks in their momentous crescendo. Amit Kilam's solo debut in a Bollywood film, "Masaan" named, "Mann Kasturi" presented with haunting lyrics evokes the burning pyres of Varanasi, the vibhuti smeared sadhus at the ghats, the evening aarti, the pooja thali ...transporting the audience to a meditative, spiritual trance...then the unpredictable chorus and the melody changes again to yield an almost structure less composition...more and more a trademark of Indian Ocean. In the jugalbandi with the guitar, playing his ektara (gubgubi), and dancing to his own music, Kilam brought the house down in the next number, in which the melody was reminiscent of the music from James Bond movies. George Brooks gamely and gallantly joined in the fun, with jugalbandis with Kilam's ektara, and Rao and Ram's guitars. Himanshu Joshi steadfastly moved the concert seamlessly with his reverberating singing, and brief interludes displaying his classical training. Kilam's bansuri added yet another dimension to the arrangements. As a bonus to the thirsting crowds, the band came back on stage to render, "Hille Le", another crowd favorite, where Joshi's vocal prowess with the folk song had overtures of African tribal music. There are so many creative uses of local and foreign dialects and singing styles to create a masterful weave of a truly fusion presentation, where unpredictability is a common theme. The palpable pulsations of pure, organic music burst through every single time on stage, and the camaraderie and chemistry of band members lends an extra oomph to the overall enjoyable experience. Rahul Ram deftly weaves stories about songs and the band and has a great rapport with the audience in his usual, open and personable style. I wait for their next tour off the shores of the Indian Ocean and on the shores of the Pacific Ocean.

November 13, 2015

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Horoscope

November 13, 2015

India Post

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Nov 13th - Nov 19th 2015

ou will be paying off many bills for the items purchased recently. Some money will need to be mailed to a government agency in shape of property or advance tax. What ever you do this week, have confidence otherwise chances are it won't happen. You may also seek help of an old acquaintance to resolve a technical issue.

nd you may com pletely cut off from an annoying friend or sibling. It won't be easy but this person left you with no other option. Professional hurdles will not leave you alone either but you will keep finding solutions. You may think of picking up the phone and call an old friend for advise but keep changing your mind.

lanets in sixth and eighth will slow down everything in life. Its better to accept inevitable rather than getting frustrating and taking it out on people who are close. Opponents will get stronger. It's time that you pick up the phone and call a mature person who helped you in the past not one but numerous times.

on't think twice and take prompt action if you have any desire to turn the table in your favor. Planets in sixth can help you overcome all difficulties of the past and help you gain a big edge over the strongest opponents. People looking for a change will be lucky and will have series of interviews one of them leading to final change.

ou will plan for way ahead in future. Business will pick up all of a sudden and you will sign a very good deal. Some of you may also give final shape to an upcoming long distance trip for family reunion. Some of you may also replace one of your ailing vehicle with a newer model. A close friend will call to invite you for dinner.

ealth issue may be a big concern in people's mind around. You may also be in touch with an older and wise person and seek his advise on to what else you can do to escape the problem. Pressure at work may also increase a little bit. You will sit down and rearrange your financial strategy and cut corners here and there.

o your best but if the results do not come, do not feel frustrated as planets are not in great shape to help. You may seek a meeting with boss to spit out what's bothering you for quite some time. at least you will be able to clear your throat. Spouse may not feel well and need little rest or over the counter medicines.

lanets will keep you on the edge and you will check your bank balance more than one time every day. Some money will go to a government agency also in shape of taxes. There is no harm in being little aggressive on the phone to get quick results. There will be some last minute delay in new project being planned in partnership.

e careful and keep an eye on blood pressure and avoid getting involved in unnecessary arguments. There will be big improvement in negotiations with people in power or government agency and final approval is within your reach. Long distance journey will get finalized quickly. Do not ignore the rapidly changing weather.

rip will take final shape and you will inform people on other side about your plans and itinerary. regular struggle and difficulty will continue in daily life. There will be some major change in your religious beliefs and you may find yourself completely drifting away. Some one lot younger may come up with a plan.

nd you may seriously start thinking about getting out of a relationship or partnership not working out so well as you anticipated. An older family member may require extra medical care. There will be lots of conflict bin mind and you may try to get in touch with an old and trusted confidant to seek direction and easy way out.

f you take timely action and play your cards right, you can turn an ugly situation to your advantage this week. Stomach may stay upset because of stress and irregular food habits. You may be still looking for some easy solution to an issue involving a family member. Money will come quick but disappear at fast pace this week.

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Gulaabo : Shaandaar 2 Main Hoon Hero Tera: Hero 3 Shaam Shaandaar : Shaandaar 4 Prem Leela: Prem Ratan Dhan 28 India Post

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November 13, 2015

5 Matargashti : Tamasha

riyanka Chopra who had ear lier earned a nomination in the 'Favorite Actress in a New TV Series' category of People's Choice Awards 2016 for her debut American series 'Quantico', has made it to the final round of nomination in the same category. An ecstatic Priyanka took to Twitter to make the announcement. "Double whammy! #Quantico nominated too! Yay." The 33-year-old actress will be competing with Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Roberts, Marcia Gay Harden and Lia Michele. "Wow my first nomination for #Quantico ... Feel like a true debutante again. Thank u @peopleschoice fingers crossed," Priyanka tweeted.

6 Tung Tung Baje : Singh Is Bliing 7 Bandeyaa : Jazbaa 8 Afghan Jalebi : Phantom 9 Singh & Kaur : Singh Is Bliing 10 Raitaa Phail Gaya : Shaandaar

The annual award is based on only public voting and the first round of voting was held between October 13 and October 22. The top five nominees were unveiled on November 3. The winner will be announced on January 6 next year during the People's Choice Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

"Wow my first nomination for #Quantico ... Feel like a true debutante again. Thank u @peopleschoice fingers crossed," Priyanka tweeted

When Amy's latest film 'Singh Is Bliing' hit screens last month, the actress had personally invited Sooraj for its special screening

Payo

ooraj Pancholi who made his Bollywood debut a couple of months ago with Salman Khan's production 'Hero' is reportedly dating British actress Amy Jackson. When Amy's latest film 'Singh Is Bliing' hit screens last month, the actress had personally invited Sooraj for its special screening, according to a report in Bollywood Life. It also stated that the duo spend some time together, and the growing friendship and love exchange between the two was evident. Rumors also suggested that the actress has moved into a new apartment in Bandra because it is closer to Sooraj's residence. Sooraj, son of yesteryear actors Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab has been going great guns. He has been signed by 'Drishyam' producer Kumar Mangat for an action film with love track. It is also being said that director duo Abbas-Mustan are planning to cast him in their next project.

anveer Singh hopes he will make Salman Khan proud through his portrayal of Bajirao in much-talked-about film Bajirao Mastani. Salman was supposed to play Bajirao in the historic romantic film earlier but things did not materialize and Ranveer stepped in. The actor recalled how he was reduced to tears when he first heard the script of the film. "I was in tears when I heard the narration and it took (me) sometime to settle in. It is an intense film, it is an intense love story. There is romance, drama, intense drama. I was frozen after listening to the narration. The film is getting ready. It is over a month away from its release," he said. Ranveer said he found the role unique. "It's a distinct character. It is something I had never done before. He (Peshwa) was a warrior, a great man. I feel very proud that I have been selected to portray him on screen. I have done my best. I hope I am able to do justice," the Band Baaja Baarat actor said. Ranveer said there was no similarity between him and Bajirao in real life.

Bollywood

November 13, 2015

India Post 29

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t's not just heroes romancing heroines half their age. These A list ladies will be working with younger actors in their upcoming films. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani will be the third film together for actor Priyanka Chopra, 33, and Ranveer Singh, 30. They earlier acted together in Gunday (2014) and Dil Dhadakne Do. "We are fortunate to have had the opportunity in three backto-back films," Priyanka was quoted as saying. Aditya Roy Kapoor and Katrina Kaif will be sharing the screen in Abhishek Kapoor's upcoming film. Katrina, 32, is three years

elder to Aditya. The two reportedly took 12 hours and endless rehearsals to get intimate for a scene. Arjun Kapoor, 30, will be paired with Kareena Kapoor Khan, who is five years elder to him. "I am very excited to work with Kareena. Media always says she is my senior but there is nothing like that. I have known her since long," he was quoted as saying. Fawad Khan, 33, who is nine years younger to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, will be seen alongside her in Karan Johar's upcoming film.

angana Ranaut is in talks with filmmaker Shekhar Kapur for a film where she would get to play an old woman. "I am offered a role of an 85-year- old by Shekhar Kapur. We are in talks for it... We are still working out things. It is a challenging role," Kangana said on the sidelines of a film festival in Mumbai. Shekhar is presently working on Paani and Kangana, 28, clarified this is not the film that she has been offered. "I am looking forward to play older roles. I don't understand why people look down upon older roles. I saw a film Amour about old people... That film changed my view about them," Kangana said.

hile her role of Bholi Punjaban in Fukrey (2013) got her a lot of recognition, Richa Chadha does not want to take up similar roles. The actor says she is open to experimenting with characters. "I love the work that I've been getting, and I don't really regret anything. I am open to playing anything that is different. But I don't want to do Bholi Punjaban type roles where I am playing a gundi (goon). I don't want to be typecast," The actor says that she is trying to balance her commercial potboilers with meaningful roles. "I am reading scripts at the moment. I love the work that I have done so far; it is a good balance of commercial films and fulfilling cinema. And that is the way I want to keep it," she says.

idya Balan (36) says times have changed and heroines are under no pressure to look a certain way in order to bag big roles on screen. "I think that a long time ago, I went through a lot of pressure to dress a certain way as we are a youthobsessed society and industry but that is changing now. As an actor, there was more pressure to play down your age because only then you could get lead roles but that is changing. So now I can see there is less pressure to hide your age," says Vidya. The actor says she has never been apologetic about her age and that it only adds to her credibility as an actor. "I am proud to be the age I am. I have a body of experiences as an actor and an individual and I would not want to hide my age for anything. And life is getting more and more exciting," she says. About choosing a role, she says, "I go purely by instinct. It depends on how I react to the character that I am being offered and then the overall film. After that I look at the director and the producer."

India Post

SATYAGRAH SOULS Indian Americans Making A Difference

November 13, 2015

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atyagrah Souls is a monthly column highlighting the achievements of Indian Americans locally and beyond, raising political awareness for our readers by presenting such rolemodels of inspiration for each of us to strive for similar uplifting purposes, to reach a greater zenith of accomplishment and fulfillment. Indian Americans are going through a transitional evolution, as we get entrenched, establishing ourselves in this free world. We are exerting our zealous work ethics and citizenship values to do some good, as entre-

preneurs, high tech geeks, doctors, lawyers and more. We are imposing our good will upon this fantastic country. But in quiet moments we may concur that our involvement can run a bit deeper to make a better impact over issues near and dear to our hearts. We have this gnawing feeling in our conscience of a task that just needed our say. Are we doing enough? Yes we can get involved! Our involvement can simply start with developing a healthy curiosity in our local community, instead of being 'busy' bystanders. Once we get involved, we

quickly discover, how easy it is for us to impact change and how freeing and energizing the experience is; personally rewarding and transformative at the same time. There are some of us who are already beginning to or have made their mark in doing just that. With this monthly series, we want to highlight these SatyAgrah souls as inspiration for all of us. Here is a SatyaGrah Soul, who has embarked upon a path not trodden before and made a difference. Read on, and let us learn from this experience.

A MONTHLY SERIES - BY

RISHI KUMAR

Have a political R mentor if running for office: Raji R aji you are a busy woman, involved in so many causes, efforts. How do you juggle time between running your businesses, taking care of the family and being involved as a community leader lending time to so many fronts?

First and foremost it truly does take a village. I am blessed to have a very supportive family. I would not be able to be an effective business person, mother, or community leader without family support. My mother helps to watch my boys and I am lucky to be able to work with my family on a daily basis in our business ventures. Priority number one is my family. Before I take on any new project whether it be public or private, I always weigh the effects it will have on my family. If I feel that I can still manage to be home in the evenings to help my boys with school work and take them to their activities, only then do I move forward

with that project. At the end of the day it comes down to drive. I truly feel very fortunate to have been given such amazing opportunities and what a disservice it would be to myself and my family not to give it a 100 percent, you can always find time if you have the drive. Tell us about your election run for Arvin city council. What prompted the run? What was the experience like?

Being a business owner you really get to know your community. I would often have community members come in and discuss their concerns about the City with me. One day a few people asked me if I would run for Council. The concern was that the City Council needed a change. They wanted newer, fresher ideas that would help stimulate business in the community. I seemed to be the ideal candidate. I had a Masters Degree and had experience running my own business and at that time I was thirty one years of age. I discussed the idea with my family and they loved it and thought it would be a step in the right direction. Personally I have always enjoyed being involved in the process of government, in High School I ran and was elected as Student Body Secretary in my junior and senior years. However running for City Council was nothing like running for office in High School. I always tell everyone that running for City Council was by far one of the greatest educations I have ever received. It was a lot of hard work, walking precincts, dealing with not so friendly candidates running against me, who often times were fueled by racist beliefs. I quickly learned that politics is a very cut throat arena and no walk in the park. However, we won and it was all worth it. I will be forever grateful for all the calls and

aji Brar was born in Fresno, California to parents who worked in the fields as farm workers. They lived in various different farm worker communities: Mendota, Three Rocks, San Joaquin, Biola and Kerman. Raji has a Bachelor of Science in Biology appointed by Governor Jerry Brown as a and Masters in Health Care Adminis- Director to the Kern County Fair Board, another first for anyone of Indian descent. tration. Raji Brar is a successful business- In May 2015 she was appointed by Kern woman who owns and operates differ- County Supervisor Leticia Perez as Dient franchises throughout Kern and rector to the Governing Board of Kern Health Systems, the Tulare Counties; largest state funded Subways, Taco Health Care Agency Bells, Pizza Huts, in Kern County servBrookside and ing over 214,000 Shell Gas Stations. members. They employ over In June 2015 she 300 people and was appointed to the have been in busiArvin Economic Deness for over 25 velopment Commityears. She has had tee by the Mayor of the privilege of beArvin, Jose Flores. ing the first Sikh She is also the direcwoman ever tor of the Bakersfield elected to a City Sikh Women's AssoCouncil Seat in the ciation, which she State of California. Former Councilmember Raji Brar Co-Founded along In 2007, Raji was elected to the Arvin City Council. with her friends. Raji stays active in community endeavDue to this historic achievement she was named Woman of The Year for ors and local politics. Her goal is to get Senatorial District 16 by Senator Dean more young women in our Indian comFlorez. She was also elected to the munity involved and help them to Governing Board of the San Joaquin achieve their dreams. She is very proud Valley Air Pollution Control District. She of her roots in the Central Valley and her also served as Vice- Chair of the Arvin Indian Heritage. Raji with her husband, Redevelopment Agency and Secretary Dhanwant Singh Brar, two wonderful boys Davin, 11 and Dylan, 7 have made Arvin of the Arvin Chamber of Commerce. This year in January of 2015, she was their home.

messages I received from the Indian American community. It was such an exciting time! I grew so much as a person, it truly changed my world view and I will be forever grateful for that education. Your parents were farm workers. What valuable lessons did you gain for life - that is defining pathways for your own success and instilling values into your kids? When my parents first immigrated to California from India in the 1970s, there were not many job options for immigrants here in the Central Valley. My parents began to work in the fields along side the rest of their

family members who had arrived in California before them. My father was educated but my mother was not. However in those days it did not matter. Racist attitudes kept many educated immigrants out of the more desirable jobs. I learned early on the importance of hard work, education and believing in yourself. My mother would always tell me that if you have an education you can never be alone, because your education is your partner for life and no one could take that away from you. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; d on page 11

November 13, 2015

SATYAGRAH SOULS Indian Americans Making A Difference

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Have a political mentor if running for office: Raji Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; d from page 10

I saw my parents work hard and struggle to give me and my brother a better life, and they did it all without once complaining. They were happy to be American citizens, they were happy to be living in the Land of Opportunity and they truly believed that they were going to make their American Dream come true, and they did just that. As for me, I would not be where I am today if I was not able to witness their amazing journey. Watching them ascend in life was invaluable for me. They instilled in me the belief that I could do or be anything I wanted to, and they showed me this with their own example. They came to this country with nothing and became successful by their sheer grit and determination. Watching them accomplish all they have done by coming to this country as immigrants was awe inspiring. I was born and raised here, and I felt if I could not surpass their level of success, I would have been a failure. There are billions of people living in this world, and I truly believe that if we are blessed by the sheer luck of the universe to be born into a country or live in a country as great as America, then it is our duty to everyone else who may have not had the same opportunities as us, not to squander the possibilities that lay ahead of us. As a mother my greatest concern is that my children do not become complacent, because they will never know the struggles that I have seen. I understand that their reality will always be different than mine, however there is no substitute for hard work, education and believing in yourself and I make it a point to instill the life lessons I was taught by my parents into my children. I am happy to report both of my boys are straight A students and are actively involved in sports and very proud of their Indian American heritage! You are in the farming belt of California. The population of Indian Americans is a lot less there in comparison to the bustling metropolis? How do you see the Indian American community thriving, collaborating and helping each other succeed there? The Central Valley of California is definitely the farming belt not just of California but the nation. The population of Indian Americans is on the rise here in the Central Valley. We have many Indian Americans thriving in the Farming industry, (large farmers) Logistics (Trucking Business), Business Owners and Professionals in fields such as Medicine, Engineering, Teaching so on and so forth. The majority of Indian Americans have such a relentless work ethic that more often than not they have no problem becoming successful. Here in the Central Valley through networking, and building relation-

ships via different associations geared toward Indian Americans, I have seen a definite increase in the collaborating efforts in our community. Technology through such outlets as social media has really helped to bring our community together. High School Groups, College Groups and Business Professional Groups have been formed via these online outlets, with the goal of supporting the needs and concerns of Indian Americans. We have definitely come a long way. What are you doing to seed new leadership in your community? Getting Indian Americans to register to vote or exercise their right to vote? I co- founded the Bakersfield Sikh Women's Association earlier this year. One of the goals of this organization is to seed

year, with the presidential election. What is your advice for women who want to exert their leadership as activists or run for political office? What is your expert advise from the been there, done that experience? My advice would be to go for it! More often than not, Indian Americans, especially women, tend to take a back seat when it comes to seeking political office or advocating for a cause. This should not be the case. Women are natural born leaders. It is in our nature to care for our children, families, and our communities. Political office is just that, taking care of the needs of your constituents, and your community. From my experience the number one hurdle for me was the thought that I might lose. Be-

life, why not do what is in our heart! Friends, how refreshing was it to hear from Raji, straight from the heart. Raji thank you! We wish you the best to continue the phenomenal work in Central California and for doing what you are doing to seed new leadership in our community. Dear Readers Do you have a story to share? We invite you to introduce us to folks in your community who are making a difference we would love to profile them. Are there similar stories you are familiar with locally. The ones who helped address a simple issue in the community to make life a bit better. Perhaps someone you know decided to make a run for school board, was appointed to the planning commission. Provide us your insights on Indian Americans locally and nationally who are making things happen. These perspectives will help construct roadmaps for our community to empower ourselves, to hopefully ignite a desire in all of us to represent our local communities as doers, leaders, establish and entrench ourselves in this glorious country of America and help make it a better place

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File photo of the newly-formed Bakersfield Sikh Women's Association, co-founded by Raji Brar, presenting its inaugural scholarship to Tarnpreet Kau

new leadership in our community. We are working with mentoring young Indian American girls in High School so they too can become the leaders of tomorrow for our communities. The Women's Association also gives scholarships to deserving students and is the liaison between the Indian American community and the larger community as a whole in Bakersfield. One of the goals of our Association is to ensure the Indian American community is not marginalized when it comes to certain issues; voting rights being one of them. The most effective way to educate large number of Indian Americans about exercising their right to vote and registering them to vote is to set up booths at local Gurudwaras, Temples, and Mosques. During the last election cycle we had a young Indian American running for office and we helped set up and man booths at our respective religious gathering places. We are hoping for an even greater turnout this

ing Indian American, we are always taught from a young age to be number one and the thought of losing was paralyzing. I believe the fear of losing is the reason many women don't bother running, they are afraid they are not going to win and will end up being a disappointment to their family. Ultimately if you don't run you have already lost the race. Once you have decided to run make sure you are mentally "all in" and don't take anything personally. In addition to all the fundamentals needed to seek political office such as your platform, campaign strategy, etc, make sure that you have a political mentor. A political mentor, I believe is a great asset when you are seeking political office, to have someone in your corner who is politically savvy and has been in the political arena and knows the ins and outs of campaigning. A political mentor could be an elected official, a previously elected official, professor or even a political consultant. Always fight for a cause you are passionate about, we get one shot at this

ABOUT RISHI: Rishi is Silicon Valley's energizer bunny deeply engaged in his local community. He is an elected city councilmember in Saratoga, CA who continues to follow his passion for community organizing and service. As city councilmember Rishi seeks to provide services to the citizens of Saratoga cheaper, faster and better; community outreach and engagement is a focus for him on the council. Rishi's day job is as a Silicon Valley hi-tech executive but his zeal for community service effervescent. As Saratoga's community organizer, Rishi is host of many community events in Saratoga, many of which are free and always inclusive usually addressing a need or a cause. Community events such as Bike Safety workshop to help with safety of kids biking to school, Drought tolerant vegetation seminar, Documentary screenings, Saratoga has Talent annual competition that raises money for Saratoga's Seniors every year, Diwali, Dandia along with free weekly Sunday classes, such as Lego Robotics Club, Young Coders club, Meditation, Yoga. Rishi is involved politically at the state level as an Executive Board Member - CA Democratic Party, Officer of the California Democratic Party API Caucus and Director of California League of Cities API Caucus. He is the President of the Bay Area Indian American Democratic Club (www.baiadc.org) whose charter is to further the interests and values of Indian Americans, work towards political empowerment and advance ethical standards in the political system. Rishi would love to get your recommendations for coverage of engaged Indian American leaders who are trailblazers in your community. You can reach him via his website www.RishiKumar.com.

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Rs 14 crore for cancer treatment in Himachal SHIMLA: The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has sanctioned Rs 14.87 crore for a cancer cure unit at Indira Gandhi medical college in Shimla, increasing the scope for better treatment facilities to the patients in the state. The sanction was the first installment of Rs 45 crore project under Tertiary Care centre Scheme of National Program for prevention and control of cancer, diabetic, cardiovascular diseases and stroke (NPCDCS) 2015-16, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said in a statement. Nadda said that the program would go a long way in treatment of cancer patients and strengthening the basic infrastructure. He said that a proposal is in the pipeline to open such a centre in Mandi district providing facilities for treatment of cancer. He also added that the Health Ministry had already sanctioned Rs 17 crore for providing 'Trauma care facilities' in government hospitals in the state. Nadda said that that his ministry has taken several measures to strengthen the health care services in the state, and sanctioned an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and two more medical colleges in Hamirpur and Nahan. -PTI

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Half of pregnant women gain too much weight

NEW YORK: Nearly half of U.S. moms gain too much weight during pregnancy, according to a government study. Putting on too many extra pounds during pregnancy can harm the mom, and may cause a range of problems for the child, experts say. The study found only about a third of women gain the recommended amount of weight, and about a fifth gained too little. Overweight and obese women most commonly exceeded the guidelines. Women need to eat extra calories during pregnancy, although not that much _ only about 350 to 450 extra calories during the second and third trimester, said Andrea Sharma, one of the study's authors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ``It's not about eating twice as much. It's eating twice as healthy,'' she said. How much moms should gain depends on their weight when they become pregnant. Experts say women of normal weight should add 25 to 35 pounds. Overweight women should gain 15 to 25, and obese women should only add 10 to 20. -AP

Health Science

Cancer patient sues to get medical marijuana

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Details on Page 35

Pfizer doubling patient income limit for free drug program TRENTON, N.J.: As the furor over soaring U.S. prescription drug prices escalates and outrageous price hikes by several smaller drugmakers give the entire industry a black eye, the biggest U.S.-based drugmaker is expanding financial assistance to patients. Pfizer Inc. says it's doubling its income limit for people to receive dozens of its medicines without a copayment because more patients need help. Patients' insurance plans generally must then pay the bulk of the drug's cost. Some critics say this isn't the best way to keep drugs affordable for everyone. ``It's not addressing the price of the drug,'' Clare Krusing, a spokeswoman for the trade group America's Health Insurance Plans, said. ``This is the wrong approach when you consider the cost impact that patients have on the back end,'' said Krusing. She said insurance plans eventually raise patients' monthly premiums or other payments to compensate. One study of California plans early this year found most increases have been tiny - so far. Krusing also noted widely used drugmaker coupon programs like Pfizer's usually are only temporary. They cover patient copayments for a specific brand-

name drug or limit them to $50 or so. Such programs can increase overall medication costs, particularly if they nudge patients to stay on brand-name drugs over cheaper generic versions. However, medicines often prevent expensive complications and hospitalizations. Pfizer's move comes amid fierce

Turing Pharmaceuticals, which recently hiked by 5,000 percent the price for the only drug for a life-threatening parasitic, has been accused of price gouging, along with Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. and a handful of other companies. Meanwhile, a surge of mergers of brandname and generic drug manufacturers threatens to further limit

Pfizer, the biggest U.S.-based drugmaker, is increasing its financial assistance to patients by doubling the allowable income level for people to receive Pfizer medicines for free.

criticism by patients and politicians, as well as a growing number of government investigations, of six-figure list prices for new medications for cancer, hepatitis C and rare diseases, and huge price hikes on old ones with little or no competition.

competition, the primary control on prices in the U.S. Drugmakers now face a ``wave of hearings and public beatings'' over exorbitant drug prices, said pharmaceuticals analyst Erik Gordon, a professor at University of Michigan's Ross School of Busi-

ness. ``If you're Pfizer, you want to look like you've made a voluntary, charitable move before you get beat up'' in a congressional hearing, Gordon said. In an exclusive interview, Pfizer Chief Executive Ian Read told The Associated Press the New York company isn't boosting assistance due to heightened scrutiny of prices, but because more and more patients can't afford needed medicines. ``There are people who are falling through the cracks through no fault of their own,'' Read said. ``As a stopgap, we're willing to do this.'' Read, the immediate past board chairman of industry trade group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, cited insurance plans now shifting more costs onto patients, plus some Affordable Care Act exchange plans and insurance formularies that exclude pricier prescription drugs. While insurers get big discounts off drug list prices, plans increasingly require patients to pay a large percentage of the price for ultra-expensive drugs _ and cover all medicine and care costs until they've met their plan's annual deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, often many thousands of dollars. Cont'd on Page 34

Chaturvedi's cash prize for Arogya Nidhi NEW DELHI: Over a month after Magsaysay Award winner Sanjiv Chaturvedi donated his cash prize to AIIMS, the Health Ministry has said that the money might be donated to Rastriya Arogya Nidhi, a scheme under which patients living below poverty line are provided with financial assistance. The ministry also directed the administration of the prestigious institute to take necessary action in this regard. Chaturvedi, a former AIIMS Chief Vigilance Officer, had recently expressed his anger over the delay in use of the money

for financing the treatment of poor patients. A letter signed by Health Ministry Director Amrit Lal to the

AIIMS Director said, "...the matter has been considered in the Ministry in consultation with the

Grants Division of the Ministry. It is observed that the said award money may be donated to Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) which is registered as Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. "In view of the above, the institute is requested to take further necessary action in this matter," it said. On September 21, Chaturvedi had written to the AIIMS Director donating the entire award money of around Rs 20 Lakhs to the AIIMS stating that the hospital may use the amount for providing financial assistance to poor pa-

tients, especially those suffering from different types of cancer. However, on September 22, deputy director administration of AIIMS, V Srinivas, sent the proposal to the Health Ministry for examination under the relevant rules and to issue directions on further course of action. In an angry note directed to Health Secretary B P Sharma on October 26, Chaturvedi had alleged that the entire episode reflected the "utter insensitivity" towards welfare of the poor patients and also their intense hatred against him. Cont'd on Page 35

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'Including docs under Consumer Act detrimental' NEW DELHI: Making doctors liable under the Consumer Protection Act is detrimental to the availability of quality medical care in the country, Indian Medical Association (IMA) secretary general K K Aggarwal said here as he called upon the government to take necessary steps to protect the nobility of the profession. "The need of the hour is for the government to address the issues that the medical fraternity is facing and take necessary steps to protect the nobility of the profession.

Including doctors within the consumer protection act is detrimental to the availability of quality medical care. "By offering unscrupulous compensation to patients, an unnecessary fear amongst honest doctors will be created. This will cause a substantial increase in treatment costs and the number of false cases being registered against doctors by patients. The act must be done away with until a cap on the compensation is implemented," Aggarwal said on day three of

Medical breakthroughs to create startups: Tata HYDERABAD: Tata Sons' chairman emeritus Ratan Tata has said medical and healthcare-related technological breakthroughs would present the wave of opportunities to Indian startups. "To me the next exciting thing on the horizon is likely to happen and different

Ratan Tata

from the one which we are seeing in India is the likelihood of medical breakthroughs because of startups in computing and in writing algorithms and analytics basically. "The whole area of biotechnology and of course life sciences stems cells and thinks like that. So I see great deal of breakthroughs in treating diseases hitherto is fatal or had not cured. And I think that is going to be worldwide in this decade," Tata told reporters on the sidelines of inauguration of T-Hub a technology incubator for startups. He however said the present technologies would not become obsolete with the new technologies coming in. He also did not reply whether he had earmarked any specific fund for investing in the healthcare startups. He, however, said he would continue to feel the need to support young entrepreneurs who were keen to unleash the "Indian tiger". Replying to a query he said he hoped that Indian auto market has space for cars like Nano. "I personally think yes. The consumer would like to have car in that range. But let me say that some of the misconceptions we have is we try to sell it against other cars. It (Nano) was developed as something to give the family on a two wheeler a four

wheel all weather transport. "And I am still hopeful that Nano will find its place in the garages of the home of the people who need transport, who have a family and who are keen to have transport in all weathers. So I think that there is place for such a product," he said. On the industry sentiment due to the ongoing debate on "intolerance" Tata refused to comment saying that India is known for communal harmony. "I don t think it is my lot to make a comment on that. I can only say that in country we live together and I hope we can live together in harmony. I don t want to get into the issues of the observations what is being taken place. "This is a country I think has been a country of communal harmony. We work together live together for centuries. And I am sure we continue to do that," he explained. Governor ESL Narasimhan and Ratan Tata launched the first phase of the T-Hub an initiative of Telangana Government. T-Hub is a technology incubator with collaborative efforts from the Indian School of Business (ISB), the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-

"This country has been a country of communal harmony. We work together live together for centuries. And I am sure we continue to do that," he explained. Hyderabad) and NALSAR University of Law besides various other organizations. Nasscom chairman BVR Mohan Reddy said the T-Hub would accommodate 300 startups comprising 800 people. He said the T-Hub signed MoUs with Nasscom's 10,000 Startups and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI).PTI

'Perfect Health Mela' being held here. The Mela featured a live webcast on medico-legal issues, claimed to be the firstof-its-kind, which was attended by over 1,000 doctors. In his address at the fair, Medanta's chairman Dr Naresh Trehan said doctors must ensure that they maintain proper medical records of their patients and give enough time to all patients irrespective of the work

Doctors must ensure that they maintain proper medical records of their patients and give enough time to all patients irrespective of the work pressure to ensure that there is no negligence on their end. pressure to ensure that there is no negligence on their end. "They must effectively communicate with their patients about the treatment options available, the risks involved and educate them that just because a treatment

costs more, it does not make it more effective. "Doing so will help eliminate any unrealistic expectations of the patients and protect doctors against unnecessary cases of negligence and violence," he said. Noting that violence against doctors and medical establishments is a disturbing trend and steps must be taken in this direction, Attorney General of India Mukul Rohatgi suggested approaching the Supreme Court with a plea that the increasing attacks against the medical fraternity will cause an obstruction to the delivery of quality medical care and the safety of doctors must be ensured. "I will also look into this matter and work together with the IMA to find effective solutions to the problems persisting. Law demands that doctors must ensure proper patient records for their protection. This is very important and record keeping must not be compromised even when the workload is more," Rohatgi said. The IMA also demanded drafting of a 'Central Hospital and Medical Doctors Protection Act' to save small and medium-sized hospitals from closure by providing financial aid, tax benefits and logistics and abolishment of the detrimental clauses of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.-PTI

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Vitamin D boosts kidney Pfizer doubling patient income limit for free drug program vascular function NEW DELHI: Supplements of Vitamin D improves vascular function and reduces inflammation in patients with early stage of chronic kidney disease, according to a new study. Simple identification and correction of Vitamin D deficiency has the potential to improve the outcomes among kidney patients, said the study conducted by researchers from the George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi and the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh.

The study has been presented at the ongoing American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week 2015 (November 3-8) in San Diego. In a randomized controlled trial, under direct supervision, the researchers gave two doses of 300,000 units of Vitamin D to one group (consisting of 60 patients) eight weeks apart whereas the patients in the other group (60 patients) received matching placebo. "Several parameters of vascular function

and biomarkers to measure status of inflammatory and immune activation were studied at baseline and after 16 weeks, Vitamin D levels increased in patients in the active treatment group whereas there was no change in the control arm. "About 70 per cent of patients receiving Vitamin D demonstrated significant improvement in their vascular functions and improvement in biomarkers indicating reduction in the level of inflammatory and immune activation," said Professor Vivekanand Jha, the Executive Director of the George Institute for Global Health who led the study. In the placebo arm only five per cent patients showed improved vascular function and there was no change in the inflammatory and immune markers, Jha said. Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with chronic kidney disease. Our study shows that simply identifying and correcting this abnormality has the potential to improve the outcomes in these patients, said Dr Vivek Kumar, Nephrologist, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh and the first author of the study. "About one in 10 persons suffer from chronic kidney disease around the world. Most of these patients are destined to develop premature cardiovascular disease, hence mitigation of this risk is an important therapeutic goal," added Jha. -PTI

Cont'd from Page 32

That's impossible for many patients early in the year, when holiday bills arrive, said Marc Boutin, CEO of the National Health Council, which represents patients, insurers, drugmakers and other groups. He said deductibles should be spread out over each year. Most drugmakers offer patients financial assistance, particularly when pricey new drugs are first launched and the companies are trying to win over doctors and patients, to recoup their $1 billion-plus in development costs. Also, the industry's 20-year-old Partnership for Prescription Assistance connects patients to about 475 assistance programs, nearly 200 of them run by drugmakers. Visits to its site rose 13 percent from January through October, to about 587,000, Under the Pfizer RxPathways program, the company will cover patient copayments for 44 medicines for both uninsured and underinsured patients earning up to four times the federal poverty level, up from twice that level. The new limits are $47,080 annually for a single person and $97,000 for a family of four. The program covers many popular Pfizer brands: pain relievers Celebrex and Lyrica, smoking cessation aids Chantix and Nicotrol, Prevnar 13 pneumococcal vaccine and erectile dysfunction pill Viagra. Nearly 20 additional Pfizer medicines, including numerous expensive cancer drugs, already required no copayment for patients making up to four times the poverty level. Last year, the RxPathways program helped about 350,000 patients. Pfizer expects to help a few hundred thousand more than

that next year. Between 2010 and 2014, the program helped nearly 2.5 million people get more than 30 million Pfizer prescriptions worth more than $7 billion at list prices. There's no sign other drugmakers are expanding their assistance programs, and Gilead Sciences Inc., the maker of new hepatitis C medicines with list prices around $90,000 for a course of treatment, recently decreased the number of patients it is helping, forcing more costs onto insurers. Merck & Co., the second-biggest U.S. drugmaker by revenue, since 2010 has offered assistance to patients with incomes

The company will cover patient copayments for 44 medicines for both uninsured and underinsured patients earning up to four times the federal poverty level, up from twice that level. up to five times the federal poverty level for some of its most-expensive medicines and four times that level for the rest. Asked why Pfizer doesn't just reduce prices for its drugs in the U.S., where medicines generally cost a few times more than in other wealthy countries, Read said high prices are needed to fund innovative research on future drugs. That's long been the industry's mantra. ``Our prices, we think, are appropriate,'' Read said. ``We can't lower the prices enough for (many patients) to afford it.''-AP

DMC suspends 4 doctors for negligence NEW DELHI: The Delhi Medical Council has suspended four doctors - two of them for one year while other two for three months - in connection with a two-yearold medico-legal case wherein a pregnant woman had died allegedly due to medical negligence at two hospitals in 2012. "The DMC has cancelled the licenses of four doctors for a certain time period after the Medical Council of India recom-

mended the punishment. The complainant in the case had had approached the MCI against order of DMC seeking longer period of suspension," said Dr Girish Tyagi,

Registrar, DMC. The doctors whose licenses have been cancelled include Dr Vijay Kohli, medical superintendent of Satyam Hospital, Dr Gaurav Bansal of Navjeevan Hospital, Pitampura for one year, Dr Alka Goel, a visiting consultant at Satyam Hospital and Dr Renu Agarwal from Navjeevan Hospital for three months. The MCI has found Dr Kohli of Satyam Hospital, Rohini guilty of appointing an illegal doctor at his hospital where Kamini Solanki, the deceased, was first treated. The Directorate of Health Services had also issued closure order to Satyam Hospital for allegedly violating the provisions under Delhi Nursing Home Registration (Amendment) Rules 2011 leading to fatal consequences of the patient being treated therein. While Dr Bansal was found guilty of medical negligence as there is a possibility of instrumentation at the hospital, according to a DMC order. -PTI

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Arizona insurance co-op working on rescue plan PHOENIX : Executives with Arizona's nonprofit health insurance co-op have said ++they are working to regain the right to sell new policies and renew existing ones by proving to regulators that the company has enough money to operate next year. The effort by Meritus Health Partners comes after it was suspended from selling insurance by the state Department of Insurance last week and its policies pulled from the federal health insurance marketplace by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, known as CMS. Meritus CEO Tom Zumtobel said the Tempe, Arizona-based company disputes the

department's conclusion that it is at risk, but it is working to get additional financial backing to convince regulators it can survive financially anyway. The company has a self-imposed Dec. 1 deadline to either secure approval to keep operating or shut down. ``Our timeline is short,'' Zumtobel said. ``We still believe we still have a chance to serve our members.'' Department of Insurance Director Andy Tobin said the department is concerned that Meritus could fail next year and leave its 59,000 current Arizona customers without coverage. ``If they've got something that

pulls them out, that's fine. But you don't have CMS picking up the phone saying `hey, these guys are great,' " Tobin said. ``They took them off the exchange.'' Meritus is one of 23 co-ops set up as part of a compromise in the Affordable Care Act to compete with for-profit insurance companies. But the co-ops have struggled, and Arizona's became the 11th to stop selling policies or outright fail. Meritus was started with a $93 million federal loan, of which about $20 million was for startup costs and the rest for reserves. Zumtobel said the company has $33 million in cash on hand, and the Department of Insurance

Cancer patient sues to get medical marijuana CONCORD, N.H.: A New Hampshire woman with late-stage lung cancer filed a lawsuit against the state health commissioner in hopes of getting a medical marijuana identification card before dispensaries open. Under a state law passed more than two years ago, people suffering from a limited number of diseases and medical conditions can purchase marijuana with approval from their doctors. The Department of Health and Human Services started accepting applications this week from patients and their caregivers, but identification cards won't be issued until the Alternative Treatment Centers get authorization to start dispensing marijuana.

Four centers are expected to open early next year, but Linda Horan, of Alstead, wants her card now so she can obtain marijuana in Maine, which serves patients who have registry cards in their home states. Horan, who filed her lawsuit in Merrimack County Superior

Court, was diagnosed in July with advanced lung cancer. She said she and other seriously ill people are suffering every day they go without the cards. According to her lawsuit, all five of her doctors have determined she qualifies for medical marijuana to help with anxiety, lack of sleep and nausea that has led to her weight dropping to under 100 pounds. ``This is my final crusade,'' said Horan, a retired telephone company worker and longtime labor activist. ``I'm asking them to provide compassion and care and do the right thing: make medical marijuana available to patients who qualify and who will benefit.'' Her lawyer said Horan would

initially try to ingest the marijuana via a vaporizer that is less harmful than if it's smoked, but because of her lung cancer, she would likely take it via edible pot products. Horan argues in the lawsuit that nothing in the law mandates registry cards to be withheld until

dispensaries are open and that the department's administrative rules require applications to be processed within 15 days. ``What we have here is someone who spent her whole life fighting for justice and dignity for working people, and she's at a point in her life where she's suffering from a debilitating disease, and should have access to medical marijuana as the state Legislature decided would be the policy in New Hampshire two and a half years ago,'' said state Rep. Renny Cushing, one of the sponsors of the 2013 law. ``It's outrageous that at this point in time, 28 months after the legislation was passed, not a single card has been issued by the Department of Health and Human Services.'' Health Commissioner Nick Toumpas said that lawmakers anticipated such a complex program would require careful implementation, and that his department has worked diligently to ensure it will have ``the highest level of operational integrity.'' That work has included hiring staff to administer the program, holding public hearings in communities where dispensaries or cultivation sites have been proposed, and working with the treatment centers to open them soon. ``We have great compassion for this individual and all who are suffering,'' he said. Toumpas referred questions about the lawsuit to the attorney general's office. Deputy Attorney General Ann Rice said the office was reviewing the lawsuit and couldn't comment immediately. -AP

is holding $4 million it required the insurer to deposit when it was placed under supervision. The company said it meets state solvency requirements, and it was suspended at Tobin's discretion. Still, it knew there were

what do we do with their insureds?'' The company is continuing to service policies and pay provider bills. Tobin, a former Arizona House speaker, is an opponent of Presi-

concerns and has been working to secure additional backing to show regulators their survival is certain. ``There's actually multiple options, and if we hadn't started the ball rolling we would be crazy to be believing it's a possibility,'' Zumtobel said. ``But we have a little traction and believe it can happen.'' Tobin said he could not risk allowing the company to sell policies next year when its finances appeared shaky. The company said it was losing $2 million a month, but Tobin said that number was higher in September. ``I guess you could argue there's certainly a chance that they could make it into some portion of `16 with better claims, but there's nobody that's telling me they can make it through `16,'' Tobin said. ``So do we want to end up in April or May or June or August in receivership, and then

dent Barack Obama's health care overhaul law, as is his boss, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey. But he said that opposition had nothing to do with his decision. ``The president doesn't need Andy Tobin to make Obamacare look worse,'' Tobin said. ``And I would say that if we were not doing the right thing CMS would be screaming about Arizona all over national TV.'' Meritus had a slow start in the marketplace, enrolling just over 2,600 people in 2014, its first year of operation. But that number soared this year, when it lowered rates to become more competitive. It sells in all 15 Arizona counties, but the majority of its customers are in Maricopa, Pima and Mohave counties. About 154,000 Arizonans paid for individual policies bought on the federal marketplace as of June 30, and Meritus has more than 30 percent of those policies.-AP

Chaturvedi's cash prize for Arogya Nidhi Cont'd from Page 32

"...I had donated the entire award money to the institute after depositing the income tax on the receipt of the said award money, vide communication dated September 21 to be used for financing the treatment of poor patients. "However, showing their utter insensitivity, the Director and Deputy Director (Admin) instead of depositing the said amount into the institute account which could have done on the same day in view of both the accounts belonging to the same branch, unnecessarily referred the matter to the Ministry, though it was never

done in case of any other private donor," Chaturvedi had said in his letter. "During the discussions with your good self, it was proposed by your good self, that the said amount should be donated to the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) which is exclusively for the treatment of poor cancer patients. "I have no objection to the said proposal of the amount donated by me into the institute account is ordered to be transferred by the Ministry into the said scheme, in compliance with all the statutory provisions including those related to income tax liabilities," the letter said.-PTI

In Brief Anish Kapoor's artwork adorns UK passport LONDON: Britain's new passport design features the "inspirational works" of well-known British-Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor alongside cultural figures from the past 500 years such as William Shakespeare. Mumbai-born 61-year-old Kapoor is well known for his ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture that was created for the London 2012 Olympic Games. The UK government is facing a sexism row over its decision to include just two women in a new hitech passport design which features iconic buildings and other historic landmarks of the country. Architect Elizabeth Scott and computer programmer Ada Lovelace are the only women to feature, alongside seven men. The others include John Constable, the painter; John Harrison, the inventor of the marine timekeeper; Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the architect; and Charles Babbage, the inventor besides Kapoor and Shakespeare.

Â&#x201E;

Details on page 46

Former Arpaio lawyer demands legal costs

PHOENIX: Sheriff Joe Arpaio's former lawyer has asked Maricopa County to reimburse his law firm $116,000 to cover his costs in hiring an attorney to represent him as a witness in the lawman's racial profiling case. Tim Casey defended the sheriff in the profiling case for nearly six

Immigration

Anti-US activist bought guns for 'revolution' Details on page 46

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November 13, 2015

Rubio, Ryan back off comprehensive immigration overhaul WASHINGTON: Two of the Republican Party's rising young stars - House Speaker Paul Ryan and presidential hopeful Marco Rubio - made similar calculations on the way to political advancement: Both abandoned efforts to pass a comprehensive immigration overhaul. The about-faces by Ryan and Rubio underscore the GOP's difficulties with the issue of immigration, where policies that appeal to young and minority voters can invite a backlash from the conservative base. And in a campaign season where Donald Trump's incendiary rhetoric has seemed to drive the debate, they renew questions about whether Washington will ever be able to come up with a solution for the nation's dysfunctional immigration system. In Ryan's case, he emerged as the unity candidate for speaker of the House recently after offering assurances to conservatives that he would not pursue comprehensive immigration legislation with President Barack Obama in the White House. Rubio, in campaigning for presi-

dent, has repeatedly sworn off the bipartisan Senate immigration bill he co-authored two years ago, and he is now rising in the polls. Both Ryan, 45, and Rubio, 44,

shifting their focus to border security and enforcement, and blaming process or politics. Ryan says immigration reform cannot happen with Obama in the White House because the presi-

House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. gestures on Capitol Hill in Washington.

have treaded with care on the issue, never specifically disavowing the goals of comprehensive immigration reform but instead

dent showed he could not be trusted by going around Congress to issue executive actions limiting deportations.

``He has already demonstrated he is not serious about enforcing the law. Passing comprehensive reform during his presidency would merely render it meaningless,'' the Wisconsin Republican wrote in an opinion piece in USA Today, adding that the focus should instead be on bills to secure the border or enforce immigration rules inside the U.S. Rubio says he's concluded that a comprehensive bill like the one he helped write, which passed the Senate in 2013 but stalled in the House, is not the way to go. ``The only way forward is through a series of steps that begins with border security,'' the Florida senator said on ABC's ``Good Morning America.'' `'This issue cannot be tackled in one massive piece of legislation.'' Both tend to downplay their past support for potential eventual citizenship for many of the 11.5 million immigrants living in this country illegally, which was the most contentious element of the Senate's immigration bill and decried as ``amnesty'' by many conservatives. Cont'd on Page 46

Outrage at mistrial of cop who assaulted Indian Joe Arpaio

years before bowing out a year ago. He was dragged back into the case as a witness at contempt-ofcourt hearings launched over Arpaio's defiance of the judge's orders. Arpaio has acknowledged that his office let deputies conduct immigration patrols 18 months after the judge ordered them stopped. Casey hired a lawyer to represent him to advise him on issues of attorney-client privilege related to the profiling case. Casey's firm was paid $1.5 million by the county to defend Arpaio in the profiling case. -AP

WASHINGTON: South Asian American organizations have expressed their "outrage" at the second mistrial of a former police official who is charged with use of excessive force against an elderly Indian man resulting in him being partially paralyzed. "SAALT (South Asian Americans Leading Together) is outraged that a second mistrial was declared on November 4, after a deadlocked jury once again failed to convict Madison, Alabama police officer, Eric Parker, on a civil rights charge brought against him by the US Department of Justice earlier this year, for attacking Sureshbhai Patel," a statement said. "While the trial was supposed to focus on the unreasonable use of force that Parker used on Patel, it was Patel's immigration status

and English proficiency skills that were really on trial," said Lakshmi Sridaran, Director of National Policy and Advocacy at SAALT.

follow our laws and speak our language. Mr Patel bears as much responsibility for this as anyone". Parker was captured on video

Sureshbhai Patel

Indeed, in his opening remarks, Parker's attorney said: "When you come to the US we expect you to

beating Patel, a grandfather, to the point of partial paralysis in February after Patel, initially identified

by a neighbor as a "suspicious Black man," repeatedly told the officer he could not speak English, SAALT said. "We continue to believe in the strength of the evidence and that the defendant's actions violated the constitutional rights of the plaintiff," said Bhavani Kakani, president of AshaKiran. "It is absolutely devastating to hear the news from Alabama as it reflects a deep pattern of unfairness for people of color. Although grounded in anti-blackness, police brutality by law enforcement and immigration enforcement is no stranger to South Asian communities and it is indicative of this political moment to be on the path to justice," said Dante Barry, executive director of Million Hoodies United.-PTI

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November 13, 2015

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Revealing original name 'proved' costly for Rajan NEW DELHI: Revealing his original name to immigration authorities when asked to step out of the queue at Bali in Indonesia landed underworld don Chhota Rajan in the security net and he was arrested soon after. Giving details about the arrest of the don in Indonesia, CBI sources said when he was asked to step out of the queue at Bali by the immigration authorities and identify himself, Rajan told his real name as Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje and not Mohan Kumar as mentioned in his passport. They said after this, the Indonesian authorities got confirmation that he was the person against whom Red Corner Notice was issued. The authorities then started identification process and 11 out of 18 points of finger print samples given in the notice matched which confirmed his identity. Meanwhile, strict security measures have been adopted with the road in front of CBI headquarters closed for public movement. Heavy barricading has been done by the Delhi Police at three spots on the road. Within headquarters, personnel of Quick Reaction Team of CISF, Nagaland Police and Delhi Police are watching every entry and exit. Special guards in civil dress are

guarding the ground floor and first floor where the underworld don is likely to have been kept even as murmurs of him being kept in a safe house are also doing the rounds. After getting the input of his presence in Australia, CBI tried to establish his identity by secretly

trying to get it extended, Indian agencies including CBI started to block any possible extension of his residency permit in Australia through the engagement of various channels between the two countries. The agencies which were

proached court. Suspecting that once he approaches local court, it may result in long legal battle, which may or may not go India's way, to bring him back, CBI got his passport, which was valid till July 7, 2018, cancelled on October 31 so that he becomes persona non grata in Indonesia as well as his avenues to travel to other countries get blocked. On the same day, a team of seven officials including those drawn from CBI, Mumbai Police and Delhi Police reached Bali from where he was brought back in a special aircraft.-PTI

Indian-American firm receives threatening calls Chhota Rajan in custody in Bali, Indonesia

obtaining his finger prints which matched with the database following with keeping a surveillance on his movements, the sources said. They said getting him back from Australia would have been a tedious and nearly impossible task because of stringent local laws but an input came in blessing in disguise that his residency permit was getting over on October 31, 2015. While Rajan, who was living as Mohan Kumar, was desperately

keeping a tab on his movements came to know that Rajan was planning to move to Bali on October 25 six days before his residence permit in Australia was about to expire. The sources claimed he chose Bali because of two possible reasons: his gang has strong presence in South East Asia and the possible threat from Dawood gang would be less. The Australian Interpol in close

Immigration queues may soon get shorter NEW DELHI: Travelers arriving in India may no longer have to stand in long queues as the government has decided to deploy more immigration officials in all international airports. The Home Ministry has started the process for recruitment of more immigration officials. The induction will result in reduction in queues at the airports, sources said. There are 21 international airports in the country including at Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar, Amritsar, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai and Port Blair. Airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Goa and Kochi particularly witness long queues at immigration counters during peak hours. There have been certain complaints of long queues at immigration counters at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) here, the sources said. The decision for recruiting

cooperation with CBI informed Bali authorities that a fugitive having a Red Corner Notice is traveling to the tourist town on the fake identity of Mohan Kumar. Upon his arrival, the immigration authorities spotted him and asked about his identity to which he told them his real name was Rajendra Nikalje whereas he was traveling on the identity of Mohan Kumar which prompted his arrest. The sources claimed according to local Indonesian laws, he could be kept in the custody of Indonesian police for 15 days and only after that he could have ap-

people will help in reducing work load of the existing staff, they said. The Home Ministry has been putting in measures to ensure hassle-free entry and exit for Indians and foreigners to the country,

There are about 5,000 immigration officials working across the country. With new inductions, their number would be significantly increased. without compromising security. A new immigration form with less fields to be filled by a passenger has been recently introduced. The need for filling of immigration form when they are returning to

the country has been also done away with. At present, there are about 5,000 immigration officials working across the country. With new inductions, their number would be significantly increased. The increase in the number of immigration officials will help in managing the flow of tourists which is likely to increase due to e-tourist visas. India had last year launched etourist visa facility (which was earlier called 'tourist visa on arrival enabled by electronic travel authorization') for more than 40 countries, including the US. India currently offers e-TV facility to citizens of 113 countries and plans to raise it to 150 countries by March 31, 2016. During January and May, a total of 1,10,657 people arrived on etourist visa as compared to 9,841 during the same period last year, registering a growth of 1,024.4 per cent.-AP

NEW YORK: An accounting firm run by five Indian-Americans here has received anonymous threatening phone calls accusing them of being members of a 'white supremacist hate group.' The firm K K Mehta, founded in 1978 and based in Garden City, specializes in the hospitality and medical industries and said it got calls accusing it of being a member of the Ku Klux Klan group, the Washington Post reported. A partner at the firm said the office number for his firm, run by five partners of Indian descent, was on a list of numbers and emails associated with Anonymous' widely-hyped "leak" of Ku Klux Klan members. "We don't know anything about these people. We have nothing to do with all of this. It is a matter of concern when you have so many threatening phone calls and some of them are local," the partner was quoted as saying by the Post. The firm has expressed concern that the threats against them will escalate and the part-

ners fear for their safety, the report said. The report said the accounting firm's main office line was one of several phone numbers contained in a file that some Anonymous-associated Twitter accounts initially claimed was part of a promised leak of as many as 1,000 phone numbers and e-mails of members of the Ku Klux Klan. The Ku Klux Klan is the name of three distinct past and present movements in the US that have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism and anti-immigration. The partner at the firm said he has no clue how the firm ended up on the list he said he'd be surprised if someone had added its phone number to some sort of KKK database as a malicious prank but guessed that it might have something to do with the double K's at the start of the firm's name. The accounting firm said it wants to go back to their work without being interrupted by another round of threats.-PTI

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

Former Assistant StateÂ&#x2019;s Attorney

Civil & Criminal Litigation Felonies, Misdemeanors, Inc DUI 1 Personal Injury, Business, Divorce etc. 1 Property Tax for Commercial Properties 1 1

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

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Anti-US activist bought guns for 'revolution' BILLINGS, Mont.: Jurors convicted an anti-government activist on firearms charges after authorities said he sought out highpowered weaponry for a coming ``second American revolution.'' William Krisstofer Wolf of Montana was found guilty of possession of a machine gun and failing to register a firearm after buying an illegal sawed-off shotgun for $720 from an undercover FBI agent nicknamed ``Dirty'' in a truck stop parking lot. Wolf testified that he was seeking a legal version of the same weapon and intended to use it for home defense. But the 53-year-old carpenter and host of an anti-government webcast also acknowledged that he wanted to acquire a flamethrower and spoke of targeting judges, elected officials and law enforcement in an anticipated conflict between the United States and its citizens. ``Once this goes down, once

the war starts, I will do everything I can to end the war quickly,'' Wolf testified. He added that he hoped for but did not expect a peaceful resolution. He faces up to 10 years in prison on each weapons charge. A sentencing date was not immediately set by U.S. District Judge Susan Watters. Government witnesses including an undercover agent testified that Wolf sought out a weapon that he knew to be illegal and appeared ready to use it when he was arrested in March. During what was his second meeting with Wolf, the undercover agent said he was surprised to hear the defendant talk openly of building or attaining a flamethrower capable of defeating police body armor and an armored vehicle that recently had been purchased by the Bozeman Police Department. Contrary to defense assertions that Wolf ``talked a lot'' but showed

no intention to act on his extreme

William Krisstofer Wolf in Billings, Mont.

beliefs, the agent said Wolf appeared ready to act. Federal Defender Mark Werner argued that the undercover agent

and a paid FBI informant who encouraged Wolf to buy the Russian-made shotgun entrapped his client. The bureau said it paid the informant $9,000. Werner said after the verdict that he will consider an appeal. ``Would he have done that without Dirty's persuasion? I don't think so,'' Werner said. ``That guy was playing him like a piano from the get-go.'' On his webcast, The Montana Republic, Wolf railed against federal immigration policies and the administration of President Barack Obama and advocated for direct action to restore a Constitutionbased government. He compared shooting police officers to ``shooting gophers'' and proposed citizen arrests of judges by militia-like ``safety committees,'' according to authorities and excerpts from the show played for jurors during a three-day trial. During his final broadcast, in

November 2014, Wolf said it was ``time to stop talking for me ... it is time for me to start putting my money where my mouth is.'' At his arraignment in April, Wolf said he did not recognize the federal court's jurisdiction and refused to enter a plea on the charges against him. A magistrate judge entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf. Prosecutors said it wasn't Wolf's beliefs that were on trial, but his deliberate attempt to attain an illegal 12-gauge shotgun with a shortened barrel that was capable of firing 10 shots in less than two seconds. ``This was an under-the-table deal for an illegal firearm at the back of a truck stop with a guy named `Dirty,''' Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Whittaker told jurors during closing arguments. Wolf ``was a man who espoused violence. He wanted to acquire the most dangerous weapons he could.'' -AP

Rubio, Ryan back off comprehensive Anish Kapoor's artwork immigration overhaul adorns UK passport Cont'd from Page 44

Ryan once called potential citizenship ``a very important part of immigration reform,'' but he's avoided discussing it since becoming speaker even when directly asked. For his part, Rubio emphasizes a piecemeal approach. His campaign website includes a section devoted to his opposition to ``sanctuary cities'' that shield immigrants from prosecution, but does not highlight his broader immigration policies. When asked earlier this week on Fox News Channel, Rubio said he is open to immigrants in the country illegally becoming citizens after 15 years under certain circumstances. At an event in Manchester,

nounced Rubio's remarks, which came after conservative media highlighted past comments where he suggested he would not immediately shut down the program. The maneuvering comes from lawmakers who were hailed in the past by immigration activists for their leadership roles, Rubio for taking on the Senate bill and trying to sell it to the conservative community, and Ryan for working behind the scenes in the House and trying to find a legislative solution there. But it's against the backdrop of a presidential campaign that's been dominated by Trump, who's said immigrants who come here illegally are ``rapists'' bringing

We all know that Ryan supports reform, yet he's letting the Steve King wing of the party call the shots, and same thing with Rubio,'' said Frank Sharry, executive director of proimmigrant group America's Voice N.H., Rubio adopted another conservative stance, pledging that as president he would end an Obama program offering work permits and temporary deportation relief to immigrants brought illegally to this country as kids. Activist groups and Democrats de-

drugs and crime. Such pronouncements have pushed the GOP to the right, even as some leading Republicans insist they need a nominee who will embrace immigration legislation and win back some of the Latino and Asian voters who've been

abandoning the party. `Ìt's an issue that as much as we would like, it's not going away,'' said Sen. John McCain, RAriz. `Ìf we don't do something about immigration reform and people are going around saying they're rapists and murderers, then obviously the reaction in the Hispanic community is very negative.'' Ryan's efforts to find a House GOP consensus on immigration fizzled after former Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., was upset in his primary race last year by a conservative who accused him of backing amnesty. A crisis of unaccompanied minors arriving from Central America also helped end any faint hopes for action in the House - well before Obama took the executive actions that Ryan and other Republicans now blame for congressional inaction. Now immigration activists are bemoaning the changed focus from Ryan and Rubio. ``We all know that Ryan supports reform, yet he's letting the Steve King wing of the party call the shots, and same thing with Rubio,'' said Frank Sharry, executive director of pro-immigrant group America's Voice, naming the leading immigration hardliner in the House. `Ìf they want to expand the Republican Party they have to lead, and neither of them are doing that right now.'' -AP

Cont'd from Page 44

Gormley's work is represented along with Kapoor's Marsyas, Temenos and the 2012 London Olympic Games symbol Orbit. The UK government is facing a sexism row over its decision to include just two women in a new hitech passport design which features iconic buildings and other historic landmarks of the country. Architect Elizabeth Scott and computer programmer Ada Lovelace are the only women to feature alongside seven men. Shakespeare appears in a new high security watermark design on each page. Mark Thomson, director general of HM Passport Office, said, "It was not something where we set out to have only two women. In trying to celebrate UK creativity over the last 500 years we tried to get a range of locations and a range of things around the country to celebrate our triumphs and icons over the years. So there you are." "Whenever we do these things there's someone who wants their favorite rock band or icon in the book. We have 16 pages, a very finite space. "We like to feel we have got a good representative view celebrating some of the icons of the UK, including Shakespeare, John Con-

stable and folks like that, and of course Elisabeth Scott. We have got a good representative sample," Thomson said when asked why the likes of writer Jane Austen were left out. UK Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said, "By using some of the most advanced technology

Anish Kapoor

and security measures around, this passport design is the most secure that the UK has ever issued." A new British passport is launched every five years and the outgoing edition featured British birdlife and geography. Other new security features include fibers embedded in the paper which fluoresce under UV light. "This is the most secure passport we have ever produced," Thomson said.-AP

6 smart ways to make a home safer for seniors

Real Estate

RACHEL HARTMAN

or many, age can change how they approach daily life. But for safe senior living, aging parents will have to make adjustments to their home. Nearly 90% of individuals over age 65 want to stay in their home for as long as possible, according to a research report by the National Conference of State Legislatures and the AARP Public Policy Institute. Furthermore, 80% believe their current residence is where they will always live. For those who want to stay home, or "age in place," safety is a major factor. "Seniors aging at home are constantly at risk for life-threatening falls," explains Gaby Loria, a long-term care market researcher at Software Advice. Adding safety features now, you may be able to help your parent live comfortably at home for a long time. "Some home modifications that minimize the risk for lifethreatening falls can be implemented for under $500," Loria says. Here, experts lay out key safety features to add to an elderly loved one's home to help create a stable environment for senior living now and for years to come. Add advanced and brighter lighting One out of 3 adults aged 65 or older falls each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. Those accidents often have major consequences. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in adults age 65 and older, the CDC says. To prevent slips, start by checking the lights in your parent's home. "Dim lighting can lead to potentially dangerous falls, especially as our eyesight starts to go," notes

Hilary Young, spokeswoman for Medical Guardian. Put night lights in hallways, stairwells and bathrooms, Young says. Then look for additional spots where it may be hard to see, such as near the front entrance or close to the bed in the bedroom. Ask or watch your senior as he or she navigates the home to detect other areas where more lighting is needed. Lamps that turn on and off by touch might work on bedside tables. For closets and pantries, consider batterypowered motion sensor lights, which switch on automatically. These lights turn off after 20 seconds or when movement is no longer detected. Another way to add more light, especially at night: PathLights Wireless LED Stair Lights. The lights detect motion and alert other lights to turn on, thus creating a well-lit path for your senior. Ensure floors are safe Among people 65 years and older, nearly 800,000 injuries related to stairs, ramps, landings or floors were seen in hospital emergency departments in 2011, according to a 2013 Consumer Product Safety Commission report. To avoid slippery floors, start by surveying each room. "Securely tape down rugs or get rid of buckling carpets," Young says. Barbara Coleman, rehabilitation manager at the Natick Visiting Nurse Association in Natick, Massachusetts, says

39 India Post

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to clear clutter that could cause tripping, including electrical or phone cords. Check that the pathway from the bed to the bathroom is obstacle-free. Also, add non-slip mats in areas that can be prone to wetness, such as the bathroom and kitchen.

November 13, 2015

CREDAI seeks tax sops for home buyers Details on Page 41

For stairs, treads placed on steps might help improve traction. Outdoors, make sure any sidewalks or driveways are smooth and even. Another option is anti-slip coatings that can be applied to the floor just like a paint or a finish. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 41

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Real estate investments lukewarm: Assocham NEW DELHI: Notwithstanding the 125 bps rate cut by RBI this year and offers made by developers, investment in the real estate market has remained lukewarm in and around Delhi-NCR primarily due to the lack of confidence in the economy and project delays, a survey has found. The industry chamber had conducted a random survey of nearly 125 real estate developers in Delhi-NCR (National Capital Region). The survey reveals that demand for buying property has decreased by over 30% over the last year. "The sentiment in the housing market is really at a low key. The prices have almost crashed but they are still unaffordable. Be it Rohini, Dwarka, South Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, the prices of

property are down by 25-30% as compared to the last two years," Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said.

According to the survey, inordinate delays in getting necessary approvals from multiple authorities result in cost and time over-

The residential market has witnessed a steep decline by 25-30% in new launches as well as demand resulting a significant shrinkage. The unsold inventory pressure in NCR region is the highest

runs. The resale or secondary market is also dull this festival season as there is very little resale happening especially in the NCR and surrounding areas. Besides, the residential market has witnessed a steep decline by 25-30% in new launches as well as demand resulting a significant shrinkage. The unsold inventory pressure in NCR region is the highest among all other cities. A majority of real estate developers in NCR said about 62% of the unsold real estate in the region is in areas which are currently uninhabitable. The problem has been confounded by delays in regulatory clearances and litigations. The NCR residential market still has an estimated 1,70,000 units of unsold inventory which is approximately 30% of the units un-

der construction, adds the survey. As per the survey, there are nearly 8.5 million workers engaged in building and other construction activities in India. The ticket price 3-bedroom, 2 BHK and single room flats has seen correction by 30% in Noida, 25% in Gurgaon and 15% in some key areas of Delhi, yet the demand stays subdued, the survey pointed out. Modular kitchen, LED televisions and air conditioners are among the most common freebies on offer this Diwali. Some developers offered hefty discounts to the basic sale price for early investors. Many others warned of sharp revision in property rates post Diwali. However, the lure of freebies failed to charm home buyers, the survey noted. -PTI

You want a tiny house? Businesses offer a tryout first CROYDON, N.H.: Hilary and Shane Lentz were hooked on the idea of a tiny house, but they weren't sure the reality would be so appealing. Their curiosity led them to the hills of New Hampshire, where a business that started at Harvard University rents out tiny houses for $99 a night. The company, Getaway, has drawn visitors from afar who come to sample life in a 160square-foot house before they dive headlong into the lifestyle. ``It's a way to test-drive tiny

a tiny house is anything smaller than 400 square feet. Advocates tout the environmental and financial perks of tiny living. The Lentz couple, from Pittsburgh, had been considering a major downsize for years. It could free them from the mortgage on their three-bedroom home. They could build the house on wheels and take it anywhere. By shedding some belongings, there would be fewer distractions. ``Having a smaller living space allows you to be more open to ex-

house living,'' said Jon Staff, the founder and CEO of Getaway. ``We operate them a little bit like hotel rooms in the woods.'' Across the country, more businesses are letting the curious try out tiny living. Caravan, a hotel in Portland, Oregon, offers six tiny houses ranging from 84 to 170 square feet, for $145 a night. Dozens of tiny houses are available through vacation rental websites, posted by their owners. Definitions vary, but some say

periences, and to really enjoy your day to day life,'' said Hilary, 27. But the couple had a few lingering questions. Shane, 29, wondered whether waterless toilets, a common feature in tiny houses, were odorless, too. They both worried about cooking in a tiny kitchen. Hilary wanted to know whether the coziness would fade to isolation. Getaway is the first project at Harvard's Millennial Housing Lab, a group of business, law and de-

sign students exploring new housing ideas. Staff, a graduate student in business, said his stints living on a boat and in an Airstream trailer inspired him to help spread the tiny house movement. ``Small spaces force you out into the world, and I think that's a good thing,'' he said. Backers of tiny living say the movement is growing, and certain areas have become hotspots. Villages of little homes have popped up in cities like Portland and Seattle. Other cities have considered relaxing their zoning rules to open the door for more tiny houses. But industry experts say it's hard to pinpoint actual numbers behind the trend. In an annual survey, the National Association of Realtors found that the share of home buyers who opted for houses of less than 1,000 square feet has stayed at about 1 percent for the past five years. ``The data is revealing that the tiny-sized home is not what people will consider the American dream,'' said Lawrence Yun, the association's chief economist. He predicts that the growth of big cities will fuel demand for smaller apartments and condos, but not stand-alone houses. Either way, tiny houses have caught the public's attention as the subject of TV shows and documentaries. Popular websites entice audiences to ogle at small houses in bucolic landscapes. Some cities are exploring tiny houses as a tool to fight homelessness. The Lentz couple signed up for a rental as soon as they heard online about Getaway. They spent the weekend in a wood-paneled

house the size of a shipping container, powered by solar panels. The only water came from a 110gallon tank. Its composting toilet required a spritz of water from a

spray bottle after use. ``Our tiny houses are a little bit simpler than the standard tiny house,'' Staff said. ``They're rustic.'' -AP

Land adjoining motels for parking proposed NEW DELHI: DDA has proposed using vacant lands adjoining motels for parking or maintaining green cover on purely temporary basis, without raising any construction on such plot and claiming any FAR (floor area ratio). The proposal was made during the DDA meeting at the Raj Niwas here. "Vacant lands under the ownership of motel owner and original or sanctioned plot may be utilized for parking or maintaining green on purely temporary basis without raising any construction on such a plot and without claiming any FAR and amalgamation with original plot subject to regulatory measures by Delhi Government and local bodies," the DDA said. The proposal was approved by the Authority for issuance of public notice for inviting objections and suggestions from public. During the meet, a proposal was also made for modification to the Master Plan of Delhi 2021 for the provision of specific percentage of area under waiting reception in the hospital buildings to facilitate building sections of concerned local bodies to process the building plans of hospital. Modifications in MPD 2021

was also proposed with reference to provisions for Treatment Storage & Disposal Facility (TSDF) for hazardous waste in Delhi. Issue of forfeiture of 12,858.81 sqm of land of Commonwealth Games Village and club or community centers were also taken up. To forfeit the residential towers nos 26 and 28 (of the CWG village) having built up area of 11,982.14 sqm being the excess construction beyond 5 per cent compounding limit and to place the same at the disposal of the Union Ministry of Urban Development for appropriate utilization was approved in the meeting, the housing authority said. The Authority was apprised that the Chief Engineer nominated by it shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Biodiversity Division, and was approved in the meeting. "All ministerial staff, accountant staff and engineering staff will be posted in the Delhi Biodiversity Foundation out of DDA's staff engaged in the planning, designing, development and management of existing biodiversity parks shall be considered for regularization in accordance with law and DoPT norms," it said. -PTI

November 13, 2015

Real Estate Post

India Post 41

www.indiapost.com

CREDAI seeks tax sops for home buyers

ndia's residential property market is going through one of its worst periods ever. Unsold inventories have touched record highs and cash strapped builders say buyers won't return unless interest rates reach range of 8-9 percent. Till then, they're turning to the government for relief. Four months ahead of the Union Budget, industry body CREDAI with more than 11,000 builders as members, has asked the Finance Minister for tax sops on behalf of home buyers, and are convinced this would lay the foundation for a recovery in the housing market. The main request is to remove the Rs 2 lakh limit for tax deduction on the interest component of a home loan for a first time buyers on self use. It has also asked for hike in tax deduction limit under section 24 (b) to Rs 3 lakh from the current Rs 2 lakh, if it is not the first property bought by the consumer. CREDAI has also asked Jaitley to do away with the precondition for availing this tax deduction of up to Rs 2 lakh. The pre condition mandates the project's construction be

6 smart ways to make a home safer for seniors Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 39

Add fire prevention system in kitchen It can be easy to become forgetful with age and agerelated conditions such as dementia, says Bunni Dybnis, director of professional services at LivHOME, an at-home senior care company in Los Angeles. To help prevent hazards in the kitchen, such as fires started when a burner is left on, there are a number of options. You might consider temperature-controlled cookware. For instance, the Safe T Element cooking system is designed to keep the temperature below the auto-ignition point of cooking oil, thus reducing the risk of a fire. Another option is systems that automatically turn off stoves and ovens, such as CookStop and Stove Guard. If cooking becomes a difficult task, it may be time to simply avoid the stove. "The microwave for heating meals is a safer alternative â&#x20AC;Ś if the individual has memory issues," Coleman says. Besides preparing meals, there are other options for eating and drinking. A few to consider: a travel mug for carrying hot beverages; lightweight or plastic dishes; and nonslip placemats for the table or on a countertop so that small appliances, such as a coffee pot, don't slide around. Install a medical response system Medical alert devices have come a long way since those commercials we're familiar with, Young says. Rather than offering a call button to an elderly person who has fallen and can't get up, these systems now come with features such as GPS technology. High-end models may have fall-detection technology. If your senior experiences a heart attack or is knocked unconscious, a call is automatically triggered. Basic models start around $30 per month, but that price can increase with more features. Additional charges, such as activation or equipment fees, may also affect the overall cost. Be aware that your elderly relative may not be eager for a personal emergency response system. "Many of the aging population do not feel like they are ready for that type of system," Coleman says. If you want to discuss the option with your parent, consider shifting the emphasis to yourself. You might say, "It will make me feel better knowing you have this." The emergency response system can be especially beneficial for the senior who lives alone, Dybnis says. Several to consider: GoSafe from Philips Lifeline, LifeStation, Medical Guardian and MobileHelp. -Courtesy Bankrate.com

completed within 3 years from the end of financial year in which the buyer borrows the capital. CREDAI argues this is beyond the control of the home buyer. "Suppose the government was to give an interest subvention on a housing loan of 2 percent for 3 years, and we are able to unleash a housing loan market of Rs 1 lakh crore, the dent to the government would be Rs 2000 crore every year," said Getamber Anand, President, CREDAI adding that this would translate to Rs 6000 crore, but direct and indirect tax revenue would be close to Rs 25000 cr. "One house for anybody, wherever the interest is there

for one house, should be 100 percent exempt. Today the RBI rules only have a 15 percent threshold for real estate and the rest is for other industries. That should be increased," said Irfan Razack, CMD, Prestige Group. A bigger basket of tax breaks under section 80c, which deal with deductions on personal investments. Currently, the ceiling of deduction for principal repayment of a home loan is Rs 1 lakh, and CREDAI wants that hiked to Rs 5 lakh spread over 5 years for first time home buyers. The builder lobby is also asking the government to look at creating a new standalone exemption for housing.

42 India Post

November 13, 2015

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Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Mrs. Nita Ambani

Kangana Ranuat, Shabana Azmi, Ava DuVernay, Vidya Balan and Kiran Rao

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

MUMBAI: Several Bollywood celebrities lent color and glamour to one of the biggest film festivals of India, Jio MAMI, the 17th Mumbai Film Festival with Star India, and praised the event for showcasing quality cinema. The seven-day event which began from October 29, screened over 200 films from 58 countries across the world and witnessed a staggering turnout of over 7,000 delegates which is a record for the festival in the last 16 years. Red carpet attendees included Salman Khan, Isha Ambani, Saif Ali Khan, Esha Gupta, Kunal Kapoor, Deepak Parekh, Riteish Deshmukh, Vidya Balan, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Kiran Rao, Anupama Chopra, Dibakar Banerjee, Jackie Shroff, Radhika Apte, Anushka Manchanda, Sandhya Mridul, Pavleen Gujral and Pan Nalin. Kalki Koechlin hosted the event and took center stage inviting prestigious delegates to give away the final awards.

Heaping praise for organizing such an event, superstar Salman Khan said, "I am so happy that Kiran Rao reintroduced MAMI. I think it is the best thing that you (while looking at Kiran) could have ever done in your life after Aamir Khan." "The best thing about MAMI is Kiran and Anupama heading it. The awards that you get here will be true and correct. It will be on

merit. We want to see getting MAMI bigger," Khan said at the MAMI festival here. Calling the edition "great" "Dil Dhadakne Do" helmer said, "I saw few films like 'Aligarh'. I conducted workshop for children. It taught me lot of things. It (festival) has been great this year." Focusing on the importance of good cinema actor Saif Ali Khan said the festival is a nice platform for talented people. "I am happy to be here for MAMI. Mumbai is home to Indian cinema. It is good that we have festival in Mumbai. There is a divide between commercial, art house and independent cinema, that shouldn't happen. The focus should be on good cinema." Actress Vidya Balan, who is known for her powerful performances in films like "Kahaani" and "The Dirty Picture" was all praise for portrayal of women in films shown at MAMI. "I saw 15 films being on the international jury, they all were amazing. Cont'd on Page 45

Sidharth Malhotra and Hrithik Roshan

Katrina Kaif

November 13, 2015

India Post 43 www.indiapost.com

50 shades of SRK on 50th birthday quintessential rags to riches story - a story many want to emulate. 19. Workaholic: A self-described workaholic, he is always working on something, given the variety of hats he wears - acting, producing, advertising. 20. Intellectual: Always heard quoting Rumi and other philosophers, SRK is known to be quite an intellectual and is well read. Recently at a lecture at Edinburgh University, SRK's Life Lessons were very inspiring and thought provoking. 21. Fans: Needless to say the Badshah of Bollywood has countless fans around the globe. He gets mobbed from India to America, from Iceland to South Africa (unsure he is shooting in Antarctica anytime soon but sure he will find fans there as well). SRK fans or "SRKians" as they call

thoughts with his fans. 23. Humorous: SRK calls himself an Emotional Jester. His jokes, funny comebacks give an opportunity to him and also to others, to laugh at themselves and see the lighter side of life. 24. Jet Setter: Being continuously on the go for film shootings, social and business commitments, SRK has to jet round the globe. Shahrukh is often quoted saying he lives more in the air then on the ground aka he is on the plane a lot! Hmm, wonder how many passport he has filled up already?! 25. Sports Enthusiast: Being an ace footballer in high school, SRK is a sports enthusiast, be it getting into a game of badminton on sets of Dilwale with India's badminton player Saina Nehwal or playing cricket with the Indian cricket team. 26. Kkr Owner: Being a sport enthusiast, Shahrukh Khan is the co-owner of the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders. He is hands on with his team is often seen in the stands

themselves are die-hards and SRK too is often seen interacting with them. 22. Tech Geek: Be it the Hover board, the Oculus, Shahrukh Khan is often seeing trying on newest of Techie Toys and sharing his

supporting his players. 27. Businessman: With numerous business ventures in production, distribution, visual effects, IPL team, SRK is known to be an astute businessman with great acumen.

KAVI AGRAWAL

SAN JOSE: As Superstar Shahrukh Khan turned half a centaury young on November 2 aka 50 years. We give a sneak peak into the 50 Shades of Shahrukh Khan (SRK). 1. Resplendent Romance:

6. Producer: Red Chillies Entertainment is SRK's production company, which debuted with the super, hit movie Om Shanti Om. Today it produces most of his movies, innovative programming for Television as well as has a well-

Known as King of Romance, from the 1995's superhit Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayege to the soon to release Dilwale, Shahrukh's films are known for their everlasting romance and dreamy leading ladies. With dialogues like "Mere Aankon Mein Dekho" to "Palat" synonymous to lovers. 2. Superstar: Actors come and go but Superstars remain etched in people's hearts forever, touching millions of lives across the world. This would only begin to describe the Superstar Shahrukh Khan or SRK as he is lovingly called. 3. The King: The word "King" is often appended to Shahrukh Khan's name - King Khan or "Badshah" Khan. He is known to for his larger then life persona, his success in everything he does and personal in life. 4. Obsessive Lover: Who can forget the "kkkk..Kiran"? SRK began his career as the anti-hero in films like Baazigar and Darr. Starting a new genre in the Hindi Film Industry. 5. The Pose/Stance: 45 Degree wide-open stance with Arms spread - is often referred as the SRK Stance. It has since become as a symbol of romance and mandatory for all lovers to learn.

known VFX Department. 7. Distributor: SRK's upcoming movie Raees will mark Red Chillies Entertainment's foray into the movie distribution business. 8. Charmer: Ladies and gents often describe him as the ultimate Charmer. It is hard to escape his charm and charisma, no matter if you are a non-believer. Sweeping people off their feet - young and old, is his style. 9. Son: Shahrukh describes his father as "gentle giant", and almost hero worships his freedom fighter father - Late Mir Taj Mohammed Khan who passed away when SRK was a teenager. Shahrukh was brought up by his mother, Lateef Fatima. Unfortunately he lost both his parents to cancer before he became an established actor. 10. Husband: Having married his first love and girlfriend Gauri Khan, Shahrukh is known to be a devout husband who has encouraged his wife to reach her full potential as an interior designer. Shahrukh-Gauri pair remains Bollywood's most loved first couple. 11. Brother: Lala Rukha Shehnaz is six years elder to Shahrukh, and is very close to Khan. SRK finds her sweet, na誰ve

and introvert. Shehnaz lives with Shahrukh and is often seen with his kids. 12. Father: A proud father of 3 adorable children. Eldest son Aryan is currently studying in London along with his sister Suhana and the youngest Abram gives SRK company at home in Mumbai. SRK is known to be a doting father and is often photographed with his children. 13. Citi Never Sleeps: Known to be a handworker, SRK has been quoted to say he wished a day had 27 hours! He is known to be always on the move and only catching 3-4 hours of zzz's. 14. Humanitarian: From being on Board of Directors of Make-AWish Foundation to being the first Indian to receive UNESCO's Pyamide con Marni award for his work, Shahrukh Khan is very committed to his Humanitarian and Charity work, however keeps it under wraps due to his religious beliefs. 15. Advertising Icon: Being crowned as the Advertising Icon for 2015 at the IAA Summit, today Brand SRK is pegged at upwards of $3 million. The actor International brands like Tag Hauer and Nokia in his kitty - he is the most sort after Brand Ambassador. 16. Energetic: If you are lucky to meet or work with King Khan, one thing that will strike you is his energy levels. While crew can be tired after a 12 hour shift, SRK would be seen energetic and rearing to go, full of ideas. His entourage consists of young smart intelligent people as energetic as he. 17. Full Of Life: Age is never a factor for King Khan, in fact he is so full of life and has a childlike enthusiasm that he has been quoted to say, "I am like a Kid, I tell my family and friends I am like a Kid". He makes 50's look like the new 20s! 18. Inspirational: SRK came from humble beginnings to the city of dreams aka Mumbai to become an actor with no previous ties to the movie business. Today he is one of the highest paid actors in the world, making his story the

Cont'd on Page 45

44 India Post

November 13, 2015 www.indiapost.com

Naseeruddin: Was never so conscious of my religion

'Wedding more tiring than a Test match'

t was in 2007 that Harbhajan Singh had decided that he wanted to marry Geeta Basra. They finally got hitched eight years later. Now that they have tied the knot, they say that life has come a full circle. In their first interview post marriage, the couple talked about their journey from being friends to husband and wife. So, has the feeling sunk in that you guys are married now? Geeta: It's been one hell of a week and by the end of it, we were totally exhausted but didn't want it to end because everyone was together - friends and family - after years. I think my entire family came together after 25 years. Harbhajan: It was more tiring than playing a Test match. Obviously I had a lot of fun, all my friends and family members were around, but it was tiring. Geeta: Imagine dancing through the day and night. So much of partying, so many sleepless nights. While playing cricket, they have strict timings - going to sleep by 10.30 pm-11 pm max and then waking up by 6 am or 7 am. But during these last few days, we were sleeping at 6 am and then had to get ready for the next function. Being an actress, I am accustomed to such schedules but we still get rest and breaks in between. But this was a different experience and what you would call a big, fat Punjabi wedding. Harbhajan: It was a very, very fat wedding. Did you wait for the right time to

get married? Geeta: Well, I had always said that I am not getting married during the summer. My friends, family and I didn't want to not enjoy because of the heat. I think we had always planned that whenever we get married, we will enjoy and the weather will be good. Harbhajan: See, we were planning when to get married. Obviously, it had lot to do with when I got the time - when the ODI series was to finish and the Test series was about to start in the next 10

days. More importantly, I also wanted my friends from the cricket circle to be part of the wedding and make this occasion memorable. We had thought that we would get married in February this year, lekin phir date postpone ho gayi because I got back into playing mode. But this time, we decided to take advantage of my 10day break. Geeta: Before the wedding, ek baar toofan aaya and then the earthquake right before the day our functions were about to start. So we had the blessings of the rain gods, dharti ke bhagwan. I think everyone blessed us. Harbhajan: The best part was that the weather became so pleasant during those few days. And as far as the earthquake is concerned, meri zindagi mein waise hi aane waale tha, pehle hi aa gaya!

It was more tiring than playing a Test match. Obviously I had a lot of fun, all my friends and family members were around, but it was tiring.

aseeruddin Shah on being trolled for his pro-Pak stance, the 'award vapsi' trend and why, at times, he prefers working with newcomers over former colleagues. Last month, Naseeruddin Shah made headlines with his candid take on Indo Pak relations at the controversial launch of former Pakistani foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's new book, Neither a Hawk Nor a Dove: An Insider's Account of Pakistan's Foreign Policy. "I've been to Pakistan t o per-

trolled for his pro-Pak remarks, Naseer points out that he was targeted only because he is a Muslim. "It really pains me but I had never been so conscious of my religious identity until now. Four generations of my family have lived in India. I am a proud Indian and won't allow anyone to question my patriotism. If I say Imran Khan (cricketer) is great, does that make Sunil Gavaskar any less a cricketer?" he reasons. One of the most decorated actors of his time - he's won the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, the Sangeet Natak Akademi award, and three National Awards (for Sparsh, Paar and Iqbal) - Naseer reveals that he doesn't understand the concept of returning awards. He doesn't approve of

form and none of my shows were ever cancelled or disrupted. I wish we could have extended a similar courtesy to Kasuri sahab," he had said. His comments caused a furor online and the 66-year-old actor was described as "biased" and branded a "Pakistani". When asked what it felt to be

writers returning their awards in protest against the Dadri lynching and murders of eminent rationalists. "I wish they would assume a stronger tone in their writing instead of returning their awards. Awards mean nothing to me so I won't bother returning them," he explains.

Angelina Jolie gets award for entertainment LOS ANGELES: Superstar Angelina Jolie has received the WSJ Magazine Innovator Award for Entertainment and Film. In her acceptance speech, the 40-year-old filmmaker-actress rather than focusing on her own accomplishments, she honored her late mother, actress and producer Marcheline Bertrand, in addition to her six children with Brad Pitt, reported E!Online. "When I was little, my mom used to say to me, 'Let me see your soul. When I was angry or sad or trying to express something that

mattered, she would hold me and she would look me in the eyes and say that. And if I didn't know what it meant but I understood that she wanted me to drop all pretenses and just be. "My children are innovators. All children are... For me, in my art of films as a director or writer, I try to listen to my mother and bear my soul and to listen to my kids and make a mess and to play and be free," Jolie said. After Jolie ended her speech, Pitt kissed her forehead and gave her a big hug. -PTI

November 13, 2015

India Post 45 www.indiapost.com

200 films from 58 countries Mumbai Film Festival sets a record Cont'd from Page 42

At the festival there was great content shown, discussions were great, selection of films and jury was good. The female performances stand out in all the films that I have seen," Vidya said. Actors Jackie Shroff and Riteish Deshmukh could not catch up on films screened at MAMI due to their busy schedule, but were happy to attend the closing. "Unfortunately I couldn't get to see films at the festival, but I have heard the films shown here were amazing," Jackie said. "I couldn't see many films at the festival. I am glad I could be there at the opening and closing ceremony," said Riteish. The special guest of the evening was the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who along with producer and director, Vidhu Vinod Chopra Cont'd from Page 43

28. Style Icon: Named as GQ's Style Icon, Shahrukh Khan loves black. When he is not suited up, he is often seen casually dressed in jeans. He jokes he has a blue jeans, black suite, white T-shirt and shirt which he keeps repeating and no one finds out. 29. Coffee Lover: Wherever in the world SRK travels, he is often seen with his quintessential silver black coffee cup. We are unsure on the exact number of cups a day of caffeine SRK ingests, but we envision it's pretty high. 30. Quotable Quotes:" Cinema in India is like brushing your teeth in the morning. You can't escape it." I think love can happen at any age... it has no age." "One day I stood on Marine Drive and thought I would own the city, today the City owns me" "I am like Rolls Royce, can run on reputation"â&#x20AC;ŚShahrukh Khan's quotable quotes need a book by themselves! 31. Chimeney: Everyone is not perfect, a smoker by force of habit, Shahrukh has been trying to quit smoking for sometime now. Here is hoping, he does soon! 32. Gamer: With Play Stations and Wii's in his house, Vanity Van's, and shooting locations SRK is known to be a gamer and is often seen challenging his co-actors and friends to the FIFA on the gaming console. 33. Delhi Ka Munda: Delhi Dudes or Mundas are known to be bold and hot blooded; SRK is

was accompanied by young adults from Jammu and Kashmir. They were especially flown down to Mumbai to experience the festival. Nita Ambani, co-chairperson Jio MAMI, who supported the festival whole-heartedly. Kiran Rao, the chairperson, said, "I don't know if the Guinness World Record people are listening but someone please tell them that we screened over 200 films from 58 countries in seven days. We added some new sections in programming, which were a great success India Gold, India Story, After Dark and Half-Ticket. The new events Mumbai Film Mart, Movie Mela and Play, were introduced and received with a lot of enthusiasm." Here's the list of winners in different categories: HALF TICKET Golden Gateway Award for Children's Feature- OTTAL

The Silver Gateway Award for Children's Feature- Operation Category Special mention for ActingHetal Gada and Krrish Chhabria Special Mention for Direction: Morgan Matthews for X + Y The Golden Gateway for Children' ShortDina

Velikovskaya for Pro Mamu (About a Mother) Silver Gateway for Children' Short: Olga Poliektova and Tatiana

Poliektova for My Grandfather Was a Cherry Tree Jury Special Mention for Direction- Mari Sanders for "Daan Durft" (Go Daan Go!) Excellence in writing in Cinema AWARD- Gaata Rahe Mera Dil" by Balaji Vittal and Anirudha Bhattacharjee Film for Social Impact Award by Yes Foundation- Jayaraj for OTTAL Young Critics Choice AwardKAUL Audience Choice Award- TAXI DIMENSIONS MUMBAI The Silver Gateway Dimensions Mumbai Award- THE VOICE Disha Noyonika Rindani The Golden Gateway Dimensions Mumbai Award- KUNAL Dhruv Saigal Special Mentions for Dimensions Mumbai- I SHALL BOW Vedanti Chandrakant Dani INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION Jury Grand Prize for International Competition- THITHI by Raam Reddy Silver Gateway Award for International Competition- Heavenly

Nomadic by Mirlan Abdykalykov Golden Gateway Award for International Competition - Volcano by Jayro Bustamante Special Jury Mention for Achievement in Directing: Cesar Augusto Acevedo, LAND AND SHADE Special Jury Mention for Achievement in Acting: Maria Telon of VOLCANO | "Mother Juana" Special Jury Mention for Achievement in Acting: Farzana Nawabi of MINA WALKING | "Mina" Special Jury Mention for Ensemble: Sleeping Giant Jackson Martin, Reese Moffat, Nick Serino Special Jury Mention for Achievement in Screenwriting: Chloe Zhao, SONGS MY BROTHERS TAUGHT ME INDIA GOLD Jury Special Prize for India Gold goes to An Illusion of My Mind/ Mor Mann Ke Bharam by Karma Takapa, Heer Ganjwala and Abhishek Varma The Silver Gateway Award for India Gold goes to Haraamkhor by Shlok Sharma The Golden Gateway Award for India Gold goes to Chauthi Koot by Gurvinder Singh

50 shades of SRK on 50th birthday no exception having been raised in Delhi. He is often known to be hot blooded with a heart of gold. 30. Witty: Yes witty. There is never a dull moment when Shahrukh Khan is in the house his witty comebacks are audiences' delight and keep him media's favorite. 31. Humble: Every person who has met Shahrukh Khan has described him as extremely humble and down to earth. He is known to overrule his entourage and reach out to meet with a fan. 32. Hands On Approach: Those who have worked with him, describe him to be a hands on person. He has no proverbial "chip on shoulder". 33. Creative: Shahrukh Khan is known to be very creative in ev-

erything he does - be it experimenting with a new look, a role, in advertising. 34. Respectful To Women: In all of Shahrukh Khan's career, we as media have never seen SRK disrespecting women in any way. Owe it to his Pathan lineage, his good values - this superstar has always stood for women's respect. 35. Television Personality: SRK started his career in television with the TV Series Fauji and Circus. Even today he has no qualms about doing television and is often seen hosting shows on Television. 36. Mentor: Shahrukh Khan is an institution in himself with numerous life lessons, acting and direction tips. He is known to have

mentored quite a few younger actors and is often invited by Universities for a talk. 37. Friend: In an industry where friendships are like sand castles, Shahrukh Khan has friends, who have been with him over decades, who swear by him and he swears by them. Actress Juhi Chawla, Kajol, Director Karan Johar are some of his closest friends. 38. Mannat: "Mannat" literally means "A Wish" in Urdu. It also translates to a landmark house in Mumbai, India - Shahrukh Khan's official residence in India. It's a tourist destination and a must see for his fans visiting Mumbai. Hundreds of fans are often seen waiting outside its big gates, to catch a glimpse of the star. SRK often does oblige by standing atop the gate and waving out to his well wishers. 39. Social Media King: With over 15 million followers on Facebook and 16 on Twitter, Shahrukh Khan uses social media as a means to connect with his fans and is often found doing rounds of "QnA" sessions with them. 40. The Pathan: Shahrukh Khan comes from the Pathan lineage, his father Mir Taj Mohammad Khan, migrated from Peshawar (present day Pakistan) to Delhi in 1947 post partition. 41. Physique: His 6-pack in film Om Shanti Om started a trend a

few years ago, and then he returned with 8-pack abs in his film Happy New Year. Even at 50, Shahrukh Khan could give the younger ones a run for their money in fitness. 42. Value For Time: With innumerable work commitments, even if pressed for time or late, SRK is known to give uninterrupted attention and value for his time. Leaving his fans, business associates, directors, co-actors more than happy. 43. Host - Stage Performances: Owing to his witty sense of humor and charm, Shahrukh Khan makes for an awesome host and has hosted quite a few events. He is every event organizer's dream host who can instantly make their event hit headlines while giving the audience a memorable evening. 44. Fighter: By this we mean even after innumerable injuries sustained during shoots, Shahrukh Khan is a fighter, after each surgery he comes back stronger. 45. Optimistic: Shahrukh Khan believes in the goodness, warmth and love that humanity and life has to offer. He is often seen encouraging his fans to do hard work, follow their dreams and believe in goodness of life. 46. The legend continuesâ&#x20AC;ŚPicture abhi baaki hai mere dost

46 India Post

November 13, 2015 www.indiapost.com

'Saat Kadam' is about football in Kolkata India Post News Service

MUMBAI: Eros International Media Ltd (Eros International), a leading global film company in the Indian film entertainment industry is all set to produce a fictional sports drama Saat Kadam starring Amit Sadh, Ronit Roy and Deeksha Seth. Saat Kadam is the debut fea-

ture film of director Mohit Kumar Jha who is well-known for directing popular daily soaps on the small screen like Choti Bahu, Hitler Didi and Parvarrish. Based in Kolkata, Saat Kadam will be a sports drama that revolves around the generation gap and the relationship between a father and his son. Commenting on this new ven-

ture, Sunil Lulla, Managing Director, Eros International Media Ltd. said, "Mohit has done some great work in television and we are happy to produce his debut feature film. It promises to be an emotionally gripping film set against the backdrop of football." Director Mohit Kumar Jha said, "I am absolutely thrilled to have a leading studio like Eros on board for my first feature film. Saat Kadam is an entertaining film for audiences of all ages who will be able to relate to emotional tug of war portrayed in the film. The film is based in Kolkata which is known for its eternal love for football and as a sports loving nation, I hope the audiences will appreciate this film." Actor Amit Sadh added, "Saat Kadam beautifully portrays a father-son relationship and the many facets of it. When I heard the story I knew I had to do this film; one that will be high on emotions, drama and above all football!"

Shoppers queue up for low-cost offering from French designer SAN FRANCISCO: The latest collaboration between a high-fashion designer and a low-price retailer produced long lines at H&M stores around the world while online shoppers complained they couldn't get on the chain's website before most items from its new Balmain collection were sold out. Shoppers waited for hours outside H&M stores in London, Sydney and San Francisco, according to local news reports, as the chain began selling an assortment of dresses, purses and other items from its collaboration with Balmain, a high-end French fashion house. By midday Pacific Time, the chain's website showed more than 65 items in the collection, from a $649 beaded dress to a $34.99 cotton T-shirt, were sold out. Only a ``ribbed bandeau top'' was still available online, at $24.99 for either black or white versions. Shoppers vented on social media, including Twitter and Facebook, where some gushed about the new offerings and others griped that H&M's website had stalled when they tried to visit. A Twitter account for H&M stores

in the United Kingdom offered apologies, saying: ``The interest for this launch has exceeded all collaborations and we're truly sorry for those not being able to shop.'' In an emailed statement, a spokesman for Hennes & Mauritz AB added, ``In those markets that have launched the collection the major part of the items are sold out, but there can still be returns in the following days.'' The Swedish chain had heavily promoted its collaboration with Balmain and its 30-year-old creative director, Olivier Rousteing, whose designs have been worn by

wealthy celebrities Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. Considered a rising star in the fashion world, Rousteing was recently profiled by The New Yorker magazine and has more than 1.6 million followers on the photo-sharing site Instagram. Other low-price clothing chains like Target, the Gap and Kohl's have had successful partnerships with well-known, upscale designers, producing limited collections of lower-cost items for aspirational shoppers who otherwise might never be able to afford those labels. -AP

10th book of 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' series NEW DELHI: American authorillustrator Jeff Kinney has come out with the tenth book of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series in which main character Greg Heffley starts a new school year and faces a challenge he never could've imagined. In "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School", Kinney brings the series back to its roots. Life was better in the old days. Or was it? That's the question middle-school weakling Heffley is asking, as his town voluntarily unplugs and goes electronics-

free. But modern life has its conveniences, and Greg isn't cut out for an old-fashioned world. It follows Heffley as he goes on a weeklong field trip to a farm and deals with a generation gap between the kids and their chaperones. With tension building inside and outside the Heffley home,

Greg looks for a way to survive. According to Kinney, the most surprising thing about "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" has been how children of different cultures around the world have embraced Greg Heffley. "For the tenth book, I wanted to bring things back to basics," says Kinney on the dramatic choice of black for the book cover. "And nothing says 'Old School' for a cartoonist more than black, the color of ink," he adds. Published by Puffin Books, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School" hit the bookstores in more than 90 countries, including in India. Kinney didn't grow up wanting to be a children's author. His dream was to become a newspaper cartoonist, but he wasn't able to get his comic strips syndicated. In 1998, Kinney came up with the idea for "Diary of a Wimpy Kid". He worked on his book for almost eight years before showing it to a publisher in New York. While attending the University of Maryland in the early 1990s, he ran a comic strip called "Igdoof" in the campus newspaper, and he knew he wanted to be a cartoonist. However, Kinney was not successful in getting his comic strip syndicated after college, and in 1998 he started writing down ideas for "Diary of a Wimpy Kid", which he hoped to turn into a book. Kinney worked on the book for six years before publishing it online on Funbrain.com in daily installments. -PTI

3 designers picked for prestigious CFDA/Vogue awards NEW YORK: Three winners, rather than the usual one, were chosen for Council of Fashion Designers of America/Vogue Fashion Fund awards that include $300,000 for each, along with a year's worth of mentoring. Aurora James of Brother Vellies, Rio Uribe of Gypsy Sport and Jonathan Simkhai were announced as winners during the fund's annual awards dinner. It's the first time in the fund's 12-year history that three equal winners were chosen. Brother Vellies creates footwear inspired by and handmade in Africa. Gypsy Sport was founded on cool-kid headwear and Simkhai designs contemporary, sophisti-

cated women's wear. -AP

Singer Zendaya, left, and designer Aurora James, of Brother Vellies, attends the 12th Annual CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund Awards at Spring Studios in New York.

Datebook

November 13, 2014

NEW JERSEY Upcoming

NEW YORK Upcoming

Sat, Nov 14

Fri, Nov 20

• PBA Bhangras Sabhyacharak Mela

• Alka Yagnik Live in New York

Venue: Melvin H.Kreps, Middle School, 5,Kent Lane, East Windsor, NJ 08520 Time : 05:00 pm Contact: 732-447-5879

Sun, Nov 15 • Rhythms NJ Presents A Fundraiser For SAGA 2015 Venue: Montgomery Upper Middle School Auditorium, 375 Burnt Hill Rd, Montgomery, NJ 08558 Time: 4:00 pm

Sun, Nov 22 • Kal Aur Aaj Bollywood Musical Journey Venue: Edison Hotel, 3050,Woodbridge Ave, Edison, NJ 08837 Time: 6:00 pm

Venue: Colden Auditorium, Reeves Avenue, NY 11367 Time : 08:30 pm Contact: 7186392881

Thu, Dec 31 • New Years Eve Bash 2016! Venue: The Meadow Club, 1147 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776 Time : 08:30 pm Contact: 631-928-3800

The, Dec 31 • Midnight Masquerade Ball Venue: BOWLMOR - CHELSEA PIERS, 59 Chelsea Piers, New York, NY 10011 Time : 10:00 pm Contact: 631-928-3800

India Post 47

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

CHICAGO

Upcoming

Nov 6-7, 12-14, 19-21 • One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Ohlone College Dept. of Theatre &

Fri, Nov 13 • Diwali extravaganza with Golu Awards

Dance Production

Venue: Sakoon Indian Restaurant, Fremont,

Directed by Michael Navarra

94538, 39195 Farwell Drive, Fremont, CA

Venue: Smith Center at Ohlone College 43600 Mission Boulevard Fremont, CA 94539 Time: 8:00 pm Tickets: $12 General; $10 Students & Seniors Contact: www.smithcenter.com 510-659-6031

Time: 6:00 pm

Sun, Nov 22 • Marathi Movie - Mumbai Pune Mumbai 2 Venue: Serra Theaters, 200 Serra Way, Milpitas, CA 95035 Time: 02:00 pm Contact 650-670-6665

Sun, Nov 15 • Gujjubhai The Great “1st Super Hit Gujarati Movie” Venue: Serra Theatres, 200 Serra Way #37, Milpitas, Ca 95035 Time: 2:00 pm

Sun, Nov 15 • Vidwan Ramkrishnan Murthy Vocal Concert Venue: CET Anthony Soto Theater, 701,Vine Street, San Jose, CA 95110 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 408-252-1359

Contact: 5103644271

Wed, Nov 25 • Atif Aslam Live In Concert Los Angeles - The Night Before Thanksgiving Day Venue: Terrace Theater - Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, 300 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802 Time: 07:00 pm

ATLANTA Upcoming Sun, Nov 22 • Diwali Special Gujarati Natak Venue: Atlanta Event Hall, 3750 Venture Drive, Duluth, GA 30096 Time: 6:00 pm

Sat, Nov 22 • Diwali Special Gujarati Natak Venue: Atlanta Event Hall, 3750 Venture Drive, Duluth, GA 30096 Time: 6:00 pm

Sun, Nov 15 •Melody Queen Alka Yagnik Live in Concert

Sun, Dec 12 • Shaam E Sangeet

Venue: Windemere Ranch Middle School, 11611 E Branch Pkwy, San Ramon, CA Time: 06:00 pm Contact: 562-450-6790

Venue: The Impact Center at Global Mall, 5675 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Norcross, GA 30071 Time: 06:30 pm

ILLINOIS Upcoming 1st and 3rd Sunday of Month • Chicago Children's Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes Venue: Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60192 (Next to Nissan Dealership) Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807

Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105

Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Where: Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105

Swami Ishatmananda • Bhagavad Gita: Philosophy of life Venue: Public Library-95th Street 3015 Cedar Glade Rd Naperville IL 60564 Time: 1st friday of every month 7-8 pm Contact: 630-637-0662

• India Eternal: From the Vedic Age to the Present Venue: Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago 10915 N. Main Street Glendale Heights, IL 60139 Time: 10:00 pm Contact: 630-655-8822

India Post

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November 13, 2015

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Philosophy

November 13, 2015

India Post 49

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o you hear the firecrack ers outside? Have you ever thought about why, in every culture and society, there are a few days in the year for celebration? These few days are just a compensation - because these societies have taken away all celebration of your life, and if nothing is given to you in compensation, your life can become a danger to the culture. Every culture has to give some compensation to you so that you don't feel completely lost in misery. But these compensations are false. Firecrackers and lights outside cannot make you rejoice. They are only for children; for you, they are a nuisance. But in your inner world there can be a continuity of lights, songs, joys. Society compensates you Society compensates you when it feels that the repression may explode into a dangerous situation if not compensated. But true celebration should come from and in your life; it cannot be according to the calendar. Strange, the whole year you are miserable and on Deepavali suddenly you come out of misery, dancing. Either the misery was false or the date assigned for celebration is false; both cannot be true. And once the festival is gone, you are back in your dark hole, everybody in his misery, everyCEE ELBERT

here is only one perfect Being. It is your Self and that is all there is. It is ever blissful, undying and ever-free. If this is perfectly understood then you are rested, utterly happy, completely at peace. But if you find yourself as a human form, tired of the round of birth and death, then you start to question your own existence and you look for help. You look to scriptures of truth and you look to those who have realized truth. One word for a realizer is guru. It seems to be a human form, but in actuality there is no persona inside that form, it is an empty form, (as all forms are empty in and of themselves). In Reality all forms are pure Consciousness. So you might go to find a guru and you might see a form there. But in truth the guru does not live on the physical plane of existence. The guru is formless, completely transcendent of time and space. If you really want to be free you should go to one who is free. When you find your guru you will know. There will be no doubt. And because there is no such thing as relationship, because there are not two things that exist

body in his anxiety. Life should be a continuous celebration, a festival of lights the whole year round. Only then you can blossom. Transform small things into celebration. In Japan, they have the tea ceremony. Those who can afford it, have a small temple for drinking tea. The act of drinking tea has been transformed into a celebration. The temple is made in a beautiful gar-

god. And you will receive it with the same respect. The tea is prepared in a special samovar which makes musical sounds. Everybody first listens to the music of the tea. So everybody is silent, listening... birds chirping in the garden, and the samovar... the tea is creating its own song. Peace surrounds.... When the tea is ready and it is poured into your cup, you are not

Lowest kind of treatment When you are sick, call a doctor. But more important, call those who love you because there is no medicine more important than love. Call those who can create beauty, music around you because there is nothing that heals like a mood of celebration. Medicine is the lowest kind of treatment. Make everything creative, make

Why become joyous only on a particular day? Call those who can create beauty, music

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. -Mahatma Gandhi

around you because there is nothing that heals like a mood of celebration. Medicine is the

The highest education is

lowest kind of treatment.

that which does not merely give us information

Japanese tea ceremony As you enter the temple, you cannot speak; you have to leave your thoughts and speech outside with your shoes. You sit down in a meditative posture. And the host who prepares tea for you - her movements are so graceful, as if she is dancing, putting cups and saucers before you as if you are

to drink it the way people are doing everywhere. First you will inhale the fragrance. You will sip the tea as if it has come from the beyond, you will take time - there is no hurry. Somebody may start playing the flute. An ordinary thing - just tea - and they have made it a beautiful religious festival, and everybody comes out of it nourished, fresh, feeling younger. And what can be done with tea can be done with everything - with your clothes, food.

the best out of the worst. Start with meditation, and things will go on growing in you - silence, serenity, blissfulness, sensitivity. And whatever comes out of meditation, try to bring it out in life. Share it, because everything shared grows fast. And when you have reached the point of death, you will know there is no death. You can say goodbye, there is no need for any tears of sadness, maybe tears of joy. Excerpted from Beyond Enlightenment at www.osho.com

anywhere, you begin a relationship that transcends all relationships. There is a bond of trust, and an intuition that the words spoken by the guru are from the Real, from pure Awareness. Suspend your disbelief for a moment and listen. Listen to the ancient scrip-

is a true teacher that one will point you in the direction where truth lies and that is exactly to the core of your own being. If you find a teacher that points you to his or herself as a human physical form, it is not a true teacher and you should not stay with them.

are less than genuine does not mean that there is no such thing as a true guru. When you find a pure one, a real teacher, a true guru like my own teacher, Nome, where there is not a trace of ego left, the light shines pure. It is the light of Conscious-

den with a pond, with flowers all around. Guests leave their shoes outside. It is a temple.

The Guru does not live on the physical plane

but makes our life in harmony with all existence. -Rabindranath Tagore The life ahead can only be glorious if you learn to live in total harmony with the Lord. -Sai Baba He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe. -Marcus Aurelius But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads? -Albert Schweitzer

Ramana Maharshi was like an empty vessel of pure Consciousness. This is guru. And all true

With an eye made quiet

gurus have been the same one. Just simply

by the power of harmony,

this pure Consciousness.

and the deep power of joy,

tures spoken again. There has always only been one guru and one disciple again and again throughout apparent time. There is only this one perfect Being. But if there seems to be forms within it, then find the form that is your teacher and surrender everything to the pursuit of Knowledge. Enlightenment is entirely possible for everyone with a keen desire for liberation. If he or she

You can spend a lifetime staring at a human form and never even get close to awakening. Gurus have a bad name because there have been those who were not fully realized and abused power. Relationships with these people can actually be detrimental, or at best just another worldly relationship. But just because there are spiritual teachers who

Cee Elbert

ness, and the words spoken transcend the human realm. His teacher Ramana Maharshi was like an empty vessel of pure Consciousness. This is guru. And all true gurus have been the same one. Just simply this pure Consciousness. Excerpted from www.presentnonexistence.org. 61 year old Cee Elbert lives in Hana, Hawaii

we see into the life of things. -William Wordsworth Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.

Insure yourself FIRST. Call Sahanis, (Arish, Priya or Shiv) for your Insurance needs 718- 271- 0453. Serving for last 35 yrs

-Thomas Merton

50 India Post

ocated on the Delhi-Jaipur highway, Neemrana town is quite ancient. This magnificent town is located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan and commands scenic vistas of its rugged surroundings. Neemrana got its name from a valiant local chieftain named Nimola Meo. He had to suffer defeat at the hands of the Chauhans and appealed that his name should be given to his lost kingdom. Neemrana is an ideal base to explore the surrounding destinations that have lots in store to offer to visitors. The chief attraction of this place is the fort which is perched on a plateau, surrounded by a horse-shoe formation of the Aravalli Mountains. The 14th century hill fort that was ruled by the Chauhans. You will get a feel of the past glory and grandeur since it was a place under the rule of the royal figures. There are

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many things the tourists can watch here among which the most renowned is the Neemrana Fort, which is the most famous among the tourist attractions of Neemrana. Neemrana Fort is located on a high hillock and it commands magnificent views of the surrounding beauty. Nowadays, the Neemrana fort is a leading heritage resort and is an ideal venue for weddings and conferences. When you step inside this hotel, you will virtually get transported to an entirely different world. The ambiance is captivating and features period furniture, antique works of art and frescoed paintings.

November 13, 2015

The nearby town of Kesroli is located at a distance of 155 kms from Delhi and is an ideal base for exploring the grandeur and natural beauty of Rajasthan. This place is only some distance from Neemrana and excursions from Neemrana would be ideal for exploring this magnificent town that has also its mention in mythology. According to historians, this place can be traced to Matsya Janapada of the Mahabharata times. Here you will come across some of the oldest remains of a Buddhist Vihara where the Pandavas are believed to have spent the last year of their

exile. One can catch a glimpse of the reclining statue of Hanuman; memorial of the ruler saint Bhartrihari and Talavriksha with very old water reservoirs. As for lodgings, you can put up in the Neemrana Fort Palace or Hill Fort Resort that provide excellent accommodation options to tourists. While staying in these hotels you can expect the utmost in terms of traditional hospitality and impressive service. The most modern range of facilities is extended to the guests thus making their stay an exclusive one. The historic facts about Neemrana take us to the ancient times when it was under the patronage of Maharaja Devi Singhji. Besides, Neemrana was also the third capital of the descendents of Prithviraj Chauhan III. The chief landmark of this town, the Neemrana Fort, was built by Maharaja Devi Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 52

November 13, 2015

Travel & Hospitality Post

India Post 51

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Women-only trips for adventure travel NEW DELHI: Two men in their twenties in their attempt to do something different find themselves plugging what they call is a "gender gap" in adventure travel by organizing women-only trips. "If you have noticed that unlike in many foreign countries, there is a huge gender gap here in women and girls taking solo trips or in all-female groups and going on adventure trips, treks and explorations.

"More importantly, they go as individuals, meet new people, explore new places but come back with a set of new friends. So in a way, it is also about connecting with people through trips," Nitesh Chauhan, one of the founders of "Jugni", a group travel

organizing company told PTI here. Started in February this year, Jugni, which in Hindi means female firefly and symbolizes the spirit of life, conducts travels for females-only group taking them to snowcapped mountains in Sikkim to Ladakh to Kibber village in Himachal Pradesh famous for viewing shooting stars among a host of other places. Rohit Khattar, the other founder, reckons that women going alone on adventure travels is an area that will boom in next 4-5 years and has so far remained unexplored because of safety issues, which are the prime concern of women. Ratna Jain, a 64-year-old retired school teacher, had recently visited Ladakh and resonated safety as the major concern for travelers. "The world is not really safe, especially for women and we have known this. Initially, we were skeptical about taking this

Experience New York City in winter months NEW YORK: A new tourism campaign is being launched to help visitors experience New York City in the winter months. The new campaign from NYC & Company will highlight winter attractions like outdoor ice skating rinks, along with hidden gems around the city and restaurants in far-flung neighborhoods, from Sam's Soul Food on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx to Zabb Elee, a Michelin-starred Thai restaurant in Jackson Heights, Queens, with a sake bar downstairs. Tips will be offered online in categories like ``Hidden Spaces within Iconic Places'' and ``Stores with Stories.'' A social media campaign is planned in which visitors and New Yorkers can share their insights online. The city's hotel rates in January, February and March are typically 22 percent lower than other times of year, according to NYC & Company. Winter visitors can also take advantage of promotions for dining and theater, with NYC Restaurant Week running Jan. 18-Feb. 5 (reservations open Jan. 6) and two-for-one tickets during Broadway Week, Jan. 19-Feb. 5 (tickets on sale Jan. 7). The tagline for the campaign is ``Find a Winter Less Ordinary,''

and it's part of a new year-round strategy of seasonal promotions called ``Unlock NYC.'' Details at http://www.nycgo.com/unlock . UNIQUE VIDEO DISPLAY ON THE NATIONAL MALL Three nights of outdoor events called ``Commemorate and Celebrate Freedom'' are planned in Washington D.C., on the National Mall, on the evenings of Nov. 16-18. Each of the three nights, video projections will illuminate the facades of the National Museum of African and American History and Culture, which is expected to open in the fall of 2016. On the evening of Nov. 18, the program will include live readings of poems and other works, and a concert by the gospel and R&B singer BeBe Winans. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 52

'only-women' trip. But this trip of mine to Ladakh where I even walked on the snow was anything but unsafe," Jain said. "I went on the trip with my 32-year-old married daughter. There were other elderly women too in my group trekking the extremely cold regions in Ladakh," she added. Jassi, a radio jockey at a popular FM station in Delhi, sums it as the "perfect travel group" for women travelers. "There are not many women-centric travel groups. Jugni, is run by young professionals so that it doesn't give a guide or event planner's feel, which is good," says Jassi who has thrice been a 'Jugni'. The RJ, who found out about the travel group on the internet, adds "for women, safety and arrangements are the primary concerns and once that is taken care of, everything else falls in place." Rohit, who has been in tourism sector conducting travels for over five years, says Jugni is a budget group with its weekend get-away packages beginning at Rs 4,600 (transport fares additional).

He says that while there are not many "women-specific" operators as such, there are a few big players but they charge high. "We do not keep our groups in 5-star hotels. We even set up camps. That is what adventure is all about and that is what helps us keep our budget down, making it more affordable for people," he said. Nitesh says Jugni has so far conducted 14 trips for a group of 10-12 females, from a 17-year-old to a 64-year-old, taking them to Ladakh, Spiti and Lahaul, Sikkim, and various other places in Himachal Pradesh and Ajmer among others. "We have our first foreign trip to Turkey coming up in December. Others to Dubai, Nepal and Bhutan are also lined up for early next year," says Nitesh who formerly worked with PepsiCo. Another interesting fall-out of the trips organized by Jugni is that "after coming back from trips we also organize re-union of sorts for these groups here in Delhi and most of them turn up to rekindle their bonds developed during travel," Nitesh added.PTI

JFK's crutches, school desk on display BOSTON: There's a set of his crutches, and his old wooden school desk still bears his initials ``JFK.'' Those two items are among many never before displayed in ``Young Jack,'' a new exhibition at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum that celebrates the

ertheless, he charmed the school's strict headmaster, who later said Kennedy would get away with some things ``just on his smile.'' In a December 1934 letter to his father, Kennedy wrote that he and classmate Le Moyne ``Lem'' Billings, who would become a lifelong friend, were doing so poorly that they had ``definitely decided to stop any fooling around.'' The desk, which is believed to have been used by Kennedy in his dorm room at Choate, bears the future 35th president's initials. Billings told museum officials it would have been characteristic of his mischievous friend to carve his monogram into things. The exhibition also focuses on Museum visitor Edmilson Da Cruz, of Hayward, Kennedy's service in the Navy. Calif., center, is silhouetted in front of a World War II Kennedy was the commanding ofera photograph of John F. Kennedy in an exhibit titled "Young Jack" at the John F. Kennedy ficer of the patrol torpedo boat PT Presidential Library and Museum, in Boston. 109 that was rammed and sunk by president's early years. a Japanese destroyer in August 1943 off The exhibition focuses on Kennedy's the coast of Australia. military service - a transformative time in Two of the 13 passengers died inhis life - and his years at boarding school, stantly. Over the next few days, Kennedy where he exasperated his teachers and par- led the remaining men to an island nearly ents with his lack of discipline and penchant four miles away, gripping the strap of his for causing trouble. injured shipmate's life jacket in his teeth ``As a young person, some of those per- as he swam to tow him to shore. There, two sonality traits - his style, his elegance - native men showed Kennedy how to carve weren't there yet,'' Museum Curator Stacey a message into a coconut husk, which evenBredhoff said at exhibition opening. ``But tually led to the sailors' rescue. we see the seeds of his personality here. The ordeal was a defining moment for His keen intellect, his enormous charm - all Kennedy, showing his ability to lead under of those are here in his early life.'' great duress, Bredhoff said. It also shaped At Choate, a private boarding school in his views on war and peace. Connecticut, the young Kennedy was the ``It stopped any romantic notions he had ringleader of a group of troublemakers. Nev- about war,'' Bredhoff said. -AP

52 India Post

Travel & Hospitality Post

November 13, 2015

www.indiapost.com

NEEMRANA

Heritage Rajasthan town traced to Mahabharata Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 50

Best time to visit Although the temperature at this place remains relatively moderate, the best time to visit would be the winter season from the months of September to February. During this period of the year, the weather is very pleasant and you can enjoy the day sightseeing tours and excursions. Some of the best known tourist spots in Alwar can be seen during sightseeing and excursions from Neemrana. Alwar is known as the gateway to Rajasthan as it is the first major destination in Rajasthan encountered during a drive from Delhi. The district has an average elevation of 237 meters above sea level and is flanked by the old Aravalli mountain range. During sightseeing and excursions from

Neemrana, you will come across a lot of tourist attractions. Some of these are: Vinay Vilas Mahal: This 18th century palace used to be the residence of the rulers of the state of Alwar. A portion of this palace is now being used by the government, while another has been converted into a museum. The palace is a fine blend of Rajasthani and Mughul architecture. Among the things worth seeing here are the gold and velvet throne in the Durbar Hall, the murals, mirror decoration, and the collection of weapons in the museum. The miniature paintings of the Alwar School are among the other interesting exhibits. The palace is also

called the city palace. Bala Quila (Fort): Situated above the city palace, this medieval fort towers above the city, on a hillock. There are many legends associated with this fort. It is a massive structure and has a large number of towers. The fort is said to have sheltered many Mughul princes during their journeys or exiles. The dimensions of the fort speak volumes about its utility in those days. The fort measures 5 kilometers from North to South, and 2 kilometers from East to West. Sariska National Park: This tiger reserve is one of the best known wildlife destinations of the country. This area was brought under protection in 1958. Before that, it used to serve as the hunting grounds of the rulers of Alwar. The Aravallis guard the forest which was declared a National

Park in 1982. It is located 40 kilometers from Alwar and can be eas-

ily visited during sightseeing and excursions from Neemrana. The important species found here include the Royal Bengal Tiger, leopard, jungle cat, Sambhar, Nilgai, four horned antelope, hyena, and crocodile. A large variety of birds can also be spotted in Sariska. Siliserh Lake: This is a wonderful picnic spot located 13 kilometers south west of Alwar. The lake covers an area of 10.5 square kilometers and is a fine spot for an excursion from Neemrana. The Lake Palace was built in 1845 by Maharaja Vinay Singh for his wife. It is now a heritage hotel.

There are many other tourist spots in Alwar that can be visited during sightseeing and excursions from Neemrana. These include the Vijay Mandir Palace, Bhartrihari Temple, and Purjan Vihar, also called Company Garden. How to Reach By Air: The nearest International Airport from Neemrana is Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, roughly two hour drive from Neemrana. Frequent

flights to various national and international destinations take off from here. By rail: The nearest railway station is Alwar, located at a distance of 71 kms from Neemrana. It is well connected to the major cities. By road: Neemrana is 37 kms from Rewari, 73 kms from Alwar, 99 kms from Gurgaon and 146 kms from Jaipur. It is linked through Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) and some private travel services.

Experience New York City in winter months Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 51

The event pays tribute to anniversaries of three milestones in African-American history: ratification of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, and the end of the Civil War, 150 years ago in 1865; and the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. Digital projection imagery will turn the south facade of the building (facing Madison Drive) and the west facade (facing 15th Street and the Washington Monument) into a five-story, block-long canvas. The video display will be seven minutes long and will run continuously all three nights, from 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. The display will include historic images related to slavery, abolition and Reconstruction, the Civil War and the civil rights era. Best place to view the video will be from the mound area of the Washington Monument and the knoll area adjacent to Madison Drive, at the corner of 14th Street. LONELY PLANET LAUNCHES U.S. MAGAZINE The guidebook publisher Lonely Planet is launching its first U.S. magazine. The issue highlights the top

places in Lonely Planet's justpublished book, ``Best in Travel 2016.'' The ``Best in Travel'' lists include top 10 countries (Botswana, Japan, U.S., Palau, Latvia, Australia, Poland, Uruguay, Greenland and Fiji), and best value destinations (Estonia, Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, East Africa, New Mexico, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Spain's Galicia, Quebec City in Canada, Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast, East Timor and Western Australia). Other features range from tips for taking better videos to dining in Nashville (with Big Al's Deli, Martin's BBQ Joint and The Treehouse on the list) to ``10 new ways to fall in love with Rome,'' with recommendations for cycling the Appian Way and swimming in the Foro Italico sports complex. The new quarterly travel magazine retails for $5.99 at bookstores, Whole Foods and other outlets. Digital editions are also available. With the launch of the U.S. publication, Lonely Planet now publishes magazines in 12 countries. The U.S. magazine is launching with a distribution of 650,000 and is created by an in-house team out of Lonely Planet's U.S. offices in Tennessee.-AP

November 13, 2015

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Kerala to set up first Mega Tourism Circuit THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: One of the first mega tourism circuits in the country will be developed in Kerala with the Centre approving the state Tourism Department's proposal for creating a world class eco-friendly project

lease. Based on the theme of eco-tourism, the Gavi-Vagamon project will have an expenditure of Rs 95 crore, funded by the Union Tourism Ministry, he said. "The development of a Mega Tourism Circuit will not only create tourism infrastructure with global standards, but also lead to creation of jobs and livelihoods for the people of our state and growth of our local communities," he said. Anilkumar also said the circuit would become a model of ecofriendly tourism in the world. "As a picturesque State Tourism Minister A P Anilkumar region, the new circuit will certainly help in furin Gavi-Vagamon region. ther increasing the number of doThe 150-km long circuit in the mestic and international tourist Pathanamthitta-Gavi-Vagamon- arrivals in our state," he said. Thekkady region in central Kerala The state tourism department will have a host of new facilities had submitted a proposal for the such as trekking, archery and rock circuit estimated at Rs 200 crore. climbing. Under the sanctioned project, Rs State Tourism Minister A P 30 crore will be spent for Anilkumar said here that the Pathanamthitta-Gavi-VagamonThekkady project will be among the first such tourism projects to be built under the new 'Swadesh Darshan' scheme of the Union Tourism Ministry, which are meant for theme-based development of destinations. "We are happy to announce that the empowered committee has cleared our proposal to develop a Mega Tourism Circuit in the Pathanamthitta-Gavi-VagamonThekkady region focused on ecofriendly tourism," he said in a re-

Pathanamthitta and Gavi and Rs 65 crore for Vagamon and Thekkady. Kerala Tourism Director P I Sheik Pareeth said the project would extend from Angamoozhy in Pathanamthitta to Vagamon covering about 150 km. "The main components of the project include destination development, tourist facilities and security for visitors," Pareeth said. Facilities for trekking at viewpoint, boating surveillance camera, security arrangements, ecofriendly accommodation and adventure sports activities will also be developed in the area, tourism department sources said. In Vagamon-Thekkady area, there will be development of adventure tourism activities like buggy walks, shooting arena, archery arena, pain ball arena, Burma bridge, trampoline walk, rock climbing, multi-line walk and earthquake walk. A six-km nature trail along the pain valley forest will be another attraction besides common signage, solid waste management and walk ways throughout the project.-PTI

Both OTDC (Odisha Tourism Development Corporation) and IDCO (Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation) will have an equal equity participation in STDCL. Initially both OTDC and IDCO will invest Rs 5 crore each equity

ANANDAPUR: The largest wetland in the Northeast - Sonbeel in Assam's Barak Valley - is all set to become a popular tourist destination with the state government taking several promotional initiatives in this direction. The shimmering water of the fresh water lake coupled with the natural beauty of the hills surrounding it, a vibrant fishing community with rich folk culture and wide avian and piscean population makes the area in Karimganj district an ideal tourist spot. "There is immense potential in developing the area in an ecofriendly manner for tourism. Tourists do visit the area but due to lack of proper accommodation, most are forced to return to the nearest town of Karimganj or Silchar," Karimganj deputy commissioner Sanjiv Gohain Boruah told PTI. The government has decided to address this problem by setting up a tourist lodge in Mokam Kalibari village along the wetland and the

funds have been already sanctioned for the purpose. "The emphasis is to promote eco-friendly tourism without affecting the environment of the area. Photographers from far and near come to the area to capture its varied natural features and as such photography tourism, which

has assumed special significance, with progress in digital photography, will also be a major focus area," he said. People residing in the villages in the adjacent area belong to the fishing community and have a rich heritage of folk culture, particularly music, which the tourists can enjoy in the evenings, he said. PTI

Breakfast with skulls at Halloween night

Odisha forms JV for Shamuka tourism project BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government has decided to implement the Shamuka beach project near Puri on a fast track basis. The state has decided to form a joint venture company namely, Shamuka Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (STDCL) for implementation of Shamuka project and development of other tourism projects around Puri town and peripheral tourist locations like Chilka, Satapada and Raghurajpur.

Wetland to be promoted as tourist destination

capital in the proposed JV company. The registered office of the company will be at Puri for close monitoring of the project. OTDC has been asked to take necessary steps to finalize Memorandum and Article of Association and register STDCL with Registrar of Companies at the earliest. About 982 acres of land has been acquired for the Shamuka project in the Mauza Sipasarubali near Puri city. The approach road up to the site and power station for the project are already in place.-PTI

PARIS: This Halloween, two sages and dark mazes open up into brave souls got the dubious honor Gothic arrangements of stacked of waking up among 6 million dead bones. Bodies were transferred bodies in Paris' creepy Cata- there starting in the late 1700s after combs. Paris' public graveyards were Brazilian Pedro Arruda, 27, said closed due to health fears. he wasn't sure if he was lucky or ``I'd be much more scared if they unlucky when he found out he had were alive,'' he said. won a contest sponsored by The prize includes a double bed home-sharing company Airbnb to in a candle-lit stone chamber and spend the night 20 meters (65 feet) dinner, as well as a violin concert underground. and a storyteller to get them in the Visitors to Paris can tour the dark, 200-mile (322 kilometer) underground labyrinth (though the website warns the tour is unsuitable for ``people with heart or respiratory problems, those of a nervous disposition and young children'') but they don't gener- Guests Brazilian Pedro Arruda, 27, right, and his ally get to stay the mother Monica, attend their dinner prior to spend the Halloween night in Paris' creepy Catacombs night. amid skulls and bones, in Paris, France Arruda, who took his 64-year-old mother for com- Halloween spirit. Airbnb struck a pany, doesn't fear the millions of deal with Paris City Hall to donate dead roommates. The words ``Halt, 300,000 euros ($331,000) in exthis is the realm of Death'' loom change for using the Catacombs above the entrance, as narrow pas- for the night. -AP

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Iran Nuclear agreement: Implications for India

India Post

SUMMAIYA KHAN

he fruition of the nuclear deal between Iran and the P5 +1 seems rewarding to all involved. Iran, according to the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action (CJPOA), has agreed to conduct its nuclear program in a restrictive manner. The plan requires Iran to freeze all uranium enrichment and to place its nuclear sites under IAEA safeguards. In return, Iran anticipates the termination of all economic and diplomatic sanctions imposed on it by the UN Security Council (UNSC), the European Union (EU) and the US. The deal's effect could impact India's energy sector in particular. India is the second largest importer of crude oil from Iran next only to China. A stable and integrated Iran is in the national inter-

India owes Iran about US$8.8 billion dollars for oil that it was unable to clear due to sanctions and the scrapping of the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) by the Reserve bank of India (RBI). Though India tried to clear its oil bills through Turkey and other alternate means, it was made difficult by the US as it asked states including India not to carry out any trade until an understanding was reached. In the now changed environment, India would not only be able to clear its bills, but also purchase oil at a cheaper rate. Iran also gains from the deal as it can now have access to Indian goods that include pharmaceutical products, Basmati rice etc. The deal could open up other collaborative avenues between India and

File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Iranian President Hasan Rouhani in Ufa, Russia on July 9

est of India. It is because of this that India initially endorsed Iran's right to a peaceful nuclear program. Even when Iran was slapped with sanctions, India along with China and Russia continued transactions with Iran as India is against the unilateral imposition of sanctions. However, in 2005, with the ongoing Indo-US nuclear deal negotiation, India had to vote against Iran's nuclear program at the IAEA. India also had to limit trade with Iran as under mounting pressure from US. Now with the deal being struck, India could re-engage itself with Iran in terms of transaction of energy resources. India and Iran have an annual bilateral trade of about US$ 14 billion.

Iran. India could have a stake in various Iranian enterprises as Iran would require India's assistance in the construction of ports, railway lines and so on. The sanctions also stalled the transfer of natural gas to India through a pipe-line connecting India, Pakistan and Iran (IPI). The construction of this pipeline was shelved due to security concerns between India and Pakistan. There are possibilities that talks on this project could be resumed. President Pranab Mukherjee at a conference on 'Cooperative Development, Peace and Security in South and Central Asia', addressed the need to revive the IPI, develop the Chabahar Port, and use the port to forge close ties between the Persian Gulf states.

Chabahar is of strategic significance for India as its development would provide a route for India to trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. The deal has geo-strategic implications for India as the lifting of sanctions could open up the possibility of establishing an international north south corridor that would allow quicker access to Eurasia. As Central Asian states have energy deposits in abundance, the route could be viable for India to access these resources. The deal is also a spur to the Indian banking and insurance sector. Public sector banks that include the State Bank of India (SBI) and the Industrial Developmental Bank of India Ltd (IDBI) hope to revitalize financial transactions with Iran. While sanctions were imposed on Iran, trade with Iran was processed through a Kolkata-based public sector bank. With the sanctions now being lifted, these public sector banks could be empowered to support the expected trade with Iran and process the payment of India's oil imports. India could anticipate an increase in foreign exchange through remittances by Indian expatriates in Iran. Despite these prospects, however, India has its own concerns regarding the openings afforded by the deal. India would have to bargain with Iran on a competitive basis as Iran might accord less preference to India with other stakeholders in Iran's trade, which would include China, Russia, Turkey and the European states. India has begun to forge closer ties with Israel; it also has decades of linkages with the West Asian states - the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in particular with thousands of Indian expatriates that help bring remittances to India. As Israel and several West Asian states are at loggerheads with Iran, India must tactfully use its diplomacy to balance its equations. With a deal of this nature that has multi-dimensional implications for India ranging from the economic to the geostrategic, India must capitalize on the opportunities that the deal offers. The writer is Postgraduate scholar, St Joseph's College, Bangalore

Art of losing elections

rom having perfected the art of winning elections the duo of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have now perfected the art of losing elections. The first requirement of losing an election is arrogance. The BJP acquired it in plenty after a string of successes. Continuing success, if not understood properly, leads to arrogance and arrogance leads to fall. Due to arrogance one cannot see what is obvious to all. Bihar was a repeat of what happened in Delhi. The BJP's PM-President duo did not trust the local leadership in Delhi. They imposed an outsider, Kiran Bedi, as the chief ministerial candidate, when an able administrator like Harsh Vardhan was available. Before the elections when he was shifted from the important Health Ministry, it was interpreted as giving him a lighter portfolio so that he can concentrate on the Delhi elections. But he was totally sidelined. The seat which he had won with massive majority was lost by Kiran Bedi. Relying on the formula of Modi and Shah's supposed invincibility, they disregarded local talent and were roundly trounced by the energetic young team of Arvind Kejriwal. Instead of learning from Delhi, they did even worse in Bihar by not choosing a chief ministerial candidate at all. Here again they had an able local candidate, Bihar's own Sushil Modi who had been the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar in their previous alliance under Nitish Kumar. He gave a good account of himself as the State's Finance Minister. But he was sidelined and the Modi the "colossus" at the Center pitchforked himself as the main adversary of Nitish Kumar. The strategy was bound to fail and it was driven home when Nitish Kumar coolly referred to a contest between a Bihari and a "Bahari," which means outsider. This message went home to the electorate. Modi made the mistake of pitting his development model at the Center with that of Nitish in the State. Since after merely one and half years, Modi had little to show on economic development or his pet missions like Swacch Bharat, the Nitish model was something people had seen and benefited by. Also the loose talkers in the party queered the Bihar pitch for Modi. The lynching over cow beef and the statements of RSS chief on reservations also contributed. Unlike the Congress, BJP boasts of strong regional leaders like Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Madhya Pradesh, Vasundhara Raje in Rajasthan, Chattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and the erstwhile Mohan Parrikar of Goa. Modi could have cited examples of their success as a model of development by the BJP. But he chose to thump his own chest and found that there were few takers. And then the great Modi fell into the Lalu trap replying to the old fox in his same foul language. Nitish all this while kept a dignified profile. Arun Jaitley says they had been done in by the Mahagadhbandhan of Lalu and Nitish. The lesson to be learnt from Bihar's two stalwarts coming together is that the once foes put their egos aside for a bigger cause. And the tragedy is that the BJP cannot have a Gadhbandhan. It has so isolated itself with its divisive ideology that it is in danger of becoming an untouchable once again. In foreign policy also there is a sliding back. The Nepalis on the border of Bihar are facing the brunt of India's rigidness on the issue of India origin Madhesis living close to India's border. Modi sacrificed his statesmanship for the local cause of Bihar elections by speaking up for Madhesis. All in all, Modi in Bihar did not behave like a national leader but sank more and more into the local cesspool. It was Nitish Kumar who looked like a national leader and it would be no surprise if the opponents of Modi rally around him to make a strong opposition front.

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